Medialon MxMs' Help 
  
Name : Louth VDCP
Version : 1.0.3
Available for : Manager V5 (all versions), Showmaster (ST & Pro)
Limitation In :
Device Brand : Louth, Harris Automation
Positrack Compatible : Yes (but "LoadNextClip" commands are not positracked)
Resources type : Serial
 
Compatible hardware interfaces - available resource modules (MRC) :
 

 

> Overview | > Installation (MXM) | > Creation (Device) | > Commands (List Of) | > Variables (List Of) | > Support


Overview :


The Louth VDCP protocol is a popular RS422 control protocol for Video Disc Recorders or Video Servers. This MxM implements the main functionalities of VDCP.

With this MxM, the user can build a PlayList of clips by using "Load Clip"/"Load Next Clip" commands and then let the MXM plays the PlayList seamlessly.

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Installation (MXM) :


No special installation required

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Creation (Device) :

Device creation window :



Communication Port :
Communication port used to communicate with the Device.

Signal Port :
Signal port of the controlled device which is controlled by this device. The signal port can be either an output or an input port. Each Signal Port to control needs a dedicated communication port. A "Device" must be created for each Signal Port.

Note that the MxM has no way to know what are the ports supported on the controlled device a correct value must be entered in this field.

TimeCode type :
Timecode type used on the controlled device.

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Commands (List Of) :

Stop :

      Description : Stops the device.
      Parameters :
      Mode : [Type : Enum] : Stop mode.
          Availables values :
          "Normal" : Normal stop.
          "Reset PlayList" : Resets the PlayList index to 0

Play :
      Description : Starts playing video.Plays the PlayList.
      Parameters : no parameter.
Record :
      Description : Starts recording video.
      Parameters : no parameter.
      Usage : The record command should only be used once a CreateClip command has been issued.
Fast Forward :
      Description : Performs a fast forward play on the device at the maximum speed.
      Parameters : no parameter.

Fast Reverse :
      Description : Performs a fast reverse play on the device at the maximum speed.
      Parameters : no parameter.
Pause :
      Description : Pauses the device.
      Parameters : no parameter.
Locate :
      Description : Set the device time position to the specified position.
      Parameters :
      TimeCode : [Type : Time] : Time position to go to.

Variable Speed :
      Description : Causes the device to play in variable speed, forward or reverse.
      Parameters :
      Speed : [Type : Integer] : Speed in tenth of the nominal speed. This value could be negative (reverse play) or positive (forward play). Example : a value of 20 will play forward at twice the nominal speed.
Get Clip List:
      Description : Gets the list of existing clips in the Video Disc Recorder. The list is returned in the ClipList system variable as a string. Clip names are separated by CR/LF character.
      Parameters : no parameter
      Usage : The MxM automatically gets and updates the ClipList. Use the GetClipList command to manually refresh the Clip List.
Load Clip:

      Description : Clears the PlayList, add the clip to the PlayList and loads the clip in the Video Disc Recorder.
      Parameters :
      Name : [Type :String] : The name of the clip.
      TimeCode In : [Type : Time] : Start time code of the clip. If the timecode value is "00:00:00/00", the VDR timecode is set to the start of the clip, otherwise it is set to the given time code.
      TimeCode Out
      : [Type : Time] : End time code of the clip. If the timecode value is "00:00:00/00", the out point is set to the the end of the clip.
      Usage :
      In the current version of the MxM, the TimeCodeIn and TimeCodeOut parameters are ignored and the full clip is always loaded.
      If only part of a clip is required to be played, the CopyClip command can be used as a workaround.

Load Next Clip:
      Description : Adds a clip to the PlayList.
      Parameters :
      Name : [Type :String] : The name of the clip.
      TimeCode In : [Type : Time] : Start time code of the clip. If the timecode value is "00:00:00/00", the VDR timecode is set to the start of the clip, otherwise it is set to the given time code.
      TimeCode Out
      : [Type : Time] : End time code of the clip. If the timecode value is "00:00:00/00", the out point is set to the the end of the clip.
      Usage :
      In the current version of the MxM, the TimeCodeIn and TimeCodeOut parameters are ignored and the full clip is always loaded.
      If only part of a clip is required to be played, the CopyClip command can be used as a workaround.
Create Clip:
      Description : Creates a clip in the Video Disc Recorder. This command may be followed by a "Record" command to start the recording.
      Parameters :
      Name : [Type :String] : The name of the clip.
      TimeCode In : [Type : Time] : Start time code of the clip.
      TimeCode Out
      : [Type : Time] : End time code of the clip. If the timecode value is "00:00:00/00", a subsequent "Record" command will start an open ended recording which would end by a "Stop" command. Otherwise the recording stops when the timecode reaches the "Timecode Out" value.
Delete Clip:

      Description : Deletes a clip in the Video Disc Recorder.
      Parameters :
      Name : [Type :String] : The name of the clip to delete.

Copy Clip:
      Description : Copies part of the specfied clip into a new clip.
      Parameters :
      Name : [Type :String] : The name of the clip.
      Copy Name : [Type :String] : The name of the copy.
      TimeCode In : [Type : Time] : Start time code of the clip.
      TimeCode Out
      : [Type : Time] : End time code of the clip.
      Usage : The new clip is automatically added to the clip list .
Play Next Clip:
      Description : Plays the next clip in the PlayList.
      Parameters :No Parameter.
Play Previous Clip:
      Description : Plays the previous clip in the PlayList.
      Parameters :No Parameter.
Load PlayList:
      Description : Loads a Playlist.
      Parameters :
      Name
      : [Type :String] : PlayList string.
      Usage :
      Each clip name of the play list must be separated by CR/LF characters.

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Variables (List Of) :

CurrentClipTimeCode :

      Type : Time.
      Description : position of the current clip as an offset from the start of the clip.

CurrentStatus:

      Type : Enum.
      Description : Current status of the device.
      Available Values :
        "Idle" : There's no loaded clip in the VDR.
        "Still" : The device is in still mode.
        "Play" : The device is playing.
        "Jog" : The device is in jog state.
        "Variable Play" : The device is in variable speed play.
        "Locating" : The device is locating to a time position.
        "Cueing" : The device is loading a clip.

        "Loaded" : A clip is loaded in the device and is ready to play
        "Record" : The device is currently recording.
CurrentError :
      Type : Enum.
      Description : Last occured error.
      Available Values :
        "No Error" : No error.
        "Command Error" : The last command could not be completed.
        "Not Online" : The device does not respond, not online.
        "Bad Port" : The requested Signal Port couldn't be opened.

Current Clip :

      Type : String.
      Description : Name of the current clip.

Current Clip Duration :

      Type : Time.
      Description : Duration of the current clip.

Clip List :

      Type : String.
      Description : List of existing clips in the Video Digital Recorder as retrieved by the GetClipList() command. Clip names are separated by CR/LF.

Clip Count :

      Type : Integer.
      Description : Count of existing clips in the Video Digital Recorder as retrieved by the GetClipList() command.
Play List :
      Type : String.
      Description : List of clips in the PlayList. Clip names are separated by CR/LF.
Play List Count:
      Type : Integer.
      Description : Number of clips in the Play List.
Play List Index:
      Type : Integer.
      Description : Index of the current clip in the PlayList. The index of the first clip ot he PlayList is 0.

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Support (Difference with previous versions) :

V 1.0.1:

  • Added: Support for Showmaster.

V 1.0.2:

  • Modified: serial port is now opened when the device activity is enabled (i.e. when the project switches to Debug or Run mode).
  • Fixed: ControlPanel doesn't open centered in a Container.
  • Internal Changes.

V 1.0.3:

  • Added: Support for Showmaster Pro.

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