Overview :
This
MXM provide the most common MIDI Machine Control commands.
These commands are setup to control a VTR device on MIDI
port. Both MIDI output and input port should be used to
provide full duplex dialog between the MXM and the controlled
device. It also possible to not use the input MIDI port
and connect several devices on the output port using MIDI
Thru connector of the controlled devices. In this case no
feedback from the device is possible.
A "Receive Mode" has been also implemented, where
the MXM can receive MIDI Machine Control commands.
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Installation (MXM) :
No specific installation is required
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Creation (Device) :
The
setup of the device is done through this dialog box :

MIDI out ports
This list contains the MIDI out ports present on the system.
MIDI in ports
This list contains the MIDI in ports present on the system.
MIDI Device ID :
MIDI Machine Controled device as an unique ID on the MIDI
port to communicate with. This ID should be the same the
the DeviceID on the controlled device.
MIDI
Device Mode :
Specifies whether the device acts as a MIDI Controller (sending
MIDI Machine Control commands) or a MIDI Receiver (receiving
MIDI Machine Control Commands).
In MIDI Receiver Mode, the device receives MIDI Machine
Control commands and updates system variables accordingly.
MIDI Input Policy :
Specifies how to manage the feedback status from the device
thru MIDI Input port.
- Autodetect : allows the MXM to check if the device
is present or if the MIDI Input cable is connected. If
there is no answer from the device, the MXM does not manage
status variables of the MXM otherwize it manages variables
like in "Force Input" policy. This policy is
recommended for the majority of the uses.
- Disable Input : Status variables are not managed
at all (no status queries from the MXM).
- Force Input : Status variables are fully managed
(permanent status queries from the MXM).
Start
Time Code :
First Timecode value available on the Device. This value
is used for positrack purpose.
Time
Code Input:
Selects the MIDI Time Code input used to update the TimeCode
Variable.
- MIDI Machine Control (MMC) : the TimeCode variable
of the device is updated with the MIDI Machine Control
timecode information for the MIDI Device ID. This is the
normal setting for MIDI devices which follow the MIDI
Machine Control standard.
- MIDI Time Code : the TimeCode variable is updated
with the MIDI Time Code information which is incomming
on the MIDI Port In. This mode is provided to support
MIDI Devices which output timecode information via MTC
instead of MIDI Machine Control. Note that there is only
allowed ONE MTC per MIDI Port : if several MIDI Devices
output MTC on the same MIDI Port the resulting timecode
will be garbage.
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Commands (List Of) :
Stop :
Description
: Stop the device currently in play mode or record mode.
Parameters : no parameter.
Pause :
Description
: Pause the device currently in play mode or record mode.
Parameters : no parameter.
Play :
Description
: Start playing device.
Parameters : no parameter.
Fast Forward :
Description
: Perform a fast forward play on the device at the maximum speed.
Parameters : no parameter.
Rewind :
Description
: Perform a rewind on the device at the maximum speed up the start
position.
Parameters : no parameter.
Locate :
Description
: Set the device time position to the specified position.
Parameters :
TimeCode : [Type : Time] : Time position to go to.
Step Forward :
Description
: Set the device position to the next frame (image) refering to
the current position. If the device is playing, it will cause playing
stop.
Parameters : no parameter.
Step Reverse :
Description
: Set the device position to the previous frame (image) refering
to the current position. If the device is playing, it will cause playing
stop.
Parameters : no parameter.
Variable Play :
Description
: Cause the device to play in variable speed, forward or reverse.
Parameters :
Speed : [Type : Integer] : Integer part of speed coef. This
value could be negative (reverse play) or positive (forward play).
Speed Frac : [Type : Integer] : Fractionnal part of speed coef
(in 1/1000).
Shuttle :
Description
: Cause the device to enter in shuttle mode. Video and Audio could
hidden depending on the device implementation
Parameters :
Speed : [Type : Integer] : Integer part of speed coef. This
value could be negative (reverse play) or positive (forward play).
Speed Frac : [Type : Integer] : Fractionnal part of speed coef
(in 1/1000).
Scan Search :
Description
: Cause the device to enter in Scan Search mode.
Parameters :
Speed : [Type : Integer] : Integer part of speed coef. This
value could be negative (reverse play) or positive (forward play).
Speed Frac : [Type : Integer] : Fractionnal part of speed coef
(in 1/1000).
Chase :
Description
: Cause the device to enter in chase mode. the device try to synchronize
it in the current timecode reference
Parameters : no parameter.
Record Start :
Description
: Start recording.
Parameters : no parameter.
Usage : The device must be configured to accept this command.
In certain case the record capability of the device is disabled to
increase best response time in play mode.
Record Pause :
Description
: Pause a device currently in record.
Parameters : no parameter.
Usage : The device must be configured to accept this command.
In certain case the record capability of the device is disabled to
increase best response time in play mode.
Record Stop :
Description
: Stop a device currently in record.
Parameters : no parameter.
Usage : The device must be configured to accept this command.
In certain case the record capability of the device is disabled to
increase best response time in play mode. If the device was in Play
mode before starting record, the device return in play mode after
this comand was sent.
Eject :
Description
: Cause the device to eject media.
Parameters : no parameter.
Select Timecode
Source :
Description
: Select the current timecode reference for the device. This timecode
is used in chase mode and all synchronisation jobs
Parameters :
Source : [Type : Enum] : Timecode source.
Availables
values :
"LTC" : Longitudinal Time Code.
"VITC" : Vertical Interval Time Code.
"Tape Counter" : Frame Counter of the device.
"Audio VITC/LTC" Audio VITC/LTC reference
"As Defined locally" : depend on local device settings.
Deferred Play:
Read Next Command:
Description
: Read the next command received in receiver mode.
Parameters : no parameter.
Usage : Once this command is executed several variables are
updated depending on the last received command type : InCommandCount,
InMMCCommand, InMMCData, InMMCLocateTimeCode, InMMCTimeCodeSource.
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Variables (List Of) :
Status:
Type : Enum.
Description : Current status of the device.
Available Values :
"Stop" : The
device is in stop mode.
"Pause" : The device is in pause mode.
"Play" : The device is playing.
"Fast Forward" : The device is in fast forward play.
"Rewind" : The device is in fast rewind play.
"Record" : The device is recording.
"Locate" : The device is locating a position.
"Variable Play" : The device is playing in variable speed.
"Shuttle" : The device is in shuttle mode.
"Scan Search" : The device is in scan search mode.
"Step" : The device is locating the previous or next frame.
"Eject" : The device is ejecting the media.
"Deferred Play" : The device is in deferred playback mode.
"Not Online" : The device is not powered or the MIDI input cable
is not connected.
"MIDI Input Disabled" : MIDI Input has been disabled, so feedback
from the device is not managed.
"Receiver Mode" : The device is in receiver mode (> see
description of receiver mode).
TimeCode :
Type : Time.
Description : Current time position of the device.
TimeCodeSource :
Type : Enum.
Description : Current selected Time Code source on the device.
Available Values :
"LTC" : Longitudinal
Time Code.
"VITC" : Vertical Interval Time Code.
"Tape Counter" : Frame Counter of the device.
"Audio VITC/LTC" Audio VITC/LTC reference
"As Defined locally" : depend on local device settings.
In Command Count
:
Type : Integer.
Description : Number of received MIDI Machine Control Commands.
Automatically decreased after a ReadNextCommand comand.
In MMC Command :
Type : Enum.
Description : last MIDI Machine Control command retrieved by
the ReadNextCommand command .
Available Values :
"None"
: no command was retrieved or unknown command
"Stop" : Stop command.
"Pause" : Pause command.
"Play" : Play command.
"Fast Forward" : Fast Forward command.
"Rewind" : Rewind command.
"Record" : Record command.
"Locate" : Locate command. See InMMCLocateTimeCode and InMMCData
variables.
"Variable Play" : Variable Speed command.See InMMCData variable.
"Shuttle" : Shuttle command.See InMMCData variable.
"Scan Search" : Scan Search command. See InMMCData variable.
"Step" : Step command. See InMMCData variable.
"Eject" : Eject command.
"Select Time Source" : Select Time Source command. See
InMMCTimeCodeSource.
"Track Ready" : Arm a track for recording. See InMMCData
variable.
"Deferred Play" : Deferred Play" command.
In MMC Data
:
Type : Integer.
Description : Integer data which depends upon the last command
retrieved by the ReadNextCommand command.
Locate : if it is a "GP Type" Locate command, contains the
GP number. Otherwise equal -1
Variable Play : desired speed x 1000. Negative for reverse
Shuttle : desired speed x 1000. Negative for reverse
Scan Search :desired speed x 1000. Negative for reverse
Step : number of frames to step. Negative to reverse step
Track Ready : Track Ready Bit map (bit 0 for track 1, ... , bit 31
fot track 32)
In MMC Locate
TimeCode :
Type : Time.
Description : Time Code to locate to if the last received MMC
command was "Locate".
In MMC TimeCodeSource
:
Type : Enum.
Description : Desired TimeCode source if the last received
MMC command was "Select Time Source".
Available Values :
"LTC" : Longitudinal
Time Code.
"VITC" : Vertical Interval Time Code.
"Tape Counter" : Frame Counter of the device.
"Audio VITC/LTC" Audio VITC/LTC reference
"As Defined locally" : depend on local device settings.
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Support (Difference with previous versions) :
V 1.0.1:
- Added: Support for Showmaster.
V 1.0.2:
- Bug Fixed: a MIDI resource cannot be shared by several devices (although the setup dialog also allows it). This bug fix requires Manager 5.0.2 or higher
V 1.0.3:
- Added: Support for Showmaster Pro.
V 1.0.4:
- Bug Fixed: Incomming Locate commands are dropped.
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