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:
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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