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Name : Sony MDS-B5
Version : 1.0.5
Available for : Manager V5 (all versions), Showmaster (ST & Pro)
Limitation In :
Device Brand : Sony
Positrack Compatible : No
Resources type : Serial
 
Compatible hardware interfaces - available resource modules (MRC) :
 

 

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


Overview :

This MXM lets the user play with and control the audio MiniDisc player, model MDS-B5. Two modes are available : CONTINUE and MULTI SELECT. Some facilities are available in only one given mode.

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Installation (MXM) :

No special installation required.

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Creation (Device) :

Device creation window :



COM Port :
Com port number used to communicate with the Device. Only one device can be connected to one given Com port at a time.

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Commands (List Of) :

Stop :

      Restrictions : None.
      Description : Stops the device (either playing or recording).
      Parameters : None.
Prepare Play :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “continue” (see command “Play Mode”). Current status must be “Stop” (practically, command "Locate" must have been issued immediately before).
      Description : When a track has been located (see command “Locate”), fills the audio buffer with the beginning of the track, so the playing of the track (see command “Play”) will be instantaneous.
      Parameters : None.
Play :
      Restrictions : Current status must be “Pause". It must be preceded by command “Prepare Play” ("continue" mode), or by command “Pause”.
      Description : Starts playing audio, or restarts playing audio after pause.
      Parameters : None.
Pause :
      Restrictions : Current status must be “Play” or “Record”.
      Description : Suspends either playing or recording.
      Parameters : None.
Prepare Record :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “continue” (see command “Play Mode”). Current status must be “Stop”.
      Description : Prepares the player for recording, so the recording of the track (see command “Record”) will start instantaneously.
      Parameters : None.
Record :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “continue” (see command “Play Mode”). Current status must be “Pause” : it then must be preceded by “Prepare Record” command, or “Pause” command.
      Description : Starts recording audio.
      Parameters : None.

Get Track List :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “continue” (see command “Play Mode”). Current status must be “Stop".
      Description : Retrieves the amount of tracks on the disc, and their titles. The titles are copied onto system variable "TrackNameList".
      Parameters : None.
Next Track :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “continue” (see command “Play Mode”). Current status must be “Stop" or "Pause". Current track cannot be the last track of the disc.
      Description : Locates the next track.
      Parameters : None.
Previous Track :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “continue” (see command “Play Mode”). Current status must be “Stop" or "Pause". Current track cannot be the first track of the disc.
      Description : Locates the previous track.
      Parameters : None.
Locate :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “continue” (see command “Play Mode”). Current status must be “Stop" or "Pause".
      Description : Locates any track on the disc.
      Parameters :
      Acces Mode : [Type : Enum] : Specifies if either the track number or the track name will be used to locate it.
          Availables values :
          "By Index" : Parameter "Track Index" will be used, and parameter "Track Name" will be filled out if available.
          "By Name" : Parameter "Track Name" will be used, and parameter "Track Index" will be filled out. Warning : You must be sure that command "Get Track List" has been issued previously, so the name is available.
      Track Index : [Type : Integer] : Number of the track. The first track has number "1".
      Track Name : [Type : String] : Name of the track. The content of the system variable "TrackNameList" must be up to date (command "Get Track List" must have been issued previously). The search for the name in the track name list is not case-sensitive (i.e. "DuMMy" equals "dUmmY").
Get Track Info :
      Restrictions : None.
      Description : Retrieves information about any track on the disc.
      Parameters :
      Acces Mode : [Type : Enum] : Specifies if either the track number or the track name will be used to access it.
          Availables values :
          "By Index" : Parameter "Track Index" will be used, and parameter "Track Name" will be filled out if available.
          "By Name" : Parameter "Track Name" will be used, and parameter "Track Index" will be filled out. Warning : You must be sure that command "Get Track List" has been issued previously, so the name is available.
      Track Index : [Type : Integer] : Number of the track. The first track has number "1".
      Track Name : [Type : String] : Name of the track. The content of the system variable "TrackNameList" must be up to date (command "Get Track List" must have been issued previously). The search for the name in the track name list is not case-sensitive (i.e. "DuMMy" equals "dUmmY").
      Duration : [Type : Time] : Duration of the track in hour, minutes and seconds.
Set Track Name :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “continue” (see command “Play Mode"). Current status must be “Stop".
      Description : Allows the user to set or modify the title of a track.
      Parameters :
      Track Index : [Type : Integer] : Number of the track. The first track has number "1".
      Track Name : [Type : String] : Name of the track. The only 100 first characters are used. Marked characters are translated (i.e. "é", "è", "ê" or "ë" are stored as "e").
Set Disc Name :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “continue” (see command “Play Mode"). Current status must be “Stop".
      Description : Allows the user to set or modify the title of the disc.
      Parameter :
      Disc Name : [Type : String] : Name of the disc. The only 100 first characters are used. Marked characters are translated (i.e. "é", "è", "ê" or "ë" are stored as "e").
Select Audio Input :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “continue” (see command “Play Mode"). Current status must be “Stop".
      Description : Allows the user to select which of the three audio inputs is to be used when recording.
      Parameter :
      Source Type : [Type : Enum] : Specifies the desired audio source.
          Availables values :
          "Analog" : Refer to documentation of player for details.
          "Digital (AES/EBU)" : Refer to documentation of player for details.
          "Digital (coaxial)" : Refer to documentation of player for details.
Eject :
      Restrictions : Current status must be “Stop”.
      Description : Ejects the disc.
      Parameters : None.
Lock Front Panel :
      Restrictions : Current status must be “Stop".
      Description : Allows the user to disable or enable the keys on front side of player.
      Parameter :
      Mode : [Type : Enum] : Specifies the desired mode.
          Availables values :
          "Disabled" : Pressing any key on front side of player will have no effect (except key "Eject").
          "Enabled" : Pressing any key on front side of player will have direct effect.
Play Mode :
      Restrictions : Current status must be “Stop".
      Description : Allows the user to switch between the two available modes : "continue" or "multi access".
      Parameter :
      Play Mode : [Type : Enum] : Specifies the desired mode.
          Availables values :
          "Continue" : This is the "normal" mode.
          "Multi Access" : Allows the user to play tracks grouped in a list of up to 10 tracks (see commands starting with "MultiAccess..." hereafter).
MultiAccess Clear List :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “multi-access” (see command “Play Mode”). Current status must be “Stop".
      Description : Clears the set of up to 10 tracks stored in the 10 available slots in multi-access mode.
      Parameters : None.
MultiAccess Register Track :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “multi-access” (see command “Play Mode"). Current status must be “Stop".
      Description : Stores any track into one of the 10 available slots. Warning : user must start by storing a track in slot #1, then in slot #2, and so on.
      Parameters :
      Acces Mode : [Type : Enum] : Specifies if either the track number or the track name will be used.
          Availables values :
          "By Index" : Parameter "Track Index" will be used.
          "By Name" : Parameter "Track Name" will be used. Warning : You must be sure that command "Get Track List" has been issued previously, so the name is available (remember that command "Get Track List" cannot be issued in "multi-access"mode).
      Track Index : [Type : Integer] : Number of the track. The first track has number "1".
      Track Name : [Type : String] : Name of the track. The content of the system variable "TrackNameList" must be up to date (command "Get Track List" must have been issued previously). The search for the name in the track name list is not case-sensitive (i.e. "DuMMy" equals "dUmmY").
      Slot Number : [Type : Integer] : Specifies the desired slot number where to register the track. Warning : when registering tracks, always start with slot #1, then slot #2, and so on.
MultiAccess Load Slots in Memory :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “multi-access” (see command “Play Mode”). Current status must be “Stop".
      Description : Starts reading the beginning of the tracks registered in the slots for further instant playback.
      Parameters : None.
MultiAccess Instant Playback :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “multi-access” (see command “Play Mode”). Current status must be “Stop", "Pause" or "Play". Command "MultiAccess Load Slots in Memory" must have been issued previously while still in "multi-access mode".
      Description : Starts playing immediately any of the up to 10 tracks registered in the slots. When a track is played using this command, it can then be paused using command "Pause", and restarted using command "Play".
      Parameter :
      Slot Number : [Type : Integer] : Specifies the desired slot number to playback immediately.
Cue :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “continue” (see command “Play Mode"). Current status must be “Play".
      Description : Allows the user to move fast inside the currently played track, forward or backward.
      Parameter :
      Direction : [Type : Enum] : Specifies the desired sense.
          Availables values :
          "Forward" : Moving is performed forward.
          "Backward" : Moving is performed backward.
Cue Standby:
      Restrictions : Current status must be “Play".
      Description : Goes back to the beginning of the playing.
      Parameters : None.
Erase Track :
      Restrictions : Play mode must be “continue” (see command “Play Mode"). Current status must be “Stop".
      Description : Deletes or erases any track on the disc.
      Parameter :
      Track Index : [Type : Integer] : Number of the track. The first track has number "1".

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Variables (List Of) :

CurrentStatus:

      Type : Enum.
      Description : Current status of the device.
      Available Values :
        "Play" : The device is playing.
        "Pause" : The device is paused.
        "Stop" : The device is stopped.
        "Eject" : The disc is being ejected.
        "Disc Out" : No disc is present in the device.
        "Cue Forward" : The device is in fast forward play.
        "Cue Reverse" : The device is in fast rewind (backward) play.
        "TOC Writing" : The device is writing datas on the disc.
        "Record Standby" : A pause has been issued during recording.
CurrentError :
      Type : Enum.
      Description : Last occured error.
      Available Values :
        "No Error" : No error.
        "Command Error" : The last command could not be completed because it was not supported in current state.
        "Not Online" : Communication with the device is corrupted.
DiscName :
      Type : String.
      Description : Name of the disc. This information is automatically updated when a disc is inserted.
TrackCount :
      Type : Integer.
      Description : Amount of tracks on the disc. This information is automatically updated when a disc is inserted.
TrackNameList :
      Type : String.
      Description : List of the titles of the tracks on the disc. This information is updated when command "Get Track List" is completed, and cleared when the disc is ejected.
CurrentTrackNumber :
      Type : Integer.
      Description : Number of current track. This value can be 0 (zero) if no track location has yet been performed on a just inserted disc.
RemainingRecordTime :
      Type : Time.
      Description : Time remaining on the disc for recording. This information is automatically updated when a disc is inserted.
Local :
      Type : Enum.
      Description : Current availability of keys on front side of player (updated after command "Locak Front Panel" is completed).
      Available Values :
        "Disabled" : Pressing keys on front side of player has no effect.
        "Enabled" : Pressing any key on front side of player has direct effect.
CommandCompleted :
      Type : Enum.
      Description : Indicates if a command is still in progress or not. This variable should be tested when its results must be known before continuing (i.e. "Get Track List").
      Available Values :
        "Not Yet" : A command is still in progress.
        "Yes" : The last command has reached completion.
PlayMode :
      Type : Enum.
      Description : Indicates current mode ("continue" or "multi-access").
      Available Values :
        "Continue" : This is the "normal" mode.
        "Multi Access" : Allows the user to play tracks grouped in a list of up to 10 tracks (see commands starting with "MultiAccess..." above).

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Support (Difference with previous versions) :

V 1.0.1:

  • Added: support of Showmaster

V 1.0.2:

  • Bug Fixed: device doesn't communicate after the serial port has been changed
  • Bug Fixed: device stops communication after a disc is reinserted
  • Bug Fixed: disc name is sometimes not updated after a disc is inserted
  • Added: Support for Showmaster.

V 1.0.3:

  • Bug Fixed: when cueing backward, the status was "play"
  • Bug Fixed: when recording, the status was "record standby"
  • Improvement: When sending "Record" while the device is paused, now the device accept the command and goes in "Record Standby"
  • Bug Fixed: the status variable was not updated when the device was disconnected

V 1.0.4:

  • Fixed: delay at start for improving the first infos retrieving

V 1.0.5:

  • Added: support of Showmaster Pro

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