BCD HDi Remote Commands

Use Crestron®, AMX®, your computer, RS-232 serial, or Telnet via IP.

The BCD HDi remote commands are the same for TCP/IP and for Serial.

 WakeOnLAN

Turn on power remotely using any WOL sending program.  Enabled by system BIOS.

 TCP/IP Remote

Find Your IP Address Automatically

It's easiest to let your network router assign an IP address to the HDi.
You can also assign IP IPV4 Address, Static Network Mask and Static Gateway Route Gateway manually, but DHCP is a lot easier.  You generally don't need to ask the IT people.

Press the Menu button, then Up Arrow until you see "Network Configuration.  Right/Left arrow to see Use DHCP.

Press Enter and wait about 20 seconds for the HDi to receive it's IP address from your router.
Then you'll see something similar to

In this case, the IP <addr> is 192.168.1.13.

Connecting via Telnet.

From a Windows command window type   telnet 192.168.1.<addr> 3021
3021 is the 'port' address.  You'll need to know both for the Telnet program.

When Telnet connects, you'll see the BCD prompt character ">".
The prompt ">" means that it's ok to send remote commands.
>

Type "help" to see the list of commands:
>help
For more information enter 'help help' or 'help name' with name from:
baud burn deck dele dnum echo ecof econ eras exit fram help info list mark
mode open paus play powr quit recs reje rlse save stop thru vers zero
>

Type "help help" to see expanded explanations of the commands

>help help
baud: show/control serial baud rate - baud 0 means network
burn: burn 0|'data' or 1|'text' or 2|'icon' for video dvd to burn marked files to disc
deck: select the active deck in multi-drop serial configuration
dele: delete video files by name or number or marked files
dnum: set the deck number for multi-drop serial configuration
echo: show/control echo of commands 0|'off' or 1|'on'
ecof: disable echo of commands, alias for echo 0|'off'
econ: enable echo of commands, alias for echo 1|'on'
eras: blank/erase an optical disc
exit: exit the command parser, alias for quit
fram: display the current play/record frame number (during Record or Play)
help: show command help
info: developer/debugging status information
list: list available video files
mark: mark, unmark or list marked video files by name or number, 0 to unmark all
mode: show the current deck transport mode, e.g. PLAY
open: open the optical drive door or eject the disc, alias for reje
paus: pause playback or record.
        paus or the Pause Button also toggles E-E Video Loop Through
play: play a video file by name or number
powr: power off the deck
quit: quit the command parser, alias for exit
recs: record video with either timestamp or user supplied name
reje: eject the disc or open the optial drive door, alias for open
rlse: release paused playback or record and continue
save: save preferences to non-volatile storage
stop: stop playback or record
thru: set E-E Loop Through 0|'off' or 1|'on'
vers: Display the firmware version
zero: Set the frame number to zero

OPERATION

• All commands are 4-characters. 
• Press your computer keyboard Enter key after each command.

Type 'recs' (without the quotes) then pres your keyboard Enter keyto Record
Type 'stop' to stop.
The 'play' to play the most recently recorded file.

"list" will list the recorded files and assign a number to each.

>
>list
  1 2015Sep04_20.05.25.mpg     37M
  2 2015Aug29_20.12.59.mpg    287M
  3 2015Jul27_19.59.23.mp4      4M
  4 2015Jul27_00.04.32.mp4    108M
  5 2015Jul26_23.45.05.mp4      2M

play 2 will play file number 2
play <filename> will play that file

mark
'mark' marks files for further action
'mark1' marks file #1.   'mark 5' marks file #5
'mark 3' marks file #3
Use 'mark 0' to unmark all the files.

Now you can:
'dele' to delete those market files

burn
'burn' these files to a DVD disc (-R,+R, +RW)
'burn 0' or 'burn data' just copies the files as files, "as is" to the disc
'burn 1' or 'burn text' makes a DVD-Video disc with a text menu
''burn2' or 'burn icon' make a DVD-Video disc with a moving video menu

HDi-250 Rear Panel

We've tried to keep the rear panel as straightforward as possible.

Rear Panel I/O

The rear section, from right to left, HDMI In/Out, Audio In/Out(RCA), Composite In/Out(BNC), and Component In/Out(BNC).

On the left is the Power connector and various computer connections, such as an HDMI rack panel. We use a COTS Industrial 4-core computer to drive the system.
Even though most of the connections are not used on the HDi rear panel, we leave them exposed because some of them stick out beyond our rear panel.
The one connector worth mentioning is the RJ-45 LAN socket for networking and TCP/IP remote control.
For military versions the USB and LAN connectors of the HDi rear panel are permanently covered by an inside panel.

[HDi-250] Video/Audio I/O is on the right panel.
Component: Y, R-Y, B-Y, Composite
Audio
HDMI

HDi-250 Frequently Asked Questions

It's a relatively new machine, so there aren't too many questions yet. 
Use the Contact Form to ask your questions.

• How long to make a DVD-Video disc ? (about 3-5 minutes)
  Background: There are three recording formats: MPEG-2(full resolution), MPEG-4(full resolution) and ".vob" (MPEG-2 @ 720x480).  ".vob" is required for making a DVD-Video disc.   If you have chosen MPEG-4 or MPEG-4, the conversion to .vob is automatic when you choose to make a DVD-Video Disc.
  
  If you plan to make DVDs regularly, choose ".vob" as your recording file format.
  Using an erased DVD+RW disc (the slowest medium), the first discs takes about 3:21.  Subsequent discs take 2:39.
  
  
• Direct to DVD ?
  "My customer wants "Direct to DVD" recording.  Does the HDi do that?
  No.  The BCD DVD-1150 records "Direct to DVD".  The HDi-250 records first to the hard drive (or memory) and then, if you want, copies to disc.  Frankly, we think that's better.  If you get a bad blank disc or just want another copy, you can copy again.  Your options are 
  a. Copy files as files
  b. VideoDVD with Text Menu
  c. VideoDVD with Motion Icons (little moving pictures of your videos)
  And really, the time difference isn't much: 
  DVD-1150 Time to Finalize a disc:  about 5 minutes
  HDI-250: Time to create a VideoDVD with motion menu and burn it, about 7 minutes.
  
  
• Does it play standard commercial DVDs?
  No. HDi-250 is Record Only.  We may add DVD playback a later time.  We suggest using a $20 player or if you require wired remote control, a DVD-1150.  Other "Not Now" features are variable speed and reverse play.
  
  
• How do I copy Video Files to my Network from the HDD?
  1.  Connect via your network and copy files to your Windows machine
  2.  Copy the files to the front-panel USB port: USB stick or USB drive.
  3.  Copy the files to a blank DVD Disc, +R, -R, +RW
  All copying can be done from the front panel.  Some can be done via remote commands.
  
  
• Our videos contain very sensitive and confidential information.
  The HDi-Mil version has no serial ports, no USB ports and no LAN connection.
  Further, the HDi-Mil version has no Hard Drive.  It records to RAM. 
  The video files vanish with the unit is powered off.  (It's a good idea to copy the video to the optical drive as soon as recording is finished.)
  
  Our Standard versions are wide open and easy to integrate into a network.  Easy file transfer to your network storage.
  
  
• What kind of discs does it record to?
  Any kind: DVD-R, +R, and +RW.
  
  
• Does it do Blu-Ray?
  No and Yes.  It does not format the video files for BD with menus and special features.
  The MPEG files, however, play well on most BD players.
  NOTE: A Blu-Ray drive is optional for storing up to 25GB of video files.
  
  
• Video Standards
  The HDi-250 will detect all known worldwide broadcast TV standards.  Some (strange) formats from security cameras are not detected and not recordable.
  
  
• What are the Remote Commands?
  • These commands are available via TCP/IP and the optional Serial connection
    >help help
    baud: show/control serial baud rate - baud 0 means network
    burn: burn 0|'data' or 1|'text' or 2|'icon' for video dvd to burn marked files to disc
    deck: select the active deck in multi-drop serial configuration
    dele: delete marked files
    dnum: set the deck number for multi-drop serial configuration
    echo: show/control echo of commands 0|'off' or 1|'on'
    ecof: disable echo of commands, alias for echo 0|'off'
    econ: enable echo of commands, alias for echo 1|'on'
    eras: blank/erase an optical disc
    exit: exit the command parser, alias for quit
    fram: display the current play/record frame number
    help: show command help
    info: developer/debugging status information
    list: list available video files
    mark: mark, unmark or list marked files by number
    mode: show the current deck transport mode, e.g. PLAY
    open: open the optical drive door or eject the disc, alias for reje
    paus: pause playback or record
    play: play a video file
    powr: power off the deck
    quit: quit the command parser, alias for exit
    recs: record video
    reje: eject the disc or open the optial drive door, alias for open
    rlse: release paused playback or record and continue
    save: save preferences to non-volatile storage
    stop: stop playback or record
    thru: set E-E Loop Through 0|'off' or 1|'on'
    vers: Display the firmware version
    zero: Set the frame number to zero

 BCD's Newest Recorder: IP & RS-232 Control !                                                                                                       Everything you asked for !

The BCD HDi is not what most people think of when you say "DVR".   It's not part of a set-top cable box, and it's not a security video recorder.  The BCD HDi is a versatile disk-based video recorder designed for industrial, scientific, educational and military video recording. The HDi-250 answers most of our customers’ requests for features like:

• Easy-Detect Input Video Format
• High Security User & Supervisor PIN for function lockout
  Prevents unintended operation during remote control
  
• Direct HD Recording & Playback to Hard Drive, USB, Optical Disc
• Optional Removable Hard Drive Storage
  
• DVD RW Drive, optional slot-load
• Copy to USB/Flash, to Disc - including DVD
• Windows Network Accessible Files
  
• Wake-On-LAN
• Make DVD from any file(s)

--- Click for full list of Features ---

Click for Quick Start Manual (pdf in a new window)

You could think of it as a DVD recorder with a hard drive, or as a hard drive recorder that burns DVD.  Either way, it's one of the most versatile tools you can use.

Compact 1U Rackmount design with removable rack brackets allows for desktop operation.

High Definition Video Resolution is standard with the HDi-250: up to HD1080 (1920 x 1080) in various formats.

Video I/O for the HDi-250 is HDMI, Component and Composite with 2-channel stereo audio. Other I/O configurations are available with other models.

Video Overlay is available as Date, Time or Date & Time in the lower left of the picture.

Responsive Display messages show status and record setup options as well as playback and disc burn options.

HDi Control is as versatile as HDi recording. All operations are available from front panel pushbuttons and available via TCP/IP commands and optionally, RS-232 serial.

Web control: HDi has a built-in webserver with basic commands and file listing for playback. We're building intuitive applications for recording, playback and disc burning.

Storage Options abound. Among the most popular combinations is a 2.5” removable hard drive and slot-load DVD drive. The removable 2.5” disk ensures complete security and ease of changing media for different assignments

 Optical Storage: the slot-load DVD drive is preferred by many users to prevent breakage of the tray in a conventional drive. Files can be copied to the DVD disc as files or automatically formatted and recorded as DVD-Video discs. Recordings can also be copied to a network drive or to the front USB port.  

Remote Protocol:  The HDi-250 uses the "BCD1" 4-character command protocol, standard with all BCD products since 1982.   Commands like PLAY & STOP are enhanced with disc commands like COPY and BURN.

General

The unit occupies 1 rack space and is equipped with a single DVD +R/+RW drive, complete information display, Composite and S-Video I/O, dual DB-9 jacks for RS-232, a USB-B connector, and an RJ-45 jack for the optional web server. Military Versions are available with NO Hard Drive,  NO Networking and NO USB.

Click Here to Contact Us!

Email sales@bcdusa.com

Ordering Information

Model:HDi-250
Description: Recorder with  Hard Disk, DVDR

Availability:
The BCD HDi-250 is available now.