The DVD-1150 is designed for control via serial commands via RS-232 or USB (acting as a serial port).  For convenience they also have front panel pushbuttons.

The BCD DVD-1150 uses the "BCD1" Command Protocol, the same as used since 1982 and is in current use with BCD's TC-100, SB-100 and VC-16x controllers.  We will update this list from time to time when people have questions.  The full command set is listed in the DVD-1150  Manual.

RS-232 Pinout:  The DB-9 connectors on the DVD-1150 are wired as DCE so a straight-through 9-pin cable (M-F) from your computer will do the job.   On the connectors, Pin 2=TxD, Pin 3= RxD, Pin 5=GND.  The default Baud rate is 19,200 and may be changed and saved under software control.

Commands are 4-characters, terminated by CRLF (Carriage Return Line Feed).   The unit then  sends a prompt character ">" when it is ready to receive another command.
It is important that your control program wait for the ">" prompt before sending a command.

Some commands may have a numeric parameter.

The  MODE and STAT commands do the same thing -- they return the current status of the system.   MODE and STAT can take 3-4 seconds to return a value.  It is important that your routine wait for the ">" prompt after issuing any command.
STAT is a status query that returns a 4-character reply of system status.
MODE is a status query that returns a number.

Common Commands 

RECS means RECord Start.  It starts recording.
         STAT=RCRD.  MODE=16

STOP makes it stop.
         STAT=PTHR (pass through) MODE=25

PAUS makes playback or recording PAUSe.
        STAT=STFW (step fwd)  MODE=1 

TITL makes it go to the TITLe Menu/Root Menu.
        STAT=TITL   MODE=23

If the unit is already a the TITL mode, the TITL command acts as Resume and the deck resumes playback from where it was interrupted.

PLAY makes it play.
         STAT=PLAY   MODE=10

If the unit is in Pass-Through or Loop-Through mode (video in goes through to video out). PLAY makes it go to the TITLe menu.
If the unit is in PAUSe mode, playback resuumes.

STAT is a query for current transport status. 
        STAT returns a 4-character message like STOP, PLAY, RECD

MODE is the same as STAT but returns a 2-digit number. 
       Mode 10 is PLAY.  MODE 25 is STOP/PTHR. 

TLFT Time Left to record on disc.  Returns H:MM 

RLOK Record LOcK.  Default RLOK=1: Requires REC+PLAY front panel buttons to record.     RLOK= 0 permits recording by pressing only the REC button.

FRAM returns the current disc playback position as an integer frame number 

FRAM: (note the Colon) returns the current disc playback position in terms of HH:MM:SS

Common STAT & MODE Values

STAT   MODE  DESCRIPTION
OPEN    30   Tray is Open
NDSC    31   No Disc in Tray
INIT    22   During Power-up or after inserting a new disc
PTHR    25   Pass-through or STOP
PLAY    10   Deck is playing
STFW    01   Step Fwd(Paus from Play)
TITL    23   At the TITLe/Root Menu
RECS    16   Recording
RPAU    35   Paused during Record
RSTP    38   Stopping after Record (writing title to menu)

Command Execution Times
By some standards, the response of the DVD-1150 is incredibly slow. We take pride, however, in knowing that commands will be accurately executed and that the MODE command returns accurate values. Here are some of our test results.   All times are rounded up to the next second.   Your results may vary, but not by much.

DVD-1150 Timing Test
Test Equipment: TV camera aimed at clock w/second hand, TV monitor, stopwatch, Windows Hyperterminal. 

Starting
Condition   Cmd     Results             Elapsed Time
=========   ====    ==================  ============
Titl Menu   RECS    On-screen Indicator     2 sec
                    Recording Begins        3 sec       
                    ">" Prompt returns      8 sec       
                    Unit checks for recording action
                    Total elapsed time: 8 sec
                    
Recording   MODE    Returns RCRD mode       3 sec
                    
Recording   STOP    On-Screen Indicator     1 sec       
                    Prompt returns immediately
  Stopping  MODE    RSTP                    3 sec       
                    Writing Title Menu
  Stopped   MODE    PTHR (STOP)            12 sec       
                    Ready to record again

Title Menu  PLAY    Picture Appears         2 sec       
                    Title chosen from menu

Title Menu  MODE    Mode Value Returns      3 sec
Play mode   MODE    Mode Value Rerturns     3 sec
                       

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