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