The DVD-1150 and DVD-1150HDD are 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)