Akman Ama-mini Ver2 User manual

AMA-mini Ver.2
Manual
Version 1.0
Please see our product warranty
at www.akman.com
For technical support
contact:
Akman Inc
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email:[e-mail]
November 2012

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AMAmini Ver.2 HD Video player:
AMA Mini has a complete set of software built in into the player. You do not need extra
software license/purchase to use any of these built in software.
AMA mini features:
♦Play video from USB drive /micro SDHC card and output video simultaneously through
HDMI, YPbPr and AV out.
♦Edit content of USB/SDHC card from your PC/Laptop remotely through LAN (RJ45).
Optional WIFI adapter,.
♦Micro SDHC card is partially hidden inside the player to prevent unauthorized
removal/tampering.
AMA mini operations:
♦Automatically loop video after powering up.
♦Play different video files using the built in digital input and push buttons and sensors.
♦Play Jpeg slide show with audio.
♦Play video files using Real Time Clock.
♦Seamlessly loop a video.
♦Using LAN to edit USB/Micro SD card.
♦Play video using RS485 port.
Power supply is 12Vdc at 20 watt (included with the unit).
AMA mini is the one of the most
advance professional media player
in the market. It is capable of
playing popular 1080p video
formats such as h.264, quicktime,
Mpeg2 HD, Wmv and Divx HD at
up to 50mbps.

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AMA mini plays from:
•Micro SDHC memory card (partially hidden). Use Micro SDHC CLASS 10 (high speed) only. Do not use
Class 4.
•USB 2.0 Flash drive or any memory device that has USB port such as USB External hard drive, memory
card reader etc.
•Maximum memory size is 32GB ( over 2 hours of HD video).
•Both memory devices are accessible through LAN/WIFI.
USB flash drive
USB flash drive
Micro SDHC CLASS10

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AMA mini Video and Audio output:
HDMI output:
Use HDMI cable to connect the AMA mini into a large screen TV. The HDMI port carries the digital video and
audio signal. If you are using HDMI to DVI cable, use a separate stereo audio cable from the red and white
RCA.
CVBS and Stereo audio output (analog):
Video is available on the Yellow RCA, Stereo audio on Red and White RCA’s. Extra stereo audio output is also
available on a standard 3.5mm stereo jack (not included). Can be converted into Component YPbPr using
jumpers inside the PCB.
YPbPr (component) Video output:
The 3 RCA of the CVBS output can be converted into a YPbPr component output by using the built in jumpers
inside the player.
To convert the CVBS into YPbPr, do the following:
Remove 6 screws from the FRONT panel and slide the PCB out.
Stereo audio out
And SPDIF out
HDMI out
A/V out OR
YPbPr component
Move these 3 JUMPERS
to the
RED
location. Y is Yellow RCA. Pb is White
RCA. Pr is Red RCA. Stereo audio is still
available on the stereo mini jack.

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STEREO AUDIO OUTPUT:
Use a standard 3.5mm STEREO mini jack to 2 RCA to get the analog audio line out.
Audio level is 2 V p/p.
DIGITAL AUDIO OUT:
Digital audio out is available by converting the stereo mini jack.
To convert the stereo mini jack into digital audio out, do the following:
Remove 6 screws from the FRONT panel and slide the PCB out.
The stereo mini jack out is now converted into Digital audio as follows:
Jumper is set for analog audio
Move shorting bar from jumper IR (under the crystal)
into the SPDIF (red bar). Use a std 3.5mmstereo mini
jack for the digital audio out. The R is now digital audio
out. The Left channel does not change, it remains analog
audio out.

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Red RCA now carries the digital audio out. White RCA remain analog audio.
DIGITAL INPUT/RS485:
Built in digital input. Connect 3 single pole OR 3 double contact push buttons. You can substitute the push
buttons with any DRY CONTACT device such as Relay, etc. When using relay to trigger the input, use only
FORM C output (Normally open contact).
Example:
When using Motion Detector to triggr the input, use motion detector that has Form C relay output only.
DIGITAL INPUT Push Button connection:
♦
INPUT 1
♦INPUT 2
♦INPUT 4
♦GROUND
Replace double pole push button with a single
pole push button.
Example input 5:
Use any small SIGNAL diodes such as
IN4148 etc.
You can use a single pole push button and
diodes to replace the double pole push buttons
(input 3,5,and 6).

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Input 3,5 and 6 require double pole push buttons.
Input 3 is input 1+2 trigger momentarily to ground.
Input 5 is input 1+4 trigger momentarily to ground.
Input 6 is input 2+4 trigger momentarily to ground.
AMA Mini has built in software to play video in different modes. These software are built in into the
players, NO EXTRA software fee/licensing is required.
The AMA Mini plays video based on the content of autoplay.txt (Used for IR Mode also), fastmode.txt and
rtc.txt.
The software reads the instruction in autoplay.txt and/or rtc.txt or fastmode.txt and plays the video/text
accordingly.
PLAY (loop) VIDEO automatically after powering up:
Here is an example of the content of the USB flash drive:
AMA mini is programmed to automatically play files in the root directory after powering up.
In this sample Birds.mp4 will automatically loop after powering up. While looping there will be a short black
screen in between.
In order to automatically play and loop after powering up, the AMA mini must have these items in the drive:
1. At least 1 Video or Jpeg file in the root directory. In this case Birds.mp4 video file.
2. Autoplay.txt in the root directory. Use Notepad to create it and save as text file.
Autoplay.txt content can be blank.
Birds.mp4 will automatically loop
after powering up
Autoplay.txt (or fastmode.txt)
MUST BE in the root. Without this
file, the AMA mini will not play

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Files in root directory will be sorted and played based on 2 digit number of the file name.
AUTOPLAY.TXT:
PLAY VIDEO USING BUILT IN DIGITAL INPUT:
Video files inside a folder (in this case VIDEO folder) can only be played by the input. Unlike the video files
in the root directory, video files inside a File folder (or any folder) will not play automatically. They can only be
played using an input that is defined in autoplay.txt.
Here is the list of input definition in autoplay.txt:
01seagull.ts will be the first
file to play.
Autoplay.txt contains instruction
on how you want to play the file(s)
inside the folder (in this case
Video) in relation to the digital
input.
N is NO Interrup t.
X is: after finish playing a file,
wait for other input
JUMP: After finish playing a
file, jump to another input.
To LOOP a file, use JUMP function.
In this case 04_04.

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01=video/cat.mpg …. Standard input.
If Input 1 is triggered, cat.mpg will play. After finish playing it will return to resume looping birds.mp4.
02N=video/main.vob …. No Interrupt.
If Input 2 is triggered, main.vob will play. While playing AMA mini will ignore other inputs (N= no interrupt).
After finish playing it will return to resume looping birds.mp4.
03X=video/Clip05.mpg …. Wait for other input.
If Input 3 is triggered, Clip05.mpg will play. At the end of playback it will wait for another input (X= wait). It
does not return to loop birds.mp4. While waiting the screen is dark.
PLAY ENTIRE FILES in a folder:
05=video/*.*
If Input 5 is triggered (*.* = play all files), all of the files inside the video folder will play (also see page 9 for
slide show with audio background).
JUMP function:
06_08=menu/*.*
After finish playing files inside menu folder jump to play input 8.
LOOP a file or a folder using JUMP function:
04_04=video/cat.mpg (JUMP an input, in this case LOOP)
After finish playing input 4 play input 4 again (same as loop).
PLAY (JPEG) SLIDE SHOW with AUDIO background:
To play a group of Jpeg files together (slide show) with audio background, you must create 2 folders.
1. Create a folder e.g.: vacation and copy the jpeg (picture) files into this folder.
2. Create a new folder with the same name and add _audio into the file name.
e.g: vacation_audio and copy mp3 audio file(s) into this folder.
IMPORTANT: Use MP3 audio files only.

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1f input 6 is triggered, the entire content of vacation folder will play and at the same time vacation_audio
folder mp3 audio content will automatically play in the background.
PLAY VIDEO based on TIME of the day, using Real Time Clock (RTC.txt):
The AMA Mini has a built in real time clock. Using this clock, you can play any video files based on time and
day of the week.
SET the AMA mini Real Time clock :
Use the remote control to set the AMA mini time. While playing a video, press SETUP.
Select SYSTEM and select TIME and choose MANUAL and enter the date and time of the day.
The instruction on how to play video based on time and day of the week is defined by autoplay.txt. Create this
autoplay.txt using notepad (PC) and save it as text file (.txt) and file type is ANSI.
Use the remote control to set the
AMA mini clock. While playing a
video, press the SETUP key. The
Menu screen will appear.
Select SYSTEM. From the SYSTEM
screen select TIME. Manually enter
the DATE and TIME. The RTC.TXT
real time clock program will use this
clock to play different video files.

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INPUT codes to play video using Real Time Clock (RTC):
DAY[0to6]=tt:tt/tt:tt=(FOLDER)/file.name
CAUTION: use this type of bracket: [ …], DO NOT USE (…).
REAL TIME CLOCK: RTC.TXT (continued):
Days definition:
Day[0] is Sunday. Day[1] is Monday.Day[2] is Tuesday.
Day[3] is Wednesday.Day[4] is Thursday. Day[5] is Friday.
Day[6] is Saturday.Day[0.1.2.3.4.5.6] is all days of the week.
Note: use […], do not use (….).
Time definition:
Tt:tt is time in 4 digit number, 24hr format.
Example: 8 am is 08:00. 4 pm is 16:00. 11:30pm is 23:30.
Note:
Video will be looped. After finish looping the video the AMA mini will return to resume playing the file in
root.
Examples:
To play all days of the week::
Day[0,1,2,3,4,5,6]=08:00/08:30=Temp/cat.mov
Every day between 8am to 8:30 am loop cat.mov. After finish playing at 8:30, return to resume playing the root
video.
To play on specific days such as Monday, Tuesday etc:
DAY[1]=08:00/08:30=Temp/cat.mov
On Mondays only between 8am to 8:30am play cat.mov. After finish playing at 8:30, return to resume playing
the root video.
To play on multiple days:
DAY[1,2,3,4,5]=1900/1915=Temp/Closing.mov
On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays between 7pm to 7:15pm, play Closing.mov. After
finish playing at 7:15pm, return to resume playing the root video.
Example of RTC.txt:
DAY[0,1,2,3,4,5,6] =08:00/08:15=VIDEO/Lobby1.mov
Any day of the week from 8am to 8:15am play Lobby1.mov.
DAY[0,1,2,3,4,5,6]=12:00/12:30=Temp/Dog.mov
Any day of the week from 12 to 12:30 noon play Dog.mov
DAY[6]=12:00/16:00=SHOW/*.*
On Saturday from 12-4pm play the entire content of show folder.
DAY[0)]=12:00/14:00=Temp/Special1.mp4
On Sundays only from 12 to 2 am play Special1.mp4.
Example of RTC.txt:

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DAY[0,1,2,3,4,5,6] =08:00/08:15=VIDEO/Lobby1.mov
Any day of the week from 8am to 8:15am play Lobby1.mov.
DAY[0,1,2,3,4,5,6]=12:00/12:30=Temp/Dog.mov
Any day of the week from 12 to 12:30 noon play Dog.mov
DAY[1,3,5]=18:00/18:05=Temp/Closing.mov
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only from 6pm to 6:05 pm play Closing.mov.
DAY[6]=12:00/16:00=SHOW/*.*
On Saturday from 12-4pm play the entire content of show folder.
DAY[0)]=12:00/14:00=Temp/Special1.mp4
On Sundays only from 12 to 2 am play Special1.mp4.
Display rolling TEXT over video:
The AMA mini will automatically display rolling text on the lower part of the screen over the video being
played. To play the rolling text, do as follows:
1. Create the text using NOTEPAD. Example of the content: MUSEUM IS CLOSING IN 15 MINUTES.
2. Save this as Text document, file type is ANSI. This is similar to autoplay and RTC.txt.
3. NAME this file exactly the same as the video that you want this text to be shown.
4. Example: If you want to show the text file while BIRD.MOV is playing, name the text file: BIRD.txt.
5. When Bird.mov is playing, Bird.txt will scroll (on a loop) on the lower part of the screen.
Seamless LOOP using FASTMODE.TXT:
This mode will SEAMLESSLY (loop) a SINGLE VIDEO file (the first video file in the root directory)
automatically after powering up without any black screen/freeze frame.
Use this mode if you want to seamlessly loop a single file OR to sync a group of AMA mini players.
Blank Fastmode.txt;
You can “fine tune” the seamless loop by adding this
statement into the fastmode.txt: delay=X
Where X is a value between 1 to 12.
For MOV file value of X is between 5 to 7.
For Mpeg files, value of X is between 2 to 9.
For MP4 files, value of X is between 4 to 8.

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IR Mode: Must use autoplay.txt
In IR mode, Input 1,2 and 4 of the AMA mini can ONLY be converted into these functions:
NEXT, PREVIOUS,PAUSE/PLAY, STOP, VOL + and VOL -.
To enter IR mode add these lines in the autoplay.txt:
IRMODE=1
Next defines the input. E.g.: NEXT_IR=2 etc.
After the input, define the Loop area.
In this example loop area is 60 to 69.
Next define the loop input:
60=VIDEO/Leaves.ts ….. etc.
LAN file management:
Connect the LAN port (using RJ45 network cable) into the network hub. After powering up, the AMA mini will
show up on the Microsoft Windows Network.
This BT file folder was
created automatically by the
AMA mini
AMA mini on the network
If input 2 of the AMA mini is
triggered, Leaves.ts will play. If
input 2 is triggered again,
Seagull.ts will play etc.

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To COPY and DELETE files in ROOT when using LAN:
Due to slow write of the SDHC card/USB flash drive, DO NOT COPY files directly into the root.
Example:
To replace Village.ts with a new bird.mov file do the following:
Copy bird.mov file into a file folder (Video file folder).
After finish copying, MOVE bird.mov into the root and DELETE village.ts (or move into Video folder).
Village.ts will be played one more time before it is erased from the AMA mini register.
Note: If you are playing a HIGH BIT RATE (25 mbps and up) movie in the root, the movie playback might
“stutter” during copying the file through LAN. Copy a temporary slow bit rate movie in the root before copying
a file. After finish copying, delete this temporary slow bit rate movie (Mpeg2 SD, VOB etc).
EDIT new AUTOPLAY/RTC.txt using LAN:
You can not edit autoplay.txt directly on the AMA mini. You can only DELETE and COPY new autoplay.txt.
Create a new autoplay.txt (or RTC.txt) on your PC.. DELETE autoplay.txt (and RTC.txt if required) from the
root directory of the AMA mini and COPY the new autplay.txt file. The AMA mini will not recognize this new
autoplay.txt file until you reboot it.
REBOOT AMA mini through LAN:
To reboot the AMA mini, create a
blank file (using notepad) and name it
REBOOT.TXT. Copy REBOOT.txt
into the root directory. After 5 seconds,
the AMA mini will reboot and it will
play according to the new autoplay.txt
(or RTC.TXT).

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Play video files using RS485.
CAUTION: DO NOT SHORT 12VDC to GROUND.
Shorting 12VDC to GND might DAMAGE the player,
The AMA mini can play through the RS485 port and the setting is 9600 baud, 8 bit, N, 1 stop bit.
Here is the pin description of the AMA mini RS485 port:
12Vdc TX-/TX+ jumpers
Please set the jumpers as shown in picture above.
For wiring, use a standard 22ga 4 wire telephone cable.
The 12 VDC pin (and Ground) is available to power small external CPU such as IN6 etc. Max power draw is
200mAmp.
RS485 commands:
The format is as follows: #NN:BBBBBE
1: "#" is the start string of the command, hex value is 0x23.
Every command must begin with #.
2:"NN" (2 digit) is the address of the player from 01 to 99.
Note: Use #0 for GLOBAL to address all AMA mini players.
3:BBBBB, this part is for the actual RS485 command.
4:E is the end command mark. The hex value is 0x0d, 0x24($) or 0x0a. You can use any of the above hex value
to end a command.
Example: #0:1$ , means all board (global) play input 1.
Or #02:8$ , means board #2 play input 8.
The following are RS485 examples using #0 GLOBAL address and end the commands with $ (0x24).
Play input (of the autoplay.txt):
#0:1$ ….. play input 1 as written in the autoplay.txt.
REBOOT AMA Mini: #0:RESET$ … Reboot all AMA mini.
Other standard commands (identical to IR remote control):
#1:VOL+$, #1:VOL-$, #1:STOP$, #1:PLAY$,
#1:PRE$ #1:NEXT$, #1:POWER$ and #1:PAUSE$
SET BOARD ADDRESS USING RS485 commands:
To prevent accidental
shorting, do not install
this jumper if you are
not using the 12Vdc

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IMPORTANT: Connect 1 board only to the controller!
#0:ADDR05$
Board address is now 05.
The above RS485 global commands will also work with board address command.
Examples:
#01:RESET$ …. Reboot AMA mini board #01.
#05:6$ ….. Board #5 play input 6.
ECHO (REPLY) from AMA mini: (Default is ECHO=0)
This ECHO refers to RS485 commands from page 12. You can turn ON/OFF the echo from AMA mini and also
set the echo to reply only either to a correct or a wrong RS485 command.
Here are the 4 ECHO modes for AMA mini:
#NN:ECHO=0$ … e.g.: #0:ECHO=0$ or #05:ECHO=0$ etc.
Turn OFF echo from AMA mini, This is the DEFAULT mode.
#NNr:ECHO=1$ …. e.g.: #0:ECHO=1$
Turn ON echo. AMA mini will echo to all RS485 commands.
#NN:ECHO=2$ … e.g.: #0:ECHO=2$
AMA mini will echo only when error commands is send.
#NN:ECHO=3$ ….e.g.: #0:ECHO=3$
AMA mini will echo only when correct command is send.
Example:
If the AMA mini board 3 is set to #03:ECHO=1 (echo is ON).
If you send a command: #03:1$ …..(board #3 play input 1)
The echo from board #3 is: #03:1$:OK
To make sure that input 1 is actually playing, send: #03:Q?$
The AMA mini will reply: $STATE:PLAY /INPUT/VIDEO
This indicates that the input is now actually playing a video file.
Standard mode ECHOS (replies) status from AMA mini:
Note: The following ECHO ARE ALWAYS ON regardless of the echo setting as explain on page 17.
ASK for STATUS COMMAND and echo (reply).
#NN:Q?$
Send this command to ask the status of AMA mini board #01
Example:
#1:Q?$
AMA mini #01 will reply (echo) as follows:
$STATE:PLAY/ROOT/VIDEO or PHOTO or AUDIO
AMA mini board #01 is looping a video/Jpg/audio file in root.
Another possible reply:
$STATE STOP/ROOT/VIDEO or PHITO or AUDIO
AMA mini #01 stops in the root folder.
Another possible reply:
$STATE:PLAY/INPUT/VIDEO or PHOTO or AUDIO
AMA mini #01 is playing an input, video/jpg/audio file.
Another possible reply:
$STATE STOP/INPUT/VIDEO or PHOTO or AUDIO
AMA mini #01 stops after playing an input in the folder.
This is a typical answer from AMA mini if the input has X code. Input example in autoplay.txt:
03X=video/Clip05.mpg
ASK to show playtime and reply (Echo).
#NN:T?$

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Echo is: $TIME:xxx (xxx is in second) e.g.: $TIME: 68
VALID only when playing VIDEO or AUDIO file. (not JPEG).
Example:
#01:T?$ ... ask board#01 to show the play time. AMA mini #01 will echo back: $TIME: 68 means the
playtime is at 68 seconds.
You can turn ON/OFF ECHO for the following commands:
REBOOT AMA mini:
#0:RESET$ or #NN:RESET$ … reboot the AMA mini.
SYNC AMA mini:
#0:SYNC$ or #NN:SYNC$ …. Reset (re-sync) video clock.
Use this to instantly return to frame 1.
INFO of file being played:
To display information of the file being played, press INFO key of the IR remote control. A menu will pop up
on the screen displaying a detailed info of the file. To exit this screen, press INFO key again.
Adjust the slide show timing and transition effects:
You can access the menu to adjust the slide show timing and effects ONLY when the AMA mini is playing
Jpeg picture. To do this, program an input to play Jpeg picture(s)
This MENU will only appear while playing a Jpeg picture.
Use the IR Remote control to adjust the timing and the transition effects. To exit, press MENU key again.
REMOTE CONTROL:

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The remote control can be used to access different functions of the AMA mini.
NUMBER keys, use this to test the input.
Example:
To test 01=Video/Cat.mpg, press key 1. Cat.mpg will now play.
SETUP key to access the Setup screen.
Use this while AMA mini is playing any type of file.
It will stop the playback and enter the setup screen. To exit press setup key again.
MENU key to access the menu of the file being played.
Depending on the type of file being played, different menu will show on screen. To exit press menu key again.
OPERATING ROOM TEMPERATURE:
AMA mini operating room temperature is 40^F to 104^F OR 4^C to 40^C. Please place the AMA mini in a
ventilated location.
Note:
The metal box enclosure of the AMA mini is used as a part of the heat sink. While power is on, the metal box
assists in cooling the entire system and will be warm to the touch.
This design eliminates the need for a fan and ensures the integrity of 100% non moving part design.
Please see our product warranty
at www.akman.com
For technical support
contact:
Akman Inc
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]