Denon Professional DN-500R User manual

DN-500R
Serial Command Protocol Guide
English

2
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................3
Support ..................................................................................................................................3
General Overview ..................................................................................................................3
Connecting the Host to DN-500R .........................................................................................3
Communication Protocol............................................................................................................4
Types of Serial Communication............................................................................................4
Structure of the Codes..........................................................................................................5
Rules on Transmitting Command Codes .............................................................................5
Control Command Codes...........................................................................................................6
Status Request Command Codes/Status Information Codes ................................................21
Automatic Status Information Codes.......................................................................................36
Appendix...................................................................................................................................38
Acceptable Characters for Serial Communication.............................................................38
Entering the Absolute Path for Folder and File Names......................................................38
RS-232C Specifications ......................................................................................................39
Trademarks & Licenses.......................................................................................................39

3
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the DN-500R. At Denon Professional, performance and reliability mean as
much to us as they do to you. That’s why we design our equipment with only one thing in mind—to
make your performance the best it can be.
Support
For the latest information about this product (documentation, technical specifications, system
requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit denonpro.com.
For additional product support, visit denonpro.com/support.
General Overview
With RS-232C serial remote control, a “host” machine such as a PC can be used to operate your DN-
500R. Throughout this document, the equipment used to control DN-500R will be called the Host.
To learn more about the different types of serial communication and the code structure it requires, see
the Communication Protocol section that starts on the next page. To view the complete list of serial
command codes, see the Control Command Codes, Status Request Command Codes/Status
Information Codes, and Automatic Status Information Codes sections later in this manual.
Connecting the Host to DN-500R
For serial remote control, you must first connect the host to your DN-500R. Use an RS-232C Straight
Cable (9-Pin D-Sub Male) to connect the RS-232C input on the rear panel of your DN-500R to the
corresponding input on the host. Make sure that the host is installed with proper software for serial
communication.
DN-500R Rear Panel
Personal Computer
RS-232C Straight Cable

4
Communication Protocol
Types of Serial Communication
Three types of serial communication can be transmitted between the host and DN-500R:
1. Control commands sent to DN-500R from the
host
You can use control commands to make DN-500R
perform a desired function (such as initiating a
recording or playing a track).
When DN-500R receives a control command from
the host, DN-500R sends an ACK signal to the
host and then executes the command.
2. Status request commands sent to DN-500R
from the host
You can use a status request command to
determine the current state of one of DN-500R’s
components (such as the amount of free space left
on the media source or the currently selected
recording input).
When DN-500R receives a status request
command from the host, DN-500R answers the
host with an ACK signal followed by the requested
status information.
3. Status information automatically sent to the
host when a change is made from DN-500R
When certain changes to DN-500R are made from
the device itself, DN-500R automatically sends
status information to the host. When the host
receives automatic status information successfully,
it sends an ACK signal to DN-500R.
DN-500R Host
Control
Command
DN-500R Host
DN-500R Host
Status
Request
Command
Status
Information
Status
Information

5
Structure of the Codes
Serial communication between the host and DN-500R uses ASCII Code from 0x20 to 0x7F.
All control command codes, status request command codes, and status information codes require
three components that form a “packet.” In order, the components are the start character + ID, the
command, and the end character (0x0D):
1. Start Character + ID: @ (0x40) + 0 (0x30)
2. Command: some letters and/or numbers that stand for a controllable feature of DN-500R
3. End Character: \r (0x0D)
The required start character/ID and end character are the same in all codes, whereas the command
portion varies with each code.
For example, the full control command code that the host can use to power on DN-500R is @023PW\r:
@0 23PW \r
Rules on Transmitting Command Codes
•When DN-500R receives a control command or status request command from the host, DN-500R
should respond within 300 ms.
•When DN-500R successfully executes a command that it receives from the host, DN-500R sends
an ACK signal (0x06) to the host (as well as the status information code in the case of a status
request command).
•If DN-500R receives an unknown command from the host or if a received command fails for some
other reason, DN-500R will send a NACK signal (0x15) to the host.
•When sending consecutive commands from the host, do not send the second command until DN-
500R has answered the first with the ACK (0x06) or NACK (0x15) signal. If the second command is
sent before the ACK (0x06) or NACK (0x15) signal is received, DN-500R will send the “Busy” status
information code (@0BDERBUSY) to the host.
•If DN-500R does not receive a command that the host sent within 300 ms, the host will
automatically send the same command up to two additional times. If DN-500R still does not receive
the command after the second automatic attempt, the process will timeout, and the host will send
the end character to DN-500R.
•Do not send a second status request command from the host until DN-500R has responded to the
first.
•When sending a command to DN-500R from the host, make sure that no longer than 5 ms passes
between entering each character in the command code.
•All characters used in codes transmitted between the host and DN-500R must fall within the
bounds of the acceptable character table in the Appendix.
•Wait at least one second after sending the Power On command before sending the next command.
•When status information is automatically sent to the host after a change to DN-500R is made from
the device itself, the host will send an ACK (0x06) signal to DN-500R. If DN-500R does not receive
the ACK signal within 300 ms, it will automatically send the status information to the host again. If
DN-500R then fails to receive the ACK (0x06) signal again, the process will timeout.
Start Character
+ ID
Command
End Characte
r

6
Control Command Codes
Use the codes below to control your DN-500R.
In cases where the control command code includes a variable, the variable is indicated in italicized font
and the potential values are indicated in bold font.
Control Commands
(Host →DN-500R)
CATEGORY CONTENTS CODE DESCRIPTION
Power/Media
Power On @023PW\r Powers on DN-500R
Power Standby @02312\r Puts DN-500R in standby
Set Power On Mode @0POXX\r
Changes the default mode that DN-500R will
enter when it is powered on, where XX (the
mode) = RM (resume playback of the last played
track), PF (play the first track in the last used
folder), ST (stop playback), or RE (begin
recordin
g
to the last selected media source)
Select Media Source @0MMXX\r Selects the media source, where
X
X(the media
source) = S1 (SD Card) or US (USB drive)
Recording
Select Recording Input @0INXX\r
Selects the input to be used as the recording
audio source, where XX (the input) = UB (the
RCA input), BA (the analog XLR input), DI (the
coaxial input), or DB (the AES/EBU input)
Set Recording Channels @0CHXX\r
Sets whether recorded files will be set to stereo
or mono, where XX (the setting) = ST (stereo),
ML (left channel mono), or MX (mixed left and
right channel mono at –3 dB)
Initiate Recording @02355\r
If One Touch Recording is set to off, the first
entry of this command puts DN-500R in
recording mode, and the second entry initiates
recording
If One Touch Recording is set to on, the first
entry of this command initiates recording
Activate One Touch Rec @0ORNN\r Turns One Touch Recording on or off, where N
N
= 00 (on) or 01 (off)
Pause Recording @023Rp\r Pauses an in-progress recording
Split Recording @023MT\r Splits an in-progress recording into two separate
files at the point the command is executed
Rec Monitor On/Off @023RMNN\r Turns the recording monitor feature on or off,
where NN = 00 (on) or 01 (off)
Set Input Volume Type @0VIXX\r
Determines whether the recording input volume
can be adjusted or whether it is fixed at 0 dB,
where XX = VA (can be adjusted) or FX (fixed at
0 dB)
Volume Up/Down @023VX\r
Turns the volume of the recording up or down
1.0 dB, where X (the direction) = +(up) or -
(down)

7
Control Commands
(Host →DN-500R)
CATEGORY CONTENTS CODE DESCRIPTION
Recording
Left Channel Up/Down @023LX\r
Adjusts the volume of the left recording channel
up or down 1.0 dB, where X (the direction) = +
(up) or -(down)
Right Channel Up/Down @023RX\r
Adjusts the volume of the right recording
channel up or down 1.0 dB, where X (the
direction) = + (up) or -(down)
Adjust L/R balance @023BX\r
Adjusts the balance of the left and right
recording channels, where X = L(increase the
volume of the left channel by 1.0 dB and
decrease the volume of the right channel by 1.0
dB) or R (increase the volume of the right
channel by 1.0 dB and decrease the volume of
the left channel by 1.0 dB)
Adjust Pre-Record Time @0PRNS\r
Sets the amount of time it will take DN-500R to
begin recording after the record command is
executed, where N (the amount of time in
seconds) = 1–5; if no variable is entered in the
command, the pre-record time feature will be
disactivated
Set Format to WAV
(PCM) @0AFPMNN\r
Sets the file format for recordings to WAV and
sets the file bit length, where NN (the bit length)
= 16 or 24
Set Format to MP3 @0AFM3NNN\r
Sets the file format for recordings to MP3 and
sets the file bit rate, where NNN (the bit rate in
Kbps) = 064, 128, 192, 256, or 320
Select Current Folder @0RfCU\r Sets the currently selected folder as the
destination for saving new recorded files
Select Specific Folder @0RfFXxxxx\r
Sets a specified folder as the destination for
saving new recorded files, where xxxx stands for
the folder name (absolute path not required)
Advanced
Recording
Options
Dual Record @0dRXX\r
Activates/deactivates dual recording and selects
the backup media, where XX = OF (turns dual
recording off), S1 (turns dual recording on and
selects SD1 as the backup media), or US (turns
dual recording on and selects USB as the
backup media)
Relay Record @0rRXX\r
Activates/deactivates relay recording and
selects the secondary media, where XX = OF
(turns relay recording off), S1 (turns relay
recording on and selects SD1 as the secondary
media), or US (turns relay recording on and
selects USB as the secondary media)
Turn Auto Track On/Off @0AThhmm\r
Sets DN-500R to automatically split an in-
progress recording into a new file as soon as a
specified interval of time has elapsed, where
hhmm (the interval of time in hours and minutes)
= 0001, 0005, 0010, 0015, 0030, 0100, 0200,
0600, 0800, 1200, 2400; enter 0000 for the
variable to deactivate the auto track function

8
Control Commands
(Host →DN-500R)
CATEGORY CONTENTS CODE DESCRIPTION
Advanced
Recording
Options
Add Mark @023121\r Adds a mark to the track at the current recording
position
Turn Silent Skip On/Off @0SSNN\r
Determines whether DN-500R will automatically
pause recording if the audio input reaches below
the specified volume threshold and then
automatically resume recording if the audio input
reaches above the threshold, where NN = 00
(turn on silent skip) or 01 (turn off silent skip)
Turn Automark On/Off @0AMNN\r
Determines whether DN-500R will automatically
add a mark to tracks once they reach below the
specified volume threshold, where NN = 00 (turn
automark on) or 01 (turn automark off)
Set Silent Level @0SLNN\r
Sets the threshold for how quiet the audio input
must be in order for a recording to automatically
pause when Silent Skip is activated or for a mark
to be automatically added when Automark is
activated, where NN (the threshold in –dB) = 20,
38, 54, or 60
Set Silent Time @0SCNN\r
Sets how long the audio input must be below
the specified volume threshold in order for
recording to be automatically paused when
Silent Skip is activated or for a mark to be
automatically added when Automark is
activated, where NN (the length of time in
seconds) = 01–05
Set Sample Rate @0FSXX\r
Sets the sample rate for recorded files, where
X
X
(the sample rate in kHz) = 44, 48, 96 or EX (for
the AES/EBU input)
Set File Name Format @0FfXXX\r
Determines the file name format for recorded
files, where XXX (the format) = MDU, MUD,
DMU, DUM, UMD, or UDM
Note: In the six potential values, “M” stands for
machine name, “D” stands for recording start
time, and “U” stands for user area
Edit Machine Name @0MNxxxx\r
Changes the machine name, where
x
xxx stands
for the new machine name
See Appendix > Acceptable Characters for
Serial Communication for details on which
characters can be used in the machine’s new
name
Rename User Area @0Uaxxxx\r
Edits the user area character string to be
automatically included in recorded file names,
where xxxx stands for a user area name of up to
32 characters
See Appendix > Acceptable Characters for
Serial Communication for details on which
characters can be used in the user area’s new
name

9
Control Commands
(Host →DN-500R)
CATEGORY CONTENTS CODE DESCRIPTION
Advanced
Recording
Options
Add/Remove User Area
from Recorded File
Name
@0USNN\r
Sets recorded file names to automatically
include or not include the user area name, where
NN (the setting) = 00 (include) or 01 (don’t
include)
Set Timer (by day of the
week)
@0ShDWXXxxx
xxxxHHMMhhm
mUUUUU\r
Sets DN-500R to automatically start recording at
a specific day and time:
•XX (the record timer setting number) = 01–30
•xxxxxxx (the day or days of the week) =
SMTWTFS and/or _; see note below for
details
•HHMM (the start time in hours and minutes) =
0000–2359
•hhmm (the duration of the recording in hours
and minutes) = 0000–2359
•UUUUU stands for a user area name of up to
32 characters
Note: For the xxxxxxx variable, an entry must be
made for all seven days of the week; if you
would like to skip a day of the week, enter _
instead of the first letter of the day name; for
example, to set the recording only on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, enter _M_W_F_ for
xxxxxxx
Note: If you want to set the recording to start
every hour, enter ** for the HH variable
Set Timer (by specific
date and time)
@0ShDTXXYYM
MDDHHMMhh
mmUUUUU\r
Sets DN-500R to automatically start recording at
a specific date and time:
•XX (the record timer setting number) = 01–30
•YYMMDD (the year, month, and date to start
recording) = 130101–351231
•HHMM (the start time in hours and minutes) =
0000–2359
•hhmm (the duration of the recording in hours
and minutes) = 0000–2359
•UUUUU stands for a user area name of up to
32 characters
Note: To set the recording to occur annually,
enter ** for the YY variable; to set the recording
to occur monthly, enter ** for the MM variable
Timer Off @023TO\r Turns the record timer(s) off
Delete Timer Setting @0ShDLNN\r
Deletes the timer assigned to the timer setting
number, where NN (the timer setting number) =
01–30
Delete All Timer Settings @0ShAD\r Delete all 30 record timer settings on DN-500R

10
Control Commands
(Host →DN-500R)
CATEGORY CONTENTS CODE DESCRIPTION
Advanced
Recording
Options
Lower/Raise Input Level @0ItXYYY\r
Adjusts the analog input volume level for either
the left or right channel, where X = L(for the left
channel) or R(for the right channel) and YYY (the
volume adjustment in multiples of 0.1 dB) = -20
– +20
For example, to increase the volume of the left
channel by 1.5 dB, enter this code: @0ltL+15
Set Recording Input
Routing @0SpNN\r
Sets the recording input signal to be routed
through the audio outputs, where NN (the
setting) = 00 (route the recording input signal
through the audio outputs) or 01 (don’t route the
recording input signal through the audio outputs)
Change Rec Level Type @0RlXX\r
Changes the function of the record level knob on
the front panel, where XX (the function) = MA
(the record level knob will primarily adjust the
volume level of the left and right channels; while
shift is engaged, the record level knob will adjust
the balance of the left and right channels) or LR
(the record level knob will primarily adjust the
volume level of the left channel; while shift is
engaged, the record level knob will adjust the
volume level of the right channel)
Change Auto Level
Control (ALC) Type @0RLXX\r
Determines the function of the Auto Level
Control (ALC) feature, where XX = MA (turns off
ALC), SE (separate: ALC is applied to the left
and right recording channels individually), or MI
(mixed: ALC is applied equally to the left and
right recording channels)
Track Playback
Play @02353\r Plays the current track
Pause @02348\r Pauses the current track
Stop @02354\r Stops the current tracklist
Hot Start Play @0HPnn\r
Plays the track assigned the entered hot start
number, where nn (the hot start number) = 01–
20
Set Playback Range @0PrXX\r
Selects the tracks to be included in the current
tracklist, where XX (the setting) = AL (all tracks in
all folders on the current media source) or FD
(only the tracks in the currently selected folder
on the current media source)
Set Playback Mode @0PMXX\r
Sets how DN-500R will cycle through the current
tracklist, where XX (the setting) = SP (play one
track in the current tracklist and then stop
playback) or CN (continuously play through the
tracks in the current tracklist)
Turn Repeat On/Off @0RENN\r
Activates or deactivates the repeat feature,
where NN = 00 (turn repeat on) or 01 (turn repeat
off)
Turn Random On/Off @0RNnn\r
Activates or deactivates random playback for
the current tracklist, where nn = 00 (turn random
on) or 01 (turn random off)