Digital Future Solutions iDyl User manual

iDyl™ Multiroom Media Server
User Manual v1.9
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
All rights reserved.

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Contents
About Your iDyl™ Multiroom Media Server ...............................................
Audio Server ....................................................................................
Video Server.....................................................................................
Picture Slideshows Capabilities ............................................................
1. Quick Guide ........................................................................................ 6
2. Setup and configuration ....................................................................... 7
2.1 System Diagram............................................................................. 7
2.2 Physical Connection ........................................................................ 8
2.3 Turning on/off the iDyl™.................................................................. 9
Turning on ....................................................................................... 9
Turning off ....................................................................................... 9
Resetting ......................................................................................... 9
2. Network Connectivity .....................................................................10
Network Configuration – Best Practices................................................10
2.5 Infra-Red Remote Control ...............................................................11
Keypad Layout.................................................................................11
Text Entry .......................................................................................11
IR Remote Keypad Legend.................................................................12
3. Main Menu ......................................................................................13
. Music................................................................................................1
.1 Supported Audio File Types .............................................................1
.2 Adding Audio to the iDyl™...............................................................15
Adding Audio via iDyl™ .....................................................................15
Adding Audio via Desktop Computer ...................................................16
Adding MP3 / OGG Audio Files............................................................16
Adding WAV Files .............................................................................17
.3 Browsing and Enqueuing Audio ........................................................18
Select Audio Type.............................................................................18
Browse Library....................................................................................19
. Auto-DJ Mode................................................................................20
.5 Playlist Management ......................................................................21
Creating a playlist ............................................................................21
Adding a track to an existing playlist ...................................................22
Removing a track from a playlist ........................................................23
Deleting a playlist.............................................................................23
.6 Controlling Audio ...........................................................................2
.7 Hotkeys........................................................................................25
.8 Macro Keys ...................................................................................26
Available Macro Actions .....................................................................26
Available Macro Zones ......................................................................26
5. DVD On-Demand Jukebox....................................................................27
5.1 Adding DVDs to the iDyl™ ...............................................................27
5.1.1 Importing via iDyl™..................................................................27
5.1.2 Import DVD Menu ....................................................................27
5.2.1 Copying across a LAN ...............................................................28
5.1.1 DVD Import Service Providers....................................................29
5.2 DVD Storage Capacity ....................................................................29
5.3 Browsing your DVD Library .............................................................29
5. DVD Control ..............................................................................30
6. Digital Video Playback .........................................................................31
6.1 Adding digital video clips to the iDyl™...............................................31

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6.2 Browsing videos ............................................................................31
6.2 Playing a video ..............................................................................31
7. Slideshows ........................................................................................32
7.1 Creating a Slideshow ......................................................................32
7.2 Editing and adding to a Slideshow ....................................................32
8. Settings ............................................................................................3
8.1 Basic Settings ...............................................................................3
8.2 Audio Settings...............................................................................36
8.3 Visual Settings ..............................................................................38
8. Functional Settings ........................................................................39
8.5 Manage Networked Folders ............................................................. 0
Monitoring a networked folder from the iDyl ......................................... 0
Current Shared Folder List ................................................................. 1
8.6 Advanced Settings ......................................................................... 2
8.7 Network Settings ........................................................................... 3
9. Appendices ........................................................................................
A: One-time Configuration of RealOne player ..........................................
Glossary ............................................................................................ 6
This manual Copyright ©Digital Future Solutions 2 5.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, adaption or translation without the prior
written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under the copyright laws.
No part of this manual may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated to
another language without the prior written consent of Digital Future Solutions.
Digital Future Solutions
7 Somerton Grange
Coleraine
Co. Londonderry
N. Ireland BT51 3GB
United Kingdom
Tel + (0)28 9073 585
URL www.digitalfuturesolutions.co.uk
Email [e-mail]
Warranty
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
Digital Future Solutions shall not be liable for any errors or for direct, indirect,
incidental, consequential or other damage alleged in connection with the
furnishing, performance or use of this manual.

About Your iDyl™ Multiroom Media Server
The iDyl™ Multiroom Media Server is a centralized media server that can store
and distribute and playback digital audio, video and pictures upon request
within a multi-zoned context.
Inserted into a local area network, users can easily transfer and store their
digital media onto the iDyl™, acting as a central repository, and from there
access this content from wherever in the house they happen to be.
The iDyl™ can be broken into 3 distinct areas of functionality:
Audio Server
With up to 16 independent audio zones, users can listen to what they want,
when and where.
After adding audio to the iDyl via the built-in CD drive or from the family PC,
you have the power to access and listen to your enter audio collection instantly,
easily, independently from every other room of the house, all from the one
device. Easily create playlists, or use the Auto-DJ mode to turn the iDyl into
your own personal radio station.
Video Server
You can transfer your digital movie collection from your family PC to the iDyl™
across the network. You can then access and watch these movies from both the
iDyl™ and media-content playable networked devices. Coupled with modular
components available from DF Solutions called the Video Node™, you can have
independent video feeds for every room of the house from the single centralized
media repository. You can watch WHAT you want, WHEN you want, WHERE you
want.
Picture Slideshows Capabilities
Use the iDyl to store all your digital pictures. Then use the iDyl to create
slideshows for playback at family get-togethers or for displaying on digital
picture-frames.

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In order to integrate an iDyl™ into a complete Multiroom installation, other
additional hardware components are required. These include:
External multi-channel audio amplifier. This will take the line-level audio
outputs from the iDyl™, and amplify them before distribution to each
audio zone.
Speaker Cabling.
In-wall/In-Ceiling/Bookshelf speakers for audio zones.
Optional hardware requirements include:
WiFi access point. Known as a WAP, this will allow you to control the
iDyl™ via WiFi-enabled PCs using the supplied Room Commander
software.
Network Hub. Used in connecting the iDyl™ to your family PC, allowing
you to easily add music to the iDyl™, and for performing administration
tasks remotely, such as backing up your audio collection on the iDyl™.
Ethernet Cat5 cabling.
Microsoft™ compatible PC for adding digital media to iDyl.
Multiroom Control System: In order to control the iDyl™ from multiple
zones, systems such as Crestron, LivingControl and Sonance are used to
integrate, control and distribute audio, video and control signals.
It is highly recommended that you read this manual to ensure that the iDyl™
provides you with years of trouble free usage.

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1. Quick Guide
The following lists key features available with the iDyl, and points you to the
correct page in the manual for further information.
•Adding Audio to the iDyl:
Audio CDs can be inserted into the iDyl for automatic importing, or you can
simply drag and drop mp3 / wav / ogg files from your desktop PC across the
network to the iDyl. See page 15
•Browsing your audio library:
Easily search your iDyl for the particular album/artist/genre/playlist you
want to listen to. See page 18
•Hotkeys:
Assign your favourite audio selections to numbers on your remote-control
keypad. Then just one button press can start this selection, for true
convenience, without having to have access the TV-display. See page 25
•Macros:
Your remote control has -coloured buttons. Each of these can be assigned
to perform customized commands, in order to make the iDyl operate the way
that you want it to. See page 26
•Playlists:
Easily create personalised lists of your favourite tracks, with the ability then
to listen to them in any audio zone. See page 21

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2. Setup and configuration
2.1 System Diagram
Fig. 1(a): Basic installation diagram
Note: This manual does not discuss integration with 3
rd
-party control systems.
Please contact your dealer for relevant documentation.
This document will assume the user plans to use the following control methods:
•I.R. remote control (via TV-interface)
•WiFi-enabled PDA (using DFSolutions’ Room Commander software)
•Desktop PC (for control / adding audio to iDyl / backing up iDyl.

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2.2 Physical Connection
Fig. 1(b): iDyl™ Rear Panel Connections
Note: Ensure iDyl™ is fully switched off at the plug before connecting.
1) Connect audio outputs
The iDyl™ comes with 1 large
D-pin plug for every rooms to
be sourced. Using the RCA
breakout cables supplied,
connect between the iDyl™ and
multi-channel amplifier.
2) (Optional): Connect iDyl to LAN via Ethernet port.
3) Connect power to iDyl and turn on.
Fig 2: Gold plated RCA
break-out cable

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2.3 urning on/off the iDyl™
Turning on
The iDyl™ can be turned on from the power button located on the front panel.
It will take from 1 – 3 minutes to power up and come to a ready state,
depending on the amount of media stored on the hard-disk.
You will hear an audible alert (a bird call) in each zone whenever the iDyl™ has
finished initializing.
Turning off
The iDyl™ can be turned off via the power button the front panel.
Resetting
Under normal operation, the iDyl™ can be left permanently on. However, in
some cases, it may be necessary to restart the iDyl™. This may be because the
Media Server has become unresponsive to user command or input. In this
unlikely event, either of the below methods may be used (method 1 is the most
convenient, being done via Room Commander).
1. In normal cases, the iDyl™ can be restarted remotely from any Room
Commander, under ‘Options->Settings->Commands->Reboot Media
Server’.
2. By turning the iDyl™ off and on using the front panel-located Power
Button.

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2.4 Network Connectivity
To benefit most from the iDyl and the ability to manage media and control it
from a family PC / PDA, the iDyl™ should be connected to a local area network
(LAN).
The iDyl™ comes pre-configured to acquire an IP address via DHCP lookup. As
such, it is plug-and-play when installing into an existing network.
It is recommended that the iDyl is configured and run with a static IP address.
This can be performed via the iDyl™ Advanced Settings panel, (see page 2).
Network Configuration – Best Practices
The following are recommended guidelines for configuring your data network
and devices that will run Room Commander software.
•Wireless hand-held devices that will be running Room Commander
software should be configured with a static IP-address.
•Desktop computers running Room Commander software should be
configured to acquire an IP address via DHCP.
•The WAP should be situated to give good wireless coverage across all
zones sourced from the iDyl™ (2 or more access points, with one acting
in repeater mode, may be required in larger installations).
•The WAP should be located away from strong sources of electromagnetic
radiation (TVs, microwaves, etc.).