Macsense MP-100 HomePod User manual

HomePod
User Manual

User Manual
MP-100
HomePod — Wireless Network Digital Audio Player with FM Tuner
Copyright
Copyright © 2003-4 by Xsense Connectivity, Inc. (dba Macsense Connectivity). All rights
reserved. No part of this documentation may be reproduced in any form or by any means or
used to make any directive work (such as translation or transformation) without permission
from Xsense Connectivity, Inc. Xsense Connectivity, Inc. reserves the right to revise this
documentation and to make changes in content without obligation among Xsense
Connectivity, Inc. to provide notification of such revision or change. All products and their
associated features are subject to change or upgrade at the time of the shipment or of the
sales.
Trademarks
All products, company, brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies. They are used for identification purpose only. Specifications are
subject to be changed without prior notice.
FCC Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against radio interference in a commercial environment. This
equipment can generate, use and radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions in this manual, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause
interference, in which case the user, at his own expense, will be required to take whatever
measures are necessary to correct the interference.
Safety Precautions
Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
•Slots and openings on the device are provided for ventilation. To protect it from
overheating, these openings must not be blocked or covered.
•Do not use or store HomePod in the environment that exceeds temperature and humidity
specifications. Do not place HomePod near a radiator or heat register or in a built-in
installation unless adequate ventilation is provided.
•Before cleaning, unplug HomePod from wall outlet. Do not use liquid cleansers or aerosol
cleansers. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
•Do not place cords or cables where they may be walked on or tripped over.
•Be sure to comply with any applicable local safety standards or regulations.
•General-purpose cables are provided with HomePod. The use of any other cables or
requirements mandated by local authority is user’s responsibility.
•Cables attached to devices in different locations with different power sources and
grounding may cause hazardous voltage. Consult a qualified electronic consultant before
installing the product to check if this phenomenon exists and, if necessary, take
corrective action.
•Never touch un-insulated telephone wires or terminals unless the line has been
disconnected.
•Avoid using telephone equipment or installing the product during an electrical storm.
•Never install HomePod, or any kind of telephone jacks, lines, network cables, or power
connections in wet locations.
•Never spill liquid of any kind on HomePod.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Welcome...................................................................................... 1
2.0 Before You Start.......................................................................... 3
2.1 Package Contents..................................................................... 3
2.2 System and Other Requirements.............................................. 3
3.0 Getting to Know Your HomePod ............................................... 5
3.1 Setting up Your HomePod......................................................... 5
3.2 Front Panel ............................................................................... 6
3.3 Side Connectors ....................................................................... 6
4.0 Server Software Installation....................................................... 9
4.1 Windows Installation ................................................................. 9
4.2 Macintosh Installation.............................................................. 10
5.0 Audio Server Control and Configuration................................ 13
5.1 Server Control......................................................................... 14
5.2 Configuring Audio Folders....................................................... 14
5.3 Configuring iTunes Audio Library ............................................ 15
6.0 HomePod Setup........................................................................ 17
6.1 Wired Setup ............................................................................ 17
6.2 Wireless Setup........................................................................ 17
7.0 HomePod Basic Operation ...................................................... 19
7.1 Turning HomePod On and Off................................................. 19
7.2 Resetting HomePod................................................................ 19
7.3 HomePod Display Menus........................................................ 19
7.4 HomePod Controls.................................................................. 21
7.4.1 Content Navigational Buttons ....................................... 21
7.4.2 Functional Buttons ........................................................ 22
7.4.3 Shuffle/Loop Mode Buttons........................................... 22
7.4.4 FM Radio Buttons: ........................................................ 22
8.0 Web Configuration.................................................................... 23
8.1 IP Settings Page ..................................................................... 24
8.2 Wireless Settings Page........................................................... 25
8.3 Miscellaneous Page................................................................ 26
8.3.1 LCD Sleep Function...................................................... 26
8.3.2 System Shutoff Function............................................... 27
8.4 Radio Stations Page................................................................ 28
8.5 Firmware Upgrade Page ......................................................... 29
9.0 Extras Programs and Utilities.................................................. 31
9.1 HomePod Audio Server in Java .............................................. 31
9.2 HomePod Audio Server in Shell Command ............................ 32
9.3 Remote Control Utility in Java................................................. 32
Appendix ......................................................................................... 35
Taking Care of Your HomePod...................................................... 35
Troubleshooting ............................................................................ 35
Contacting Macsense.................................................................... 40
Technical Specifications ................................................................ 40
Limited Consumer Warranty ......................................................... 42
Getting Service ............................................................................. 43

1
1.0 Welcome
Thank you for purchasing a Macsense HomePod. Your HomePod gives
you access to digital audio files stored on your computer from anywhere
in the house or office.

2

3
2.0 Before You Start
2.1 Package Contents
Prior to setting up your HomePod, make sure your HomePod package
includes the following items:
•HomePod Unit
•Power Adapter
•Remote Control
•Ethernet Cable
•Stereo Audio Cable
•HomePod CD
•Quick Start Guide
•User Manual
2.2 System and Other Requirements
•Wi-Fi (802.11b or g) Access Point or Wireless Router
•Macintosh G3 or Pentium III PC
•Mac OS 9 and X or Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

4

5
3.0 Getting to Know Your HomePod
3.1 Setting up Your HomePod
HomePod streams digital audio files stored on your computer, over the
local network (either by wired Ethernet or over a wireless Wi-Fi
network).
Most of the time, HomePod will be used in a wireless environment. A
typical wireless network setup involves a computer connected to a
wireless router (or an access point) to form a wireless network.
HomePod would then connect wirelessly to this same network.
Note: The terms “wireless router”, “access point”, and “base station” are
sometimes used interchangeably in this manual. Wireless router is a device
that combines the functions of an access point plus a switching hub. Base
station is a common term used in the Mac community to refer to an access
point.
Access Point
Computer
(Mac/PC)
Music Files
Store Here USB Drive
HomePod
Built-in Speakers
Headphone
Home Stereo
Digital Surround
System
HomePod System Diagram
Your HomePod can be placed anywhere in the house or office where
the wireless network has coverage. The audio files stored on your
computer can then be played through HomePod’s built-in stereo
speakers, attached headphones, home stereo system, or a high-end
digital surround sound system.
Note: An audio file, such as an MP3 file, is a file that may include music,
speech, narrative, or audio book content. The term “audio server” is used
to describe a computer on your network that contains audio files that will
be served to the HomePod.
The audio collection stored on your computer is recognized by the
HomePod as an “Audio Server”. Each computer with audio content
requires that the HomePod Audio Server Software be installed and
running to make the audio collection available to the HomePod.
One HomePod can access audio content from multiple computers
around the home or office. Conversely, multiple HomePods can
simultaneously access content from the same computer.

6
3.2 Front Panel
HomePod Front Panel
3.3 Side Connectors
HomePod is equipped with a rich set of input and output ports for
interfacing with other audio systems and devices.
HomePod Side Connectors
Wi-Fi Antenna For connecting to the Wi-Fi 802.11b wireless network.
Raise the antenna for better reception.
Reset Button For resetting the HomePod unit during an unexpected
crash. To reset, use a paper clip pin to poke into the
hole once. Same affect as unplugging and re-plugging
the power cord.
USB Port For connecting to Flash Memory Stick or USB Hard
Drive. (Optional function.)
Ethernet Port This 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Port is for establishing
a wired connection with your network. If you don’t have
a wireless network in place, you can also connect
HomePod to a wired network.
Power For plugging in the power cord.
FM Radio Antenna The FM Radio Antenna is a wire extending from within
the unit. Elongate the wire to get the best radio
reception.
Headphones Jack For connecting to a standard portable stereo
headphone.
Audio RCA Jacks For connecting to a home stereo system. Left and
Coaxial Output
RCA Jack, Left
RCA Jack, Right
H
eadp
h
o
n
es
Jac
k
FM Radio Antenna
SPDIF Output
Power
Reset Button
Wi-Fi Antenna
USB Port
Ethernet Port
Power Button
Jog-shuttle Dial and Enter Button
Display Screen
Volume Control Buttons
Infra-red Receiver
irDA Receiver
Navigational and Action Buttons
Built-in Stereo Speakers

7
Right jacks need to used at the same time.
Coaxial Output
SPDIF Output
For connecting to high-end digital surround sound
system. Only one of the other is used.

8

9
4.0 Server Software Installation
A small server program, called HomePod Audio Server, must be
installed on each computer that contains audio files that you want to
play through the HomePod. Use the HomePod CD and follow
instructions below to complete the software installation.
4.1 Windows Installation
On the PC, insert the HomePod CD and run the HomePod Audio
Server->Setup.exe.
HomePod CD Content for PC
HomePod Audio Server is based on Java. For Windows PC’s
(98/Me/2000/XP), the installer will alert you to install or upgrade Java
(JRE) if you haven’t already.
Message alerting JRE installation
Click Yes to install Java Runtime Environment (JRE) into your PC. The
process may take a few moments. Let it run to completion without
interrupting the process. If your PC already has Java installed and you
don’t want to upgrade to the latest version, then click No.
When the installation is complete, you will see a new C:\Program
Files\HomePod\Audio Server\ directory as shown below and a new
entry in Start Menu->Programs->HomePod->Audio Server->HomePod
Audio Server.

10
Contents of the Windows HomePod Audio Server folder
4.2 Macintosh Installation
On the Mac, insert the HomePod CD and run the HomePod Audio
Server.pkg installer.
Contents of the HomePod CD
You will need to have the administrator password in order to proceed
with the installation. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the
installation.
HomePod Installer for Mac

11
When the installation is complete, you should see a new “HomePod”
folder in the Applications folder.
HomePod Audio Server folder content for Mac

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5.0 Audio Server Control and Configuration
To launch the Windows HomePod Audio Server configuration program,
double-click on the HomePod Audio Server icon or select
Start->Programs-> HomePod->Audio Server->HomePod Audio Server.
HomePod Audio Server configuration for Windows
To start the HomePod Audio Server program on the Mac, go to the
Applications menu and double-click on the HomePod Audio Server icon.
HomePod Audio Server configuration for Mac
Note: The HomePod Audio Server program for PC and Mac are identical in
function and user interface, so screen shots will be used interchangeably
in this manual.
The HomePod Audio Server Configuration application allows you to set
up and control your audio collection. From this application, you can
define the audio content to be shared, name your audio collection, and
start or stop the server. Once your audio server is configured and
started, your library will recognized by the HomePod.
The window is divided into three frames. The icons in the left side frame
can be selected to view different configuration settings in the right side
frame. The bottom frame contains help information for each
configuration option. Closing the application will minimize the window to
the task tray. You can double-click on the tray icon to open the
configuration window again.

14
5.1 Server Control
Click on the HomePod icon in the left side frame to bring up the main
server controls. This window allows you to monitor and configure the
server settings. The “Audio Server Name” field defines a specific name
for your audio collection that will be displayed on the HomePod.
Examples of some good names are, “John’s Audio Collection”,
“Bedroom Collection”, or “Living Room Audio Library”.
Once you have named you audio collection, you need to define the
contents of your collection. There are two ways to define which audio
files you want included in your collection: by Audio Folders or by
iTunes Audio Library. Other methods will be added to HomePod Audio
Server in the future. If you are using iTunes to manage your audio
collection, proceed to the Configuring iTunes Audio Library section.
5.2 Configuring Audio Folders
An Audio Folder is any directory that contains audio files (such as MP3
files). This is the most generic way of configuring the Audio Server to
locate your audio files. By specifying an Audio Folder, all the audio files
in that directory (including any subdirectories) will become part of your
collection. You can specify more than one Audio Folder, and all the
contents will be combined into one collected and recognized by the
HomePod.
When you click on the Audio Folders icon on the left, you will be
presented with two “Add” options on the right:
Configuring Audio Folders
To add an Audio Folder, click on the “Add Audio Folder…” icon and
locate the folder that contains your audio files. This may be your C:\My
Documents\My Audio\ directory, or any folder with your audio files that
you'd like to include in your collection. The path to the folder you just
added will be listed on the right frame. You can also configure the Audio
Server to recognize your existing playlists. To add your playlists, click
on the “Add Playlist Folder…” and select the top level folder that
contains your playlist files (.M3U).
After the configuration is complete, click the HomePod icon on the left
frame to return to the server control frame. Press the “Start” button to