Pioneer DVD-V7400 User manual

DVD-V7400
Industrial DVD Player
RS-232C
COMMAND PROTOCOL MANUAL
Manual Version 4.02
May 15, 2003
Pioneer Corporation
Pioneer Electronics (USA), Inc.
Business Solutions Division

This manual is copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this document may be
reprinted, produced, translated or utilized in any form or by any means now known or
hereafter invented including, but not limited to, any electronic, mechanical, photocopying
and recording or information storage and retrieval system means, without the express
written permission from Pioneer New Media Technologies, Inc.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate.
Pioneer is not responsible for printing or clerical errors.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Copyright (c) 2002 Pioneer Electronics (USA), Inc.
Document No. DVDV7400RS001-0100a
Printed in the United States of America.
Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and contributes neither
an endorsement nor a recommendation. Pioneer assumes no responsibility with regard to
the performance or use of these products.
No investigation has been made of common-law trademark rights in any word. Words
that are known to have current registrations are shown with an initial capital. Many, if not
all, hardware and/or software products referenced in this manual are identified by their
trade names. Most, if not all, of these designations are claimed a legally protected
trademarks by the companies that make the product. It is not Pioneer's intent to use any
of these names generically and cautions the reader to investigate any claimed trademark
before using it for any purpose other than to refer to the product to which the trademark is
attached.
Pioneer makes no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, about the contents of this
manual, the merchantability of the product or the product's fitness for any particular
purpose.
Every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual. Although we tried to
thoroughly check that all instructions and information in this manual are accurate and
correct, Pioneer can not be and is not responsible, in whole or in part, for any damage or
loss to your data and/or equipment that results from your use of this document or from
any information contained herein including, but not limited to, any errors, omissions or
typos that may have resulted in an incorrect operation or installation.

FCC INFORMATION
The equipment described in this manual has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device in accordance with the specifications in Part 15 of FCC
rules. These specifications are designed to provide reasonable protection against radio
and television reception interference in a residential installation. There is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
To determine if your player is causing interference, turn the device OFF. If the player is
causing the interference, try one or more of the following corrective measures:
• verify the cables and connectors between components are shielded.
• increase separation between the player and components.
• connect the changer into an outlet or circuit different from that which the
components are connected.
• consult dealer or experienced radio/television technician for help.
The Federal Communications Commission offers a handbook that may help you with
eliminating interference. The handbook is titled Interference Handbook (stock number
004-000-00493-1) and may be ordered from the U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402.
Warning: Any changes or modifications to this product that are not authorized by Pioneer
could void the FCC Certification and negate the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
DOC CLASS B COMPLIANCE
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department
of Communications.
SAFETY CAUTION
Care should always be taken when working with electronic devices. To protect you and
your DVD-V7400 player from damage or harm, it is important that you first read and then
carefully follow the instructions in this documentation. Take particular care to heed all
warnings and cautions marked on the unit and outlined in this document and the
accompanying DVD-V7400 Industrial Player Operating Instructions. IGNORING ANY OR
ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS MAY CAUSE INJURY TO THE PERSON(S)
OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT, DAMAGE TO THE PRODUCT OR BOTH.

Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................. 1
2. INTERFACE......................................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Interface Connector ...................................................................................................2
2.2 Serial Interface Pin Specification ...............................................................................2
2.3 Computer Control Functions......................................................................................2
2.3.1 Serial Control (see Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6) .................................................. 2
2.3.2 External Switch Control (see Chapter 9) ......................................................3
2.3.3 External Power Control.................................................................................3
3. SERIAL CONTROL ............................................................................................................. 4
3.1 Serial Interface Specifications....................................................................................4
3.1.1 Signal Interface.............................................................................................4
3.1.2 Data Type ..................................................................................................... 4
3.1.3 Data Transfer Speed (Baud Rate)................................................................4
3.2 Communication with a Computer...............................................................................4
3.3 Command and Status ................................................................................................ 5
3.4 Error Messages ......................................................................................................... 7
3.5 Initial Setting ..............................................................................................................7
4. COMMAND STRUCTURE................................................................................................... 8
4.1 Command Mnemonic............................................................................................... 10
4.2 Argument .................................................................................................................10
4.3 Command String......................................................................................................11
4.4 Status Returns ......................................................................................................... 11
4.5 Error Message .........................................................................................................12
4.6 Request Status Return ............................................................................................12
4.7 Timing ......................................................................................................................12
4.8 Start Timing Under Synchronized Playback (with several players) ......................... 13
5. COMMAND DESCRIPTIONS ............................................................................................ 15
5.1 Open ........................................................................................................................15
5.2 Close........................................................................................................................15
5.3 Reject.......................................................................................................................15
5.4 Start .........................................................................................................................16
5.5 Play..........................................................................................................................16
5.6 Pause.......................................................................................................................18
5.7 Still (DVD, VCD) ......................................................................................................18
5.8 Step Forward (DVD, VCD).......................................................................................18
5.9 Step Reverse (DVD) ................................................................................................ 18
5.10 Scan Forward .......................................................................................................... 19
- i -

5.11 Scan Reverse ..........................................................................................................19
5.12 Scan Stop ................................................................................................................19
5.13 Multi-Speed Forward (DVD, VCD)...........................................................................20
5.14 Multi-Speed Reverse (DVD) ....................................................................................20
5.15 Speed (DVD, VCD).................................................................................................. 21
5.16 Search .....................................................................................................................22
5.17 Search & Play ..........................................................................................................23
5.18 Stop Marker .............................................................................................................24
5.19 Lead-Out Symbol.....................................................................................................26
5.20 Clear ........................................................................................................................26
5.21 Frame (DVD)............................................................................................................27
5.22 Block Number (CD)..................................................................................................27
5.23 Time (excludes discs without Time Codes) .............................................................28
5.24 Chapter (DVD) ......................................................................................................... 28
5.25 Title (DVD) ...............................................................................................................28
5.26 Index (CD) ...............................................................................................................29
5.27 TRACK (CD, VCD)...................................................................................................29
5.28 Select Subtitle (DVD)............................................................................................... 29
5.29 Select Audio (DVD)..................................................................................................30
5.30 Select Aspect........................................................................................................... 30
5.31 Select Angle (DVD)..................................................................................................30
5.32 Select Parental-Level (DVD)....................................................................................31
5.33 Audio Control (DVD, CD, VCD) ...............................................................................31
5.34 Video Control ...........................................................................................................32
5.35 Display Control ........................................................................................................ 33
5.36 Key Lock ..................................................................................................................34
5.37 Stack Group Set (DVD)............................................................................................35
5.38 Barcode /Command Stack Play (DVD)....................................................................35
5.39 Video Blackboard Display (DVD).............................................................................36
5.40 Video Blackboard Clear ........................................................................................... 36
5.41 Blackboard / Stack Data Upload.............................................................................. 36
5.42 Blackboard / Stack Data Download ......................................................................... 44
5.43 Weekly Timer Data Upload...................................................................................... 45
5.44 Weekly Timer Data Download ................................................................................. 52
5.45 Hyper Text Data Upload ..........................................................................................53
6. CURRENT PLAYER CONDITION REQUEST Descriptions............................................ 55
6.1 P-Block Number Request ........................................................................................ 55
6.2 Title/Track Number Request....................................................................................55
6.3 Chapter Number Request (DVD).............................................................................56
6.4 Time Code Request................................................................................................. 56
- ii -

6.5 Index Number Request (CD, VCD)..........................................................................57
6.6 Frame Number Request (DVD) ...............................................................................57
6.7 Block Number Request (CD, VCD)..........................................................................58
6.8 Total Frame Request (DVD) .................................................................................... 58
6.9 TOC Information Request (CD/VCD).......................................................................58
6.10 Disc Region Code Request (DVD)...........................................................................59
6.11 DVD Disc Status Request........................................................................................59
6.12 LD Disc Status Request (LB-compatible DVD)........................................................60
6.13 CD Disc Status Request .......................................................................................... 60
6.14 Register A Set.......................................................................................................... 61
6.15 Register B Set.......................................................................................................... 63
6.16 Register D Set .........................................................................................................64
6.17 Print Character.........................................................................................................64
6.18 Clear Screen............................................................................................................65
6.19 Real Time Clock Set ................................................................................................65
6.20 Advanced Setup ...................................................................................................... 66
6.21 Communication Control Set.....................................................................................67
6.22 Player Active Mode Request....................................................................................68
6.23 Player Model Name Request...................................................................................69
6.24 Real Time Clock Request ........................................................................................ 69
6.25 Advanced Setup Request ........................................................................................ 69
6.26 Player Region Code Request .................................................................................. 70
6.27 CCR Mode Request................................................................................................. 70
6.28 Input Number Request.............................................................................................71
6.29 Error Code Request................................................................................................. 71
6.30 Input Unit Request ...................................................................................................71
6.31 Input Barcode Data Request....................................................................................72
6.32 Register A Request.................................................................................................. 72
6.33 Register B Request.................................................................................................. 72
6.34 Register D Request .................................................................................................73
6.35 Menu Call (DVD)......................................................................................................74
6.36 Numeric Button (DVD) ............................................................................................. 74
6.37 Button Select (DVD) ................................................................................................75
6.38 Enter Button (DVD).................................................................................................. 75
6.39 Get Information (DVD) ............................................................................................. 77
6.40 Memory Data Upload............................................................................................... 78
6.41 Return Firmware Version......................................................................................... 80
7. OPERATING MODES........................................................................................................ 81
7.1 Open ........................................................................................................................81
7.2 Park .........................................................................................................................81
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7.3 Setup .......................................................................................................................81
7.4 Random Access....................................................................................................... 81
7.5 Reject.......................................................................................................................82
8. DVD-V7400 INTERNAL REGISTERS ............................................................................... 83
8.1 Current Time/Frame ................................................................................................ 83
8.2 P-TIME.....................................................................................................................83
8.3 Current Title/Track (Current Chapter)...................................................................... 83
8.4 Current Index ........................................................................................................... 83
8.5 Serial Digit Buffer.....................................................................................................83
8.6 Remote Control Use Address Flag .......................................................................... 83
8.7 Remote Control Digit Buffer..................................................................................... 83
8.8 Remote Control Data Register.................................................................................84
8.9 Laser Barcode Buffer............................................................................................... 84
8.10 Serial Use Address Flag ..........................................................................................84
8.11 Search Time/Frame .................................................................................................84
8.12 Search Title/Track (Search Chapter) ....................................................................... 84
8.13 Search Index............................................................................................................84
8.14 Mark Time/Frame .................................................................................................... 84
8.15 Mark Title/Track (Mark Chapter).............................................................................. 85
8.16 Mark Index ...............................................................................................................85
8.17 Video Control ...........................................................................................................85
8.18 Audio Control ...........................................................................................................85
8.19 Display Control ........................................................................................................ 85
8.20 Registers..................................................................................................................85
9. EXTERNAL SWITCH CONTROL...................................................................................... 87
9.1 Function Assignment ...............................................................................................87
9.2 Controller .................................................................................................................89
9.2.1 Simple Circuit .............................................................................................90
9.2.2 Diode Matrix Circuit ....................................................................................91
10. ADDITIONAL NOTES........................................................................................................ 92
Appendix A - Complete Command List by Name .................................................................. 93
Appendix B - Complete Command List by Mnemonic........................................................... 95
Appendix C - DVD Command List ........................................................................................... 97
Appendix D - LB Compatible DVD Command List................................................................. 99
Appendix E - CD Command List............................................................................................ 101
Appendix F - VCD Command List.......................................................................................... 103
- iv -

Introduction
1. INTRODUCTION
This document defines the RS-232C command protocol for the Pioneer DVD-V7400
Industrial DVD Player.
The DVD-V7400 is capable of playing DVD, CD and VCD discs. The device has three
control methods, front panel, remote control or computer interface through the RS-232C
serial port.
This manual addresses the various commands and precautions required when using the
Pioneer DVD-V7400 player with a computer. Please refer to the DVD-V7400 Operating
Instructions for details on operating the unit via the front panel and/or remote control.
Chapter Number Description
Chapter 2 describes the Interface Connector Specifications and the
computer control features of the DVD-V7400
Chapter 3 discusses Baud Rate Settings, Interface Operation, Control
Protocol, and Internal Operation via computer
Chapter 4 explains the Player Command Structure in detail
Chapter 5 reviews each command in detail
Chapter 6 defines Address and Player Condition requests
Chapter 7 relates to the various operating modes
Chapter 8 discusses the internal registers
Chapter 9 details the external switch control functions
NOTE: In this manual, a DVD disc containing a modified program from a current
educational Laser Disc (LD) is handled as a Laser Barcode (LB) compatible DVD disc.
The disc has two formats, CAV and CLV. However, the commands are not identical to
the LD command set.
CAUTION: The material in this manual is subject to change without notice.
- 1

Computer Control
2. INTERFACE
2.1 Interface Connector
A computer may be connected to the DVD-V7400 using a 15-pin D-Sub
connector (e.g., a JAE DALC-J15SAF connector with suitable plug such as
the JAE DA-15PF-N) to the RS-232C serial port or to the parallel port.
The pins are identified below:
1
9 10 1112131415
2 345678
8
8
2.2 Serial Interface Pin Specification
Pin # Terminal Input/Output Function
1 GND -- ground
2 TxD Output send data
3 RxD Input receive data
4 DTR Output enable data receiving
5 POWER Output external power control
6 SW1 Input
7 SW2 Input
8 SW3 Input
9 SW4 Input
10 SW5 Input
11 SW6 Input
12 SW7 Input
13 SW8 Input
14 DLTST Input
used only for servicing the
unit – do not connect
15 V +8V Output
used only for servicing the
unit – do not connect
2.3 Computer Control Functions
2.3.1 Serial Control (see Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6)
The player and computer are based upon the RS-232C protocol and
are connected through the TxD, RxD, DTR and GND terminals.
- 2

Computer Control
- 3
2.3.2 External Switch Control (see Chapter 9)
Control the player with the External Option Switches (SW#).
Please check the condition of the Key Lock. If the Key Lock is set
(active), the player ignores the control. Please refer to the Key Lock
command description.
2.3.3 External Power Control
Control the player’s power with the Power Pin within the Interface
Connector.
If the player detects a high signal throughput (100m/sec or more)
during the Standby mode, the player powers ON. If the player
detects the same signal during the Power ON mode, the player
powers OFF and switches to the Standby mode.
The specifications for the Power pin are as follows:
Maximum Input Voltage Less Than m12V
High Level Signal More Than 4.5V
Low Level Signal Less Than 0.5V
Standby mode more than
100 msec
Power ON
Power ON mode more than
100 msec
Power OFF
Check the Key Lock condition. If the Key Lock mode is active, the
player ignores the control (refer to the Key Lock command
description).

Computer Control
3. SERIAL CONTROL
3.1 Serial Interface Specifications
3.1.1 Signal Interface
The signal interface is a standard RS-232C connection.
3.1.2 Data Type
Data Length: 8 bit
Stop Bit: 1 bit
Parity bit: No Parity
3.1.3 Data Transfer Speed (Baud Rate)
The data transfer speed may be set to either 4800 or 9600 baud
through the Industrial player menu screen or with the Advanced
Feature Menu Set command (refer to the DVD-V7400 Operating
Instructions for command description).
NOTE: The factory default is 4800 baud; however, the player
memorizes the transfer speed each time the power is cycled.
3.2 Communication with a Computer
The DVD-V7400 communicates to the computer through the RS-232C port
using pins 2 and 3 for communication and Pin 1 for grounding. Control or
“handshaking” lines other than the TxD and RxD connections are not
required. Please refer to the diagram below for clarification.
Computer DVD-V7400
TxD Pin 3 - RxD
RxD Pin 2 - TxD
GND Pin 1 - GND
Some computers require the CTS port to be set to HIGH during
communication. It is best to connect the CTS and DSR port on the computer
to the DTR port on the player. During normal operation the player’s DTR is
set to HIGH thus the unit is able to receive a command at any time.
- 4

Computer Control
3.3 Command and Status
During normal operation, when a computer transmits commands to a DVD-
V7400, the player responds with the status message, ‘execution complete’.
Example
COMPUTER DVD-V7400
(1) “Search to Frame 1000” ⇒(2) Search Execution
⇐(3) Complete
(4) “Play to Frame 2000” ⇒(5) Play Execution
⇐(6) Complete
NOTE: The length of a command string is limited to 32 characters. Please
refer to COMMAND STRUCTURE for additional information.
When using a computer to control the DVD-V7400 player, follow the
command protocols listed below:
• ASCII characters are used for actual commands and status response
• Command mnemonic is expressed as two (2) ASCII characters
• Uppercase letters are recommended; however, usually there are no
distinctions between the uppercase and lowercase letters
• Some commands require an argument
(e.g. Chapter number or speed)
• Use a command as the terminator of an argument
The player executes a command as soon as the carriage return <CR> is
received. The <CR> acts as the command line terminator.
Example
CH<CR> : Set Chapter for address mode
10SE<CR> : Search to Chapter 10
The player has a command buffer, which stores a command string of up to
32 characters in length.
Example
10SE 20PL<CR> : Search to Chapter 10 then play to 20
The command string enters the buffer with the first character and continues
sequentially from left to right. When the <CR> is entered, the commands are
executed sequentially beginning with the first command in the buffer. In the
example above, the first command is 10SE.
NOTE: The player ignores codes in the command string such as <SPACE>
or <LF> (line feed) which have no affect on the player.
- 5

Computer Control
NOTE: Some commands, sent after a specialty command which includes an
AUTOSTOP setting, (PL, MF, MR, etc.), cause the player to execute the
new command before the AUTOSTOP is enacted (see Chapter 5,
Command Descriptions).
When all the commands in a string have finished executing, the player
transmits or returns the "complete" message that is represented by the
capital letter R.
The player returns an R after a command has been executed. This
response is called the Automatic Status. The Automatic Status signals the
computer program to send the next command. If this function is not used,
the command processing Time must be taken into consideration before the
next command is sent.
If an error occurs, the player returns an error message such as E04. The
message indicates an error has occurred as well as the type of error. Error
messages are in the form of EXX where XX represents a 2-digit error code.
In some cases, an incorrect command sends the player to Search within a
non-recorded area and the player returns an error message. Use the
Request Status function to determine the unit’s current status (actual player
hardware failures are rare).
Apply one of the following methods to reset the player after an error has
occurred:
• ?P to determine the Active mode of the player
• ?X, ?W, ?M, ?H, ?H ?S to determine the player information, model
name, clock time, player region code, the setting of Industrial Player
Menu, etc.
• ?F, ?T, ?C, or ?R to determine the current Frame, Time, Chapter,
Title/Track number, respectively.
• ?V, ?D, ?K, ?G, ?Y, or ?Q to determine the disc information, disc type,
total Frame number, TOC information, etc.
The status functions are summarized below:
- 6

Computer Control
3.4 Error Messages
If an error occurs during a command execution, the player returns an error
code. The table below lists each code with a description of the error:
Code Message Description
E00 Communication error Communication Line Error due to framing error
or buffer overflow
E04 Feature not available Non-Usable Function has been tried – either
the command mnemonic is wrong or the
command can not be used in this mode
E06 Missing argument Correct parameter is not specified
E11 Disc does not exist There is no disc in the tray
E12 Search error Search address is missing
Read error of Text File; (When the command
[UU] is executed)
E15 Picture stop Playback has been stopped by a picture stop
code while in the Auto Play mode
E16 Interrupt by other device The command(s) sent via the serial line were
not executed before commands were sent from
the front panel buttons and/or remote control
Forced end of the data transfer while Text File
sends to PC (When the command [UU] is
executed)
E99 Panic Unrecoverable Error occurred – possible that a
disc cannot be loaded and/or playing does not
continue
3.5 Initial Setting
The following table provides the default internal register and switch settings.
Take care when setting the required parameters for an application program.
Register/Switch Setting at Power ON
Key Lock 2 : If set to 2 power is OFF
0 : All other cases
Video Switch 1 : ON
Audio Switch 3 : Audio 1
Display Switch 0 : OFF
Address mode 1 : Time
Speed Parameter 30 : ½ Speed
CCR 3 : Mode 3
Register A 3 : Title/Chapter and Frame
Display (DVD)
Track/Time Display (CD, VCD)
Register B 0 : Normal Squelch
Register D 0 : CR
- 7

Command Structure
4. COMMAND STRUCTURE
The DVD-V7400 supports the commands listed below.
COMMAND SUPPORTING FORMATS
Name Mnemonic DVD LB comp. DVD CD VCD
Open OP X X X X
Close CO X X X X
Reject RJ X X X X
Start SA X X X X
Play (adrs) PL X X X X
Pause PA X X X X
Still ST X X X
Step Forward SF X X X
Step Reverse SR X X
Scan Forward NF X X X X
Scan Reverse NR X X X X
Scan Stop NS X X X X
Multi-Speed Forward (adrs) MF X X X
Multi-Speed Reverse (adrs) MR X X
Speed arg SP X X X
Search adrs SE X X X X
Search & Play adrs SL X X X X
Stop Marker adrs SM X X X X
Lead Out Symbol LO X X X X
Clear CL X X X X
Frame FR X X
Block Number BK X X
Time TM X X X X
Chapter CH X X
Title TI X X
Index IX X
Track TR X X
Select Subtitle arg SU X X
Select Audio arg AU X X
Select Aspect arg AP X X
Select Angle arg AG X X
Select Parental-Level arg PT X X
Audio Control arg AD X X X X
Video Control arg VD X X X X
Display Control arg DS X X X X
Keylock arg KL X X X X
Stack Group Set arg GP X X
Barcode / Command Stack Play arg BS X X
Video Blackboard Display arg VS X X
Video Blackboard Clear arg CB X X
Blackboard/Stack Data Upload BU X X X X
Blackboard/Stack Data Download BD X X X X
Weekly Timer Data Upload WU X X X X
- 8

Command Structure
COMMAND SUPPORTING FORMATS
Name Mnemonic DVD LB comp. DVD CD VCD
Weekly Timer Data Download WD X X X X
Text File Data Upload UU X X
P-Block Number Request ?A X X X X
Title/Track Number Request ?R X X X X
Chapter Number Request ?C X X
Time Code Request ?T X X X X
Index Number Request ?I X X
Frame Number Request ?F X X
Block Number Request ?B X X
Total Frame Request ?Y X X
TOC Information Request ?Q X X
Disc Region Code Request ?G X X
DVD Disc Status Request ?V X X
LD Disc Status Request ?D X
CD Disc Status Request ?K X X
Register A Set (Display) arg RA X X X X
Register B Set (Squelch) arg RB X X X X
Register D Set (TxD Term) arg RD X X X X
Print Character arg PR X X X X
Clear Screen CS X X X X
Real Time Clock Set WW X X X X
Advanced Setup arg MS X X X X
Communication Control Set arg CM X X X X
Player Active Mode Request ?P X X X X
Player Model Name Request ?X X X X X
Real Time Clock Request ?W X X X X
Advanced Setup Request ?S X X X X
Player Region Code Request ?H X X X X
CCR Mode Request ?M X X X X
Input Number Request ?N X X X X
Error Code Request ?E X X X X
Firmware Version Request ?Z X X
Input Unit Request #I X X X X
Input Barcode Data Request #B X X X X
Register A Request $A X X X X
Register B Request $B X X X X
Register D Request $D X X X X
Menu Call arg MC X X
Numeric Button arg NB X X
Button Select arg CU X X
ENTER Button (arg) ET X X
Get Information arg GI X X
Memory Data Upload *1 MU X X X X
NOTE: Commands prefaced with an *1 are supported by only DVD-V7400.
- 9

Command Structure
NOTE: arg (argument) or ards (address) prefaces a command with an argument
or address parameter. If the arg or ards is in parentheses ( ), the parameter is
optional.
4.1 Command Mnemonic
Each command is expressed as two (2) ASCII characters. There is no distinction
between uppercase and lowercase letters except when the Character strings are
in a PR command.
NOTE: Do not issue a command without a Text File Data Upload [UU], Reject
[RJ] or Open [OP] sequence while videotext is displayed. A command issued
without one of these sequences causes the player to return an E4 error code.
4.2 Argument
An Argument, expressed in either ASCII characters or ten digits, consists of
either an address or an integer. A Control Register uses an integer value to set a
specified value or condition.
If a command requires an argument, it is always placed before the command.
Example : N1N2N3
Minimum 000 ~ Maximum 300 (except MS command)
Minimum 000 ~ Maximum 520703 (Only MS command)
NOTE: If a command requires an argument but one is not supplied, the player
returns an error message.
An Address can be a Title, a Chapter, a Track, an Index Number, a Frame
Number, or a Time Code depending upon how the address flag is set. The
Address must not exceed ten characters and/or digits.
Address Type Media Type Format Range (Min-Max)
Title Number DVD N1N20 ~ 99
Chapter Number DVD N1N20 ~ 99
Frame Number DVD/VCD N1N2N3N4N5N6N7a0 ~ 1079999
DVD N1N2N3N4N5b0 ~ 599:59
Time Code CD/VCD N1N2N3N4c0 ~ 99:59
Track Number CD/VCD N1N21 ~ 99
Index Number CD/VCD N1N21 ~ 99
Block Number CD/VCD N1N2N3N4N5N6d0 ~ 995974
aNaNbNcminutes NdNeseconds are calculated into frame number.
bN1N2N3minutes N4N5seconds.
cN1N2minutes N3N4seconds.
dN1N2minutes N3N4seconds N5N6Block.
- 10

Command Structure
4.3 Command String
A command string consists of multiple commands on one line. The maximum
length of a command string is 32 characters. All command strings are terminated
by the Carriage Return <CR> code (0DH hex).
Example : FR2000SE 2300PL<CR>
NOTE: Assign the following commands individually.
• The Real Time Clock Set [WW]
• Print Character [PR]
• Blackboard/Stack Data Upload [BU]
• Blackboard/Stack Data Download [BD]
• Weekly Timer Data Upload [WU]
• Weekly Timer Data Download [WD]
• Text File Data Upload [UU]
• Memory Data Upload [MU]
Once the <CR> termination command is added to the string, the command string
is executes from left to right in sequential order.
If an error occurs during the execution of a String, the remainder of the string
following that command is ignored.
If a new command string is input before the current string executes completely,
the current string is aborted and the remaining commands are cleared.
To cancel an executing string, send the termination command <CR> alone.
If a new command without Text File Data Upload [UU], [?*], [#*] or [$*] is input
while playing the current command stack, the remaining commands are cleared.
The DVD-V7400 does not accept other commands during the execution of a
Search command, returning an E04 error message. After issuing a Search
command, wait until the Return (R) status appears before issuing another
command. An exception to this rule is the Mark Frame Play command (i.e.
FR1200PL), when it is unnecessary to wait for the R status before sending
additional commands.
4.4 Status Returns
The completion message used in the Automatic Status is R.
Example: R<CR>
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Command Structure
4.5 Error Message
An error message consists of an Efollowed by a two-character error code.
Example: EN1N2<CR>
The error message occurs when the given command cannot be processed.
4.6 Request Status Return
In response to a single request command, the status returns as a line of letters
terminated by <CR>.
If multiple commands are sent within the same String, the player returns a
separate status value upon completion of each command. A status value is a
character string with a <CR> termination code.
Example: ?C?F<CR> ⇒02<CR>
10260<CR>
When the command is at the end of the command string, the Rwithin the
completion message is omitted.
Example: ST?F<CR> ⇒23005<CR> (completion omitted)
Example: ?FST<CR> ⇒23005<CR>R<CR> (not omitted)
4.7 Timing
A player needs a brief period after receiving a command before returning a
Status Value or “R <CR>”. It is defined as follows:
T1 represents the time between the termination of the command string
<CR> received and the beginning of the command execution. It is
approximately 35ms maximum.
T2 represents the time for executing the command, depending upon the
command type and the player’s condition. In case of a status request
command such as “?F”, T2 requires less than 1ms.
T3 represents the time that is needed for transferring data (TxD) per byte.
It requires a maximum of 4ms per byte. In case of the return data for “?F”
request, a player is supposed to be back 8 bytes data, that is composed
of 7 digit Frame number and “<CR>”. In this case the transfer time of
each byte is not exactly the same with 4ms, it takes usually around 10ms
for transferring 8 bytes data total, and it is supposed to take less than
16ms.
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Command Structure
Example:
RxD
P L <CR>
T1 T2
Execution
TxD
R <CR>
4.8 Start Timing Under Synchronized Playback (with several players)
To synchronize each playback to External Reference Sync Signal among several
players, issue the PL command after all players have finished the Search. The
next chart indicates the when to issue the PL command.
S
E
<CR>
R<CR>
PL<CR>
> 300 msec
T3
When the player executes a Search (SE command) and it returns a completion
message, there is a brief period when the player ignores a PL command. Issue a
PL command at least 300ms after the command completion.
After issuing a PL command, there may be a brief period before synchronized
playback starts. If all players receive a PL command after a Search but before
the PLAY command is issued (see following example), then playback is
synchronized after a pause of approximately three fields which is less than one
Frame in length.
When the player receives a PL command during the Unspecified Area (see
below), the playback might start at the first field, just after the first field, or it might
start after waiting for one Frame (four fields). Thus, this playback location is
called an Unspecified Area.
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