Sony MDS-E12 User manual

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MDS-E12/E11/E52
RS-232C INTERFACE MANUAL
2001 by Sony Sound Communications Inc.

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1 Outline
2 Physical connection
3 Communication conditions of RS-232C
4 Communication packet format
5 Remote mode
6 Transmission data
6.1 Structure of this section
6.2 REMOTE MODE
6.3 POWER
6.4 PLAY
6.5 STOP
6.6 PAUSE ON/OFF
6.7 PAUSE ON
6.8 FF/REW OFF
6.9 REW
6.10 FF
6.11 PREV TRACK
6.12 NEXT TRACK
6.13 REC
6.14 TIME MACHINE REC
6.15 EJECT
6.16 AUTO PAUSE
6.17 TRACK PLAY
6.18 TRACK PAUSE
6.19 ELAPSED TIME
6.20 DIVIDE MODE REQ
6.21 DIVIDE ADJUST
6.22 DIVIDE REQ
6.23 COMBINE MODE REQ
6.24 COMBINE REQ
6.25 EDIT MODE CANCEL
6.26 ERASE REQ
6.27 MOVE REQ
6.28 UNDO REQ
6.29 MODEL REQUEST
6.30 STATUS REQ
6.31 DISC DATA REQ
6.32 MODEL NAME REQ
6.33 REC DATE REQ
6.34 TOC DATA REQ
6.35 TRACK NO. TIME REQ
6.36 DISC NAME REQ
6.37 TRACK NO. NAME REQ
6.38 ALL NAME REQ
6.39 NAME CANCEL
6.40 REC REMAIN REQ
6.41 NAME REMAIN REQ
6.42 DISC NAME WRITE
6.43 TRACK NO. NAME WRITE
7 Transmission data
7.1 Structure of this section
7.2 REMOTE MODE
7.3 POWER
7.4 PLAY
7.5 STOP
7.6 PAUSE
7.7 REC
7.8 REC PAUSE
7.9 EJECT
7.10 MODEL DATA
7.11 STATUS
7.12 DISC DATA
7.13 MODEL NAME
7.14 REC DATE DATA
7.15 DISC NAME
7.16 TRACK NAME
7.17 ALL NAME END
7.18 ELAPSED TIME
7.19 REC REMAIN
7.20 NAME REMAIN
7.21 TOC DATA
7.22 TRACK TIME DATA
7.23 DISC EXIST
7.24 1 TRACK END
7.25 NO DISC NAME
7.26 NO TRACK NAME
7.27 WRITE PACKET RECEIVED
7.28 NO TOC DATA
7.29 ENTER DIVIDE MODE
7.30 ENTER COMBINE MODE
7.31 EDIT COMPLETE
7.32 DIVIDE POINT DATA
7.33 UNDEFINED COMMAND
7.34 IMPOSSIBLE
8 Command quick reference

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1 Outline
This manual has the technical information necessary to control the MDS-E12/E11/E52 with the
RS-232C.
Section 2 Explanation about the connection between MDS and PC.
Section 3 Explanation about the communication conditions to
communicate between the RS-232C and MDS.
Section 4 Explanation about the packet format to be used for
communication between MDS and PC.
Section 5 Explanation about the remote mode which controls
MDS independently of the main unit.
Section 6 Explanation about each command to control MDS.
Section 7 Quick reference which is the summary from section 1 to 6.
In this manual, “MDS” is substituted for MD RECORDER, and “PC” is substituted for the
equipment which controls MDS.
As for the numbers, the hexadecimal number is shown in Italic with “H” in the end.
Example: 18 (decimal) = 12H (hexadecimal)

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2 Physical connection
Form of the connector for the RS-232C equipped with MDS, name of the pins and the cables for
connection are mentioned in this section.
2-1 Form of the connector and name of the pins
D-Sub9 male pin is used in MDS-E12/E11/52 at the RS232C connector.
The names of pins are shown as below.
Among them, the signal lines of 2:RXD, 3:TXD and 5:GND are connected to MDS.
4:DTR is connected to 6:DSR and 7:RTS is connected to 8:CTS inside MDS.
2-2 Connection of the cables necessary for control
Connections as follows are the minimum requirements to control MDS from PC.
Pin number Name
1 OPEN
2 RXD
3 TXD
4 DTR
5 GND
6 DSR
7RTS
8 CTS
9 OPEN
Connection cables to meet these requirements are commercially available as what are
called “cross cable” or “interlink cable” .
MDS name Pin number PC name Pin number (D-Sub9 male pin) (D-Sub25 female pin)
RXD 2 ←→ TXD 3 2
TXD 3 ←→ RXD 2 3
GND 5 ←→ GND 5 7

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3 Communication conditions of RS-232C
Communication conditions of RS-232C are shown as follows.
Baud rate : 9600 bps
Character length : 8 bit
Parity : No parity
Stop bit : 1 bit
Details of data format etc. are explained from section 4 onward.

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4 Communication packet format
The packet used in communication between MDS and PC is mentioned in this section.
4-1 Packet structure
It is changeabledatalength and composed of the following factors.
The maximum packet length is 32 byte.
4-1-1 Header
Headerisdifferentbetweenthepackettransmissiondirections,thatisPC->MDSorMDS->PC.
PC->MDS : 7EH
MDS->PC : 6FH
4-1-2 Packet length
Bytevaluefrom header to terminator.
The maximum packet length, 32 byte, occupies the value in the range from 05H to 20H.
4-1-3 Format type
The value of this factor always occupies 05H.
4-1-4 Category
The value of this factor always occupies 47H.
4-1-5 Data
According to the value of this factor, a control command or a request of condition is sent
from PC to MD.
And besides, a reply for control command or a current condition is sent from MD to PC.
Details about these data is explained from section 6 onward.
4-1-6 Terminator
The value of this factor always occupies FFH.
1 Header
2 Packetlength
3 Formattype
4 Category
5 Data
6 Terminator

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4-2 Summary
When some data are sent from PC to MDS, packet structure is shown as follows.
And besides, when PC receives some data from MDS, packet structure is shown as
follows.
Details about these data is explained from section 6 onward.
Header Packet length Format type Category Data Terminator
7EH Packetlength 05H 47H Data.... FFH
Header Packetlength Formattype Category Data Terminator
6FH Packetlength 05H 47H Data.... FFH

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5 Remote mode
5-1 What is remote mode?
In MDS, processing way for RS-232C is different between during remote ON and during
remoteOFF.
To carry out the request from RS-232C, send off the remote ON command at first to set
the MDS itself to remote ON mode.
When MDS is not in remote ON mode, it does not reply to a command from RS-232C.
5-2 Condition of MDS during remote ON
MDS with remote ON is capable of accepting any command via RS-232C.
When MDS enters remote ON mode, MDS stops all workings and forcibly enters “STOP,
REPEAT OFF and CONTINUE mode”.
While MDS is remote ON, it accepts controls from RS-232C only and does not accept
followings:
∗Keys of main unit
∗Wireless remote control
∗Wired remote control
∗Parallelremoteinput
∗Relayplayback/recordinginput
(Do not operate keys of main unit during remote ON to avoid malfunctions.)
While MDS is remote ON, INPUT switch and REC mode switch (E52 only) can be
changed in main unit only. These switches cannot be changed by remote control.
While MDS is remote ON, output for the following operation can be done according to
an alternation of inside condition:
∗Parallelremote
∗Relayplayback/recordinginput
By sending off remote OFF command, MDS enters remote OFF mode.
5-3 Condition of MDS during remote OFF
When the power is turned on, MDS is in this mode.
While MDS is remote OFF, it accepts followings:
∗Keys of main unit
∗Wireless remote control
∗Wired remote control
∗Parallelremoteinput
∗Relayplayback/recordinginput

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As for the command from RS-232C, only remote ON command is acceptable.
When MDS receives a command other than remote ON, it sends back a message
means impossible execution.
5-4 Summary
To control MDS with RS-232C, it is necessary to send remote ON command after turn-
ing on the power to enter remote ON mode.
MDS does not accept an input other than the one from RS-232C during remote mode.

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6 Transmission data
6.1 Structure of this section
In this section, details about each command are mentioned.
The commands are classified as function, data length, data, details of function and
example of transmission packet.
Function:General functions of commands are shown.
Data length:Data length of commands are shown.
Data:A fixed data is shown in hexadecimal notation. As for a variable
value, meaning and range of the value are explained.
Details of function:Explanation of the function of commands, notation for command
use and etc. are mentioned.
Example of transmission packet:
Concrete examples of transmission packet are shown.
6.2 REMOTE MODE
Function:To set the remote mode
Data length:2 bytes
Data:10H, Status
Status:03H = On
04H = Off
Details of function:This command changes remote mode of MDS.
As MDS does not accept controls from RS-232C when remote mode
is not ON, it is necessary to use this command to enter remote ON
mode.
When remote mode is OFF, if a packet other than the remote mode
on is sent from PC, MDS sends back “CAN’T EXECUTE”.
When MDS receives this command, it forcibly enters stop mode,
REPEAT OFF or CONTINUE. In this condition, MDS accepts con-
trols from RS-232C until it enters remote mode OFF.
In remote ON mode, MDS does not accept keys of main unit, wireless/
wired remote control, parallel input or Relay Play/Rec.

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On the other hand, parallel output and relay output are carried out.
ChangeofINPUTswitchisacceptableeven whenremotemodeisON.
Refer also to section 5 about details of remote mode.
Example of transmission packet:
Set remote mode to ON.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 10H, 03H, FFH
6.3 POWER [for MDS-E11/E52 only]
Function:To set the power mode
Datalength:2 bytes
Data:01H, Status
Status:02H = On
03H = Off
Details of function:As well as the POWER button on the remote control, this command
switches STANDBY mode and POWER ON mode.
When “POWER Off” command is send during toc reading, MDS is
turned off after toc reading is completed.
However, “Power” comes back immediately from MDS.
When the power mode of MDS is actually changed, MDS sends off
“STATUS DATA” automatically. “STATUS DATA” is reliable value to
grasp the power condition accurately.
Example of transmission packet:
Set the power to ON.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 01H, 02H, FFH
6.4 PLAY
Function:To start playback.
Data length:2 bytes
Data:02H, 01H
Details of function:This command starts playback.
When this command is sent in stop mode, MDS starts playback from
top of a disc.

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When this command is sent in playback pause mode, MDS starts
playback again from the point.
When this command is sent in recording pause mode, MDS starts
recording.
Example of transmission packet:
Start playback.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 02H, 01H, FFH
6.5 STOP
Function:To stop playback
Data length:2 bytes
Data:02H, 02H
Details of function:This command stops playback.
When this command is sent in playback mode, MDS stops play-
back.
When playback is started again after the above, MDS starts play-
back from top of a disc.
To start playback again from the previous stopping point, “PAUSE ON/
OFF” command must be used instead of this “STOP” command.
Example of transmission packet:
Stop playback.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 02H, 02H, FFH
6.6 PAUSE ON/OFF
Function:To pause playback/To cancel pause
Datalength:2 bytes
Data:02H, 03H
Details of function:This command has the same function as the PAUSE key in the main
unit or the remote control.
In short, this command changes playback mode to playback pause
mode, and playback pause mode to playback mode.

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It changes recording pause mode to recording mode, and recording
mode to recording pause mode.
When this command is sent in stop mode, MDS enters playback
pause mode at the top of a disc.
Example of transmission packet:
Start playback again in playback pause mode.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 02H, 03H, FFH
6.7 PAUSE ON
Function:To pause
Data length:2 bytes
Data:02H, 06H
Details of function:This command changes playback and recording mode to pause
mode.
Different from “PAUSE ON/OFF” command, this command does not
cancel pause mode.
So, if this command is sent during playback pause mode, playback
does not start.
The similar condition is applied to recording.
Example of transmission packet:
Pause playback during playback mode.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 02H, 06H, FFH
6.8 FF/REW OFF
Function:To cancel FF/REW
Data length:1 byte
Data:00H
Details of function:This command stops FF or REW operations during each operations
due to FF or REW command.
As FF or REW is the command to start operation of FF or REW, the
operation will carried out to the end of a disc if only these commands

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aregiven.
“Stop operation during FF or REW”, that is similar condition to the one
of when FF or REW key in the main unit is released.
Example of transmission packet:
Stop FF during FF operation.
7EH, 06H, 05H, 47H, 00H, FFH
6.9 REW
Function:To start rewinding
Data length:2 bytes
Data:02H, 13H
Details of function:This command has the same function when REW key in the main
unit is pressed.
To stop REW, send “FF/REW OFF” command.
When this command is sent in playback pause mode, playback start-
ing point goes back until “FF/REW OFF” command is given or starting
point reaches to the top of the disc.
No sound is heard during this period.
When this command is sent in playback mode, as well as in playback
pause mode, playback starting point goes back until “FF/REW OFF”
commandisgivenorstartingpointreachestothetopofthedisc. Sound
is heard in this case.
Example of transmission packet:
Start REW operation.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 02H, 13H, FFH
6.10 FF
Function:To start fast forward
Data length:2 bytes
Data:02H, 14H
Details of function:This command has the same function when FF key in the main unit is

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pressed.
To stop FF, send “FF/REW OFF” command.
When this command is sent in playback pause mode, playback start-
ing point goes forward until “FF/REW OFF” command is given or start-
ing point reaches to the end of the disc.
No sound is heard during this period.
When this command is sent in playback mode, as well as in playback
pausemode,playbackstartingpointgoesforwarduntil “FF/REWOFF”
commandisgivenorstartingpointreachestotheendofthedisc. Sound
is heard in this case.
Example of transmission packet:
Start FF operation.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 02H, 14H, FFH
6.11 PREV TRACK
Function:To skip back to a previous track
Data length:2 bytes
Data:02H, 15H
Details of function:This command has the same function when AMS- key in the main
unit is pressed.
When this command is sent in the top of a track in playback pause
mode, playback starting point goes back to the top of the previous
track, and playback pause mode is remained.
When this command is sent in the middle of a track in playback
pause mode, starting point goes back to the top of the current track,
and playback pause mode is remained.
When this command is sent during playback, playback starts from
the top of the current track.
Example of transmission packet:
Start playback from the top of the current track.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 02H, 15H, FFH

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6.12 NEXT TRACK
Function:To skip forward to the next track
Datalength:2 bytes
Data:02H, 16H
Details of function:This command has the same function whenAMS+ key in the main unit
is pressed.
When this command is sent during playback, playback starts from the
nexttrack.
When this command is sent in playback pause mode, starting point
goes forward to the top of the next track, and playback pause mode
is remained.
Example of transmission packet:
Start playback from the top of the next track.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 02H, 16H, FFH
6.13 REC
Function:To prepare for recording
Data length:2 bytes
Data:02H, 21H
Details of function:This command has the same function when REC button in the main
unit is pressed.
When this command is sent during playback, playback starts from
the next track.
When this command is sent in playback pause mode, starting point
goes forward to the top of the next track, and playback pause mode
is remained.
When this command is sent during recording, track marking is car-
ried out and a track is added.
When the INPUT SELECT switch in the main unit is set to DIGITAL,
first check by “STATUS” data from MDS whether copy is possible and
whether input is locked before recording.
When the INPUT SELECT switch in the main unit is set to DIGITAL,
dataisDin unlock just after stopmodehaschangedtorecordingpause

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mode, because it does not synchronized with input signals.
When digital input is correct, it synchronizes with input signals in 200
mSec at latest. So, first send “REC” command, and send “STATUS”
command after 200 mSec to check whether input is locked, then start
recording.
Example of transmission packet:
Enter recording pause mode to start recording.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 02H, 21H, FFH
6.14 TIME MACHINE REC
Function:To start time machine recording
Data length:2 bytes
Data:02H, 28H
Details of function:This command has the same function when T.REC key in the re-
mote control is pressed.
When this command is sent in recording pause mode, recording
starts from the point before 6 seconds at most within the input sounds.
In time machine recording, as only the sounds after the unit enters
recording pause mode can be recording, when this command is sent
in 6 seconds, recording starting point goes back in time of less than
6 seconds.
When this command is sent in recording pause mode, “IMPOSSIBLE”
is sent back instead of “REC”.
As “STATUS” is correctly in REC, refer to the value of “STATUS” to
check whether time machine recording has started or not.
Example of transmission packet:
Start time machine recording from recording pause mode.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 02H, 28H, FFH
6.15 EJECT
Function:To eject a disc
Datalength:2 bytes
Data:02H, 40H

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Details of function:This command has the same function when EJECT key in the main unit is
pressed.
When this command is send with a disc inside, the disc will be ejected.
Example of transmission packet:
Eject a disc.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 02H,40H, FFH
6.16 AUTO PAUSE
Function:To set AUTO PAUSE
Data length:2 bytes
Data:02H, Status
Status: 81H = On
80H = Off
Details of function:This is the command to switch AUTO PAUSE to ON or OFF.
AUTO PAUSE is the function to pause playback automatically in the
end of each track.
When this command is sent, MDS switchesAUTO PAUSE to ON or
OFF according to the value of status.
Example of transmission packet:
Set AUTO PAUSE to ON.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 02H, 81H, FFH
6.17 TRACK PLAY
Function:To start playback from the specified track
Data length:4 bytes
Data:03H, 42H, 01H, Track No.
Track No.: 1 (01H) to 255 (FFH)
Details of function:This is the command to start playback from the specified track by
entering the track number.
Example of transmission packet:
Start playback from the 16th track.

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7EH, 09H, 05H, 47H, 03H, 42H, 01H, 10H, FFH
6.18 TRACK PAUSE
Function:To pause playback in the specified track
Datalength:4 bytes
Data:03H, 43H, 01H, Track No.
Track No.:1(01H) - 255(FFH)
Details of function:Thisisthecommandtopause playback at the top of the specified track
by entering the track number.
Example of transmission packet:
Pause playback at the top of the 18th track.
7EH, 09H, 05H, 47H, 03H, 43H, 01H, 12H, FFH
6.19 ELAPSED TIME
Function:To set to send out elapsed time
Data length:2 bytes
Data:07H, Status
Status:10H = On
11H = Off
Details of function:This is the command to set whether elapsed time displayed in MDS
will be sent out or not.
MDS can send out the new time data whenever the time is renewed.
By send out this command with the value of Status On, elapsed time
of playback, FF, REW and recording are shown in sequence.
MDS sends out only the elapsed times. To display remain time, first
check the time of whole track by “TRACK TIME REQ” command and
then subtract the elapsed time from the time of whole track.
The elapsed time cannot be sent out just after remote mode is set to
ON.
Example of transmission packet:
Send out the elapsed time.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 07H, 10H, FFH

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6.20 DIVIDE MODE REQ
Function:To enter track divide rehearsal.
Datalength:2 bytes
Data:0AH, 01H
Details of function:This is the command to enter the rehearsal of track divide.
Whenthiscommand issentinplayback orplaybackpausemode,MDS
enters the rehearsal of track divide, in which the playback point where
the command is received is to be divide point.
When entering the rehearsal of track divide, playback is carried out for
several seconds repeatedly from the point to be divided.
Thepoint to be divided can be moved forward or backward by “DIVIDE
ADJUST” command.
If it is the desired point to be divided, divide the track by “DIVIDE REQ”
command.
Example of transmission packet:
Enter the track divide mode.
7EH, 07H, 05H, 47H, 0AH, 01H, FFH
6.21 DIVIDE ADJUST
Function:To adjust the point to be divided.
Data length:4 bytes
Data:0AH, 02H, 08H, Position
Position: -128(80H) to +127(7FH)
Details of function:This command adjust the point to be divided.
When this command is sent during track divide rehearsal by “DIVIDE
MODE REQ”, MDS changes the point to be divided to where is given
byPosition.
Position occupies the value from -128(80H) to +127(7FH).
This command must be sent during track divide rehearsal by “DIVIDE
MODE REQ”.