Vinpower Digital MiniLoader VDX-1 User manual

MiniLoader VDX-1
Automated Duplicator
User’s Manual
v3.6.0

WARNING!
VINPOWER DIGITAL’S CD/DVD/BLU-RAY DUPLICATOR IS MEANT FOR BACK
UP AND DISTRIBUTION OF ORIGINAL DATA AUTHORED OR OWNED BY THE USER.
ANY DUPLICATED DISCS MADE FROM A THIS CD/DVD/BLU-RAY DUPLICATOR IS
THE COPYRIGHT OWNERSHIP OF THE AUTHOR OR COMPANY WHICH OWNS THE
SOURCE DISC. ANY UNAUTHORIZED COPYING, EDITING, OR ANY PART
THEREOF OF A COPYRIGHT DISC IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. WE DISCOURAGE
THE USE OF ANY SUCH ACTION THAT GIVES RISE TO CRIMINAL INTENT AND
PROSECUTION.
VINPOWER DIGITAL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY POTENTIAL ILLEGAL
ACTIONS OF THE USER DUE TO ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE
PRODUCTS INTENDED USE.
Copyrights and Trademarks
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE
REPRODUCED IN ANY MEDIUM PRINTED OR ELECTRONIC WITHOUT THE PRIOR
WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM VINPOWER. COPYRIGHT©2000-2013. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED.

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction & Manual Overview ................................................................................. 3
1 Overview .................................................................................................................................. 3
2 The Robotic Platform ............................................................................................................... 5
3 The LCD Control Panel ........................................................................................................... 6
4 Menu Overview ....................................................................................................................... 7
5 Single Master and Multi Master Modes................................................................................. 11
6 Setting Counters and Assigning Names ................................................................................. 12
6.1 Setting Counters .............................................................................................................. 12
6.2 Editing Names ................................................................................................................. 13
Chapter 2: Operation ..................................................................................................................... 14
1 Copy ....................................................................................................................................... 14
1.1 Making Copies in Single Master Mode .......................................................................... 14
1.2 Making Copies in Multi Master Mode............................................................................ 16
2 Test ......................................................................................................................................... 19
3 Compare ................................................................................................................................. 19
4 Test+Copy .............................................................................................................................. 20
5 Copy+Compare ...................................................................................................................... 20
6 Select Burn Speed .................................................................................................................. 20
7 Master Mode .......................................................................................................................... 21
8 Erase ....................................................................................................................................... 22
9 Hard Drive Setup ................................................................................................................... 23
9.1 Select Partition ................................................................................................................ 23
9.2 Load Partition.................................................................................................................. 23
9.3 Rename Partition ............................................................................................................. 24
9.4 Delete Partition ............................................................................................................... 24
9.5 Partition Info ................................................................................................................... 25
9.6 Select Loading Drive ...................................................................................................... 25
9.7 Format Hard Drive .......................................................................................................... 25
9.8 Display Order .................................................................................................................. 25
10 Setup .................................................................................................................................... 26
10.1 Language ....................................................................................................................... 26
10.2 Read Error Skip............................................................................................................. 26
10.3 CD Writing Mode ......................................................................................................... 27
10.4 Max Audio, VCD & CDG Speed ................................................................................. 27
10.5 Buzzer ........................................................................................................................... 27
10.6 Startup Menu ................................................................................................................. 27
10.7 Screen Saver.................................................................................................................. 28
10.8 Counter .......................................................................................................................... 28
10.9 DVD+R High Compatibility Mode .............................................................................. 28
10.10 ISRC ............................................................................................................................ 28
10.11 Overburn ..................................................................................................................... 29
11 System Utilities .................................................................................................................... 29
11.1 Disc Info........................................................................................................................ 29
11.2 System Info ................................................................................................................... 30
11.3 Device Info.................................................................................................................... 30
11.4 Load Default ................................................................................................................. 30

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11.5 Update Firmware .......................................................................................................... 30
12 Loader Utilities .................................................................................................................... 30
12.1 Update Robot Firmware ................................................................................................ 30
13 Manage Accounts................................................................................................................. 31
13.1 View User ..................................................................................................................... 31
13.2 Create User.................................................................................................................... 32
13.3 Edit User Info ................................................................................................................ 32
13.4 Delete User.................................................................................................................... 33
13.5 Password on Bootup ..................................................................................................... 33
14 AUTOCOPY ........................................................................................................................ 33
15 Auto Copy+Compare ........................................................................................................... 35
16 Auto Compare ...................................................................................................................... 35
17 Shutdown ............................................................................................................................. 35
Chapter 3: Trouble Shooting ......................................................................................................... 37
Chapter 4: List of Robot Error Codes ........................................................................................... 39

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Chapter 1: Introduction & Manual Overview
1 Overview
Welcome
The MiniLoader VDX-1 is a reliable, high performance, high speed, standalone, robotic CD and DVD
autoloader. With its professional industrial design and simple user interface, it makes your duplicating
experience easier than ever.
With the MiniLoader VDX-1, you have a capacity of 25 discs that can duplicate continuously for 24 hours,
even with multiple masters. You get the highest quality duplication all at an extremely affordable price. The
MiniLoader VDX-1 is the most reliable and affordable autoloader on the market.
Before you start using this autoloader, please read the following to ensure proper operation:
BD/DVD Duplication Limitations
The autoloader will not copy any DVDs that have Copy Protection encoded in the content. Typically, most
DVD movies you purchase or rent contain Copy Protection.
In addition to the copy protection limitation, the autoloader will only copy a single layer DVD disc to another
single layer DVD recordable media. If your autoloader has double layer DVD capability, you can copy a
double layer DVD disc to another double layer DVD recordable media, but you cannot duplicate a single
layer DVD disc to double layer DVD recordable media or vice versa.
Temperature Warning
If the autoloader was stored in a location where the temperature dropped below 32° F (0° C) within the past
24 hours, leave the autoloader in a warm room with temperatures at least 65° F (19° C) for four hours prior
to powering it on for the first time. Failure to do so may cause irreparable harm and prevent the autoloader
from functioning.
Maintenance
It is very important to operate and keep the autoloader in a dust free, clean environment since dust is the
number one killer of CD/DVD recording devices. Failure to do so can severely damage your autoloader. We
strongly suggest that you constantly use an Air Duster (Canned Air) to clear off any dust on the surface of
the autoloader.
Note: Do not try to use an Air Duster to clean the autoloader while the writer trays are open. In
doing so, you may inadvertently blow dust into the recording device and damage it.
Proper Shutdown
To avoid possible system failures, you need to shut down the autoloader properly. To shut down the
autoloader, scroll to menu Shutdown and follow the instructions on the screen. Not performing this function
increases the risk of damaging the autoloader.

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Disc Static and Sticky Media Issues
The most common problems when using an autoloader are the disc static and sticky media issues. These
static charge problems cause multiple discs to stick together, resulting in improper operation and more
severely, can shock the robotic arm while loading a disc causing the system to freeze. Even though the
autoloader has a sticky media separator function to help prevent media from sticking, you should still follow
these steps to prevent sticky media from disrupting your operation and protect your system from disc static
charge.
This issue is most commonly seen when you buy a 100 pack of blank discs and insert them into the
autoloader without any treatment. If you have experienced this kind of problem, please do the following to
remove the adhesive static between the discs:
 Separate the blank discs before you place them into the autoloader's spindle(s). Separating them
will greatly reduce the static between discs.
 If this doesn't achieve the desired outcome, use an air duster (canned air) to blow air around the
circular edge of the blank discs as shown in Figure 1-1. This process reduces the static between
the discs up to 90%. The amount of air to use depends on factors specific to your environment.
Figure 1-1 Using Canned Air to Reduce Static
 If you are still having problems, put your media into the refrigerator (NOT in the freezer) for three
hours. Afterwards, store it at room temperature for one hour prior to use. Studies show that cold
temperature (with no condensation) will also reduce the static charges between objects
dramatically.
Spindles vs. Bins
The VDX MiniLoader has one area for holding CDs and DVDs Discs. Although the manual refers to them as
spindles, many of the messages shown on the LCD display will refer to them as bins in order to create a
more concise message. Don’t panic. Spindles and bins are the same.

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2 The Robotic Platform
The MiniLoader VDX-1, with 50 Disc Capacity, has two bins (see Figure 1-2). Each bin holds approximately
50 discs (Actual quantity varies depending on the media thickness). Place the media you wish to copy into
the Input Bin. The robotic arm will pick discs from Input Bin then place the successfully copied discs onto the
Output Bin. If any discs were rejected due to failure, reject discs will be placed on the deck below the drive
tray (NG Bin).
Figure 1- 2 MiniLoader VDX-1 Duplicator Side View

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3 The LCD Control Panel
Figure 1-3 below shows the LCD Control Panel. This panel has a two-line by 20 character LCD display to
provide user feedback and eight push buttons to control the operation of this system. The functions for
these buttons are shown in Table 1-1.
Note: The below image is for reference only. Your key assignment and appearance may differ.
Figure 1-3 LCD Control Panel Layout
Table 1-1: Front Panel Controls
Control Name Function
Up Scroll up through the menu or list.
Down Scroll down through the menu or list.
ENT Enter Execute the function. Also referred to as OK in the Menus.
ESC Escape Go back to the previous function.
Copy Copy Quick key to make a copy. Pressing this key automatically performs the
AUTOCOPY job.
Test Test Quick key to make a simulation of the copy process. Pressing this key
automatically performs the Test job.
Speed Speed Quick key to change the duplication speed. Pressing this key automatically
guides you to the functions that allow you to change various duplication speeds.
Source Source Quick key to change the master reading source. However, since HDD is the only
valid source, no other options are offered at the time of this publication.

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4 Menu Overview
This section provides an overview of the menu options. These menu options are explained in detail on the
referenced pages.
1 Copy page 14
Use the Copy menu or Copy quick key to make CD/DVD copies. Before you start a copy process,
make sure you have selected the correct Master Mode. Please refer to “Single Master and Multi
Master Modes” on page 11 for additional information.
If you plan to use Single Master Mode, please make sure you have successfully loaded your master
disc to a partition on the Hard Drive.
If you plan to use Multi Master Mode, please make sure you have placed every master disc on top
of the corresponding number of blank discs.
2 Test page 19
Use the Test menu or Test quick key to simulate the copy process. With simulation, write once
recordable discs such as DVD-R, or CDR will be reusable. The purpose of simulation is to ensure
error free duplication.
Note: Due to physical limitations of the DVD+R recordable format, if you try to simulate DVD+R
copying, you will encounter failure messages.
Warning: If you are using CD/DVD Rewritable discs as your blank media during the simulation, the
content on those discs will be permanently erased.
3 Compare page 19
Use the Compare function to perform a bit-by-bit comparison between the content of your master
disc(s) in the Hard Drive and the contents of all discs it copied. This ensures that all of your copies
are identical to original master disc(s).
Note: The bit-by-bit comparison will only apply on all DVDs and Data CDs. A readability check will
be applied for other formats like Audio CDs, CD+G, and Video CDs discs due to their lack
of error correction mechanisms.
4 Test + Copy page 20
Use the Test + Copy menu option to simulate the copying process initially. Then, the autoloader
performs the actual copy process on the blank disc(s) that passed the simulation. For the blank
disc(s) that didn’t pass the simulation, the autoloader will place it/them to the Reject Area.
5 Copy + Compare page 20
Use the Copy + Compare menu option to make 100% reliable copies. After the copy process is
done, the autoloader automatically compares the copies from the content of your original master
disc. Any copied discs that fail the compare process will be placed in the Reject Area.
6 Select Burn Speed page 20
Use the Select Burn Speed menu option or the Speed quick key to adjust the duplication speed for
the various blank disc formats.
7 Master Mode page 21
Use the Master Mode menu to select either Single Master Mode(SM) or Multi Master Mode (MM).
For more information on these modes, see “Single Master and Multi Master Modes” on page 11.

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8 Erase page 22
Use the Erase menu to erase your Rewritable discs. There are two options:
 Full Erase: This option erases the entire disc, destroying all previously written data in the
process.
 Quick Erase: This option erases the index (TOC) of the Rewritable disc, not the data section. It
is much faster than Full Erase. However, the data section is still recoverable. If you prefer the
old content not be recovered for security purposes, please perform Full Erase.
9 Hard Drive Setup page 23
Use the Hard Drive Setup menu to perform various hard drive-related operations. These options
include loading, renaming, or deleting your images.
10 Setup page 26
Use the Setup menu options to control how the autoloader operates. You can scroll between the
various options using the Up or Down button.
10.1 Language
Use this setting to choose the language used to navigate the autoloader. The autoloader
officially supports English and Spanish menus. More languages could be added.
10.2 Read Error Skip
Normally, when the autoloader encounters a read error while reading the master disc, all
the duplication will be aborted and all the recordable media in the writers will be ruined.
However, if you believe that your master disc has a small, insignificant error due to physical
damage, you can utilize this setting to allow the autoloader to skip any read errors that it
encounters. It is “Off with Retry” by default.
Important: When this function is “ON”, it does not fix the error; it only skips it to continue
copying the rest of the readable data. This is recommended for Video and Audio
duplication purposes.
10.3 CD Writing Mode
Use this setting to select the mode you would like use to duplicate a CD. There are two
different modes: “Disc at Once” and “Track at Once”. Unless you understand completely
what they mean, we strongly suggest you to set it as “Disc at Once”.
10.4 Max Audio, VCD & CDG Speed
Due to the lack of error checking mechanism for Audio CD, Video CD and CD+G format,
duplicating them at too high a speed can cause frequent errors like glitches and skips. Use
this setting to adjust the maximum duplication speed for Audio, Video CD and CD+G
format to ensure reliable duplication for such formats.
10.5 Buzzer
Use this setting to choose whether you want to hear a beep when you press a button and
when a task has been completed or have it turned off for silent operation.
10.6 Startup Menu
Use this setting to choose which menu you would like to see first when you turn on the
autoloader.
10.7 Screen Saver
Use this setting to enable or disable the Screen Saver feature. When this is enabled, a
screen saver is displayed whenever your autoloader has been idle for a set period of time.