PRODUCT APPLICATION NOTE Bulletin # 152510 RS-232 Communication: LaserDisc Players versus DVD-V7200

Overview RS-232 communication programs written for Pioneer’s LaserDisc players may not function correctly on the DVD- V7200 in every situation. The DVD-V7200 was designed for compatibility with Pioneer LaserDisc players. Most RS-232 commands designed to control a LaserDisc player function properly. However, some commands return more data than requested while others return nothing.

Explanation Unlike a LaserDisc which is in analog format, a DVD Video disc is digital.

LaserDiscs offer a wide variation in playback speed but with play time limited to 30 minutes CAV or 60 minutes CLV. DVD offers playback time in excess of 120 minutes due to digital encoding. When the DVD-V7200 is queried it returns a larger status value than with LaserDiscs.

The digital information is encoded in MPEG-2 format. Because DVD is digital, speed and commands perform differently. In addition, unique commands were required in order to control the new features.

Solution ?D Disc Status The LaserDisc player returns the disc status but the DVD-V7200 states that this command is not applicable. Issue a ?V to request the disc status.

?F Frame Number A LaserDisc player returns a 5-digit character string. Issuing this command to the DVD-V7200 returns a 7- character string.

?X Player Model Name Avoid issuing this command unless you wish to identify the DVD-V7200 as the exclusive playback device.

SP Speed Set The command specifies the multi-speed rate. The value on a LaserDisc player is an integer equaling one frame. The rate is from 1 to 255 in the range, with 60 being the normal speed. This command allows the player to either play slower of faster as needed. The integer for DVD is 1, 4, 7, 15 or 30. This means the player can only play slower than normal or at specific rates. Integer values of greater than 60 are not valid.

Windows MCI Driver Although the Windows MCI driver for LaserDisc was written for LaserDisc players, the DVD-V7200 does not function properly with this driver. A Pioneer LaserDisc player and the DVD-V7200 use similar disc status and frame number requests that the driver recognizes. However, frame numbers greater than five digits and incorrect status requests cause the driver to fail. Pioneer New Media Technologies is currently working on a solution.

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Pioneer New Media Technologies, Inc., Product Development and Technical Support (310) 952-2111