PLAY

PY

Puts current transport into play.

PAUSE

PS

Toggles current transport between play and pause. To guarantee a pause, use SH0 (SHUTTLE command, speed 0).

STOP

ST

Stops current transport. Tape is unthreaded; standby is set to OFF.

EJECT

EJ

Ejects tape from current transport. This command does not work on parallel devices.

FAST FORWARD

FF

Puts current transport into fast forward.

FAST REWIND

RW

Puts current transport into fast rewind.

SHUTTLE

SH#

Shuttles current transport at the specified speed. Positive numbers shuttle forward, negative numbers shuttle reverse. The range is -9 to +9;
0 = paused.

JOG FORWARD

JF

Reverses tape in current transport one frame.

JOG REVERSE

JR

Advances tape in current transport one frame.

RECORD

RC

Puts current transport into record. To end a recording, use STOP (ST).

GOTO IN

GI

Transport searches to the previously stored inpoint.

GOTO OUT

GO

Transport searches to the previously stored outpoint.

GOTO PREROLL

GP

Transport is sent to the inpoint minus the specified preroll; the default preroll is 5 seconds.

GOTO LOCATION

GT#

Transport searches to the location specified by #.

PERFORM

PF#

# = nodes to sync with recorder (1-9)

Performs the edit on the currently selected node. Tracks should be set up ahead of time. Edit length is the duration held in the recorder's duration register; this duration is rippled to all selected sources.

To synchronize other nodes to the recorder, enter their node numbers after PF. When the recorder reaches its inpoint, all other transports will also be at their inpoints.

REHEARSE

RH#

# = nodes to sync with recorder (1-9)

This command works the same way as the PERFORM command, except that no actual editing is done. The record transport enters EE mode on the selected tracks. This command or the REVIEW command can be used to create multiple deck sync rolls.

REVIEW

RV#

# = nodes to sync with recorder (1-9)

This command works the same way as the REHEARSE command, except that the record transport does not go into selective EE at the edit point.

RECORD NODE SELECT

NR#

# = 1-31, separated by commas

Allows the user to specify multiple record transports.

SOURCE NODE SELECT

NS#

# = 1-31, separated by commas

Allows the user to specify multiple source transports.

ROLL BEGIN

RB#

# = start time after preroll

Allows the user to program the start time for rolling a particular transport. It is useful to use # to implement a delayed roll of some machines in a sequence. This command cannot be used on the master record node in a sequence.

ROLL END

RE#

# = start time after preroll

Allows the user to program the end time for rolling a particular transport—for example, to allow some machines in a sequence to stop before the rest. This command cannot be used on the master record mode in a sequence.

EDIT ERROR

EE

Edit error is returned by the node selected with ND#. The returned range is +/-0 to 99 frames. A number other than zero before the edit point indicates bad control track, bad time code, bad sync reference, or an error in capstan bumping. Three data bytes are returned: -01, 01, and so forth, indicating how far off the transport is from the desired spot.

EDIT SYNC

SY#

Selects the sync mode (0, 1, or 2) used for tape speed override.

Record lock mode (0) locks the sources to the recorder (default mode).

Source lock (2) uses the source as the edit sync reference, which is useful on some devices when time-base correctors are not used or when unstable video is likely to feed the recorder during preroll.

System mode (1) is used only for Ampex direct color machines. This mode uses the V-LAN's internal clock as the sync reference.

COLOR BUMP

CB

Bumps the internal color frame clock to the next color frame. If the color frame is off, correct the situation by issuing SY1 and then this command.

OUT ON THE FLY

OF

Allows user to select the outpoint at any time during the edit. When OF is sent, the current tape location is put in the outpoint register, and the edit is stopped after the postroll.

END CONDITION

EC c

c = command to execute after edit

Instructs the transport on what to do at the end of an edit. For example, the command EC PF causes the transport to perform the edit again and again until it is stopped.

If the auto increment register contains a value, a continuous animator is created. A simple command such as STOP causes the current node transport to be stopped. If a continuous loop is created, you can easily stop it by sending another EC command that has no data.

If nothing is set, all transports pause.

ABORT SEQUENCE

AB

Allows the user to abort an edit sequence. This command is the preferred method for aborting edits.

WAIT ON

WN

Enables wait mode

WAIT OFF

WF

Disables wait mode (the default)

WAIT GO

WG

Starts roll from the wait position

NODE ADDRESS

ND#

# = node to talk with

Sets the current node address. This node number specifies the device to which subsequent commands are sent. During editing, this command selects the record transport.

TRACK SELECT

TS m

m = mode: V = video; 1,2 = audio; A = assemble

Selects the track to use on the next edit. The codes need not be in any specific order. The track selection is set for each node individually; if only one node is recording, be sure to set tracks for it. Default: no tracks selected.

SET IN

SI#

# = location

Sets the inpoint register.

SET OUT

SO#

# = location

Sets the outpoint register.

SET DURATION

SD#

If the duration is changed, the output changes. If the output is changed, the duration changes. Setting two of the registers automatically sets the third.

TRIM INPOINT

TI#

# = amount to trim inpoint

Trims the inpoint by the specified amount.

TRIM OUTPOINT

TO#

# = amount to trim outpoint

Trims the outpoint by the specified amount.

TRIM DURATION

TD#

# = amount to trim duration

Trims the duration by the specified amount.

PREROLL SET

PR#

# = length of preroll (default 5 seconds)

Do not set preroll to 0. A recommended setting for preroll is at least 1 second.

POSTROLL SET

PT#

# = length of postroll (default 1 second)

Do not set postroll to 0. A recommended setting for postroll is at least 20 frames.

AUTO INCREMENT

AI#

Sets the amount that inpoints and outpoints are automatically incremented.

ENTER IN

EI

Sets the current tape location as the inpoint; default is 0.

ENTER OUT

EO

Sets the current tape location as the outpoint.

READ IN

RI

Returns the inpoint (12 bytes).

READ OUT

RO

Returns the outpoint (12 bytes).

READ DURATION

RD

Returns the duration (12 bytes).

CLEAR EVENT

CL

Clears all registers for the selected node (IN, OUT, DURATION, ROLL START TIME, ROLL STOP TIME).

ADD TRACKS

AT t

t = tracks: V = video, 1-9 = audio; more than one can be specified.

This command is used with the SS command (see below).

SET SPLIT

SS#

# = record tape location where split starts

The tracks selected by the AT (ADD TRACKS) command are added in at this point. The number should be between the recorder's inpoint and outpoint.

NEW TRACK SELECT

NT t#

t = tracks; # = time after preroll

Selects a new track during an edit. Enter the track to change to and the time after the preroll point. You can set up to 5 track changes. Send commands in order of execution, with the lowest time value first, highest last. To reset the table of track changes, send NT with no data.

STATUS REQUEST

SR#

# = optional node, ASCII status returned

Returns a 12-byte ASCII status string indicating machine status. Possible status messages are Power off, Stop, Threading, Unthreading, Wait, Play, Pause, Shuttling, Braking, Searching, Fast Forward, Rewind, Ready, Editing, Local, Ejected, Record, Var Play, Calibrating, Rehearse, Review, and Off Line.

If the transport had an error, the word error is returned, followed by a code number:

1 Execution error
2 Control track error
3 Search abort
4 Illegal command
5 Illegal search command
6 Synchronization error
7 Servo lock error
8 Not ready to search

LOCATION REQUEST

LR#

# = optional node, location returned

Returns a 12-byte ASCII string representing the location in standard SMPTE format. If the number is positive, the first byte is a space. If the number is negative, the first byte is a minus sign (-). If the time code on the tape is drop frame code, the colon before the frames value becomes a period.

When a tape is paused, its longitudinal time code (LTC) is unreadable. Thus, the still frame tape location depends on the type of VTR used. The only way to guarantee accuracy in a still frame is by using VITC time code.

LOCATION CONT

LC

Returns the location continuously until the next <Enter>. This command is recommended for terminal mode only, with echo on.

LOCATION STATUS

LS#

# = optional node, LOCATION and STATUS returned

Returns a 12-byte location string and a 12-byte status string.

STATUS ENCODED

SE#

# = optional node

First, this command returns a 12-byte ASCII location string. Next, it returns a byte indicating whether or not the transport is currently reading a valid time code. An ASCII space character means that a valid time code is not being read; an asterisk (*) means that a valid code is being read. The last byte of the string is the hex code for the transport status, as follows:

80 Blank 90 Editing
81 Power Off 91 Local
82 Stopped 92 Ejected
83 Threading 93 Record
84 Unthreading 94 Var play
85 Wait 95 Calibrate
86 Play
87 Pause 97 Rehearse
88 Stick 98 Review
89 Shuttling 99 Tone
8a Cruise FF Offline
8B Braking
8C Searching
8D Fast Forward
8E Rewind
8F Ready

01 Execution error
02 Control track error
03 Search abort
04 Illegal command
05 Illegal search command
06 Synchronization error
07 Servo error
08 Not ready to search

EDIT STATUS

ES

Returns a 12-byte edit status string indicating the stage of the edit. The possible codes are CUEING, EDITING, ABORTED, and DONE.

APPLICATION TYPE

AP

Returns a number between 0 and 6 indicating the type of device, as follows:

0 Offline
1 Transport
2 Video switcher
3 Keyboard
4 Audio switcher
5 Relay box
6 Universal serial control box

USER BIT RETURN

UB

Returns 8 bytes of user bit data.

COINCIDENCE ON

CO

Enables the coincidence character ($) return on the serial line.

COINCIDENCE OFF

CF

Disables coincidence checking over the RS-232-C line. This is the default setting on power-on.

SET COINCIDENCE

SC#

Selects the time for the coincidence pulse ($) to be sent to Sirius Video. The number entered is the delay time from the cue point.

CODE VALID

CV

Returns Y if the time code is valid; returns N if it is invalid.

DEVICE TYPE

DT

Returns five bytes, of which the first three are the device type code and the last two are the version number.

SYNC CHECK

SN

Returns Y if a valid sync is connected to the controller; returns N if it is not connected.

ROLL

RL

Rolls and syncs the current node to the master running frame count.

The inpoint for the current node should be set to where you want the synchronization. When the transport receives this command, it is cued to its preroll point, where it remains until its time matches the running frame count time. When the times match, the device is rolled and synced to the controller running frame count. The machine plays until stopped with the ER (END ROLL) command.

END ROLL

ER

Ends the sync roll for the current device and pauses it. Although you can stop the device with direct motion commands, this command is preferred for this purpose.

SET FRAME COUNT

SF#

Sets the running frame count. The number is loaded into the running frame count. This clock is updated by the sync signal supplied to the V-LAN controller so that it stays locked to the system clock.

READ FRAME COUNT

RF

Returns the current value of the V-LAN's frame count sync play commands.

RELAY SET

RS#,#,..

Sets the specified relays; the numbers must be separated by commas.

RELAY RESET

RR#,#,. .

Resets the specified relays; the numbers must be separated by commas.

RELAY PULSE

RP#,#,..

Pulses the pin corresponding to the specified relays. If the relay was set originally, the pulse is reset, set. If the relay was reset originally, the pulse is set, reset.

SET PULSE TIME

SP#

Sets the length of the pulse to the specified time (number of frames).

CLEAR RELAYS

CR

Clears relay events; that is, all triggers set by the RT (RELAY TRIGGER) command (see below).

RELAY TRIGGER

RT#, t

Allows you to program relays within an event for a specific time. When this command is entered, a log is made of the relay number, the time after preroll point, and the relay type (set, reset, or pulse). The LAN determines the relay type according to the last RS, RR, or RP sent. For example:

RT5, 00:00:00:10This command sets relay 5 to go 10 frames from time 0. If RS# was sent before this command, the next RT command “sets” the corresponding pin for the specified number at the specified time (set mode).

VARIABLE SPEED PLAY

VP #

# = speed between -99 and +99 frames/second

Puts device into variable speed mode at indicated speed.

If the device does not support that speed, it uses the closest available speed.

VARIABLE SHUTTLE

VS #

# = shuttle speed between -31 and +31

Shuttles a device over its speed range. Speeds are device-dependent and give the range of the device.

RETURN CURRENT VARIABLE SPEED

VR

Returns 3 bytes of speed data (-01, 01).

Returns current slow motion speed. Useful in conjunction with the VARIABLE SHUTTLE command to determine selected speed.

TEST IF VARIABLE SPEED AVAILABLE

TV

Returns Y if the device supports variable speed control, N if it does not.

CHECK AVAILABILITY OF SPEED

CA #

# = speed to check

Returns the selected speed or the closest speed to the speed selected that the device supports (3 bytes of data).

SET VARIABLE SPEED

SV #

# = speed for edit

Sets the speed used in the edit. Setting to the play speed value (NTSC: 30; PAL: 25) resets variable speed edit mode. The CLEAR ALL command also resets speed to play speed.

VARIABLE SPEED

VC st

s = speed, t = time

Changes edit speed during an edit. You can set up to 7 speed changes. To set speeds, send commands in order of execution, with the lowest time value first, highest last. To reset the table of track changes, send VS with no data.

ECHO ON

EH

Turns echo on so that all characters and linefeeds sent to the controller are also sent back.

ECHO OFF

EF

Turns echo off, which is the case on device power-on. Leave echo off when you use your computer to control the system.

EE ON

YE

Turns EE mode on for the current transport. Selects video input to a transport as the video out.

EE OFF

NE

Turns EE mode off for the current transport.

CODE MODE SELECT

CS#

# = 1 (time code) or 0 (control track)

On power-on, the transport is in time code mode. CS0 disables time code reading; CS1 resets the device to time code.

CODE TOGGLE

TC

Toggles between time code and control track modes.

SET LOCATION

SL#

Sets the transport to the specified location; if the time code is read, this number is overwritten.

GET CODE MODE

GC

Returns the location code mode of the selected transport:

0 = control track
1 = time code
3 = VITC time code

SET CODE

CD d

d = data

For NTSC video mode, sets the time code type:

0 = nondrop
1 = drop frame

RESET

ZZ

Resets the on-board V-LAN controller; same as toggling power off and on. This command does not return <Enter>.