======================================= - Alcorn McBride Inc. - - Binloop Controller Card - DBAP4 --------------------------------------- ***************************************** * * * How to Update the DBAP4 * * * ***************************************** The DBAP4 Controller Card must be updated over an RS-232 serial connection. This will require you to have a Windows PC with an RS-232 port (or a USB->RS-232 serial adapter). This PC should also have the latest version of the Binloop Config software installed. Once you have met these requirements, follow these instructions to update the DBAP4 Controller Card: 1. Download the latest firmware for the DBAP4 from http://www.alcorn.com/support/firmware.html 2. Extract the zipped firmware update files to your PC. These are the files: DBAP4.HEX - Main Controller Card Firmware SMPTECOR.HEX - SMPTE Interface Firmware REL_DBAP4.TXT - A copy of these release notes 3. Launch the Binloop PC Software (This software can be obtained at http://www.alcorn.com/support/software.html) 4. Launch the Firmware update utility by clicking on Help->Update Firmware... 5. Use this screen to update both the Controller firmware and the SMPTE Interface firmware. On-screen instructions will be provided. ***************************************** * * * Release Notes * * * ***************************************** ************************* * Version 1.31 * ************************* 03/04/10 -Repackaged this release to include new SMPTE Interface firmware -Updated SMPTE Interface firmware to v1.19 (firmware included with this release) ************************* * SMPTE Interface v1.19 * ************************* -Fixed an issue where the SMPTE drop flag could be active in non-drop formats -Improved accuracy of 29.97 framerate when not operating in Generate /w V-Sync mode ************************* * Version 1.31 * ************************* 02/17/10 -Implemented 'Pause SMPTE' (0x18) and 'Idle SMPTE' (0x19) legacy commands to the Alcorn 9-bit protocol -Updated SMPTE Interface firmware to v1.17 (firmware included with this release) ************************* * SMPTE Interface v1.17 * ************************* -Fixed an issue that would prevent the 'Set Current SMPTE Time' command from taking effect when the SMPTE Interface was idle. -Fixed an issue that could cause some SMPTE readers to be unable to read generated SMPTE due to incorrectly set bits in the SMPTE timecode stream. ************************* * Version 1.30 * ************************* 02/08/10 -Improved Ethernet efficiency to greatly reduce the chance of dropped packets during high-traffic conditions -Fixed an interrmittent issue when changes to Video Format were sometimes not passed on to the reproducers -Updated SMPTE Interface firmware to v1.14 (firmware included with this release) ************************* * SMPTE Interface v1.14 * ************************* -Fixed a problem that would cause the V-Sync LED to turn off even though the system was still locked to external V-Sync. ************************* * Version 1.29 * ************************* 01/26/10 -Disabled the SMPTE Sample Rate Lock system when External Video Sync is connected. This means that video sync takes priority as the locking source for the audio sample clock. -Fixed an issue that would cause a flickering issue on a newer generation of front-panel displays for the Binloop ************************* * Version 1.28 * ************************* 01/21/10 -Reactivated IO debug statements to help troubleshoot IO issues. ************************* * Version 1.27 * ************************* 09/28/09 -Implemented V-Offset and H-Offset settings in the front-panel LCD interface -Implemented a trigger menu in the front-panel LCD interface that allows you to clear all triggers -Implemented SMPTE Status commands (GS) to the Pioneer/ASCII control interface -Inverted SMPTE Frame Interrupt to eliminate a 1/2 frame lag when playing audio in reference to external SMPTE -Updated SMPTE Interface firmware to v1.10 (firmware included with this release) ************************* * SMPTE Interface v1.10 * ************************* -Fixed a problem where the SMPTE 'drop-frame' but was 'sticking' on after a framerate change -Inverted SMPTE Frame output to eliminate 1/2 frame lag when playing audio in reference to external SMPTE -Fixed a problem where the 30d and 29.97 rates were mixed up. ************************* * Version 1.26 * ************************* 07/16/09 -Implemented Alcorn command for configuring the SMPTE Self-Gen feature -Implemented Pioneer command for configuring the SMPTE Self-Gen feature -Changed External Sync method from 'Crash Lock' to 'Drift Lock'. The ReproHD was not a big fan of the 'crash' method, and would sometimes reset. -Fixed a problem that caused the 'SMPTE Idle Mode' selection to appear twice in the SMPTE Setup LCD Menu ************************* * Version 1.25 * ************************* 06/24/09 -Fixed a problem with the IP Address LCD screen that would cause it to go blank after selecting the first IP field ************************* * Version 1.24 * ************************* 06/17/09 -Improved precision of sample rate lock system implemented in V1.22 -Corrected sample rate values. Beginning with V1.22, sample rates were running a bit fast when external was not being fed into the Binloop. Rates are now correct. ************************* * Version 1.23 * ************************* 05/15/09 -Updated SMPTE Interface firmware to v1.06 (firmware included with this release) ************************* * SMPTE Interface v1.06 * ************************* -Fixed an issue that would cause SMPTE to intermittently and briefly drop out when reading. This dropout would be so short that you would only momentarily see the display flicker and hear the 'Running' relay click off and on. ************************* * Version 1.22 * ************************* 05/13/09 -Implemented a feature that 'locks' the audio sample rate clock of the Binloop to incoming SMPTE timecode when the SMPTE interface is configured to READ SMPTE. NOTE: A physical PROM update is required to take advantage of this feature. SMPTE firmware V1.05 (included with this release) is also required. -Updated SMPTE Interface firmware to v1.05 (firmware included with this release) ************************* * SMPTE Interface v1.05 * ************************* -When operating in READ mode, the SMPTE Interface now senses the incoming framerate -Fixed an issue where the SMPTE interface would not lock on to incoming timecode if the value of that timecode was a repeating value. Before this fix, the timecode value had to increment before lock was acheived. -Fixed an issue that happened when the current SMPTE time was set while the SMPTE generator was idling. Prior to this fix, the SMPTE generator would not apply the new value until SMPTE was started again. Now, this new value takes effect immediately. ************************* * Version 1.21 * ************************* 04/08/09 -Fixed a bug that would allow non-Pioneer/AMI reproducer responses to be returned to the controlling device. For example, the controller might receive a 0xAA character in addition to the 'R' Pioneer/AMI response. This affected both the RS-232 (via the Show Control port) and the Ethernet interfaces when using the Pioneer/AMI protocol. -Changed the default 'Show Control' port mode to Pioneer/AMI rather than Alcorn 9-bit ************************* * Version 1.20 * ************************* 03/30/09 -Implemented the 'Search Offset' command in the Pioneer/AMI Protocol ************************* * Version 1.19 * ************************* 03/19/09 -Fixed an Alcorn 9-bit bug that could cause an Alcorn configured RS-232 port (Programmer Port, and possibly the Show Control Port) to stop receiving messages. ************************* * Version 1.18 * ************************* 03/04/09 -Implemented Reproducer 'Independent' Status Request in the Pioneer/AMI Protocol -Implemented Reproducer 'Independent' Filename Request in the Pioneer/AMI Protocol -Implemented Reproducer 'Both' Status Request in the Pioneer/AMI Protocol - Used by V16Pro -Implemented Reproducer 'Both' Filename Request in the Pioneer/AMI Protocol - Used by V16Pro ************************* * Version 1.17 * ************************* 02/20/09 -Implemented a 30 second inactivity timeout for the front-panel menu interface -Implemented Set/Get S-Play delay command in the Pioneer/AMI Protocol -Implemented Get Colorspace command in the Pioneer/AMI Protocol -Implemented Reproducer Version Request in the Pioneer/AMI Protocol -Implemented Reproducer Status Request in the Pioneer/AMI Protocol -Implemented Reproducer Filename Request in the Pioneer/AMI Protocol ************************* * Version 1.16 * ************************* 01/06/09 -Added support for new CobraNet PROM that prevents L/R channel swapping issue ************************* * Version 1.15 * ************************* 12/12/08 -Implemented 'Ping' feature for Alcorn 9-Bit Protocol -Implemented the 'Set HD Video Format' command for the Alcorn 9-bit protocol (for use with Binloop Software) -Fixed a bug that would return the incorrect Unit ID to the Binloop Software ************************* * Version 1.14 * ************************* 12/09/08 -Implemented 'Stop Independent' Command in the Pioneer/AMI and MIDI Show Control Protocols -Implemented MIDI Acknowledge -Implemented configurable Synchronous Play Delay that can be used for VREPRO2, REPRO16V, REPRO24D, and REPROHD -Implemented SMPTE Output Level feature that is available on DBAP4 Rev E hardware and newer ************************* * Version 1.13 * ************************* 12/05/08 -Fixed a CobraNet problem that could cause L/R channel swap when Binloop powered up with an active external V-Sync source -Fixed an issue with the Pioneer/AMI Protocol that could cause the Show Control port to stop responding to commands -Implemented the 'Set HD Video Format' command in the AMI/Pioneer Protocol (for Binloop HD) ************************* * Version 1.12 * ************************* 11/17/08 -Implemented Independent Playback using the MIDI Show Control Protocol ************************* * Version 1.11 * ************************* 09/10/08 -Fixed an issue introduced in V1.10 that would prevent the system from powering up properly in PAL mode. -Fixed a problem that could sometimes cause Binloop.exe to report an error after a SMPTE firmware update even though the update was successful. ************************* * Version 1.10 * ************************* 08/20/08 -Implemented the ability to send non-alcorn serial messages out of the show control port from a SMPTE trigger -Implemented a configurable Self-Gen mode for the SMPTE reader. You can now disable Self-Gen, Self-gen from 1-8 seconds, or self-gen indefinitely when an incoming SMPTE signal is lost. NOTE: SMPTE Core firmware V1.04 required (included with this release) -Added Mute Video, Mute Audio, and Set Colorspace to the Pioneer protocol -Fixed a problem where triggers would sometimes only take effect after the Binloop was power-cycled (rather than immediately after the download) ************************* * Version 1.09 * ************************* 5/27/08 -Fixed a problem that would cause the SMPTE Frame clock not to work in READ mode when SMPTE was inactive. The lack of the SMPTE Frame clock causes reproducers to become partially unresponsive. -Added the 'Awaiting SMPTE' state to the LCD display. This state occurs when the SMPTE module is configured to READ and there is currently no active SMPTE input. -Changed the SMPTE time readout to display --:--:--.-- whenever the SMPTE clock is inactive (not generating or receiving SMPTE) -Added a safeguard that disables (stops) SMPTE whenever configuration data is changed. For example, if you change the SMPTE mode from GEN to READ when timecode is being generated, the SMPTE module will stop generating. -NOTE: This version requires SMPTE Core Firmware V1.03 or newer. ************************* * Version 1.08 * ************************* 3/13/08 -Fixed a problem that limited the pioneer protocol to a maximum reproducer file number of 255 (the actual limit is 1023) ************************* * Version 1.07 * ************************* 3/12/08 -Corrected a problem that would prevent a sample rate change from taking effect until the video format was changed too. ************************* * Version 1.06 * ************************* 3/07/08 -Corrected an issue that would cause reproducers to blink green indefinitely when in the PAL Video Format -Corrected an issue that could potentially cause the SMPTE Generator to drop out intermittently ************************* * Version 1.05 * ************************* 2/13/08 -Corrected 44100Hz Sample Rate issue - Sample clock was running a bit too fast. ************************* * Version 1.04 * ************************* 1/23/08 -Implemented Ethernet->Reproducer communication via the Alcorn Ethernet Protocol ************************* * Version 1.03 * ************************* 12/14/07 -Implemented Idle Read Event feature ************************* * Version 1.02 * ************************* 12/13/07 -Fixed an issue that would cause the trigger download from Binloop.exe to timeout with a large amount of triggers. -Fixed an issue that would cause triggers to remain in memory after a blank trigger table was downloaded. -Fixed Stop button functionality to always send a stop command to the reproducers. -Fixed a problem related to Controller/Reproducer version requests when connected to a show controller. ************************* * Version 1.01 * ************************* 12/03/07 -Added Reproducer OSD mode to LCD Menu -Implemented LCD front-panel lockout feature (PIN number) -Implemented Pioneer/AMI Protocol for Serial and Ethernet Control -Corrected a Serial issue that would affect large data transfers (script downloads) -Corrected a sample rate issue with the 44.1kHz setting ************************* * Version 1.00 * ************************* 11/06/07 -Initial Release of DBAP4