On 9/29/05 Lowpro said:
The DVDLobby HTPC software served as inspiration only for my PCF file. It is not used in any way, shape, or form with regards to my PCF file and the TSU7000. Prior to purchasing my 3 Sony DVP-CX985V changers and the TSU7000 I did take the DVDLobby HTPC software for a spin. I liked the idea of automating my DVD collection, but quickly learned for various reasons that the DVDLobby HTPC solution was not for me.

I've beem exploring your DVD Lobby PCF for several days now and I have a couple of questions for you:
1. When you start up to play a DVD, I see that you power up all 3 changers.
2. Do you think it would work to insert a discreet "on" for each DVD numbered slot instead of having all changers on throughout movie?
3. Each numbered DVD slot button property action list begins with "Pre-Macro" and ends with "Post-Macro". I didn't understand the reason for these links. Is it just something that is particular to the Sony changer?
4. I've read somewhere that the Sony changers do not recognize one another and link together. Is this so?

The only macros in my .pcf that include powering on or powering off my changers are the conditional pages that you are taken to after choosing System On or System Off from my home page.

The macros in my .pcf file which cue up any given DVD disc are built on the setup page under each respective DVD changer device. As seen in the screenshot, each slot loading macro is linked to the pre-macro button, numberical entry (slot number), and post macro button on the setup page under that same device. Those pre and post macro buttons link to the buttons in the 2nd and 3rd columns of that same setup page only. Those buttons don't include powering up a given DVD changer.


You can do this, but it is not required to add a link for discrete power "on" to each of the 400 slot loading macros themseleves. You only need to add a link for discrete power "on" to the pre-macro button on the setup page.


This is not something particular to these Sony DVD changers at all. I structured these macros within my .pcf file this way so that they were as dynamic as possible. By structuring the slot loading macros in this fashion I only have to link the steps required prior to the disc number being entered and afterward to two buttons, the pre and post macro buttons on the setup page. If it was not done this way any time you would want to make a change to the structure of the slot loading macros you would have to make that same change individually to all 400 buttons. Ouch! With the structure I have in place here that is not required.

That being said, for my own setup I prefer to require that my home theatre receiver, hdtv a/v switch, and all three DVD changers be powered up already prior to attempting to cue up a given disc via any one of the DVD Lobby devices. That is what my System On or System Off macros are for. If you want the slot loading macros to include powering on the changer as well just add an additional link to the pre-macro button itself on the setup page for that DVD changer device. Done deal! Hope this further clarification helps.

You know I just got to thinking about what you want to do actually and adding a discrete power "on" to the pre-macro button may not be such a good idea. If you do this a sizeable delay action may be required just after the discrete power "on" in order to give the changer a chance to power up prior to the rest of the macro running. As such, these slot loading macros are going to take much longer to run irrespective of whether you have a given changer powered on already or not. I would not want to sit through that. Never hurts to mess around with it though. Have fun!


This is correct. Multiple Sony changers can not be linked together. They do not recognize each other. I see no advantage in them doing so however. I would never want to use Sony's Disc Explorer interface with one changer, much less 3 linked together. The other DVD management solutions out there are not appealing to me either. The TSU7000 is all that I need. Via my .pcf file all one has to do is import a pic and link it to the appropriate slot number. The setup page found under each DVD changer device also allows one to make any needed change specific to their own setup in just a few clicks. Can't get much easier than that. :-)

On Sept 3 Lowpro said,
Multiple Sony changers can not be linked together. They do not recognize each other. I see no advantage in them doing so however.

I'm with you, I have no use for Disc Exp; however, the link would be convenient for the following:

Say I'm already watching a movie, but I'm bored and I want to surf the movie library. I'm presently on the DVD control page of the Pronto. I jump to the Library...surf around for a while...then decide I'll just finish watching the same movie that's playing. Can the Pronto be programmed (remember) to choose which DVD player control page (DVD 1, DVD 2, DVD 3) to jump back to?

The linking of all would eliminate this problem as the juke would essentially be one player.

Did you build in a "work around" to your pcf or is this just a case for having to "note" the DVD player that is currently operating before leaving the control page? Thanks.

No. The remote and editor are not that intuitive. To provide this type of true functionality I would have to duplicate devices in my .pcf to an outrageous number. As such, you have to remember which DVD changer device you left, so that you can return to that device at anytime via the firm keys.


If by linking them they became one player I'd have to completely agree. Three changers linked and acting as one 1,200 disc DVD changer that responds to one set of IR codes. If this were possible I would not have to provide a way to directly access any one of the three changers directly at anytime within my .pcf file. That would be awesome!


You have to note the DVD player you are currently operating before leaving the control page. This is done via the remote. There is a device label on any given DVD transport control page calling out the DVD changer device you are under, DVD Player 1, 2, or 3. Just make a mental note of this prior to jumping out of that device, so you know which one to come back to.

To return to any DVD changer device directly just use the firm 2, 3, or 4 keys while under any given DVD Lobby device, this includes any series of DVD submenu pages you may be under as well. Those firm keys give you direct changer access as indicated on the help page. Not only are you jumped to the transport controls for the given DVD changer device, but the proper audio and video source selects are cueued up as well.

My intention when designing my .pcf file was to think in terms of accessing an automated DVD Library making the logistics of which changer and transport controls need to be used transparent to the end user. Working within the limitations of the remote, editor, and changers I feel I have come as close to that as possible. Hopefully my reply here has provided the additional clarification that you need.

My latest .pcf file can be downloaded here by the way for anyone interested. It was just updated today.

Later on September 9th Lowpro said,

If by linking them they became one player I'd have to completely agree. Three changers linked and acting as one 1,200 disc DVD changer that responds to one set of IR codes. If this were possible I would not have to provide a way to directly access any one of the three changers directly at anytime within my .pcf file. That would be awesome!

This is exactly the way my cd changers work(600 discs)....and it is awesome! I noted the player name on your DVD control page and knew worst case was having to remember where I am before I go surfing around :). Your "Lobby Library" program is so perfect and this one little linking problem highlights the Sony short-coming. I plan to "genre" my cd collection using your pcf design on my pioneer changers....after I finish the dvd collection.

I'm busy working on my graphics. I'll probably have a question or two later about the CX-985 Setup page. Think it's worth the money difference for the new 995?the

Speaking of the setup page ... I just updated the layout of my setup. The new layout now provides an exact visual representation of how the DVD slot loading macros are built. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out.

Regarding the 995 ...
After checking out a 995 tonight I can say without question that my next changer will be a 985. In fact, if I had to pay more for the 985 over the 995 I would and for one reason. With my 985's I can stop a DVD where it can resume playback from that given point, power down the changer, power it back up again, and that disc does not start playing automatically. It is simply still cued up, but stopped at that resume point. Well the 995 in this scenario forces that disc to start playing automatically from the resume point when the changer powers up! So not only did Sony not fix the auto-play issue with the 995, they made it worse by taking away the one reasonable and full proof work around that is available with the 985 and 777. On top of that, the HDMI interface and upconversion did not impress me at all. I love my 985's. They have performed beautifully since day one. The 480p component output delivers a wonderful picture. Until HD DVD becomes a reality and 400-disc DVD changers are available to go along with the format, I will stick with the 985. My 3rd changer only has 11 slots left. :-( I'd just assume continue stopping a given DVD where it can resume playback, so that DVD does not start playing automatically on startup. As such, my 4th DVD changer will also be a 985. Come on Sony. Get a clue already! What a disappointment.

Lowpro,

985 vs 995

Thanks for the quick review. I sure don't have any hesitation about spending less money for a better product!

Regarding the 480p output: are you running a video switch which allows you to feed all component 3 players into it....then one component feed to receiver?

Yes, I am using an A/V switch. I have all 3 changers and my DIRECTV HD Receiver running to the switch. The switch then outputs to my receivers component video input and optical input. From there my receivers component output runs to my projector.

If you look closely at my setup in the IR codes column you will see that the fourth item there is the code for my A/V switch.

The switch I use is the Zektor HDS4. It is an awesome switch. This switch has performed flawlessly since day one. It may be a bit pricey, but for me it has been worth every penny and then some. :-) I highly recommend it. Here is a pic of the switch as well from the gallery section of my .pcf file.

I followed your link to the HDS 4 switch. It is exactly what I need. Do you have the 4.1 or 4.2? I suppose there is an advantage to the second output, but it costs $150 more.

Anyway, I'm working on merging the essential DVD Lobby files into my PCF. Do I need anything more than the DVP-CX985V (CM1, CM2. CM3) + Pronto Signals DVP-CX985V (CM1, CM2. CM3)?

I was studying the best way to catalogue movies into changers. I know you have inserted additional titles in "empty" spaces over a period of time. Since I am starting at the beginning (about 600 titles)....would you just alphabetize whole collection by first letter in title and then install into changers as 1-600 (actually 1-400; 1-200 so to speak) in the All Titles category...and then go back an make various genres after that?

I have the HDS4 or HDS4.1 I guess they call it now. It only has the one component video output.


You will need the devices listed above plus one. The Pronto Signals devices you listed do contain the IR code buttons for each changer, but are not linked to the DVD changer devices directly. My Pronto Signals (Bridge) device is. This device acts as a bridge between my individual IR code devices and the rest of my .pcf file. In any event, so long as you make sure the buttons on the setup page are linked accordingly under each DVD changer device you'll be set to go.


Prior to loading my changers I had 885 DVD discs total. If you hit up my DVD Profile and view my list by collection ID you will see that I did reorder my collection ID's by title prior to loading my changers initially. From that point forward I have not reordered my collection ID's in DVD Profiler. With each new DVD I've purchased since, I just add the individual disc or discs to my DVD Profile individually allowing DVD Profiler to assign the next collection ID available. That collection ID in turn matches the next available slot in my DVD changer. Done deal.

This message was edited by Lowpro on 09/19/05 01:58 ET.

Exactly what is the purpose of the Signal Bridge? Does it improve the working of the PCF file? Why wouldn't one just "link" the IR commands directly to the individual DVD players?

Last question of the night: I remember reading somewhere that the Sony players allow a switch to be changed on the player so that the Pronto remote can operate each one of the players separately. I thought I read that this will work for 3 players. What are you going to do when you add the 4th unit to your systme?

What Lowpro will do when he adds a 4th changer is to simply purchase another RF extender and put his 4th, 5th, and 6th changer on a different RF Extender ID. However, he will have to ensure that he is using IR emitters or install the equipment such that the IR blaster from RF Extender #1 does not send data to the changers controlled by RF Extender #2.

For an idea as to why the "Bridge" is in place, search the Pronto Files Section for Dale Crawford's Easy Theatre. Inside this package is a Word document that explains why some folks use 3 layers as follows:

1. GUI Layer
2. Function Layer
3. IR Layer

Note: All 3 layers are typically in separate devices to facilitate future growth.

What this approach does is to make it simpler to switch out equipment.

Buttons in the GUI layer always alias to buttons in the Function layer. The relationship is often Many to One.

Buttons in the Function layer typically alias to a single IR code. The relationship is almost always One to One (if the Function Layer defines fine-grained control).

So, when it comes time to switch out your equipment. You can simply replace the IR Layer and re-link buttons between the Function Layer and the IR Layer.

Also, when it comes time to move your equipment over to RF, you only have to set the Properties of the Device containing the IR layer (buttons used to control your specific equipment).

Another benefit is that one does not accidentally delete a Function Layer Button while redoing IR does. If one of these buttons was actually deleted, you'd have no way to find out what GUI buttons referenced the button. This way, by having your Function and IR Layer links typically One to One, it's rather easy to relink should you accidentally delete an IR Layer Button.

Yes, this solution, albeit, not that complex, does put more devices into your config file. However the NG remotes, unlike the legacy remotes do allow devices to be hidden.

I could not have answered that any better myself Lyndel. :-P Hit that right on the money.

For adding additional changers to my setup ...
I currently control my 3 changers via a RF extender. My current RF extender is not positioned in such a way that it can blast my equipment. The IR emitters must be used. The same will be true if I add another RF extender to the mix, so no issues there.

As I will just be adding a 4th changer for this year I will probably just move my 3 changers back over to controlled IR. I will then run my 4th changer off the RF extender. Eventually I'd like to try the new RF extender Philips is coming out with. Very interested to see how it performs.

This message was edited by Lowpro on 09/20/05 02:40 ET.

LP, Feel free to copy this text and put it into the README you ship with your PCF.

Lyndel

OK, All of the above makes perfect sense. I've been using the function layer and IR layer as one and the same. I would like to implement the above....as painless as possible :). Looks like my present "devices folder" would become the "bridge" and then I would create another IR Signal Folder and create/paste all of the equipment pieces from the existing device foler into the signal folder, then change the funtion of the buttons in the device folder from IR command to a "link" with same named button in the signal folder. I don't suppose there is a short cut (paste/drag/drop?) to all of the linking .......