How LasrPlays and DVDplays Work

  HOW IT WORKS

  The synchronizer must be programmed at least once prior to use (either at the factory or by the user). This can be done with any IBM style PC computer (it doesn't have to be an IBM brand) using the software and cable supplied with the synchronizer. Once programmed it no longer needs any external computers to control it. Each channel of the LasrPlay or DVDplay synchronizer has it's own high speed RISC computer that communicates with an individual Pioneer player. This means that, for example, a 5 channel device has 5 small fast computers in it to control the 5 players. Because each computer only has to control a single player, and all of the computers talk to each other over an internal network, the control and synchronization is very fast and accurate.

  On power-up, the synchronizer will take control of the player through it's serial port and, if there is a disc inside, it will spin up to speed. If there is no disc inside, the drawer will automatically open until a disc is inserted. Once the disc is up to speed, the synchronizer will seek out the starting frame number of the loop to play. When the starting frame has been reached, each channel checks an internal network to see if every other channel is ready to play. If not, the channel waits for the rest of the channels to get ready. Once all synchronizer channels have reached their starting frames, they all start playing at the same time.

  When the playback loop is started, all channels of the synchronizer send the command to start playing to all their players at exactly the same time. Once they start, they will stay synchronized for the duration of the playback. When each disc reaches their ending frame number of the loop, the picture and sound are blanked out and they once again seek out the starting frame number and re-synchronize for the next playback loop. If the channels are programmed to play different length segments on each disc, each player will go blank at the end of their particular loop and then wait for the rest of the players to finish. If any of the channels have been programmed not to synchronize, they will start playing their loop over again as soon as they are done without waiting for the rest of the channels.

  There is a small delay between the end of the loop and the start of playing the loop again. This delay is dependant on the search speed of the player and the disc used, and in the case of the DVDplay, whether you programmed it to search on a title, chapter, timecode or a frame number. Searching on a title or chapter is faster than searching on a timecode or frame number, but only by a second or two.
 

  BEFORE USING THE SYNCHRONIZER

  Before a LasrPlay or DVDplay synchronizer can be used it must be programmed with the specific information for your discs and players. This programming can be done for you by us using information that you supply, or you can do it yourself using the supplied software and programming cable. You can also reprogram it at any time yourself even if we did it for you the first time.

  The synchronizer is programmed using an IBM style PC computer. It does not have to be an IBM brand computer, any compatible PC computer will work. The synchronizer comes with a 3 1/2 inch floppy disk (or CD on special request) that contains programs that are used to set parameters in the synchronizer. Once it is programmed, the synchronizer does not require an external computer to operate since it has it's own onboard computers that control the players.

  A number of parameters must be programmed into the synchronizer for it to operate correctly. These include the starting frame number, the ending frame number, and the speed of the serial port in the player. Several optional modes and settings can also be programmed into the synchronizer. These include locking out the front panel controls to prevent tampering with the system, as well as other options. Refer to the specific programming manual for the LasrPlay or DVDplay for step by step instructions on programming them.