Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 10:44 AM - Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? (Scott Thibault)
2. 08:07 PM - Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about (Matt Dralle)
3. 08:14 PM - Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about (Ethan)
Message 1
| INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
| NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
| LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
| SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
| Subject: | Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about UNILINK? |
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Scott Thibault <tbone7467@yahoo.com>
just music or video too? that might be nice
Matt Dralle <dralle@matronics.com> wrote: --> XDP4000X-List message posted by:
Matt Dralle
The purpose? A full Unilink controlled MP3 hard drive player, of course! And, well,
just to see if I could actually do it. It was pretty fun, but a real head
scratcher. Full, robust, compatible Unilink emulation is quite a coding project.
I'm also supporting multiple devices as well, e.g. more than one CD changer
appearance with a single connection to the bus. Not exactly sure what purpose
this will serve, but nonetheless the code to support it is there and working.
I really started this project back before Phatnoise came out with the Phatbox
or at least before I'd heard of it. Now its more of an exercise in proving I
can actually engineer and program the whole thing. Might be nice to sell some
kits or something.
Matt
At 03:14 PM 12/19/2005 Monday, you wrote:
>--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Scott Thibault
>
>Matt what is your purpose for the reverse engineering?
>
>Matt Dralle wrote: --> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Matt Dralle
>
>Certainly an interesting project idea. GNUlink is the "Changer-side" emulation.
What you're talking about is the "Master-side" emulation of the Unilink protocol.
There have been no projects on the web that I am aware of that address Master-side
emulation. I have personally done nearly a full Changer-side reverse
engineering of the Unilink protocol and have embedded code running that works
well. It is 100% custom code and does not utilize any other projects code found
on the web. With the experience I got in reversing the changer-side emulation,
I was thinking the other day that writing a master-side emulator would be
kind of an interesting project. But, this is a formidable task and would take
a fair amount of time and programming. Something I might try in the future, but
not till I finish the changer-side emulator. By the way, I have full CD-Changer
emulation working including full Track, Artist, and Listing functions working.
MD-Changer emulation is mostly worki!
>ng but I still have a few things left to get going. One problematic thing about
the Unilink protocol is that its not particularly tightly emulated or specified
it would seem. There are lots of what-ifs and good-enoughs in the protocols
and support for various functions. Timing also seems to be equally lax and inconsistent
from head unit to head unit. It all makes for a rather perplexing
reverse engineering task.
>
>Matt
>
>
>At 07:51 PM 12/18/2005 Sunday, you wrote:
>>--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Randy Visentine
>>
>>Hello,
>>
>>I am still heavily reserching a "Car PC" to replace my C90. It would
>>function as a Music Server w/ a large HD, a DVD-Navigation unit, DVD-Movie
>>player, and have regular old PC functionallity. I was initially planning on
>>using an 8-output Firewire soundcard to act as the discrete outputs to each
>>amp, and process the DSP inside the PC with Audio Software Plug-Ins (make a
>>seperate "Track" for each set of outs, and insert appropriate DSP plug-ins
>>on each track for EQ, Crossover, and delay).
>>
>>Well, I have been noticing just how much I really like the XDP-4000x's DAC's
>>and EQ. So smooth w/o being harsh, but still "Quick". So, is there any way
>>to have a PC Talk to the XDP-4k's Unilink port to control Volume and EQ/DSP
>>preset selection (I'd be removing the C90)? I know I could theoretically
>>hook up the XDP's Serial Port to the PC, and change DSP presets from the DSC
>>software, but I'd still need a way to send a "Turn On" signal to the XDP, as
>>well as a way to control the Volume. I would only need one Toslink Input to
>>be active, but input switching would be a killer option, too.
>>
>>I recall reading about Gnu-Link or something. Would this do what I need?
>>Not much comes up on Google for "Gnu-Link/Unilink/Sony", and I thought this
>>was more for CD-Players and stuff? If I could retain the XDP-4K, this would
>>save me over $500 on a Firewire Soundcard, AND the XDP would still probably
>>sound better (would also lessen the PC's CPU load)!
>>
>>Spending $200-$300 on a Unilink-to-PC converter that would allow this to
>>happen is not out of the question... I am even willing to pay for any
>>correspondence if any tricky programming is needed for the XDP-4k's Unilink
>>Protocol.
>>
>>Even a standalone Unilink controller would be fine as long as I have a
>>tactile Volume control, and a way to change DSP presets (and access to one
>>Toslink Input). I am no good at programming and "Reverse Engineering" code,
>>but I can easily build a PC. Making harnesses or adaptors is cake - but
>>having to program anything is a bit above my head right now.
>>
>>
>>Thanks a million for any insight. I have a feeling if I can make this
>>happen (with your help), I will dive into this project very very soon.
>>Otherwise, it will linger for a while longer, and my C-90's display will
>>continue to be 100% un-readable during the day ;-) ...
>>
>>--
>>Randy V.
>>Houston, TX
>>Audio-Dude/Musician/Crazy Guy
>>
>
>
>Matt G Dralle | Matronics | PO Box 347 | Livermore | CA | 94551
>925-606-1001 V | 925-606-6281 F | dralle@matronics.com Email
>http://www.matronics.com/ WWW | Featuring Products For Aircraft
>
>
Matt G Dralle | Matronics | PO Box 347 | Livermore | CA | 94551
925-606-1001 V | 925-606-6281 F | dralle@matronics.com Email
http://www.matronics.com/ WWW | Featuring Products For Aircraft
Message 2
| INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
| PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
| NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
| LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
| SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
| Subject: | Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about |
UNILINK?
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Matt Dralle <dralle@matronics.com>
Just music for now. Video imposes a whole new class of performance requirement.
The Unilink breakout adapter might be a cool way of unilink-ing most any kind
of device, though. Think about having relay closures for "pressing" buttons
on most any kind of device...
Matt
At 10:44 AM 12/20/2005 Tuesday, you wrote:
>--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Scott Thibault <tbone7467@yahoo.com>
>
>just music or video too? that might be nice
>
>Matt Dralle <dralle@matronics.com> wrote: --> XDP4000X-List message posted by:
Matt Dralle
>
>
>The purpose? A full Unilink controlled MP3 hard drive player, of course! And,
well, just to see if I could actually do it. It was pretty fun, but a real head
scratcher. Full, robust, compatible Unilink emulation is quite a coding project.
I'm also supporting multiple devices as well, e.g. more than one CD changer
appearance with a single connection to the bus. Not exactly sure what purpose
this will serve, but nonetheless the code to support it is there and working.
I really started this project back before Phatnoise came out with the Phatbox
or at least before I'd heard of it. Now its more of an exercise in proving
I can actually engineer and program the whole thing. Might be nice to sell some
kits or something.
>
>Matt
>
>
>At 03:14 PM 12/19/2005 Monday, you wrote:
>>--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Scott Thibault
>>
>>Matt what is your purpose for the reverse engineering?
>>
>>Matt Dralle wrote: --> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Matt Dralle
>>
>>Certainly an interesting project idea. GNUlink is the "Changer-side" emulation.
What you're talking about is the "Master-side" emulation of the Unilink protocol.
There have been no projects on the web that I am aware of that address
Master-side emulation. I have personally done nearly a full Changer-side reverse
engineering of the Unilink protocol and have embedded code running that works
well. It is 100% custom code and does not utilize any other projects code found
on the web. With the experience I got in reversing the changer-side emulation,
I was thinking the other day that writing a master-side emulator would be
kind of an interesting project. But, this is a formidable task and would take
a fair amount of time and programming. Something I might try in the future,
but not till I finish the changer-side emulator. By the way, I have full CD-Changer
emulation working including full Track, Artist, and Listing functions working.
MD-Changer emulation is mostly worki!
>>ng but I still have a few things left to get going. One problematic thing about
the Unilink protocol is that its not particularly tightly emulated or specified
it would seem. There are lots of what-ifs and good-enoughs in the protocols
and support for various functions. Timing also seems to be equally lax and
inconsistent from head unit to head unit. It all makes for a rather perplexing
reverse engineering task.
>>
>>Matt
>>
>>
>>At 07:51 PM 12/18/2005 Sunday, you wrote:
>>>--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Randy Visentine
>>>
>>>Hello,
>>>
>>>I am still heavily reserching a "Car PC" to replace my C90. It would
>>>function as a Music Server w/ a large HD, a DVD-Navigation unit, DVD-Movie
>>>player, and have regular old PC functionallity. I was initially planning on
>>>using an 8-output Firewire soundcard to act as the discrete outputs to each
>>>amp, and process the DSP inside the PC with Audio Software Plug-Ins (make a
>>>seperate "Track" for each set of outs, and insert appropriate DSP plug-ins
>>>on each track for EQ, Crossover, and delay).
>>>
>>>Well, I have been noticing just how much I really like the XDP-4000x's DAC's
>>>and EQ. So smooth w/o being harsh, but still "Quick". So, is there any way
>>>to have a PC Talk to the XDP-4k's Unilink port to control Volume and EQ/DSP
>>>preset selection (I'd be removing the C90)? I know I could theoretically
>>>hook up the XDP's Serial Port to the PC, and change DSP presets from the DSC
>>>software, but I'd still need a way to send a "Turn On" signal to the XDP, as
>>>well as a way to control the Volume. I would only need one Toslink Input to
>>>be active, but input switching would be a killer option, too.
>>>
>>>I recall reading about Gnu-Link or something. Would this do what I need?
>>>Not much comes up on Google for "Gnu-Link/Unilink/Sony", and I thought this
>>>was more for CD-Players and stuff? If I could retain the XDP-4K, this would
>>>save me over $500 on a Firewire Soundcard, AND the XDP would still probably
>>>sound better (would also lessen the PC's CPU load)!
>>>
>>>Spending $200-$300 on a Unilink-to-PC converter that would allow this to
>>>happen is not out of the question... I am even willing to pay for any
>>>correspondence if any tricky programming is needed for the XDP-4k's Unilink
>>>Protocol.
>>>
>>>Even a standalone Unilink controller would be fine as long as I have a
>>>tactile Volume control, and a way to change DSP presets (and access to one
>>>Toslink Input). I am no good at programming and "Reverse Engineering" code,
>>>but I can easily build a PC. Making harnesses or adaptors is cake - but
>>>having to program anything is a bit above my head right now.
>>>
>>>
>>>Thanks a million for any insight. I have a feeling if I can make this
>>>happen (with your help), I will dive into this project very very soon.
>>>Otherwise, it will linger for a while longer, and my C-90's display will
>>>continue to be 100% un-readable during the day ;-) ...
>>>
>>>--
>>>Randy V.
>>>Houston, TX
>>>Audio-Dude/Musician/Crazy Guy
>>>
>>
>>
>>Matt G Dralle | Matronics | PO Box 347 | Livermore | CA | 94551
>>925-606-1001 V | 925-606-6281 F | dralle@matronics.com Email
>>http://www.matronics.com/ WWW | Featuring Products For Aircraft
>>
>>
>
>
>Matt G Dralle | Matronics | PO Box 347 | Livermore | CA | 94551
>925-606-1001 V | 925-606-6281 F | dralle@matronics.com Email
>http://www.matronics.com/ WWW | Featuring Products For Aircraft
>
>
Matt G Dralle | Matronics | PO Box 347 | Livermore | CA | 94551
925-606-1001 V | 925-606-6281 F | dralle@matronics.com Email
http://www.matronics.com/ WWW | Featuring Products For Aircraft
Message 3
| INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
| PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
| NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
| LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
| SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
| Subject: | Re: Use a Car PC with XDP-4000x - What about |
UNILINK?
--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: Ethan <telmnstr@757.org>
> Just music for now. Video imposes a whole new class of performance
> requirement. The Unilink breakout adapter might be a cool way of
> unilink-ing most any kind of device, though. Think about having relay
> closures for "pressing" buttons on most any kind of device...
> Matt
One thing I thought about doing (before you started talking :-) was to try
to take the GNUnilink style project where they pass RS232 words out for
button presses, then run it into another PIC that can do the "learning
remote" type stuff, and talk to the cheapy dvd player I have.
The DVD player I have that I want to put in the car is cheap, and the
analog audio is horrible. There is a design flaw or a flaw with mine in
regards to the opamp that comes from the DAC. I want to use digital audio
output, and thus my venture into that.
When the XT40V is connected and video1 selected there would be no way to
use the digital input for the changer, since the XT40V has no provisions
for digital audio input. So I figured I would use a changer emulator, and
when that is selected (at least the GNUnilink project) it has a pin that
you can use to tell that changer is selected. I'd then use that to control
a A/B video switch, moving the video from the XT40V to the DVD player.
A hack, but it would work.
I had posted on the Unilink board a while ago, wondering... When the deck
is in changer mode, the faceplate beeps when you press buttons, as if the
deck knows what is availible as far as functions. In the Video1 mode,
nothing beeps. So it was my assumption that decks that do TV control know
that in video1 mode no button data is to be passed.
Also, I was kind of bummed that the XT40V didn't do anything with the
210EQ I have... I was hoping at least text information would come up, but
at last you have to program the EQ curve thru the stupid head unit, the TV
displays are blank.
There is an aux-IO port on the 210EQ, never seen any description of what
it was for.
Other Matronics Email List Services
These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.
-- Please support this service by making your Contribution today! --
|