Digital Message Streamer Tutorial

1.Introduction

  The Digital Message Streamer is a BCL software, conceived to read MP3 files from the USB stick, and send them to the network using RTP while monitoring the current file on the local audio output. The mp3 files may be dolnloaded from a configured FTP server at predefined download time. The messages may be trigered from the webUI buttons, or from X8. Up to 8 buttons are supported.
  The messages are organized in playlists, which are mapped to the corresponding buttons, like:
  - WebUI Message 1 button, or X8 button 1 --> pl1.m3u
  - WebUI Message 2 button, or X8 button 2 --> pl2.m3u
  ..................................
  - WebUI Message 8 button, or X8 button 8 --> pl1.m3u
  It supports all Barix Audio devices, but it is optimised to run on Extreamer 100/110.

2.Configuration

2.1.Configuring MP3 messages.

  The Digital Message Streamer searches the USB stick for playlists for each message. Each playlist may contain unlimited number of MP3 files, which will be played one by one. The playlists names nust start with "pl", followed by the playlist number, for example - pl1.m3u for playlist 1, pl2.m3u, etc. The MP3 filenames must be maximum 99 characters long. Once the files are prepared, they have to be copied to the root directory of the USB stick, or to a FTP server where the device can download them from.

2.2.Configuring the DMstreamer

  Open the DMstreamer configuration page by clicking the APPLICATION tab from the webUI. Configure all the listed options. Most of them are self-explanatory, and their meaning is listed on the configuration help page on the right pane of your browser window. Please also take into consideration the following important points:
  - FTP server name: The maximum length is 49 characters
  - FTP user name: The maximum length is 19 characters
  - FTP password: The maximum length is 24 characters
  - FTP directory: The maximum length is 64 characters
  - FTP userbane, passwd, and directory name are case sensitive
  - NTP server is absolutely necessary for the FTP download to be trigerred correctly, so always put a valid entry there

2.3.Configuring X8

  If local trigerring of messages on button press is required, then BARIX X8 device must be correctly configured and connected to COM port 1

2.3.1.X8 pinout

  The Pinout of the X8 device is shown on the pictire below:

J1 | J3
Pin | Purpose | Pin | Purpose
1 | Signal GND | 1 | Reference GND
2 | I/O 7 | 2 | RS-485A
3 | I/O 6 | 3 | RS-485B
4 | I/O 5 | 4 | Vin (AC or DC)
5 | I/O 5 | 5 | Vin (AC or DC)
6 | I/O 3
7 | I/O 2 | J5
8 | I/O 1 | 1 | Shield
9 | I/O 0 | 2 | Shield
10 | Vcc (5V DC) | 3 | Shield

2.3.2.Programing X8

  The X8 device provided by Barix must be configured for a special mode in order to be used for the needs of this application. Follow the procedure below to do this:
  - Connect inputs I0 and I1 together (pins 9 and 8 of J1)
  - Connect inputs I7 and I4 to ground (pins 2 and 5 of J1 to pin 1 of J1)
  - Power up X8. The device will reconfigure itself for the special "Digital Message Repeater" mode. All LEDs will be illuminated, LED 3 will blink
  - Remove the power, then remove the connections. The X8 is now ready for use.
  After the restart of the X8 the left LED will be permanently on and LED 2 will blink every second. If the device does NOT blink as expected, it may be loaded with an old firmware version. In this case contact the Barix technical support for more information.

2.3.3.Configuring the COM port for X8

  In order the X8 to function properly, open the application Settings page, and configure the following settings for COM port 1 as shown below:
  - Serial 1
  - Baud rate = 19200
  - Data bits = 8
  - Parity = no
  - Stop bits = 1
  - Handshake = none
  Click "Apply" to save the settings, and reboot the device.

2.3.4.Connecting the X8 to the Exstreamer

  Next, you need to connect the X8 to the Exstreamer. To do so, connect the following pins:v
  - PIN 5 of J3 of X8 to PIN 5 of RS-232 connector on device
  - PIN 4 of J3 of X8 to PIN 4 of RS-232 connector on device
  - PIN 3 of J3 of X8 to PIN 2 of RS-232 connector on device

2.3.5.Connecting buttons to the X8 Unit

  For the purpose of this application, the most simple configuration is used. Connect your buttons or contact closures between each input and signal ground as shown in the picture below.
  However, up to 70 buttons and a volume control may be connected if desired. The application also needs to be modified to support more buttons.