IEEE1394 Network | MSB Technology DVD Audio Player guide

The IEEE1394 Network

IEEE 1394 - Two 4-pin, S400 connectors are provided for connection to a firewire DAC or to IEEE1394-equipped receivers and other components. Each IEEE connector acts simultaneously as both input and output. All data formats are output.

If you have a receiver with an IEEE1394 connector, you can connect it to this player using the supplied IEEE1394 cable.

The IEEE1394 connector outputs every kind of digital audio that the player is compatible with, including DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, Video CD, CD and MP3. In contrast, the optical and coaxial digital outputs do not output SACD and multichannel DVD-Audio.

When playing DVD-Audio, (Excluding any part of the disc that features moving video) CD or SACD discs over the IEEE1394 interface, the digital audio is jitterless if the connected receiver is compatible with PQLS (rate control). See the operating instructions that came with your receiver for information on compatibility with this feature.

·There may be cases where the PQLS/rate control function and/or the IEEE1394 audio does not work properly even when connected to IEEE1394 audio-compatible equipment.

·Do not disconnect IEEE1394 cables or switch off any components connected using IEEE1394 while this player is on.

·Copy-protected 96kHz DVD-Video discs are downsampled to 48kHz when using the IEEE1394 connection.

·Use the supplied IEEE1394 cable to connect one of the IEEE1394 connectors on this player to an IEEE1394 connector on your AV receiver.

·The arrow on the cable connector body should be face down for correct alignment with the connector on the player.

·Connect the VIDEO OUTPUT jack on this player to a video input on your AV receiver. The IEEE1394 connectors on this player do not output video.

·In order to be able to hear multichannel sound from SACDs, DVD-Video and DVD-Audio discs, you need to set SACD Playback to Multi-ch Area, and the Audio Output Mode to 5.1 Channel.

·To be able to use the Auto Select Play feature, you must first set it up using the Auto Select Play menu screen. See page # 25.

·When the IEEE1394 indicator is lit on the front panel, no audio is output from the other digital or analog audio jacks. You can switch off the IEEE1394 output using the Audio Out menu if you need to use the analog and/or optical/coaxial digital outputs.

·The front panel IEEE1394 indicator only lights when the receiver is on and the input is set to IEEE1394. See also the receiver’s operating instructions.

·You can connect several components together using IEEE1394. See Creating an IEEE1394 network below.

·If you need to use an IEEE1394 cable other than the one supplied, please use 4-pin, S400 cables less than 11 ft./3.5 meters long. Although longer ones are available, they may not work reliably.

Creating an IEEE1394 network

Using the IEEE1394 interface it is possible to chain up to 17 components together so that the digital audio and control signals from each component is available to other components in the network. With the addition of an IEEE1394 repeater, it’s possible to connect up to 63 components. IEEE1394 connectors come in 4-pin and 6-pin configurations. This player uses the 4-pin connection, but the two types can be mixed on a network.

This player is compatible with IEEE1394 Audio components, such as AV receivers. It may not work properly if connected to IEEE1394 MPEG-II TS equipment (such as a digital satellite tuner), IEEE1394 DV equipment (such as a DVD recorder or DV camcorder), or an IEEE1394-equipped personal computer. Check the operating instructions supplied with your other IEEE1394 components for compatibility information. Connected components should be DTCP (Digital Transmission Content Protection) compliant to be able to play DVD-Video, DVD-Audio and SACD IEEE1394 audio. If a connected component is not DTCP compliant, only CD audio will be output.

When setting up an IEEE1394 network, it’s important that the components form an open ended chain or a tree. The system will not work if the connected components form a loop. If a loop is detected, the message LOOP CONNECT shows in the display. Figs. 3 and 4 show connections that form a loop. Another consideration when connecting IEEE1394 devices is the speed of the interface. At present there are three speeds: S100 (slowest), S200 and S400 (fastest). This player uses the S400 type. Although you can use components with different speeds together, we recommend connecting slower speed components at the edge of the network if possible. This will keep the network free of bottlenecks. When used within an IEEE1394 network, this player must be on for the IEEE1394 connection to be maintained. Other components in the network may or may not maintain the connection in standby (none will when the power is completely off)—check the operating instructions supplied with individual components. Note that the audio may be momentarily interrupted if a component in the IEEE1394 network is switched on/off, or its IEEE1394 connection is switched on/off.