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Untitled Page
ARCHIVED FORUM -- April 2007 to March 2012 READ ONLY FORUM
This is the first Archived Forum which was active between 17th April 2007 and
1st March February 2012
Latest post 11-27-2009 6:43 AM by deaddruid. 29 replies.
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09-09-2009 2:58 AM
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tournedos
- Joined on 12-08-2007
- Finland
- Posts 5,808
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
I don't think it's ever been published, so it would be reverse engineering time...
Datalink is more or less public, at least the frame structure, (although it is hard to get direct information from anyone as everybody seems to be trying to sell you something) and might have some similarities, but I wouldn't expect it to be too useful - ML probably needs much more complex communication.
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PhilLondon
- Joined on 04-16-2007
- London
- Posts 2,545
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
I think the ML Gateway is the way to go. It is really expensive though, £1800.00 in the UK.
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PhilLondon
- Joined on 04-16-2007
- London
- Posts 2,545
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
Lintronic has done something similar, it connected the lintronic box's IR connector to a pin of the 1611 converter and he is able to trigger actions based on commands passed on the ML.
But the MCL/Datalink protocol is older than the ML protocol, and I do not think you could get all the new Beo5 codes.
That said if you want to trigger only a few actions, like lights, the lintronic solution might be enough.
I am interested in the ML gateway myself, and it can do a lot, basically here is how it works:
When you set it up, you have a way to assign a unique number to all your B&O TV and Audio equipments.
Then you'll get a message every time one of these devices receive a command from the remote, but also if the state changes by itself... for example the DVD goes to the next track.
The Beo5 can be setup to send signals that are not recognized by the TV or Audio system, so they simply pass them through and you receive a message as well. So you can trigger an action in your home automation software.
If you do not have a Beo5, you can use LIGHT codes from the Beo4, they also pass through.
The ML gateway is 2 way, so your home automation system can send a signal to turn the TV on, change the volume, etc...
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scott451
- Joined on 05-22-2007
- Paris, France
- Posts 132
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
tournedos:
I don't think it's ever been published, so it would be reverse engineering time...
Datalink is more or less public, at least the frame structure, (although it is hard to get direct information from anyone as everybody seems to be trying to sell you something) and might have some similarities, but I wouldn't expect it to be too useful - ML probably needs much more complex communication.
hi,
i did a lot of research two years ago when i was planning out my b&o setup during the renovation. i found a white paper that describes how masterlink functions. it's probably still out there on the web somewhere. google may lead you to it...
scott
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BeoAffinity
- Joined on 09-10-2007
- Germany
- Posts 32
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
PhilLondon:
If you do not have a Beo5, you can use LIGHT codes from the Beo4, they also pass through.
As a first step that would be enough. Unfortunately the logic analyzer does not capture anything when pressing the LIGHT button followed by a number or something else on the Beo4. So it seems that these commands do not pass through (in my case through a BeoSound 3000). Is there a complete and detailed explanation of the ML Gateway features? From http://ikatu.com/en/rnd/mlgw it is possible to download an installation manual – but it is not very detailed.
BTW: From interpreting the data it seems that ML uses a standard RS232 communication protocol: 19200 baud, 8 data bits, one parity bit (which can be dropped), one stop bit. The last byte of a frame is always 00h the second last byte is a checksum (last 8 bits of the accumulation of all data bytes before).
Checksum generation (example applies to the above posted logic analyzer data): C0h + C1h + 01h + 0Ah + 00h + 00h + 00h + 0Dh + 02h + 01h + 33h + 35h = 204h -> Checksum = 04h
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PhilLondon
- Joined on 04-16-2007
- London
- Posts 2,545
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
Andreas: Unfortunately the logic analyzer does not capture anything when pressing the LIGHT button
Try "LINK, LIGHT".
It may not be the Beosound 3000 that does not transfer the LIGHT command, but maybe it is the Beolink converter that filters it.
One thing you could test is a Beolink PC2 box. It has a USB port on one side. I do not know if it trasnfer all the ML codes to the computer or only some that are necessary.
P.
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Michael
- Joined on 05-23-2007
- Atlanta, USA
- Posts 318
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
All this info and testing is great! Please keep this up guys. I think there are many that are extremely interested but may not be technical enough to add much to the conversation.
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stefan
- Joined on 04-16-2007
- 200 miles from Struer
- Posts 1,733
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
Instead of an update you will need a downgrade to a BS7000 I`m afraid. I had this setup some years ago with an AV9000, BS7000 in the mainroom and MX4000 and MCL2as in link rooms. Linked via Masterlink and converter boxes. LINK LIGHT commands were sent via ML without any problems, even timer controlled light sets from the BS7000. When I replaced the AV9000 with a BV7-40. The LINK LIGHT commands were still working, but not received by the BV7-40. When my BS700 and MX4000 were replaced by BS9000 / BV6-22 the LINK LIGHT commands didn`t work anymore.
If you have a BV7-40 MKIII or BS3 try to switch the ML Gateway function in the service menu to "on". Maybe that helps....(?)
Stefan
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beojeff
- Joined on 11-29-2007
- Posts 543
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
For a BeoLink Active or BeoLink Passive, the software version must be at least 1.6. Also, In order to enable ML Gateway on the Beolink Active or BeoLink Passive, you must enter the following buttons on the Beo 4:
/MENU/ /0/ /5/ /GO/
/STEP UP/
/GO/
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stefan
- Joined on 04-16-2007
- 200 miles from Struer
- Posts 1,733
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
What will MENU - 0 - 5 - GO - STEP UP - GO do? Will that enable BL active/passive to receive/send LIGHT- or LINK LIGHT commands?
If so, is there a similar procedure for a BV6, a BL 3500.....?
Stefan
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PhilLondon
- Joined on 04-16-2007
- London
- Posts 2,545
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
You seem to know this ML Gateway quite well... I have got the following questions...
Which B&O products are compatible with the ML Gateway? And which aren't?
Do you know how the controller device connects to the ML Gateway over ethernet. Is it like a Telnet connection to a certain address/port.
Can several controllers connect to the same ML Gateway at the same time?
Thanks,
Philippe
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herwin
- Joined on 09-16-2009
- Posts 13
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
Hi,
Some years ago i made a linux program that can control the PC2. It can control your basic MP3 collection and do some nice things with it. I reverce engineed the protocol until i had no time anymore..
Maby it will help you.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/kpc2/develop
Herwin Jan
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PhilLondon
- Joined on 04-16-2007
- London
- Posts 2,545
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
Thanks Herwin,
It is actually going to be very useful for me, for a different project I am doing with the Beolink PC 2.
I'd like to ask you 2 things...
Is your software emulating Beoport in Option 0,2,4 or 6?
How did you reverse engineer the protocol? Is there a software on the PC that would allow me to spy on the communication between the Beoplayer software and the Beolink PC 2 box over USB.
P.
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dgillier
- Joined on 09-17-2009
- Posts 3
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
By curiosity, how did you connect masterlink to your rs232 interface, could you share your setup ?
D.
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herwin
- Joined on 09-16-2009
- Posts 13
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Re: MasterLink ML specification, protocol, etc.
PhilLondon:
Is your software emulating Beoport in Option 0,2,4 or 6?
I thought it was Option 6, but dunno for shure anymore...
PhilLondon:
How did you reverse engineer the protocol? Is there a software on the PC that would allow me to spy on the communication between the Beoplayer software and the Beolink PC 2 box over USB.
Yust use a USB sniffer on windows, you can google on it. It was pretty straidforward.
Herwin Jan
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