Future Products

This is a small preview of some of the new products that we hope to release during 2005. The details given here are based on products still under development, so it is possible that some features and specifications may change by the time the products are actually released. A few weeks before one of these products will be available for purchase we will post a product page on the specific product, with detailed specifications and prices. Until we post those product pages, please remember that this is a preview only.

Our DVD synchronizers are already widely known for being extremely accurate and simple to use. Now we are working on a new series of synchronizers and controllers that will add a lot of additional features beyond simply synchronizing. The new series of products will be known as the "AllPlay" series.

AllPlay

The AllPlay series of products will consist of a master control unit, called the AllPlay-8, and a set of optional expansion units. Some of the expansion units may also be used as stand-alone devices as well as expansion units for the AllPlay-8.

The Allplay-8 will be a master controller that can control up to eight Pioneer DVD players (as well as some other RS-232 controlled devices). If you need to control more players, then you can connect an AllPlay-EX expansion unit to the AllPlay-8 to control 8 more players. Still not enough? Add up to 31 AllPlay-EX expansion units to control as many as 256 players at the same time.

The Allplay-8 will also have a serial port to connect to a host computer. This can be used to set the parameters within the unit or to control the unit in a real-time interactive installation. The host computer can also set the parameters for any expansion units that are connected to the AllPlay-8. In addition, the AllPlay-8 will have a small LCD display on the front and a jog wheel to set any of it's (or it's expansion units) without having to connect a host computer. The expansion units will not have the LCD and jog wheel.

These units will have a number of switch or sensor inputs and a couple of contact outputs to connect external switches, sensors, or controllers. The AllPlay-8 can be triggered by these external switches or can trigger an external device with it's contact outputs.

The AllPlay-8 eight channel controller, and AllPlay-EX eight channel expansion unit are the first two planned devices in the AllPlay series. But it won't end there. We are also planning several other expansion units that will allow other types of devices to be controlled by the master AllPlay-8. Some of the other expansion units we are planning on are for RS-422/RS-485 devices, DMX lighting control devices, MIDI controlled devices, and an ethernet interface to control or receive controls from devices on a LAN or even attached to the internet.

We will be building in a special scripting language in the AllPlay-8 that will allow advanced users to customize their synchronizer for different types of installations. The scripts will allow you to build unique interactive installations. Expansion units will not have this scripting ability when used stand-alone, but if they are being used as expansion units then they can be controlled by a script running in an AllPlay-8.

Since needs and requirements are always changing, and some customers need custom models of synchronizers, the AllPlay series will have downloadable firmware which allows a user in the field to update the controller as we make changes to the basic design. Firmware updates will be available on our website, and we can create custom firmware (at additional cost) for customers with needs beyond what we had imagined when designing the AllPlay controllers.

Some of the expansion units, such as the AllPlay-EX, will also be able to be used by themselves (without needing an AllPlay-8), though stand-alone mode will be more limited than what is possible when connected to the more powerful AllPlay-8 controller. This will allow you to use your expansion units for simpler installations, such as a simple multi-channel synchronizer, when it is not needed in larger installations.

The AllPlay-8 will have a built in NTSC/PAL blackburst generator, and can also be locked to an external black burst source. This feature, and some firmware, make the AllPlay-8 a frame accurate synchronizer. AllPlay-EX expansion units, when controlled by an AllPlay-8 are also frame accurate. But when an AllPlay-EX is used stand-alone it could be off by a frame or two between channels.

Please note: All of the above is preliminary information and is subject to change without notice. Please check back every few weeks for any updated information on the AllPlay series controllers.