Contents
The application main window consists of
- Title bar - Shows application name and current RDS file name.
- Main menu
- Toolbar - Contains commonly used options, preset buttons and Store All / Send All / Receive All buttons.
- On Air display - Shows content of the most important text services currently on air from last operation.
- RDS services control
- Status bar
Store - Sends the data to the RDS encoder and stores them into the EEPROM memory so the data will be available also after next power-up. Depends also on setting in Preferences.
Send - Sends the data to the RDS encoder and these will be used for the transmission until power off.
Receive - Receives data from the RDS encoder. Allowed only in bidirectional communication mode (default).Tip: Rightclick on the bookmarks to show or hide RDS services control cards. Unused cards will not be displayed. You may also exclude them from data sending in Preferences - Buttons.
Program
Default PS - Static name of the program service, which is defaultly displayed by RDS receivers in order to inform the listener what program service is being broadcast by the station to which the receiver is tuned.
PI (Program Identification) - Four hexadecimal digits. This information consists of a code enabling the receiver to distinguish between countries, areas in which the same program is transmitted, and the identification of the program itself.
Traffic PS - Showed instead of the Default PS if Traffic Announcement is switched on (using the software or external switch). If you don't need to use the Traffic PS, leave the box blank.
Traffic Program - A flag to indicate that the tuned program carries traffic announcements.
Traffic Announcement - An on/off switching signal to indicate when a traffic announcement is on air. You may control it using the button or leave the box unchecked and contol the flag using external switch.
Program Type - Specifies the current program type.
Program Type Name - Allows further description of the current Program Type, for example, when using the Program Type "Sport", a Program Type Name of "Football" may be indicated to give more detail about that program.
M/S (Music/Speech) - A two-state signal to provide information on whether music or speech is being broadcast.
Program-Item Number - The code should enable receivers and recorders designed to make use of this feature to respond to the particular program item(s) that the user has preselected. Use is made of the scheduled program time, to which is added the day of the month. Not implemented on commercially available receivers yet.Dynamic PS
Up to 255 characters long text message to be displayed on receiver instead of static PS name.
Dynamic PS 1 can be used for song titles streaming etc.
Dynamic PS 2 can be used in conjunction with Messages.
Four display modes (0-3) are possible depending on configuration in Preferences.
Number of transmissions - Specifies number of transmissions for the Dynamic PS text message. Has effect only if both DPS1 and DPS2 are set or if Automatic Messages Switching is enabled for DPS2.
Delay between text loops - Specifies the time between two repeats of the Dynamic PS text loops. Static PS is displayed during this time.
If maximum value is set, the Dynamic PS will be displayed only once if changed. The Restart Dynamic PS text in Preferences must be set to Always in this case.
Dynamic PS 2 Source - You may set Default source (the box above), one from the Messages or Automatic Messages Switching.Tip (for mode 0 or 2): Fill %%DATE%% to show date or %%TIME%% to show time of the message insert. Fill %HH-MM%% to show real time. You may also click with right mouse button in mode 0.
Important! Using the dynamic/scrolling PS is restricted in some countries. We are not responsible for incompetent use of this feature.
Radiotext
Switching interval - Specifies the time in minutes between two switching of the Radiotext. The switching can occur between RT1 and RT2 or between messages specified for RT2.
Radiotext 2 Source - You may set Default source (the line above), one from the Messages or Automatic Messages Switching. Only first 64 characters from the message can be displayed (RDS standard restriction).
Radiotext 1 Type - Enables or Disables the RT1.
Radiotext 2 Type - Sets Type A (Each switching between RT1 and RT2 will cause the previous message to be overwritten on most receivers), Type B (Receivers usually leave both RT1 and RT2 texts displayed) or disables the RT2.Messages
Contains up to 99 text messages, each up to 255 characters long, stored into the RDS encoder. The messages are numbered for use as Dynamic PS 2 or Radiotext 2 source or for Messages Scheduling.
Messages with Dynamic PS 2 or Radiotext 2 box checked will be cyclically used if corresponding text service source is set to Automatic Messages Switching. This feature works stand-alone without no more support from PC.Tip: By clicking on Load button you may load the messages from a text file. Each line will represent one message.
Important! The messages are called by their number, their text must be stored before.
EON
Described below.Data Groups
You may add up to 16 RDS groups with any content to the RDS stream. This block is repeatedly transmitted.
Choose RDS Group type and insert the content in hexadecimal code. You also see the decimal value. Then click on Insert button.
This feature is intended mainly for advanced users or experimental purposes.System
Set now (Time and Date) - Sends current time and date information to the RDS encoder to set its internal clock. It's also possible to make this operation automatically on application start or RDS file Open. The time and date information is taken from PC system clock.
CT Enabled - Enables transmission of Clock-Time and Date. Receivers with CT feature will display it. Once time and date are set, these are transmitted stand-alone without any further support from PC.TA Timeout - If enabled, specifies a maximum duration in minutes during which the Traffic Announcement parameter can remain on. Then the TA flag is switched off. If enabled, external TA switch is edge activated, if disabled, external TA switch is level controlled.
Decoder Identification - Indicates which possible operating mode is appropriate for use with the broadcast audio. Check the items which correspond with your broadcast equipment.
ECC byte - It helps the receiver to recognize the country in cooperation with the PI code. The first most significant bits of the PI code carry the RDS country code. The four bit coding structure only permits the definition of 15 different codes, 1 to F (hex). Since there are much more countries to be identified, some countries have to share the same code which does not permit unique identification. The ECC byte determines the country unambigouesly.
Alternative Frequencies - List of alternative frequencies. Up to 25 items allowed.
Subcarrier Phase Shift - Fixes the relative phase shift between the pilot tone and the RDS signal. The value serves only as a scale, it may not provide real phase shift value. Used only if Clock Source is set to Auto. Use with care!
1.2 Enhanced Other Networks information (EON)
The EON feature is used to update the information stored in a receiver about program services other than the one received. Alternative frequencies, the PS name, Traffic Program and Traffic Announcement identification as well as Program Type and Program Item Number information can be transmitted for each other service. The relation to the corresponding program is established by means of the relevant Program Identification.
The EON is especially useful for linking two or more stations of the same owner. Most of EON featured receivers gives priority to stations linked by EON when seek function is activated. Since the PIRA32 can store four EON links, up to 5 stations can be linked together
Station that doesn't carry traffic announcements can refer to a station that does. See the RDS encoder manual for more details.Enabled - Enables or disables the link to the Other Network.
PI (Program Identification) - Identification code of the Other Network. Always contains four hexadecimal digits.
Program Service name - Program Service name of the Other Network.
Program Type - Program type of the Other Network.
PIN (Program-Item Number) - Program-Item Number of the Other Network. Set the Day to 0 to disable this service.
Traffic Program (TP) - Traffic Program flag of the Other Network.
Traffic Announcement - If set, switches the receiver to corresponding Other Network for duration of the traffic announcement. Can't be set if corresponding Other Network has TP switched off.
Frequencies - List of Other Network frequencies that can be received in the area covered by linking station. Up to 25 items allowed.
General
Auto Save - Automatically saves the RDS data in current RDS file on Exit, Open or New.
High Priority - Try to enable on slow machines if some other applications are running. Not recommended if also broadcast software is running on the same machine.
Unlock Password - Enter the password to protect the program from unauthorized unlocking. Note that this feature is not hacker proof :)
PC Port - The port where the RDS encoder is connected.
PC Port Speed - Indicates the PC port speed. If the RDS encoder port speed is different, the application will find the right speed automatically.
Port Options
Bidirectional - Enable if both communication ways are possible (default), disable if backward channel does not exist (satellite link etc.)
Timeout - Increase this value if virtual COM port or modem link etc. is used. If the RDS encoder is connected to a local COM port, set the value to 1.
Edit RDS file - Choose a RDS file to be manually edited in Windows Notepad. For advanced users only.
Skin Picture and Font Color - You may insert your own BMP picture to the application, showed on the first page. The picture size should be 632x269 pixels. Picture with other dimensions will be fitted. All color depths are supported. You may also change the font color.
Register RDS files - Click on the button when you first run the program. It will write some information to the Windows registry.Local Settings
UTC offset - Your local time offset.
Summertime offset - Your summertime offset.
Time and Date set - Permits the time and date to be set automatically on application start.
PTY Coding - Allows showing correct PTY names in application depending on broadcast area.Buttons
Presets - Choose RDS files which you want to open by clicking on corresponding toolbar button.
Default Store button function
Send + Store - Sends the data and stores them into the RDS encoder EEPROM memory.
Store - After click on Store button the data currencty present in the RDS encoder will be stored into the EEPROM memory but no data will be send.Text Options
Dynamic PS Mode - Selects one from four possible display modes for the Dynamic PS text loop.
Mode 0 Justification - Default text justification of the Dynamic PS if mode 0 is selected.
Fill with - Character used to fill the free space.
Dynamic PS Label Period - Label period used in DPS Mode 0 and 2.
Scrolling PS Speed - Sets high or low speed of scrolling PS transmission. Although setting high speed gives the result looking better, remember that on some receivers or under bad reception conditions the text may be unreadable. The reason is absolutely outside the RDS encoder and comes out from the fact that scrolling PS has never been included in the RDS standard.
Time and Date format in Dynamic PS - Specifies Time and Date format used in Dynamic PS, see hereinbefore.
Short Radiotext - If enabled, all new inserted Radiotexts shorter than 60 characters will be followed by Carriage Return and the remaining spaces will be cut. Not supported by all receivers. For advanced users only.Text Sources
Allows the Dynamic PS and Radiotext to be read from text files. Includes many tools and features. See below.
Restart Dynamic PS text - If second option is selected, all new Dynamic PS texts will immediately start from begin. If first option is selected, only changing of current Dynamic PS text (DPS1/DPS2) transmitted will cause its start from beginMisc.
Use Addressing - If enabled, the application will communicate only with the unit(s) with specified address. This allows connecting more units to one COM port and controlling them independently. If only one RDS encoder unit is connected to the RS-232 COM port, there is no need to use the addressing feature and you should simply ignore it. See also below. See the RDS encoder manual for more details. If the Addressing is enabled, a special button is added to the tool bar for quick access.
After Open - What to do after the RDS file open. Applied only to the files launched from command line, presets buttons etc.
Set Time and Date - If enabled, internal RDS encoder clock is set.
Send all - If enabled, all RDS data from the file are sent to the RDS encoder. This feature works also if the file is opened using the Open dialog box.
Exit the program - Exits the program.
Do not Auto Save - Protects the RDS file from Auto Saving.Set Defaults - Sets important parameters to default values. Useful for beginners.
Tip: Why two types of "frames" are used in Preferences dialog window? The flat frames contain general settings, the "3D" frames contain settings assigned to currently opened RDS file.
Dynamic PS 1, Radiotext 1
From file - Reads the text from specified text file ("now-playing" file, music log file etc.). Wildcards ("*" and "?") are supported (the latest file found will be read). Next time the file will be read again when the text changes.
From window - Reads the text from specified window title of any application that is running. Very useful for getting on-air information from a player that doesn't support it directly. If no information can be read (application is currently not running), the text "(no title)" will be obtained. You may use Text replacing tool to change it to the text desired.
Send on change - Sends data to the RDS encoder when the text source file changes.
Read from - Determines from which line to read the text.
Cut characters from - Cuts redundant characters from the text.
Prefix - Prefix placed before the text.Text replacing
Strong tool supporting scripting. May be used for simple characters, words and sentences replacing or for text filtering. See Examples. Click on right mouse button to insert or delete a row and to insert or delete a command.Text processing scheme:
Reading from file -> Characters cutting -> Text replacing -> (Adding prefix)
Allows you to schedule text messages and program type names in weekly program.
Enabled - Enables the Messages Scheduling feature. Note that this feature currently doesn't work stand-alone without PC support and needs the Magic RDS application running.
Individual scheduled items are listed on the left. You may insert or edit the item using the tools on the right.
Send in - Choose at least one option where the desired message text will be sent.
Insert - Inserts new scheduled item or modifies the changes made. If new item is inserted, you will be automatically asked for Broadcast Times.
Delete - Removes the selected scheduled item.
Broadcast Times - Allows you to specify days in week and times in day when the scheduled item will be sent on air.Important! The messages are called by their number only, their text must be stored before. Use the Store button in Messages page.
Specifies the COM port speed. When changed, store command is sent to the RDS encoder on the new speed immediately to test if the communication is running OK. Otherwise the speed will be set back to its previous value during following minute. This prevents setting an incorrect speed not supported by the communication channel that can result in connection lost.
Specifies the program set. RDS services in selected program set are transmitted by the RDS encoder and can be modified and stored into EEPROM memory. If external program switch selects the program, most of store operations is not allowed. For advanced users only. Default value is Program set 1.
Menu: Options - Special...
Carrier - Switch Off - Switches off the RDS subcarrier generator.
Carrier - Switch On - Switches on the RDS subcarrier generator.
Pilot tone - Indicates if pilot tone is present.
Oscillators deviation - A special function of the digital PLL. Shows a percentual frequency deviation between the RDS encoder and stereo encoder oscillators, compensated by the PLL. Resolution: 0.0002 %. The value should be always less than 0.02 % in common operation. To measure and show the value, the pilot tone must be present and the PLL lock bandwidth must be 19000 +/- 5 Hz. If the deviation is permanently less than 0.01 %, you may set the PLL lock bandwidth to 19000 +/- 2 Hz.
PLL Lock Bandwidth - Sets the pilot PLL lock bandwidth. Default value is 19000 +/- 5 Hz. Applied after System Send button is pushed.
RESET - Provokes a hardware reset of the RDS encoder and is equivalent to an "off-on" cycle of the RDS encoder.
Initialize - Initialization of the RDS encoder. Sets most parameters and services in both program sets to its default values.
Assign Unit Address - Assigns an address to the RDS encoder. This allows connecting more units to one COM port and controlling them independently. If only one RDS encoder unit is connected to the RS-232 COM port, there is no need to use the addressing feature and you should simply ignore it. See also hereinbefore. See the RDS encoder manual for more details.
Launching from command line
These examples illustrate use of the command line option. Launching some of the line runs the program (if it is not already running) and opens the filename.rds file:
magicrds.exe filename.rds
magicrds.exe C:\Magicrds\filename.rds
magicrds.exe "C:\Program Files\Magicrds\filename.rds"
Simillar sequence is also launched when you directly execute the *.rds file or if you drag the *.rds file and drop it on the magicrds.exe program file.RDS files specification
Understanding of the RDS files specification allows you to use extended functions of this program, but it is not needed for common use. The RDS file (*.rds) structure is very flexible and it is open for adding new features in future. The structure stems from INI files. You will see it well if you open some RDS file in Windows Notepad.
When the RDS file is opened in the Magic RDS, "Clear" key is important. If the Clear value is 1 (Clear=1), all RDS services are cleared (set to their default values) before reading the RDS file. If the Clear value is 0 (Clear=0), only the RDS services mentioned in the file are changed.
Text replacing
For example, set Dynamic PS or Radiotext to be read from text file generated by your broadcast system. Fill the fillowing to the Text replacing grid:
Change to %C%é e & and %S%jingle %CLEAR%%END% %SC%Background 1 %CLEAR%Now speaking John Smith%END% Characters "é" and "&" can't be displayed on most receivers, so we replace them by characters, that can be displayed.
In normal conditions currently playing song title is showed as Dynamic PS or Radiotext. If a jingle is playing and its name starts with "jingle", no text is showed. If a speaker is on air and background sound name starts with "Background 1", corresponding text is showed.%C% command means that the replacing will be case-sensitive.
%S% command means that the text must start with expression filled.
%SC% command means that the text must start with expression filled. The matching will be case-sensitive.
Commands %C%, %S% and %SC% cannot be used together.%CLEAR% command means that whole text (not only the expression found) will be deleted and replaced by the text written behind the command. No prefix is added in this case.
%END% command means that next rows are ignored if the expression is found.
Warranty and restrictions
The software is provided as is, without warranty of any kind.
The author shall not be liable for damages of any kind. Use of the software indicates you
agree to this. You are prohibited from renting, modifying or reverse engineering of the
software. The software may be distributed in original form with no more restrictions.
Revision 2006-04-14
Copyright (C) Pira CZ 1999-2006