® ® MicroLink dLAN Audio
© 2005 devolo AG, Aachen (Germany) While the information in this manual has been compiled with great care, it may not be deemed an assurance of product characteristics. devolo AG shall be liable only to the degree specified in the terms of sale and delivery. The reproduction and distribution of the documentation and software supplied with this product and the use of its contents is subject to written authorization from devolo AG.
| EN Preface Thank you for placing your trust in this devolo product. The new member of the devolo dLAN product family represents a new bridge between computers and audio equipment. A piece of genuine innovation with the trusted advantages of dLAN technology: wireless, flexible and genuinely plug and play.
EN | This documentation was compiled by several members of our staff from a variety of departments in order to ensure you the best possible support when using your product. For further information, please visit 'www.devolo.com' Our online services (www.devolo.com) are available to you around the clock should you have any queries or require any further support.
| 5 EN Contents 1 Quick start............................................................................................... 7 1.1 Transferring music from the stereo system to active speakers.... 7 1.2 Transferring music from the PC to the stereo system................... 9 2 Introduction .......................................................................................... 11 2.1 What exactly is dLAN? ................................................................ 11 2.
EN 6 | 4.5.2 4.5.3 4.5.4 4.5.5 4.5.6 4.5.7 Selecting the channel with the configuration interface ....................................................................... 32 Selecting the operating mode with the configuration interface ....................................................................... 33 Configuring channels for Internet radio ....................... 33 Adjusting the playback delay ....................................... 35 Configuring the TCP/IP settings ............................
| 7 Quick start EN 1 Quick start The MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter is a very flexible tool which allows you to create an audio bridge between the worlds of the PC and the hi-fi system, as well as other devices. Since you probably cannot wait any longer to distribute your music throughout your entire home over the power supply grid, we have provided this "quick start" to show you two of the most common applications.
EN 8 Quick start | Using a cinch (RCA) cable, connect the input jacks of the first MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter to an output of your stereo system ('R' and 'L' for analog connections , 'Digital Out' for digital connections ). On the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter that is connected to your stereo system, press the right function key once to set the 'Record from line input' operating mode (the red LED below it is then lit continuously).
Quick start 9 Connect the speaker output of the second MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter to the connection cable of the active speakers. The MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter connected to the active speakers remains set to playback mode (the LED below it is off). That's it! After a network analysis lasting about one minute, the top channel LED (left) stops flashing and remains lit continuously. At this point, you can play back music from your stereo system over the connected active speakers. 1.
EN 10 Quick start | sion 9 or higher of Windows Media Player, or Version 2 or higher of Winamp (if necessary, you can install Windows Media Player from the devolo CD). MicroLink dLAN Audio Stereo system MicroLink dLAN Ethernet or MicroLink dLAN USB PC Plug the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter into an available electrical outlet at the location of your stereo system, and plug the MicroLink dLAN Ethernet or the MicroLink dLAN USB into an available electrical outlet at the location of your PC.
| 11 Introduction EN 2 Introduction In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the dLAN technology and introduce the MicroLink dLAN Audio briefly. 2.1 What exactly is dLAN? There is now a new alternative to the well-known wired LAN and Wireless LAN network technologies: dLAN (direct LAN, i.e. directly networked). dLAN is networking using the electric wiring already installed in the building. Cost factor and transmission quality dLAN is an economical and easy-to-use networking technology.
EN 12 Introduction | if you don't want to. Your stereo system can provide music for remote active speakers, and receive audio files from the computer or Internet radio stations. A MicroLink dLAN Audio has all the usual connection options of the hi-fi world, including analog and digital inputs and outputs (Cinch/RCA) as well as microphone or active speaker connections (3.5 mm phone plug). The MicroLink dLAN Audio has a built-in MP3 decoder and encoder.
Introduction 13 an MP3 file. As the PC can play back the MP3 files directly, no external decoder is required to do so. With two MicroLink dLAN Audio adapters, you can for example transfer music from your stereo system via the power supply network to another room for playback via active speakers.
Introduction | EN Audio connections The MicroLink dLAN Audio has analog and digital inputs and outputs (RCA/ cinch), and jacks for connecting active speakers and microphones (3.5 mm phone plug). Function keys With the two function keys of the MicroLink dLAN Audio, select one of the four transmission channels and set the operating mode of the audio adapter (record or playback).
Introduction 2.4 Connection, display and operating elements 2.4.1 Function keys 15 The MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter has two function keys: Selecting the channel with the function keys Using the left function key , set channels 1 to 4 for sending or receiving audio data over the power supply network. The LEDs underneath each channel indicate which channel you have selected (see “LEDs” on page 16). Press function key to switch to the next channel.
Introduction | EN Resetting the device to the factory default settings Simultaneously pressing the two function keys and resets the unit to the factory default settings. When this is done, all the settings you have made, such as the channel and operating mode selection, TCP/IP settings or the assignment of Internet radio stations to specific channels, are reset to the default values. Press function keys and simultaneously.
Introduction 17 LED is lit continuously: Audio data are being sent or received over the channel. LED is flashing: No connection has been established on the channel. LED is off: This channel is not currently active. The MicroLink dLAN Audio has a function to prevent multiple MicroLink dLAN Audio servers from sending data on the same channel simultaneously.
EN 18 2.4.
Introduction 19 On the right side of the MicroLink dLAN Audio you will find the following additional connection options: Microphone input Active speaker output | devolo MicroLink dLAN Audio | EN |
EN 20 Connection and Startup | 3 Connection and Startup 3.1 Connection In this section, we will show you how to connect various devices to your MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter. The collective term “audio devices” includes all devices which are part of a stereo system, or would normally be connected to one (amplifier, radio tuner, satellite receiver, CD/DVD player etc.). 3.1.
3.1.3 Connection and Startup 21 Connecting the analog audio output To receive music from the power supply grid on your stereo system via analog connections, use a cinch (RCA) cable to connect an analog input of the stereo system to the analog output of the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter: R 3.1.
EN 22 3.1.5 Connection and Startup | Connecting the digital audio output To receive music on your stereo system from the power supply grid via digital connections, use a cinch (RCA) cable to connect a digital input of the stereo system to the digital output of the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter: Digital 'Out' 3.1.6 Connecting a microphone To connect a microphone for transmitting speech to the power supply grid, use a 3.
| 23 Initial operation EN 3.2 Connection and Startup Once you have made all the connections as desired, a few additional steps are required before you can start using your new audio network. The required settings depend on the application; therefore, while reading the following sections, please note the instructions in the margin. So that you can use all of the functions, please also note the sequence of the settings.
Connection and Startup | EN Selecting the operating mode For each MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter, set the operating mode. Use either the function keys on the device itself (see “Selecting the operating mode with the function keys” on page 15) or the HTML configuration interface (see “Selecting the operating mode with the configuration interface” on page 33). Selecting the channel For each MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter, set the channel to be used for recording and playback.
4 devolo MicroLink dLAN software 25 devolo MicroLink dLAN software In this chapter, we will introduce you to the devolo MicroLink dLAN Configuration Wizard, the MicroLink Informer software and the HTML configuration interface. 4.1 Overview of the devolo software 4.1.1 MicroLink dLAN Configuration Wizard The MicroLink dLAN Configuration Wizard helps you to build and change your encrypted dLAN network. With its help, you can add the MicroLink dLAN to your network.
EN 26 4.2 devolo MicroLink dLAN software | Installation of the devolo MicroLink dLAN software Put the enclosed devolo product CD in your CD-ROM drive. From the CD setup, select 'Install MicroLink dLAN Audio software'. Windows starts the wizard. Then, click Next. Select the software components ('devolo MicroLink dLAN Configuration Wizard', 'devolo MicroLink Informer', 'devolo MicroLink dLAN Audio Streaming Server') that you want to install and click Next.
devolo MicroLink dLAN software 27 When the plug-ins are installed, any other existing Winamp DSP plug-ins in are disabled, and the plug-ins of the MicroLink dLAN Audio Streaming Server are activated automatically. If you want to use the old DSP plugins again later, you have to re-enable them in the options of the player software. The next dialog window shows the default target directory (preset by devolo), to which the devolo software will be installed.
devolo MicroLink dLAN software | EN Make sure that all of the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapters that you want to add to your network are also connected to the power supply grid. Then, click Add and confirm with Next after you have entered all the dLAN adapters you want to add. In the next dialog window, enter the network password you have chosen twice and confirm with Next. The password set up initially by devolo is HomePlug.
devolo MicroLink dLAN software 29 nected directly to the computer, as well as all dLAN adapters which are available on the network and which belong to the same dLAN network. In addition to other information, MicroLink Informer displays the MAC address of each dLAN adapter and the current connection data rate. For MicroLink dLAN Audio adapters, the IP address, operating mode and channel setting are also displayed. You can use the Device Rename command to change the name of the highlighted device.
EN 30 4.
devolo MicroLink dLAN software 31 If you know the IP address of the corresponding MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter, you can also start your browser and enter the IP address into the address bar. After starting the configuration interface, next to the picture of the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter, you see the page for operating the function keys. The HTML configuration interface is available in German and English.
EN 32 4.5.2 devolo MicroLink dLAN software | Selecting the channel with the configuration interface As an alternative to using the function keys (page 15), you can use the HTML configuration interface to set the channel you want to use. To do so, on the 'Operation' page, click on the left function key in the image of the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter. Each click switches to the next channel; after the fourth channel, you are returned to the first.
4.5.3 devolo MicroLink dLAN software 33 Selecting the operating mode with the configuration interface You can also set the operating mode of the MicroLink dLAN Audio using the HTML configuration interface instead of the function keys (page 15). To do so, on the 'Operation' page, click on the right function key in the image of the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter.
EN 34 devolo MicroLink dLAN software | the channels of the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter are set using the HTML configuration interface to receive Internet radio stations. To do so, on the 'Configuration' page, click the entry for the channel for which you want to configure Internet radio. In the dialog which follows, you can enter a descriptive name as well as the IP address of the streaming server, the port to be used and the file name.
| 35 Adjusting the playback delay EN 4.5.5 devolo MicroLink dLAN software The audio files are cached in the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter during streaming to ensure good playback quality also in case of disruptions. This caching process necessitates a playback delay that you can adjust to suit your line quality. On the 'Configuration' page, click the 'Playback delay' entry. Select the desired setting and confirm with Save.
EN 36 4.5.6 devolo MicroLink dLAN software | Configuring the TCP/IP settings If you are using static IP addresses on your network, you can also use the HTML configuration interface to assign a certain IP address to the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapters. On the 'Configuration' page, click the 'Configure TCP/IP settings' entry. In the dialog which follows, you can set the IP address, the subnet mask and the standard gateway.
devolo MicroLink dLAN software 37 uration interface to load it into the device. The settings of the device are not changed by updating the firmware. To update the firmware, go to the 'Firmware' page. The current firmware version is displayed in the upper area of the window. Click the Browse... button to select the new firmware. Next, click the Upload firmware button to transfer the selected file to the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter.
EN 38 5 Windows Media Player and Winamp | Windows Media Player and Winamp Windows Media Player and Winamp are two of the most well-known programs for playing back music on a PC. When used in conjunction with MicroLink dLAN Audio adapters, these player programs gain two new functions: Playing back music received from the dLAN audio network. Transferring music which can be received at various locations through the dLAN audio network. 5.
Windows Media Player and Winamp 39 Windows Media Player as MP3 server on the audio network In Windows Media Player, open the Tools Options menu and select the 'Plug-Ins' tab. You can also reach this menu via Tools Plug-Ins Options. Select the 'Audio DSP' category. If the plug-in has been installed correctly, you will find the entry for the 'MicroLink dLAN Audio Streaming Server' in the list of plug-ins in the right section of the dialog window.
EN 40 Windows Media Player and Winamp | you can select the channel on which you want the player software to transmit the music to the audio network. Confirm the dialog windows which open by clicking OK and return to the main view of Windows Media Player. Now, the music you play in the Media Player software is available everywhere on the audio network on the channel you have set. Winamp as MP3 server on the audio network In Winamp, open the menu Options Preferences.
Windows Media Player and Winamp 41 The highlighted entry with a blue background indicates the active plugin. By clicking one of the other entries, you change the active plug-in. If the MicroLink dLAN Audio Streaming Server is not enabled, the player software transfers the played music to the sound card only, and not to the audio network! Select the entry for the MicroLink dLAN Audio Streaming Server from the list of plug-ins and click the Configure button.
EN 42 Windows Media Player and Winamp | Playback using the MicroLink Informer In the MicroLink Informer, the current operating mode of each MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter is displayed. Right-clicking the entry for a MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter which is in recording mode opens a context menu in which you can start playback with Windows Media Player or Winamp.
| 43 Application examples EN 6 Application examples In this chapter, we will use a few application examples to illustrate how you can use your new MicroLink dLAN Audio. In addition, we will tell you which components you need for each application, and which steps are required during configuration.
Application examples | EN All server/client combinations that can be derived from this table are possible. An example is to have a stereo system as the server, with another stereo system, speakers or a PC as the client.
Application examples 45 Regardless of whether the PC is in your home office or is located in the basement as a media server, you can supply music from a single source to multiple rooms. For this application you need: Server PC with audio files (e.g.
Application examples | EN either play back this stream directly via the connected speakers, or record it for later use e.g. using a tape deck. MicroLink dLAN Audio Stereo system MicroLink dLAN Ethernet or MicroLink dLAN USB PC For this application you need: 6.2.1 Server/Client PC with audio files (e.g.
Application examples 47 Audio using a cinch (RCA) cable. The PC is connected using a MicroLink dLAN Ethernet or a MicroLink dLAN USB. On the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter, use the switches to set the sending channel and the corresponding recording mode. On the PC, start playback with the MicroLink Informer. 6.3 Microphone and computer As shown in the example “Computer and stereo system” on page 45, the PC can also be used as a recording or playback device.
Application examples | EN Please note that, because of the buffering required for the streaming process, the speech reaches the PC on a time-delayed basis. 6.4 Stereo system and external speakers Using the MicroLink dLAN Audio, not only can you send music to every room of the house, you can also use the stereo system as the source for the active speakers.
Application examples 49 As soon as you initiate stereo system functions such as starting CD playback or switching on the radio, the audio data are sent through the power supply grid to the active speakers for playback. Please note that, because of the buffering required for the streaming process, the music reaches the active speakers on a time-delayed basis.
EN 50 Application examples | For the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter on the stereo system, a channel for receiving Internet radio is set up using the web-based configuration interface (see “The HTML configuration interface for the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter” on page 30). On the MicroLink dLAN Audio adapter, use the switches to set the channel configured for Internet radio, and select playback mode.
| 51 Microphone and stereo system EN 6.6 Application examples As an alternative to playing back speech captured by a microphone using the PC, you can also connect the microphone to a stereo system via the power supply grid.
Application examples | EN speakers connected directly to the power supply grid. With this type of connection, you can use multiple speakers, allowing you to broadcast spoken announcements in several rooms simultaneously.
| 53 Mixed applications EN 6.8 Application examples The applications shown in the previous sections can be combined as desired into installations which suit your individual needs. The following illustration shows an example in which almost every imaginable type of audio source and recording/playback device, from a PC, Internet connection, stereo system, microphone, active speakers to a TV set, are connected to each other via the power supply grid.
EN 54 Appendix | 7 Appendix 7.
Appendix 55 EN | MicroLink dLAN Audio 7.
EN 56 Appendix | 7.4 Declaration of conformity KONFORMITÄTSERKLÄRUNG EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Die Firma: The Company: devolo AG Sonnenweg 11 52070 Aachen erklärt, dass das Produkt: MicroLink dLAN Audio £ £ declares that the product: Verwendungszweck: PLC-Audio-Adapter Intended purpose: PLC Audio adapter den grundlegenden Anforderungen des § 3 und den übrigen einschlägigen Bestimmungen des FTEG (Artikel 3 der R&TTE) entspricht.
| 57 Warranty conditions EN 7.5 Appendix The devolo AG warranty is given to purchasers of devolo products in addition to the warranty conditions provided by law and in accordance with the following conditions: 1 Warranty coverage a) The warranty covers the equipment delivered and all its parts.
EN 58 Appendix | f) g) if the device shows any kind of mechanical damage, or if the warranty claim has not been reported in accordance with 3a) or 3b). 5 Operating mistakes If it becomes apparent that the reported malfunction of the device has been caused by unsuitable hardware, software, installation or operation, devolo reserves the right to charge the purchaser for the resulting testing costs.
