Using Component Video with Master/Slave DV-F07 and DV-F727 DVD Players

By John May, K6MAY

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Figure 1 - Pioneer DV-F07 DVD Player/Changer

This paper describes a way to use an external signal sensing auto-selector switch to route the component video signals and audio signals to a home theater system when two DV-F07's are connected in a master/slave configuration.

The Pioneer Elite DV-F07 is a DVD changer/player that can store up to 301 discs. If you have two DV-F07 players, they may be combined in a master/slave configuration. This configuration allows combined control of up to 601 discs as a single unit. The DV-F727 has similar features to the Elite DV-F07 version.

To interconnect two DV-F07's in Master/Slave configuration, a cable connected from the master jack of one unit to the slave jack of the other is required. This connection provides the path for the control signals exchanged between the two units.

In addition to the master/slave control cable, the manual also recommends audio and video connections between the two units.

The Slave unit has right and left analog audio outputs, an optical digital audio output (Toslink), a coax digital audio output, a composite video output, and an s-video output in addition to the component (Y, Pr, Pb) outputs.

It is recommended to connect these outputs to the master player's right and left analog audio input, optical digital audio input, coax digital audio input, composite video input, and/or s-video input. The type and number of audio and video connections depends on your home theater system.

Unfortunately, while providing component video outputs, the DV-F07 does not provide any component video inputs. This means, per the manual, "component video connection from the slave unit is not possible". Component video connections produce a higher quality picture than a composite or s-video connection. Almost all of today's HD equipment have component video inputs.

There is a way to use the component video outputs while enjoying the full functionality of the Master/Slave configuration. This is made possible by using a signal sensing auto-selector switch. A model 1154A switch from Audio Authority will work for this purpose.

The 1154A is avaliable from:

Audio Authority Corp.
2048 Mercer Road
Lexington, KY 40511-1071 USA
Phone: 800-322-8346
Phone: 859-233-4599
FAX: 859-233-4510
Audio Authority

The 1154A allows one of four signal sources to be played on a home theater system. It uses a proprietary signal sensing technology to select from multiple sources automatically.

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Figure 2 - Audio Authority's 1154A Signal Sensing AutoSelector Switch

CONNECTIONS

Using the 1154A, the master and slave players can be used with component video. This configuration will provide the same funtionallity as a configuration using composite or s-video. Here is how to accomplish this:

1) Connect the cable from the master jack on one unit to the slave jack on the other (See fig. 3).

2) Set the VIDEO SELECT switch on the rear panel of both players to the bottom position to assign their outputs to component video.

3) Connect the audio cables from the master player's audio output to the number one audio input on the 1154A switch. Use either optical or coaxial digital audio outputs, but not both, as a source to the 1154A switch input. You may use the analog right and left audio outputs as a source instead of (or in addition to) the digital output.

4) Connect the three component video (Y, Pr, Pb) outputs of the master player to the number one video input on the 1154A switch.

5) Connect the audio cables from the slave player's audio output to either the number two, three, or four audio inputs on the 1154A switch (I used the number four). This connection should be the same as the audio connections made from the master player.

6) Connect the three component video outputs of the slave player to the respective video inputs on the 1154A switch.

7) Connect the appropriate outputs of the 1154A switch to your home theater system.

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Figure 3 - Master/Slave DV-F07's and 1154A Wiring

HOW IT WORKS

Here's how it works. When both players are on, but in standby (blue, black, or screen saver screen), both players have video output and no audio output. The 1154A switch establishes a priority based on numerical order. Since the master player is connected to input number one, it is given priority.

When a user brings up a menu, the master player displays the menu. Both players still have video output and not audio output. The master player is given the priority.

When a user plays a DVD that is on the master player (P0 disc or 1 to 300 disc), its output (audio and video) is the DVD content. The slave player is still in standby mode and has video output and no audio output. The master player is given the priority.

When the user plays a disc on that's located on the slave player (301 to 600 disc), the DVD content appears on the slave player's component video output. No video output is sent from the master player while the slave player is playing content. In addition, no audio out comes from the master player while the slave player's output is the DVD content. In this mode, the 1154A switch will select the slave player.

This paper describes a way to add an external component video switch that mimics the internal composite/s-video switch that is built into the DV-F07. This external switch will automatically select the appropriate DVD player when two DV-F07's are connected in master/slave configuration.

REFERENCES

Pioneer Corporation, Pioneer Elite File-Type DVD Player DV-F07 Operating Instructions, 1999

Pioneer Corporation, DV-F727, DV-F07 Connecting Another Player, Document No. 13014

Pioneer Corporation, DV-F727, DV-F07 AV output to Another AV Component, Document No. 13017

Audio Authority, How to Install and Use the Model 1154A Signal Sensing AutoSelector, 2004