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Installation Guide

MAX MDL200

 Multi-Disc Loader System

MAX MDL200 Multi Disc Loader System

The MDL200 Multi Disc Loader (FIG. 1) allows you to transfer up to 200 discs (DVD or 
CD), and load the content on a MAX server. The MAX MDL200 Multi Disc Loader 
System comes as a kit that includes a PowerFile Multi-Disc Loader, a Windows® PC 
pre-loaded with all required software, pre-configured for plug and play operation. The 
PowerFile has three IEEE1394 (FireWire) ports for communication with the PC (see 
FIG. 1), and includes all cables necessary to get started.
To use the MDL200 System, you’ll connect the PowerFile to the PC and to the target 
MAX server as described in this document. The 

MAX MDL200

 software application 

(pre-loaded on the PC) allows you to specify an IP address for the target MAX server, 
and manage the process of loading discs into the PowerFile and loading the media to 
a target MAX server. 

Note

: This document is only intended to provide a short cut to installing and using the 

PowerFile and the MAX MDL200 software application. For detailed instructions, refer 
to the MDL200 Multi-Disc Loader System Operation/Reference Guide (available 
online at www.amx.com). 

      

IMPORTANT NOTE CONCERNING THE INCLUDED PC: 

The PC that is included with the MDL200 system is pre-configured for use with the 
PowerFile, and is loaded with the MAX MDL200 software application. The software 
loaded on this machine requires a certain environment to operate properly in enabling 
up to 200 CD/DVD loading. Any changes to the PC may cause it to stop performing its 
intended task of loading CD/DVD. AMX cannot be responsible for this operation if you 
change the operational software environment. 
Refer to the included insert titled “

MAX MDL200 Multi-Disc Loader System - 

Desktop PC

” for important details.

Step 1: Connect the PowerFile to the MAX Server and PC

The PowerFile first needs to be connected to the PC and the MAX server that you will 
be loading the media to, as described below.
1.

Connect one of the IEEE 1394 ports on the rear of the PowerFile to the IEEE 
1394 port on the PC, using the included IEEE 1394 cable.

2.

Use the included Ethernet crossover cable to connect the PC directly to the MAX 
server’s 

ETHERNET CONTROL

 port (FIG. 2). 

 

  

3.

Connect the MAX server’s power cable(s).

4.

Power up the PowerFile, PC and MAX server, allowing up to one minute for the 
server to boot up.

Note

: Alternatively, you can also connect the PC to the MAX server via a LAN 

connection (refer to the MDL200 Multi-Disc Loader System Operation/Reference 
Guide for details). Using the PowerFile on a LAN connection may result in slow 
loading, due to network configuration and the amount of network traffic.

Step 2: Verifying Communication Between the PC, PowerFile 
and MAX Server

Once the PowerFile, PC and MAX server are connected and powered up:
1.

Launch the 

MAX MDL200

 application on the PC (double-click the 

MAX MDL200 

desktop icon to launch the program and access the main window). 

2.

The PC and the MAX MDL200 application are pre-configured to allow communi-
cation between the PC, the PowerFile and the MAX server. The status bar (at 
the bottom of the dialog) should indicate that you have successfully connected to 
the PowerFile and the MAX server (see FIG. 3):
The center area of the status bar should indicate that the PowerFile (C200) is 
connected and running, and the icon on the right side of the status bar should be 
green to indicate communication with the server. 
If you are not communicating with either the PowerFile or the MAX server, first 
verify that your cables are connected properly. Then select 

File > Settings

 to 

open the Settings dialog.
Verify that the 

Max MMS/IMS IP

 address indicated here matches that of the tar-

get MAX server.

3.

Click 

OK

 to save your changes and close the Settings dialog.

Once the status bar indicates that you are connected to both the PowerFile and the 
MAX server, then you are ready to load discs (DVDs and CDs) into the PowerFile. 

Step 3: Loading Discs Into the PowerFile

Discs are physically loaded into the PowerFile through the vertical slot on the front 
panel of the unit, using the 

Changer > Load Range 

and

 Load All

 options in MAX 

MDL200.

FIG. 1  

PowerFile Multi Disc Loader (front and rear panel components)

PowerFile (FG 2179-01) Specifications

Storage Capacity:

200 discs, 4.7 GB/disc

Power Requirements:

• Voltage: 110 – 240V AC (autosensing)

• Frequency: 50/60 Hertz

• Consumption: 45 watts (peak), 35 watts (normal)

AC Current Draw 
(AMP): 

• .45A - Bootup/Power Cycle Peak

• .45A - Normal Usage Peak

Interface 
Specifications 
(IEEE 1394):

• Bus interface IEEE-1394 compliant

• Data transfer rate 100, 200, and 400Mbps

• Three 6-pin IEEE-1394 ports

DVD-ROM drives:

Two DVD-ROM drives

Drive Specifications:

• Supports most popular CD & DVD formats 

(DVD-RAM, DVD-

RW and DVD+ are not supported)

.

• Random seek: 90 ms (DVD-ROM); 80 ms (CD-ROM)

• Random access: 110 ms (DVD-ROM); 85 ms (CD-ROM)

• Data Transfer Rate: 

- Sustained DVD 8,112KBps (6x)
- CD (Mode 1) 4,800KBps (32x)
- CD (Mode 2) 5,475KBps (32x)

Front Panel Compo-
nents:

• Power switch

• Disc-loading slot

• Transport Control buttons and Display (not used - use MAX 

MDL200 to control the PowerFile. Refer to the 

MAX-MDL200 

Multi-Disc Loader System 

Operation/Reference Guide for 

details.

Rear Panel 
Connectors:

• Three IEEE 1394 ports

• Power Cable connector: IEC connector for AC power cable.

Reliability:

• Mechanism MTBF: 1,000,000 swaps

• Power On Hours: 100,000

Operating 
Environment:

• Operating Temperature: 5° to 40° C; 41° to 104° F

• Storage Temperature: -10° to 60° C; 14° to 140° F

• Operating Humidity: 10% - 90% relative humidity

• Storage Humidity: 5% - 95% relative humidity, non-condensing

IEEE 1394 ports

Power cable connector

(rear)

Power button

Disc loading slot

(front)

(insert discs

here to load the

internal carousel).

Do not use the external transport control

pushbuttons - use the controls provided

in the MAX MDL200 software application instead.

PowerFile Specifications (Cont.)

Average Disc to Disc 
Access Time:

4 seconds 

Dimensions (HWD):

8 3/4" x 17” x 20" (22.22cm x 43.18cm x 50.80cm)

Weight:

30 lbs (13.60 kg)

Included Accessories:

• Windows® PC (P4 with IEEE 1394 capabilities, configured 

with 

MAX MDL200

 software for managing the PowerFile.

• LCD Monitor (for the PC)

• 6’ (1.83m) IEEE 1394 cable

• 6’ (1.83m) Ethernet Crossover cable

• 6’ (1.83m) AC Power cable

• 6” (1.83m) HDMI-toDVI Conversion cable

FIG. 2  

Example configuration - direct connection

FIG. 3  

MAX MDL200 Status Bar

Ethernet Crossover Cable (included)

PowerFile

PC

IEEE 1394

cable

MAX Server

Indicates whether the PowerFile is

Indicates whether the PC is connected

Status Bar

connected to the PC and running

and communicating with the MAX server

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