AudioReQuest USER MANUAL
ARQ User Manual AudioReQuest is your very own music entertainment system. Please only use music that you own or have license to, as copyright laws exist to ensure artists receive full monetary compensation for their artistic creations. AudioReQuest gives you the freedom to finally listen to your music as easily as possible. With the press of a button you can have instant access to thousands of songs. Leave the music to AudioReQuest – it’s guaranteed to entertain. This manual is written for Firmware v2.
Table of Contents Table of Contents ..............................................................................................................1 Getting Started..................................................................................................................2 How to Use This Manual ....................................................................................................2 How to Get Help ............................................................................................
Getting Started Congratulations on your purchase! Your AudioReQuest (ARQ) will become your essential all-in-one music source, revolutionizing the way you obtain, store, listen, and even watch your music. This manual is for all AudioReQuest products with firmware 2.0 or later. These products include: AudioReQuest F.Series, N.Series, Z.Series, Nitro, Fusion, and Tera. Additional instructions for Teras ship separately with the units; please refer to them for more specific instructions on setup.
How to Get Help Your best source of support is your dealer. Please contact your dealer with any setup questions or concerns. They are the expert on your particular installation, and should be able to help you. If for some reason your dealer cannot help, please feel free to contact ReQuest by Internet, email, or telephone. Internet The ReQuest website, http://www.request.com, contains the latest information on AudioReQuest software upgrades, user guides, and answers to many general questions.
1. Setting-Up Your AudioReQuest 1.1 Front Panel and Faceplate 1.1.1 Status Light The status light on the front of the AudioReQuest indicates the state of your Pro and Zone unit(s). Flashing Red/Green – Unit is booting. Solid Green – Unit is booted and ready. Flashing Green – If Zone or Pro as a Zone, Unit is NetSyncing. Solid Red – If Zone or Pro as a Zone, unit cannot see Master Pro on the Network. 1.
1.2.1 Power Button The power button is a large, silver button located on the bottom right of the front of the unit. This button begins the shutdown process which takes about a minute to properly close the system and turn off. This button is ONLY accessible when the faceplate has been removed. 1.2.2 Front IR Port The front IR port and Blue Power Light on an AudioReQuest unit can each be enabled or disabled with the appropriate push button. 1.2.3 Eject On each unit there are two Eject buttons.
WARNING! • • • • • • These are NOT HOT-SWAPPABLE drives! The unit must be hard powered down before removing the QuickSwap drive. Never unlock the QuickSwap Bay to remove the drive from the AudioReQuest until it has spun down completely (10 seconds). Just because you cannot hear it spinning does not mean that it has completely stopped. Never take apart the QuickSwap Drive as it voids the warranty. Always transport the QuickSwap Drive in its original box provided with the anti-static foam.
1.3.3 Connecting AudioReQuest to a TV NOTE: The AudioReQuest cannot use VGA and any other video output simultaneously. To connect your AudioReQuest directly to a TV, you can use any of these combinations: 1. Component output and/or composite (Component recommended if available on your TV) 2. S-Video output and/or composite 3. VGA While the unit and device to input video is turned off, plug the Component, S-Video, or Composite video line into the corresponding video output on the rear of your AudioReQuest.
1.3.7 Home Automation and RS-232 Your AudioReQuest can be controlled using several different home automation products. Interfaces with Crestron, AMX, Élan, Audio Access, Xantech, CorAccess, and others are available from your dealer. If you are interested in using touch panels, keypads, or other home automation products, please contact your dealer. There are help guides for these interfaces available at www.request.com, in the Support Section under Integration Support for the AudioReQuest. 1.3.
2. Networking Networking the AudioReQuest expands its features. It allows remote control interfaces on PCs, PocketPCs, control systems, remote management and organization of the music collection with the built-in Web Server and NetSync. You can also transfer music to and from the AudioReQuest via SAMBA. These functions are available on both the local Network or over the Internet with ARQLink and port forwarding (SAMBA is for use on a local network only).
2.2 AudioReQuest Configuration Note: If you are using a Macintosh please refer to the Mac OSX networking document found at www.request.com under Support, “ReQuest Macintosh OSX, iTunes, and iPod Guide.” 1. On your AudioReQuest, go to the Network Configuration menu (MENU (F3) → Settings → Network Configuration.) 2. DHCP (Automatic IP): If you have a DHCP server in a gateway/router, you may want to automatically set an IP by enabling DHCP.
3. Navigating Your AudioReQuest 3.1 Remote Controls Please refer to the instruction manual that accompanied your particular remote. All remote guides can be found at www.request.com, in Support under AudioReQuest Documentation. 3.1.1 Quick Navigation Buttons These buttons on the remote control quickly bring you to the appropriate categories: CD, ALL SONGS, ARTISTS, ALBUMS, and NOW PLAYING. Some additional Quick Navigation buttons include GENRE (ALT-G) and USER PLAYLISTS (ALT-F). See Section 2.
3.2.1 Navigator Mode The Navigator Mode serves as your basic start screen. This view is where you can see your music in the ALL SONGS category, or sorted by ARTIST, ALBUM, or GENRE. You can also view or edit your playlists (under SELECTED SONGS), and begin creating new ones from this screen (See Section 6). Pressing the MODE (F2) button while in this screen brings you to the Player Mode. 3.2.2 Player Mode The Player Mode is the screen that displays when you play music.
4. Recording Music 4.1 Record Music from an Audio CD This section will lead you through the process of recording (also known as encoding) music from a CD onto your AudioReQuest. AudioReQuest allows you to record an entire CD or selected tracks. Note: Music will continue to play while encoding if playback is started before encoding. In addition, you can still use the transport and QuickPlay commands. 4.1.
4.1.3 Manually Recording CDs With Auto-Rip disabled, load a CD into the CD tray of your AudioReQuest unit. AudioReQuest will read the CD and place the tracks in the Songs column of the AudioReQuest Navigation Screen. To record an entire CD, move the cursor over CD and press the RECORD (F7) button on the remote. AudioReQuest will open the Encoder Setup Screen. If the CD was not found on the database, it is suggested you manually enter information.
5. Playing and Browsing Music 5.1 Finding Your Music Switch to the Navigator Mode by pressing the MODE (F2) button or CANCEL (ESC). The difference between MODE (F2) and CANCEL (ESC) is that MODE (F2) brings you back to your last location in the Navigator Mode, while CANCEL (ESC) brings you to the top of the Category section in Navigator Mode. No matter where you are, pressing CANCEL (ESC) twice will always lead you to the top of the Category section in Navigator Mode. 5.1.
Enter Random Mode – JUMP DOWN (PAGE UP) “jumps” to ANY random song on the entire system and continues to play random songs in the system. Exit Random Mode – JUMP UP (PAGE DOWN) brings you out of Random mode and back into NOW PLAYING. Enter Shuffle Mode - The SHUFFLE button plays all songs in NOW PLAYING in random order. Pressing SHUFFLE again restores the original order. Enter Repeat/Continuous Mode - The REPEAT button replays NOW PLAYING when it finishes. Press REPEAT again to enter Continuous mode.
5.4 Playing from Line-In (Supported Units Only) A unique feature of AudioReQuest is its ability to play music from almost any analog device such as audiocassettes and radio through its Line-In connections and enjoy the animations and visuals that AudioReQuest provides. 1. Connect an analog device to AudioReQuest through the unit’s Line-In connectors located on the rear panel. Make sure both units are completely off before you connect the analog device to AudioReQuest. Turn on the units. 2.
6. Organizing Music As mentioned in the previous sections of this manual, AudioReQuest includes seven main categories. The first six categories, CD, ALL SONGS, ARTISTS, ALBUM, GENRES, and NOW PLAYING are provided to make listening to your music easy and convenient. This section of the manual will go into detail on how to create your own playlists of music using the user interface and remote control on your Pro units. You can also make playlists and edit genres on the built-in AudioReQuest Web Server.
SELECTED SONGS The SELECTED SONGS category displays all of the songs that have been selected by the user to be deleted, copied, or added to custom playlist. These songs are displayed in the Songs column of the Navigator View. * In certain main categories you can “Drill in” to additional fields. For example, in Artists you can “Drill in” using the FWD (Right Arrow →) and REW (Left Arrow ←) keys.
6.4 Copy AudioReQuest allows you to add additional songs to a custom playlist by selecting songs, artists, albums, or playlists and copying them into the desired playlist. To add Artists, Albums, or Songs to a custom playlist, you must first select them. To add your selected artists, albums, or songs at the end of the playlist, place the cursor over the custom playlist to which you want to add them and press the COPY Command: ALT+C (INSERT).
6.6 Edit AudioReQuest allows you to edit song titles, artist names, album titles, genres, and custom playlists. You can enter text using the alphabet keys on the remote control or a keyboard. You can also look up AlbumArt from the Internet for songs and albums. 6.6.1 Song To edit the title, artist, album, AlbumArt, year, or rating of a song stored on your AudioReQuest unit, press the EDIT Command, ALT+Z (SHIFT+F12), while the cursor is over the song you wish to edit.
6.6.5 Playlist To edit the name of a custom playlist press the EDIT Command, ALT+Z (SHIFT+F12), while the cursor is over the playlist you wish to edit. When complete, place the cursor over the “OK” icon and press ENTER (ENTER). 6.6.6 AlbumArt An AudioReQuest can automatically look up AlbumArt when properly configured to connect to the Internet. AlbumArt can be added to albums in a collection in the following ways: 1.
7. Music Transfer with SAMBA (Windows) Music and new themes can be transferred to and from the AudioReQuest using SAMBA, also known as Network Neighborhood in Windows. To see your ARQ via SAMBA on your home network through Windows, point your Internet Explorer web browser to either of the following: \\ARQ Name or \\IP Address, where ARQ Name is the name you entered and the IP address of the AudioReQuest in Network Configuration Screen or as shown in MENU (F3) → System Information.
7.2 Upload Folder The Upload folder is a writable directory that allows users to copy or click and drag music and folders of music to the AudioReQuest. The system will automatically process the files by reading the tags, grabbing the Album Art, and placing the music in the appropriate file path in the read-only MP3s folder. The system will delete non-supported files such as DOC, WMA, AAC and empty directories. After the transfer is complete, the upload folder will be empty. 7.
8. AlbumArt, Themes, Visuals, and Screen Saver To enhance your music experience, AudioReQuest provides you with special visual displays. 8.1 AlbumArt AlbumArt covers can be seen on some themes if they are available for the album. AlbumArt can be entered into the system by transferring songs files to the AudioReQuest with AlbumArt embedded in the ID3 v2 tags (Musicmatch 7.5 or later) or through the Java AlbumArt Manager found on the built-in ARQ Web Server.
8.3 Visuals Press the VISUALS Command: ALT+6 (SHIFT+F6) to enable the screensaver. To get out of the animation screen, press the CANCEL (ESC) button. 8.4 Screen Saver AudioReQuest comes equipped with a screen saver to prevent “burn-in” on your TV screen or monitor. Screensavers automatically activate after the AudioReQuest is idle for a designated amount of time. The screen saver will show your choice of digital pictures or other screen savers.
9. ARQ Web Server The AudioReQuest has a built-in Web Server. To view it within your home network, open your preferred web browser and type: http://Your Units IP Address. The IP address can be found under System Information under the Menu Screen of your unit. 9.1 ARQ Settings and Preferences The Settings page allows you to modify many of the settings found in the Menu setting portion of the AudioReQuest user interface, including Encoding Options, TV Mode, Genre mode, NetSync Settings, ARQLink settings.
You can choose to play music in track order with “All” or in shuffled order with “Shuffled.” To play multiple items, check the box of each item you wish to play and scroll to the bottom of the list to choose the method of playing these items: AudioReQuest Music Controls Select the checkboxes next to the items above to play or stream multiple items. Stream to Computer Play on AudioReQuest Shuffle 9.2.
Genre mode is set (Basic or Extended), the Genre list will vary. Genre mode can also be set in the Settings page of the Web Server. 9.4 Adding/Editing AlbumArt on the Web Server Using the Web Server you can quickly and easily search for AlbumArt images online and load them to the AudioReQuest. You can even search your AudioReQuest for all albums without AlbumArt, allowing you to quickly access them to make changes.
If your browser does not support Java AlbumArt Manager (non-IE or Netscape), then another method to add cover art is available: Here are steps to add cover art to your albums: 1. Create a new folder on your desktop where the cover art images will be stored temporarily until you transfer them to the AudioReQuest. 2. Open the ARQ Web Server and click on Albums. 3. Click on an album name you wish to add cover art to. 4.
10. Advanced Networking: Multi-location Access, NetSync, and ARQLink This section outlines how to setup advanced networking available with the AudioReQuest. For all advanced networking we recommend you refer to your installer for setup and assistance. 10.1 Access your AudioReQuest from Anywhere in the World With the proper setup, the AudioReQuest can be accessed over the Internet from anywhere.
If you change the web port, in order to access it on a web browser, you will need to put the address in the following format: http://ARQ_IP_ADDRESS:WEB_PORT. (i.e. http://192.168.1.50:100) To reset all the ports to the default values, as well as reset the Web Server passwords, using the remote control and TV interface, press MENU (F3) press MENU (F3) → Settings → Advanced → Restore Ports to Default Values. Reboot the AudioReQuest for the settings to take effect. 10.1.
10.2.1 Setting Up NetSync on the Master Pro You can set up NetSync over both your internal network and over the Internet. To set up NetSync every Pro and Zone will need an IP address. See section 6.1 for Network Configuration. To set up the Master AudioReQuest Pro unit go to MENU (F3) → NetSync → Master Host Settings. By default this setting is enabled and set to a 5 minute Netsync interval. By being enabled, the Pro will allow Zones to Netsync the data from the Pro.
10.2.4 Manual NetSync By default, Zones are set for Auto NetSync and “Pro as a Zone” is set for No Automatic NetSync. NetSync can be initiated or cancelled manually on each Zone. Go to MenuÆNetSync for the Begin NetSync Now and Cancel NetSync options. 10.2.5 Multi-Location NetSync and ARQLink AudioReQuest’s unique NetSync architecture allows the customer’s music collection and playlists to synchronize to their units anywhere in the world over the Internet.
Step 2: Adding AudioReQuests to ARQLink Each individual ARQ that you add must be configured to connect to ARQLink, which is done inside the ARQ Web Server settings page or on the TV Interface under Menu → NetSync → ARQLink. 1. Click on Settings on each ARQ’s Web Server. 2. The domain/password settings under the ARQLink Settings group should be set to match what you configured during step 1. 3.
ARQLink gives you the opportunity to connect to your ARQ unit’s settings to change any configuration you may need to make. To do this, click on the Settings link under the “Actions” column for the device you wish to configure. Step 8: Connecting to your ARQ Unit The main purpose of ARQLink is to allow you, the end user, access to all of your ARQ units. To connect to any device, click on the Connect link under the “Actions” column and it will connect you to the unit’s web server.
11. Future Updates The digital music industry is constantly changing, and AudioReQuest has been designed to change too. Your new AudioReQuest unit has been designed to be updated, from time to time, as new technology becomes available. Your dealer is your best source of information on AudioReQuest updates. 12. Music in AudioReQuest Here are links to music portals and artists that will have music pre-loaded in AudioReQuest! 12.1 Music Portals AMPCAST.COM www.ampcast.
12.2 Individual Artists 303 Infinity www.303infinity.com A musical entity created to represent the core idea behind electronic music: Independence. “Drift into Infinity” and “Winter Rain” produced, written, recorded, and promoted by 303 Infinity. © All songs are protected by copyright. All rights reserved. For more information on 303 Infinity please go to www.303infinity.com. Anet www.anetmusic.
13. Specifications Special Features CD Player/Music Jukebox/Internet & MP3 Music Player Built-in Removable QuickSwap™ Hard Drive Support for WAV*, FLAC*, MP3, CD-R/CD-RW Ethernet, Serial, and IR control support for any home control system CD Lookup Support (automatic CD identification) Interfaces Built-In LCD Display TV Interface Crestron™ Interface Enabled AMX™ Interface Support Elan™ V.I.P.
Operating Temperature Do not operate in temperatures above 90F (32C) or below 40F (4C) Weight Pro and Tera Zone: 17 lbs. Zone: 12 lbs. Tera Pro: 30 lbs. Size F.Series, N.Series and Tera Zone: 17” (W) x 3.5” (H) x 14.5” (L) Z.Series: 17” (W) x 1.75” (H) x 14.5” (L) Tera Pro: Zone: 17” (W) x 5.25” (H) x 14.5” (L) Rack Space: F.Series, N.Series, Tera Zone: 2 racks each Z.Series: 1 rack each Tera Pro: 3 racks each 14. Regulatory Notices 14.
100 Saratoga Village Blvd #44 Ballston Spa, NY 12020 phone: 800.236.2812 fax: 518.899.1251 email: support@request.com www.request.
