Video Disk Control Protocol

Video Disc Control Protocol ( VDCP ) is a communication protocol that is primarily used to control the video server in the television art. VDCP was originally developed by Louth Automation, and is also commonly called Louth protocol.

It was commissioned by Hewlett -Packard and Grass Valley, who wanted to bring the two first models of its video server for use in television technology on the market.

The basis used Kenneth Louth and Stan Becker the Sony protocols for LMS ( Library Management System ) and video recorder ( VTR). Thereby VDCP procedure according to the master -slave principle, in which determining the controlling device (master), such as a broadcast automation system communication, and the unit to be controlled (slave) in the case of the video server, executes the commands and above feedback there.

VDCP is a serial, bidirectional communication protocol based on RS- 422. It is from the Sony 9 -pin protocol, an industry standard protocol for controlling professional VTR derived.

A subsequent protocol called NDCP based on TCP / IP, was developed by Harris Corporation, who bought 2000 Louth automation in years. But it is still not in use, so can be considered as standard VDCP still.

• Communication protocol