AI4AVSummary
Meridian Ellipse audio product controlled via the Meridian Automation Interface: human-readable, LF-terminated text messages over a raw TCP stream (port 9014). Covers commands, queries, and unsolicited status messages for source selection, volume, menu control, display blank, and system functions. The same protocol is also presented on RS232 by some products in this family (e.g. 218-class devices).
Transport
protocols:
- tcp
- serial # mentioned in source ("Some products also make this available on RS232"); Ellipse-specific availability UNRESOLVED
addressing:
port: 9014
serial:
baud_rate: null # UNRESOLVED: baud rate stated as configurable, no value given in source
auth:
type: none # inferred: no auth procedure in source
Traits
# - powerable (standby via #MSR SB, wake via #SRC, reboot via #RBT)
# - routable (logical source selection via #SRC x / #MSR xx)
# - queryable (extensive query set: ?PID, ?PGS, ?AGS, ?MGV, ?MGF, ?MGR, ?MGB, ?GSL, ?DIS)
# - levelable (volume via #SVN, menu values via #MVP/#MVM/#MSV)
Actions
# Message framing: all commands are ASCII strings terminated by LF ("\n" 0x0A); CR ignored.
# Commands (#) always provoke a reply: *ACK / *NAK / *ERR. State changes arrive separately as unsolicited (!) messages to all connected clients.
# Rate limit: commands received within 70ms of the previous are rejected (*ERR "Command sent too soon");
# commands between 70ms and 114ms are silently delayed until the 114ms timer expires.
- id: help
label: Help
kind: query
command: "help"
params: []
notes: Replies with the full list of commands accepted by the product.
- id: ping
label: Ping
kind: action
command: "#PNG"
params: []
notes: Replies *PNG. May originate from either UI or product; product sends #PNG after 5 idle minutes and closes TCP if no *PNG returned.
- id: dev_mode
label: Development Mode
kind: action
command: "#DEV"
params: []
notes: Disables ping/auto-disconnect. Not stored; reverts to normal behaviour after reset. Should not be disabled in a customer unit.
- id: msr_emulation
label: MSR Emulation
kind: action
command: "#MSR {code}"
params:
- name: code
type: string
description: MSR key code (same codes as the RS232 interface on G/800 series). Full list retrievable via "#MSR help".
notes: Emulates Meridian System Remote keys.
- id: msr_help
label: MSR Help
kind: query
command: "#MSR help"
params: []
notes: Replies with full list of MSR commands.
- id: msr_source_cd
label: MSR Select CD Source
kind: action
command: "#MSR CD"
params: []
notes: Selects CD source if enabled; else *NAK "Source not enabled".
- id: msr_standby
label: MSR Standby
kind: action
command: "#MSR SB"
params: []
notes: Puts unit into standby; followed by unsolicited !OFF to all connections.
- id: msr_volume_up
label: MSR Volume Up
kind: action
command: "#MSR VP"
params: []
notes: Increases volume (unless in standby); leads to !VMU.
- id: msr_play
label: MSR Play
kind: action
command: "#MSR PL"
params: []
notes: Source-device command; acknowledged, action depends on source status/configuration.
- id: msr_menu_prev
label: MSR Menu Left (previous menu)
kind: action
command: "#MSR ML"
params: []
notes: Focus change leads to !MFC. Left/right change menu focus within 3s display window.
- id: msr_menu_next
label: MSR Menu Right (next menu)
kind: action
command: "#MSR MR"
params: []
notes: Focus change leads to !MFC.
- id: msr_menu_value_up
label: MSR Menu Up (increase value)
kind: action
command: "#MSR MP"
params: []
notes: Up/down always change the value of the menu in focus; leads to !MVC.
- id: msr_menu_value_down
label: MSR Menu Down (decrease value)
kind: action
command: "#MSR MM"
params: []
notes: Leads to !MVC.
- id: msr_store_menus_begin
label: MSR Store Menus (begin two-step)
kind: action
command: "#MSR SR"
params: []
notes: First send replies *ACK plus !TMP Display:"Store Menus?" Period:"3". Second send within 3 seconds stores settings and replies !TMP Display:"Menus stored" Period:"3".
- id: msr_clear_menus_begin
label: MSR Clear Menus (begin two-step)
kind: action
command: "#MSR CL"
params: []
notes: First send replies *ACK plus !TMP Display:"Clear Menus?" Period:"3". Second send within 3 seconds clears settings to factory defaults and replies !TMP Display:"Menus cleared" Period:"3".
- id: menu_value_plus
label: Menu Value Plus
kind: action
command: "#MVP {menu}"
params:
- name: menu
type: string
description: Menu name, e.g. Treble, Bass
notes: Increases named menu value. *NAK "Menu not allowed" if Show:"No"; *ERR "Unknown menu" on bad name; *NAK "No source selected" if menus unavailable.
- id: menu_value_minus
label: Menu Value Minus
kind: action
command: "#MVM {menu}"
params:
- name: menu
type: string
description: Menu name, e.g. Treble, Bass
notes: Decreases named menu value. Same NAK/ERR behaviour as #MVP.
- id: menus_store
label: Menus Store (immediate)
kind: action
command: "#MST"
params: []
notes: Stores all menu data to non-volatile memory immediately; replies *ACK then *TMP Display:"Menus Stored" Period:"3".
- id: menus_clear
label: Menus Clear (immediate)
kind: action
command: "#MCL"
params: []
notes: Returns menus to factory settings in one step; replies *ACK then *TMP Display:"Menus cleared" Period:"3".
- id: menu_report_raw
label: Menu Report Raw Values
kind: action
command: "#MRR on"
params: []
notes: Protocol version 2. Enables Raw field in unsolicited menu change messages on this connection.
- id: menu_set_value
label: Menu Set Value
kind: action
command: "#MSV {menu} {raw}"
params:
- name: menu
type: string
description: Menu name, e.g. Treble
- name: raw
type: integer
description: Signed integer raw value (e.g. Treble is in half-dB steps: 7 = +3.5dB)
notes: Protocol version 2. Replies *ACK, then !MVC with new value (and Raw if #MRR on).
- id: set_volume
label: Set Volume Number
kind: action
command: "#SVN {level}"
params:
- name: level
type: integer
description: Meridian volume number, scale 1-99
notes: Direct volume set (if not in standby); informs all devices via !VMU.
- id: select_source
label: Select Logical Source
kind: action
command: "#SRC {source}"
params:
- name: source
type: integer
description: Logical source number, 0-11
notes: Replies *ACK if source enabled; all devices receive !SRC with Source/Legend/Input/Mute/Volume.
- id: select_source_next
label: Select Next Source / Wake
kind: action
command: "#SRC"
params: []
notes: Without a number: brings unit out of standby on last-used (or startup) source, or selects next enabled logical source. UI sees a series of !TMP messages before the final !SRC while scrolling.
- id: display_blank
label: Display Blank
kind: action
command: "#DIS Blank"
params: []
notes: Protocol version 3. System-wide display blank; replies *ACK, all devices receive !DIS Blank:"Blank".
- id: display_unblank
label: Display Unblank
kind: action
command: "#DIS Unblank"
params: []
notes: Protocol version 3. Replies *ACK, all devices receive !DIS Blank:"Unblank".
- id: reboot
label: Reboot
kind: action
command: "#RBT"
params: []
notes: Protocol version 2. Triggers shutdown and reboot; closes all TCP connections and allows time for other processes to shut down before automatic reboot.
- id: get_product_id
label: Get Product Identification
kind: query
command: "?PID"
params: []
notes: Replies *PID Product, SerialNumber, VersionNumber, ZoneName, ProtocolVersion. ID41 additionally reports HostProduct/HostSerialNumber/HostVersionNumber.
- id: get_menu_values
label: Get All Menu Values
kind: query
command: "?MGV"
params: []
notes: Replies *MGV with all menus as Menu/Value/Show triplets.
- id: get_menu_raw
label: Get Menu Raw Value
kind: query
command: "?MGR {menu}"
params:
- name: menu
type: string
description: Menu name, e.g. Treble
notes: Protocol version 2. Replies *MGR Menu, Raw, Show.
- id: get_menu_both
label: Get Menu Both Values
kind: query
command: "?MGB {menu}"
params:
- name: menu
type: string
description: Menu name, e.g. Treble
notes: Protocol version 2. Replies *MGB Menu, Value, Raw, Show.
- id: get_menu_focus
label: Get Menu Focus
kind: query
command: "?MGF"
params: []
notes: Replies *MGF Menu, Value for the currently focused menu.
- id: get_product_status
label: Get Product Status
kind: query
command: "?PGS"
params: []
notes: Replies *PGS Status (Standby/On), Source, Legend, Input, Mute, Volume.
- id: get_audio_status
label: Get Audio Status
kind: query
command: "?AGS"
params: []
notes: Replies *AGS Format, SampleRate, Error, Audio.
- id: get_source_legends
label: Get Source Legends
kind: query
command: "?GSL"
params: []
notes: Replies *GSL with Source/Legend/Enabled for logical sources 0-11.
- id: get_display_mode
label: Get Display Mode
kind: query
command: "?DIS"
params: []
notes: Protocol version 3. Replies *DIS Blank:"Blank" or Blank:"Unblank".
Feedbacks
# All replies are LF-terminated strings. Positive command acknowledgement:
- id: ack
type: string
values: ["*ACK"]
- id: nak
type: string
values: ["*NAK <reason>"]
- id: err
type: string
values: ["*ERR <reason>"]
- id: pong
type: string
values: ["*PNG"]
- id: product_id
type: string
values: ["*PID Product:<name> SerialNumber:<serial> VersionNumber:<ver> ZoneName:<zone> ProtocolVersion:<ver>"]
- id: menu_values
type: string
values: ["*MGV Menu:<name> Value:<value> Show:<Yes|No> ..."]
- id: menu_raw
type: string
values: ["*MGR Menu:<name> Raw:<int> Show:<Yes|No>"]
- id: menu_both
type: string
values: ["*MGB Menu:<name> Value:<value> Raw:<int> Show:<Yes|No>"]
- id: menu_focus
type: string
values: ["*MGF Menu:<name> Value:<value>"]
- id: product_status
type: string
values: ["*PGS Status:<Standby|On> Source:<0-11> Legend:<text> Input:<text> Mute:<Mute|Demute> Volume:<1-99>"]
- id: audio_status
type: string
values: ["*AGS Format:<text> SampleRate:<text> Error:<text> Audio:<Yes|No>"]
- id: source_legends
type: string
values: ["*GSL Source:<0-11> Legend:<text> Enabled:<Yes|No> ..."]
- id: display_mode
type: string
values: ["*DIS Blank:<Blank|Unblank>"]
Variables
# All settable parameters (volume, menu values, source, display mode) are driven by
# discrete actions (#SVN, #MSV, #MVP/#MVM, #SRC, #DIS) - no non-action variables in source.
Events
# Unsolicited '!' messages, sent to ALL connected clients (up to 5 simultaneous connections).
- id: product_id_on_connect
message: "!PID"
payload: Product, SerialNumber, VersionNumber, ZoneName, ProtocolVersion
description: Sent automatically when a new TCP connection is made.
- id: source_changed
message: "!SRC"
payload: Source (0-11), Legend, Input, Mute, Volume
description: New source selected.
- id: standby
message: "!OFF"
payload: none
description: Unit entered standby.
- id: volume_mute_changed
message: "!VMU"
payload: Mute (Mute/Demute), Volume (1-99)
description: New volume or mute state.
- id: menu_focus_changed
message: "!MFC"
payload: Menu, Value (plus Raw if #MRR on)
description: Menu focus changed via left/right navigation.
- id: menu_value_changed
message: "!MVC"
payload: Menu, Value (plus Raw if #MRR on)
description: Menu value changed via up/down or #MVP/#MVM/#MSV.
- id: menu_system_reset
message: "!MRE"
payload: none
description: Menu system reset/changed (e.g. source selection or config change); re-query with ?MGV if needed.
- id: temporary_display
message: "!TMP"
payload: Display (text string), Period (seconds)
description: Draw a temporary status display, e.g. !TMP Display:"Controller" Period:"3".
- id: audio_status_changed
message: "!ASC"
payload: Format, SampleRate, Error, Audio
description: Audio stream changed, e.g. sample rate change.
- id: source_legends_changed
message: "!SLC"
payload: none
description: Source legends changed (e.g. via webpage setup); re-query with ?GSL.
- id: display_mode_changed
message: "!DIS"
payload: Blank (Blank/Unblank)
description: Protocol version 3. Display blank status changed by any means.
- id: zone_name_changed
message: "!ZNC"
payload: ZoneName
description: Sooloos zone name changed.
- id: au_revoir
message: "!ARV"
payload: optional reason string, e.g. "PNG timeout"
description: Sent shortly before the product closes a connection.
Macros
- id: store_menus_two_step
steps:
- command: "#MSR SR"
description: Replies *ACK plus !TMP Display:"Store Menus?" Period:"3"
- command: "#MSR SR"
description: Send again within 3 seconds to store settings; replies *ACK plus !TMP Display:"Menus stored" Period:"3"
- id: clear_menus_two_step
steps:
- command: "#MSR CL"
description: Replies *ACK plus !TMP Display:"Clear Menus?" Period:"3"
- command: "#MSR CL"
description: Send again within 3 seconds to restore factory menu settings; replies *ACK plus !TMP Display:"Menus cleared" Period:"3"
Safety
confirmation_required_for: []
interlocks: []
# UNRESOLVED: no safety warnings or interlock procedures in source.
# Note (operational, not safety): #RBT closes all TCP connections; #MSV volume-affecting
# commands have no effect in standby.
Notes
- Raw TCP stream on port 9014; all messages human-readable ASCII terminated by LF (0x0A); CR ignored if CR/LF used. Up to 5 simultaneous connections.
- Message grammar: commands prefixed
#, queries?, unsolicited!; replies prefixed*. Data delivered as Name:"String" pairs separated by spaces; names contain no spaces, printable ASCII only. - Command rate limiting (MSR emulation): commands within 70ms of previous rejected with
*ERR "Command sent too soon"; 70–114ms silently delayed until 114ms elapsed. Mirrors 114ms MSR key separation. - Product pings connections after 5 idle minutes (
#PNGexpecting*PNG) and closes non-responding connections; disable with#DEV(dev only, not stored across reset). - Protocol versions: absent ProtocolVersion = version 1;
"2"adds raw menu values (#MSV, ?MGR, ?MGB, #MRR) and #RBT;"3"adds display blank commands (#DIS, ?DIS) and ID41 host identification. - Menu system unavailable unless a source is selected (
*NAK "No source selected"). Menus with Show:"No" respond*NAK "Menu not allowed"; unknown names*ERR "Unknown menu". Some menus wrap (e.g. Phase), some do not. - Recommended UX: show menu display 3 seconds then revert to source display; left/right only change focus within that window, up/down always change value.
- Volume is the Meridian volume number, scale 1–99; no effect while in standby (and no unsolicited message).
- Text-only interface; testable via terminal programs (PuTTY) with ping disabled (#DEV).
- Document revision history: issue 4 (Dec 2019) covers 218/251/271 (fw 1.1.213) and ID41 (fw 1.2.213), protocol version 3.
Provenance
source_domains:
- meridian-audio.com
source_urls:
- https://www.meridian-audio.com/media/8d93d644a722762/meridian-automation-interface-for-ip-control-issue-4.pdf
retrieved_at: 2026-08-16T13:17:06.673Z
last_checked_at: 2026-08-19T09:34:46.279Z
Verification Summary
verdict: verified
checked_at: 2026-08-19T09:34:46.279Z
matched_actions: 36
action_count: 36
confidence: medium
summary: "All 36 spec actions and queries appear verbatim in the refined source; transport (port 9014, raw TCP, LF termination) is directly documented. (7 unresolved item(s) noted in Known Gaps.)"
Known Gaps
- "source document covers the \"218 and similar\" family (218, 251, 271, ID41); Ellipse is not named explicitly — model applicability assumed from input metadata"
- "RS232 availability and serial configuration for the Ellipse specifically not stated; baud rate configurable per product, no value given"
- "baud rate stated as configurable, no value given in source"
- "no safety warnings or interlock procedures in source."
- "RS232 serial parameters (baud rate stated as configurable, no value given; connector choice 9-pin D-type vs SpeakerLink is product-dependent)"
- "Ellipse-specific firmware version and protocol version support not stated"
- "full MSR command code list not enumerated in source — retrieve at runtime via \"#MSR help\""
From the AI4AV catalog (https://ai4av.net) · ODbL-1.0