VR3 Hardwire download @ Last

[Paul B]

From http://www.vr3.co.uk/

May be of interest to somebody?


New C5 Software Suite Package Announcement

With effect from January 2005, the VR Computer C5 PC Link Package will be renamed the VR Software Suite and will come armed with a host of features (many of them new) as follows:-

1) Prolog dive logging software

2) Proplanner decompression planning software

3) DecoBooks for VR Computers (separate PIN required, item UG10)

4) Screensaver and Logo Generator Tool (separate PIN required, item UG9)

5) PIN upload facility

6) Security data upload facility

7) VR DAN Dive Log Converter


PLEASE NOTE:
• VR Software Suite features 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are only compatible with Windows XP and Windows XP Professional.

• Features 3,4,5 and 6 are only compatible with VR computers that have Version 3.0 software or beyond loaded.

• With Version 3.0 software loaded, in PC link mode on the VR computer, users have the option to connect to a PC via Infra Red (IR) link or by Hard Wire Cable, (see below).

• Choose Full = 0 IR = 1 in the PC link screen if connecting to a PC by Infra Red link. Choose Full = 0 IR = 0 in the PC link screen if connecting to a PC by cable.

Operations Manual and Brief Description

The Software Suite instruction manual is included on the CD and a copy is also available to download on our website. To briefly explain the new features

Decobooks is a new programme that enables the user to download electronic books or any form of text file from a PC to the VR computer to read during shallow decompression or surface intervals. It is packaged together with two new games to play in the Games screen, Wreck Finder and Buddies. In addition to the usual downloading PIN, a separate PIN, (ask for item UG10), is required to activate a VR computer for use with Deco Books.

Screen Saver and Logo Generator is a new programme that enables the VR owner to design, download and install a custom logo as a screen saver. In addition to the usual downloading PIN, a separate PIN, (ask for item UG9) is required to activate a VR computer for use with the Screen Saver and Logo Generator feature.

The PIN and Security data upload facilities allow the installation of PINs and personal security details via infra red link or hard wire link, so users no longer need to key them in manually using the switches. No additional PINs are required to use this feature.

Choice of Hardware

The software suite will be packaged with a choice of linking hardware so, when you order, make sure you choose one of the following

• C6 9 pin Serial Port IR Link and Serial Extension Cable

• C33 9 pin Serial Port Hard Wire Direct Download Cable (NEW available now)

Note: The Serial Port Hard Wire Cable PC Link Option can be used only with VR computers that have a 7 pin I/O connector and are running software Version 3.0 or higher.

• C35 USB IR Link with Extension cable

Note: C35 release expected in February 2005; pricing will be the same as C6 and C33.

These links are also available for purchase as separate items.

Upgrade Path

Current Prolog users can upgrade to the new software by returning their existing Prolog AND Proplanner disks to Delta P Technology and we will send out a replacement by return of post. The cost of the upgrade is £15.00 including VAT and postage.

[Pierre Farrugia]

Anyone here has more info about the new data transfer cable ? Does the download cabel is connected to the VR3 with it's I/P port and the Infra red cabel not used? Also how have you found your I/R cable, is it a pain to use and which one would you choose!

[Phoenix]

It's 2005 and the best they can come up with is a serial cable? some manufacturers haven't fitted them to laptops in years, Sony certainly don't and neither do they fit an IR port. Haven't these people heard of USB or are they waiting for it to be superseded too.

Ian

[Brass Monkey]

Originally Posted by iani

It's 2005 and the best they can come up with is a serial cable? some manufacturers haven't fitted them to laptops in years, Sony certainly don't and neither do they fit an IR port. Haven't these people heard of USB or are they waiting for it to be superseded too.

Ian

Well said Ian, what are they thinking about? Probably selling a USB to Serial connector

Dave.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Brass Monkey

Well said Ian, what are they thinking about? Probably selling a USB to Serial connector

Dave.

You can buy this if you like but from past experience it's hit and miss which ones will actually work for a given device, much the same as for IR to USB, hence why they have to sell a compatible model. The industry standard is USB and it is crazy that a manufacturer is still bringing out serial devices now.

Ian

[Brass Monkey]

Originally Posted by iani

You can buy this if you like but from past experience it's hit and miss which ones will actually work for a given device, much the same as for IR to USB, hence why they have to sell a compatible model. The industry standard is USB and it is crazy that a manufacturer is still bringing out serial devices now.

Ian

Right you are Ian but far be it from Delta P to make an interface that is plug and play, easy to use and works flawlessly. It's a mad world, and we are crazy to pay extra for shite like this when it should come as standard on a computer costing what this bad boy does.

Dave.

[Fathoms Down]

I enquired about the price of the wire link at LIDS and was told that it would be £85 even though I already had the download software and PIN.

I also upgraded my software to the new "suite". I was a little disapointed to find that it seems to be made up of a collection of the existing ProPlanner, ProLog with the patch which has been available on the web site for ages and a number of other utilities which I doubt I will ever use.

In contrast Martin Parker on the AP stand showed me the complete Vision software and I was very, very impressed. It seems that Delta-P are playing catch up on that front already and the first Vision units have only just shipped!

[beanie]

aparently they are thinking of USB but haven't started it yet they are concentrating on the RB they do have a USB IR version though

[MattS]

I better declare I have an interest in this.

Pierre, I have been using the DeltaP IR Link since about 99 and have had no trouble with it. Certainly I find it a lot more reliable than the Cochran, Uwatec and Suunto serial leads I used in the past. It helps if you know a little about setting up serial links - which is what most of the people I come across complaining about the VR3 comms link actually struggle with.

It's 2005 and the best they can come up with is a serial cable? some manufacturers haven't fitted them to laptops in years, Sony certainly don't and neither do they fit an IR port. Haven't these people heard of USB or are they waiting for it to be superseded too.

I did a long post on this subject on the VR3 forum.

It basically comes down to the question, "How much do you want to pay for a VR3 and/or the software?"

Full IRDa was investigated some time ago. Unfotunately thanks to Mr Gates removing support for all flavours of IRDa other than winsock in Winodws 2K, the implementation cost went through the roof. The IRDa winsock development library cost around 40,000 USD which would seriously inflate the cost of a VR3 or the software pack, depending on how you fund it. The hit on the VR3 battery at the time would have reduced battery life to about an hour and a half BTW. For connecting to a dive computer Winsock is a big clumsy solution all in all. The only people I know that went down the IRDa route were Uwatec. I guess Scubapro have a bit more cash to invest and with the number of Aladin's being sold they can recoup the investment without serously inflating the per unit cost.

I am also involved in some work around lab equipment and the reliance on serial ports is ubiquitous for much the same reasons - it is another niche market application. Of course if you are paying around 10K to 100K for an instrument, the additional 50 quid for the IRLink, 35 quid for a USB to RS232 cable and 500 quid for the software pack is small change.

Right you are Ian but far be it from Delta P to make an interface that is plug and play, easy to use and works flawlessly.

After 15 years of working in comms and interfacing, I have yet to find this Nirvana. Hard wired comms leads are still the most simple and most reliable method of connecting two devices. Unfortunately for people that do not have RS232 ports built into their PCs, the USB to RS232 adapter drivers can be problematic to set up. There is a list of known to work USB to RS232 adapters on the VR3 forums but a couple people had to re-install Windows before they could get the thing working. DeltaP were talking about supplying a USB to serial / IR adapter as part of the software pack.