1.6.7.3 Import of Chip Starts from a TAG data file

[Steve Hudson]

Contrary to what was stated in the previous version to 1.6.7.3, I am only able to update the chip starts if the race has Started and if I check the Chip Start option. So, while triathletes are finishing their run, I will have to be so careful to update a new set of chip starts in the TAG file. I take it that by checking the Chip Start option is informing the Import that the TRUE chip start times are to be extracted from the TAG file ? While I am reading the Finishing runners - ie with the Capture Chip Finish option checked - why cannot the request for the TAG Import file be prepended with a request to process Chip Starts and/or Finish Times ; therefore, I need not need to remember to change the Capture option ?

I will have updated the "chip start TAG" data file many times - to mimic changes when adjusting swim starts in a triathlon for example - but I get the feeling that the chip starts are not always getting updated. Certainly the TAG display in the top corner does not always reflect the latest time I have in the TAG file. Do I have to Reset and subsequent Import to get started again ?

I will say that now the race start cannot be set as 00:00:00, it is not clearly obvious when displaying the chip starts what their clock time value has. Performing mental acrobatics to prove the correct clock swim start, in my triathlon example, is not favourable.

[Ted Finch]

Steve

You can set race time to 00:00:00 but only after starting the race. Use the drop down menu by the race time. You can edit using clock time. Then all race times are clock times.

I took have struggled to consistently import chip start times. I don't have my recipe to hand. I don't think I managed on a live race.

The other option is adjusting on the athlete screen. The risk there is that you can get a complete crash if you are timing and editing athletes concurrently. 

Not ideal but can you delay edits until the end of the race?

Ted

Keep it Simple Timing 

[Steve Hudson]

Editing to get 00:00:00, I’ll give it go. 

For multi-sport, time trial style, it would be advisable to keep start times up to date. But with clock times showing, then at least the chip start times will be easily identifiable…thanks for that.

Thanks, Ted.

[Brian Agee]

Steve, I'm having trouble understanding what you're trying to accomplish. As for what was announced in a previous update, are you're referring to this item listed in the previous update:

• Added ability to import chip start times without having to start the race or mark it as "capturing chip start times" (video demo).

If yes, then did you watch the "video demo" that was included with that item? What I pointed out is that you can now import a file and easily pre-set people's chip start time without having the start the race first. In the past you had to start the race, import times, re-set the race back to 00:00:00, and then tell the software NOT to erase all chip start times. So this change saves you from having to do all of those extra steps.

You're talking about importing times after some people have finished. Is this a normal thing you do, if so please explain your process in greater detail and why those pre-assigned start times cannot be imported prior to the start. Or are you only doing this if there is a major issue and you want to re-import the data collected in the Tag Read file? Hopefully you know that you can also leave both "Capture Chip Starts" and "Capture Chip Finish" checkboxes checked and the system will treat anyone new (or within the "gap" time) as a "start" and anyone it's seen before (and outside the "gap" time) as split/finish time.

[Steve Hudson]

Brian,

I did follow your video and was unable to repeat what you did. I HAD to start the race and I HAD to check the chip start option. I repeated many times in the same instance of ART and got nowhere.

Yes, I am wanting to import (alterations to) chip start times during the triathlon event. While runners are finishing their 3rd discipline there are still those about to start their swim. With athletes choosing not to start the event and the organisers wanting to maximise pool use, they will permit later athletes, if they arrive early enough, to start their swim early. Hence the need to change chip start times. Be aware that an athlete intending to start right at the end of the event who is actually allowed to start at the beginning of the event could arrive at the Finish line before the original swim start time ! So a need to update their chip start time is imperative.

My intention is indeed to import chip start times for the whole event prior to race day. 

I have never needed to consider re-import a TAG file due to a major issue. What I would expect to use is my own named TAG file, eg “Triathlon chip start TAG file.CSV”, which has as many TRUE entries in it as there are athletes in the event. As athletes do not start at their intended start time, I would want to amend my TAG file and re-import after, say, a dozen changes at a time.

Your comment about new entrants is understood, but usually, for a triathlon, new additions are not permitted.

[Brian Agee]

Earlier today I did another quick test and chip start times imported with no issue, see this video. Send me your database file and your chip start file and I'll try it on my computer and let you know what is wrong.

[Steve Hudson]

Hi Brian, not heard back from you.

I've done some more testing and I CAN Import chip start times from a TAG file...BUT, I had to have the Advanced/Nearest Second OR the Edit Race/Scoring/Nearest Second option set. And then I needed to F5 to ensure the values are displayed. I do not understand, firstly, why the Nearest Second option should be a requirement to the Import facility and secondly if the Advanced setting is unchecked, why should ART take the Scoring option setting, especially as it is greyed out ?! Incidentally, this last anomaly is used, I believe, when Export CSV outputs to the nearest second rather than the specific number of places of decimal.

Anyhow, following the pre race setting of chip starts and then with the race(s) started, I am then wanting to Import an amended TAG file during a Triathlon event. After all,  athletes starting their swim at a different intended start time means their chip start time - on the Timing PC - needs to be amended. Up until now, individual amendments on the Athletes tab on the RHS has been required. But why not amend the TAG data file and Import it on demand, especially when - potentially - many swim start times are needing to be changed ?  Remember, these changes need to be done on the Timing PC which will have been set to Capture Finish Times as athletes will be finishing during the day. The TAG data file has TRUE set for Bib Nos, BUT...when Imported, these entries are treated as the athletes finishing...why ?

If , on the Timing PC, the Capture Chip Start option is checked, ie taking care no one comes to the finish line !, Import of the TAG is permitted. But, the displayed chip start value on the Athletes tab doesn't look correct even though when Edited the value has come thru okay. I am guessing, subsequent Import of the TAG data file is not intended by ART, in the manner that I would want to use the TAG file, but it would be an extremely powerful facility for multi-discipline events (but when the Capture Finish Times is left checked !).

[Steve Hudson]

The TAG data file structure cannot have it;s Date field and True field prepended with blank(s)