[awallace]

There is a new version of the firmware available for C7042.

Defects fixed:

Analog lane change preferences loaded on system boot
Beep mode preferences saved in EEPROM
Analog direction menus improved

New Features:

Support for Car ID and digital/analog mode switch in SNC

I neded to update the SNC interface documentation so that any programmers know how to access the new functions. This will be done in the next few days.

 

[MrFlippant]

What are the buttons to press for car ID and D/A switch in SNC mode?

 

[awallace]

Sorry Greg - it should read support for analog/digital switch and Car ID commands in SNC protocol.

There is a button in the main SSDC toolbar which allows you to switch to analog mode, or back to digital. It is next to the powerbase connect toolbar button.

To ID a car, click on the appropriate coloured ID button in the Race Manager window.

 

[MrFlippant]

I get it. I was thinking SNC mode as "standalone" mode, not "connected to a PC" mode.
Is there a better word/acronym for when the Screen is Not Connected, but also a Computer is Not Connected? CNC? hehe

 

[RikoRocket]

No more holding down three buttons and pressing a fourth five times... It was always a bit like a dirty back door entry to analogue

The ID buttons are just superb. Believe me you are going to appreciate how much easier it now is to ID a car...

 

[asjwood]

Great work Andy! They are some really worthwhile improvements!

I shall look forward to adding the new bits of the SNC protocol into my software that I am hoping may be ready for distribution fairly soon...

 

[350Zman]

"Analog direction menus improved:"
I cannot get my analog cars to go from right to left across the powerbase.
Can someone please explain the new menus.
Thanks.

 

[awallace]

I'm doing this from memory, so hopefully it is OK: You need to use the menus as normal to get to the "For.Ln" option, and then select the option "r.to.L" which means "Right to Left". Press Enter to save the settings.

 

[zarko]

So, what is the analogue menu option within the SSDC for then?

 

[awallace]

the toolbar button allows you to toggle between analog and digital mode without having to touch the powerbase.

 

[zarko]

My bad Andy... For some reason I expected it to change the direction of travel too.

 

[RikoRocket]

I believe the revamped protocol that Andy has developed will now allow that, or has the capability to allow that. But once you have set up a circuit you generally only go round it one way. A direction change button would be of more use to rug-racers like me who rarely have the same circuit for long, and digging out the display is a PITA.

1.07 does address the direction bug in screen connected mode which needed you to choose to change to the same direction in order to reverse direction, that messed me up for days....

 

[Martyn_]

These two improvements really do help (amongst all th ether little fixes and tweaks).

As discussed elsewhere, I was utterly baffled by the analogue lane change menu, it now makes sense.
As for no longer having o do the three fingered salute and tap dance on the start button - deep joy. Always took more than one attempt did that.

 

[sealevel]

Is there any chance/probability that Scalextric/Hornby will incorporate all of these APB firmware changes in the future (instead of 0.85... is that not the original APB firmware release)?

Or are they relying on Andy and others to come up with a dozen upgrades to their product and the resulting support in perpetuity?

I am not only thinking of newbies who want this to work "out of the box" but I would also be more interested in an APB if I did not have to do a bunch of upgrades to the firmware. Upgrades to SSDC are a different matter. And BOTH upgrades are extremely appreciated!

Cheers!

 

[Ade]

hi
original firmware was 0.84 so hornby has improved a little. I agree it would be nice when the updates are completed it should be included for new out the box ones.

But dont be put off by upgrading the firmware as it is idiot proof to do and takes seconds to carry out.

 

[sealevel]

Thanks, Bigbird...

That is reassuring... the In-Car Pro work looked daunting (as does the APB power upgrade) so a bit leary of what is a "2/10" in difficulty.

Thanks again!
Cheers!

 

[Keeto]

Aaah damn, the 3 finger salute and tapdancing is gone?
It gave me a feeling of immense power, like I'd just come off the red telephone and entered the launch codes and hit the launch button 5 times....I'll have to get me cold war fix somewhere else now.

Seriously.

That is a massive improvement.

 

[RikoRocket]

QUOTE (Keeto @ 26 Jan 2012, 08:14) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>..and entered the launch codes and hit the launch button 5 times....

You know the penalty for giving away our secrets.....