Meet Maestro and CTS Dolphin Integration

➧ Integration Overview Video

➞ direct link to our Meet Maestro Overview video.

➧ Integration Details and Requirements

Understanding the integration between Meet Maestro and the CTS Dolphin Timing System will help you during setup, and troubleshoot if any issues occur before or during your meet. ➞ See our CTS Dolphin - Integration Overview

Meet Maestro Setup

» Important Note: It is best to set up Meet Maestro first, then CTS Dolphin. This is because Meet Maestro only writes the events file when the data directory is selected, and Dolphin only looks for the events file when the data directory is selected. Thus, if you configure Dolphin first, the events definition file won't be written yet.

➧ Step 1: Download the Meet Maestro Windows Desktop App

Once you have purchased the CTS Dolphin Wireless Timing System, you are ready to download the Microsoft Windows Meet Maestro desktop application. (If you have a Mac with software that runs Windows, our Windows app can be run on a Mac.)

The installation may take several minutes. Once installed, you’ll run the meet from the Meet Maestro Windows Desktop application, not your web browser. 

» Tip: When an update for the Meet Maestro Desktop application is available, it will be downloaded automatically, and an "Install Update" button will appear in the top bar to prompt installation. The application will relaunch when finished. ➞ See Meet Maestro Version History for details on updates.

➧ Step 2: Log in and select the CTS Dolphin option in Meet Maestro

➞ Log In

After the desktop application is installed, log in with your SwimTopia credentials (you need to be a Site Admin for your team, or be assigned to a Role with permission to manage swim meets).

➞ Select a Team (if affiliated with more than one)

➞ Select a Meet

You will only see meets that have been merged in this interface. (if you use the same credentials to manage multiple teams, you will be prompted to select the team first)

➞ Multi-Session Meet (Optional)

If this is a multi-session meet (virtual or otherwise), you will be prompted to select your session. If not, this step is not displayed.

➞ Add Timing System Configuration in Settings

Timing Setup options are found under Meet Maestro Settings (gear icon). Select to Add Timing System Configuration.

➞ Select the applicable CTS Dolphin timing console

Our desktop application is required to use a timing system with Meet Maestro. If you are on the web version, you will see a message and a link to download the Windows desktop app, as seen below.

➧ Step 3: Set Up Meet Maestro for the CTS Dolphin Integration

Now you are ready to set up Meet Maestro to be able to connect with your CTS Dolphin Timing System.

➞ Select the Data Directory

Meet Maestro and the CTS Dolphin software must use the same folder. This allows CTS Dolphin to know the schedule of events and allows for faster load times in Meet Maestro from files written to this directory by the Dolphin software. 

On this screen, click on the Choose button to select where you want CTS Dolphin to save the meet data. 

Then select or create a folder with the date and name of your meet.

The selected data directory will now display in Meet Maestro. When you open CTS Dolphin, you will select the same data directory. 

CTS Dolphin Setup (in CTS Dolphin Software)

Now set up your CTS Dolphin system to complete the integration connection.

» Note: We are providing basic CTS Dolphin setup steps below, but if anything changes in the setup on their end, we may not have those updated steps. Refer to your CTS Dolphin V5+ User Guide.

➧ Step 1: Confirm the CTS Dolphin Software Version and Firmware

To receive the benefits of this integration, it’s important to update your CTS Dolphin software to v5.05 or higher and to update all firmware.

➞ CTS Dolphin v5.05 or higher

With CTS Dolphin v5+, Meet Maestro publishes full event details to the CTS Dolphin software. This enhances the detail of event and heat information displayed in the CTS Dolphin software and on any attached scoreboards. 

When paired with a CTS Dolphin timing system, Meet Maestro is able to broadcast the current event and heat to SwimTopia Mobile’s Live Event/Heat Bar directly from the CTS Dolphin starter controls.

CTS Dolphin software can be downloaded from this URL (Windows required): http://www.coloradotime.com/dolphindownload/

➞ CTS Dolphin Firmware

Make sure the CTS Dolphin Firmware is up to date. Look in the C:\CTSDolphin directory for the Docs directory for instructions and the Firmware directory for the firmware required.

➧ Step 2: Connect the CTS Dolphin Base Unit to your Computer

➧ Step 3: Select or Create the Same Data Directory as Meet Maestro

Open the CTS Dolphin software.

Open the Settings screen and choose the directory where you are going to save your CTS Dolphin data. (This is the SAME folder that you created and linked to in Meet Maestro.) 

➧ Step 4: Verify CTS Dolphin Settings and Event List

➞ Verify Additional Settings

1. Verify the selected data directory location matches Meet Maestro.
2. Ensure CSV export format is selected (No other formats are required by Meet Maestro)
3. Check the “Show Empty Column” box to ensure the system shows you the empty lanes
4. Don't click on the "Meet #" label - it will create a new meet number (may affect other settings).
5. If the “Manually increment events” option is not checked, the current heat and event will advance automatically when the CTS Dolphin starter resets for each race. If this option is checked, the current event/heat information will need to be manually updated in the CTS Dolphin software.

• If a Scoreboard Exists: Generally, if the starter can view a scoreboard to see the current event/heat, then unchecking this “Manually increment events” box will help keep things running quickly.
• No Scoreboard: The starter could unknowingly advance to the wrong heat (e.g. after a false start), so checking the “Manually increment events” option is recommended, especially if someone will be solely focused on operating the CTS Dolphin software during the meet. However, if one person will be operating both Meet Maestro and the CTS Dolphin software, it may be easier to disable this option.

» Note: The current event/heat selected in the CTS Dolphin software is published (via Meet Maestro) to the Live Bar in the SwimTopia mobile app, so ensuring its accuracy is important.

➞ Verify Event List:

» Note: If you do not see your meet events listed in the CTS Dolphin software, please quit and then relaunch the CTS Dolphin software after the data directory has been configured correctly in Meet Maestro.

➧ CTS Dolphin Starter Adapter Setup (Optional)

If you are using the starter adapter, set it up now. (If you are doing manual start/stop, skip this step).

Step 1: Check your settings page to see what Channel you have your base set to.
Step 2: Turn the CTS Dolphin Starter on (press and hold the reset button)
Step 3: Enter the menu (press and hold both buttons)
Step 4: Press the reset button to advance the CHAN setting
Step 5: Press Start/Stop to change the channel to match your base channel (if necessary)
Step 6: Press reset to exit the menu.
Step 7: Now connect the CTS Dolphin starter to the Infinity Start System using the Start Output jack.

For additional support details on this topic, ➞ reference the Dolphin_Starter_to_Infinity_Kit_F920.pdf and Colorado Time Systems Support Manuals.

➧ CTS Dolphin Stopwatch Setup

Step 1: Turn the watch on (press and hold the Reset button)
Step 2: Enter the menu (press and hold the Reset button and either of the side buttons)
Step 3: Once in the menu, the first setting is LANE. Press a side button to change the lane for this watch, and then press Reset to advance to the next menu option
Step 4: Press a side button to select the TIMER for this lane (A, B or C), and then press Reset to advance to the next option
Step 5: Press a side button to select manual start “MAN” on or off and then press Reset to advance to the next option. Set to off to disable manual start on the watch
Step 6: Press a side button to select the channel number. This MUST match the channel on the starter (if being used) and the base
Step 7: Press Reset to exit the menu
Step 8: Watches will show up on the CTS Dolphin “Signals” screen when set. Once you have set up all your watches - confirm you can see all of them on the signals screen. You can also see battery strength here.

Meet Maestro Watch and Mobile App Settings

Once you have connected your CTS Dolphin Timing system, turned on all of the stop watches and connected the starting device (if using one), you will want to return to Meet Maestro.

➧ Proper Connection

When Meet Maestro and CTS Dolphin are properly connected, you will see Connected in the upper right of the screen and the Meet # box will be green. (If this box is not green, check that your data directory in Meet Maestro and CTS Dolphin match.)

➧ Expected Watches Per Lane

At this time you can set the number of Dolphin watch timers you are using and expect the system to pull data for. (see screenshot above)

➧ SwimTopia Mobile App Settings - Enable Live Event/Heat Bar

Slide the bar to the right to enable the live event/heat bar feature in the SwimTopia mobile app.

This setting is referencing the ability of the CTS Dolphin software to automatically send information about the current event and heat being swum to the SwimTopia Mobile Live Event/Heat Bar.

It's best to do this when setting up the timing system, but you can access this any time through the CTS Dolphin timing system bar on the results data entry screen (settings gear)

» Note: This setting is displayed only if Dolphin version 5+ software is used -- does not work with versions below 5)

Test the Integration (before meet day)

Once the setup is complete, you can run the meet. We highly suggest saving time for some test runs to ensure a smooth meet day!

To prevent premature delivery of upcoming swim reminders and live result notifications to Pro users of the SwimTopia mobile app during testing, an early start warning pop-up will display to confirm whether or not you intend to start the meet early.

This warning will only display if two conditions are met:

1. The "Mobile App: Enable the Live Event/Heat bar" setting is enabled
2. The meet or session start time is in the future (not earlier than or equal to the current time)

» Note: This warning will display for each test performed until the confirmation to start the meet is selected (or start the session in a multi-session meet scenario). When "Yes..." is selected, the estimated start times will be adjusted, and the notification process will begin. There is no option to revert back to a pre-notification state.

➞ See the Running Your Meet Using CTS Dolphin section of our integration overview article for an example you can use to follow along.

Editing CTS Dolphin Settings

All of the settings configured during setup can be changed by pressing the gear icon in the CTS Dolphin timing system bar. You do not need to go back to the main Timing Setup screen under the meet settings.

CTS Dolphin Timing System Bar

You can change your Meet #, watch settings, enable the live event/heat bar if you did not do this during setup, and find options to reach out to the support team from Colorado Time Systems or SwimTopa based on your questions.

Scoreboards: DisplayLink Plus Video Display

Colorado Time Systems provides DisplayLink Plus Video Display software which enables meet management integration through a set of “Start List” files. SwimTopia provides the support to export start lists within the Timing Setup of each meet to broadcast to scoreboards.

» Note: Any timing system that can support the .scb file extension, *should* be able to utilize this feature as well.

Start List Files

• ‘.scb’ file extension
• One file per event
• Exported per session
• The event files contain athlete/relay team and team abbreviation information for each lane
• 10 lane pool maximum

» Note: Currently, if you make changes to your lineup (deck adds, deletions, heat/lane changes), you will need to re-export the start lists. A more automated solution is planned for a future release (TBD).

Product Support

"Customer Happiness" is not just a team name at SwimTopia, it's our mission!

➧ Colorado Time Systems Support

If you have questions specific to your CTS Dolphin system or setup, please reference their support resources below. Meet Maestro seamlessly integrates with CTS Dolphin to pull in times, but they are the experts at helping you configure your CTS Dolphin Wireless Timing System.

• CTS Dolphin FAQs
• CTS Dolphin Training and Support Resources
• CTS Dolphin V5+ User Guide & Troubleshooting
• General CTS Resources and Maintenance Tips
• Contact CTS Product Support
  • 1-800-287-0653 or 1-970-667-1000
  • Email: support@coloradotime.com
  • https://coloradotime.com/support/support-request

➧ SwimTopia Support

If you run into issues during setup or while testing that seem related to the connection between the timing system and Meet Maestro (or you're not sure), we have multiple options to assist:

• CTS Dolphin - Integration Troubleshooting Guide (Start Here)
• Submit a Support Ticket (Or click "Submit a request" at the top of any Help Center page)
• Business Hours Phone Support (M-F 9am-6pm CST): 877-856-2940 (Option 2)
• After Hours (Emergency Meet Day) Phone Support: 877-856-2940 (Option 6)

➧ Help Resources in Your Meet

We're here to help! Click on the located at the top right, and you can self-serve through our extensive topic-organized online Help Center, submit a support request, or contact us via phone. 

We also provide a remote troubleshooting option under the Help icon to create a read-only replay of the steps you are taking when an issue occurs. Before reaching out to us, slide the bar to Enable Remote Support, and retrace your steps to recreate the issue. Include the "Session Id" in your ticket or call.

➧ Additional Resources

In addition to this checklist, we have training options covering all of the functionality Meet Maestro has to offer to make your meet day a splashing success!

• Help Center ➞ See the Meet Maestro section
• ▶️ Training Videos - Meet Management with Meet Maestro
• Additional Training Videos ➞ Check out our YouTube Channel
• Workshop Webinars ➞ Sign up for live Workshop Webinars (when available)
• Community Center ➞ Check out our Community section for many tips and tricks
• SwimTopia Reddit ➞ connect, and share tips on our Admin's Hub

➧ League Admin ➞ See the League Management section for league-specific guides

➧ Team Admin ➞ See our Meet Maestro - Essential Settings Guide for a Successful Meet (after meet entries are merged)

Happy Swimming!