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CTS Dolphin - Running Your Meet & Troubleshooting

Paige Hansen
  • Updated

CTS_Dolphin-Logo.png    Meet Maestro Logo RGB.jpg

Covered in this Article: 

➧ Integration Overview and Setup

➧ Running Your Meet Using CTS Dolphin

➧ Troubleshooting Issues

*If you do not see your specific issue, ➞ see the CTS Dolphin FAQs (more product support options below).

➧ Product Support

 

Integration Overview and Setup

➧ Integration Overview

Understanding the integration between Meet Maestro and the CTS Dolphin Timing System will help you run your meet and troubleshoot if any issues occur before or during your meet.

➞ See the CTS Dolphin - Integration Overview article for details.

➧ Integration Setup

If you have not set up your Meet Maestro desktop application to integrate with your CTS Dolphin Wireless Timing System, we will guide you through the process.

➞ See the CTS Dolphin - Integration Setup guide for details.

 

Running Your Meet Using CTS Dolphin

Writing the Result File in CTS Dolphin

➧ If Using the CTS Dolphin Starter

After each heat the Starting Official will press Start/Stop and then Reset on the CTS Dolphin Starter. This reset causes the CTS Dolphin software to write the result file to the selected folder on the computer and the next race can be started.

If the Starting Official fails to press Reset after the race, the watch’s state will not have a yellow light. The system MUST be reset after each heat (or false start).

➧ If Not Using the CTS Dolphin Starter

As each swimmer finishes the heat, the Lane Timer(s) in that lane will press one of the side buttons (Start/Stop) and then Reset on the Watch(es) assigned to that lane. After all Lane Timers press Start/Stop at the end of the race and then Reset, the CTS Dolphin software writes the result file to the selected folder on the computer and the next race can be started.

If one or more of the Lane Timers fail to press Reset after the race, that watch state will not have a yellow light. Before the next race, the CTS Dolphin operator can use the Reset Timers button (or shortcut r) to force a reset and cause the CTS Dolphin software to write the result file.

Once the meet files have saved, you can pull the times into Meet Maestro.

 

CTS Dolphin Timing System Bar in Meet Maestro

➧ Load Times in the Meet Maestro Time Entry Interface

The CTS Dolphin timing system bar in Meet Maestro will provide information about the meet number and race number you are on. When a new file from CTS Dolphin is detected for the corresponding race number, the button label will change from a gray “Not Ready” to an orange “Load Times.”

mceclip3.png

Click the Load Times button and times from Meet #8, Race # 1 will be pulled in. 

DOLPHIN--LOAD_TIMES.png

When you move to the next heat or event, the race number will automatically advance for you. 

DOLPHIN-EDIT_RACE_NUMBER.png

➧ Edit the Race Number

Editing the race number is useful if the race number is thrown off by something unusual, like a false start or pre-meet testing. This helps Meet Maestro stay in sync with the data files generated by the CTS Dolphin Wireless Timing System.

For example, if we had two false starts after race #1, we skip races #2 and #3. For our next heat, we need to load race #4, so we can edit the Race number to #4 and then pull the times.

Click in the Race number field to update the race number for the current heat. Be sure to click OK to save before clicking to load times.

DOLPHIN-EDIT_RACE_NUMBER4.png

All changes made in Meet Maestro are automatically saved as you go. When you see a green “Saved” checkmark, you can be assured your data is saved and up-to-date.

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➧ Update the CTS Dolphin Settings in Meet Maestro

If you need to change the Meet #, you can access the CTS Dolphin settings by clicking the gear icon mceclip10.png on the CTS Dolphin timing system bar.

DOLPHIN-EDIT__MEET_NUMBER.png

You can also change your 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 access SwimTopia's troubleshooting guide as needed.

DOLPHIN-SETTINGS.png

These settings are also found on the Timing Setup screen under the Meet Maestro Settings.

SETTINGS-TIMINGSETUP_EDIT-CTS_DOLPHIN.png

 

Combining Heats in Meet Maestro

Currently, the way you can combine heats in Meet Maestro is by moving individual athletes/relays to non-overlapping lanes within each heat (e.g. heat 1 to lanes 1, 2, 3 and heat 2 to lanes 4, 5, 6), so that both heats can swim simultaneously, and score separately.

For example, this team is going to swim Event 15 and Event 16 together.

The girls are moved and seeded in lanes 1-3

DOLPHIN-COMBINE_HEATS1-C.png

The boys are moved and seeded in lanes 4-6.

DOLPHIN-COMBINE_HEATS2-C.png

There would be one race in the CTS Dolphin software that includes times for all the combined heats. You will need to import the same race data file from CTS Dolphin for each heat that was combined in Meet Maestro.

To do that, you will need to click to edit the Race Number field in the CTS Dolphin timing bar of Meet Maestro to match the race number of the file saved by the CTS Dolphin software. You'll end up with two different heats in Meet Maestro that both load the same Race Number from CTS Dolphin. 

Times from all lanes will be loaded into each of the combined heats -- you can clear those times in the empty lanes, but that's not required (they'll be ignored).

So in the example, Event 15 and Event 16 were Dolphin Meet #8, Race #2

We will pull in Race #2 to the girls’ Event #15 7-8 25 Free:

DOLPHIN-COMBINE_HEATS3-C.png

We see a message telling us we have loaded times for empty lanes 4,5,6 - this is correct because these are the times for the boys that swam in these lanes from Event 16. If you want to clear these extra times out, you can do so by clicking the CLEAR button, however, there is no need to do this - these times will be ignored.

Now we advance to Event 16, Boys 7-8 25 Free:

Note that the Race # automatically advances when we switch Events/Heat so we will need to edit this to Race #2 again to pull in Lanes 4-6 from that Race file.

DOLPHIN-COMBINE_HEATS4-C.png

DOLPHIN-COMBINE_HEATS5-C.png

DOLPHIN-COMBINE_HEATS6-C.png

We see a message telling us we have loaded times for empty lanes 1,2,3 - this is correct because these are the times for the girls who swam in these lanes from Event 15. Again, if you want to clear these extra times out, you can do so by clicking the CLEAR button, however, there is no need to do this - these times will be ignored.

 

Current Event/Heat Status Bar in Meet Maestro

As the meet progresses, the current event and heat will be displayed at the bottom left of the results entry screen. The SwimTopia Mobile App is kept in sync with the meet based on this information.

mceclip1.png

 

Troubleshooting Issues

Issue: Times are not loading - data directory mismatch

➧ Possible Cause #1: Your Meet Maestro and CTS Dolphin data directory do not match.

➧ Resolution: Update the directory location that does not match the correct location, and load times again.

Step 1: Open the CTS Dolphin settings from the timing system bar.

DOLPHIN-EDIT__MEET_NUMBER.png

Step 2: If this directory is incorrect, choose the correct one, or make the update in your CTS Dolphin Settings (see screenshots below).

TROUBLESHOOT-CHECK_DIRECTORY1.png

DOLPHIN_SETTINGS-DIRECTORY_ISSUE.png

Step 3: Click the Load Times button in Meet Maestro again.

DOLPHIN-LOAD_TIMES_BUTTON.png

 

Issue: Times are not loading - CTS Dolphin Restart

➧ Possible Cause: You restarted or reinstalled your CTS Dolphin software.

A new Meet # will be created each time you open your CTS Dolphin software. If you attempt to load times from events before this restart, those cannot load in the new Meet# since Meet Maestro is set to look for the original Meet #.

➧ Resolution: Change the meet in Meet Maestro back to the current meet (or the meet you were using prior to the restart), and then load the times for those events.

Step 1: Open the CTS Dolphin settings from the timing system bar. (also accessible from Maestro Settings > Timing Setup)

DOLPHIN-EDIT__MEET_NUMBER.png

Step 2: Click "Change meet"

DOLPHIN-SETTINGS-CHANGE_MEET.png

Step 3: Select the meet you were pulling times from prior to the restart.

This will override the default behavior, telling Meet Maestro to load from the previous Meet # instead of the current meet (which has no data). From that point on, you should be able to load data for your meet.

DOLPHIN-SETTINGS-CHANGE_MEET2.png

Step 4: Click the Load Times button in Meet Maestro again.

DOLPHIN-LOAD_TIMES_BUTTON.png

» Note: Data is loaded into Dolphin based on RACE NUMBER. So if you skip one or more races, you will need to update the race number on the heat you want to load, to also skip those same numbers. There should be 1 race per heat. However, if you have a false start, that can result in an additional race number (that you will need to skip). You edit the Race number by clicking it (which reveals a pencil icon).

DOLPHIN-EDIT_RACE_NUMBER.png

 

Issue: Times are loading in the wrong Race #

➧ Possible Cause: You updated the Race # after doing pre-meet testing, or due to a false start, but did not click OK before clicking on the Load Times button.

➧ Resolution: Update the Race #, click OK to save this change, and click Load Times again.

DOLPHIN-EDIT_RACE_NUMBER4.png

You can load the data for any Race # into any event and heat by overriding the race number in Meet Maestro. Once a race number is overridden, Meet Maestro will keep incrementing from that number going forward.

 

Issue: Times are incorrect when loaded in Meet Maestro

➧ Possible Cause: The CTS Dolphin system may need a "reboot" to load the correct times. 

➧ Resolution: Unplug the CTS Dolphin cable and plug it back in. Then click the Load Times button in Meet Maestro again. 

» Note: If you did not change from the "current meet" automatically selected when setting up the integration with Meet Maestro, then when you plug the cable back in this same meet will be referenced when you load the times again. If you changed to some other meet, you will need to update to that meet again and then load times. We suggest using the "current meet" selection already made for you to avoid this extra step when this happens.

DOLPHIN-BASE_UNIT.png

Meet Maestro:

DOLPHIN-LOAD_TIMES_BUTTON.png

If this does not resolve the issue, see the product support options below.

 

Issue: Event list in CTS Dolphin is not correct, or won't display etc.

➧ Possible Cause: You set up your CTS Dolphin software before Meet Maestro

Meet Maestro only writes the events file when the data directory is selected, and CTS Dolphin only looks for the events file when the data directory is selected. Thus, if you configure CTS Dolphin first, the events definition file won't be written yet. In general, it is best to set up Meet Maestro first, then CTS Dolphin.

➧ Resolution: Reselect the data directory in CTS Dolphin to re-establish the connection and load the event list.

CTS Dolphin does not 'monitor' the data directory for event changes, you have to re-select the data directory (change it to something else, then change it back) before it will pick up new events. Or you can go to Events > Load in CTS Dolphin and select the "event_settings_v01.csv" file directly.

 

Product Support

➧ Colorado Time Systems Support

If you have questions or issues specific to your CTS Dolphin system or setup, please reference their User Guide and FAQs, or contact their support line. 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.

➧ SwimTopia Support 

If you run into issues during your meet or while testing that seem related to the connection between the timing system and Meet Maestro (or you're not sure), contact SwimTopia Support for assistance. 

  • Submit a Support Ticket
  • Phone Support: Business Hours (M-F 9am-6pm CST): 877-856-2940 (Option 2)
  • Phone Support: After Hours (Meet Day Urgent Only): 877-856-2940 (Option 6)

Turn on Remote Troubleshooting: If we need to get our development team involved, this could provide clues to resolve the issue you are experiencing. Click on the help "?" icon; click on the "Troubleshoot" tab and Enable Remote Support. You'll see a "Session id" to provide in your support ticket or phone call.

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Comments

2 comments

Date Votes
  • Erica Reed

    How do you setup to use touch pads for timing?

    0
  • Tracy Nelson
    • Edited

    At this time, we're not set up for touch pads.  That's in our development queue and we hope to have it available for a future release.

    1

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