» Note: The timing configuration is per computer, not per session, per team, or per meet. For example, if you have a laptop set up to use a timing system it will try to use that timing system for any session. So it is possible to configure two different computers to input times in different ways.
Covered in this Article:
➧ Hardware and Software Requirements
Hardware and Software Requirements
Time Drops: Hardware and Software Requirements
Wi-Fi is an integral part of the Time Drops system, without it the system
cannot function.
Time Drops does not include a Wi-Fi router with the system, as each team’s situation and requirements are different. Due to security restrictions, any type of ‘public’ Wi-Fi will most likely not work for Time Drops. Their Quick Start Guide provides additional information on this topic, that we highly suggest you review - Time Drops Quick Start Guide
The following hardware is also required:
- Start adapter (or start button) *
- Timing controller (called the STC-1) *
- Time Drops lane timer buttons (up to 3 per lane) *
- An android tablet
- Time Drops Console App (free in Google Play store)
- A router
- A computer running Windows
- Time Drops MM-Link software (free in Windows store)
- Desktop version of Meet Maestro (free with SwimTopia subscription)
(* included with the Time Drops system purchase)
When a race is started, the start adapter sends a signal to the timing controller which starts the timer of the event/heat on tablet. When a swimmer touches the wall and a lane timer button is pressed, it sends a signal to the timing controller, which then sends the information to the tablet that the lane has finished and captures the swim time for that lane. Once all lanes are finished, the tablet stores this information. The computer operator can then pull the times into Meet Maestro.
Meet Maestro: Hardware and Software Requirements
- Microsoft Windows computer with Meet Maestro desktop application installed (more details below). If you have a Mac with software that runs Windows, our Windows app can be run on a Mac.
- 64-bit version of Windows 7 or newer is required to run the desktop application Installer.
- RAM: We suggest at least 4 GB RAM to ensure long reports etc display efficiently. Chromebooks usually only have 2 GB RAM, and cannot be used with CTS Dolphin. If you need to use a Chromebook make sure to increase the RAM.
- Internet connection to open Meet Maestro and download the meet data to the local computer. The amount of data transferred is small, thus teams have had success using a mobile hotspot tethered to the laptop running Meet Maestro when there are connection issues.
For additional technical information on our Performance Tuning, Concurrent Data Entry, Access to Reports and other Meet Maestro Settings, and Printing Tips ➞ See Meet Maestro - Technical Info: System, Internet, Concurrent Entry, Offline Support, Meet Access...
Time Drops Setup
If you have any questions on the Time Drops setup steps below, reference their Time Drops Quick Start Guide or contact Time Drops for assistance.
Installing and Running Time Drops Needs to Be Done in a specific order or the system will not work.
Router Setup
The first thing you need to do is get the router up and running to create the 2.4 GHz WiFi network that will run the system. The Tablet and STC-1 controller must be on the same WiFi network to talk to each other.
For example, one customer uses the GL.iNet SFT-1200 travel router and power it with the Anker Power Bank (20,000mAh) Portable Charger and 50 feet of a USB-C cable to connect our phone spot. This allows us to keep our phone with us at the data table and also place the router in a position with a clear view of the pool, tablet and STC-1 controller (use bungee cord to position on top of balcony railing).
Once the router is plugged in, find the router in your computer’s list of WiFi networks. It will be called GL-SFT1200-b4c and look on the bottom of the router to find the password (key) for the WiFi.
Now open an internet browser to set up the router. The first time you set up the router, it will ask you your preferred language and have you set a admin password. After that, you will log in with your admin password.
➧ Time Drops MM-Link Download
Meet Maestro Windows Desktop App Installation (Required)
Once you have purchased the Time Drops Timing System, Meet Maestro can integrate with this system via a downloadable Microsoft Windows Meet Maestro desktop application. Our desktop application enables tighter integration with Time Drops so that times can be detected and loaded automatically.
If you have previously installed Meet Maestro Desktop, please be sure to close any currently running version before installing a new version.
When the installer is running, you will see this screen below. The installation may take several minutes and will not show an installation progress bar. When the installation is complete, the app will launch automatically.
Once installed, log in with your SwimTopia credentials. You should be able to navigate to any of your meets that have been Merged under Merge/Export in your SwimTopia team management interface. You will only see meets that have been Merged in this interface.
For specific details on general system requirements to run Meet Maestro using a timing system ➞ See our Meet Maestro - Windows Desktop Application Installer & Details article.
» Note: If you have a Mac with software that runs Windows, our Windows app can be run on a Mac.
After you have selected the Time Drops option from the Meet Maestro Timing Setup screen and downloaded the Time Drops MM-Link (above), follow the steps below to complete your setup:
Step 1 ➧ Select the Correct Directory
Maestro should default to the same directory as your timing system. If it does not or you have not opened the Time Drops MM-Link yet, you will see the following error and will need to use the CHANGE DIRECTORY button to resolve the issue. (There is a copy icon if you want to copy the directory location to your clipboard)
Step 2 ➧ Write the Timing System Configuration File
You can change the directory to any folder on the computer (e.g. C:\TimeDrops), but it needs to match the folder you selected for MM-Link (assumes you already installed MM-Link).
Then click 'Write Configuration File.' The program will be sent to the console which will generate a new meet number (if this is a new meet).
This timing system writes a ‘meet_details.json’ file which the timing system will use to configure event descriptions, number of heats, entries, etc.
Step 3 ➧ Set the Session Number
For each new session, Time Drops will generate a new session. This number is shown on the tablet and MM-Link. The same session number needs to be selected so Meet Maestro can load the correct results.
(This is a very important step, that causes unnecessary meet-day issues if forgotten...so don't forget)
Click on CHANGE SESSION NUMBER
Then CHECK FOR RESULTS or CHECK FOR NEW FILES and select the matching data set.
Step 4 ➧ Select the Expected Number of Times per Lane
Available options are 1, 2, 3.
Step 5 ➧ SwimTopia Mobile App Settings - Enable Live Event/Heat Bar
This setting references the ability for Time Drops 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 timing system bar on the data entry screen (setting gear)
» Note: The SwimTopia Mobile Live Event/Heat Bar keeps your athletes and parents up-to-date on what’s happening in the pool in real-time. And when using a timing system, updates happen automatically! ➞ See Enabling the SwimTopia Live Event/Heat Bar to learn more.
Step 6 ➧ Click SAVE
You may have to scroll down the page to see the save button. You can close the Maestro Settings screen at this point.
Testing Before the Meet Starts
To support running tests prior to the start of the meet, but prevent premature delivery of upcoming swim reminders and live result notifications to Pro users of the SwimTopia mobile app, an early start warning will display to confirm whether or not you intend to start the meet early.
➧ This warning will only display if two conditions are met:
- The "Publish current event & heat to SwimTopia Mobile App" setting is checked (Step #5 above)
- 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.
Editing Time Drops Settings
All of the settings configured during setup can be changed by pressing the gear icon in the timing system bar. You do not need to go back to the main Timing Setup screen under the meet settings.
» Note: If there are any changes made to the meet, such as adding or deleting heats or changing swimmer assignments, you can update the program in the Time Drops system by clicking 'Write configuration file'
Time Drops References
➧ Meet Maestro and Time Drops - Quick Setup and Run Video (5.16min):
➧ Time Drops Website: https://time-drops.com/
➧ Time Drops General Overview: https://youtu.be/O_VuwbtgSNA
➧ Time Drops User Manual: https://time-drops.com/user-manual.pdf
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Where do I find the instructions to use the system?
We have some great documentation to help you use the system:
The User manual can be found here
For the initial setup it is recommended to start with our quickstart guide
We also have a YouTube channelwith how-to videos
Lastly, there is a handy Meet checklistwith helpful hints
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