How do you get a BetaBrite to display "now playing" info ? I mean just the artist and song title like in the video posted by fordman in his tutorial .. Is that something that has to be done with the Song Fact Builder.exe ? I followed fordmans tutorial and cannot seem to get it working. I even tried checking the box for "display user information" and wrote a few words in there and it doesnt display that either. It just keeps running through its own attract mode. I downloaded betamsg.exe and i can get it to send messages to the unit , so i at least know i have the right com port selected. I'm running version 7.0.10.
Sorry this is one big clump of confusion. Lol. I just wasnt sure where to begin.
thanks
gfly3
Do you have the right port settings? I no longer have a working sign to test this stuff out but it is still working for others on here. It is probably the port settings that are causing you an issue.
I'm sorry Barcrest by port settings do you mean com port number ? The computer i'm using only has 1 com port and i selected com port 1 in the settings .Here is a picture of my settings... I can send info to the unit with Betamsg.exe on that port number. Do these settings look correct ? Should i try a differant com port number ? The BetaBrite I'm using has 8k of memory if that helps. Here are a couple of pics that i hope can help. Thank you for trying to help me sort this out . I will post some pics of my completed juke as soon as i get things sorted out.
Does the LED sign Path under attract mode have anything to do with this ?
(http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/2541/img5267f.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/508/img5267f.jpg/)
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(http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/8415/img4915i.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/695/img4915i.jpg/)
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Look correct to me you could try adding the check to the contacts box and the commit changes. or try and use a different setting in the drop down.
I'm sorry Barcrest , I don't see a contact checkbox , I will check all the boxes and give it another go . I will be at work for the next ten hours so I will post back after I try . In the mean time if you think of anything else please let me know .
Been in the pub can't think of anything else dude lol
Haha, I can't blame ya there dude ! if I wasn't working , that's where I'd be ! :beer
I have uninstalled,deleted the Etouch folder, and reinstalled and i still cannot get it to work. It just doesnt seem to be sending the information to the unit . Is there something else i could try ? Maybe a different version number that is known to work ? I hate to give up at this point, lol..
Quote from: gfly3 on August 24, 2011, 07:29:35 AM
I have uninstalled,deleted the Etouch folder, and reinstalled and i still cannot get it to work. It just doesnt seem to be sending the information to the unit . Is there something else i could try ? Maybe a different version number that is known to work ? I hate to give up at this point, lol..
That version does work, dragnit is working with it. Well he's using the current beta but it is based off that and he has never reported it stopping working.
I'm running v7.0.10 and I have no problem with my betabrite. I'm only throwing guesses out there but have you tried pushing the commit changes button in the options screen after you have everything set. Good luck!!
Thanks for the replys guys , I just cant get it to work .
What version of windows do you have?
I'm running Windows xp sp3, I just don't know why I'm having problems. Its like it is just not sending anything to the betabrite. I can send stuff right to it with betamsg.exe . I don't know what else to try ..
Do you have the latest version of the visual basic runtimes?
Have u tried choosing a different com port in setup for the sake of trying. Awhile back when I forgot which port I was using I thougt it didn't work. I use port 3...try all four, if it crashes simply cause its the wrong port and won't let you in freebox, don't panic, delete the betabrite1.ini and it will reset it to default when going back into freebox...you may only have one port but it might register as another..
Ah yes as dragnit said...
Open up control panel in windows and select SYSTEM
Then select the HARDWARE tab and launch DEVICE MANAGER.
Expand the part that says PORTS (COM & LPT)
Right click the COM port to and select PROPERTIES.
Then click on the PORT SETTINGS tab
Then click ADVANCED and check what com port it is set to there. You can also check your settings match the defaults in E-Touch.
NOTE:
My driver version is listed as 5.1.2600.0
Barcrest and draginit i checked those settings and it was set to com 1 in the device manager and my driver numbers matched yours . also im pretty sure i have visual basic 6 runtimes and here is a pic of the other settings
(http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/9440/img8109f.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/37/img8109f.jpg/)
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does the led sign path setting under attract options have anything to do with this ? and I tried all 4 ports in the dropdown and still cannot get it goin.. I would really like to thanks you guys for helping me , I just finished up my juke cab and this was a top secret feature i didnt tell anyone about ...
ill have to check my settings after work to confirm but i think i run mine at a different speed. dont give up,
and i hate to ask but have you made sure the cord is plugged in securely :P
draginit the cable is secure , i can send stuff to it with the betabrite software , that would be cool if changing the speed fixes it please let me know what your running .
I think the Betabrite software that came with it has the com port blocked for exclusive use for the betabrite software.
Try this:
Uninstall the software that came with the Betabrite. Use RevoUnistaller just to make sure it gets all the registry files removed.
Download the file below:
www.fordmanf150.com/utilities/betamsg.exe (http://www.fordmanf150.com/utilities/betamsg.exe) 35kb download
(http://www.fordmanf150.com/etouch/betamsg1.jpg)
Select what ever serial port from the menu
Then Reset Display.
If your betabrite does a reset, just like it came out of the box, then all should be good.
Now do a quick message:
(http://www.fordmanf150.com/etouch/betamsg2.jpg)
Type your message, mode, color:
(http://www.fordmanf150.com/etouch/betamsg3.jpg)
Then click Send Messages
All should work!
Do not reinstall the software that came with your betabrite as it is only allowing the betabrite to only communicate with it exclusively.
If it works, fire up E-Touch and you should see your song titles along with song facts or whatever you want to be displayed!
Hope this helps,
Fordman
Fordman I apologize in earlier post I said betabrite software when I meant betamsg.exe , I don't have the software that came with it . That is what I've been using to send messages to the unit ( the same program in your pictures ) .. I will download the one from your link and give it another try with your suggestion after I get home from work and post my results ..
ya, def try that software. bcuz when i got home and checked my settings i realized that im using a chinese bigboard... or whatever netcat was selling a few years ago ::) hence the different speed. ive had it for so long i just call it an LED and forgot its not the true betabrite lol so im at 2400,n,8,1 but your setting should def be correct for the betabrite..
Well Fordman as soon as i got home from work I followed your directions step by step,reset the betabrite, made a quick message and sent it to the unit.. Then I fired up E-touch and its still the same , not sending anything to the unit . The unit is still scrolliing the message I sent to it..I just dont understand why it wont work .. So now im drinking beers and enjoying some tunes which seems to be making me feel much better LOL .
Any other input or suggestions are welcomed and I would like to thank you all for all of your efforts in trying to help me get this thing sorted out, very much appreciated !
And here is a pic of the message i sent .
(http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/3143/img7509yi.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/233/img7509yi.jpg/)
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I used to have that model of monitor you have there, mine was badged up dell. Just thought I would share that with you.
Its obivious that the computer itself is communicating with the betabrite. So, maybe turn on/off/on the led sign tick box. save settings. Turn off E-Touch. Restart computer. Load Etouch and check to see if your setting is saved. If so, then play a song. Your song info should goto the betabrite. Unless, your mp3 tagging isnt correct. IS your mp3's tagged correct or are you just reading the mp3 file name to use for your song listing? I believe that the betabrite info is pulled from the mp3 - ID3 tag.
Just guessing,
Fordman
Quote from: Barcrest on August 26, 2011, 07:29:11 AM
I used to have that model of monitor you have there, mine was badged up dell. Just thought I would share that with you.
Yeah its an oldie but a goodie , keep it around just in case . lol
Quote from: fordman on August 26, 2011, 02:55:00 PM
Its obivious that the computer itself is communicating with the betabrite. So, maybe turn on/off/on the led sign tick box. save settings. Turn off E-Touch. Restart computer. Load Etouch and check to see if your setting is saved. If so, then play a song. Your song info should goto the betabrite. Unless, your mp3 tagging isnt correct. IS your mp3's tagged correct or are you just reading the mp3 file name to use for your song listing? I believe that the betabrite info is pulled from the mp3 - ID3 tag.
Just guessing,
Fordman
My mp3s are tagged correctly ,I even have the checkbox for use filename if no tag found unchecked and the files all display correctly .
This is an older betabrite , the date on the eprom says 1995 , maybe it just takes differant settings or etouch just cannot communicate with it . its just if that betamsg.exe can communicate with it im sure etouch can ,I just dont know what else to try . But thank you for your help and if ya think of anything else , please let me know
I am in the pub now but you might want to see what ocx vb uses for com communication and see if there is a newer version. also check your sign model supports the settings i have as default and that it supports.
Also may want to try and type something in the large whie box in the LED Settings, this should be the message shown when a song isn't playing. If that message shows, that might narrow down the issue of the track info not being sent. Also, in the past, each time I made a change to the LED settings, I saved, then closed E-Touch and re-opened it and it worked. Might want to try that.
Quote from: Barcrest on August 26, 2011, 08:02:45 PM
I am in the pub now but you might want to see what ocx vb uses for com communication and see if there is a newer version. also check your sign model supports the settings i have as default and that it supports.
Ok the sign is model number 1040-4402 EZII. Is the EZII the programming protocal ? And I dont know what the ocx vb is .. Lol I think I'm heading to the pub to take a break from all this !! Lol
Quote from: eist1 on August 26, 2011, 08:05:01 PM
Also may want to try and type something in the large whie box in the LED Settings, this should be the message shown when a song isn't playing. If that message shows, that might narrow down the issue of the track info not being sent. Also, in the past, each time I made a change to the LED settings, I saved, then closed E-Touch and re-opened it and it worked. Might want to try that.
Thanks eist1 but I have tried all that ..just doesnt want to cooperate . LOL
Well on my way now lol i will make you a test app if that don't work then it is a vb issue.
Thanks barcrest !!!
Is a vb issue something that is easily fixed ?
Quote from: Barcrest on August 26, 2011, 08:02:45 PM
I am in the pub now but you might want to see what ocx vb uses for com communication and see if there is a newer version. also check your sign model supports the settings i have as default and that it supports.
Barcrest , here is pic of the ocx files I found related to Etouch. I dont know how to tell which one is used for com communication. Is there a way for me to tell ?
(http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/5779/img7264zt.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/268/img7264zt.jpg/)
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Mscomm32 i would have thought but you are using the one supplied with etouch anyway so it can't be that.
Quote from: Barcrest on August 31, 2011, 07:57:59 AM
Mscomm32 i would have thought but you are using the one supplied with etouch anyway so it can't be that.
Well back to the drawing board , I was hoping that was gonna help get this problem goin in the right direction lol. Do you think the betabrite is to old ?
Quote from: gfly3 on August 31, 2011, 11:53:43 AM
Quote from: Barcrest on August 31, 2011, 07:57:59 AM
Mscomm32 i would have thought but you are using the one supplied with etouch anyway so it can't be that.
Well back to the drawing board , I was hoping that was gonna help get this problem goin in the right direction lol. Do you think the betabrite is to old ?
I wouldn't have thought it was that. Have you tried it using the big board setting in E-Touch instead of beta brite?
Quote from: Barcrest on August 31, 2011, 01:44:01 PM
Quote from: gfly3 on August 31, 2011, 11:53:43 AM
Quote from: Barcrest on August 31, 2011, 07:57:59 AM
Mscomm32 i would have thought but you are using the one supplied with etouch anyway so it can't be that.
Well back to the drawing board , I was hoping that was gonna help get this problem goin in the right direction lol. Do you think the betabrite is to old ?
I wouldn't have thought it was that. Have you tried it using the big board setting in E-Touch instead of beta brite?
Sadly enough yes ,I tried all the different ones in the dropdown ..even with the slower speed settings for the bigboard and still can't get it goin .
Well thanks to ebay I have a newer model betabrite coming to try out, because now i'm obsessed with getting it working .. hopefully it works because I think the wife is gonna kill me. lol.. I'll let ya know how it works out ..
Well the Betabrite that I have now was made in 2003 and works perfectly !! It seems the ones manufactured before 1998 don't work with Etouch, they also have a different programming manual than the ones manufactured after 1998. Might be something to keep in mind before buying one from ebay.. Thanks to everyone for trying to help me get this thing going !!!!
Heres a shot of it working .
(http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3032/workingo.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/339/workingo.jpg/)
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Cool, glad you are up and runing sorry i could not get the other one workoing