Athletics.app - Frequently Asked Questions - Recent questions and answers in Photofinish integration

Answered: Entering relay bib numbers at the photo finish

Fri, 27 May 2022 12:26:18 +0000

The relay team has a fictitious bib number in Athletics.app if it concerns a competition in which individual events are also held.

Entering the bib number of the last athlete does not work as a result. In finishlynx, you must select the already entered team and enter the time.

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Answered: Connect multiple Photofinish systems to Athletics.app

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 11:07:10 +0000

The Athletics.app app supports multiple MacFinish instances at the same time.

Make sure you set the IP address correctly in both the Athletics.app app and in both MacFinish instances.

In the Athletics.app app, change the IP address to the IP address of the computer running Athletics.app. If you leave this on the default setting (127.0.0.1), Athletics.app can only be accessed from the local computer. In both MacFinish instances, you then set the IP address to be the same as the one you entered in the Athletics.app app. That way, all MacFinish instances on the same network can connect to the Athletics.app app.

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Answered: How do I set up an online live scoreboard for MacFinish?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 15:48:27 +0000

Since version 0.7.6 of the desktop app / sync tool, it is possible to have the time of a running event tracked online at Athletics.app and as soon as you 'read' the photo, the time per athlete appears online.

Curious to see what that looks like? Watch a short demo here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=603556467142503

You must set the following in MacFinish:

First go through the basic settings for the automatic synchronisation between MacFinish and Athletics.app: https://www.athletics.app/faq/?qa=1137/hoe-werkt-de-automatische-koppeling-met-macfinish
In the Athletics.app Desktop App, select the correct active camera. You do not need any additional settings for MacFinish, the online real-time scoreboard works automatically. The only conditions are that MacFinish and the Athletics.app desktop app are running on the same computer.
You are all set. As soon as the starting gun goes off, the time will be displayed on Athletics.app and as soon as you read the photo, the provisional times will appear on Athletics.app.

TIP: Before the starting gun is fired, press F4 in MacFinish to indicate which heat is starting. This ensures that the online scoreboard shows the correct heat. PLEASE NOTE: Do you also work with physical scoreboards at the competition, which show the running time or the results of athletes in combination with the TimeTronics LED Scoreboard Manager? Then you will need a different setup:

Use 2 laptops.

On Laptop 1, run MacFinish and the TimeTronics Scoreboard Manager.

On Laptop 2, run the Athletics.app Desktop app.

Both computers must be connected to the same network.

Check the IP address of Laptop 2. Enter this IP address in the Athletics.app Desktop App and in MacFinish on Laptop 1. So never use the IP address 127.0.0.1 here!

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Answered: How do I set up an online live scoreboard for FinishLynx?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 14:41:42 +0000

Since version 0.7.6 of the desktop app / sync tool, it is possible to have the time of a running event tracked online on Athletics.app, and as soon as you 'read' the photo, the time per athlete appears online immediately.

Curious to see how it looks? Watch a short demo here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=603556467142503

You must set the following in FinishLynx:

First go through the basic settings for the automatic synchronisation between FinishLynx and Athletics.app: https://www.athletics.app/faq/?qa=206/hoe-werkt-de-automatische-koppeling-met-finishlynx
You need the "Network COM Port" plugin for FinishLynx and an associated license key. This license can be requested from FinishLynx itself. You do not need an additional license for Athletics.app to use the online scoreboard.
Copy the new scoreboard script "atletieknu.lss" to the FinishLynx installation directory, which is usually C:/Lynx. You can find the new scoreboard script by clicking the "Go to scoreboard script" button in the Athletics.app Desktop App.
After you have copied "athleticsnu.lss" have copied, make sure you restart FinishLynx, otherwise FinishLynx will not recognize the new scoreboard script.
In FinishLynx, go to the scoreboard settings:
Create a total of 2 new scoreboards. 1 for the results, 1 for the clock.
The first scoreboard is for the results. Click on "New", select the scoreboard script "Atletieknu.lss" and set the name to "Athletics.app-Results".

Code set: Single byte
Serial Port: Network (UDP) Port: 55556 IP Address: 127.0.0.1 (or another IP address if you are running the synctool on a computer other than FinishLynx) Running Time: Off Results: Auto
Paging: Yes
Size: 24.
Max: 24.
Then set up the second scoreboard to send the running time:

Note that a number of settings are different here:
Port: 55557
Running Time: Normal
Results: Off
Then click OK.
Restart FinishLynx. Both new scoreboards will only start working after you restart FinishLynx.
You are all set. As soon as the starting gun goes off, the time will be displayed on Athletics.app and as soon as you read the photo, the provisional times will immediately appear on Athletics.app.

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Answered: Working via a hotspot / data limit / slow internet connection

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 12:26:27 +0000

Athletics.app uses very little data, on average you will use about 20-50MB in a day.

We recommend that you use a fast and stable internet connection that is NOT shared with others. Many clubs make WiFi available to visitors/athletes, in some cases neatly via a 2nd WiFi network. Ask whether that public WiFi network actually has a separate connection to the internet provider or whether everything is ultimately connected via one line to the internet provider. In the latter case, on busy competition days with many visitors/athletes, you will notice that both WiFi networks become slow because everything goes to the provider via one line and it becomes overloaded.

If you don't have a fixed internet connection, you can create a hotspot via your phone or use a MiFi box.

How do you ensure that you use as little data as possible? Windows 10 is known for its sneaky updates, which are difficult to turn off. However, there is a fairly simple trick to ensure that your computer uses as little data as possible. Click on the icon for your internet connection (amount or Wi-Fi) in the bottom right-hand corner of the taskbar. Then click on the active internet connection. Check "Set as connection with data limit": ON. ON

Click on "Set up a data limit to limit data usage on this network"Under 'Background data', check --> "Limit what Microsoft Store apps and Windows events are allowed to do in the background": "ALWAYS" on

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Answered: ET and Athletics Champs - multiple attempts for running events

Mon, 03 Sep 2018 09:18:26 +0000

If you are using electronic timing and want to synchronize/upload it to Athletics.app, Athletics.app will always assume that this is the result for "attempt 1".

This means you cannot upload multiple attempts from the ET.

For Athletics Champs you also have to take the heat format into account: Athletics Champs does not have a pre-determined heat format. Each team occupies one lane and sends their athletes out from there. One team has eight athletes, the other team has 11. After eight heats, the first team is already ready for their second attempt, while the other team still has three athletes who are doing their first attempt. So you have constantly changing heats.

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Answered: How do I create a PPL file for the EDM?

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 11:59:28 +0000

Since the beginning of this year, you can link an EDM to the Jury App. More information can be found here: https://www.athletics.app/faq/?qa=1108/hoe-sluit-ik-een-edm-systeem-aan-op-de-jury-app&show=1108#q1108

This works best for all EDMs that support a (virtual) serial port.

If you still want to work with .PPL files, you can download them via the drop-down menu on the right --> "Print Startlists" --> "Timekeeping" --> "Use the Manual synchronisation" --> "Lynx.ppl"

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Answered: Why not a relay event in Finishlynx?

Sun, 15 Apr 2018 11:42:57 +0000

There is the same problem at Timetronics. This is caused by relays being treated differently than the other events. This also means you cannot see the heat assignments in advance.

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Answered: How does the automatic synchronisation with MacFinish work?

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 09:08:23 +0000

Requirements

Internet is required for the Photofinish computer
The Athletics.app Desktop App - download here
MeetManager plugin/license for MacFinish

Check the MeetManager license in MacFinish

Open MacFinish.
Go to: File > Preferences > Registration Key.

Make sure 'MeetManager' is enabled if it is disabled, contact TimeTronics to request the correct license key. Please note: you may first need to connect your camera in order to be able to check if you have the correct licenses.

How does it work?

Ask the competition secretary for the synchronization code. They can request this via the right-hand drop-down menu --> "Print Startlists" --> "Sync tool".

If you would like to test it now, use the code: 13282-RVEQSL
This is a test competition. You can request the heat schedules and save results. You can then find the results here.
In the Athletics.app desktop app:
a) Click on "Settings" under "Electronic Timing sync" on the left.
b) Select "Internet" connection
c) Select "MacFinish" as the Photofinish brand.
d) Set the folder where the heat schedules can be saved (preferably a new empty folder!) (location startlists)
e) Also set the "results location" there (preferably also a new empty folder). This is the folder where all results are saved (.LIF files).
f) Enter the code you received in step 1 of the competition organization under "Athletics.app synchronization code" (so NOT the code in the example, which is only for testing!)
Set up MacFinish by connecting to the Athletics.app desktop app (MacFinish Server).
a) Click on "File" in the upper left-hand corner --> "Preferences.."

b) Go to the "Measurement Manager" tab.
c) Select "Hytek compatible".
d) Under "Precision", select: "1/1000".
e) Select "Automatic" under "Import Mode"

f) Go to the "Port Manager" tab.
g) For "MeetManager Port", choose "TCP/IP": 127.0.0.1 55555
Start your competition by loading the Startlist. You can do this by clicking on "Document" at the top of the screen and then on "Import...".
TIP: If you have purchased the correct license key from TimeTronics, it is better to work with F4 before the starting gun goes off. You can then load the heats before the starting gun goes off and start timing immediately after the finish, allowing you to work faster.

By clicking on "Link", the complete time schedule will be reloaded.
After taking the time, save the photo and also click on Export.
Check in the Athletics.app Desktop App whether the synchronization is working properly by clicking on "Status" in the left menu under "Electronic timing sync".
You will see the following in this overview:
A) A button indicating how many minutes it will take to check for new heat divisions. Click on it to check immediately. B) The competition you are logged in for (based on the synchronization code). C) The status of the connection with Athletics.app. D) All notifications about results sent to Athletics.app and errors. TIP: Click on a results file to see exactly what was sent to Athletics.app and what Athletics.app replied. This is useful if you have accidentally overwritten results and want to retrieve history or check something.
Tip: in the taskbar you will see an icon for Athletics.app. As soon as the app synchronizes, you will see a blue circle. If everything is working properly, you will only see the icon. If there is an error, you will see a red circle. If you click on the icon, you will see a small menu, allowing you to quickly check how the synchronization is going. This way, you don't have to leave your photo finish software.

Waiting for the SyncTool to work..
As an Photofinish operator, you probably want to try out the SyncTool in advance. You can only do this on the day of the competition itself. The SyncTool will not work before then and you will receive a message saying that the competition has not yet started.
You may also receive a message saying that the organization is still setting up the competition. The SyncTool will not work until they have moved on to Phase 2 in Athletics.app, the SyncTool will work. Do not bother the organization with this, they will go to Phase 2 when they are ready, do not put pressure on them to do this earlier.

Additional instruction for the Photofinish - How the sync tool works
You can see in the menu of the sync tool whether the sync tool is still properly synchronized. Every 5 minutes, the most recent heat format is downloaded from Athletics.app. And within 10 seconds of timing, the results are uploaded to Athletics.app.
If you re-time the photo in MacFinish, the results are automatically re-sent.
Want to be sure you have the latest heat formats? Then you can also click on 'Synchronize now'.
The SyncTool uses approximately 1MB of data traffic per hour.

Additional instruction for the Photofinish - Check during the competition
Make sure you receive a copy of the paper Startlists. Always check that the version number on paper is the same as the version number in MacFinish.
You can find the version number on the paper Startlist in the bottom right-hand corner, after the plus sign. For example, 32502+2. This is version 2.

Possible obstacles in MacFinish
If you change the IP address so that you can run the sync tool on a different computer than the Photofinish camera, we have received reports that MacFinish has trouble with long IP addresses combined with a long port number. For example: 192.168.101.101:55555 seems to cause problems in some cases. In this case, you can either make sure the IP address is shorter, but it is usually easier to choose a different port number, for example: 4444 or 333 (depending on which port number is available, of course).

Answered: How does the automatic synchronisation with FinishLynx work?

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 16:55:38 +0000

Requirements

Internet is required for the Photofinish computer
The Athletics.app Desktop App - download here

How does it work?

Ask the competition secretary for the synchronization code. They can request this via the right-hand drop-down menu --> "Print Startlists" --> "Sync tool".

If you would like to test it now, use the code: 13282-RVEQSL
This is a test competition. You can request the heat schedules and save the results. You can then find the results here.
In the Athletics.app desktop app:
a) Click on "Settings" under "Electronic Timing sync" on the left.
b) Select "Internet" connection
c) Select "FinishLynx" as the Photofinish brand.
d) Set the folder where the heat schedules can be saved (preferably a new empty folder!) (location startlists)
e) Also set the "results location" there (preferably also a new empty folder). This is the folder where all results are saved (.LIF files).
f) Enter the code you received in step 1 of the competition organization under "Athletics.app synchronization code" (so NOT the code in the example, which is only for testing!)
In Finishlynx:
Make sure the "input directory" points to the same place as the "startlists location" in the step above. Make sure the "output directory" points to the same place as the "results location" in the step above.
Start your competition by loading the startlist, you can do this by using these 3 buttons in finishlynx
Check in the Athletics.app Desktop App whether the synchronization is working properly by clicking on "Status" under "Electronic timing sync" in the left menu. You will see the following in this overview: A) A button indicating how many minutes are left to check for new heat divisions. Click on it to check immediately. B) The competition you are logged in for (based on the synchronization code)
C) The status of the connection with Athletics.app
D) All notifications about results sent to Athletics.app and errors. TIP: Click on a results file to see exactly what was sent to Athletics.app and what Athletics.app replied. This is useful if you have accidentally overwritten results and want to retrieve history or check something.
Tip: in the taskbar you will see an icon for Athletics.app. As soon as the app synchronizes, you will see a blue circle. If everything is working properly, you will only see the icon. If there is an error, you will see a red circle. If you click on the icon, you will see a small menu, allowing you to quickly check how the synchronization is going. This way, you don't have to leave your photo finish software.

Waiting for the SyncTool to work..
As a Photofinish operator, you probably want to try out the SyncTool in advance. You can only do this on the day of the competition itself. The SyncTool will not work before then and you will receive a message saying that the competition has not yet started.
You may also receive a message saying that the organization is still setting up the competition. The SyncTool will not work until they have moved on to Phase 2 in Athletics.app, the SyncTool will work. Do not bother the organization with this, they will go to Phase 2 when they are ready, do not put pressure on them to do this earlier.

Additional instruction for the Photofinish - How the sync tool works
You can see in the menu of the sync tool whether the sync tool is still properly synchronized. Every 5 minutes, the most recent heat division is downloaded from Athletics.app. And within 10 seconds of timing, the results are uploaded to Athletics.app.
If you re-time the photo in FinishLynx, the results are automatically re-sent.
Want to be sure you have the latest heat divisions? Then you can also click on 'Synchronize now'.
The SyncTool uses approximately 1MB of data traffic per hour.

Additional instruction for the Photofinish - Check during the competition
Make sure you receive a copy of the paper Startlists. Always check whether the version number on paper is the same as the version number in FinishLynx.
You can find the version number in FinishLynx in the "event name".
You can find the version number on the paper startlist at the bottom right behind the plus sign. E.g. 32502+2. Is version 2.

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Answered: MacFinish link for late registrations

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 13:32:31 +0000

This problem has now been solved. We have created a completely new link with MacFinish, which means that late registrations during the competition no longer pose any problems.
See also:
Manual synchronisation with MacFinish
Automatic synchronisation with MacFinish

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Answered: How does the manual synchronisation with MacFinish work?

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 13:12:12 +0000

Requirements

1 USB stick
No internet is needed for the Photofinish computer
The Athletics.app Desktop App - download here

Ask the competition secretary for the Startlists. They can download these via the right-hand drop-down menu --> "Print Startlists" --> "Timekeeping" --> "Then use the Manual synchronisation"

Save these 3 files. Do not open them, only the Athletics.app Desktop App can open the files properly. Make sure the file name remains the same: lynx.evt, lynx.sch, lynx.ppl (so NOT "lynx (2).evt", or similar).
Place the 3 files on the computer where the Athletics.app Desktop App is running.
In the Athletics.app desktop app:
a) Click on "Settings" under "Electronic Timing sync" on the left.
b) Select "Offline" connection
c) Select "MacFinish" as the Photofinish brand.
d) Set the folder where these 3 files are saved (preferably a new empty folder!) (startlists location)
e) Also set the "results location" there (preferably also a new empty folder). That is the folder where all results are saved (.LIF files).
Set up MacFinish by connecting to the Athletics.app desktop app (MacFinish Server).
a) Click on "File" in the top left corner --> "Preferences.."

b) Go to the "Meet Manager" tab.
c) Select "Hytek compatible".
d) For "Precision", select: "1/1000".
e) Select "Automatic" under "Import Mode"

f) Go to the "Port Manager" tab.
g) For "MeetManager Port", choose "TCP/IP": 127.0.0.1 55555
Start your competition by loading the startlist. You can do this by clicking on "Document" at the top of the page and then on "Import...".

By clicking on "Link", the complete time schedule will be reloaded.
After taking the time measurement, save the photo and also click on Export.
Check whether a .LIF file has now been created in the same directory as you set in step 3.e. This .LIF file contains the results. You can open it with Notepad/Notepad to check it.
Once you have completed one or more heats, you can put the .LIF files on a USB stick and take it to the competition secretary. They can upload these as follows:

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Answered: How does the manual synchronisation with FinishLynx work?

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 15:41:07 +0000

Requirements

1 USB stick
No internet is needed for the Photofinish computer

Ask the competition secretariat for the Startlists for Finishlynx. They can download these via the right drop-down menu --> "Print Startlists" --> "Timekeeping" --> "Then use the Manual synchronisation".
Save these 3 files. Do not open them, only finishlynx can open the files properly. Make sure the file name remains the same: lynx.evt, lynx.sch, lynx.ppl (so NOT "lynx (2).evt", or similar).
Place the 3 files on the computer where Finishlynx is running.
In Finishlynx, set the folder where these 3 files are saved (preferably a new empty folder!)

Make sure the "input directory" points to the location where you saved the 3 ..sch, .ppl files, if necessary.
Also set the "output directory" there (preferably also a new empty folder). This is the folder where FinishLynx saves all results (.LIF files).
Start your competition by loading the Startlist. You can do this by using these 3 buttons in FinishLynx
Once you have completed one or more heats, you can put the .LIF files on a USB stick and bring it to the competition secretariat. They can upload these as follows:

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Answered: Relays are missing from .par/.lif files

Thu, 02 Jun 2016 09:30:13 +0000

Relays do not yet interface with the Photofinish systems. Therefore, these are not in the .par and .lif files.

However, it is on the planning to improve this.

You can read more about it here: https://www.athletics.app/faq/?qa=242/estafettes-ontbreken-in-de-startgroepen&show=242#q242

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Answered: In what ways can I link MacFinish with Athletics.app?

Fri, 01 Apr 2016 09:19:41 +0000

Manual pairing (via USB sticks)

Read how the manual pairing works and what you need here: https://www.athletics.app/faq/?qa=212/hoe-werkt-de-handmatige-koppeling-met-macfinish

Automatic pairing (with internet on Photofinish laptop)

Read how the automatic pairing works and what you need here: https://www.athletics.app/faq/?qa=1137/hoe-werkt-de-automatische-koppeling-met-macfinish

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Answered: In what ways can I link FinishLynx with Athletics.app?

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 08:24:05 +0000

There are 2 ways to pair FinishLynx with Athletics.app:

Manual pairing (via USB flash drives)

Read here how the manual pairing works and what you need: https://www.athletics.app/faq/?qa=205/hoe-werkt-de-handmatige-koppeling-met-finishlynx

Automatic pairing (with internet on Photofinish laptop)

Read here how the automatic pairing works and what you need: https://www.athletics.app/faq/?qa=206/hoe-werkt-de-automatische-koppeling-met-finishlynx

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