eFlag is not working

Unable to connect to the Alpha eFlag Controller

In the bottom left of the timing system you will see some status widgets. The one with the white Alpha logo shows the status of the Alpha eFlag controller. If you see ERR it shows that there is a connection error from the Timing PC to the eFlag controller. The eFlag can only be connected to one Timing Application at a time.

If the eFlag cannot connect to the Alpha eFlag controller, and there are no other Alpha Timing applications connected, this is likely to be a network issue, i.e. you're using an incorrect IP address. Check the IP address of the flag in the Timings Display settings as well as the network configuration and cables.

The eFlag is controlled by a series of connected devices (see images below). The Timing Computer is connected to the Alpha eFlag controller via a network connection, which could be directly with a network cable or via a local network router. This controller then connects to the sender box via a HDMI to DVI cable. The Sender box converts the video signal into a data signal that can then be sent to the eFlag via a Cat. 5 Network Cable.

All of the devices are powered individually by their own power cables. Make sure they are all connected, securely attached and powered on.

If all the cables are correct, then the last option is to reset the controller by clicking Tools (1), in the Timing Application, selecting the eFlag tab (2) and press the "Restart" button (3) to restart the eFlag controller.

eFlags connected via a Laptop's display output

If you are connecting to the eFlag via a Video Cable from the Timing laptop or second PC's display output make sure that you have correctly configured the display settings, TV Screen and Playlist settings. All of the devices are powered individually by their own power cables so make sure they are all connected, securely attached and powered on.

The Timing App's display settings (click the Gear icon, then Displays tab) for this connection type should have the eFlag set to Enabled and the model set to Standard. The IP address should be set to 127.0.0.1 when connecting directly to the timing PC. If the playlist is running from a second PC's display output, replace this with the IP address of the second PC. 

In the TV Module of the Timing check the TV settings and that the TV is using the correct Playlist (circled below). Check the IP address shown for the TV in the Timing matches that of the PC connected to the eFlag (it will be 127.0.0.1 if it is connected from the Timing PCs display output.) If not the, TV may not be configured correctly. Please see the guide on creating an eFlag TV's and Playlists. 

In the TV Module of the Timing check the Playlist settings are correct. The playlist should be set to play for "Any session status" with a time to show as "-1". The playlist type should be set to "Screen" and then in the screen dropdown the "eFlag" screen should be selected.

If modifying the playlist be sure to click Update item to change the settings and then press the Save button at the top of the screen to save the playlist. 

Check that your Window's display settings are correctly configured to Extend or Duplicate your display according to your set up. Please see Microsoft's Support Website for help with your version of Windows. 

Partial or missing display

If the eFlag controller status is set to green but you have only a partial display it could be that your display is set to the wrong size. There are two ways the Timing PC can be connected to the eFlag. 

Connections via an Alpha eFlag controller

If you're using an Alpha eFlag controller (see connection images above) click Tools (1), in the Timing Application, selecting the eFlag tab (2) and adjust the size as appropriate and press the "Install Update" button (4) to update the display.

Connections via a Video Cable from the Timing PC

If you're connecting to the display directly via a Video Cable (e.g. HDMI) from the Timing PC using the eFlag playlist then head to the TV Module (5) in the Timing Application and click the TVs tab (6) at the top of the page. Check the size settings for your display (7). We recommend these are left blank as the screens will usually set the size correctly. 

Also check the eFlag playlist settings too by going to the Playlists tab (6) and check the size settings for your eFlag (8) including whether it is a double width display (rectangular and not square). We recommend these are left blank as the screens will usually set the size correctly. 

If the eFlag is still not responding then it could be an issue with the video sender box or the flag display screen. Please contact your supplier of eFlag for assistance.