Overview of Venus 7000 Shell

The Venus 7000 Shell program is the first thing that appears when you open the Venus 7000 program.  It contains all the items in the program group and is the starting point for performing all tasks.  It consists of seven program items: Display, Edit, monitor, Schedule, Files, Remote and V-Link.  Any or all of the applications can be selected at one time using Windows NT multi-tasking

Edit

Opens the Sequence Designer program.  This program contains the tools to design and edit a sequence.

Display

Opens the Display program.  This program is used to send sequences or schedules to the sign to be displayed.  This also contains the Quick Display option.  The Display program actually runs the sign.

Monitor

Opens the monitor program.  This program allows you to view what is playing on your display.

Schedule

Opens the Schedule program.  This program allows you to program the days, dates and times that your sequences will run.  You can schedule up to 5,000 individual events in one schedule.

Files

Opens the files program.  This program is used to keep a database of files that were created in the Venus 7000 program.  It places the sequences and schedules in separate locations within the correct directory and sign size for your technology.

V-Link

Opens the V-Link program.  This program is used to display live video on your display.  It also allows the operator to easily switch back and forth between Venus sequences and live video.

Configure

Opens the configuration settings for the Venus 7000 program.

Diagnostics

Lets you control the sign service and also provides diagnostic readings which will help solve any problems that may occur with the operation of your sign.

About

Provides information about Daktronics and about the V7000 software.


Sign Service

This window shows whether the sign service (V7SS) drivers are running.  A Running service permits sequences to be displayed on the signs.  *If the service is not running, the displays will blank.  Select [STOP] to stop running the sign services.  Choose [RESTART] to temporarily blank the signs, then start the messages or schedules running again.

Sign Service Status ,  Start Sign Service ,  Stop Sign Service ,  Restart the sign service.


Diagnostics - Sign Service Status

Current status of the sign service.


Diagnostics - Start Sign Service

Pressing the start button will start the sign service if it is not already running.


Diagnostics - Stop Sign Service

Pressing the stop button will stop the sign service if it is running.


Diagnostics - Restart the sign service.

Pressing the restart button will stop the sign service if it is running, then start the sign service.


Add Service Dialog

The Add Service dialog allows you to add a new service to the program.  In the edit box, just type in the name of the new service that will be added and press OK.


Add Sign Dialog

The Add Sign dialog allows you to add a new sign type to the Venus 7000.  In the edit box, just type in the name of the new sign type that will be added and press OK.  After the OK is pressed, you will be given a dialog to configure the new sign.


Edit Temp Sensor Dialog

This property page allows you to add and configure the temperature sensor from which your display is receiving readings.  The temperature can be brought in from up to four different temperature sensors.

Device Driver ,  Temp Offset


Device Driver

Select the correct device driver from the droplist.


Temp Offset

Use the slider to adjust the temperature offset of the sensor.


Edit Drive Conversion Dialog

This property page converts Venus 6000 drive letters to Venus 7000 File Servers.


Edit Days of the Week Names

The names of the days of the week can be edited in this dialog.  These names will then be used for the days of the week for the selected language.  Abbreviations for the days of the week can also be edited.


Edit Month Names

The names of the months can be edited from this dialog. These month names will then be used for the selected language.  Abbreviations for the names of the months can also be edited.


Edit Driver Dialog

Drivers are circuit cards which send information to the matrix.  The Drivers property page allows you to set up the software to work with the drivers.  You can add a driver and the program suggests which slot number to assign to it.  Later, the slot number is matched with a sign number..


Edit RTD Dialog

Communication ports (or inputs) where Real Time Data information comes into your system can be configured with this dialog.  After the correct settings have been entered press OK.

Name ,  Source Type ,  Source ,  Protocol ,  Size ,  Baud Rate ,  Parity , Default Input Template ,


Name

Enter in the name of the input in the edit box.


Source Type

Select the correct type of source from the droplist.


Source

Select the correct source from the droplist which corresponds to the selected source type.


Protocol

Select the correct protocol from the droplist.


Size

Select the size of the RTD buffer by using the spin control or by typing in the correct size.


Baud Rate

Select the correct Baud Rate from the droplist if the source type is selected as [COM PORT]


Parity

Select the parity by clicking on either None, Even, or Odd if the source type is selected as [COM PORT]


Default Input Template

Select the Default Input Template from the droplist


Edit Sign Advanced Dialog

Advanced settings for the sign can be edited using this dialog.

Sign Number ,  RTD Input ,  Frame Buffer ,  Default Sequence ,  Enable Power Fail Recovery ,    Schedule ,  Sequence ,  Count/Frame


Sign Number

Select the sign number by using the spinner controls or by typing in the correct sign number.


RTD Input

Select the RTD input by using the spinner controls or by typing in the correct number.


Frame Buffer

Select the Frame Buffer size by using the spinner controls or by typing in the desired size.  The default is 500 frames


Default Sequence

Select a default sequence for the sign.


Enable Power Fail Recovery

Turn the power fail recovery on or off with this button.


Schedule

Select a power fail recovery schedule to be played.


Sequence

Select a power fail recovery sequence to be played.


Play Mode

Select the play mode for the power fail recovery sequence.


Count/Frame

Select the number of times sequence is to be played if play mode is #Times.

Select the Frame to be displayed if the play mode is Selected Frame.


Edit Sign Configuration Dialog

This dialog allows you to configure your sign type.

Rows ,  Columns ,  Color Technology ,  Pixel Technology ,  Device Driver ,  Row List ,  Epld File ,  Windows ,  Create Sign Folder ,  Advanced


Rows

Use the spinners to select the height of your sign in pixels.

With Rows box highlighted, type in the height of your sign in pixels.


Columns

Enter in the number of columns for your sign.


Color Technology

Select the color technology for your sign from the droplist.


Pixel Technology

Select the pixel technology for your sign from the droplist.


Device Driver

Select the correct Device Driver from the droplist.


Row List

If Device Driver is selected as the V6500, then this will Display the number of rows that each line receiver is controlling.


Epld File

Select the correct the correct Epld file from the droplist.


Windows

Click this button to configure windows for your sign.


Create Sign Folder

Click on this button to create a sign folder on your system for your sign.


Advanced

Click on this button to configure advanced settings for your sign.


Edit TXD Dialog

This property page allows you to set up and edit the communications port that will be used to send transmit data information.

Name ,  Source Type ,  Source ,  Protocol ,  Baud Rate ,  Parity


Name

Enter in the name in the edit box.


Source Type

Select the correct source type from the droplist.


Source

Select the correct source from the droplist.


Protocol

Select the correct protocol from the droplist.


Baud Rate

Select the correct Baud Rate from the droplist.


Parity

Select the correct parity by clicking on either None, Odd, or Even.


Edit Windows Dialog

A single sign may be split up (split screened) into as many as eight separate areas (or windows).  When windowed, each of these areas acts like an independent display. The Edit Windows dialog box allows you to configure windows for your sign.  You can position the window by entering in the desired row and column.

Windows ,  Window Sign


Windows

Displays the available windows for the sign.


Window Sign

Select which sign you wish to use as a window source.


Create Sign Folders Dialog

New sign folders can be created automatically on your system by using this dialog.

Selected Folder ,  Rows ,  Columns ,  Color Technology ,  Pixel Technology ,  Select Servers


Selected Folder

Displays the sign size and sign type that will be used in the name of the folder.


Rows

Displays the number of rows on the sign.


Columns

Displays the number of columns on the sign.


Color Technology

Displays the color technology of the sign.


Pixel Technology

Displays the pixel technology of the sign.


Select Servers

Select the server that you wish the sign folder to be created on.


Create Library Dialog

Type in the name of the new library to be created in the edit box.  After the correct name has been entered, press OK.