Custom Interfaces

[admin]

We can write custom code to interface to just about any data stream. We can modify the menus, create custom commands, and more. Data overlay is available.

Example being the Australian V8Supercars. We created custom firmware to match their requirements. Cars display rpms, gear, speed, steering angle and a bit more, right on the video. Recorders are controlled by a custom ECU from the cars.

[P-O Håkansson]

Hi

I've just ordered a PDR100 starter kit and now I'm just longing for it to arrive :D I already own a Racelogic DriftBox GPS logger which can output data using RS-232.

Is there any support in the PDR100 for a DriftBox? I just read briefly about the Traqmate support, is that enabled per default in a PDR100 or would you have to pay extra to get that feature?

Thanks,
P-O Håkansson
Sweden

[Mark]

Along those lines, I've used a cheap, hackable video overlay system to provide an overlay of GPS data to the signal going into the PDR. Now I've got a microcontroller that I could conceivably connect to the PDR for other control.

Would ChaseCam be willing to document basic commands that the PDR will recognize over the interface port? (my guess is "no" since you pulled the post where you documented the whole interface connector pinout- without the electrical interface spec, the data interface isn't going to help much. But please, let me make my arguement...)

Yes, I realize that there are probably proprietary commands that are used by your partners which they do not want documented, but I would hope you had a basic set of commands (i.e. off, start, stop, possibly write to screen, and maybe file control) so that anyone with a decent microcontroller could control the PDR to some extent.

Think of it this way- why should you worry about writing a custom interface for every data acquisition controller? If you set the standard and documented what the PDR recognized, when people ask their vendor for PDR support, the vendor wouldn't have to call and have you integrate support for their box's (possibly not yet defined) command set, rather all they would need to do is download the interface spec and build PDR support into their firmware.

And that way, they would have to buy at least one of your PDRs for testing :)

Okay, maybe that's how you do it now, only you release the interface spec under NDA. But it would be nice for others (like me) to also be able to have some level of access.

[RandyChase]

There are some issues. We have more support to deal with when users try plugging in anything they own. On the other hand, we want to enable the recorder to function with a variety of data devices. Best I can say for now, is to contact us with any specific requests.