744 Forum

PSXonMCP2 interfaces the VRinsight MCP2 Boeing type with Aerowinx PSX.
Changing the speed of your 747 or dialing in the minimums has never been as easy as before (at least if you haven't used a HW MCP with PSX  :P ). You also get the read-outs you'd expect from your faithful metal bird.

It is only available for Windows machines that support .NET Framework 4.5, that means Vista SP2 and up. All functions are hard-coded and not user-configurable.

I thank the following people:
Hardy for making the best simulator ever. It is simply amazing and inspired me to do some programming of my own again.
Michael (mikeindevon) for his XView plugin. Although some want to fly without eye candy, I like it too much.
Carl (cavaricooper) for being my Alpha tester and giving me the idea of using the User buttons of the MCP2 for EICAS pages.

And everyone else on the forum, this community is really helpful and a treasure trove of aviation related knowledge.

You can get the current release here: Current Release (http://www.mcdu.net/psxonmcp2/PSXonMCP2-current.zip)
Included is a short manual that explains the configuration and usage of the MCP2.

Use 7-Zip to unpack!

Update History

v 0.13
Values for Speed, Heading, Altitude and Vertical Speed now show above the respective knobs as far as the LCD display allows that.

Have fun,
Bernd

Hi Bernd!

Wow!   :-D

That sounds wonderful. I wish I could take advantage of it, but sadly I was an "early adopter" so I bought version 1 of the VRinsight MCP combo.

I believe that the display capacity is the only significant difference between v1 and v2: is there any hope at all that you might be able to help those of us with the previous version?

Whichever way it goes, though, congratulations on your excellent work with the v2 version of the hardware!   :-)

Cheers,

Brian

Thanks Brian!

As I had to reverse engineer the serial communication protocol for the MCP2 I'm not sure if the MCP1 is the same.

I uploaded a quick hack - disabled the check for version 2 & the main display. Configure like the released version. No guarantees though and I don't have the time or the hardware to debug this if it doesn't work. Sorry.

Cheers,
Bernd

Edit: Link removed as it doesn't work for the MCPv1

Hi Bernd,

is your add-on still in test mode? Do you want me to put it on the Add-ons page? If so, what name should I enter? Full name or just Bernd, Berndo ...? :-)


Thanks!

|-|ardy

Hi Bernd!

I get the "Connected to PSX server!" message, but unfortunately none of the controls seem to have any effect (other than the fact that rotating the SPD or HDG or ALT knobs changes the main Combo display, although the display doesn't reflect the current PSX values, and nothing changes within PSX). Also — when I operate the controls, the Rx LED flashes, but not the Tx.    :'(

Many thanks indeed for trying, and for your sterling efforts.

Cheers,

Brian

Hi Bernd,

Many thanks for doing this, i have been waiting for it, so thanks for your hard work. I am unable to open the zip file, tried a few times. Can anyone else open it?

Cheers

Neil

Quote from: nawarrenCan anyone else open it?

Neil,

working fine here. I used 7-zip to open it.

@Hardy

It is out of testing, thanks to Carl. If you'd put it on the Add-ons page that would be awesome and "Bernd" suffices.

@Brian

As you wrote: "It was worth a try." Thanks for understanding.

@Neil

I created the zip with 7-Zip as FBO guessed. Checked to download and tested the zip, it is a-ok. So please use 7-Zip to unpack it.


Cheers,
Bernd

Hi Bernd, FBO,

Must have been finger trouble :)

Working fine now. Many thanks. Awesome work.

Thank You

Cheers

Neil

Glad you got it sorted out and that you like it!  :D

Version 0.13 uploaded, see first post.


Bernd

Hey Berndo,

Excellent add on for my mcp2 thought i was going have to splash out on a 747 mcp

Brilliant keep up the good work

Thanks kev32b!

Hi Bernd,

I have an error in the zip Archiv. I can`t unpack the zip

Regards Ronny

Quote from: RonnyTHi Bernd,

I have an error in the zip Archiv. I can`t unpack the zip

Regards Ronny

Ronny - just checked. The file has no errors. Please try downloading again and as already mentioned, use 7-Zip to unpack.

Cheers,
Bernd

I do not have the MCP V2 hardware but I am seriously considering buying the MCP V2 hardware just to run with the software from Berndo.

I would be eager to find out others experience using the MCP 2 Hardware and software combination before my investment.

For example how much functionality remains and how usable is the combination.

I still have and use to use the VRinsight MCP Panel with FSX so have an idea of the solid construction of VRinsight kit.

my email is softcisco-fly at yahoo.co.uk

Thanks in advance.

Graham.

Graham:

As an early adopter of this bit of kit, I am very pleased with it.  The EFIS is completely controllable as is the MCP.  All EICAS pages are selectable, Cancel & Recall works, and the Radio portion tunes the RCP....I use it every time I fly PSX on my PCs and couldn't imagine not having it.  Indispensable for me.  Your needs/mileage may vary.

Best- Carl

Thanks Carl for your feedback.

The Euro Pound rate at the moment makes it an attractive buy.

I just need to sneak the purchase past the accountant ;-), and sell my current solution, MFD Cougar Panels.

All the best.

Graham.

Thanks for your interest Graham and to Carl for an enthusiastic response! :)

Just a heads up: During the last weeks several of the encoders on my panel started spiking (e.g. turning the ND range knob one click produced several commands).

The problem should be solved with better quality encoders on newer builds by vrInsight according to an Avsim forum thread.

So I'm starting the RMA process to exchange my MCP for a new one. /crosses fingers

Bernd

Bernd-

How old is your unit? Mine is about 1 year old... And no spiking at this time (fingers x'ed).
Lmk if you make any progress please!

Best- C

Carl,

I bought mine nearly 2 years ago, no idea what the production date is though.

Link: http://forum.avsim.net/topic/379156-vrinsight-mcp-combo-knobs-sloppy/

Will report back once I know if I can get the unit exchanged.

Cheers,
Bernd

Got my replacement MCP2, completely NIB.

This new unit doesn't show any spikes whatsoever.   :D
So I can recommend to try for a repair/replacement should one of your units also show this behavior.

Bernd

That's great news! Will email you shortly. ENJOY the MCP, it may not be beautiful, but it FUNCTIONS brilliantly!

Best- C

I have yet to buy the unit, but it is great to hear of such good customer service.

I was delaying the purchase until I heard about your outcome. I have since purchased a touch screen but I don't think it compares to physical knobs and buttons. So once the accountant has forgotten the purchase of the touch screen I will be placing my order. :-)

Graham.

I suppose there's still no hope for those of us with version 1 of the MCP Combo, Bernd?    :(

I'm sorry Brian, but as I don't know the protocol the first MCP version uses it won't be possible to add support for it.

Bernd

Thank you, Bernd: I understand. But I'm sure you can sense my frustration, since apart from the number of characters in the displays there would appear to be few other physical differences. If I knew what you meant by "the protocol the first MCP version uses" then maybe I could help, but there we are.

By perhaps little coincidence, the development of the LINDA software has similarly been taken over by someone who never owned version 1 of the MCP combo, so I'm facing a similar problem there.  

Congratulations to those who waited until v2 came out!     :?

Cheers,

Brian

Quote from: brian747If I knew what you meant by "the protocol the first MCP version uses" then maybe I could help, but there we are.

I speak of the protocol the MCP uses to speak over the serial port. Examples:

What do I have to send to the unit to initialize it?
How does the unit answer to that initialization?

What does the unit send when knobs are turned slow and fast?

How is the display cleared?

Can I send a whole string to the display or do I have to separate it somehow?


As VRinsight didn't really communicate with me at all I had to reverse engineer the communication for the V2. There was much trial and error, especially as the unit freezes when you send wrong or incomplete commands.

Even when I finally figured out the protocol, developing the interface with PSX ended in many unit freezes. That is why doing it without having access to the HW isn't easy.

As you've read the thread you've seen my troubles with the V2 encoders. So even though I bought the second version I didn't wait long enough either.


Hope you now understand the issue better,
Bernd

That's very helpful - thank you.

(I was never under the illusion that this was a simple matter).   ;)

I used to be in touch the the Russian gentleman who coded LINDA for version 1 of the MCP combo: if anyone knows the answer to your questions, then it will be he. Unfortunately he has dropped out of sight recently, but I'll see if I can track him down.

Until then, thank you!  :)

Cheers,

Brian

Hi Bernd,

I wonder if you could help me.

I took the plunge and purchased the VRinsight MCP. I downloaded your latest software (V0.13) but it just gave me the Windows spinning circle when I tried to launch it.

I had an older version of your software either V0.11 or V0.12 (exe dated 10/2/15) and it works just fine :-)

I was keen to exploit the new features you added in V0.13 ie alignment of the displays.

I am using Windows 10 but I did try the latest version (0.13) on Windows 8.1, it did not bring up the console just the Windows circle.

Any ideas where I might be going wrong ?

I am using version 10.0.6a of PSX.

Thanks in advance.

Graham.

Hi Graham,

sorry to hear of your problems with Windows 10. Haven't heard of any incompatibilities yet.

I myself upgraded to Win10 a few weeks ago, though I didn't do a fresh install and I have no troubles at all.

To check I downloaded the package from my website and started the executable, everything worked.

So I can only recommend the following:

Check the filesize of the latest version executable, it should be 122.880 bytes big.
Try to run another .NET 4.5 executable to verify prerequisites (though they should be fine if previous versions work under 10).
Redownload the file after clearing your browser cache and use 7-Zip to extract, the Windows built-in function will not work. File size of the archive is 245.376 bytes.
Check whether your AV/FW somehow restricts the program.
Verifiy the COM port with the VRiSIM program.

If no command prompt windows appears and there's only the spinning mouse pointer circle it points to a corrupted file.

Cheers,
Bernd

Hi Bernd,

Thanks for your very quick response, you have solved my problem :-)

Added the new .exe as an exclusion to my Anti Virus (AVAST) and it works a treat.

I really appreciate the time and effort you have put into your excellent interface for the VRinsight hardware into PSX.

The placement of displays above the buttons in the latest version looks really good.

Now I have a whole weekend of flying to look forward to.

Once again many thanks for your assistance.

Graham.

Glad to have helped and thanks for the praise, Graham! :D

Have fun flying!

Cheers,
Bernd

Hi all,

This add-on is great. After quitting with FSX this is a good reason to dust off the old MCP2 and I use it with pleasure with PSX again!

Greetings,
Alex

Quote from: EHAM747 on Mon,  4 Apr 2016 09:56
Hi all,

This add-on is great. After quitting with FSX this is a good reason to dust off the old MCP2 and I use it with pleasure with PSX again!

Greetings,
Alex

Glad you like it, Alex! :)

Hi Guys,

Sorry to be ver late to the MCPII party!

I have downloaded the "latest" version of PSXonMCP2 from the page previous to this unzipped it using 7zip and place the contents into a folder with PSX. 

I have found that my MCP uses COM6 and not Com3 as in the instructions, so have been and changed this in the xml file.

I have follwed the instructions on how to set it up but when opening PSXonMCP2.exe I get a command line error

Starting PSXonMCP2!
Loading settings...
Error opening com port: System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the port 'COM6' is denied.
   at System.IO.Ports.InternalResources.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String str)
   at System.IO.Ports.SerialStream..ctor(String portName, Int32 baudRate, Parity parity, Int32 dataBits, StopBits stopBits, Int32 readTimeout, Int32 writeTimeout, Handshake handshake, Boolean dtrEnable, Boolean rtsEnable, Boolean discardNull, Byte parityReplace)
   at System.IO.Ports.SerialPort.Open()
   at ????????????????????????????????????????.????????????????????????????????????????()
Press any key to exit.

Is there anyone that maybe able to help?

Thanks

Craig

Hi Craig!

This may be a silly question but, er, you have switched the Combo on first, right? Because if it isn't on, that's the message you get.

On the other hand, if it *is* on, then it looks as though it can't find your alleged COM6....     (https://i.postimg.cc/hjDtKwFV/Whistle(anim).gif)

Can you see COM6 in Device Manager?

Cheers,

Brian

Hi Brian,

Thanks for getting back to me so quick!

The MCP is on and displaying

"MCP-II/Boeing Type v1.100
VRinsight, Flight Dream Supplier!"

In Device Manager under Ports (COM &LPT) it is showing as

"USB Serial Port (COM6)"

Cheers

Craig

Hi Craig!

Hmm, that's odd. So Windoze can see your COM6, yet evidently PSXonMCP2 can't. Could it be a cable problem, perhaps? Unless the format of your xml file is wrong?

Mine looks like this (for COM3, and PSX on 192.168.0.10):

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<Config xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <PSX_Server_Address>192.168.0.10</PSX_Server_Address>
  <PSX_Server_Port>10747</PSX_Server_Port>
  <MCP2_Com_port>COM3</MCP2_Com_port>
</Config>

Is that any help?

Cheers,

Brian

Hi Brian,

My xml file looks like below:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<Config xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <PSX_Server_Address>127.0.0.1</PSX_Server_Address>
  <PSX_Server_Port>10747</PSX_Server_Port>
  <MCP2_Com_port>COM6</MCP2_Com_port>
</Config>

should it matter that the IP address is localhost or should it really be my computers IP? (running it on the same PC as the main server)

should also say that I am running windows 10 Enterprise and works with the standard 737 in FSX (although I use P3D)

Cheers

Craig

Hi Craig!

Yup, that looks OK (localhost should be fine — providing that you're running on the same machine, obviously).    (https://s20.postimg.cc/n0t0q1qgt/tongue_grin.png)

Well, that only leaves two possibilities that I can think of:

1. On your PSX Preferences | Basics page, under "Main network" have you got the right IP address, and is the radio button for port 10747 selected?

2. The PSXonMCP2 documentation mentions (but doesn't go into any detail about) the fact that you need "USB-to-Serial Drivers provided by VRinsight". Have you visited the VRinsight download page http://www.vrinsight.com/devel_shot/index.html (http://www.vrinsight.com/devel_shot/index.html) and downloaded and installed the "USB-to-Serial Driver Software" (near the bottom of the page)?

If you haven't installed the driver, then that might be why you can't see a COM3...?   ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

But if you've covered both of those bases, then I'm out of ideas, I'm afraid....     (https://s20.postimg.cc/z0bf0aqi5/unsure.jpg)

Cheers,

Brian

Hi Brain!

Thanks for you help!

What I found it to be was that I had plugged this in at the Flight Sim Show on sunday to test, and then once I got my PC home and setup properly I had plugged it into a different slot, so winodws was detecting 2 of them (1 hidden in the ports, which turned out to be the COM3 port) so deleted them both and then plugged the MCP back in and now it works like a charm.

Thanks again for your help.

Cheers

Craig

(https://s20.postimg.cc/cbm80oytp/grin.jpg)    My pleasure: I'm glad you got it working.

Cheers,

Brian

Big thank you to Brian who helped Craig get it working before I even had time to read the new posts!  :)

Cheers,
Bernd

Actually, Bernd, it's huge thanks to you (https://s20.postimg.cc/46462h5f1/beam.jpg) for your terrific and reliable software!     (https://s20.postimg.cc/tlbvqkdn1/hatlift.gif)

Cheers,

Brian

Hi Bernd!

Three years is a long time ago, but I'm hoping you're still monitoring this thread on the forum.

It seems that MSFS have broken your wonderful add-on with their latest Sim Update: I do hope it's something that you can easily fix it (a moved offset, or something?), since my simming will be much impaired until I can get my EFIS/MCP/Comm unit going again.

(See also my generic post here: https://aerowinx.com/board/index.php/topic,6862.msg73974.html#msg73974 (https://aerowinx.com/board/index.php/topic,6862.msg73974.html#msg73974))

Best wishes,

Brian

Brian-

I can test standalone later today, I'm away for now... PSXonMCP2 is a Java app that interfaces with PSX directly... MSFS is not needed, and I'm not sure how it can affect the interaction as it is entirely outside MSFS.  Perhaps MSFS is overriding the MCP with SimConnect...? I don't even have the VRInsight drivers anymore, as Axis and Ohs drives it without in MSFS.

Will confirm operational status in a couple of hours mate... and confirmed- all working correctly- please see other thread.

C

I'm still monitoring, though I have nearly no time for simming atm.

MSFS shouldn't break my app, it is written in C# and only communicates with the MCP and PSX - no interaction with any other program. As cavaricooper wrote, maybe something else is interfering in the serial communication with the MCP.

Sorry that I couldn't be of more help,
Bernd

Thank you, Bernd (and C)!

That's good to hear — albeit puzzling for me.

But thank you for ruling out a problem with your app: coincidence (more grandly referred to as 'contiguity of time') must be at work here.   ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

My very best wishes,

Brian

A question to all VRinsight MCP2 users; does Bernd's plugin work on Windows 11 with the current PSX version? I'm exploring options MCP wise and this combination looks very attractive to me. I'd just like to know if it is still a valid option before I go and buy (more) stuff  ;D

Hello!

Yes indeed, I'm happy to confirm that Bernd's link program continues to work superbly well under Windows 11, with the current version (and all previous versions) of PSX, and with v2 of the VRinsight EFIS/MCP/COM (Boeing) hardware.

I use the VRinsight Combo unit for most of my cockpit interactions —

(https://i.postimg.cc/WzHrp3zY/MCP-Combo-v2-BCH-747-400-mappings-final.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/PxKYcKjj/VRinsight-EFIS-MCP-COM-unit-lit.jpg)

— the other stuff I control via my Stream Deck XL (see here (https://aerowinx.com/board/index.php?msg=78483)) — and stick and throttle hardware, of course.  (https://i.postimg.cc/sx4FKqfS/Joystick-User-anim.gif)

I might also mention a couple of things that could possibly be helpful to you —

a) They recommend you to use a "USB-to-Serial Driver Software" COM port driver from the VRinsight download page (http://vrinsight.com/devel_shot/?ckattempt=1). You might prefer to start there. But FYI, when I just checked my current COM port driver (and the COM port only appears in Device Manager while the connected VRinsight Combo II is switched on, by the way), I discovered that it was an FTDI driver v2.14.1.8, dated 17th February, 2023. Seemingly, therefore, it has been updated somewhere along the line — but it's currently working quite happily here, nonetheless.    ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

b) I would seriously suggest not having the nVidia GeForce Experience monster installed at the same time! When I suddenly encountered random interference with the communication from the VRinsight hardware to PSX (but not the other way round, curiously enough) I found that it was because I must have unknowingly installed GeForce Experience along with the previous graphics driver, something I'm normally very careful to avoid doing.  <sigh>  Uninstalling it is the perfect fix (who needs it, anyway?)   (https://i.postimg.cc/NMzxWyPM/Search-Me-anim.gif)

All I can add is that PSXonMCP2 has been entirely reliable over the years (thank you once again, Bernd!).  (https://i.postimg.cc/5y4gV873/clapping.gif)   (https://i.postimg.cc/52rBYB9H/hatlift.gif)

Cheers,

Brian

Hi Brian,

That's great info, thanks! I use usb to serial convertors a lot work wise, so that should be ok  :)
The Streamdeck link makes me put the XL on the wishlist, too. After all, we need as less mouse clicking as possible, don't we...!

The Geforce stuff won't bother me just yet, as my system is crippled with an AMD RX GPU for the time being. I'll make sure that once the desired Nvidia GPU is sourced, I won't install the bloatware  ;D

Thanks again!

Hello again!

QuoteI use usb to serial convertors a lot work wise...

<grin>   That's great — I found that particular aspect counterintuitive, I have to admit.   (https://i.postimg.cc/W38trVm9/Shocked-Huh(anim).gif)

Incidentally, if you do go for a Stream Deck I also gave a few hints about how I set mine up here (https://aerowinx.com/board/index.php?msg=78499).

Good luck (and have lots of fun) putting it all together!    (https://i.postimg.cc/j5Y9JHFx/2thumbs.gif)

Cheers,

Brian

Quote from: brian747 on Tue, 20 Feb 2024 06:40<grin>  That's great — I found that particular aspect counterintuitive, I have to admit.

I can imagine, if you're not used to that :)

Quote from: brian747 on Tue, 20 Feb 2024 06:40Incidentally, if you do go for a Stream Deck I also gave a few hints about how I set mine up here (https://aerowinx.com/board/index.php?msg=78499).

Good luck (and have lots of fun) putting it all together!    (https://i.postimg.cc/j5Y9JHFx/2thumbs.gif)

Thanks Brian, your Streamdeck setup looks good too. It's on the roadmap  8)

good morning I have a problem with mcp2 the v/s vanopola when I try it has the adjustment it seems crazy, it goes as soon as I touch it for example if I try to program it shows -800 it immediately goes to -3000 maybe I want to mark -200 it immediately goes to -4000.

mcp I use the widepsx msfs 2020 program