VRinsight MCP

[Berndo]

I have a VRinsight MCP Combo II (Boeing type). Thanks to Linda it is working very well with FSX and made online flying much easier for me.

Is there anyone that uses this hw for PSX? I would appreciate any tips for setting it up/enabling interaction with PSX.

Thanks,
Bernd

[AndrewTurner]

Hello Berndo,

After looking at this product it uses VRiSim software. This is the software which translates the commands from the hardware and sends the correct command to the Flight Sim Software. There is a driver for the hardware, USB-to-Serial Driver Software. So there are two choices.
1. Contact VRiSim and ask them to add support for PSX or
2. Install the USB-to-Serial Driver Software then write your own program that monitors the serial port your hardware is connected to and write your code to translate this to the correct strings to send to PSX Server. A very simple VB program can do this, that's the great functionality of PSX!

[Berndo]

Andrew,

thanks for the tips.

I looked into direct communication with the panel, but it seems that the SDK isn't easy to get and reverse engineering serial port (initialization, commands, etc) stuff is a little bit over my head.

On the other hand it seems to be possible to define keymaps via VRiSim (and manually editing config files). I can get 'a' on pushing a button in notepad but that means that PSX has to be the active application on the PC that has the panel connected and I can't get the displays to show anything.
Still theoretical though as my PSX is currently in a distribution center (maybe I'll get it on Tuesday).

I'll try to contact VRinsight but after the closure of their forum I'm not too sure about a response. We will see!

Bernd

[cavaricooper]

As an owner of the VRInsight Boeing MCP Combo II I shall follow this thread..... Fingers x'ed!

C

[Berndo]

I just sent an e-mail to tech@vrinsight.com asking about direct support or the SDK.
/fingers crossed

@cavaricooper
Could you send one too please?

Bernd

[cavaricooper]

Will do!

C

[Berndo]

@cavaricooper
Very good!

Keymaps are not working correctly, rotaries seem to be bugged. I posted about it on the Alpha thread.

If anyone else wants to try, you can find my MCP2B.ini and the keymap-file below. It is probably the best idea to add another aircraft config in MCP2B.ini (mine is named PSX) and not just overwrite yours.
Place the keymap in the "VRInsight\\MCP-II_Combo\\Keymap" directory, I have configured the EFIS and MCP part (e.g. rotating HDG clockwise slowly sends "9", fast it sends "LCONTROL+p").

MCP2B.ini
Keymap

Bernd

[AndrewTurner]

Hi Berndo,

if VR insight have a SDK for the MCP then your in luck. You need to know what format and characters to send to the unit for displays and lights to update. I have written a program for the CP Flight MCP and the integration to PSX was a breeze.

cheers

[Berndo]

Hello AndrewTurner,

the question now is if VRinsight will share their SDK. No reaction to my e-mail yet, so it is wait and see.

I'll mess around with the keymapper in a few days, now have to get 9packs set up and the XP10 integration working.

Bernd

[Berndo]

Updated the keymapper file, it should now work with PSX if you are careful with the rotaries. Still sends double keypresses for the MCP rotaries and the EFIS FPV is not working for me (don't know why).

As before, I'll make the ini and the keymap available.

MCP2B.ini
Meine_Test_Map.dat

Don't forget to adjust your aircraft numbers in the ini and rename the keymap accordingly if the download messes stuff up.
Feedback is welcome.

No response from VRinsight yet.

Bernd

[cavaricooper]

Bernd:

As I use only LINDA and FSUIPC for my FSX application, I don't have the folders you refer to in the VRInsight folder.... I'm guessing I have to install their driver/program?  Any thoughts on if that will then alter FSX functionality?

C

[Berndo]

@cavaricooper

You are correct, you have to install two packages from http://vrinsight.com/devel_shot/.

The first is is VRiSim (which includes the USB driver), the second is Install MCP Combo II Module (Boeing Type MCP) if you have the same MCP as I do.

The ini file goes into the "bin" subfolder of vrinsight, the keymap into the MCP-II_Combo\\Keymap subfolder.
To use it in PSX you manually start VRiSim, select the PSX "plane" and press "Fly now".

It shouldn't influence FSX at all as long as you don't let it adjust panel configs (Disclaimer: it didn't do it on my PC).

Bernd

[cavaricooper]

Will try this weekend- ta!  BTW did you hear back from them at all? I have not....

Any other developments? Very hopeful about using this piece of kit with PSX on my home sim machine....

C

[Berndo]

I have not heard back from them yet, maybe they're busy programming (one can always hope...).

Interested if it works for you, good luck with the test!

Bernd

[kev32b]

hi I cant seem to download files

Updated the keymapper file, it should now work with PSX if you are careful with the rotaries. Still sends double keypresses for the MCP rotaries and the EFIS FPV is not working for me (don't know why).

As before, I'll make the ini and the keymap available.

MCP2B.ini
Meine_Test_Map.dat

Don't forget to adjust your aircraft numbers in the ini and rename the keymap accordingly if the download messes stuff up.
Feedback is welcome.

No response from VRinsight yet.

Bernd

[Berndo]

I reuploaded the files:

SFP2_MCP2B_111Meine_Test_Map.dat
MCP2B.ini

No reactions from VRinsight whatsoever. Guess they just aren't interested in providing support to their paying customers.

Bernd

[brian747]

I have the original Mk I version of the VRinsight Boeing MCP, which I use via LINDA for FSX (I have never installed any VRinsight software). I also wrote the "Detailed Manual" for LINDA (http://forum.avsim.net/topic/376920-linda-beginners-guide-a-very-detailed-manual/#entry2394616) so I am aware of a little of the background surrounding Artem's development of software for that unit.

The problem is that whereas the Mk I and Mk II units share similar controls, the displays of the Mk II unit show roughly twice as much information as the displays of the Mk I. This has meant that Artem effectively has to maintain two different versions of the software, for Mk I and Mk II. (AFAIK no one has yet requested support for the Airbus Mk II version, but if they did, and in the extremely unlikely event that Artem agreed, that would make three versions).

So there is double the amount of display work required, if both Mk I and Mk II owners are to be catered for....    :roll:    On the other hand, however, in the case of PSX there is no need for the soft interface which supports LINDA's large range of different aircraft models, so that aspect at least is much simplified.

As to who might be willing and able to undertake the job — it had initially occurred to me that when it came to writing interface software for the VRinsight unit(s) the best man for the task would seemingly be Mr. John Golin, who has already done such a brilliant job at interfacing the old Aerosoft Australia MCP via AdaptPSX — in fact I even cheekily inserted a hint about that into  Part 1 of the "Getting Started..." tutorial. But John has indicated (http://aerowinx.com/forum/topic.php?post=19463#post19463) that he is too busy with Worldflight at present, so we can but hope....    

Cheers,

Brian

[Edit: typo]

[brian747]

@Bernd

Sorry, I meant to add....

Rather than trying to get support from VRinsight, might I suggest getting in touch with Andydigital, who appeared to be associated with them and used to field a lot of questions on their forum (before it closed), and is active on Avsim and elsewhere — including being helpful on the LINDA forum, see http://forum.avsim.net/topic/427281-thanks-andy-for-the-support/#entry2862203.

(As you probably know, the VRinsight software download page seems to be still active at http://vrinsight.com/devel_shot/ — at least, it was last updated on Sept. 30th 2014. Some of the comments aimed at P**G 777 users of the MCP might also be of interest, although probably P**G-specific).

Cheers,

Brian

[Berndo]

Brian,

thanks for your insights (no pun intended).
Depending on when my vacation starts I'll contact Andy.

Bernd

[cavaricooper]

Bernd-

Just wanted to check and see if there has been any progress on the VrInsight Boeing MCP II issue?  With the arrival of the iPad CDU program, that remains the only missing component for me....

Now or later isn't as important, as the idea that it has been discussed for future development.  PSX is eminently useable as is... that would just be icing on my cake

BTW- as with Brian, I only use LINDA for FSX and have not used any of the VrInsight software.... fingers x'ed I won't need it with PSX either.

Since WF is ongoing... perhaps there will be a resurrection of interest next week .

Ta!

Carl