C-meter Installation and
Use
Installation
The
files cmeter4.exe and cmeter.ini should be placed in a new directory, such as
C:\\Cmeter.
The C-meter is connected to a comm port (serial 9 pin) on the
computer. If no comm port is available on the computer then it may be connected
to a USB port via a converter such as provided at http://www.ftdichip.com/us232.htm
Start
the program and select the comm port in the connection menu.
The meter
should be calibrated the first time it is used. Click on "calibration" in the
admin menu and follow the on screen instructions.
Screen
description
The program display includes the
following:
1. Needle display with a clock and digital TA display..
2.
Control panel for sensitivity, boost and TA counter.
3. A text box, top left,
for entering commands or questions for use in session.
4. A bar with an
analog TA display below the needle and text box.
5. An optional audio display
below the TA bar.
6. History display showing reads for the last 10 seconds or
more (the speed is adjustable in the options panel).
7. The main menu options
along the top of the screen as described below.
File
menu
Save settings: The C-meter settings are normally saved
when you close the program. However, specific settings files can also be created
so that various preferences can be reloaded easily. For instance one might wish
to set up the meter differently for solo and auditing others or save different
settings for different people using the same meter.
Load settings:
reloads a saved settings file.
Exit: Closes the
C-meter.
Options menu
Autosave settings: selects
whether or not your settings are saved when the program closes.
Open
options panel: This options the main options panel which contains 3
sub-panels:
Colors: Allow you to change the color for
the various parts of the screen.
Options: You can
change various display settings including the size of the various windows on the
screen.
The sensitivity response can be
selected to behave like a CofS Mk7, Quantum or 2 other options as described in
the sensitivity
description.
The program receives
data at a rate of 300 times a second. The needle display divisor divides into
300 to give the actual screen update rate. Thus 3 gives an update rate of 100Hz.
On older computers a setting of 6 may be needed.
The history display divisor further slows the rate at which
the history graph is drawn.
Admin: These are
administrative or more technical options not normally needed by the
user.
Show menu
This allows one to display the
audio input or not. If the audio option is selected then the C-meter will
display the record input from the computer's sound card above the neddle
history. This could be used with a microphone input to make instant reads easier
to spot.
Cans type menu
The C-meter can be
retrimmed for use with 2 cans, solo cans or fingertip electrodes by selecting
the appropriate option.
Connection menu
This
controls the connection of the computer to the C-meter hardware. The connection
can be connected, disconnected and reset. It is also used to select which comm
port the C-meter hardware is connected to on the
computer.
Internet menu
This allows the user to
send their session data in real time to another computer over the internet. A
description of the internet facility is given separately.
Admin
menu
Calibrate: This allows the calibration of the C-meter by
following the on-screen instuctions.
Test form: Shows a panel giving raw
data input rate and any timing error. It would not normally be needed by the
user.
Tests menu
F/N test: This displays a
simulated F/N. Its main purpose is in using the software for demonstration
without hardware present and checking the suitability of various
monitors.
Help menu
About: Shows copyright
statement.