Scoreboards Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find my Scoreboard ID?

Scoreboard ID (RADIO ONLY) is displayed in the Guest Score (Home Score for Baseball) and the Game Timer. Newly shipped boards display the letters “id” in the minute section of the game timer and the opposite team score.  Refer to the ID Instruction Sheet or take the online tutorial for more information.

How does the ID system work?

Having an ID allows more than one board to work both independently and in dual mode. The console can pick what IDs to talk to. All consoles and scoreboards will start up on a specific channel. When a console selects different boards to talk to, all chosen boards and the console will switch to a different channel, allowing unselected boards to be chosen by another 8000 console.

How can I change my ID?

Method will vary between firmware version 1.* and 2+. Read the appropriate manual.
If console is version 1.*, a dongle will need to be made. Jump pins 1 & 6 into RJ45 connector and insert into security key in back (either one). Turn off and turn on console, press setup... read manual.
If console is version 2+, no dongle required - read the manual “Additional Radio Information”.
The scoreboard will restart itself and go through the brightness tests after the ID has been changed. User must wait for the startup tests before attempting to change scoreboard type. If only changing ID, press enter to bypass type.

What firmware do I have?

Console Firmware is displayed on flash screen when turning on the console. Scoreboard firmware is displayed in the timer and scores upon power up.

How can I tell if a digit is out or the scoreboard isn’t set properly?

Every time a scoreboard is turned on (power is applied), the scoreboard will run through a series of brightness setting and then count from 0-9, indicators will light and flash. Single ones may not light - this is normal unless ones do not work during operation.
If everything lights during the startup but does not work during gameplay, it is either operator error (wrong sport selected or not understanding program) or the scoreboard has the wrong Scoreboard Type.

What is the Scoreboard Type?

The console does not care what kind of 8000 series scoreboard it is talking to. The information that comes out of a console gets looked at differently depending on what kind of scoreboard it is. For example, baseball can show balls, strikes and outs by indicators or by digits. Setting the scoreboard type tells the scoreboard how to handle the information from the console. With a scoreboard type, it is possible to send a basic baseball board, a standard baseball board and a line-score baseball board the same information and have the boards sort out what to do with it. This makes having one slipsheet per sport and dual boards with different information displayed possible.
Scoreboard types are listed in all 2.+ manuals.
Scoreboard types (and IDs) are set in the factory.

Where can I find what information gets sent to where in the scoreboard?

All controller plate diagrams are available on our website. If a few things are not showing up on the scoreboard, check to see if they all came from the same output (example, football sends down, to go, ball on and quarter out the same output). If so, it is likely that the connector is bad (remove and reconnect) or a wire was compromised or disconnected.

I’m having trouble connecting to my scoreboard.

Earlier models used a shorter amount of time to see whether a scoreboard was trying to be used. This amount of time was on the fringe of our radios capabilities. The problem may only exist when a board is shut off and turned back on again - it will not be a problem for facilities that leave power to scoreboard. A new scoreboard receiver chip is recommended or:

• Turn on console first.
  
• Turn on scoreboard.
  
• Connect as usual.
  

What happens if there is a power outage during gameplay?

During a power outage, leave console on (it will run off of battery for up to 10 hours). When power is returned, the scoreboard will check channel 10 for a frequency. When no frequency is found, it will check the last used frequency. If the console is still on and broadcasting, the scoreboard(s) will automatically reconnect to the console. If the last frequency is not being used, the scoreboard radio will go back to channel 10 and wait.
If running via a hardwire, information shown on console will be sent to scoreboard when power is restored.

Can I hook up a hardwire connection as a radio backup?

Yes. If wired properly, the radio inside the scoreboard will turn itself off when an 8000 Series console is connected to it via wire. The console still sends out a radio signal, making it possible to connect via radio and wire simultaneously.
Refer to the installation manuals and/or controller plate diagrams for wiring diagrams.

How can I tell if my indicators and digits are connected correctly?

Refer to the controller plate diagram that is adhered to the inside of the scoreboard by the controller plate (also available online). This will tell you exactly what goes where. Connectors will be properly marked to their connection point on the Decoder Board or Indicator Driver Board.  The indicator driver board has 10 LEDs that correspond to the 10 outputs. Light an indicator with the console and see what LED lights up on the Indicator Driver Board. This should correspond to drawing. If different LEDs light than are expected check:

• Sport selection.
  
• Scoreboard Type.
  

What is the USB Connection Used For?

To get the most out of the 8000 Series Multi-Sport Console, ask a sales representative for the All American Scoreboards Utilities. This free PC download is available to any All American Scoreboards customer. 

• A. Updating the Console Firmware
  Updating the console firmware allows your console to perform identically to the models that we are shipping out today. Typically, the firmware is updated to add features and sports to the console. Every year, rules are added to sports that were not anticipated. Updating your firmware keeps you up to date with rule changes. We value our customers and their opinions and suggestions. Many improvements are made because of our customers great ideas.
  
• B. Communicate with statistical software
  Trying to run a scoreboard accurately needs focus and concentration. Adding a stat panel to your scoring system does not necessarily equate to more work for the scorekeeper. Our Live Connection Utility software allows the console to get information directly from statistical programs such as Stat Crew® and display it on the stat panel or other areas of the scoreboard. Someone is already doing the work, why double it?
  
• C. Output data to XML and Live Text
  Using the Live Connection Utility software makes it possible to output data files to a PC for use in computer programs, such as Adobe Flash® and Newtek LiveText®.  The XML and Text files are constantly updated and can be imported for use on websites, Television Monitors, LED Video Boards and other video displays.
  
• D. Backing up your console settings
  Every setting in found in Setup for every sport can be edited from the PC by using the Console Setup Utility (CSU) software. The CSU can also control settings that are not accessible through the console alone, such as auto-horn length, time of day and calendar settings and specific sport settings such as line score extra inning wrap settings for baseball. These settings can be saved as an “.AAS” file and accessed later. It is also easy to create one setting file and apply it to multiple consoles, allowing each console to be clones of each other.
  
• E. Set up user configurations
  Using the Console Setup Utility software allows for different sports settings for up to 3 different users. Simply hold down 1, 2 or 3 while pressing the power button to start the console. Settings such as horn length, number of periods, number of balls, strikes and outs, game time and any other setting can be configured for a specific user. This can be incredibly helpful when a single console is used for JV and Varsity, or Baseball and Softball.
  
• F. Advanced message center controls
  Controlling an Everbrite Message Center (emc) from the console is quick and easy. Programming the messages and programs is not as quick or easy. By using the Console Setup Program, messages can be entered, edited and previewed from the PC and then uploaded to the 8000 Series Console. The console can also act as a radio hub that can update the emc directly from the computer.