Encore Viewer vs Encore Pro 2

[jbn3boys]

Could someone tell me what the difference is between the Encore Viewer (sold on cpap.com) and the Encore Pro 2? I am using the Viewer at the moment, but wonder if I would benefit from the Pro 2. If so, I would appreciate someone helping find the download for Encore 2 Pro.

Thanks!
Karen

[Hawthorne]

Apparently you get waveform reports with Encore Pro 2--- but often not every night.

Encore Pro 2 is tricky to install and does not work with with all computer operating systems.

I have Windows 7 Home Premium OP 32 bit and the Encore Viewer 2 installed and runs without a hitch. I tried getting Encore Pro 2 and, while I got the program, my OP would not install the SQL serve needed with this or it had a problem installing it. Given that I would only get waveforms in addition to the other data I already got with Encore Viewer 2 ( and then only on occasion), I opted to stick with Encore Viewer 2.

[jbn3boys]

I am running Windows 7 Professional, and I do have SQL server running on my computer (needed for another application that is networked via our home network). I have no problems with the SQL server program running on Professional.

That said, I guess I don't know what the waveforms are, so I don't know if I would be interested in that or not.

[snoozysue]

I too am interested in learning about the differences between the software programs ( I am using Encore Viewer) but I also don't know what waveforms are all about - could someone please explain?
Thanks

[Janknitz]

Encore pro is designed for clinicians and clinic management software in addition to the data reports. As a result, it's heavy, hefty, and slow and the only thing you really get in addition is the wave form reports (shows every breath) and the ability to specify the time period of a report (i.e. 1 day, several days, a week, a month) and what data to show.

Encore Viewer is much easier to load and use. You don't get the flexibility in the time period of the report (it reports one week at a time--no options) or flexibility of what data (all data is there except wave form, and some of it is just wasted space and time such compliance data from the beginning of CPAP use--I don't care--I KNOW how much I used it (or not). It has what you need and it's fairly simple and straightforward. Worth the $99.

[Goofproof]

For the diference between the two, Encore Viewer is more than good for adjusting your treatment, Encore Pro 1.8i is also good if it will work under your computer and XPAP. In fact 1.8i, is better than 2.0 or 2.2 or 2.4, unless you just have to have them. Jim

[jonquiljo]

The wave form reports are great. Only by looking at them can I see if these things that show up in the summary reports are really problematic or not. When you look at breath by breath you can learn a lot. Consequently I have learned to take a good deal of what I see in Encore Viewer with a grain of salt.

I guess I don't feel that comfortable having a machine analyze my data. It may be good for trends, but sometimes you just need to see how bad an OA or hypopnea really is. In my case they were borderline for even being scored.

BTW, what is the difference between 1.8i and the others? Is there more functionality or less of a problem? I did get 2.4 working on Windows 7 laptop and it is pretty flawless.

[snoozysue]

Could someone please post an image of a waveform report so i can see what detail it contains?
Thanks

[jonquiljo]

Could someone please post an image of a waveform report so i can see what detail it contains?
Thanks

Snoozysue: The waveform report is the best way to actually determine for yourself what is going on. A lot of data is presented, but after a few of them you can get good at using these reports to find or identify any anomaly or misunderstanding your machine had with the actual event. You can tell how long and how severe your events were. It's great!






For instance the hypopnea at 7:58am was really minor, if not an artifact. I can pretty much ignore it now.

The OA at about 9:02am is also minor and seems to have lasted less than 10 seconds. essentially I am seeing good sleep breathing with little or no events to speak of. The daily report is not that clear. When events happen more often - as they always do - you can see if they have any real meaning or not. This isn't the type of thing you do every day - but rather when you feel the need to check. Why Respironics does not sell this software to us "amateurs" is beyond me. These reports, if anything, make me trust my machine more than before as I can decide for myself what the machine is calling right and what it is calling wrong. good luck.

The short red lines are machine pulses looking for breathing when it expects it and finds none. I believe the little back circles are 0.5cm pressure increments (down or up) and they seem to make no sense. If you don't mind running SQL server and quirky software - I would go for it. It is far better IMO than Encore Viewer.

[Guest]

Thank you very much for the very clear explanation and the images. Possibly something I should think about getting but installing Encore Viewer was enough to make me lose sleep!

[danimal71]

I have been using both for the last week or so and I like the additional feature in Pro. Granted Viewer is much more simple and easy to navigate. I like the ability to see how long an apnic event lasted for. I am also able to discern which event are from flipping side based on the wave form. I don't remeber who it was or where but I know I saw a picture or video of what those wave forms look like.

From what I've seen you can get the wave form data for everyday...you just have to download your data everyday in order to get it.

[BefuddledByPAP]

I used Encore Viewer for several months then downloaded and starting using Encore Pro 2 a couple of weeks ago. I hoped to be able to view my waveform data, but no luck so far. My machine is Respironics BiPAP Auto SV. Smart Card. Infineer reader. I select "Details" but can find no pathway to waveform.

Also, I cannot figure out how to set the time on this or the Encore Viewer program.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks

[cflame1]

the wave form data is on the PR S1 versions of the Respironics machines... I'm guessing that yours doesn't have it... just like my Bipap Auto.

[danimal71]

If you have the ability to see the data you will see a little blue square at the end of the date line after you download your info. Click on the blue box and it will open up the data in a pdf.

[BefuddledByPAP]

I checked and found no little blue box. VERY frustrating. Can I upgrade my machine to a PR S1 version?

Also, how can I correct the time stamps on both the Viewer and Pro programs?

BTW, re: the "little red line" on the waveform shown above, I believe it indicates the point at which the machine delivered a brief pulse of pressure for the purpose of determining whether the apnea is "clearway" or "obstructive."