CPAPtalk.com

Ah, some one that actually has it. How about a report on how it works in comparison to Encore Pro! End the sprculation.

I wish it was cheaper or free but to me it seems like a pretty decent package.

I agree, seems like it should come bundled with the machine.

I installed it on Wednesday. No problem, except I kept getting a message that it was not approved for Windows and Microsoft strongly suggested halting installation because it could make my system unstable. I ignored that warning. Everything is working fine.

I'm very happy with the Encore Viewer. It's very simple to use. Insert the Smart card into the reader, click the "Copy Smart Card Data" button, select the date range from 2 calendars, click the "View Report" button and a report is generated. The report is very clear and easy to understand.

It would be nice if you could export data into a spreadsheet. It would also be nice to be able to save the report.

Too, if a program that installs a .pdf printer to your "Control Panel" "Printers and Faxes" list is on your computer, you probably can print directly to .pdf. Though you may have to temporarily select that .pdf printer as the defaut printer, unless Encore Viewer allows you to select which printer it will print to each time you want to print therapy data.

I already had PrimoPDF - free software that installs itself as a "printer". You do not have to select it as your default printer. Encore Viewer does allow you to select which printer to use each time you print a report.

I would definitely recommend the Encore Viewer. It was easy to install and is very simple to use. Doesn't require any computer expertise.

Anne

Respironics' are obviously the most popular. When I was shopping for DME's I got the impression the M-Series is the only one DME's promote, barring a doctor's orders. People like the proprietary C-flex technology.

Respironics is already ahead of the curve in providing a 'safe' viewer, but it is clearly not meeting the needs of super users who want a more intuitive interface and better record keeping.

Can someone please post a good source for the card reader? Thanks.

dand

dand,

http://www.two-factor.com/shop/index.php?productID=115

You'll pay about $32 total with PayPal. It comes straight from Hong Kong and takes about a week to get to a home in the US. Don't install the included driver. Use the one included with the Respironics software.

Update: They have the driver installer for the Encore Pro software directly on the two-factor site.

DreamDriver,

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm not sure what you mean by "the Respironics software." I'm not aware of any software I received with my cpap machine. It's the M Series Auto CPAP with A-Flex, by the way.

dand

Okay, I just saw your update. I guess you're referring to

DT3500-ISW-Encorepro_v1_3.exe?

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap machine, auto cpap, respironics

Yep.

dand wrote:DreamDriver,
[snip]
Okay, I just saw your update. I guess you're referring to

DT3500-ISW-Encorepro_v1_3.exe?

Encore Pro 1.8 (and now Encore Viewer) is the software used to make help make sense out of the data on the card. You have to buy these separately. If you can't buy Pro in the US, buy it from Australia and you'll get the reader with it. It's about US$260. Not really a bargain, eh? -- Google "CPAP australia."

The info on cpap.com for the Resperonics card reader says this:

"This is the only card reader that will download information from a Respironics smart card for processing by Encore Pro Software."

Is that true? Or can other smart card readers (like the one DreamDiver mentions) be used with the Encore Viewer program?

The one that dreamdriver mentions is a DT3500 which is the same one that Respironics has bundled.
I ordered mine from Hong Kong, paid about $35US, and got it in about a week. Works fine -- BUT, I installed the driver that is included with the Encore software. I can't vouch for the one that's on the suppliers web site -- but it sounds like they've downloaded and offer the correct driver for the application.
Make sure, if you have issues with it being active when you plug it in, that you locate the thread about problems with the reader. The jist is that you must go into systems services, find the cardreader, and in the properties drop down make it automatically active rather than the default which is manual. Drove me nuts (short trip) for about 2 days until someone pointed that out.
(Socknitster has a link to the thread in her signature)

cheers
goose

[quote="WulfmanThe thing I've been wondering about is how long it will analyze "Long Term Trends" if there is no data base on the computer and the card will only hold about 7 nights of "detailed" data.

Den
[/quote]

Den,

Couldn't there be a run-time version of Access or some such less robust database? I can't easily imagine how else they might do it. It would be good to do without the hassle of SQL Server!

Mindy

Uh huh, Guest. Register and then tell us that same story. I'll believe a registered user who has both installed and not had a problem w/both working on the same 'puter. Just "Guest" lacks some credibility.

Slinky wrote:Uh huh, Guest. Register and then tell us that same story. I'll believe a registered user who has both installed and not had a problem w/both working on the same 'puter. Just "Guest" lacks some credibility.

Aaaawwwww, Slinky......have you lost faith in "Guest" posters?
(that post wasn't ME in this thread)

Please check your PMs. Hopefully there's some information there that you were inquiring about. If it's not what you were looking for.....at least I tried.

Best wishes,

Den

mindy wrote:[quote="WulfmanThe thing I've been wondering about is how long it will analyze "Long Term Trends" if there is no data base on the computer and the card will only hold about 7 nights of "detailed" data.

Den

Den,

Couldn't there be a run-time version of Access or some such less robust database? I can't easily imagine how else they might do it. It would be good to do without the hassle of SQL Server!

Mindy[/quote]

I think in this situation with Encore Viewer, a person would probably have to transfer the Daily Detail information to a spreadsheet. I believe it would be easier to create graphs and crunch numbers that way.
The "Long Term Trend" would probably only amount to 7 nights. There would still be the Compliance data on the card and should be contained in the last page on the Encore report.

Den

I have used Encore Viewer quite a bit and the "Long Term Trend". starts with the earliest information on the smartcard. My long term trend started in May and the was tallied all the way till Oct. The detailed information is the last 7 days, but the application has the ability to keep the final numbers from the first time you use your smartcard to be included in your Long Term Trend.

The warning you get for the software not being compatible with windows, is the card reader driver. The driver works without a hitch. I have it installed on a Vista machine and the entire Encore Viewer and smartcard reader worked first try. This is a much easier install than Encore Pro 1.8i.

I would think that anyone who already has Encore Pro 1.8i would not need Encore Viewer unless you were having issues with Windows Vista compatibility

It is hard to compare Encore Pro and Encore Viewer.

Pro allows you to save data to a PDF file and Viewer does not.

Except for the very last version of Pro, it is not easily compatible with Vista, where Viewer is compatible with Vista.

Encore Pro installs a clunky and difficult to manage SQL database, Viewer does not.

Encore Pro is a difficult install for the program and card reader.. Lots of tinkering to get the reader to access the application. Viewer is an easy install. People who aren't computer experts will find this a blessing. No more searching for threads on how to fix a failed Encore Pro install.

You get the exact same data from Viewer that you do from Pro without the hassles.

I am thankful that Respironics has stepped up to the plate for the patient and allow him/her to become even more proactive in their treatment.

People who become proactive in their treatment have better compliance rates.

Encore Viewer is a great application. I am certainly not going to complain about it..

Cheers,

Titrator Ted

Titrator wrote:
Pro allows you to save data to a PDF file and Viewer does not.

Thanks for the comparison. Other than this, it sounds like Viewer is better in most ways. However, I do save the PDF files nightly. I look at the charts, not just the numbers. Is there any way to save the files?

Some people have suggested "print to PDF" function. Might this work as an alternative?"