Click here
to download board software
Click here to
open the DGT Electronic Chessboard manual in PDF
format
Does the USB board store games in
the internal memory?
Yes, but it needs power. Normally the power is provided by the computer.
When playing without a PC, it's possible to provide the power through
a USB hub. A home made battery solution is documented here.
Can I connect the DGT board to an USB
port?
Yes. For the serial version of the electronic board, you can buy
an USB-to-RS232 converter (available in most computer shops). With
this cable you can use the board on an USB port.
Why doesn't the DGT board have LEDs to
indicate moves?
Our goal was to create a board that could be used in many settings
- not just the home, but at clubs and tournaments as well. Therefore,
we made these design decisions:
- Classic wood surface with no distracting LEDs.
- Official FIDE size (55 mm) squares.
- Compact electronics, to avoid unnatural thickness.
These choices have helped the DGT Chessboard to be accepted at
many world class chess events.
The no-LED design has prompted software developers to add move-announcement
features to their chess programs. ChessBase was the first to give
one of its chess programs a "voice," with Fritz5.
Moves can also be displayed on the computer screen.
Is there a limit to the number of
times the internal EEPROM memory can be used?
It is true that EEPROM devices cannot be written to an unlimited
number of times. However, this should not be a concern to DGT Chessboard
owners.
ATMEL, who manufactures the EEPROM used in DGT boards, guarantees
1,000,000 write operations per EEPROM cell. We have taken great
care to ensure that no frequently-updated values are stored in EEPROM.
The EEPROM can store up to five games, where no more than two writes
are done to the same storage cell for every five games. Therefore,
we can guarantee that EEPROM storage will not show any traces of
wear-out before 2,500,000 games have been stored. For more technical
information, see the ATMEL homepage.
The PC cable's 25-pin connector does
not fit my (portable) computer's 9-pin male serial connector.
Get a 9-pin to 25-pin adapter, with 9-pin female and 25-pin male
ends. They are available at most computer shops.
The PC cable's 9-pin connector does
not fit my computer's 25-pin male serial connector.
The PC cable has recently been changed to a 9-pin connector on the
computer side, which has become more comman than the 25-pin connector.
Get a 25-pin to 9-pin adapter, with 25-pin female and 9-pin male
ends. They are available at most computer shops.
I'm a programmer, and I want to
write an application for the DGT Electronic Chessboard. Can you
give me some advice about serial port programming?
Please take a look at http://www.dgtnorthamerica.com/develop.htm.
There you'll find examples, the board protocol and a DLL windows
board driver, to easily make DGT board applications yourself.
I've taken my DGT Chessboard to
the US/UK and can't use my AC adapter there. What should I do?
The easiest solution is to get a standard 110V-to-220V converter.
To ensure that your DGT Chessboard (like all computer products)
operates properly on converted current, we suggest you also buy
a stabilizing converter at your new location, with these specifications:
- Mains stabilizer
- Secondary stabilized DC power, 9 or 10 Volts DC
- Current: 100mA or more
- DC power plug outer diameter 5.5 mm carrying Ground, central
shaft 2.1 mm carrying 9/10Volt positive
- Finally: DGT Projects has US and UK style adapters for the
board.
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