Anyone have any experience with the TASC Smartboard

[M ANSARI]

I am thinking of getting a TASC Smartboard. I bought one many many years ago but unfortunately it was defective and could not "see" a certain square. I tried fixing it to no avail. I wanted to know what the latest evolution is and if it is worth going for it again. Ofcourse I would like the option of hooking it up either to a Computer running a 64bit OS for maximum analysis ability ... or a Pocket PC platform to spar against in real games. Is it up to date with the latest Wifi and USB standards? Does it have all the necessary drivers to connect to a PPC or a 64bit OS? Is it compatible with CB products?

Any information would be very much appreciated.

[Mike S.]

I was informed that unfortunately, a TASC SmartBoard does NOT work with Windows XP or Vista. So, it is only recommendable if you still have a good PC running Win98, or to be used as part of a chess computer, without PC.

(I am not sure about Windows ME.)

Also, it requires a parallel port (old printer port) to connect with. I am not aware of any new versions with USB etc.; I think Tasc B.V. was closed many years ago. The ChessBase software supports DGT boards but not the SmartBoard. I know that Chessmaster 6000...9000 have SB. support, also the Shredder 5 GUI, but in both cases I do not know if newer versions have SB. support, still. And of course, Tasc's Chessica supports it too. This program runs even in Vista still, but the board is not recognized.

Sorry for the bad news...

[AdminX]

I know that the DGT Board (USB version) works with a 64bit OS. The DGT Board uses a Virtual Com Port driver that goes by the name FTDI. Now while DGT does not make or support a 64bit version of this driver, it (64bit version) can be located and download from the following website:

http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm

PS: When at the website look for Virtual COM port (VCP) drivers.

[JVMerlino]

To clarify, as far as I can recall only CM5500 through CM7000 supported the Smartboard. I definitely know that CM8000 and CM9000 did not support it (at least not implicitly, although some people might have gotten it to work as a kind of Winboard engine?).

jm

[Mike S.]

Thanks. My memory failed and I have none of these CMs installed, currently.

[M ANSARI]

Is the DGT board a successor to the TASC board? Who sells it and where.

Thanks

[Eelco de Groot]

Is the DGT board a successor to the TASC board? Who sells it and where.

Thanks

Hello Majd,

DGT are located here in Enschede. I'm sure you know them, these are the boards that are used in practically all GM-tournaments because the moves can be automatically registrated with them, which is of course indispensable if you want to do broadcasting of games.



http://www.dgtprojects.com/eboard.htm

The boards are not cheap but for an interface with a PC I think this is superior than a Citrine communicating with Arena or something like that.
For information about the Novag Citrine I think you can better ask and search for posts in the Hiarcs Forum, run by a certain Mr. Williamson and Mr. Blincoe.

I believe Terry used to own a DGT board that he won in the match against Chess Tiger on Rebel Forum, but I believe he sold it a couple of years ago?

Regards, Eelco

[Mike S.]

From a practical viewpoint, the DGT boards have a big disadvantage though, compared with the TASC SmartBoards: They have no square LEDs. I was told that FIDE regulations for tournament material do not allow such square LEDs. - But I didn't check the DGT catalogue; maybe they offer such a board, meanwhile?

I wonder if such LEDs cannot be built in 'hidden', under a thin wooden surface, and only used optional. For me, a sensor board without square LEDs is not interesting. - Audio move announcement from the PC is not always clear, and if I have to look on the PC monitor anyway, then I can play with the onscreen board directly, as well.

[M ANSARI]

Thank you for all the information and link ... I will have to check into it. The board looks very nice ... but also the LED's would be a nice advantage since then you don't have to look on the screen. It would be great if such a machine could have a "pocket" where you can hookup a Pocket PC and have it play a game. Or with Wifi and have it connected via wifi to a computer somewhere on the network.

[AdminX]

From a practical viewpoint, the DGT boards have a big disadvantage though, compared with the TASC SmartBoards: They have no square LEDs. I was told that FIDE regulations for tournament material do not allow such square LEDs. - But I didn't check the DGT catalogue; maybe they offer such a board, meanwhile?

I wonder if such LEDs cannot be built in 'hidden', under a thin wooden surface, and only used optional. For me, a sensor board without square LEDs is not interesting. - Audio move announcement from the PC is not always clear, and if I have to look on the PC monitor anyway, then I can play with the onscreen board directly, as well.

If you are hooking it up to a PC, I see no point it the LEDs. Sound works just fine for me. I guess in the end its six of one thing and half a dozen of another, I would not call it a big disadvantage though. The only issue that might be a big disadvantage for some people may be its price. I've had one for a while now and I like it. But thats just my 2 cents, your mileage may vary …