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Connecting Swimcloud Meet to Colorado GEN 7

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This article is Swimcloud's authoritative setup guide for connecting the Colorado Timing System GEN 7 with Swimcloud Meet. It is intended for Swimcloud staff and meet administrators. It covers hardware setup, file exports, scoreboard integration, and troubleshooting — including FTDI cable guidance and DisplayLink support.

If you have not done so, you will need to first download Swimcloud Meet Manager.

Step 1 — Power On in the Correct Sequence

Always start your meet by powering on devices in this order:

  1. Turn on the GEN 7 Controller Computer and allow it to boot completely.

  2. Power on the GEN 7 Timer using the button on the unit.

  3. Wait for the LED ring on the GEN 7 to show a slow pulsing pattern (indicates it's ready).

  4. Launch the GEN 7 Swimming Software on the controller computer.

Step 2 — Set Up the Meet in GEN 7 Swimming Software

  1. In the GEN 7 software, create or open your meet.

  2. Confirm that the meet name, time, and date are correct.

  3. Confirm your pool's length (SCY, SCM, LCM) and touchpad configuration are correct

  4. Make sure the software is connected to the GEN 7 timer (it should auto-detect over Ethernet).

Step 3 — Connect Swimcloud Meet to the GEN 7 Timer

  1. Open Swimcloud Meet and open your meet with entries.

  2. Click the Time System button.

  3. Select Colorado Timing System 7.

  4. Connect a USB cable from the Meet Management USB port on the GEN 7 timer to the computer running Swimcloud Meet.

  5. In Swimcloud Meet, select the correct COM port

  6. Look for a green indicator next to “Time System” — this confirms a successful connection.

⚠️ You can run both GEN 7 and Swimcloud Meet on the same computer. For best results, use dual monitors: one for each application.

Recommended Serial-to-USB Cable for GEN 7 Timer Connections

While many serial-to-USB cables will physically connect, not all chipsets are reliable. We recommend using cables that include the FTDI chipset, which ensures stable communication with serial hardware like CTS timers.

✅ Recommended models:

❌ Avoid low-cost generic cables. Many use cheap chipsets that frequently disconnect or fail to register COM ports.

Step 4 — (Legacy Only) Connect to Swimcloud’s Live Virtual Scoreboard

For legacy users broadcasting live results to Swimcloud:

Hardware

  • Plug the Swimcloud-supplied virtual scoreboard adapter into the GEN 7’s scoreboard output.

  • Connect the adapter to your computer using a Serial-to-USB cable.

Software

  • In Swimcloud Meet, click the Scoreboard button.

  • Select the correct COM port.

  • A green dot confirms a stable connection.

⚠️ The Scoreboard Screen includes several options for displaying Swimcloud's virtual scoreboard.  You can either:

  • Open the scorebaord as a window directly on the meet manager computer, or

  • Use the provided URL to display the scoreboard in any modern web browser

Step 5 — Export Events and Start Lists from Swimcloud to GEN 7

Export the Event List (Structure only - no names or lane assignments)

  1. In Swimcloud Meet, click the Time System button.

  2. Click Write Events to push the event structure to the GEN 7 timer.

Export the Start List (Includes athlete names and lane assignments)

  1. In Swimcloud Meet, click the Scoreboard tab.

  2. Click Export Start List to generate a .scb file.

  3. Transfer this file to both the GEN 7 controller computer and, if used, the DisplayLink computer.

Step 6 — Import the Start List into GEN 7

On the GEN 7 controller computer:

  1. Launch the GEN 7 Swimming Software.

  2. Open the Quick Options menu (right side of the main screen).

  3. Select Load Scoreboard Names.

  4. Locate and open the .scb file exported from Swimcloud.

⚠️ This enables GEN 7 to automatically activate lanes based on your seeding and display swimmer names in the software.

Step 7 — (Optional) Load Names into DisplayLink for Wall Scoreboard Integration

If your facility uses Colorado DisplayLink to drive a wall scoreboard:

  1. Transfer the .scb file to the DisplayLink computer.

  2. Open DisplayLink and import the .scb file.

  3. Confirm that swimmer names and lanes display properly on the wallboard.

Optional — Use Swimcloud and GEN 7 on the Same Computer

Many teams run both systems on one machine. This is fully supported and works well with dual monitors:

  • Monitor 1: Swimcloud Meet

  • Monitor 2: GEN 7 Swimming Software

🛠 Troubleshooting Tips

No COM Port Detected

  • Unplug and replug the USB cable.

  • Check for conflicting software using the port (e.g., old timing apps).

  • Verify you are using a cable with an FTDI chipset.

Connection Dropped? Quick Fix

  1. On the GEN 7 controller computer, open Quick Options.

  2. Click Cycle MM Port.

  3. Wait a few seconds — Swimcloud Meet should reconnect (green indicator returns).

🎉 You’re Ready to Run the Meet

Once the systems are connected and you’ve exported/imported your event and start lists, you’re ready to run your meet using Swimcloud Meet and the Colorado GEN 7 system.

📚 Additional Resources

Need help? Contact Swimcloud Support at support@swimcloud.com

 

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