New CompuTrainer Software - ErgVideo 3 and HD
Wow! CT software has finally moved from the 19th to the 21st century. I've had a CT for a number of years, but it has been gathering dust for the last year or so.
I had heard that ErgVideo was updating software, so when it came out last week I purchased a long intervals video, mainly to get the newest software. All the new videos come with the latest Erg 3.0 software, which is light years ahead of past versions.
The long intervals course I ordered comes with about a dozen other workouts. All are fully customizable and writing your own programs looks pretty straightforward. I've written workouts with the Erg+ version, but this one looks much easier and it's fully integrated.
There are handle bar controls to adjust power levels, you can calibrate on the fly and a couple of other items.
All rides show estimated TSS, IF avg Power and a few other metrics before you ride them as well as time in various zones. Adjusting a slider button moves the work level up and down accordingly. I think it's kind of cool to be able to find a ride that will give you "x" amount of time in a particular zone or a certain amount of TSS before you start. When you finish or quit, the workout is automatically converted to a text file ready to import to WKO.
The ride screen is also very good, customizable and easy to read. Lots of data displayed well.
They have a bunch of cautions about needing a newer computer, but I've got a five year old laptop running XP and have no problems with the software.
I'm still playing with it, but for anyone with a CT and a long winter in the pain cave ahead of them, I'd definitely check out the website here
Comments
Unfortunately ErgVideo 3 isn't running on my old WinXP laptop, maybe it's just too old. When I go to select my ride the course profile does not show up, and if I try to launch a ride it fails after 20 seconds and says it was unable to load the media. I'll probably have to contact them directly.
Great info! Thanks. Will have the man look into it ASAP.
So you don't have to have the multirider software to adjust anymore? If so awesome
That is definitely a benefit of the CT system, the load generator is pretty solid as well and all the physical hardware and easily upgradeable as well as open to 3rd party companies (like ERGvideo). The one big problem with a computrainer...............it is still an indoor trainer.
I also like "winning streaks" so if I have a tough set or test coming up, I will sometimes do the time (ie. 2 x20) but at 80% or 85% so I know I can hang in there. The next time I'll do it at 100% and it just makes it easier. I find if I can't make at set or two or three, I crumble mentally and need to set back for a bit to get my mojo back.
Paul Smeulders
President, Developer, CEO, CTO, C3PO
By the way, I found out that it's real easy to hook up multiple riders to the same video, just need a serial or usb hub, depending on the CT handle bar hook-up to the PC. Plug all the units in, assign a rider to each of them and start pedaling.
Also, can't import old Erg+ files, you still need the Computrainer software for that.
Like Jeff, I too love the idea of just pedaling without thinking; you're either going or stopped. Nothing in between.
I'm not sure, it might for some. You sort of have to find that mental sweet spot. The good thing is the longest interval on the trainer at FTP is the 2x20 in the OS IIRC.
Using the computrainer in Erg mode, either with or without video is a big help on the motivational front. Since you have to program in what your wattage targets are ahead of time and then the Erg mode forces you to put out those target numbers, you can basically fall asleep. All you have to do is keep turning the pedals and if you make it through the workout you will have hit the numbers you wanted.
I really, really, really like this for early AM workouts where I am too blurry and looking for any excuse to fold or cut the workout short. I swear I don't wake up until about 30 minutes into the workout. I just hit start and have my legs start pedaling. I even close my eyes.
Christian,
I bought the CT because of all the bells and whistles, cool graphics etc., but to me the value is in the erg mode; write a course, load it up and start pedaling. The workouts are very precise and there is no wasted time doing something you don't want to be doing.
I read somewhere that only about 1 in 1,000 CT owners actually know how to use it properly. I think that it's pretty accurate.
I have gotten a handful of the videos, but have always gone back to the ERG--except when I'm trying to ride the specific course I'm racing.
As a side note on Sunday or Monday during the OS I would build the courses for the upcoming week (and the garmin workouts for the track for that matter). Easier than do all at once -- avoiding negative SAUs of by being on the computer doing tri stuff everyday.
Tom I agree with you on the CT. It was a pain to figure out the first time. I still worry that I'm not using the CT it as effectively as possible. I am not surprised that only 1K CT users actually know how to use it.
Been using the ERG videos on my computrainer for over a year now, and love them, definitely agree the new player is much better, only questions is I'm not entirely sure how to figure out if I am doing the right intensity for the ride... Do they use the same zones? I can set up a 2x6 with 2 minute rest set, but do I just use the slider to set it at 90% ? Thanks
The zones are not the same. What I have been doing is to set your FT in the rider setup area and then use the "slider" on the course map to get it close enough. When riding I'll use the handle bar controller to move watts up and down if I'm off a bit from where I want to be. I've got it set to move 5 watts when I hit the + or - button, so it gets "close enough" really quickly.
Being a Computrainer newbie (don't hurt me!) I am wondering if the cost of ergvideo is worth it. Primarily cause it would require me to buy a real computer (perhaps two? for me and the misses?).
So can someone give me the cliff note version of what is better/different/worth it for the ergvideo stuff? Looks cool in the sense that they have some fun mountain climbing videos. However I think the course creator that I bought with the computrainer (the garmin -> course thingie) should be sufficient?
The multi-rider piece of the ergvideo is interesting since we have two computrainers and would like to ride together on the same course (with perhaps different speeds). However don't know how that would be handled with a single video.
Basically want to figure out if it is worth it to buy a new computer just to get HD video of guys bums as they drop me on mountains. LOL Thanks for any help.
-Dave
@Dave: The erg video doesn't add anything over the computrainer erg mode other than the video. You can set up the same workouts using the multirider or coaching software (I use the coaching software). I don't have the HD video or the newest software, but it looks like the improvements they have made are all in the interface.
@Dave - I just got my CT this fall (started Nov OS with it). I've had lot's of success simply using the ERG function in the CT CS software. I create an ERG file matching the day's workout (including warm-ups) using a free web-based ERG writer (link: 63.134.234.143/tri/erg.asp). Then I launch the CT CS software and "Start Charts". This opens the windows folder where I saved the ERG file (may have to browse for the folder the first time) and I'm set.
Heather