What Version of PowerVision Should I Use

On a new project always start off with the latest version of Powervision available for the hardware platform you are using. There are three hardware platforms each with their own versions of PowerVision support. All of these can be installed from the SPARK Software Manager.

Color Displays with iMx35 Processor Platform

PV450, PV485, PV780

This platform of displays is supported in versions 3.x and back to 2.7. Always start with the latest available in the 3.x channel in Spark. All updates for this platform will occur in the 3.x Channel. Hardware definitions for this platform are not available in 4.x and greater.

Color Displays with M2 or G1E Processor Platform

PV500, PV700, PV780B, PV1100, PV1200

This platform of displays is supported in versions 4.x and back to 2.9 depending on the specific display. Always start with the latest version of 4.x available in Spark. All updates for this platform will occur in the 4.x Channel.

Monochrome Displays and PowerCore Controllers

PV350, PV380, MPC-10, TEC-10, MPC-20, CXM110

This platform is supported in the 2.9 Monochrome Channel, Always start off with the latest version of 2.9. This is most important if you will be using the template files for any of these products. Most of the latest releases have been to add additional features to the templates. These are the same files that get loaded on the product in production. 

Version 2.9 was created before SPARK was deployed so requires a Key ID to use. To obtain a KEY ID submit a help request, you must have a current SPARK account.

Upgrading/Downgrading Configuration Versions

Configurations can be upgraded to a newer version of PowerVision however they cannot be downgraded. When upgrading to a new major revision (example 2.x to 3.x) some applications may have changed how features are implemented, check the release notes and thoroughly test your configuration. 

Each release of PowerVision is an independent installation so you can keep and continue to support existing projects in the same version it was created in while at the same time developing in the latest versions for new projects.

Using Example Configurations Created in Older Versions

The techniques and programming methods have not changed between the various versions so the examples still apply to newer versions of Powervision. Always check for new features and applications that may be available in the later versions that may simplify certain tasks. 

Many of the examples were created in version 2.9, these can be imported into newer versions for the given hardware platform. Examples created for a PV780 or PV450 will need to be opened up in 3.x.

The scripting library is the same between 2.9 to 4.x, the code can be copy and pasted into any of the versions.