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Playback Basic and Advanced |
February 15 , 2006
16:29 @Ensign_Kimball: Welcome to the Ensign Training Class today
16:29 @Ensign_Kimball: It is a balmy 4 degrees F here in Idaho Falls and a nice snow is falling. Nice, if you want to get into the Winter Olympic spirit
16:30 @Ensign_Kimball: Today we will be discussing 2 program features
16:30 @Ensign_Kimball: 1) Playback
16:30 @Ensign_Kimball: 2) Sim Broker (There was not enough time to cover Sim Broker.)
16:30 @Ensign_Kimball: If you are already an expert with using both of these features, then you may not learn much today. This is a beginner level class. Please hold your questions, until the end of each section. Thanks.
16:31 @Ensign_Kimball: First...the Playback Feature
16:31 @Ensign_Kimball: The Play Back feature allows you to replay (on a chart) the tick by tick Trading that occurred for a symbol. This is great for someone who wants to practice trading without actually placing live trades in the market.
16:32 @Ensign_Kimball: Tick data for the specified symbol (on a specified day) is used to create a Play Back file. The file can then be played at anytime (just like a Tape Recorder can replay its recordings). The played file will duplicate the trading day in actual time (or up to 10 x actual speed), as if you were trading the markets in real-time.
16:33 @Ensign_Kimball: This feature is a fantastic tool that allows traders to practice their trading skills with real market data.
16:33 @Ensign_Kimball: There are 2 versions of the Play Back feature (Basic and Advanced).
Playback Basic
16:33 @Ensign_Kimball: Lets talk about the BASIC version first.
16:33 @Ensign_Kimball: Select 'Setup | Playback Basic' from the Ensign menu to view the Playback setup screen.
16:35 @Ensign_Kimball: When you open the screen, Ensign will download a list of Playback files. The drop-down list box can then be clicked to view the list of files.
16:36 @Ensign_Kimball: In the screen capture above, I have selected the YM (e-mini DOW) contract for February 9th, 2006.
16:36 @Ensign_Kimball: Ensign maintains Playback files for the following symbols ES NQ YM AB and 6E (euro)
16:37 @Ensign_Kimball: The name of the playback file includes the Symbol, Year, Month, and Date. Example: YM060209
16:37 @Ensign_Kimball: The BASIC version of Playback does not allow you to change any playback parameters except the SPEED.
16:37 @Ensign_Kimball: You can select 2x 4x or 10x . This means that the file will be played back to you at (2 times, 4 times, or 10 times) the actual speed. Most traders prefer to go faster than the actual speed, since there are a lot of slow periods during a trading day. After selecting the the SPEED, click the 'PlayBack' button to open a chart and see the replay of the date.
16:40 @Ensign_Kimball: Ensign uses a special chart symbol named DEMO to display all Playback sessions.
16:40 @Ensign_Kimball: In the example above, you can see a 1-minute chart of DEMO . You are welcome to open several DEMO charts at the same time (using different Time Frames). They will all be updated in real time while the Playback session is running. This workspace can now be saved as your demo workspace.
16:41 @Ensign_Kimball: I just changed my 1-minute chart to be a 10-minute chart. It is still updating nicely. (You could of just opened another chart and had two charts.)
16:42 @Ensign_Kimball: I am currently using the playback file for the YM symbol, and replaying the day for Feb 9th.
16:42 @Ensign_Kimball: You can apply Draw LINES and TOOLS, Studies (and templates) on the chart, just like any other chart.
16:43 @Ensign_Kimball: Here is a capture of the same chart, with some studies and lines applied to it.
16:44 @Ensign_Kimball: If you have a particular Trading System...or Trading Rules...that you like to use, then the Playback feature is great to TEST your ideas.
16:45 Da Bear: If current speed is 4 X how do you change it to 2 X on the Playback that is running ?
16:45 @Ensign_Kimball: Practicing your trading with Playback files is a super way to improve your trading skills in a simulated real-time environment.
16:45 @Ensign_Kimball: The BASIC version does not allow you to change the speed, once it has already started. However, your can select 'Setup | Playback Advanced' from the menu, and change the SPEED.
16:45 Da Bear: t y
16:46 @Ensign_Kimball: Any questions on PlayBack BASIC ???????????????
16:47 Kongfuzi: it only uses canned files you provide?
16:47 @Ensign_Kimball: Yes. The BASIC version is simple. The files are provided. There is no setup.
Playback Advanced
16:48 @Ensign_Kimball: If you want to do a Playback on a different symbol, then you must use the ADVANCED Playback screen.
16:48 zingo: Can another template be used?
16:48 @Ensign_Kimball: You can use Templates on the DEMO charts, just like any other chart
16:48 zingo: ty
16:49 @Ensign_Kimball: Lets see what the differences are between BASIC and ADVANCED.
16:49 @Ensign_Kimball: Select 'Setup | Playback Advanced' from the Ensign menu to view the Advanced setup screen.
How To Create Your Own Playback File
(You should use the files available through Ensign Internet Services so all are using the same file. If you click on build new playback file it will corrupt any file already download for that symbol and date. 6E - AB(ER2) - ES - NQ - YM are available.)
16:51 @Ensign_Kimball: I have opened the Advanced setup screen, and have decided to CREATE a Playback file of my own for APPLE COMPUTERS (AAPL)
16:51 @Ensign_Kimball: Enter a symbol in the 'Symbol' entry box (example: IBM, ES M6, NQ M6, etc.). Tick data from this root Symbol will be used to create or run the Play Back file.
16:52 @Ensign_Kimball: By default the filename will include the first 2 characters of the 'Symbol', and also the current Year, Month, and Day (example: AA060215 ).
16:53 @Ensign_Kimball: Click the 'Build new Playback File' button to download data and create the file.
16:53 @Ensign_Kimball: Select the Playback speed I have selected 6x
16:54 @Ensign_Kimball: Over 200,000 ticks were downloaded into AAPL playback file
16:55 @Ensign_Kimball: Click the 'Reset current Play Back' button
16:55 @Ensign_Kimball: Click the 'Open DEMO Chart' buton (with a specified Time Frame) to open a chart.
6:58 @Ensign_Kimball: This is what AAPL looked like.
16:58 @Ensign_Kimball: We are now replaying how this stock traded as part of a Playback session.
16:58 @Ensign_Kimball: Now, back to the setup screen.
16:59 @Ensign_Kimball: The 'Start' time allows you to specify how far into the trading day you would like the Playback to begin at. For example, if I enter 11:00 as the start time (eastern), then Reset the Playback session, then the chart will be trading at 11 AM
17:02 @Ensign_Kimball: A menu at the top of the Ensign program named 'Pause' will appear while a Playback is running. Click the Pause menu to temporarily stop the Play Back. Click Resume to start the Play Back again.
17:03 @Ensign_Kimball: If you have already created and save some Playback files, they will be located in the \ensign\playback folder on your computer.
17:04 @Ensign_Kimball: Occasionally, Ensign users will e-mail Playback files to each other.
17:04 @Ensign_Kimball: Sometimes, several users will gather in a CHAT room and run the same playback together. And discuss trading ideas while the chart is unfolding.
17:05 @Ensign_Kimball: Any questions regarding Playback ?????????????????
QnA
17:05 Kongfuzi: can the charts be range or tick charts?
17:05 @Buffy: range tick or volume since 10/3
www.dacharts.org/archives/Playback_Files/
17:06 Da Bear: If I want to get ready for Buffy's week end sessions , I should download files now correct ??
17:06 @Buffy: Dacharts has files going back to the start of playback zipped to make easier downloading. Howard usually updates pb files on friday nights. Volume charts available with playback files back to 10/3 and are labeled new.
17:06 @Ensign_Kimball: Here is a Volume chart. This feature was just recently added.
17:05 Makai: Are volume files available? How/where do I get recent files ... today's? How do you sync up a new chart with bars from the previous day so indicators are as you would see them at market open?
17:07 @Ensign_Kimball: Makai....you can create your own Playback files with today's data (for the symbols that you follow). Ensign updates Playback files for ES YM NQ AB and 6E every weekend.
17:07 Kongfuzi: so it is possible to have the pb file feeding multiple charts/timeframes? Yes
17:08 @Buffy: While you can create your own, when sync for room we all try to use Howards to avoid problems
17:08 Makai: How do you record a market? Need any particular data feed?
17:08 Kongfuzi: but only pb one symbol at a time, right? Yes
17:10 @Ensign_Kimball: If a PlayBack file for adjacent days are present in the \ensign\playback folder, then the Playback session will auto load both days. This will allow you to apply studies and lines on the prior day.
17:10 @Ensign_Kimball: Range and Tick charts are fine.
17:11 Kongfuzi: but not possible to say playback a futures symbol and a stock symbol at the same time, right?
17:11 @Ensign_Kimball: Kong....Multiple DEMO charts with multiple Time Frames can be displayed at the same time. But only 1 Playback session can be run at one time. You cannot Run a session for ES and a session for YM at the same time.
17:12 @Ensign_Kimball: Makai.....you don't need a particular data-feed to create a Playback file. Ensign Windows has several different data-sources. But, if you use a data-feed that has Tick by Tick data available, then that is the data that will be used.
17:13 Kongfuzi: ok thx Kimbal, was interested in say gold futures and a gold mining stock to see if the futures led the mining stock, thx
17:11 Da Bear: Kimball or Buffy can you show us how the Sync works to join a group in progress
17:14 @Ensign_Kimball: Da Bear....Enter an optional Sync Time. The entered time must be an Eastern Time Zone time. This allows on-line Training Classes and groups of traders to synch all participants to the same bars. Everyone participating with the same PlayBack session will be in Sync with each other.
17:14 Da Bear: thanks
17:11 CB: can I ask a dumb question abour range charts? - I understand what time volume and tick charts are but do not understand what measuremnet ranges charts are?
17:15 @Ensign_Kimball: CB....a Range chart will cause all the bars on the chart to be the same Price distance (from High to Low). For example, a R100 chart will cause all bars to be 100 points in price size. A new bar will not be created until the bar exceeds 100. All the bars will be the same size, but may span several different time spans....since each bar may have taken a different amount of time to reach the specified price size.
17:17 CB: Kimball - So when doing multiple time frames on a single symbol - I should set up all the windows - say 3 min 5 min and 15 min first - then begin the playback process?
17:17 CB: ok
17:17 @Ensign_Kimball: No. Start the Playback session, then open the charts.
17:17 Makai: Kimball, not sure I understand your last comment to me... can I record a market with an Ensign internet download and or IB update? ... or do I have to record the market during the day? or ??? ... and how do I create the playback file?
17:17 CB: can you tell that part of the process which is different for multiple time frames?
17:18 @Ensign_Kimball: Makai....you do not record anything during the day.
17:18 CB: i.e. the process
17:18 Kongfuzi: pb files must be built from DTN or some historical common source
17:18 @Ensign_Kimball: The CREATE process downloads data from an Internet data source, and creates the Playback file. You do not have to be on-line all day to create a Playback file.
7:20 @Buffy: Didn't know that had changed for ib users thanks Kimball
17:20 CB: Kimball - I understand how to create the PB file - but what are the steps to run multiple timeframes at the same time on the same symbol?
17:20 @Ensign_Kimball: Makai....select 'Help' from the menu, and read the Playback documentation. We have discussed how to create a Playback file already today. You must use the 'Advanced' playback screen. Enter a Symbol, click the 'Build' button
17:21 Makai: ok, thanks ...
17:21 @Ensign_Kimball: CD....just open 2 or 3 charts.
17:21 CB: before I start the PB rocess
17:21 @Ensign_Kimball: Example: DEMO.1 DEMO.5 DEMO.30 DEMO.60
17:21 CB: ?
17:22 @Ensign_Kimball: No. Start the Playback, then open 4 DEMO charts....with Different Time Frames. Use the 'Charts' button.
17:22 CB: so I start it - then pause it - then open the other times frames as DEMO charts?
17:22 @Ensign_Kimball: The DEMO symbol is likely already in the CHARTS list.
17:22 @Ensign_Kimball: You don't need to pause it. Use the DEMO symbol for all the chart windows.
17:23 CB: But at 5x it goes so fast I miss the start of the day
17:23 @Ensign_Kimball: Fine.. Pause it then.
17:24 @Buffy: cb speed can be changed. I would run reg until you have workspace setup and saved as demo. Then you will be opening all charts at once when you open the demo workspace
17:24 CB: ok - thanks Kimball - your talk today had been very clear :-)
17:24 @Ensign_Kimball: Start if off at Actual speed, then speed it up later.
17:25 @Ensign_Kimball: Good idea Buffy......Create a Workspace that opens 4 DEMO charts. Start your Playback session, then open the Workspace.
17:25 CB: yes - I like that
17:25 Kongfuzi: but we can set up an entire workspace with a template applied and then only have to set this all up once, right? DOH! sorry
17:26 @Buffy: correct
17:26 @Ensign_Kimball: Yes. Just setup the Workspace using DEMO as the symbol for all the Charts, and the Templates that are on the Charts.
17:26 @Buffy: mine is called demo Jan06
17:27 @Ensign_Kimball: Well...my time is almost up. We will have to cover Sim Broker on another day.
17:27 @Ensign_Kimball: Any other questions on Playback.
When downloading from dacharts, how do I put those files in Ensign playback ?
17:27 @Ensign_Kimball: Save the files to the \ensign\playback folder.
17:27 @Buffy: Do not make subfolders - playback will not work if you do
17:30 @Ensign_Kimball: What was your question Kong.
17:33 zingo: Thanks, Kimball
17:33 @Ensign_Kimball: Ok....Hope you all have a great week. Thank you for coming to the class. gotta run now.
17:33 CB: Thanks again Kimball - I appreciate your time :-)
17:33 @Buffy: Thanks Kimball
17:33 Kongfuzi: thanks Kimball, Buffy, ya'll rock
17:33 Makai: thank you