Investor RT Platform Review

[torero]

Oh, it's not real MP? Bummer.

[mister ed]

There are differences between MP and the 'Price Histogram' used instead by Ensign - would it be worthwhile discussing the differences here with a view to ascertaining how significant these differences are?

From the Ensign website:
"The histogram on the left side of the chart is drawn during the day in five-minute increments. The length of each horizontal line in the histogram represents the amount of time that the market spent at that corresponding price. "

So, instead of letters to signify each 5-minutes/half-hour (or whatever time increment being used) we have a horizontal line summing the TPOs (the link above will take you to an example of an Ensign Price Histogram chart).

How does this effect the use of MP?
Does it change the calculations for POC, VAH, VAL? (I think the answer to all 3 is no).
How else does it cause differences to MP?
Is it a better display than MP?

I am not deeply knowledgeable of MP, so I ask these questions of those who are more knowledgeable than me. This is not an academic exercise either, to me Ensign is a strong competitor to other charting packages, the information and knowledge we gain here will be useful to those considering Ensign as their charting package.

Actually, I will start this in a new thread, here.

[torero]

If given enough time, I may just ending up coding one on Ensign myself if I can't find one that's already done. We'll see how time permits but from the books read, I don't think it would be different. Just need to learn the software and programming syntax first.

Excellent idea, mr. ed.

[LS_Chad]

While I'm not familiar with Ensigns Price Histogram feature and how it's computed, I can provide some information on Investor/RT's Market Profile related functionality. I recently posted on this subject in the Investor/RT Workshop and will paste what was posted below.

	Quote:
	Investor/RT Market Profile Related Functionality Investor/RT offers flexible CME-licensed Market Profile charts. For more information and videos on the Investor/RT Market Profile charts, visit: http://www.linnsoft.com/futures/tpo/index.htm In addition to the standalone Market Profile charts, Investor/RT offers two unique Market Profile-related technical indicators that can be added to traditional bar/candle charts: TPO Indicator and Price/Time Profile Indicator. The TPO Indicator allows the user to transfer Market Profile information easily to a traditional bar/candle chart. It allows the user to plot the developing Value Areas and POC on a chart of any periodicity (1-minute, rangebars, etc). This chart provides a good demonstration of what can be accomplished with the TPO indicator: http://www.charthub.com/images/2008/...ile_Levels.png Notice the light gray lines in the top pane showing how the value area developed through the day, minute by minute. The gold lines show the IB and IB multiples. The gold histogram in the bottom pane plots the developing TPO counts. The TPO token in the RTL language gives the user access to key MP data such as IB Highs and Lows, IB multiples, TPO counts (above and below POC, and both with and without singles), and much more. For more information on the TPO indicator (and video demo), visit: http://www.linnsoft.com/tour/techind/tpo.htm The Price/Time Profile indicator allows the user to plot profiles within traditional charts, based on either price or volume. The duration of each profile by default is one day/session, but can be customized to any number of minutes or days. The Profile Indicator also clearly plots the Valua Areas and POC. For more information on the Profile indicator, visit: http://www.linnsoft.com/tour/techind/profile.htm If you have any questions on these features, or would like to see specific examples combining an instrument of your choice with a periodicity and chart settings, let me know.

[mister ed]

Another point I should mention about Investor R/T is my experience with the high frequency of updates to the software. Updates provide fixes to bugs but probably just as importantly add requested and spontaneous improvements to the software - it is like there is a 'constant improvement' policy. Improvements are normally incremental, but they build on each other and add functionality/ease of use. Actually upgrading is simple, almost a one-click operation.

[luke24.5]

I'm not interested in the backtesting, but I thought Linnsoft combined their MP with Market Delta. Am I mistaking RT with another platform?

[LS_Chad]

Investor/RT does provide several methods for displaying delta alongside Market Profile.

On the following Market Profile chart, look in the InfoBox to the left. As you move your cursor over any profile/tpo, you'll get feedback on a number of levels (profile feedback, bracket feedback, price feedback, tpo feedback). Included in that information is the delta of the profile, delta of that price, delta of that bracket, and delta of that one tpo.

Images | ChartHub.com



In the bar chart below, the TPO Indicator has been overlaid to provide the developing value and and point of control, along with the IB and IB multiples. The Volume Breakdown indicator is show in the second pane to give the per/bar delta. VB can also be setup to accumulate the delta of the day and draw it in bar form. (Third pane shows TPO counts).

Images | ChartHub.com

[mister ed]

Thanks Chad - great information. Fantastic integration of MP into traditional charts in this software.

[mister ed]

Has anyone used the live support from Investor R/T? I was building a chart that I couldn't get right (the stumbling block was allocating data to a variable and then creating that variable as a custom instrument) and emailed tech support there. They advised me how to do it, but when I still couldn't, offered to access my computer remotely and build the chart for me.

Once in it took all of two minutes or less - amazing to watch on the screen in front of me ... then follow up email to make sure I was happy etc. Impressive stuff.

[unana]

Just came across this thread and wanted to add my comments about IRT.

I use MP primarily and cannot emphasize what a great product IRT has created with their MP in that there are so many variables available one has the opportunity to tailor a truly individual MP (just for your own requirements). Their basic charting is also comprehensive offering ticks bars in addition to the usual timing charts and numerous indicators including volume based indicators.

Their support is excellent: I also had speedy replies to email queries on a Sunday and the pricing is about right for what they are offeriing.

They also do not rest on their laurels and update/introduce indicators regularly.

I can highly commend the software.

And no, I do not work for them or have any affiliation to them :-)