On 11 Dec 02 Lefteris made the comment that there would be a "professional" version of the 737NG providing the means to run the various cockpit displays on separate PC's much like "Project Magenta".I have not seen any updates on this capability and it is not mentioned in the recent FAQ. Is this option still 'in the mix' and if so, would you provide on overview of what capabilities will be provided?I currently run FS on 3 systems: 1 with FS, the forward cockpit view and overhead panel; 1 with PFD/ND/EICAS on 2 monitors; 1 with the FMS/CDU. Will I be able to duplicate this presentation layout with the built-in capabilities of the 737NG product you are developing?Thanks.-michael

Michael-the answer is YES, but not right away.The "professional" version will most likely be done after the 800/900 are released. It's still under development, but a lot of it depends on communications stuff that cannot be delivered via FSUIPC (like Flight Plan info, etc.), so there is more work to it than simply developing a separate standalone EXE for it.

Hmm.. if it will be released after the 800/900, will it be possible to upgrade to it?I can't stand waiting that long :) hehe

Gents-The standalone displays of the PFD / ND / EICAS / CDU will be sold separately. They're probably going to be a bit more expensive, too, but price is still to be determined.

>Michael->>the answer is YES, but not right away.>Great! Thanks for the update.-michael

Wait a sec - is the only difference in the "Pro" version going to be the ability to use it for a home cockpit setup or will there be other enhancments to the panel and systems that you can only get by waiting for the pro version? If it means getting a VSD display or something cool like that, I'll wait for the pro version...Thanks!Ryan

There is no "Pro" version per se.There will be a "standalone" version, where each of the displays will have the ability to run on a separate PC, linking and communicating with its server via an internal TCP/IP or IPX network (FSUIPC + extras).I would not wait for any "pro" version if I were you ;-).Cheers

Gents-To add a bit of clarification on this discussion:At PMDG we are not planning to differentiate product functionality by offering multiple "versions" of this product. If you buy the airplane, you will have access to as much 737NG functionality as we can possible add to MSFS2002/2004!There are some of you out there, however, who have unique simulation setups that are comprised of multiple computers or home cockpit setups, and as such you desire the ability to operate our 737 outside of the normal MSFS screen based cockpit that we have programmed.In order to keep purchase costs reasonable, those of you who have no interest in such functionality can purchase the airplane, install and use it as advertised!Those who wish for the additional flexibility of running the airplane on multiple computers or in a home cockpit environment would be able to purchase that additional functionality at such a time as it is made available by PMDG. (No release timeframe is planned formally yet.) There will not be any "improved" or "additional" functionality that is unlocked by purchasing the ability to operate our software within your home cockpit setup. It's 737 functionality would be exactly the same as every other version- but you would have the flexibility you need to make it fit your home cockpit setup.