A question for those who use Ensign for charting and IB for data

[kiwi_trader]

Quote from Thunderdog:

A few months ago, I switched from eSignal to Ensign, with IB as the data feed. I'm generally pleased, although admittedly there have been a few IB data issues recently. (One of the reasons I switched from eSignal is because the data almost always lagged during heavy trading, such as immediately following an FOMC announcement.)

Here is my issue. I notice that when I do a manual refresh on Ensign (say, ALT+1), the OHLC of a few of the price bars occasionally change from what they were before the refresh. More often than not this change is innocuous. However, from time to time, I have found that what was previously a setup is no longer a setup for me because of the change in the configuration of the price bars. And vice versa. This feels a bit like driving on ice. I trade ES almost exclusively using 1-minute charts.

As an aside, in Ensign's Data tab of the Chart Properties window, the "auto refresh" box is checked. I spoke with Ensign's technical support, and they point the finger at IB. I spoke with IB, however, they have not offered any solutions.

Have any of you folks experienced this issue and, if so, how do you deal with it?

The issue of backfill data being correct and real time data sometimes missing highs and lows is a real IB issue. I ran a campaign to get this fixed a while back and IB have also committed to fixing it.

Briefly what happens is that IB send you timely data, one sample every 0.2 seconds. If there are multiple prices in that sample you may miss a critical high or low. Its also being fixed but I haven't checked to see how far they've got yet.

 

[OldTrader]

Quote from kiwi_trader:

Yes, at the moment, if you refresh with IB data then its got all the transaction counts set to 0 so the tick charts dont "work." IB have committed to fixing this so the IB refresh will have ticks some time soon.

I see...looks like I learned something new here. However this would not impact the bar charts I assuming, such as the OP is using.

OldTrader

 

[OldTrader]

Quote from kiwi_trader:

The issue of backfill data being correct and real time data sometimes missing highs and lows is a real IB issue. I ran a campaign to get this fixed a while back and IB have also committed to fixing it.

Briefly what happens is that IB send you timely data, one sample every 0.2 seconds. If there are multiple prices in that sample you may miss a critical high or low. Its also being fixed but I haven't checked to see how far they've got yet.

But I think the question here is whether the real time data and the backfill data from IB are the same.

OldTrader

 

[Thunderdog]

Thank you all for your input. It is much appreciated.

Kiwi, since you mentioned that you spoke with IB and that it is committed to fixing the backfill/real time discrepancy, did they mention any timeline on a potential fix? Would you know if it is anything of a priority?

 

[mtwokay]

Keep in mind that IB aggregates tick data, in .3 second chunks i believe, but when you refresh from DT you get all the ticks and your charts will look slightly different.

 

[kiwi_trader]

LOL Td.

Its on the committed list for their suggestions, I didn't actually talk to anyone, I just got as many people as possible to sign up that it was important and was then pleased when it was one of the first items to get the development tick.

Dev, did mention some details to me in an off topic email so I assume they're beavering away as we type.

 

[myminitrading]

Quote from OldTrader:

You might want to get your facts straight. You can select either IB or DTN as a refresh source. You check your preference in the properties box.

OldTrader

Has it always been like that, I know when I used it the refresh was from DTN. I guess they now have both.

 

[myminitrading]

Quote from kiwi_trader:

Yes, at the moment, if you refresh with IB data then its got all the transaction counts set to 0 so the tick charts dont "work." IB have committed to fixing this so the IB refresh will have ticks some time soon.

This is off topic, but you seem to know alot about IB. How is trading the ag futures going with IB. I like the breadth of product they are now offering, what is your experience with these products.

Thanks

 

[OldTrader]

Quote from Thunderdog:

Thank you all for your input. It is much appreciated.

Kiwi, since you mentioned that you spoke with IB and that it is committed to fixing the backfill/real time discrepancy, did they mention any timeline on a potential fix? Would you know if it is anything of a priority?

Backfill and real time data (from IB) should be the same, or nearly the same. The issue that they supposedly are working on is the issue of whether a high (or low) happens to occur during the interval that they aggregate together. IB does not give you each tick...they give you an interval. That shouldn't affect the issue that you mentioned, but it might effect slightly the accuracy of the chart itself...regardless of whether it is filled with realtime IB data or backfill.

OldTrader

 

[OldTrader]

Quote from myminitrading:

Has it always been like that, I know when I used it the refresh was from DTN. I guess they now have both.

I can't remember when that started...but it's been quite a while. The DTN refresh is delayed. The IB refresh on intraday charts up to 1 week is not delayed.

OldTrader