What Is MTH Proto-Sound 2.0 ?

[jimhaleyscomet]

A few generalities about PS2 engines and TMCC engines.

PS2 engines run fine with more options even in conventional than TMCC engines. They will typically have a slower minimum speed and different sounds/commands can be accessed with a variety of tranformer button combinations. They also have very decent to excellent sound packages. PS2 engines can be VERY affordable when purchased in starter sets ($250-$350) because they come with cars, track, and a good transformer for running one or two engines. To unlock all the DCS features (like controlling smoke output), to obtain remote control operation, and to avoid the arcane transformer button combinations you need the DCS controller which is about $250 (vs Lionel TMCC controller at $99). DCS plays nice with conventional locomotives running at the same time as long as they are not jack rabbit locomotives.

Lionel TMCC engines tend to be more pricy ($300 or more for just the basic engine, $400 and above for a sound package). However the TMCC controller is just $99 and works easy with just about any transformer (running it on a friends conventional layout is easy, running at the same time with conventional trains is not). It does not have all the featuresof DCS but is VERY easy to hookup (just hook it to power strip and transformer ground).

Lionel TMCC is available to put in Beeps and other small engines for about $100. DCS upgrades are more expensive but it can be done on engines with a flywheel.

Hope this helps. I run both, but DCS more often due to the lower priced engines.

Jim H

[ChiefEagles]

DCS is a great thing to have [so is TMCC]. I have one PS2 steamer and it is great as far as sounds. I have PS2 diesels and they are horrible as far as sounds [compared to Railsounds] and one is a new release. Operation wise, no problems.

[Anonymous]

Just for the record, isn't the correct term "cropped sine wave?" (From the transitive verb to crop, meaning to cut the tops off of, or clip, or alter.)

One certainly gets more useful "hits" on Google using "cropped."

wolverine49

[Anonymous]

Depending on the "quality" of the modified sine wave, the PS-2 locomotive may function very well or very poorly.

Most of the modern power supplies used electronic switching supplies fed by a basic step down transformer. The older PW units are basically variable tap step down transformers. The secondary side (aka the stepped down side) has one side of the windings exposed (the enamel was carefully sanded off) and a carbon roller is moved along these windings. Where you position the carbon roller sets the output voltage. Modern power supplies use a rheostat or some form of electronic control tied into a switching power supply to regulate the voltage. The TPC's put out a modified sine wave and have no trouble running PS-2 locomotives, same for the new ZW. The CW-80's problems may have more to do with the internal wiring as the waveform output. CW has a "strange" arrangment of the common to hot that preclude it's use with some accessories/switches. The original Lionel PowerMasters also have trouble with MTH electronics because of their waveform. Older MRC units shoult be avoided as well.

chuck

[spankybird]

A CW80 uses what is know as a 'Crop Sine Wave' to adjust voltage output. MTH eninges really like 'Pure Sine Wave' transformers.

[HopperSJ]

What is the problem with ProtoSound 2 and the CW-80? I was outbid on a MTH engine last night and didn't realize that if I won I would have a problem with my CW-80. (It sounds more and more like I need to ditch my CW-80?)

[waltrapp]

I agree with spankybird, not that he needs my confirmation! [:D]

I've run mine with a postwar ZW, a postwar V, a modern MRC dual 270, an MTH Z1000, and even a cheap 40 watt trainset trainsformer.

Now that I have DCS I still use those same transformers and all perform well.

- walt

[spankybird]

HI Fred,

It depends on your transformer. If it is a pure sine wave type, you should not have any problems. This includes most post war Lionel, MTH and MRC. If you are planning on using a new Lionel CW80, then yes this will be a problem.

tom

[Jim Duda]

Thanks Walt - point taken...you are correct.

[Anonymous]

I think Walt may have answered my question as I do not want DCS. I just want to be able to run PS2 equipped engines with a traditional transformer. However, I've heard that this might be a problem. Is this true?

[waltrapp]

Jim, I don't mean to be confrontational here but I do believe a distinction needs made between PS2 and DCS - especially to one that has never heard of PS2 and is asking what it is.

I would say that DCS is the train control system, not PS2 per-se. A small point but one that I feel does matter.

Look at it this way: A person might not buy an MTH PS2 engine if they felt that they HAD TO HAVE the control system. But if that same person knew that PS2 engines are controllable via a traditional transformer, without the aid of a control system, then they might be interested in obtaining an engine and being able to enjoy the benefits of the PS2 electronics.

I owned PS2 engines well before I owned DCS.

- walt

[Jim Duda]

Proto-Sound 2.0 (PS-2) is a train control system made by MTH as opposed to TMCC (Lionel and others). Which one is "better" can be decided only by YOU, based on what you want to do on YOUR layout. There is fierce loyalty by both camps, so be prepared for differing opinions.

If at all possible, test drive both schemes at a friend's place or at a train show.

This might help your basic understanding but it's a lot of reading, and there are some $20 videos available that are definitely worth the expense.

http://www.protosound2.com/

A good analogy: which do you prefer, the Windows operating system or the MacIntosh's?
Both control a computer, but YOU have to decide.

[macdannyk1]

http://www.protosound2.com

[Anonymous]

Could someone please give some details?