The PR2 is a programming device which specifically allows you to download sounds to appropriate Digitrax decoders. I picked one up this week, and I've been able to download a trolley sound package to an SFX0416 decoder. The PR2 will also function as a general-purpose decoder programmer, so it may be used to set CV's on non-sound engines as well.
The guts of the PR2 are very simple, and they are contained in a small unit with a DB25 plug on one end, and a 6-wire phone jack on the other. The DB25 goes into the back of a computer, plugging into a COM port. Problem #1: Today's computers no longer accept this kind of plug on COM ports. Fortunately, Digitrax included an adapter to go to a DB9 jack, which my computer, now reaching middle age, can deal with. But, I'm not sure how much longer the basic Windows machine will come with DB9's, either, if they still do.
The PR2 does have its own power, so you need to provide an external 12 volt DC source. For most of us, this is no problem. I used an old MRC power pack. The PR2 has a small barrel jack input for power, compatable with its own PS-12 power supply, but a quick snip removed this and left me with bare wires. Problem #2: The cable coming out of the PR2 is all of a foot long. With the unit plugged into the back of my computer, under the table, all of the connections have to be made on hands and knees. For a few more feet of 6-conductor phone line, this could have been all moved up on top of the table.
The PR2 comes with SoundLoader, the software for downloading the sound projects. SoundLoader is pretty good. It has limited ability to manipulate the sound files themselves, and can handle CV's as well. Problem #3: When I plugged in the PR2 and started SoundLoader, I had to select the appropriate COM port. COM1 gave no response, so I selected the only other choice, COM4. SoundLoader immediately reported that the PR2 was connected and ready. However, it was neither connected nor ready. The PR2 was actually plugged into COM1, but I hadn't provided power to it yet. I have nothing plugged into COM4, but SoundLoader saw enough that it thought the PR2 was there. Digitrax does provide a flashing LED on the PR2 to indicate status, and with the aid of that I was able to get things configured properly. However, this COM port confusion took a while to resolve because of the false indication from SoundLoader.
The rest of the problems I encountered were related to my own installation. The SFX0416 is a sound-only decoder, and it was wired in parallel to a Bachmann decoder that came with the trolley. They really aren't compatable, although they work together well enough that I can run them. However, when it comes to programming, there are a lot of obstacles to overcome. In order to download the sounds, I had to separate the two decoders, and run power to the SFX directly. Then, I had to provide a load to the accessory leads of the decoder so that the programmer would see something on the track. I assume this would work better with a Digitrax motor decoder, but I can't be sure. I'm also thinking that I should have these two decoders up with different long addresses so that I might be able to address them separately.
Still, even with all the problems, I was able to download the trolley sounds in an afternoon, and now I can enjoy the air whistle and streetcar bells rather than the default SD-45 that the decoder came with.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Thanks for the review Mr. B. I haven't done any sound programming on my own yet. The only sound loco I have so far is the PCM E7, and its pre-programmed sounds are fine.
By the way... can you download sounds out of a loco to your computer too with the PR2?
Best!
locoworks wrote:does the PR2 work with other sound decoders, or just digitrax??
I think it's just Digitrax, and even then, only with sound decoders that are explicitly programmable. That's the "sound" part, anyway. You can change CV's with other brands of decoder, I'd imagine, but I haven't tried. I was able to read a QSI decoder's CV's, but I had no reason to change anything.
The SFX0416 is the only decoder I tried. I maxed out the volume, and still found that it was too soft. The motor sounds were drowned out by the electrical and mechanical sounds of the trolley model itself.
MisterBeasley wrote:JMRI's Decoder Pro software also claims to work with the PR2. I downloaded and installed Decoder Pro, and then tried to run it. I could not get it to recognize the PR2, even though I used the same settings as I had with SoundLoader. Has anyone else tried Decoder Pro with the PR2?
I have a Vista based notebook that I use with Decoder Pro. The notebook has only USB and Firewire ports so I use a USB to Serial adapter between the computer and the PR2.
I have Decoder Pro set for a LocoBuffer II, 57,600 baud (Sw1 on, Sw3 off), no flow control, and DCS 100 for the command station type.
With these settings, I have been able to adjust the CV settings and create a backup of the setings for the decoder. I've also been able to test and adjust the sound project of a Soundbug using Decoder Pro.
What setup are you using and what are your settings?
Vernon
Vernon in Central Indiana
Nice review Mr.B. I have been toying with getting a PR2.
Noting your comment about the obsolescence of serial D9 connectors I think that one of the reasons a company like Digitrax still supports this is a recognition that many of the PC's that are relegated to MRR use are older and more likely to be so equipped. The PC I run in my train-room runs Windows 2000, it has a 2 serial ports and only a pair of USB1 ports. So the PR2 would be perfect for my setup.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I was supprised to read this but it is confirmed by the JMRI support forum...
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Try setting flow control to "None", if you have that option.If that doesn't work, try selecting "Loconet - LocoBuffer II" (insteadof "Loconet - PR2") with the following options:COM157,600 baudno flow controlDCS100 (Chief)It should work.
Thanks. I've been looking at the traction.spj file from Fred Miller. Fred's own DCC system only supports 4 function buttons, so he has limited the number of sounds to that. However, he generously provided a number of additional sound files in the project, which could be enabled with additional SDF coding. SoundLoader can manipulate the .wav files to replace one sound with another, but it can't add new functionality.
At some future time, I might try to put something together for my R-17 subway cars as well.
I've e-mailed AJ, and I'll see what happens. Thanks.
Wow, thanks. I'll have to give the whole matter a bit of thought.
It sounds like you can specify the level of sounds as part of the SDF code. Is that something done in addition to the sound-specific and master volume levels provided in the CV's? One of my problems with my current installation is the relatively high mechanical noise level from the trolley itself, which drowns out the various motor sounds Fred has provided. I cranked up the master volume to full-scale, but I forgot to check the CV for the motor sound level, so I don't know what that's set to. (This is a dual-decoder installation, and I'll have to separate the decoders again to read CV's off the SFX0416.) If there is a third level I could tweak up to raise the volume of the motor sound, that would be great.
AJ sent me a package, but it contained only a single project file, two .asm files and two .inc files, all in ASCII. I guess I was expecting some sort of executeable to do the assembly once I'd modified some files. Is my package missing something, or does Digitrax use a 3rd-party assembler from somewhere.
I've asked AJ about this, too, but I thought it might be good to post this here.
davidmbedard wrote:If you can get the PR2 to read/write CVs through decoder pro, then you will be the first.David B
If you can get the PR2 to read/write CVs through decoder pro, then you will be the first.
David B
That would be a surprise to a few of the folks on the JMRI list, who claim to be have been doing that for some time now. Here's one post to that effect, but if you search the list archives you will find others:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jmriusers/message/27723
Steve
I also read about how you can use DecoderPro with PR2 to program decoders directly without having to connect to a DCC DCS unit. So I bought the PR2 and downloaded the DP 2.0 version.
I setup my preferences as instructed: "Loconet PR2" and "COM1" The PR2 is properly powered by the same power unit (stabilized voltage around 13.5 volts) which I used on the original PR1 from years ago. The "red" LED on the PR2 unit flashes properly.
My setup is as follows:
OS: Windows XP
DecoderPro: 2.0 Version
JAVA Version: 1.6.0_05 (en_us)
Connection: COM1 (serial port, only one)
I could not get PR2 to read the decoder. I kept getting the dreaded "timeout error" when ever I execute a "read" options. All values attempted to be read by PR2 turn "RED" on the various sheets.
So, I saw your suggestion in this thread and tried it, still doesn't work. Do you have any suggestions or someone I can contact to help me. I've looked through most of the various forums, but with all that I have read and all that I have tried, I still ahve the problem.
Any suggestions would be helpful and greatly appreciated at this time.
Thanks,
Dennis
Aussie01 wrote: The "red" LED on the PR2 unit flashes properly.
The term "flashes properly" needs explanation. When I run with SoundLoader, the PR2 light is ON most of the time, but blinks OFF briefly every few seconds. I think that's what Digitrax refers to as the "heartbeat" mode, indicating correct connectivity. When I try DecoderPro, though, the light is OFF most of the time, and only blinks ON every few seconds. I think this indicates that the unit has power, but is not connected up somewhere.
Try it with SoundLoader. Even if you're not using a sound decoder, SoundLoader should still be able to read the address and CV's from the engine.
Aussie01 wrote:Connection: COM1 (serial port, only one)Thanks,Dennis
Dennis,
Keep in mind that Windows assigns COMx designations to physical or virtual devices, and that having only one physical serial port does not guarantee that Windows will assign COM1 to it. Because of that, you have to be certain that you have the correct port identified (use Device Manager) and assigned in your JMRI preferences.
For example, the laptop I'm typing this on has no physical serial ports whatsoever, but Windows has assigned COM3 to the modem (which is a legacy serial device). I haven't looked, but I'm sure the laptop's infrared port and whatever else are COM1 and COM2.
Another thing to verify is that you are using a straight-through cable or adapter to connect the PR2 to the computer, and not a "null modem" cable. The null modem cable has connections crossed between ends and won't work in this application.
The bottom line is that the "timeout connecting to command station" is a communication problem that 99% of the time is caused either by an incorrect COMx specified, or a bad/incorrect cable.
If this doesn't help get you going, the absolute best place for help getting JMRI connected to anything is the JMRI user's group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jmriusers/ The folks who write the code participate heavily there and are very helpful.
Going back a couple days... I have had mixed success addressing and programming two decoders in the same loco. My first attempt was a Digitrax SFX0416 with an NCE motor decoder. I gave them different short addresses but the same long address. I can simultaineously switch them from long to short for programming on the main, and then switch them back to run. This worked reasonably well. My second attempt was a Digitrax SFX0004 Soundbug with a TCS motor decoder. This combination could not be simultaneously switched between long and short addresses, and under most circumstances, the loco charges away at full speed when I try to program either decoder. The only solution there was to use a jumper block to allow me to isolate the decoder as you have done. The only problem is that my jumper is under the shell, so it's inconvenient to get to. In either case, having sound has made a world of difference, and I'd do it all again except that next time I'll try digitrax with digitrax. I believe David may have recommended locking the decoders, which might also be worth a try. One at a time can then be unlocked for programming and relocked.
Jim
OK, this is going to get a little geeky. Sorry.
I've downloaded MASM32 to compile the sound files. After some fumbling around, I got the assembler to agree to actually look at the files and try to do something with them. From the gondola-load of error messages, it appears that I'm missing a compiler directive somewhere, or this really isn't the right version of MASM. I was able to include the .inc and .mac files, but those produced errors, too.
I tried to get a 16-bit version of MASM, but that wanted a Visual C++ environment, which I don't have.