I think you answered your question. Even iTrain driver appears to be able to use . Digitrax/ornby/Lenz/Roco Digital.via a USB interface. Most of the iPhone/Android 'throttle' apps interface via JMRI, and again MRC has not embraced a connection via JMRI.
While you can control DCC engines with a cell phone, it does have some limitations. 'Sliding' a virtual button across the screen is not the best way to do switching. Running trains on the mainline is usually no problem with the cell phone apps. When 'operating' I prefer a small utility throttle with a 'knob' and a direction toggle. Even the big 'Super Throttles' like the Digitrax DT4xx series and NCE 'Hammerhead' throttles are not real comfortable when trying to control the throttle with one hand and the other hand has a switch list or pack of car cards.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
MRC's proprietary software does not allow this. Maybe MRC will come out with their own app and software if enough users request it.
It could be easily added to JMRI if and only if MRC would release their code. They won't and have documented that with the JMRI group.
I suspect someone may have already backwards engineered this but can't reveal it for fear of being sued. That's just speculation.
Martin Myers
You are correct. The MRC DCC systems do not allow controlling trains from any existing cell phone application. MRC has chosen to keep their computer control protocol proprietary, and they sell their own computer control software. They do not share their protocol, so that groups like JMRI could include support for MRC systems.
All we can do is try to warn potential MRC users of this limitation, and inform them of alternatives that do have open protocols supported by JMRI, if they are interested.
Andy
Santa Fe all the way!So, to your knowledge you cannot control trains with a cell if you have a Prodigy system? MRC's proprietary software doesn't allow for this? This is what I'm wondering and darned if I can get at the answer by Googling it. Thanks for the response JR, I can now see how switching could be tricky. Maybe the app designers can come up with something better.
Actually MRC gives you the software for free, they get you with the USB connector, I have a Prodigy and had to purchase the USB connector, the wireless one since no one seemed to carry the hardwire one, was an extra $30 bucks :(
I do wish MRC would open source their system, be great if a guy could use his smart phone to set CV's :)
AussieRescueILI do wish MRC would open source their system, be great if a guy could use his smart phone to set CV's :)
Slight correction: Although JMRI is open source, the DCC manufacturers who interface with it are proprietary.
For example, Digitrax's LocoNet Personal Edition is publicly available but it does have restrictions on it's use, and the full LocoNet Developer's Edition requires licensing and an NDA.
So MRC doesn't have to "give away" any trade secrets to open source in order to work with these software products. The authors of those products are obviously willing to respect MRC's confidentiality.
For whatever their reasons, MRC apparently just isn't interested in expanding the usefulness of their systems.
Smart Phone? Lion is lucky to have a dial tone!
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Santa Fe all the way!I could have had a wireless throttle that could reach all parts of my layout WITHOUT the expense of the wireless upgrade to my system...D
Not to pile it on MRC, but here are a couple more "gotcha's" when it comes to their wireless design:
If you have wired throttles and decide to go wireless, you can not upgrade your existing throttles to wireless, you are stuck buying new throttles. With both Digitrax and NCE you can upgrade wired throttles to wireless much cheaper than buying wireless throttles.
If you have wireless MRC throttles and you want to take them to another MRC layout that does not have wireless, then you better take your wireless adapter with you, because their wireless throttles only communicate wireless, even when plugged in - the plug is only for charging. Digitrax and NCE throttles work as plug-in throttles when plugged in and therefore can be used on non-wireless systems.
BroadwayLionSmart Phone? Lion is lucky to have a dial tone! ROAR
I don't have a smart phone either, but I can still use JMRI and Engine Driver to control my layout.
I simply picked up a cheap 4-inch Android tablet, downloaded Engine Driver to it, and off I went.
WAY less expensive than a smart phone, and it worked so well I got a second one.
If you don't mind, what tablet did you get?
My son uses his android phone sometimes as a back up wireless throttle. But, there is more of a delay in commands--(I think some of our delay is due to the older computer we use). If you can get a train driving app on a wireless device and plug in the IP # of the JMRI server(your wireless laptop) then a given device will work.
It certainly saves money when a few guys come over and you temporarily need more throttles!
Richard
I picked up two Polaroid PMID4311's.
Didn't pay nearly as much as they're listed for there, though. I probably certainly wouldn't have bought them at that price.
I haven't looked myself, but it's my understanding that you can pick up used, older-generation ipods with wifi for a reasonable price, too.
You can get refurbs, too. And people do sometimes sell off old iPhones on ebay. An iPhone without a cell service contract (and you do NOT need one - it will still power on and run apps, you just won;t be able to make any phone calls other than 911) is essentially an iPod Touch, either of those devices will have WiFi and be able to connect via a wirelss router or access point to a PC running JMRI to use WiThrottle.
As for non-upgradeable throttles with MRC - yet another black mark. I thought they had mostly learned their lessons from all the incomaprible systems of the past, where you had to just get a whole new system - since you cna get a Prodigy Express and then add a PA2 throttle or wireless and gain features. Having to buy all new stuff sort of defats the purpose of 'upgrading'.
The proprietary computer interfae is something I've been mentioning all along, no way ot use JMRI or RR&Co or any other option EXCEPT MRC's own software. bad decision. If you just want to program, you could get a Digitrax PR3 or an SPROG and set up an off-layout program track that would use JMRI to program the decoders, you just can't run trains on the MRC layout with it.
The other hidden gotcha with MRC is the cab panels - they are double the cost of the ones for NCE or Digitrax, AND there is a little-known need to have some POWERED cab panels if you have more than a certain number of cabs. This powered panel seems to be special order and price not mentioned. Make me wonder about the 'club' featured in their ads that claim the PA2 is big enough even for club use.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I just recently smart phone controlled my layout. I have a Digitrax system and I used the PR3 interface between my digitrax and my computer running JMRI. I used my wife's old smart phone as an extra throttle for when I have guest over. One thing I would warn you about, at least with JMRI and Digitrax interfacing with each other is JMRI did not like Windows 7 64 bit version. I am not sure if it is that way with JMRI with other systems such as NCE. I was using our main computer as a test track while I was setting up our old computer, which has XP on it, in my train room. It runs great on XP. So if you have an old phone and an old computer it is a great way of "recycling" them.
Might be just your confioguration, I've been runnign JMRI connecting to my Digitrax layout with Win7 64 bit since Win7 first came out. I won;t even waste my time installing a 32 bit OS anymore. All my computers are 64 bit, and JMRI works fine.
Santa Fe all the way! As for smartphones being expensive, I got my Samsung Galaxy S II for free when my contract was up.
And you don't think you paid for it over the life of that contract?