I have paid zero attention to DCC during the past 2 years during a hiatus from the hobby. A quick look at Digitrax and NCE web sites suggests that nothing has really changed. Anyone care to give me a quick primer on recent innovations.
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
One thing to remember, DCC is only ONE way for controlling trains with digital technology. There are about six different ways and not all compatible with each other.
Sound decoders and non sound decoders are shrinking and have more capabilities. Check out the different decoder manufactures and systems.
TCS has the Wow decoder.
SoundTraxx, the Econami decoder.
There is DCC, DCS, Bluetooth, at least three wireless systems using battery power, sometimes called dead rail. Those can operate on DC, DCC, DCS roads also for charging the battery.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
The only advancement would be in auto reversers. They are much improved and can also throw switches, and provide circut protection.
More features in decoders. More numerous and smaller sound decoders. same or lower prices for decoders.
Considering a 2 function, 2 digit only, simple motor decoder with no read back set me back almost $50 in 1996, things have come a long way.
Simon,
Welcome back to the forum! Hope to see you around here a little more often?
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
You might be interested in the open-source DCC++ system that was recently developed using inexpensive Arduino boards. You can build a DCC base unit for under $40. Because it's open-source, people from all over the world can contribute features to it. Who knows what it can become in the coming years.
http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/introducing-dcc-a-complete-open-source-dcc-station-and-interface.84800/
Steve S
Hi Simon:
Welcome back!
There is a current thread running on how to build your own DCC system using the Arduino platform:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/253905.aspx
There is also a thread on using the Arduino to set up random structure lighting. Scroll down a bit to get to the Arduino part:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/253815.aspx
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Welcome back, Simon!
I think the changes to DCC have been more "evolutionary" than "revolutionary" over the past few years. Mostly, I'd say decoders have more capabilities and are smaller, and a few manufacturers have started releasing "economy" versions of their sound decoders. The "sugar cube" speaker has become popular for do-it-yourself installations.
Athearn finally got tired of the complaints about the MRC decoders they were putting in their RTR locomotives and switched (I think) to SoundTraxx. Bachmann has their "Sound Value" line of RTR locomotives that come with a second-tier SoundTraxx decoder. I've got a couple of these Bachmann engines and I'm very happy with them.
Some people have been interfacing their smart phones to their DCC systems as throttles. I don't even have a smart phone.
There are a few more options for stationary decoders to drive switch machines. They don't add anything new, but I think they're a bit cheaper per motor, and drive more motors per circuit.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Lets see
USP/Super Caps for backup on dirty track
Paragon 3 with the subwoofer
TCS diesel decoders
Sountraxx Economi
Bluetooth Control (ie: bachmann)
In terms of the command station list of things:
Everyone is moving to digital hand held throttles using programs similar to JMRI and Android phones. It's a lot cheaper and a lot more flexible.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
In just the past 2 years - not much really. Aside from some manufacturers switching which decoders come in their sound equipped units, that's really about it.
I'm realizing it's been almost exactly 2 years since my layout was last operational, before I took it apart to move. I've been here almost 2 years now. Before the move, I had a loco with a Loksound Select, Athearn was using Tsunami, I was driving trains with my smartphone, and I was using servos for turnouts instead of Tortoises. Product lineup from Digitrax and NCE hasn't changed much, maybe the DCC Twin from NCE wasn't shipping 2 years ago but it was definitely announced. WOW Sound from TCS is shipping in both steam and diesel, and Soundtraxx has introduced the Econami line.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks for the welcome back, nice to see a lot of familiar names on the board. I have a ton of work to get the layout back up and running. One of the boys dismantled my duck under bridge that blocks the entrance in to the layout and in doing so destroyed the loop. I can't remember the last time that the DCC system was fired up so who knows what gremlins have appeared. The track I am sure is filthy, there is evidence of a mouse nest in my mountain , so lots of maintenance to get going.
I think I am most suprised with Digitrax, I felt sure that by now they would have come out with a next generation, but if smartphones are becoming the throttle of choice, then this must really be putting the brakes on new throttle development, and I would assume be hitting the bottom line of the DCC manufacturers in general.
Well, it was actually three years ago the decoder transmission standards were approved NMRA S-9.3.2. This is the answer to Digitrax LocoNet Transponding. However, I've not seen any of the manufacturers doing anything with it.
And I don't know if this qualifies or not but the Layout Command Control LCC was approve about a year ago NMRA S-9.7.0 (02/17/2015).