Mark, thank you for the explanation. I think I've got it now.
Randy, the sound files contain everything from the sound files and lighting to the motor control. If you start with a brand new blank decoder, there is absolutely nothing in it.
When you upload a sound file for the very firm time, you will note the programmer updates / installs the firmware version first as it has detected the decoder to be blank. This is the only time the programmer will automatically install the firmware. Any subsequent sound file overwrites will not automatically update the firmware version as there is already firmware detected on the decoder - even if it might be outdated. If I installed a sound set using the 4.3.1, I can install a new file sound set on the 4.3.3 without having to use the updated firmware that is available.
I have numerous versions of the programmer, from 4.2.8 up to 4.3.3 on my computer so I can pick and choose the firmware I prefer to install. I like the way the manual notching works in the 4.3.1 version, but didn't care how it was modified in the 4.3.3, so I revert back to the earlier version.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Yeah I think you're right, all setting sget erased with even a sound file upload. I haven't done anything with a Select yet, I did modify a sound file set for a V4 and loaded it but I don;t have the decoder in a loco so nothing was programmed, I just had it all clip leaded to the Lokprogrammer to load and run the test mode to verify it worked.
The sound files are just sound files. The new fimrware generally comes with a new version of the Lokprogrammer software, so when you update the Lokprogrammer software, the next time you run it against a particular decoder it will offer to update the firmware.
Kinda surprising the Select steam doesn;t have the banshee whistle, since they DO have the sound in their library. A V4 migh be the ticket here - the Alco RS3 sound set for the V4 didn't have an M3 horn in it, but they have it in the sound library, so it was an easy matter to switch them out. You could do the same with a V4 steam, mix and match the proper sounds from their library. I found this incredibly easy to do, since you aren;t actually editing the sound files or the script, simply replacing the file played in parts of the script with others already edited to work.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Once a decoder has had a soundset file written to it, there's no way for us as end users to wipe the slate clean so to speak. All we can do is overwrite what is on there with a new file set.
To obtain the latest firmware update for the decoder, look under Tools at the top left of your programmer screen and select Update Decoder Firmware. The soundfile sets on the ESU download page will have the latest firmware version within them WHEN they were created, which may or may not be the latest firmware available.
Maxman.
Negative. The sound file is basically how the decoder functions within the given inputs and outputs. The firmware is what tells the outputs how they should act with the given inputs. Say for example you have firmware version 1. The file would be something like how long the ditch lights would blink with the horn sound for like 10 seconds after the horn stops. Then version 2 firmware file is loaded that tells the lights to blink for 5 seconds instead of 10. Another example is comparing it to your computer. The firmware would be the device manager with all the device drivers and the sound file would be like what version of windows you have. If you update the windows version from XP to Vista then some of your devices will not work until you update them also.
BTW the Select is a great decoder. I have 4 of them so far and hope Santa brings a couple more for Xmas. When I got the first one I was not happy with the very loud steam let off sound when starting to move on the Steam loco collection file. The latest firmware and a reload of the sound file quiets it down to a very acceptable level. I can't wait for the PRR steam file to be released. Having a heavy freight loco without a Banshee whistle is troubling me.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Randy and Mark, thank you for responding. But there is still some confusion on my end.
When I download the sound files is all the firmware in there, or only the sound files? It the other firmware is somewhere else, where do I find it on the ESU website?
Just to be clear, my goal was/is to start with whatever a new, totally unprogrammed (brainless?) decoder has. I am not interested in saving any previous CV settings or anything else. I just want to start fresh.
Thanks
Not to disagree with you Randy, but loading a new file rewrites everything, including the address. All the CV's will be set to their factory defaults. You are basically starting over with a brand new factory decoder.
The firmware versions are merely upgrades that ESU has implemented for additional features. They had a firmware upgrade which added manual notching. Then another upgrade to add dynamic breaking, then most recently another firmware upgrade to include train braking. These firmware updates will also reconfigure the factory defaults based on the function of the upgrade. For example, early versions had F9 and F10 assigned to a sound. With the manual notching firmware upgrade, F9 and F10 are by default the manual controls for notching the prime mover up or down independant of throttle speed step.
The sound files and the firmware are two seperate things. The Lokprogrammer software sort of tries to make you install the latest firmware update but you don't have to. Installing a new firmware update will leave the sound along but reset all CVs to the default values. Loading just a new sound file should leave other settings such as the address alone.
Best option would be to first read the decoder and save all the CV settings, then do the updates, then reset all the CVs. JMRI will probably do a better job when it comes to reading the entire decoder and then writing back all the settings, but it won;t work through the Lokprogrammer hardware. My program track has a Lokprogrammer and a PR3, with a toggle to select which one is connected to the rails. Since they each have their own USB cable, thus different ports, I can actually have JMRI and Lokprogrammer open at the same time.
kbkchooch Before you get that drastic, Reset CV8 to a value of 8, this will cause the decoder to reset to factory settings.
Before you get that drastic,
Reset CV8 to a value of 8, this will cause the decoder to reset to factory settings.
Yes, thank you. However, I already realize that. My question is more directed to how an unprogrammed decoder (ie: without any sound file firmware) is delivered.
Does the sound file download to the decoder include all the firmware to make the decoder function, including motor control and light control, or are those two items permanently programmed into the decoder and only the sound files are downloaded?
Then remove the engine from powered tracks for a few seconds, then put back on the main and call up address 3. Your engine should be reset to its original programming
Karl
NCE über alles!
I hope someone can answer this.
Let's assume that I have a Loksound Select decoder with the settings totally snafu. I also have access to a Lokprogrammer and am pretty sure I know how to use it. I've also downloaded the software to operate the programmer.
As I see it, there are three basic groupings of things the decoder can do: sound, light functions, and motor control.
So, my question is as follows. If I go to the Loksound Select sound file section of the Loksound site and download one of the available sound packages, will this also download all the motor function control and light control function firmware at the same time, and reset all the existing CVs back to whatever the defaults associated with the download are? Or is all the motor and light control firmware in a separate non-reloadable protion of the decoder memory?
I ask this question because when I did download one of the sound files the programmer screen opens and it appears to me that it is basically asking me to program the decoder from scratch (ie: what short address do you want, what long address do you want, etc.)