I own a Digitrax DB150, SE8C, PM42, BDL168 and a PR3 connected via loconet. My Digitrax DCC is connected to my PC via Locobuffer-USB on com 1. Does my PR3 still have to connect to my PC via its USB connector or not since all of my DCC components are connected together with Loconet in order for me to use the PR3 for locomotives with Digitrax SoundFX decoders.
If you want to use the PR3 to down load sound files or to program your decoders, yes it needs to connect to you computer.It also needs a power supply for programming. If you download Decoder Pro, you can use it plus the PR3 to program just about any decoder out there. Digitrax sells a 14V power supply, but I use an 18V one on mine as I use Decoder Pro. Joe
The PR3 needs to be attached to your computer via a USB port - You should have several available on your PC or you can buy a small USB splitter. For downloading sound projects into a Digitrax sound decoder, you need the PR3, and it needs to have the power supply plugged into it.
To program a decoder(including the Digitrax sound decoders), either the LocoBuffer-USB or the PR3 will work. The PR3 is only needed to download sound projects.
The PR3 has it's own program track output, and when used for downloading sound projects, that is the output that is used. The PR3 also has a 'stand-alone' mode where it does not need to attached to the LocoNet - You can program engines from your PC via the PR3(using it's own program track output. The LocoNet is not involved. For folks 'on the road', just a small laptop and the PR3 is all that is needed. Since your DB150 does not have a dedicated program track output, this is a very nice option for programming engines via JMRI Decoder Pro.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Thanks for your help. I guess a Loconet connection will be for monitoring purposes like if you're using the Loconet checker software that come with Locobuffer drivers.