Hi Dave,It might be obvious that they improve CV29 as well. However, it is better to ask :) As a beta tester could you check if it is possible to switch direction by adding one to the value for CV29. It is impossible to change a direction now.
dinwitty I can't understand why they can't make their decoder 100% compatible, its just software. Have their decoder switchable between DCS and DCC. Maybe if I remember right, DCS is DC orientiented and DCC is AC. Hmmm.
I can't understand why they can't make their decoder 100% compatible, its just software. Have their decoder switchable between DCS and DCC.
Maybe if I remember right, DCS is DC orientiented and DCC is AC. Hmmm.
Hi dinwitty,
The Protosound 3 decoder already automatically detects the presence of DCC, DCS, or conventional DC and responds accordingly.
DCS is not specific to either AC or DC, it works on both. In O and G both AC and DC are used by modelers. In HO the Protosound 3 decoders will operate on conventional DC, DCC, or DCS on DC current. Protosound 3e+ decoders will operate on conventional 3-rail AC (Marklin), DCC, Marklin Digital, and DCS on AC current. They are kind of a "Swiss Army knife" of a decoder. Although, I don't think they have yet been offered with a tooth pick and tweezers...yet.
The only engine I look for is the 4-12-2 and will not get the MTH...IE flexed front drivers, although the prototype had them, not a flexed porch. Why I am just as critical about the Joe. At this point MTH will have to make a unique hard to get engine that people want and throw their new decoder in and be as max compatible to the DCC crowd as possible.You just simply will have a hard time trying to be proprietary in HO.
The NMRA has stressed compatibility and the industry has responded to those needs, MTH has tried to be their proprietary way and the other industry components are going to have a hard time owning up to a proprietary system, it would increase their costs especially thru rights and trademarks and everything else and that reflects right back to the modeler costs, and in this money crunch time, you can't do that.
The software is a step in the right direction for sure. One big thing they left out is the ability to adjust the volume of individual sounds and master volume. As noted earlier upgrading the steamers would be a biggie as well.
As far as vmax is concerned I think they should go a step further and have a setting that keeps the scale mph feature with speed steps but allow the maximum speed to be adjusted.
Springfield PA
rrinker They did that already. The 70ACes are available as a DC only version with no decoder. There still exists the idea of making something that fits my era and railroad, unless Doc Brown was messing around with something larger than a DeLorean and managed to shoot an SD70ACe back to 1956. --Randy
They did that already. The 70ACes are available as a DC only version with no decoder.
There still exists the idea of making something that fits my era and railroad, unless Doc Brown was messing around with something larger than a DeLorean and managed to shoot an SD70ACe back to 1956.
--Randy
Randy, my point was it is the only one so far - waiting to see if it continues, and like you, waiting for something I actually want.
I can say with reasonable certainty, I will never own an SD70ACe - from any manufacturer.
Sheldon
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker At least they are listening - this should make it easier for NCE users to consist MTH locos, and also allow people to speed match them with other brand locos for consisting. Now if they made something I want/need... --Randy
At least they are listening - this should make it easier for NCE users to consist MTH locos, and also allow people to speed match them with other brand locos for consisting.
Now if they made something I want/need...
We will really know that they are listening if the offerings of DC (DCC ready) versions continue to expand in HO. Contrary to popular myth, not everyone wants, likes, needs, uses, or has DCC and or sound.
And those of us still using DC expect the same level of compatiblity as our DCC friends, not locos that require higher voltages or special power systems, before we plunk down our money - HO is not High Rail, as much as Mike Wolf might have thought he could "remake HO" in his image (some of your customers not withstanding, Dave).
Now if they just made something I want/need - in DC - and preferably without trying to stomp on the existing products from other manufacturers (I know they are not the only ones with that business model, but I don't buy much from that other company that does that either).
Hi Hal,
The decoder used in the steamers was developed in 2005 and uses a ROM chip to hold the decoders operating system software. The diesel and electric decoders were released in 2009 and use all flash memory for both the operating system software and the sound file. That's what makes it possible to add the expanded DCC support "in the field" to the diesels and electrics.
MTH is working on a new steam decoder that also uses all flash memory. That version of the decoder will also ship with expanded DCC support from the factory. They are also planning to release versions of these decoders as separate sale kits for installation in non-MTH locomotives. As far as I know, swapping out the decoder is the only way exisiting steamers will be able to add the expanded DCC support.
Dave, I welcome these upgrade features, but I own some steamers that need them. Why is MTH not including them, or do they plan to at a later time? Will future steam production have them?
Hal
Hi all,Over a year ago MTH's VP of marketing, Andy Edleman, posted on this forum that they would be expanding their support for DCC on their Protosound 3 diesel decoders. I'm a fulltime custom layout builder and a volunteer beta tester for MTH's DCS and Protosound software. Following Andy's announcement I posted here that I would let you all known when I had a copy of MTH's new software in beta test or any other info regarding this upgrade. It has been a long wait, but the expanded support is now shipping in new engines.The first engines delivered with expanded DCC support were the O scale NYC #999 Empire State Express 4-4-0's. Those engines shipped back in January. The expanded DCC support was well known and advertised on these engines. What has not been well advertised is that the revised software with expanded DCC support has also been installed on the most recent deliveries of HO SD70ACe's.The new software supports the following DCC features:CV's 2 and 5 - min and max voltageCV 19 - advanced consist addressCV's 21 and 22 - advanced consist functionsCV's 23 and 24 - advanced consist accel and decel ratesCV 25 - speed table selectionCV 52 - PWM motor configurationCV's 53 and 54 - accel and decel rates of the MTH speed curveCV's 63 and 64 - accel and decel rates of the MTH speed curve in a consistCV 66 - forward trimCV's 67 through 94 - 28 custom speed curve stepsCV 95 - reverse trimCV's 115 through 170 - function mapping for F1-F28All the MTH diesel and electric engines delivered up until recently have shipped with support for only CV's 1,3,4,17,18, and 29. All of these engines can be updated with a free software upgrade. Protosound 3 steam engines use a different version of the decoder that cannot be updated.The updated software that gets loaded into the engines is already complete and ready to load into existing engines. The MTH factory already has the necessary installation tools to install the updated software on the production line. To permit updating existing engines MTH has to complete a public version of their loader software. That loader program is currently in alpha test. I have been told to expect a beta test version of the loader program shortly. I will post again when I have the loader program in beta test.Once the loader and engine files are released to the general public they will be available as free downloads on the MTH website. The loader program will run on any Win 2000 and later PC. The downside for most HO operators is that to transfer the new software to the engine requires an MTH DCS TIU (track interface unit - MSRP $180). For those who don't want to fork out the bucks for their own DCS system just to do the software update I'd suggest asking your local dealer if they can do the update for you. You might also try to make contact with an O-gauge modeler who already owns DCS. Many of them can be contacted through the Classic Toy Trains and O Gauge Railroading forums.Once you have access to a DCS system and have installed the free loader program you will be able to update the software with the engine sitting on a programming track. It is not necessary to remove the decoder or engine shell to load the software. The TIU creates a digital link with the engine by using the track, wheels, and power wires like a USB cable. You don't even have to throw a dip switch on the engine. Once it's set up it's pretty slick.If there are any questions I'll keep tabs on this thread and do my best to answer. However, at this time my info is still fairly limited.