MRC Computer Interface

[CSX Robert]

The amazing thing is that MRC asked what features customers wanted in a computer interface and one of the most common answers was to make it compatable with JMRI and other already available software. Their is a MRC tech that participates in the Yahoo MRC DCC group and there is a lot of back and forth between him and MRC users about what features they wanted and what features would be included. Another feature users wanted was the ability to use the interface on older Windows 98 machines because a lot of people have an older machine they can use in their layout room. Well, the interface will only work with Windows XP and later and MRC's response is "since it is wireless you really do not need a computer in the train room." That might be fine for dispatching functions(if the software will support that), but who wants to run trains or program them from another room. I also think they are making a mistake by having the interface only wireless. One of the selling points for MRC's systems is their lower cost, yet they will have the most expensive PC interface.

[rrinker]

 Wow....just wow. VERY shortsighted on their part.

            --Randy

 

[jfugate]

I spoke with Bob Jacobsen (the head of the JMRI project) in Anaheim and he told me MRC declined their requests to add MRC to JMRI.

Bob said he was very disappointed that MRC has elected to go completely proprietary and not join the open JMRI effort.

I too am quite disappointed in MRC taking this stance.

[conrail92]

 Ok, thanks for the information!

[Stevert]

conrail92

 and I'm also curious if it will work with JMRI software.

 

  I just checked the JMRI Yahoo group (You can do that too, the messages are open to the public - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jmriusers/) and after wading through a LOT of MRC decoder problems, I found a post on the subject dating back to December 2007.  It a nutshell, the developers of JMRI were getting mixed information from MRC about whether they would share the information necessary to allow JMRI to communicate with their system.   Somehow, then, it doesn't surprise me that MRC still does not appear on JMRI's list of supported hardware:  http://jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/html/hardware/index.shtml

 

conrail92

You'd think something would of been made sooner  too interface MRC with a computer since they do use ethernet cords to connect the throttle to the system. 

  The physical type of cable being used is way down on the list of things that need to be resolved before one device can communicate with another.

Steve

[rrinker]

 If it's not going to work with JMRI and popular commercial programs like RR&Co then they might as well not even bother. I REALLY hope that 'proprietary software' in the ad ont eh back of MR is a typo. All other major DCC brands have a computer interface that works with lots of ssoftware, not just what they themselves might provide.

                --Randy

 

[jwils1]

The back cover of the November Model Railroader gives a brief description of what their wireless interface will do.  The prices shown on their website have been lowered from what they had previously listed.  These are MSRP so I assume street prices will be much lower.

[ereimer]

conrail92

You'd think something would of been made sooner  too interface MRC with a computer since they do use ethernet cords to connect the throttle to the system.

 

just because they use a commonly available cable to make the connection between their components doesn't mean that the signals and voltages they use are compatible . unless you can afford to loose either or both the MRC system and the computer , i wouldn't recommend connecting them with an ethernet cable

also note that many systems use or have used telephone style cables to connect their components , that doesn't mean you can phone home with them !  

 

ernie

[conrail92]

 I was on MRC's website for the first time in awhile just seeing what new products they had. I noticed that they now make a Computer Interface it says sold out on the site but I'm assuming it's not released yet since I could find minimal information on it. Does anyone have any information on this accessory they are making? Will it work for any of the MRC DCC systems (I Own a Prodigy Express) and I'm also curious if it will work with JMRI software.

You'd think something would of been made sooner  too interface MRC with a computer since they do use ethernet cords to connect the throttle to the system.