Wait a minute. I think something is wrong with my computer.
I never thought that I would live long enough to see the day that the Sheldon would start a thread promoting sound on a layout.
Is this the same Sheldon who buys a sound equpped DCC locomotive only to remove the sound decoder and smash it to smithereens with a sledge hammer ???
My, my, my.
Rich
Alton Junction
ATLANTIC CENTRALBut it rasies the question, that possibly these yet untapped market segments are larger than some like to assume?
I'm not so sure. I first heard a SurroundTraxx demo at either the 98 Nati'l Narrow Gauge Convention in Colo. Springs or the 2000 in St. Louis. It's oriented toward adding sounds to a DCC layout.
The new product with Kato is for adding sound to DC locos. There's a lot more DC overseas still and having an international partner to strengthen distribution can help the folks in Durango.
I suspect that there will alwasy be a certain segment that hasn't made up its mind about some things, but the potential customer base for Surroundtraxx is fading as most factory decoder installs now include sound and most decoders and speakers can fit in small engines, the two big problems that Surroundtrax was the answer to.
The Kato sound box is for the DC market. Sure it's shrinking slowly, but that particular decision, DC or DCC, still happens a lot.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
mlehman richg1998 Very interesting as SoundTraxx has been pushing the SurroundTraxx system. Rich The price points suggest the two systems are targetted at very different audiences. Both groups apparently want sound though, as the cheapest option is still no sound. I doubt the participation of Soundtraxx represents rethinking a very successful product line. They're simply filling niches with a product that fit with already installed technology and which is an affordable entry level product for customers they likely hope will advance to more sophisticated sound systems while retaining brand loyalty.
richg1998 Very interesting as SoundTraxx has been pushing the SurroundTraxx system. Rich
Very interesting as SoundTraxx has been pushing the SurroundTraxx system.
The price points suggest the two systems are targetted at very different audiences. Both groups apparently want sound though, as the cheapest option is still no sound. I doubt the participation of Soundtraxx represents rethinking a very successful product line. They're simply filling niches with a product that fit with already installed technology and which is an affordable entry level product for customers they likely hope will advance to more sophisticated sound systems while retaining brand loyalty.
Good analysis Mike, I agree. I was not suggesting Soundtraxx was doing anything other than trying to reach additional customers.
Last time I checked, Ford builds entry level economy cars and expensive luxury cars for the same reasons.
But it rasies the question, that possibly these yet untapped market segments are larger than some like to assume?
Sheldon
rrinker Just couple that to an extra relay contact on your MZL system, with a speaker in every zone, and the sound would follow the train. Unlike the cheap MRC one that was around for a while, this one actually reads the BEMF from the loco to adjust the sound approriately. Guess the old Atari cartidge storage box could come in handy once they release the other sounds. --Randy
Just couple that to an extra relay contact on your MZL system, with a speaker in every zone, and the sound would follow the train.
Unlike the cheap MRC one that was around for a while, this one actually reads the BEMF from the loco to adjust the sound approriately. Guess the old Atari cartidge storage box could come in handy once they release the other sounds.
--Randy
Yes, Randy that would be the method. The new Aristo wireless throttle has generic sound built in.........
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.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Saw this recently, find it very interesting in a market that is supposedly dominated by DCC?
http://www.katousa.com/N/Unitrack/ASB.html
Maybe as prodomently an N scale company, KATO has found the acceptance of onboard sound and DCC in that scale not as universal as hoped?
Maybe Soundtraxx, who partnered with them on this, has seen the same thing, or seen a real interest in sound without the other features of DCC?
I have an idea for a trackside sound system - maybe one day.