Tsunami

[jrbernier]

From my conversations with Soundtraxx at shows, the MTH situation was not the big 'fly in the ointment' - There were vendor issues. The can allways 'disable' the BEMF function and enable it later.
What really gripes me is that the US Patent Dept gave out this 'patent', and also have a registered patent with Digitrax for the 'transponding/communications' feature. This shows how little research the government is doing before awarding this stuff!
Another 'patent' is the Centerline track cleaning car. Aztec has had the same 'skewed' wheel arrangement for years. Centerline does not sue Aztec over this, so I suspect they realize that the patent is not defensable and choose to ignore the Aztec product!

Jim Bernier

[AntonioFP45]

Wow!

Hard to believe that's been over a year since the above posts! Many of us are still waiting.
Last estimate I read was in the Spring of this year. Soundtraxx had a few problems with vendors which were finally worked out. Then they were working out a few minor "kinks" with the decoder. They could have released it earlier but again, they're trying to get it right since QSI has set the standard that many of us have grown accustomed to hearing in the Broadway Limited locomotives.

Soundtraxx's owners, the Workmans, want to make sure that the Tsunami decoder will be a satisfying hit with modelers and not a lot of "hype" since, let's face it, HO and N modelers are a tough audience and are notorious for slamming products that don't cut the mustard! (Wow! What a bunch of grumps! And I'm one of them! I still remember those poor BLI managers were sweating bullets their first year on the market! )

I'm really looking forward to the "Reverb" feature.

In the meantime I will be taking a friends's advice that I passed on to BNSF, and study the DCC information as well as install a few motor decoders from Digitrax and TCS in some of my locomotives. Plus, I still have Athearn U-Boats and Cowls that need "See Thru" grills installed.

Peace and Cheers![;)]

[dave9999]

I finally recieved a reply to my email to Soundtraxx from Jan. 7.


Sorry for delay in answering. Our email server had to be replaced and some of our mail was temporarily lost.
We do not have a ship date at this time
for Tsunami.
While the development is nearing completion, at this point it
is difficult to determine how long the final aspects of its development
will take. The website will be updated when this development is complete.

SoundTraxx Customer Service
210 Rock Point Drive
Durango, CO 81301
[phone] ext. 11
fax [phone]

Even though they did not include any comments about the legal actions of MTH,
I am glad at least they replied. Pretty vague though, dont ya think? Dave

[AntonioFP45]

Dave, you're absolutely correct!

If you read my statement, Soundtraxx is not very good about answering e-mail. Do they get too many e-mails and have limited time and personnel to answer or is it just apathy? I realize some questions & suggestions may be viewed by them as in the "goofy" or "electronically challenged" category. I ask a lot of questions because I'm not keen on electronics. Soundtraxx's silence isn't good PR at all, even though their high quality decoders and related products sell well.

As far as public relations, I've compared them before to Digitrax. Digitraxx is very good about answering e-mails. Sometimes it takes longer than a week but they do answer. That to me is respect and their willingness to show courtesy to a potential customer! This is one of the reasons why I'm purchasing Digitrax's DCC system with my hard earned money, even though Lenz is just as good.

I will still purchase Soundtraxx decoders because simply put, they're the best. Recently I found out from a reliable vendor that at least two DCC manufacturers are developing sound decoders, one of them high end like Soundtraxx. I'm looking forward to it!

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Dave,

From what Bruce says, yes Soundtraxx could ship the Tsunami decoders without the BEMFbut one must consider that they really take pride in their product. Soundtraxx wants their decoders to work for customers the way they were designed with ALL FEATURES. This is why I'm willing to wait.

Can you imagine buying a brand new $50,000 Corvette and then have the dealer tell you "Sorry, we can't give you the six speed transmission but the 3 speed will work adequatly!"

I must admit that I've criticized Soundtraxx in the past because of their "one sentence" answers to e-mail inquires or at times no answers at all. But I salute Soundtraxx's managers for preferring to stick it out until a resolution occurs one way or the other. This is by no means knocking Broadway Limited. Broadway uses the QSI system, which was torpedoed by the cease and desist order. BLI likely had no choice in this situation, but to disable the features as ordered.

Antonio,
I am more than willing to wait. My comment about the fly in the ointment was
directed at MTH not Soundtraxx.
My problem is Soundtraxx not posting any info on their site and not responding to email. I have bought many Soundtraxx decoders, and I know that my business will not make or break Soundtraxx. But as a consumer, I think that I am entitled
to an explaination. Had it not been for outside information (you and other websites) we would all still be wondering when the Tsunami could be expected
to ship. Oh wait, we are still wondering!!
Dave

[Big_Boy_4005]

I have ignored this topic for a while now, not knowing what a Tsunami was in model railroading terms ( in Japaneese, its a tidal wave). Now that I have read it, I find it very interesting, not that I have any use for the product, but because I have some similar feelings about MTH.

I am a 3rail O modeler, and have heard mention of legal action being taken with regard to MTH and DCC, but nobody on that side of the tracks knew the details. This explains alot.

My gripe with MTH is really at the root of your gripe with MTH. Lionel developed their TMCC system years before Mike patented his DCS system. The way I see it, if Mike had acccepted Lionel licensing terms in the first place, none of this would be happening. I don't know if Mike was already in the process of developing DCS when Lionel made the TMCC license available, but either way, the DCS system has been the source of a great deal of contraversy in the 3 rail world, and now it has spilled over to the 2 rail world.

[AntonioFP45]

Dave,

From what Bruce says, yes Soundtraxx could ship the Tsunami decoders without the BEMFbut one must consider that they really take pride in their product. Soundtraxx wants their decoders to work for customers the way they were designed with ALL FEATURES. This is why I'm willing to wait.

Can you imagine buying a brand new $50,000 Corvette and then have the dealer tell you "Sorry, we can't give you the six speed transmission but the 3 speed will work adequatly!"

I must admit that I've criticized Soundtraxx in the past because of their "one sentence" answers to e-mail inquires or at times no answers at all. But I salute Soundtraxx's managers for preferring to stick it out until a resolution occurs one way or the other. This is by no means knocking Broadway Limited. Broadway uses the QSI system, which was torpedoed by the cease and desist order. BLI likely had no choice in this situation, but to disable the features as ordered.

[Anonymous]

Get this.

I got a Broadway Limited 2-8-2 and THEY had to take out features because of Mikes Train House!

I don't know.......but I can imagine once they figure out what MTH is trying to 'patent' they will stap a counter suit on him......and he will be out of business!

(Can ya tell I'm a little pissed on this subject!)

[dave9999]

Thanks again for the heads up. The BEMF feature I could live without( lived without it this
long). Though I understand that the performance factor is substantial with BEMF.
So, just to make sure I have it straight, Soundtraxx still can ship the decoders by
disabling the BEMF? But they want to see how this plays out first? Correct?? There's
always a fly in the ointment. Dave

[AntonioFP45]

Hi Dave, NTDN and everyone interested in DCC/Sound.
The following letter I received from Litchfield Station owner Bruce, addressing the delays of the TSUNAMI decoder, the threatened litigation from MIke's Train House, and the effects of this on DCC as a whole: [:(!]It is a little frustrating, but don't give up. [8D] It's worth the wait!
[From Bruce at Litchfield Station
Here's the status: I was talking to Nancy at Soundtraxx 10 days ago and she said that there is no real news.
I have no quarrel with anybody protecting what they invent. As an engineer, I have a MAJOR hack with mincing words to try to patent something which somebody else created and brought to commercial practice years before. What that means to me is: MTH has issued a "cease and desist" letter to and has sued QSI. QSI has disabled BEMF(back emf) motor control in systems they are shipping. MTH has sent registered letters to Sountraxx, Digitrax, etc. with copies of their patents and a statement that MTH has "no interest" in licensing the patented technology."

No existing Soundtraxx products are impacted, but the Tsunami as shown in September and Surroundtraxx would infringe on the patent as issued.

What I believe the folks at Soundtraxx are doing (and this is just a guess on my part) is working (I believe, in concert with others in the DCC world) with the lawyers trying to iron out what portions of the patent are defensible and what were in the public domain as a result of prior art. As I understand it, Soundtraxx could have shipped Tsunami in December, as promised, by disabling the BEMF motor control, like QSI has done. They (Soundtraxx) have taken a hit in their pocketbook to provide the best product they can design with the current level of hardware technology. I APPLAUD that as loudly as I BOO MTH!
The Bi-Directional communications portion of the patent, if upheld, could have a major impact on Digitrax' Transponding, the NMRA standard, Surroundtraxx and Lenz in the USA.

NCE's take on this is interesting: Jim has a modification for the Powerhouse Pro system to access F13 and F14 (used by the Tsunami) and can put it into production (and retrofit ProCabs) at any time. He also had a "heads up" and held back on BEMF decoders knowing this was coming. He also has modifications for his systems which will support the NMRA Bi-directional communication standard when that gets ironed out. Also, he might bow to what AJ has asked and support Digitrax Transponding, as Jim contends that both systems can be functional at the same time!

I presume you are one of the about 350 members on my newsletter group> I'll post any real news there as I get it! If not, send a blank e-mail to: [e-mail]

I have many thousands of dollars worth of Tsunamis and almost as much installation business held up on this.

My mantra: DBFM - Don't buy from Mike!
Thanks for supporting my little enterprise.
Bruce Pertrarca
www.LitchfieldStation.com Arizona,USA
Authorized dealer for Digitrax, Lenz,NCE, Soundtraxx, and TCS.
Your DCC installed here![/b]

[:D]You can see why I prefer Litchfield over Tony's Train Xchangewhen it comes to finding out about the latest DCC info! I know one thing, I sure won't recommend MTH to anyone. [:0]If MTH's claim is legitimate then he must be given due process, but if it's found that he's not,[#dots] I would encourage others not to support Mike's Train House . [V]Word of mouth and our wallets are just as strong as sledge hammers on bricks! - This whole situation is definetly making an impact on our hobby . Hoping this all pans out - AFP45!

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NTDN

Hmm..Dave's got a new logo in his sig, new line of his railroad? the Gator Express Line, taking gators to the boot factory to make Gator Skin Boots!

Jay

Not a big Gator fan, huh? Dave

[Anonymous]

Hmm..Dave's got a new logo in his sig, new line of his railroad? the Gator Express Line, taking gators to the boot factory to make Gator Skin Boots!

Jay

[dave9999]

Again, Thanks for the info. Hopefully everyone will get it together and we'll have our Tsunami's soon enough.
Dave

[dave9999]

Antonio,
This is the first I've heard about this. Does this effect all DCC decoders or just sound decoders? Tony's
Train Exchange shows the Soundtraxx DSD decoders as discontinued. Is this also true?
The Tsunami was to take their place.
If so, what do we do for sound? Buy MRC sound decoders? Yeah right. Keep us informed if you hear anything else. Thanks Dave

[dave9999]

Anyone???

[dragenrider]

I'm eagerly waiting, too. [:p] I've even delayed my step into DCC to see what the Soundtraxx product will do. [^][^]

[Anonymous]

*Drools and waits patiently for the answer*

Jay

[dave9999]

Does anyone know when Sountraxx will release the Tsunami decoders??
Tony"s says December 2003 but they still show them as unavailable. I've gone so
far as to Email Soundtraxx but haven't gotten a response.My Allegheny's ready to make some noise!! Dave