DCS soft Keys

Steve,

I can't speak for MTH's web site, however, on pages 227-228 in The DCS Companion 3rd Edition there's an extensive list of soft keys for all of the DCS Remote's screens.

This and a whole lot more about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Barry

DO I recall correctly that is the train wreck soft key is pressed there needs to be a reboot or is that just with the red btton on the remote or app?

Also IS it correct you MUST take TIU's out of Super mode to add engines?

TIU Rev L Remote, TIU and app are latest updates along with WiFi.

Steve,

You need Barry's book.

CURTISH,

No, you do not need to do a reboot after using the train wreck soft key. The reset is only for an emergency shut down using the red button.

Curtis,

DO I recall correctly that is the train wreck soft key is pressed there needs to be a reboot or is that just with the red btton on the remote or app?

No, a power off-on cycle of the DCS Remote and all TIUs is only required when E-Stop is pressed.

However, some PS2/PS3 engines may automatically shut down after the train wreck sounds have played and then require that Startup be pressed to continue using them.

Also IS it correct you MUST take TIU's out of Super mode to add engines?

No, one may add an engine while a TIU is in Normal or Super mode.

TIU Rev L Remote, TIU and app are latest updates along with WiFi.

The Rev. L TIU is the latest TIU hardware and DCS Remotes don't have rev indicators. However, the latest version of the DCS Remote has larger indentations on the thumbwheel.

The WIU hardware hasn't changed at all except that there was an update of its firmware to 1.1 some time ago. This update is required for the current version of the DCS App, 3.0.2.

Joe,

You need Barry's book.

I completely agree!  

Steve and Barry

No sense agreeing about Barry's books.

Currently own editions 2 and 3 of the DCS in both hard copy and electronic. Also own the DCS wifi 1st and 2nd in both hard and electronic.

YES NO SENSE SAYING TO BUY THEM OR READ THEM! They are WELL WORN!

Problem is sometimes I forget and can not find it again (OLD AGE and dementia?)

As for the question concerning train wreck I ask because I pressed it when I first started in DCS and everything shut down. IT DID NOT ONLY STOP IT SHUT DOWN! Hence my question because I have no intention of ever hitting it again. It is embarrassing when someone is standing beside you  and you hit it and don't know what to do even if it was an accidental hitting of the key. My immediate response was a reboot due to that is 90% of the time what you do with computers. Sorry to have offended anyone I was simply asking for clarification as it was easier to ask than look it up at this moment. Will try to not let it happen again will sit back and try to look it up!

Curtis

And I thought I heard Barry say either spring York 17 or 18 DCS meeting / Seminars to take the TIU's out of super mode when adding engines. Sorry! Just wanted clarification!

Barry's Reply Post

TIU Rev L Remote, TIU and app are latest updates along with WiFi.

The Rev. L TIU is the latest TIU hardware and DCS Remotes don't have rev indicators. However, the latest version of the DCS Remote has larger indentations on the thumbwheel.

The WIU hardware hasn't changed at all except that there was an update of its firmware to 1.1 some time ago. This update is required for the current version of the DCS App, 3.0.2.

Barry

I was simply stating the TIU is rev L.          AND          that the TIU, Remote, WiFI ans WiFi apps are all have the latest updates. I was not saying anything about rev indicators for those. Sorry for lack of wording that everyone understands. I have discovered that one of the bigger problems on the forums is how people read what is written. It may have been written withe the writer knowing or thinking he is communicating it correctly only to be misinterpreted by the reader. This happens a lot from my observations. Sometimes people respond asking for clarification and other times they run with what they think is the problem. One big thing I see is most people do NOT give enough information from the start. That is what I was trying to do with the line about revision of TIU and SOFTWARE UPDATES of the components but realize I should have put numbers in as 6.1 ETC.

Curtis

L.I.TRAIN posted:

Been using DCS for a while now but usually with the basics. None of the booklets that come with the engines list what the soft key commands represent. So before I go banging the CDC, DOD etc.. soft keys I'd like to know where MTH stores a list of what each soft key code represents. Just a bit leery of pushing buttons that may effect the features and basic operations. Any help here is appreciated

Steve

Don't be afraid to experiment.   I just picked up A DCS system a few days ago and printed out the manual and just sit and push buttons.  if I get stuck on something I refer to the manual.   I do plan on picking up one of Barry's books but so far I haven't gotten stuck on anything.  I do have the newest version of the TIU and I have some early PS2 engines and some of the newest ps3 offerings.  I put both on the track last night and just scrolled through the menus selecting the functions.  Its pretty simple for the most part.     so far so good.   good luck buddy.

Here you go - pages 120 and 121.

-Greg

You can designate which commands show up on the soft keys. Just move the train wreck sounds to the end of the list, and it wont show up on a soft key.

Resurrecting an old thread because I am a MTH DCS Subway newbie.  I have Barry's excellent book (3rd ed.), and have referred to Appendix D for the list of soft keys, but there is no description of the specific sounds each key produces for my specific model, the R-1 subway set.  I can of course cycle through each of the keys and write down the specific station or train sound called out by each key, but I was hoping someone had already performed this labor of love so that I could reap the benefits without the accompanying sweat of my brow.  Shameless, yes, I admit.  Anyone?

@West Side Joe posted:

Resurrecting an old thread because I am a MTH DCS Subway newbie.  I have Barry's excellent book (3rd ed.), and have referred to Appendix D for the list of soft keys, but there is no description of the specific sounds each key produces for my specific model, the R-1 subway set.  I can of course cycle through each of the keys and write down the specific station or train sound called out by each key, but I was hoping someone had already performed this labor of love so that I could reap the benefits without the accompanying sweat of my brow.  Shameless, yes, I admit.  Anyone?

This is a prime example where the DCS app on a tablet device is better than the remote. No more cryptic 3 letter acronyms, no resorting going to "more" to get the scrolling list.

Again, this is one area, where the app and larger screen, with more capabilities visually for interaction, does shine.

If you press the MORE soft key you can scroll through all the available soft keys, just like you would see on the app.

Yes, I will be doing that, but since the descriptions of each soft key don't tell you what the sound is, I'll be playing each one and writing down the name of the station or of the train sound on a cheat sheet of paper for future reference. "S01" doesn't tell me if the station announcement is for 207th Street or 42nd Street, etc. I was just hoping someone with an R-1 set had done that already.

Unfortunately, MTH never published anything telling you what sound S01, S02 etc. actually were, only ENG SND 1, 2.  Creating a cheat sheet is your only option, unless someone has already done it.  

I'm retired, I got the time. 😅

Each sound file is different when it comes to the soft keys. So while on one locomotive S03 may play a station stop on another it may call out a train name or be crew talk. That's why there is no specific list of S01 = XYZ.

@West Side Joe ' Lou above is correct.  Each sound file location is a little different on each train.  However, I did notice that most of my PS2 3 volt subway sets had the "this is a number XX line bound for YYYY" announcement at the same engine sound location (usually engine sound 10).  I would recommend scrolling to "more" using the S5 softkey and then scroll to and try each engine sound in your subway, then move it to the top 4 locations (I.e. 1-4)  (the "move" function  is located at softkey S2 when you are in the "more" directory) . If you do this, when you start up your subway train with your DCS system, the initial screen will immediately have your key softkeys on display in the handheld remote. For example, in all my subways, I moved the Trolley Mode function into the first position (soft key designation "MTC").  Now I can access it without having to scroll into "more" and its initially on my screen when I call up the train.  I moved the engine sound that announces the line and route (I.e "This is a number 7 Train bound for Times Square") into the second position, etc.  I usually place extended startup and shut down softkeys in the next two locations (SSD and SSU).   Other key (to me) sounds were also moved up to positions 5- 13 (I believe) and appear in the next 2 screens of the DCS remote for all of my engines. When I want to hear the various stops in my subway, I just click on the trolley mode (MTC) which is now located in S1 for all my subways, and go into "Manual Mode". Then I just keep clicking through all of the announcements.  When you hear one you like, hit "arm". then, when you manually stop the train in front of your station, it will play that station stop announcement and accompanying accent sounds.  Play around with it,  have some fun,  and you'll see what i mean.   MTH subways are a blast with DCS.

Ironically, just an FYI, on my PS2 MTH R1 train, there is no engine sound for the line/route.  However, if you start up the train with extended startup (SSD softkey that I have moved into one of the top 4 spots), it announces "this is an A train/ 8th Avenue express (or words to that effect).  This is the only subway train in my fleet without an engine sound announcing the line/route that I can access in DCS.    So, if you don't find that on your R!, don't be surprised. I think I moved one of the more popular station stop engine sounds to the 2nd position for my R1, like 42nd street.

Hope this helps somewhat  

The attached file is the downloaded PS3 BIG BOY 20]3775]1 SOFT KEYS with Restoration Pass Sounds.

That's the type of list I was looking for the R-1. Even Lionel included a list of the station stops in its subway owner's manuals, something I think MTH could have done, too. If I get around to documenting all the R-1 specific station names and sounds I'll post the list here too.