DCS with your iPhone

How does the iPhone talk to the TIU?   Being that the TIU doesn't have WIFI or bluetooth?

 

Is it done via a PC running a listening APP and the TIU cable?

 

Planned for next October's (2013) York is a paid app for any iOS device (iPhone, iPad, etc.) that will allow capabilities similar to the DCS Remote, plus some additional functionality

 

Actually, this has the potential to be MUCH better than the DCS controller. 

 

Run with an iPad you have a larger screen (better for 65+0) with the possibility of many more commands available without having to scroll and change menus.

 

Properly implemented, I think this is a GREAT idea! 

 

Perhaps an iPad (or computer)as the main controller and iPhones for an individual to control the one train they are responsible for as on a club layout.  Many possibilities!

 

Sounds good!

 

Lionel?

I have to say I dont understand all the negativity towards this Idea. If you dont like the Idea fine, but others will. and it wont be THE END of trains. It seems there is alot more negative on everything anymore, I try to be more positive myself.

The huge advantage of the mobile devices is the abundance of RAM. The small amount of RAM in the DCS Remote is a very limiting factor.

Interesting. Most of today's kids play with phone apps all the time, trains to most of today's kids most seem like the proverbial Dodo Bird, Extinct in their minds. An iPad app would be a great idea. I believe HO and the smaller scales already have a similiar iPhone control application.

Well, I'll be in my cave with a ZW, loop of tubular O Gauge track and some Postwar if anyone needs me...

 

It's just that some of old coots have the view that the technology has become more important than the trains.

 

Rusty

 

 

                   

I think that if that is what makes you happy Rusty great! Im happy for you really. Im just saying I think there are alot of different ways to enjoy this hobby of ours, and we shouldnt close our minds to new ways of having fun with our trains.

I'm not quite a Luddite, I play with conventional, DCS, TMCC/Legacy and DCC. 

 

I just don't see where controlling model trains with an i-Whatever as a better mousetrap...  Just a different one with no apparent value.

 

Rusty

Seems like a collossal waste of R&D money to me. Money that could be better spent on other things. I don't see the need for it. If one wants to run trains on a computer screen, then one need simply buy a computer train game such as "Railroad Tycoon". The ability to run trains by computer might be nice for a very large layout running 10 or more trains simultaneously, but who has that kind of layout in their home. I agree with the earlier comment about a solution to a non existant problem!

So, put more RAM in the DCS system.

I fail to see the enjoyment factor in this scenario.

First, very cool.

 

Second, should have been done ages ago.

 

Third, DCC and CMRI and others have had this ability for a longtime.. (someone did this for TMCC and last I heard had backward engineered both DCS and Legacy [for themselves not for sale] and was using an iPad or an Android device) 

 

I would be interested in seeing latency issues Device to Web Server to Control card to DCS? If it's BlueTooth direct that would be great, but what is the range?

 

Since I am a Lionel / MTH person I would probably use it for fun and either buy or have one of my EE friends help me come up with a multi-platform solution.

 

Again very cool and will if possible incorporate into the clubs modules. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting news and few surprising responses, especially from the "stupid..unnecessary..pointless" camps.

 

My take is that this is a cool and expected turn of events.  Will I use it?  No.

 

What is the most important take away in my opinion is that something like this goes to the ever present question of "what are the train manufacturers doing to entice new, younger people into the hobby?"

 

It may not be for me, but it could be exactly what a 25 or 35 year old wants to see and would want in order to trigger their interest to a deeper level of involvement with O Gauge trains.

Bravo MTH!  Still the best.

Or from across the sea . . .  now we have to worry about cyber-security for our trains.  

 

We have to stop this trend now!!  Before you know it, some Chinese troublemaker group will hack into the cellphone data system to execute the secret codes they inserted into the Legacy and PS3 chips while assembling them in their factories.  They will take over running our trains and all we will be able to do is watch in horror as the Blue Comet hurtles at full speed toward the Super Chief coming full speed toward it. Oh, the humanity!!!!

 

Lee, now I know why you really built that gauntlet track. 

You might think it's a good idea until one of the little buggers crashes your train into someone else's. Not all the onlookers are well intentioned.

I find it rather humorous that there has been sufficient begging for this, and now that MTH is doing it there is overwhelming griping.  Puts me in mind of P.T. Barnum....

 

I come originally from a very strong HO background, computer control, a la Bruce Chubb, has been around in their world since the 80's.  It's not new.

 

I would explore it, possibly use it, I like computers.  Just have to wait and see...

I love the idea and think it opens up many possibilities. Imagine opening up your I-Pad, load a module for say a UP Challenger, and the I Pad displays the cab of an actual Challenger where you can spin knobs, pull levers... Its not pointless, but its good that they are pushing forward with technology.

 

With that said.... I wish MTH would get out some steam / bell effects like Lionel. I cant get enough of that stuff.

Better know what all those "knobs" (never saw a knob on a steam locomotive... Valves yes, knobs, no...) and levers do before you start messing with them.

 

Rusty

 

This is the most bizarre thinking I've ever heard. No kid is going to be anymore interested in running trains with his iphone than if you put a DCS or cab-2 controller in his hand.

 

As for guests running trains at a public event, by the time they down load the app and have an elementary understanding of running trains from their iPhone, they could already be doing it from a DCS or cab-2 controller.

 

I have this vision of a kid running a couple of 1000$ locos at a show with his iPhone when his buddy or girlfriend texts him, he double clicks the home button to get to the text app, intrigued by the text conversation he wonders off replying to the text while the locos run aimlessly out of control.

 

Nice thought MTH, but gimmicky at best. Until you can show me how real model train enthusiasts can utilize this technology, I'll stick with the conventional controllers.

LIONEL, or MTH, could make a Luditeville ; instead of Lionelville..

How about if you have DCS and a smartphone and want an extra DCS controller but don't want to (or can't) spend the money for one.  Also, if you have an open house potentially anyone with a smartphone (and the app) will have their own controller.  Hopefully, the software will be reasonably priced.

As far as the "why".... My smart phone (android) was $0.  I have it, fits in my pocket. I use it for a lot of stuff. 

 

DCS remote is $160 per the latest MTH Catalog.  I don't have one.  It does one thing (run trains).  It's big, fragile, and doesn't seem as kid friendly (as a smart phone). 

 

Am I more apt to make the plunge into DCS if all I need to do is get a TIU?  Yes. 

 

The Smart phone isn't quite there yet (in terms of taking the place of the DCS remote), but this is a good first step. 

 

Makes one wonder why cars and ovens are such a big deal.... they serve no purpose that horses and fire pits didn't already have covered.

 

 

 

   

Didn't Jon Z. from Lionel demo a similar phone app concept for TMCC/Legacy a couple of years ago now?

Wouldn't it be a lot simpler and much more reliable to produce a small remote throttle that just runs a train? Leave off all the fancy bells and whistles and just provide a means to choose the assigned locomotive number and run the train. That's all 98% of us need anyway.

 

The HO DCC manufacturers figured this out years ago. They all sell stand-alone throttles so you can share the enjoyment of running trains with others without being forced to buy an entire new DCS or Legacy system.

 

BOTH manufacturers need to do this.

 

 

I also 100% agree with Rusty Trague when he says, "...the technology has become more important than the trains..." AMEN.

The problem of being distracted and forgetting you are running trains is easy to solve-if the app doesn't have focus, the trains stop.  I agree that letting non train people run expensive locos may not be a wise idea, but ios devices are something alot of people already have, and it would make the cost of going to digital much less.

If you are running 1 train per loop - you only need conventional, your ZW or Z4000 is perfect.

If you run 2 trains per loop - Independant remote control with cruise it the way to go.

As you get more complex in your switching and operation more features become more usefull, it's not just a novelty.  One size does not fit all.  My biggest complaint is when some say if I don't see a need for it then no one needs it.

 

Luv the remark GTW Don Makes one wonder why cars and ovens are such a big deal.... they serve no purpose that horses and fire pits didn't already have covered.

 

Dan

The Cab-1L is almost perfect to give to a guest, I will be getting one.

The phone or tablet is better suited to switches or block control expecially on large comples layouts. The new Lionel track that reads engines as they pass could be usefull in this setting, anyone have more info from Lionel??

98% of us have small to medium complexity layouts, not really necessary.

With a software remote you could easily set up a minimal remote with operational speed limits to give to a guest.

dan

In the opsite vein of this tread, a simplified remote like the new Thomas one with thumb wheels(under a cover) for engine selection and in Legacy or DCS would be perfect for guests. 1 remote - 1 engine.

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but this is what most of you seem to want.

Dan

I read all this on my IPhone :-) Ben

I would love nothing more than to call up an engine from my iPad and have it display the inside cab of the actual real train's controls and gauges. Wow. Can't get much more prototypical than that. After some fun with that I would run a few laps in conventional. 

 

I am on board 100% with this. It's just an option. 

 

I can still hear my grandfather belly aching by the Christmas tree saying what's wrong with wind up trains, those **** electric things will burn the house down. 

Me: 'Stop the train'

Siri: 'Drop the train'

 

Me: NO! I SAID STOP THE TRAIN!!

   And be careful not to command Acela 8 into the terminus. 

I phone shmi-phone. What a bunch of hippocrats! All of the "rivet counting" and  "not prototypical" this and that......... I want one of THESE in my train room for running trains.......phones are for phone calls!

I was having lunch with 6 people from the train club a couple of days ago.  All of the us are over 60.  Everyone at the table had an iPhone (except me).  I have an old cell phone that just makes calls.

 

The club has one DCS system and one hand held controller.  Several members have MTH engines with DCS but none of them have a home system or controller.  This means that we can run only one MTH engine at a time at the club.  

 

I have a DCS system at home but it is a earlier version than the club's system.  My home controller won't work with the club's TIU unless I upgrade my system.  Upgrading is hard to do because I would need to take the entire system out of the attic and down to my office to access the nearest internet connection.  I use an older MAC.  I also believe that I might have to take the system to a friend's house to use a PC to do the upgrade.  

 

It would be great if the club members could just use their iPhone to run their MTH engines.  They already have the phone and they won't have to buy a controller that they won't be using at home.  I think that this is the major selling point for a smart phone application to run trains.

 

Another advantage of an iPhone / iPad controller is that the screen is easier to read than the MTH or Legacy controller screen.  Many of our over 60 club members have trouble reading the screens on both models.

 

I am the only club member who has a command control home layout.  Most of the others do not have home layouts.  This is the reason they are club members.  The only other home layout is all conventional control.  

 

I wish that both MTH and Lionel would make a less expensive and simpler version of their controllers.  I have several CAB-1s.  The CAB-1 works perfectly for running my Lionel engines.  We run more Lionel at the club because we have more CAB-1s and it is very simple to use.  I have heard Lionel is going to produce a CAB-2 light.  Hopefully it will be be simple and affordable for the person who just wants to run trains at a club.

 

Joe

Ha, what is the big news ?  we know since a least a month that MTH will release a Wi-fi TIU 

Tom,

Seems like a collossal waste of R&D money to me

It's 3rd party money, not MTH's.

So, put more RAM in the DCS system.

Unfortunately, that's not possible.

 

This advancement is great news. A number of DCC systems have had the capability to use your phone as a throttle for quite a while now. The advantage here if you have a ipad you can use it as a throttle without buying an extra one. Great for visitors!

 

Peter