I received this notice from my local train shop this morning. It replaces the current TIU and WIU. Here's a link to the announcement. It states that it will run Lionel TMCC and Legacy.
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There have been a few threads on this. IT was in the HO catalog something a lot of us overlooked. It won't work with a handheld (this seems to be in question now due to the web information, catalog said no) and it's yet to be determined since no one has actually laid hands on one whether it has all the standard connectivity so it can hook to a SER2 for Legacy control (also in question as the specs have changed since it was cataloged). One would assume so but...
Edited to reflect possible changes in specifications from catalog text.
Well this should be incredibly good news for the future of DCS. MTH said that their technology division would live on, and this would seem to be pretty good evidence that they mean it, with them releasing a brand new product like this right before closing the rest of the company.
@Catonsville Central Railway posted:Well this should be incredibly good news for the future of DCS. MTH said that their technology division would live on, and this would seem to be pretty good evidence that they mean it, with them releasing a brand new product like this right before closing the rest of the company.
It's been in the pipeline for a few years from what I understand. I recall some mention of this about 3 years back or so. I'm not sure we can read it's delivery into anything.
"I recall some mention of this about 3 years back or so"
Whether the glass is half full or empty probably depends on lots of things 
.
@MartyE posted:"It won't work with a handheld"
Won't work with a hand held ends any interest in it for us.
@BobbyD posted:Won't work with a hand held ends any interest in it for us.
Not true. Read the announcement.
Kinda neat that it'll still work with the remote if you want. I have 2 remotes and 2 TIUs so I'm set for the foreseeable future.
Looks like they've "upgraded" the description, the fact that they claim that it will run TMCC and Legacy means it has to pass AC. They also now claim it does use the remote, the HO catalog description said it didn't.
MTH 50-1039 ProtoSound DCS WiFi Digital Command System 2
This is different than what was described in the HO catalog. From the 2020-2021 HO Catalog...
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@Lou1985 posted:Kinda neat that it'll still work with the remote if you want. I have 2 remotes and 2 TIUs so I'm set for the foreseeable future.
Well that contradicts what's written in the catalog. I hope we get some clarification. I'd be mad as heck if I purchased this and it didn't work with a remote when it says it does.
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@MartyE posted:"Did you save $12 on the advice in this thread? If so then think about becoming a Supporting Member!”
No, I didn't save anything, but I became a Supporting Member anyway. 
Pretty cool. I just bought a WIU and TIU with the intent of running with my phone. I'm glad to see more products being planned. I like the DCS system so far. I've had it for about a month now.
Maybe @Andy Edleman could comment as to the specifications?
@gunrunnerjohn posted:No, I didn't save anything, but I became a Supporting Member anyway.
Actually you learned that it might or might not support a DCS handheld.
True Marty, but since I have TIUs and Remotes, it didn't save me any money, I'm not buying one anyway! 
Since the TIU is now discontinued (according to the email above) would this be something needed for potential software upgrades or would the TIU still work? I'm half tempted to buy the Wifi unit to replace my remote but I'm wondering now if I should wait till this is released and sell my TIU when the time comes.
@Trainlover9943 posted:Since the TIU is now discontinued (according to the email above) would this be something needed for potential software upgrades or would the TIU still work? I'm half tempted to buy the Wifi unit to replace my remote but I'm wondering now if I should wait till this is released and sell my TIU when the time comes.
No. This is just a TIU with a WIU built in. If you already have a TIU save yourself some money and just buy the external WIU.
I'm weighing my options for my next layout. It will be my first one that is not just conventional. So if I wanted to run DCS, Legacy, and TMCC, or turn that off and run conventionally, this would do it? Would I just buy this and a DCS remote?
@CarGuyZM10 posted:I'm weighing my options for my next layout. It will be my first one that is not just conventional. So if I wanted to run DCS, Legacy, and TMCC, or turn that off and run conventionally, this would do it? Would I just buy this and a DCS remote?
If the text of the web description is correct then yes to all of the above but you will also need to buy a Lionel Legacy base and Lionel SER2 to make Legacy happen.
I was on the fence about pre-ordering a DCS remote and didn't. Since the new remote has arrived, I've been unable to find any in stock. I'm happy with operating my trains with my phone. With this announcement, I think I'll stop looking for a remote.
My question is which DCS remote will it work with?
They have changed the SKU for the old DCS remote (from 50-1002 to 50-1038) and have or soon will be coming out with a new remote (50-1002).
I have the old (current?) 50-1002 remote and wonder if the NEW TIU with wifi (50-1039) will work with my current DCS Remote or will I have to purchase the NEW DCS remote? Maybe that's what they are saying in the HO catalog?
@paulp575 posted:My question is which DCS remote will it work with?
They have changed the SKU for the old DCS remote (from 50-1002 to 50-1038) and have or soon will be coming out with a new remote (50-1002).
I have the old (current?) 50-1002 remote and wonder if the NEW TIU with wifi (50-1039) will work with my current DCS Remote or will I have to purchase the NEW DCS remote? Maybe that's what they are saying in the HO catalog?
If that's the case there will be a lot of unhappy campers. I can't imagine that they would leave so many stranded users out there with remotes that won't communicate with the new TIU.
@paulp575 posted:My question is which DCS remote will it work with?
They have changed the SKU for the old DCS remote (from 50-1002 to 50-1038) and have or soon will be coming out with a new remote (50-1002).
I have the old (current?) 50-1002 remote and wonder if the NEW TIU with wifi (50-1039) will work with my current DCS Remote or will I have to purchase the NEW DCS remote? Maybe that's what they are saying in the HO catalog?
The "old" and "new" DCS remotes are exactly the same functionality, they are interchangeable.
@MartyE posted:If that's the case there will be a lot of unhappy campers. I can't imagine that they would leave so many stranded users out there with remotes that won't communicate with the new TIU.
Just reread the description and wonder about this "Current and past DCS Remote Handheld units (50-1002 and 50-1038) cannot control the WTIU because there is no 900mhz radio transimtter/receiver in the WTIU". Maybe it will ONLY work with the app and no remotes? Looks like it. If that's the case - not for me as I don't have a tablet or app. I do have a laptop with Bluestreak installed. Bluestreak is an app emulator.
@Oman posted:Not true. Read the announcement.
Seems they have changed what was printed in the catalog then.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Looks like they've "upgraded" the description, the fact that they claim that it will run TMCC and Legacy means it has to pass AC. They also now claim it does use the remote, the HO catalog description said it didn't.
MTH 50-1039 ProtoSound DCS WiFi Digital Command System 2
This is different than what was described in the HO catalog. From the 2020-2021 HO Catalog...
Anyway, what we REALLY NEED are the Proto2/3 upgrade and new Proto3 boards.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Looks like they've "upgraded" the description, the fact that they claim that it will run TMCC and Legacy means it has to pass AC. They also now claim it does use the remote, the HO catalog description said it didn't.
MTH 50-1039 ProtoSound DCS WiFi Digital Command System 2
Well the features have changed since John posted this about 90 minutes ago. I used the link he provide and got a different feature page. Originally I got the same one he did but it has changed. Here is the "new" feature page. So now we're back to the remotes not working although they did specify that Legacy will be able to be connected. At least someone is watching this thread it seems.
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Just looked up the listing and it has the disclaimer that it won't work with the original and new DCS remotes. Best bet would be to contact MTH for a clarification. Keep in mind that the website said there were no remote thumbwheel cradles in stock though I was able to order them from Midge. That said, it does dovetail into the rumor that the remotes were eventually going to be discontinued.
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@AGHRMatt posted:Just looked up the listing and it has the disclaimer that it won't work with the original and new DCS remotes. Best bet would be to contact MTH for a clarification. Keep in mind that the website said there were no remote thumbwheel cradles in stock though I was able to order them from Midge.
Matt
This morning it had a different description that indicated it would work with the remotes. It changed sometime between then and now as evident of my previous post. I agree a call to MTH or them confirming here would be prudent.
I honestly like using my phone or a tablet better, I only have a remote for the custom sounds feature. I hope this means they'll incorporate that into the app.
The new DCS Digital Command System features an all-in-one WTIU WiFi Track Interface Unit that essentially combines the older TIU and WIU into one device. The incorporation of wifi coupled with the elimination of the 900mhz radio transmitter/receiver found in the original TIU means that the WTIU cannot be controlled by the 50-1002 or 50-1038 DCS Remote Handheld devices. The only way to control the WTIU is with iOS or Android smart devices (phones and tablets) equipped with the DCS App.
For 18 years, M.T.H. Electric Trains has been able to support and produce the original DCS Digital Command System. Such longevity is a testimony to the original design with but only a few hardware changes occurring over the products near two-decade existence. Owners of the original TIU from 2002 can update it with the system's current software today and enjoy the same complete functionality as the hardware produced just this past summer! Unfortunately, the processors, radios, etc. used in the current hardware are no longer being produced by electronics manufacturers. These end-of-life component issues are fairly common in the technology world, one most of us have experienced in the products we own whether they be phones, computers, or even televisions. In that respect, the lifespan of DCS has been amazing!
This summer's run of the current TIU (50-1003) and DCS WiFi Digital Command System (50-1036) mark our last production runs for these products. This winter we'll be manufacturing our last run of the DCS Remote Handheld (50-1038). With the announcement of the WTIU this summer, 2021 will mark the exclusive use of wifi for controlling the DCS system.
The WTIU, like the current DCS System and TIU (50-1003) will retain the DCS features we've long touted, including control of Lionel TMCC or Legacy locomotives. Like the old system, control of those locomotives still requires the inclusion of the necessary Lionel hardware (a TMCC Command Base or a Legacy Command Base + the Lionel LCS Serial Converter 2 (SER2)) to do so. Operators wishing to access TMCC or Legacy locomotive functions will also need to upgrade the DCS App to the Premium version as they do now when controlling the current DCS system with the WIU.
Unlike the original DCS Digital Command System and 50-1003 TIU, the new WTIU provides variable channel output of AC and DC current. This means that the new DCS Digital Command System and WTIU can control conventional DC powered locomotives, including HO and G Gauge models as well as AC powered locomotives including S Gauge American Flyer or Lionel, Atlas, Bachmann, Williams, 3rd Rail or original M.T.H. O Gauge models. Users can quickly jump from variable control to command control within the DCS App to run conventional locomotives on the same track as command locomotives - at the same time!!
We've updated the M.T.H. website with the proper features and descriptions of the new WTIU (50-1039) DCS Digital Command System. We'll be announcing more details about the WTIU over the coming months. Stay tuned!!
Thanks Andy. A lot of confusion as you can imagine. Case Closed!
Can you upgrade your TIU via the internet (Wifi) with the current WIU hooked up to it? Or is that a new feature for this upcoming unit?
My question is --
I have the 50-1002 DCS Remote. I also have the Lionel Cab-2 base so I can also run Lionel's TMCC locos. I have some Lionel LEGACY locos as well.
Am I correct that the new WTIU will add the ability to control Lionel LEGACY locos?
If so, what would I need to do to add the ability to run Lionel's LEGACY locos to my current set up? Additionally, I do not have a mobile device nor a tablet. I current am running Bluestacks - a android emulator - on my PC.
Nothing like hearing it from the horse's mouth. So, kiss the remote goodby with the new TIU. Glad I have a stock of them!
@paulp575 posted:My question is --
I have the 50-1002 DCS Remote. I also have the Lionel Cab-2 base so I can also run Lionel's TMCC locos. I have some Lionel LEGACY locos as well.
Am I correct that the new WTIU will add the ability to control Lionel LEGACY locos?
If so, what would I need to do to add the ability to run Lionel's LEGACY locos to my current set up? Additionally, I do not have a mobile device nor a tablet. I current am running Bluestacks - a android emulator - on my PC.
Same thing you always needed, the Legacy command base, the SER2 box, and the cable to the TIU.
Thanks Andy. Just got the "G Gauge" newsletter announcement.
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@paulp575 posted:My question is --
I have the 50-1002 DCS Remote. I also have the Lionel Cab-2 base so I can also run Lionel's TMCC locos. I have some Lionel LEGACY locos as well.
Am I correct that the new WTIU will add the ability to control Lionel LEGACY locos?
If so, what would I need to do to add the ability to run Lionel's LEGACY locos to my current set up? Additionally, I do not have a mobile device nor a tablet. I current am running Bluestacks - a android emulator - on my PC.
Interesting question. Will it run them as full featured Legacy or more as TMCC units?
Yeah, but if they aren't making new DCS engines...
Well, I knew this day was coming eventually, even before the shutdown was announced. I have nothing but respect mth for bringing this product to market and I presume whatever controls company follows will support it.
But honestly I don't like the idea of no dedicated remote at all. I already spend too much time with a phone in my hand. The remote brings a tactile feeling that is just for running trains. I know I sound just like conventional operators griping about moving to the remote, but it's just how I feel. I bought a wiu, hooked it up, and decided I just don't care for it. I always went back to the actual remote. When my rev I tiu dies eventually I hope this new product will still be available, but this is one change I will put off.
This will be interesting to follow in the year to come.
MTH lost me as a customer when they announced they were discontinuing the DCS remote. Like Gunrunnerjohn, I have a good supply of spare remotes, as well as 2 spare TIUs, which hopefully will last a spell.
