Solving the new MTH TIU no wireless remote problem

I bet it could be figured out. There has been talk of using certain video game controllers as remotes if they're connected to a smart device. It's not quite like the remotes we're used to but I would gladly use it over a smooth screen.

With that said, does anybody know how the remote is detected? Maybe it's as simple as connecting a wire to another one at the jack the remote plugs into?

I think it’s been confirmed that the DCS remote will work if plugged into the jack on the new WTIU. If that works, I suspect it would be possible to translate those commands into some wireless form.

Since they were using 900 MHz and handset phone jacks, with the old TIUs, I also suspect it may have been based on 900 MHz wireless home phone tech.

I have already started a project to address this. It is stalled until I get a WTIU as it will operate just a bit differently than the current TIU / WIU combo. I also need to work with a vendor at work to acquire a project board that made this possible.  I don't know WHEN or IF that will happen, but yes a module could be created to allow a traditional remote to work with the new WTIU.

https://ogrforum.com/...2#159660139098152932

@H1000 posted:

I have already started a project to address this. It is stalled until I get a WTIU as it will operate just a bit differently than the current TIU / WIU combo. I also need to work with a vendor at work to acquire a project board that made this possible.  I don't know WHEN or IF that will happen, but yes a module could be created to allow a traditional remote to work with the new WTIU.

https://ogrforum.com/...2#159660139098152932

Nice. I’m pretty sure I never saw that thread before. Thank you for your continued efforts.

Would two remotes with with the new WTIU at the same time?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Would two remotes with with the new WTIU at the same time?

John,

No telling for sure once the new hardware is in hand, but @H1000 mentioned in the post he linked he had three working with his new transceiver PoC through the TIU phone jack port.

Would there be a possibility of a firmware  update of the old TIU to utilize the 900mhz transceiver and transmit commands to the WTIU via the USB/Serial Connector or using the remote 4pin connectors between the TIU and WTIU? Description on the WTIU says it supports wired remote connection. Wonder if that would be workable without a large development cost?

@Philc posted:

Would there be a possibility of a firmware  update of the old TIU to utilize the 900mhz transceiver and transmit commands to the WTIU via the USB/Serial Connector or using the remote 4pin connectors between the TIU and WTIU?

The only folks that can answer are the MTH development team, and they're not talking.   There has been some discussion about connecting a single remote via a 900mhz link that plugs into that port.  I can't see multiple remote support without some internal software changes in the WTIU.  Since MTH has abandoned the DCS remote, I don't see them having any incentive to keep it going.

I get it, but there seems to be enough folks that like a dedicated remote especailly in the clubs. The older guys like the remote and the younger one like the app. Just seems like all the hardware is there to support both groups without creating something new. I guess it is wait and see.

Thanks,

Phil

@Philc posted:

Just seems like all the hardware is there to support both groups without creating something new. I guess it is wait and see.

Thanks,

Phil

Unfortunately however, all the hardware is not there.  MTH will neither be manufacturing nor selling dedicated remotes any longer.

Since they are dropping them from their product line why would they want to upgrade software in the new TIU to support them?

Mike

Mike,

the objective is to support the remotes that are currently in existence not to support a new remote.  It seems like there is a substantial user base of the original remotes that still work.  That is my understanding of the this thread.

Phil

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Since they are dropping them from their product line why would they want to upgrade software in the new TIU to support them?

Lionel is dropping the CAB2 from their product line, but the BASE3 will still support it.  TMCC locomotives from 20 years ago are still fully supported by the Lionel command systems, but they're certainly not in the product line.