Barry began our meeting at 7:00 pm and welcomed everyone. He reminded us that we began this group at the Outback Steakhouse 11 years ago. Barry thanked Marty Fitzhenry and Jimmy Queenan who provided about half the group upgrades to their TIU’s, DCS Remotes and WIU’s, and Don Klose for once again being our meeting scribe.
Barry mentioned that later in the meeting MTH would raffle off prizes, including WIUs, and will also offer the WIU at a discounted price.
Barry introduced Dave Hikel, of Hikel O Gauge Layouts. Dave discussed a new product offering, produced on a 3D printer, that keeps the batteries in the DCS remote from coming loose. The clip fits right over the batteries and keeps them snug. For more info contact Dave Hikel using the E-mail address in Dave’s OGR Forum profile.
Barry mentioned that the current version of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition is, in all likelihood, going to be the final edition and will end with the Standard version of the DCS Application. However, there will shortly be a new book available, The DCS WIFI Companion 1st Edition. This entirely new book will serve the same purpose as the first book, to be both a tutorial and a reference text for DCS. However, the new book will discuss DCS from the point of view of the Premium version of the DCS Application rather than the DCS Remote.
The new book will be initially available as an eBook PDF file during the latter part of May and as a print book about 4-6 weeks later. This will allow changes and corrections resulting from reader’s feedback to be incorporated in the print version of the book. As in the past, all eBook purchasers of the 1st edition eBook will be able to download revised copies of the 1st edition at no charge for the life of that edition.
Barry took a straw poll to determine if there any was interest in moving this meeting from its current venue on Wednesday evening, to Thursday mornings from 9:00-11:00 am at the Fairgrounds. A show of hands indicated that a majority of the attendees desired that the meeting should remain in its current venue and time period.
Barry continued by asking folks for their initial reaction regarding using the DCS Premium app.
For many the first issue was the ability to operate Legacy engines in Legacy mode. It was pointed out that in order to operate Legacy engines in Legacy mode via the app, it’s required to add Lionel’s SER2 module and its associated cable to a Legacy command base, and connect the TIU to the SER2 instead of the Legacy command base. This due to the Legacy command base's serial port's inability to accept Legacy commands directly.
Another issue raised was the desire for the coupler buttons to be placed on the Engine Control main screen rather than the lower engine screen. Barry mentioned that MTH was aware of this request.
Other questions were asked, including:
- How frequently will app upgrades be released?
- Why is there no manual available for the app?
- Lashup soft keys are missing from the app. When will this be corrected?
- Where are Custom Sounds accessed on the app?
Barry suggested that these questions be addressed to MTH later in the meeting.
Some also pointed out that it was difficult to add engines to the remote. Barry responded that correct use of the DCS App's Refresh button and Engine Roster Screen were important to the process of adding DCS, Legacy and TMCC engines.
Additionally, many reported that they were pleased with how much faster the app responds to commands as compared to the DCS Remote.
Barry then introduced Andy Edleman, MTH's VP of Marketing.
Andy Edelman
Andy began his portion of the meeting by stating he would address four topics:
- DCS software updates
- The new DCS Explorer hardware
- The DCS App
- The need to give DCS feedback on the new app.
To begin, Andy pointed out that the premium app is available and, yes, there will be a need for periodic updates. There is no set timetable as to how often this will occur. It will be more of an as-needed basis. To use the app you must upgrade your TIU to DCS 6.0. It is a simple process that you can do yourself. Regardless, MTH would be providing facilities and assistance for anyone who desired to update their DCS devices at MTH's booth during the show.
The DCS Explorer will become available in starter sets and also separately in the 4th quarter of this year. The set will supply the power and interface and you will supply an iO or Android smartphone or tablet, running any version of the DCS App, to be the controller. The the DCS Explorer is more capable than the DCS Remote Commander.
The DCS Explorer will provide:
- Speed control
- Bell
- Horn/Whistle
- Coupler function
- Freight Yard/Passenger Station sounds
- Doppler Effect
- Factory Reset
- You can still operate these starter sets with a transformer or the DCS Remote Commander.
The DCS Explorer will not provide:
- Control of the AIU
- Any advanced DCS features such as ProtoCast, Record/Playback, etc.
The DCS Explorer is simply plug and play. It makes the command environment easier to be used by young and old.
A question was asked, "Will the DCS Remote be upgraded in the future?" The answer was that it will not. Further, after 2017 the DCS Remotes will no longer be produced by MTH.
When asked if MTH intends to utilize Bluetooth for future product offerings, Andy responded that, in MTH’s opinion, WiFi is a superior communications protocol for operating a layout due to its faster data speed and greater range.
Andy emphasized the need for us to give MTH our feedback regarding our needs for improving the app and its effectiveness. MTH hopes to provide a help feature on the app to assist in using the app more effectively.
When asked "Does MTH have any intention of providing a computer interface for the DCS App?, Andy answered that while MTH does not, perhaps such an interface may be developed by a third party.
Andy then introduced Dave Krebiehl, MTH's Vice President of R&D.
Dave Krebiehl
Dave commented that the DCS Remote is old technology and that, in general, future DCS updates will be only for the DCS App and the TIU, and not for the DCS Remote. However, if a TIU update affects the DCS Remote, the DCS Remote would be updated as well.
Dave reiterated Andy’s comments by pointing out that DCS and DCS App updates will not be on a set schedule. Rather, they will be issued as needed to add new features and functions, and to make corrections.
Dave then opened up to the floor for questions and comments.
- An attendee emphasized the need for the coupler function to be on the first engine screen. Dave pointed out that it is possible on a tablet screen, however, it may be too crowded on a smartphone screen, causing one to accidentally tap multiple functions at once. Possibly, an option could be made available in the future to have either screen as a choice.
- Dave suggested that Super TIU mode may not be explicitly needed in the WIFI world and that it would simply be the standard mode for DCS operation.
- It was asked if rolling stock command functions, such as those used in the Coors set, could be made available, possibly in kit form, so that one could make sound cars similar to Lionel’s sound cars. Dave responded that It is possible.
- It was asked, "Is there is any way possible in the DCS App to control Z4K Tracks?" The answer was no. It is too cost prohibitive to do so.
- It was suggested that future DCS App updates be announced in the MTH newsletter. Also a tips and tricks column to help folks better use and understand the app would be helpful..
- Dave stated that, in the future, the app will allow expansion beyond 99 engines.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Andy raffled off a pair of WIUs and several freight cars. Andy also advised the group that WIUs would be available at a steep discount at the show. Anyone who was interested in purchasing a WIU should see Andy at the MTH booth in the Orange Hall.
MTH’s 2017 Vol. II Catalogs were distributed and it was emphasized again that MTH needs your feedback regarding the DCS App.
The meeting was adjourned.
Many thanks to Don Klose for taking notes and preparing this report. Any errors in the above report are most likely due to my editing rather than Don's reporting.
