I was told by a local dealer that MTH will end production of the handheld this year. Any truth to this?
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Yes at the York DCS meeting MTH Announced it will be going all wifi
Yeah but the DCS Remote will do more than the WiFi CrAap...such as play the soft keys.
You might want to rethink that statement. The premium app does everything and more. Even runs Legacy.
Last run will be built in the fall
The soft keys are right on the app, plus all of the ones in the "more" list so you don't have to move the sounds/features around to get them onto the primary soft keys. Also the names are more descriptive than the three-letter acronyms. I haven't used my remote to operate trains at the club since the Premium app was released. We're looking at buying some cheap tablets to replace the club remotes, relegating the remotes to being tethered to the test/setup track.
They sure weren't there a few weeks ago when using the Premium CrAap version.
Right now I run three remotes off of one TIU. If I go to WIFI tablet can I run three tablets off one TIU?
(My grandsons like to run trains; what boy doesn't at their young age?) So those two each get a remote loaded with only their loco and I get one, too. The loops are separate and everybody's happy. Will we still be happy with WIFI? Or will grandpa be cussin?
Casey Jones2 posted:They sure weren't there a few weeks ago when using the Premium CrAap version.
Yes they were.
Waddy posted:Right now I run three remotes off of one TIU. If I go to WIFI tablet can I run three tablets off one TIU?
Yes.... I have both my iPhone and iPad setup. I can use both at same time. I have one TIU and one Wifi unit. All works well.
Call me old fashion but i don't own a cell phone let alone an Ipad let alone an iphone nor do i intend to. What was so bad about having a remote? My wife got some kind of pad for Christmas and neither one of us can get it to do anything.
The DCS remote was pretty awesome when it came out well before Apple made the first true smart phone. Times have changes and many people requested an update to the DCS remote. Well here it is and the smart devices today are better than anything MTH could have produced in house. Not to mention we as users now have more control over what kind of device we use and how big it is!
The DCS remote is expensive for MTH to produce and would be even more expensive to update with a newer version. Apps on smart devices are cheap to update and allow for a very robust & changeable user interface.
While the DCS remote is good enough for many of the older operators, attracting a younger crowd with the "old school" remote is nearly impossible. It looks like MTH is going all in with Wi-Fi app control for everything and phasing out dedicate remote systems. Let the user provide the remote of their choice to run their trains.
I suspect as we become more comfortable with the WiFi app, used remotes will become readily available.
Stop the train I got a call coming IN! Cell phones and other devices are the down fall of everything going on none. Kid can't even make change without a cell phone. They don't even lookup to see where they are going or where they have been.
I learned a long time ago not to fight progress. When I was a kid we had a party line telephone and I can remember when we got our first TV; a little black and white job and we only had three channels available, which signed off at around 11PM. So I'm willing to make the changeover to WIFI. I just don't want to be in the group that has to work all the bugs out. And the DCS Wifi has had some bugs. So I will probably wait a few years before going whole hog on this new technology. I'll let you gung ho guys fight the gremlins.
I have one good thumb wheel on my remote now and one new one as a spare. I guess once I break those two with my big fat thumb I'll be jumping on the wifi band wagon! It shouldn't take long! 
My tablet doesn't get too many incoming calls, and most of these kids aren't even aware that their cell phone can be use to make a telephone call. It's all Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook (if you're old).
My nephew spends a lot time looking up from his phone when he is controlling a couple of trains on the layout. 
If we're going all WIFI why not make the system operable from a laptop? Is that really more complicated technology than using a tablet? Or does DCS Wifi already allow you to install it and run it on a laptop? It just makes sense to me that if you are going to modernize the interface, really modernize it, and allow the trains to be run off a laptop or desktop computer.
Waddy posted:If we're going all WIFI why not make the system operable from a laptop? Is that really more complicated technology than using a tablet? Or does DCS Wifi already allow you to install it and run it on a laptop? It just makes sense to me that if you are going to modernize the interface, really modernize it, and allow the trains to be run off a laptop or desktop computer.
In a way this is a bit a of a step backwards as laptops and desktops are much less portable than a tablet or the original DCS remote. I suspect there is much less demand for PC control.
But ask and you shall receive!!! Check out this website: DCS Control from a PC
I also wonder why we're stuck with such an antiquated sound file system. Why should I have to take the locomotive to my computer and hook everything up? The locomotive already gets signals while it's sitting on the track. If DCS Wifi could be run from a laptop then why not be able to switch out sound files while it's sitting there on the track.
And why couldn't MTH have a laptop trouble diagnosis program while they're at it? One we could run to figure out what's wrong. My car has such a system.
I think incorporating laptops (and desktops) into their system could make lots of improvements possible.
H1000 posted:Waddy posted:If we're going all WIFI why not make the system operable from a laptop? Is that really more complicated technology than using a tablet? Or does DCS Wifi already allow you to install it and run it on a laptop? It just makes sense to me that if you are going to modernize the interface, really modernize it, and allow the trains to be run off a laptop or desktop computer.
In a way this is a bit a of a step backwards as laptops and desktops are much less portable than a tablet or the original DCS remote. I suspect there is much less demand for PC control.
But ask and you shall receive!!! Check out this website: DCS Control from a PC
Thanks for the link; I'll look at it later. Many of the laptops today are quite small, yet powerful. Portability isn't the issue anymore with computers. I suspect if the laptop DCS program offered some real improvements, like the ones I mentioned, there would be plenty of demand.
Waddy posted:I also wonder why we're stuck with such an antiquated sound file system. Why should I have to take the locomotive to my computer and hook everything up? The locomotive already gets signals while it's sitting on the track. If DCS Wifi could be run from a laptop then why not be able to switch out sound files while it's sitting there on the track.
And why couldn't MTH have a laptop trouble diagnosis program while they're at it? One we could run to figure out what's wrong. My car has such a system.
I think incorporating laptops (and desktops) into their system could make lots of improvements possible.
I also wonder why we're stuck with such an antiquated sound file system
The sound file system is actually pretty complex, The website provided above also has an entire section (with free software) that can playback entire MTH sound files on your computer, modify these sound files with clips from other MTH sound files or your own custom sounds. It even provides instructions on how to add a quillable whistle to engines that don't have from the factory.
Why should I have to take the locomotive to my computer and hook everything up? The locomotive already gets signals while it's sitting on the track. If DCS Wifi could be run from a laptop then why not be able to switch out sound files while it's sitting there on the track.
I'm a little confused with this statement, run the wifi app on a laptop so that you can take the laptop to your layout and program a sound file into the engine. That's how it works now with the DCS Loader. I take my laptop to the layout, I put the engine on segment of track that is isolated from everything else (Programming track), and I can upload new sound files into an engine from my laptop. Are you requesting that the DCS APP upload a new file to an engine from a smart device directly? This is possible, and give it time it may happen but I don't think it's high on the priority list at MTH.
And why couldn't MTH have a laptop trouble diagnosis program while they're at it? One we could run to figure out what's wrong. My car has such a system.
This would require an extensive amount of additional sensors and electronics incorporated into the current Protosound 3.0 system. The diagnostic system in your car you are referring to is called OBDII and it was required on all cars 1996 and newer. This system added numerous amounts of additional sensors and electronics to cars. I do agree that it does make troubleshooting a lot easier on a car but again I don't think there is enough room for the extra electronics inside of an engine to support such a system in an O Gauge engine. Maybe someday, but I won't hold breath.
I think incorporating laptops (and desktops) into their system could make lots of improvements possible.
I think that MTH has already done a pretty good job of doing this and regularly improves the software (DCS Loader) as needed.
The link does have several additions to what DCS already does, primarily with sound file manipulation. However, we run our trains on one system, tablet WIFI, yet have to hook up the laptop to change sound files. Why not change sound files directly from the tablet (probably not even possible) or better yet, let us run the whole thing off the laptop. Simplify the process.
The model trains wouldn't need as complex a system as the OBDII in our vehicles. There is lots of information already flowing through the electronics that could give us information if the system was set up to process it.
That's not to say I'm unhappy at all with MTH. I run them exclusively. But I chose them for their simplicity of operation; no programming skills needed. Just the right amount of complexity for my tastes. But if they are committed to modernizing their system, and adding complexity, then why not go all out, and make it available on computers as well.
Why not change sound files directly from the tablet (probably not even possible) or better yet, let us run the whole thing off the laptop. Simplify the process.
Think of the sound file like firmware for an Internet router. Upgrading wirelessly is generally not recommended due to the slightess interruption in the signal could cause serious problems. My home router won't allow me to upgrade firmware through a wireless connection and requires that all firmware updates be performed through a direct wired connection. This is not to say that someday MTH may incorporate this into the APP but for now they are focus on building an App that performs as close to the DCS remote as possible and not adding much new functionality (other than Legacy support).
The model trains wouldn't need as complex a system as the OBDII in our vehicles. There is lots of information already flowing through the electronics that could give us information if the system was set up to process it.
I think you are underestimating what it would take to make this work. What kind of troubleshooting responses would you like the system to report?
Also, if you are looking to run the app on a laptop it can be done using an Android emulator. Check Ray's Electric Trainworks video: DCS App on laptop
I will hang on to my remote,just like my gun.
They will have to pry it from my cold,dead hands,to quote Charlton Heston!!!
I spend enough time everyday on that darn phone,being radiated by it,messaged,texted,e-mailed,notified, and updated!!!
When it's time to run trains,I want to be as far away from tech as I can get.I even run conventionally still most of the time.Kind of a "hands on' experience,and much less trouble.Smelling Smoke Pellets.AHHHH!!!!
When I do run MTH or Lionel trains with the remote,I already feel nervous enough,anticipating a board might go out,that I may see "Engine Not ON track",when I **** well know it's right there ON TRACK!!
The only advantage I see in these new trains are the WONDERFUL amount of detail that goes into the Premium items, fabulous clouds of chuffing,syncronized SMOKE!!,The great Sounds that Can pretty much be duplicated with a Railsounds boxcar or tender,and I never was a fan of low speed running,until I watched and heard that CHUFF and watched that smoke Shoot up out of the stack,in perfect time with the drivers!!!!
It's like sweet music to me!!! But I get all this right from my 80's "TV"remote,that the DCS remote reminds me of!!!!
I never wanted to be tracked,followed,liked or friended by that **** phone to begin with.
If it wasn't for my job,I would not even have an iphone!!!
Makes it alot harder to just "get Lost",like back when everybody did not know your EXACT location,24/7. And everyone gets so offended if you don't answer their text within 10 minutes.Geez.
Are we all this important??I'm certainly am not.
I remember when only Doctors had these things.Now we're all "ON CALL"
What happened to hangin' out with your buddies,and just gettin'away from everything for a couple hours here and there?,Givin' the barmaid(now alcohol service specialist) ten bucks to tell your wife she had not seen you at that club tonight?
I miss the Glass Phone Booths,(and the drive up pay phones that once were around) I realize time marches on,but for me I was and am happy with my DCS remote,and WILL NOT run any trains from an app.
Train time is time to have a beverage(or three),forget the rat race and highball down the mainline,pressing that horn/whistle button from my transformer or my remote. I will have 5 of them stashed away,just in case something goes wrong with my main remote or backup remote.
From my Cold,Dead Hands.No WiFi for this guy.-Kenny
Funny you should mention Ray. He and I are good friends. We live only a few miles from each other. I've been down in his train room/workshop many times. He has some very nice G scale stuff. He and I have discussed many of the possibilities for WIFI running of trains and many of the things I mentioned here today. Myself, I like to keep it simple, and I'm happy with just a remote. So for me it's all academic. I do think MTH will eventually incorporate lots more versatility into their system. Someday we will run everything off a computer tied into the TIU and AIU.
Kenny, I hear ya'. Technology has it's place but it can be very invasive. But then again, it has it's place. I'm using it now to message with you. What I like are having options. So the remote is "expensive" to produce. They also charge quite a bit for it. There will always be a market for simple. There are still people who make buggy whips. There should be a provision for those who want to keep using the remote. Just like they still make conventional transformers with levers and buttons for people who still want to run conventional. I don't run conventional, and power with a simple transformer, but I understand those who still want to run conventional. My two trucks are stick shift; nobody drives those anymore either. But that's good in a way; less likely to be stolen !! Nothing wrong with being old school.
Yep I agree, I think the computer does tap the operating method in a whole new way that can provide a robust interface. When I use the RTC program I can have engine controls readily available for many different engines on the screen at the same time. This makes running multiple engines on the same main line pretty easy and less stressful.
As for simplicity, I think the many will still opt for an app as it tailored to a device without having to understand any complex computer jargon for the initial setup. I have seen many households that pay for internet service yet don't have a single computer in the house. The downside to laptops is I haven't seen anything under 8 or 9 inches in size that is a mainstream product. I'm not sure we ever will because running Windows on a 5 inch screen doesn't sound like fun.
Ultimately the sky is the limit, Computers and apps bust the possibilities wide open and we realize that anything is possible with these technologies. We might just have to wait a little longer for it to happen!
I can see a time in the not so distant future where the concept of a TIU is obsolete. Why not put the wifi hardware in the trains themselves and have them connect to the home network and have the app talk directly to the trains? Of course that is yesterday's technology itself. MTH needs to do some more forward thinking. Tablet, iphones and handheld devices are also going the way of the dinosaur. Someday Mike himself will drive to my house drill a hole in the back of my head and insert a bio-port into my central nervous system. I would just have to think the commands and the trains will perform it. That is phase one. Phase two is where the train layout and trains a virtualized. To play trains I would just put on a VR head set and control the layout of my dreams. Phase three is where Mike even virtualizes me. He would download my soul into a computer, discard my body and have virtual Frank play in a simulated world. Truth be told, I think he may have already done that.
I notice the remotes are on backorder at Legacy Station...should be no shortage on ebay soon though
Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:I suspect as we become more comfortable with the WiFi app, used remotes will become readily available.
With 3 TIU's we'll have to keep our remotes until the WiFi and Tablet prices come down!
One problem with the WiFi approach? If you have multiple TIU's, you have to buy multiple WiFi units, one for each TIU. The thought that you're saving money without the remote goes right out the window.
gunrunnerjohn posted:One problem with the WiFi approach? If you have multiple TIU's, you have to buy multiple WiFi units, one for each TIU. The thought that you're saving money without the remote goes right out the window.
Are you certain about that?
Unless they suddenly redesigned the WiFi unit, yes. We had a big discussion about this very fact when the WiFi was coming out.
Three comments:
1) If MTH goes only wifi, then they should come out with a single wifi unit that is a combined WIU and TIU, at a price better than the current combined price of these two wifi-required items!
2) You can run a program on most Windows PCs that allow you to run Android apps on the PC. Then you run the MTH app in the Android emulator program. Voila! DCS wifi control from a PC!
Google search: "You can run Android apps on a Windows PC or laptop using an Android emulator app. BlueStacks is one solution. YouWave and KoPlayer are alternatives for emulating Android in Windows."
3) I understand technology and all that, and embrace it, but.... The ability to change speed, and other parameters on a DCS remote "by touch" without looking at the control is a valuable feature of the current handheld remote. On our modular layout, I can talk to people and adjust parameters on my trains (speed, blow whistles, uncouple, direction) without having to look down at a screen to see (precisely) where to put my finger for each command!
Just my 3 cents!
ed
eddiem posted:Three comments:
1) If MTH goes only wifi, then they should come out with a single wifi unit that is a combined WIU and TIU, at a price better than the current combined price of these two wifi-required items!
Coming in November - the DCS Explorer
I do a lot of switching and do the Inglenook puzzle a lot.
I'm trying to like the app
But I find myself looking more at the iPhone instead of the train
Watching what my finger is doing instead of the locomotive, maybe when I get my iPad mini it will be different. If not then I will stock up on remotes (have four now) and spare thumb wheels. Also having control problems I didn't have before, so maybe even get rid of 6.0 Meanwhile I'm still trying
eddiem posted:2) You can run a program on most Windows PCs that allow you to run Android apps on the PC. Then you run the MTH app in the Android emulator program. Voila! DCS wifi control from a PC!
Theres a whole LINUX Distro that runs as Android
Sounds like it does support PlayStore
But thats the long way around for most folks - A dedicated piece of PC Software - as the "master" that all wireless units sync to would be nice.
Coming in November - the DCS Explorer
With apologies to George Lucas:
"These are not the droids that you're looking for."
clem k posted:I do a lot of switching and do the Inglenook puzzle a lot.
I'm trying to like the app
I agree completely. I have gone back to using my remote because I was spending more time looking at my tablet than at my trains.
