For those of you who run MTH trains in DCS mode, how frequently, if ever, do you make use of either the proto dispatch or proto cast features? Why and when do you use it? If possible, please share video you have of these features being used.
Btw, in proto dispatch mode, do you use the mic built into the tiu remote or an external mike plugged into the tiu? If you use an external mic, please share which one you use and why you prefer it over the built in mic on the tiu remote.
Thanks.
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So, no one on this forum has either a current or former interest in this DCS feature? Should MTH possibly consider eliminating it???
I've tried them . My Grandkids love the External mike feature however it becomes annoying after a while...Kind of like the Lionel Hot box car.. Fun at first but very annoying. I can live with out them... Yep getting older and it shows.
PS... give 2 engine the same ID and end up with Stereo.
It woks well for train show layouts where the kids can talk to the little engineer inside the engine. It almost always gets the little ones excited.
I don't use it much. The engine speakers are not of good enough quality and I mostly run the overhead line (4 MTH engines) for the poker group. We're too busy carrying on, but the guys love the trains passing above and all around them. I will use the remote to make some announcements, but rarely. Tried music as a lark, but, forget it. The table layout usually runs 8 engines at a time (only two MTH's), so it's much too busy for that stuff.
That being said, I would also be interested in what the guys have done with these features. The guys never cease to amaze...
Jerry
Our grandson loves it. I showed him it once and forgot about it. He uses it everytime he runs the trains.
The very first time he decided to hide under the layout. He started talking thru it when his mother came down to see what he was doing. He has fun in ways that I wouldn't think of.
If children enjoy using this feature and it spurs their imagination and adds to the play value of running trains perhaps MTH's Mike W. should include this capability in the remote commander that's included with the RailKing rtr starter sets. It might be just what's needed to get more parents interested in purchasing these sets for their children and be an added hook for getting and keeping children involved with model railroading. Wonder whether Lionel might someday consider this feature for their LionChief rtr starter sets???
Even though I only have a Christmas time layout, I use it frequently. I like to invite people over (46 this year for example) and I prepare an individualized welcoming using their names. I have yet to see a guest not love hearing it. Especially kids, they like repeats of it!
- walt
For myself, I usually play Foreigner's "Agent Provocateur".
Keeps me rockin'
I've used custom sounds to record a "welcome mesg" for when my grandchildren come over. They enjoy hearing their names announced :-)
I never did get that to work 
Clem
It’s a gimmick. If I remember correctly PC worked best with new batteries in the remote and the backlight off. Otherwise the sound is distorted. PC is as bad as that silly STW. 
Engineer-Joe posted:For myself, I usually play Foreigner's "Agent Provocateur".
Keeps me rockin'
Yes! Or Journey's Frontiers album.
ogaugeguy posted:For those of you who run MTH trains in DCS mode, how frequently, if ever, do you make use of either the proto dispatch or proto cast features? Why and when do you use it? If possible, please share video you have of these features being used.
Btw, in proto dispatch mode, do you use the mic built into the tiu remote or an external mike plugged into the tiu? If you use an external mic, please share which one you use and why you prefer it over the built in mic on the tiu remote.
Thanks.
My sons used to use it. But, this feature is consistent with DCS and all its quirks. If you turn the volume up to a level where you can hear it above the locomotive, the locomotive craps out and shuts itself off. The MTH repair folks told me this is a common problem, so keep the volume low. So use it, but not at a volume where you can really appreciate it. Why bother?
If you turn the volume up to a level where you can hear it above the locomotive, the locomotive craps out and shuts itself off. The MTH repair folks told me this is a common problem, so keep the volume low.
This is news to me. I've never experienced anything remotely like this, nor do I know anyone who has.
Here's one for you Barry. When I use the remote mike it works fine, but then I loose all controls on the engine. Nothing seems to work except powering it down, then all is well again. I looked through the book, but couldn't find anything on this one.
Now, to test things out for this post, I tried one of the four MTH engines on the overhead layout. Same result, except I tried to regain control using the on/off button, protocast, PFA buttons. Twice, I regained control. Now, none of the engines are recognized by the TIU. Tried the tether, recover engine, same result. I assume I will have to delete all the engines and add them one at a time. Guess what-I won't be trying that again.
Jerry
Barry Broskowitz posted:If you turn the volume up to a level where you can hear it above the locomotive, the locomotive craps out and shuts itself off. The MTH repair folks told me this is a common problem, so keep the volume low.
This is news to me. I've never experienced anything remotely like this, nor do I know anyone who has.
That may be, but given I called MTH service about this a couple times over the course of a few months, spoke to two different technicians and they both seemed completely aware of this shortcoming and have the exact same advice, it's not a unicorn issue.
Jerry,
but then I loose all controls on the engine. Nothing seems to work except powering it down, then all is well again. I looked through the book, but couldn't find anything on this one.
It's right there onpage 168 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition: 
All DCS Remotes Lose Control of All Engines
If a DCS engine is selected in the DCS Remote's Engine Control Screen and the External Mic is on or the Mic button on that DCS Remote is pressed to activate the DCS Remote's built-in microphone, all DCS Remotes will become unable to issue commands to any DCS engines. This is due to an undocumented "feature" that is present in all releases of DCS.
Once the External Mic and the built-in microphone in the DCS Remote is turned off, normal operation of all DCS Remotes is restored.
 | This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store! |
That may be, but given I called MTH service about this a couple times over the course of a few months, spoke to two different technicians and they both seemed completely aware of this shortcoming and have the exact same advice,
If you say so...
However, that's not something I've ever heard, or would expect to hear, from MTH service. Any chance you could tell us when this occurred and to whom you spoke?
Trainlover9943 posted:Engineer-Joe posted:For myself, I usually play Foreigner's "Agent Provocateur".
Keeps me rockin'
Yes! Or Journey's Frontiers album.
I myself like some Steely Dan, or the always pertinent Al Green's "Back up Train".
I use it all the time to play music thru it. I have never had an issue with any of my MTH locos when using protocast.
Now then, yes, some engines, and or/tenders will have better speakers than others, depending on the size of the equipment.
I have no distortion issues at loud levels in my PRR E8, as an example.
I play Christmas music through my tinplate train at Christmas all the time.
I have had issues with the mic button, sticking I guess you could call it. When I pass the proto cast button everything works fine. When I release the button, it stays in proto cast mode. I usually have to shut the remote and TIU all the way down to get it back to normal mode. So, we don't use the mic very much.
Barry Broskowitz posted:Jerry,
but then I loose all controls on the engine. Nothing seems to work except powering it down, then all is well again. I looked through the book, but couldn't find anything on this one.
It's right there onpage 168 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition:
All DCS Remotes Lose Control of All Engines
If a DCS engine is selected in the DCS Remote's Engine Control Screen and the External Mic is on or the Mic button on that DCS Remote is pressed to activate the DCS Remote's built-in microphone, all DCS Remotes will become unable to issue commands to any DCS engines. This is due to an undocumented "feature" that is present in all releases of DCS.
Once the External Mic and the built-in microphone in the DCS Remote is turned off, normal operation of all DCS Remotes is restored.
This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!"
This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!
Barry,
Thanks. Maybe my operator malfunction, but, I turn off the remote mic and don't regain control. Is there a way to turn it off that I don't know?
Also, I shut off all power to the trains for several minutes. The TIU reset itself. I'm back to where I started, with full control of everything.
Jerry
Corey & Jerry,
When I release the button, it stays in proto cast mode. I usually have to shut the remote and TIU all the way down to get it back to normal mode.
I turn off the remote mic and don't regain control. Is there a way to turn it off that I don't know?
That's often an issue. Just press and release the Mic button another time or two until the Mic disengages.
Barry,
That is what I try to do, it does not always work. No loss though, we don't use it very often.
JerryG posted:Barry Broskowitz posted:Jerry,
but then I loose all controls on the engine. Nothing seems to work except powering it down, then all is well again. I looked through the book, but couldn't find anything on this one.
It's right there onpage 168 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition:
All DCS Remotes Lose Control of All Engines
If a DCS engine is selected in the DCS Remote's Engine Control Screen and the External Mic is on or the Mic button on that DCS Remote is pressed to activate the DCS Remote's built-in microphone, all DCS Remotes will become unable to issue commands to any DCS engines. This is due to an undocumented "feature" that is present in all releases of DCS.
Once the External Mic and the built-in microphone in the DCS Remote is turned off, normal operation of all DCS Remotes is restored.
This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!"
This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!Barry,
Thanks. Maybe my operator malfunction, but, I turn off the remote mic and don't regain control. Is there a way to turn it off that I don't know?
Also, I shut off all power to the trains for several minutes. The TIU reset itself. I'm back to where I started, with full control of everything.
Jerry
Yeah, this isn't a "fix." I read the book, did this, and it works only when things are functioning properly. What the OP is describing is the "crap out" scenario where nothing works and this doesn't help. You basically need to shut down and restart. Or, do what we do - don't bother with this "function."
PJB,
As Mr. Peabody said to Linc Appleyard in Liberty Valance, "Sound advice, Marshall, sound advice."
You basically need to shut down and restart. Or, do what we do - don't bother with this "function."
Feel free to do as you like.
JerryG posted:PJB,
As Mr. Peabody said to Linc Appleyard in Liberty Valance, "Sound advice, Marshall, sound advice."
Lol - I just saw that film over the weekend! Thanks!
I have an issue where after plugging in the external mic and setting up to record a custom sound, the remote tells me "no recording time available" and I am unable to record anything. I see no sound files stored when I access the list of files. I'm using a Rev L TIU and wifi. Has anyone had this issue?
howardih posted:I have an issue where after plugging in the external mic and setting up to record a custom sound, the remote tells me "no recording time available" and I am unable to record anything. I see no sound files stored when I access the list of files. I'm using a Rev L TIU and wifi. Has anyone had this issue?
Just wondering if a" feature tiu reset" would clear things up .... The only thing now stored in the tiu are...Record/ playback and I'm guessing custom sounds.
These would be lost with a reset.
Gregg,
The only thing now stored in the tiu are...Record/ playback and I'm guessing custom sounds.
That's correct!
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