Will there be a DCS 2?

Not before sometime in 2013, at the earliest.

I would like MTH to do an ipad/iphone control app.  This is a low cost way to expand market share that will have strong appeal to younger people.

Todd,

do you envision a new TIU/Remote combo or a new remote to work with the existing TIU Rev L?

A new remote, possibly next year. The Rev. L is already loaded with capability to do things that previous TIUs could not. It's the remote that really needs an overhaul.

Harold,

I would like MTH to do an ipad/iphone control app.  This is a low cost way to expand market share that will have strong appeal to younger people.

I would like such an app, as well. However, I don't necessarily agree with the reasons you cite. It would be an add-on, rather than a replacement for a remote.

I hope that they continue to just call it DCS. 

Since all the appropriate whistle/horn soundings are already in the current sound files, I don't feel the need for a "slide" switch.   

I am still scratching my head concerning the spinning wheel feature.  You could remove the traction tires and grease the rails. 

  All the newer steam engines have very realistic chuff sounds and all PS2/3 steamers can be set to 4 chuffs per revolution.  

The biggest improvements would be to get rid of the term "lash up", and have it read "create consist" instead.   Retaining the crossing signal soft key active in a consist would be nice, as well as beefing up the thumb wheel bracket so it won't break so easily.   The labored/drift chuff feature would be better latched on/off, with a smooth transition between the different states.  

I hope that MTH does not radically change the overall appearance/design of the DCS remote. It is obvious that much thought went into the present design.  I've always liked how it looks very much like my DCC remote.  

Maybe a choice of colors would be nice.   

Barry, if there is going to be a new remote let's go for something really cool - big hi res color screen, color choices for case, lots of memory, etc.

Do you have the Legacy system, or have you used the quilling whistle slider?

ARGH!

Why oh why do they must reinvent the wheel? I am only starting out with my DCS system and reading the famous DCS book by Barry each day.

I intend to dig in and be stubborn about updating hardware heh.

pennsy484:

I am  interested in a "quilling" whistle/horn where it is appropriate; not to have something to play with. 

I find it difficult at times making it through most Legacy videos,  when all I hear is X minutes of the owner "playing with" that whistle!!   After about 60 seconds, it starts to get old.   

When I use the soft key to play the crossing signal, it sounds as it should, with the notes running consecutively without a break, indicating the engineer is "playing" the whistle/horn.

There are a number of entertaining alternate endings that include some quilling, but I hardly ever use them.     

Since the quilling is already included in the whistle/horn sounding(where appropriate),  I have no need for a quiller slider thingy?  

I would also like a larger screen, in color. BTW, how can you tell if you have REV. L in your TIU?

Rev L is hardware, not software The easiest way is to see if your TIU has a USB port. If it does it is Rev-L

The only wheel I wish they would work on is the thumbwheel.   Otherwise, DCS already has more features than I need or can possibly make use of.

I still do need Barry's DCS bible though...perhaps can get one later this week at York.

There are a lot of features that get old for some but never for others.  It is nice though to have a choice.  I personally like the quilling whistle control.  I think it is more realistic from the standpoint of giving me finer control over the locomotive.  If I want prototypical whistle sounds, I have to work at it a little to get it right.  I admit, sometimes I just like to play with the sound.  But why not?  It's FUN.  Isn't that what we have it for?

Allan,

I still do need Barry's DCS bible though...perhaps can get one later this week at York.

Charlie Ro will have some copies.

No!   

I gave up on "L" some time ago.

I did buy a Legacy engine a year or so ago with the thought of possibly adding it to my 10 year old DCS layout.  I had my fingers crossed while unpacking it; hoping that it would perform OK.   

Well, you can guess the outcome.  No; I did not buy Legacy.  

It would be better if MTH would give the new generation products (i.e. Rev-L TIU, proto-3 engines, and eventually the new DCS handheld remote new product numbers so that we can easily identify a newer product and/or features without physically handling the product.  IMHO, a small sticker on the underside like they did on the early TIU's, doesn't cut it.

I bet you won't be alone.  We finally got our DCS system running reliably after a working through a lot of problem. It works fine with the locomotives we have currently.  Rather than purchase new ones we are  upgrading the "fav seven" to Proto2 from Proto.  That will leave a couple of Proto locomotive not upgradable (Veranda Turbine, ABBBA Fs with two powered B units, and some older 3RD Rail QSI locomotives) for those "conventional days" on the layout along with the old post-war Lionel.

Have become a believer in "if it's working, don't fix it."

Seems that's coming..a wifi enabled TIU

I heard Mike in the TCA presentation video say that there would be a TIU with Wifi over a year away (darn).  Also said everything would be backwards compatible.  I am more interested in using a generic tablet for switch/route control and day night setup of layout lighting.  Was their anything more said at the White Rose (?) dinner on Wed about a new TIU?  The Wed dinner thread is "missing".

Dan

Dan,

The Wed dinner thread is "missing".

The meeting notice thread is now history. Notes from the meeting itself should be posted this week on a new thread.