On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 8:46 AM, Steve Wise
<swise@aoot.com> wrote:
you lucky dog you.
I wanna go next time. But I need to be member. Maybe you can sponsor me? :)
Have fun and keep us posted!!
Bill Lohman wrote:
Greetings from York.
The big semi-annual TCA Eastern Division TCA Train Show at the York PA Fairgrounds is underway! Huge. Six exposition halls worth. TCA members only.
I attended the MTH DCS Users Group meeting held in a local eatery Wednesday evening. Notables attending included Andy Edleman, MTH Vice President and Mike Wolf's second in command. He had his key managers there and all gave interesting presentations and then participated in a Q & A session that went on for over an hour.
Also attending were the OGR Forum DCS User's Group Leaders. Jim Barret from Barret in the Backshop fame in OGR Railroading and lots of videos was there.
Bottom line is the current DCS hardware is coming up against obsolescence. MTH can continue to make small enhancements only.
So, sometime in the next two years MTH is bringing out a next generation DCS which will include a new Remote and a new TIU both containing more powerful hardware, software and firmware. One of the main features will be a MUCH stronger signal on the track.
The engines will NOT have batteries which is good news.
And MTH says they've been listening and learning since designing DCS eight years ago and fully intends to implement the most asked for features like a better text editor and faster downloads.
And they intend to have much more realistic, higher fidelity horns, whistles and the like. And continue to work on the acoustics in their engines.
We'll see, huh. Seems it's becoming more and more like the other areas of consumer electronics where we buy a new TV every few years or so. Gotcha!!
Time to head off to the Fairgrounds! More trains will be there than any other place on the planet. Oh boy!
Stay tuned.
Bill
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TTAT members reflector.