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Reply to "UPDATE From MTH....DCS/Proto-Sound Lives On....!"

     As of yet, who knows which way the new DCS company will go. I would think that, in order to generate business, they would need to expand their install base.

Step one would be to license the product to other manufacturers. Find ways to interest other manufacturers to provide it, at least as an option. Up until now, the purpose of DCS was to help sell MTH trains. Now, they will need trains to sell DCS

Step two would be to come up with retrofit kits. Some people might want to upgrade their conventional powered units to DCS. Part of what enabled DCC to take hold in other scales was that you could modify your existing fleet rather than need to buy all new locomotives for command control. Yes, you had to cut wires, and modify frames. Yes, there were different DCC modules for different manufacturers needed, but it still gave an entry into the arena. It doesn't just work with open standards, either. In the world of slot cars, there are different proprietary digital systems, but there are also retrofit kits that can convert analog cars to digital.   

Step three would be a "PS3 Basic" receiver. Basically, a board that provides command control of more or less the same basic items found on a basic conventional locomotive. Direction, speed, bell/whistle/horn. Lights on/off/direction and smoke on/off could be considered. LC, without the mistake Lionel made of needing a separate controller. Pairs well with step two retrofits.  

Step four would be DCS for non-locomotives. Controllable lighting for passenger cars. Move the conductor out of the locomotive cab and have his announcements come from the cars. Provide accessory control of action cars. 

 

That may not be the way they end up going, but that is this persons thoughts on the subject

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