No good. The whistle is the same as their Daylight. Video here: www.mthhotrains.com/video/see.asp?show=80ST13888updatev&size=big
Maybe the UP 9000 4-12-2 will be better?
Luke
Agreed, the whistle played in that video is not from the J Class 4-8-4. It looks like a fairly nice model, though.
Question…
Does MTH offer the ability to upload sound schemes to their units? Or is it a prepackaged sound scheme that’s unalterable (like the Soundtraxx Tsunami)?
The MTH DCS decoder is a totally proprietary system that is not NMRA DCC compliant, and I have never heard of anyone being able to make changes to it.
Actually that whistle sounds similar to N&W’s “hooter” freight whistle-think 1218-and still wrong for the Js.
The whistle sound in the video of the M.T.H. HO Class J is NOT the production whistle. The new whistle will indeed be correct and can be heard in a video of one of M.T.H.'s O Scale versions of the J. Click here to see that video and hear the whistle. A new video of the HO Class J will be uploaded in the next couple of weeks that will sport the correct whistle.
Sorry for the confusion.
Thanks Andy. Now I might buy the J!
Hi all,
Well, I guess it won’t be necessary to change the sound file on these engines. Thanks Andy for the clarification.
To answer AntonioFP45’s question, yes. You can download different sound files from MTH’s web site. However, you must own a DCS system to load the file onto the engine. Down loading the sound file is a two-way process (the engine must send the correct reply after each data sector is loaded). None of the available DCC systems can handle that much data in a reply. However, if MTH does an updated file for a particular engine, like adding a correct whistle, it takes about 8 minutes to load the file from a PC (no Mac version available) to your engine. They’ve done this several times over the years for their O scale engines. The last one I dealt with was the UP 9000, which shipped with the same whistle as #844 and #3985. MTH released an updated file a few weeks after the eniges were delivered.
This is one of the nice things about MTH’s decoders. Once they’re available as an installation kit for non-MTH engines (as they are in O) you don’t have to order a specific sound file pre-loaded in the decoder. You buy the the decoder and load whatever file you wish. If you don’t have a DCS system there are plenty of LHS’s and O scale operators who do who can help you out.
Well, until MTH either gives me the option of purchasing without their propriatary DCS system and offering the standard DCC or no system at all, I will not be purchasing any MTH products.
Regards
Rick
Dave,
Thank you for that information. I had been wondering if there was a fundamental similarity to some of the higher end sound decoders on the market, such as “LokSound”.
I am 100% with you .The marketing plan from MTH is all or nothing.I have chosen nothing from them.I would think that they might review the recent history of Marklin and possibly widen their appeal.
Antonio
At this time, the only way to change it is to use a choice of their files or replace the DCS system. You must have the DCS system to reload any sounds. I know they have the correct GS4 whistle in their files since I have the # 1 scale GS4 and it is so good you would believe the real one is in town when the model is running. They choose not to that great sound file from the # 1 scale in the HO model GS4 for some unknown reason. I emailed MTH and requested the chime whistle on the PRR K4 instead of the old prewar Banshee, but was told it could not be done.
CZ
+1. Many people feel this way. I highly prefer to plug in my choice of decoder. No BLI engines here either, unless the Stealth line comes back.
MTH makes some nice models. They are going to stop offering warranty support for HO locos. Mike Wolf doesn’t give a “flying ****” about his DCC customers. That is a true quote from when of my friends that talked to him.
Mike
The BLI Blueline models are so low in price especially at FDT that you can remove anything you want and make it a stealth, then install any sound system you choose. I have many of the original BLI and PCM models and was not so happy with the Blue Line, but when you can purchase two of the BLI Santa Fe 4-8-4’s for two hundred seventy dollars, how can that be bad? It worked out to be $135 for each with BLI sound installed. I can remove a lot of sound or whatever for that type of money.
CZ
Maybe a fix I though of for MRC sound-equipped units will work for the DCS equipped units. By disconnecting the decoder from the motor and putting a good decoder in it’s place, the stuff for sound can be kept.
Thank you CZ.
As I’ve stated before, I was curious as to how MTH’s sound units compare to the high end sound units from LokSound, QSI, Tsunami, etc. I’m primarily a diesel modeler so MTH has not produced anything that I would consider purchasing.
Even if MTH did produce something that I’m in the market for (Chessie 614 or a New Haven EP5) I’m certain that, as in previous models, the price tag would likely be well out of my range. I’m also concerned that “reportedly” to enjoy all of the special effect, one must purchase the proprietary DCS system. Yet, one can activate all of a LokSound’s, Tsunami’s, or QSI’s sound and special fx features with an NCE, Digitrax, or Lenz system.
I saw that J class at the show yesterday and it looked REALLY nice but they weren’t running it. Their other HO steamers they were running were quite impressive. They had a pre-production SD 70 that had some killer detail detail on it![tup]
Antonio
I think their sound is fairly good overall, but they just don’t seem to work and get the correct whistle and spend more time with annoucements and animation. That probably comes with the teritory since they have been in the O scale three rail with Lionel as their competition…
My other concern is what you mentioned about the price tag of all MTH products. They are higer than the other HO companies and must give a short discount, since Trainworld and all of the big discounters only know off about 10%. This makes them very expensive for the die cast models, but if tlhey are the only company with a desired product, they still are going to sell all they have.
The SD70Ace is an example of their price being more in line with the future Genesis models that are coming from the T55 line. Their steam models seem to be much higher but this diesel is about the same. We emailed MTH about the missing opening and screened detail on the rear hood of the SD70Ace and they stated the detail will be on the released models. I have not seen any pictures to confirm that change, but they did say it is being done. The large oversizes function controlled working coupler is not what I want in a diesel since the Kadee’s function well with the uncoupling ramps. The couplers remind me of my first American Flyer models, but I don’t want to go back to those details.
CZ
…I can always tell a Cadillac horn… Sounds like a train!