BLI is bringing in a new sound system. I hope they are not dropping QSI as one of their sound systems.
Please check out the web page and comment on what they are doing.
Broadway Limited Imports is proud to introduce the new BlueLine series of value-enhanced DC sound-equipped products. Since the time we pioneered mass-produced HO scale sound-equipped locomotives nearly five years ago, many technological advances have allowed us to significantly reduce the cost associated with building a quality sound-equipped model. Now, with the BlueLine, model railroaders will find good detail and running qualities coupled with a state-of-the-art DC sound system that is DCC Ready-All at significantly lower prices. The BlueLine was designed with today’s value-conscious modeler in mind.
The new models are less money too, but as you said, they are missing the DCC. QSI has done a decent job of getting the whistles fairly close to the prototype in most of my BLI models, unlike the recent PCM Big Boy sounds. I would hope they do as good a job with their choice of sounds for the new system.
They also talk about the five years they have been doing sound and I would translate that statement to mean, the five year contract with QSI is up soon and they are going to change to inhouse sound.
Anyone seen any pricing on these? They keep stressing the cost savings, which would suggest a significant lowering of retail price. I think that this is an excellent development for the hobby. BLI the real pioneer in sound looks like they are about to re-define the market again. Perhaps they have seen the writing on the wall for the ever escalating price spiral that we seemed to be on. Atlas with the Trainman line I think also have tried to do this.
Well they still have a page on the QSI system, so I suspect the BlueLine will be the only line using their new system. I guess we’ll have to wait and see (or hear) how it sounds. QSI is very very good but still not perfect, could be the new system will be better, who knows??
I guess I don’t mind having to put my own decoder in an engine that’s coming with sound, and for me I don’t mind having control over just the bell and whistle (though the “speed-is-XXX” thing is pretty neat on QSI engines) with the rest being automatic. I don’t need to be able to press F24 to hear the fireman belch or something. [(-D]
The Broadway Limited advertisement on page 18 of the February 2007 Railroad Model Craftsman gives a retail price of $169.99 for a BlueLine HO sound equipped GE AC6000.
The Broadway Limited advertisement on page 31 of the February 2007 issue of Model Railroader magazine is for a Precision Craft N&W HO Y6B 2-8-8-2 with the LokSound decoder from Germany.
That blurb on Tony’s web site is basically the advertisement that is in RMC magazine.
DC Sound-Equipped,DCC Ready. DCC users can quickly and easily install their favorite DCC decoders into the included plug ‘n’ play socket. This allows for both sound and operation control of the loco
So how do DCC users control the sounds with a non-sound decoder??? Seems like some explanation is missing. They seem to be pushing the DC market with this product, once I have converted to DCC, I do not want to go back.
To second on G Paine, how do these work with DCC. Do I just plug in a regular decoder when I’m ready to install DCC? Or do I need a sound decoder? This sounds like a nice system for someone in between DC and DCC like I am.
Like you, I use DCC and would not go back to DC, but the blue line seems to offer new people in the hobby a lower cost entry model into sound, and then they could add the DCC decoder when they wanted. BLI is probably aiming this at the DC operators who do not want the added cost of the DCC drive. At the same time, the Blue Line can save DCC modelers money by allowing us to install our own DCC.
The QSI models have both, but the cost is much higher.
Most of us prefer a certain brand of decoders over the other brands, and this would allow us to choose the one we want and install it in the removable plug. I have been using Zimo’s in steam and NCE’s in diesels for my choice. Both brands are very good, but you can purchase three or four cheaper decoders for the price of one Zimo. You will not find a better operating decoder today than the Zimo. I was having trouble getting the Zimo’s until recently when Tony’s Trains started stocking them again.
One thing I don;t see there - no mention s made of how to operate the sound functions in DCC. The decoder plug is a basic 8-pin socket, so it surely does not hook up the sound functions to DCC function outputs that way.
Other observation: they say it’s their own sound system. Well, since in DC it uses the DCMaster to operate the sounds, my guess is the Blueline sound board is made for them by ESU.
The details are not really given in the announcement, except to push the point of their being able to eliminate the costs of the sound system from “QSI”. I doubt if the Loksound would be any less money, but time will tell. The exert below seems to say the sound can be triggered using a PCM affordable accessory, which might be a clue.
A: User-controlled sound effects on BlueLine locomotives can be triggered using a DCMaster Analog Control Module. Users of Precision Craft Models locomotives may already own this affordable accessory and may use their existing DCMaster for BlueLine products. Using the DCMaster, the horn/whistle, bell and another Auxiliary sound (varies by prototype) such as a 2nd horn may be activated. Other sounds are automatically triggered. Many more sounds are available for user-control when DCC is installed.
DC Sound-Equipped,DCC Ready. DCC users can quickly and easily install their favorite DCC decoders into the included plug ‘n’ play socket. This allows for both sound and operation control of the loco.
DC Sound Effects operated with DCMaster Analog Control Module.
It reads as if the new sound board is a sound only auto-switching DC/DCC decoder. Perhaps setup and use under DCC will be like running a Soundtraxx sound only with a motor control decoder from someone else?
This seems to be good news but I thought from what I’ve read and heard in the past that BLI was going with Lok Sound[%-)] Can anyone confirm or deny this?
I’m assuming ( and hoping ) that the new chip that allows uploaded sound will be available on these new “Blue Line” units. From what I’ve read before the “Upload” feature enables modelers with programmers to upload horn and bell sounds as well. This is cool since horns varied from railroad to railroad. Burlington Northern, generally, favored Leslie 3 chimers. CSX prefers Nathan 5 chimers. Bells varied also.
It’s interesting that BLI is bring forth a new SD40-2. Some of you may remember the controversy with the SD40-2 that hit the market back in 2004. There were complaints that the sound was inaccurate (EMD 567 engine instead of the EMD turbocharged 645). So looks like BLI wants to make a very good start for 07.
In the past you’ve had two ways to install DCC and sound - one is to install a decoder that does both sound and has control functions, the other is to “piggyback”, use a ‘regular’ (non-sound) decoder to control the engines movements, lights, etc. and a sound-only decoder to control just the sounds. Apparently BLI’s new system is a sound unit that works like a “sound only” decoder, but which works in DC or (after you add your own ‘regular’ decoder) in DCC.
One caveat that the ad mentions (in very fine gray print) is that dual mode operation is NOT recommended once a decoder is installed. This might be a an issue for someone who operates on a DCC layout at a club but has a DC layout he operates in his own home.
Most of us will agree with you about the sound that was used for the BLI/QSI being very poor and inaccurate for the SD40-2, but BLI must have had the approval on the QSI application. I have noticed that several of the applications have not been so good with the steam also, but again some have been right on.
The article seems to indicate to me they are trying to bring down costs and that will allow more modelers to purchase sound without going to DCC. At the same time, DCC users will also be able to use the new system by installing their own DCC drive chip. This is concept is good since we can all pick and purchase our favorite DCC brand, but anytime
This might be due to the fact not all DCC decoders have the DC option and when the NMRA standard 8-pin socket for plug ‘n’ play plug is installed, the new unit is jumpered for DC operation. When the DCC decoder is installed, the new unit is jumpered for DCC operation.
If this is the way they wire the jumper plug, this would eliminate some more circuitry in the new sound decoder.
I am hoping for an announcement from BLI or MR to give us more information in the next month or so.