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Hornby announce DCC sound at ?25 a pop.

pauliebanger

By pauliebanger,
in DCC Sound

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jcredfer

jcredfer

Posted
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No, but I did have a demonstration and it certainly seemed good for the money.

 

I am sure there may well be comments about the sound and it is not possible to adjust the "Chuff" rate although it is pre-adjusted to match the loco - but I did like the "Fireman's Breakfast Sizzle"  ...    :jester:  :jester:

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sdw7300

sdw7300

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No, but I did have a demonstration and it certainly seemed good for the money.

 

I am sure there may well be comments about the sound and it is not possible to adjust the "Chuff" rate although it is pre-adjusted to match the loco - but I did like the "Fireman's Breakfast Sizzle"  ...    :jester:  :jester:

 

I agree - I was impressed (but I don't have any sound loco's to compare it too). No video i'm afraid - the background hum wouldn't have made a video much use. 

 

Simon Kolher only had a Tornado & a P2 with him so I didn't get to see the class 37 I have on order. He did say it should be available just before Christmas - this ties with several retailers expected release dates. I can't wait now....

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jcredfer

jcredfer

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I have to agree with the comment about video  ....  sound would also be affected by the Camera settings too  ...

 

No video i'm afraid - the background hum wouldn't have made a video much use.

 

 

I forgot to mention that the "Chuff" was also varied dependent upon how many Cylinders the Loco had. [3 / 4]

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RAF96

RAF96

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If you want to pay more you can get a stand alone system that requires you to drive the loco to match the sounds it produces - how bizarre.

At least TTS has an authentic range of sounds and reacts to what the loco is doing - chuff rate/coast, etc. 

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kevpeo

kevpeo

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From that viewing it sounds like a series of differing speed 'chuff' rates with no transitions between them. Still 'chuffed' to a standstill too, so little improvement over previous steam RTR programs from Hornby . The sounds themselves sounded pretty good (to my 'untrained' steam ear) though. Kev.

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scoomby

scoomby

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From that viewing it sounds like a series of differing speed 'chuff' rates with no transitions between them. Still 'chuffed' to a standstill too, so little improvement over previous steam RTR programs from Hornby . The sounds themselves sounded pretty good (to my 'untrained' steam ear) though. Kev.

 

Agreed and I don't think the chuff rates can be adjusted to suit either.  It's still better than I expected though.

 

Steve

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PaulRhB

PaulRhB

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The chuffing to a standstill can be turned off. There's two modes to switch between, one is chuffing then coasting when power is reduced and the other is constant chuffing to give the impression of under heavy load. The transitions weren't noticeable in an exhibition hall at Coventry but I did notice the chuff doesn't keep up with the speed, though it was close at slow speed. Sounded like 4 chuffs per rev at slow speed and 2-3ish at passenger sorts of top speed.

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RAF96

RAF96

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Not sure you've got that  right PRhB

F1 switches sound on/off and when on you get rate dependant chuff including autocoast when throttle is reduced until the rate matches when chuff resumes. Chuff appears to be load dependant so uphill and down dale is reflected. Start off has an adjustable lag from throttle up command when steam blows before loco moves off with chuff.

There is also F17 which allows manual control of chuff - coast, for use say when you want to simulate trimming the throttle on a long flat bit.

Overall in my opinion the sound range quality is as good as more expensive decoders, even when the chuff synch gets out of kilter.

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PaulRhB

PaulRhB

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I could only go on Simons comments and brief demo at RMweb live ;) he admitted he hadn't had time to play with the final version as he was too busy talking.

Whatever they seem to have produced another advance worthy of real praise after the recent production woes so I'm very happy to see Hornby get it right again.

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scoomby

scoomby

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Scoomby, Elite firmware version 1.3 gives the controller up to 26 functions. If you carry out an upgrade you will be able to use all the Duke's functions.

Regards,

Riddles

Thanks Riddles but I already have the V1.41 installed and I have no problem accessing the sound functions.  Note that it's not my video review!

The new Elite firmware is a lot better.

Regards

Steve

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  • 4 weeks later...
Steve-e

Steve-e

Posted
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I've been trying to find the release dates for the Class 40 version in the hope to order 1 for Christmas however the Hornby site has the Expected date as 01/02/2015

 

Full set of dates as per Hornby site could any retailer confirm please.

 

http://www.Hornby.com/railroad-br-empress-of-canada-class-40-with-tts-sound.html  Class 40 01/02/2015

 

http://www.Hornby.com/railroad-br-class-47-with-tts-sound.html Class 47 01/05/2014

 

http://www.Hornby.com/railroad-lner-4-6-2-flying-scotsman-a1-class-with-tts-sound.html Scotsman 01/04/2015

 

http://www.Hornby.com/railroad-network-rail-class-37-with-tts-sound.html Class 37 ??????

 

http://www.Hornby.com/railroad-lner-4-6-2-gadwall-a4-class-with-tts-sound.html A4 Gadwell ?????

 

 

Just three look to be this YEAR

http://www.Hornby.com/lner-2-8-2-cock-o-the-north-p2-class-with-tts-sound.html Cock o the North 21/11/2014 already released though???

 

http://www.Hornby.com/br-4-6-2-tornado-peppercorn-a1-class-with-tts-sound.html Tornado 24/10/2014 ???

 

http://www.Hornby.com/br-4-6-2-duke-of-gloucester-class-8-with-tts-sound.html Duke of Gloucester 14/11/2014 already released though???

 

A bit disapointing guess I'll have to spend my Christmas pennies elsewhere......

 

 

Steve

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jcredfer

jcredfer

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Hornby were muttering about Dec 14 for Gadwell, according to a local retailer.

 

I trust the local retailer for an honest reply     .................    evidence suggests that his source [Hornby] might not be quite so reliable    .....   

 

 

PS.  I really would like him to be right       ..............................    or more importantly - more honesty from Hornby and less transparency [that is the Politicians word for word play to cover the truth, is it not?]

 

 - tell me the truth and I can make a decision [and inform you]    ........................   continue to tell me lies and there is only one course of action [you won't get the chance to sell me anything.]

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sdw7300

sdw7300

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Obviously things can change, but at RMweb Live Simon Kolher was fairly sure the class 97 would be available pre Christmas. Model Railways Direct are showing 12/12/14 as an expected date.

And by pure coincidence Hornby have emailed a stock notification for the class 97 today quoting 9/12/14 release date.....

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  • 1 month later...
rgmichel

rgmichel

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I have a P2 with TTS sound, and now I understand the difference compared to a regular digital steam loco with sound.  I did a comparison with my sound equipped Hornby Clun Castle that was very revealing.  There is no question that the lack of synchronization of the chuff rate with the wheel motion is very distracting on the P2 locomotive.  I much prefer to drive my Clun Castle.  My original thought was that the TTS sound might be an acceptable alternative to the expensive regular digital sound locomotives, but I am not convinced at all.  Its like the difference between a basic car and a luxury car.  You cut your cloth.....  I am waiting for Gadwell, but I expect much the same result.  I will stick to regular digital sound when my budget allows...  However, given that, TTS sound is wonderful for beginners in the hobby.  Please Hornby, Bachmann, don't drop regular digital sound!

 

I should add to this comment that the reason the chuff rate does not appear "right" is that, while Hornby claims the P2 has the sound of a four cylinder engine, unless the chuff rate is synchronized to the wheels, it cannot possibly feel like a four cylinder engine.

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pauliebanger

pauliebanger

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I have a P2 with TTS sound, and now I understand the difference compared to a regular digital steam loco with sound.  I did a comparison with my sound equipped Hornby Clun Castle that was very revealing.  There is no question that the lack of synchronization of the chuff rate with the wheel motion is very distracting on the P2 locomotive.

 

I should add to this comment that the reason the chuff rate does not appear "right" is that, while Hornby claims the P2 has the sound of a four cylinder engine, unless the chuff rate is synchronized to the wheels, it cannot possibly feel like a four cylinder engine.

 

Hornby have made it clear that there is no synchronisation possible with the TTS decoder, at least in its current form.

 

What is odd, however, is the claim about it being a 4 cylinder loco, when the Gresley P2 had 3 cylinders. 4 cylinders normally give 4 chuffs per wheel revolution whilst 3 cylinders give 6 chuffs per revolution.

 

This would explain some of the difference if this was programmed into a decoder which can synchronise. Add that there is no synchronisation possible, it's not surprising you are not as happy as you anticipated.

 

Look on the bright side, however. You have a nice model which has all the wiring and speaker fitted for DCC sound, plus the tender pick-ups you don't get on the non-sound version. You can, if you wish, pull out the TTS decoder from the 8 pin socket and replace it with a sound decoder of your choice. Looked at this way, the TTS version is still a bargain price for an iconic loco. Then you can flog the TTS on eBay, before too many people find out what you have discovered. Ha ha! 

 

I've not heard the TTS P2, but I had created a P2 sound project for ZIMO decoders before TTS was launched. These are fully featured DCC sound decoders. 

 

http://youtu.be/bvU88rcuDLQ

 

Kind regards,

 

Paul

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rgmichel

rgmichel

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Hornby have made it clear that there is no synchronisation possible with the TTS decoder, at least in its current form.

 

What is odd, however, is the claim about it being a 4 cylinder loco, when the Gresley P2 had 3 cylinders. 4 cylinders normally give 4 chuffs per wheel revolution whilst 3 cylinders give 6 chuffs per revolution.

 

This would explain some of the difference if this was programmed into a decoder which can synchronise. Add that there is no synchronisation possible, it's not surprising you are not as happy as you anticipated.

 

Look on the bright side, however. You have a nice model which has all the wiring and speaker fitted for DCC sound, plus the tender pick-ups you don't get on the non-sound version. You can, if you wish, pull out the TTS decoder from the 8 pin socket and replace it with a sound decoder of your choice. Looked at this way, the TTS version is still a bargain price for an iconic loco. Then you can flog the TTS on eBay, before too many people find out what you have discovered. Ha ha! 

 

I've not heard the TTS P2, but I had created a P2 sound project for ZIMO decoders before TTS was launched. These are fully featured DCC sound decoders. 

 

http://youtu.be/bvU88rcuDLQ

 

Kind regards,

 

Paul

Thanks for the insight. I had wondered how easy it would be to replace the TTS sound with regular Digital sound.  Thanks for that input. Hornby's claim of a "4-cyl chuffing sound" is right on the box jacket where the Digital TTS sound features are described in the panel below the panel that discusses, rather briefly, the history of this class of locomotive.  It says "appropriate locomotive noises" in the excellent little TTS manual that came with the locomotive.  The number of cylinders is not mentioned in the manual.  The manual is worth a good read.  The decoder is very flexible, including the ability to change the "chuffing" sounds between two modes for acceleration and cruise.

Its true I already knew that there was no synchronization, but I was surprised how much it bothered me.  I have set up a few clips of the P2, the A4 Gadwall, both with TTS, and Clun Castle with true Hornby digital sound.  They are on youtube (see my next post for the URLs).

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rgmichel

rgmichel

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With the aim of illustrating the synchronization of "chuffs" with the rotation of the wheels, here are some cllips:

 

My clip of the Hornby P2 Cock O' The North with TTS sound is on YouTube at:  http://youtu.be/proLvYyzsBM

 

My clip of the Hornby Clun Castle with digital dcc sound is on YouTube at http://youtu.be/2SFZLXerRWo

 

Also, I have a clip of the Hornby Railroad A4 Gadwell with TTS sound at: http://youtu.be/NaZqASPzfQg

 

While these TTS sound locomotives are truly impressive developments, the lack of synchronization of sound and wheels might be problematic for some.

 

I added a clip of a locomotive equipped with Olivia's DCC sound for comparison.  This was done with a different camera.  Also, the sound on this locomotive, a Bachmann GWR Pannier tank, does not sound as robust as the others.  This may be a microphone inadequacy on the camera. See: http://youtu.be/3wDcLrmdavM

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