[Doug]

I've been looking at the info on Hornby Digital with interest. Remember we talked about wether Hornby may use an old technology or borrow technology from other manufacturers. It has been confirmed by Honby that they have developed this system from the ground up and that they have not used the Arnold DCC system as a starting point.

The Hornby Digital Elite (above left) and Select (above right) are two very simple systems that can manage the basic DCC needs of most modelers. They are aiming at entry level and conversion modelers. It would make a lot of sense to pick up a Select unit with a set and then add an Elite unit for advanced programming and extended control.

Perhaps later they will bring out other units - I would like to see wireless cab control, dedicated point switch keyboards and feedback modules.

Power will be a big issue. Extra transformers and the available power of the Elite unit will be hot topics. Interesting to see the the unites take DC power. DCC is a form of AC so usually the transformers are AC. We'll have to wait a few weeks for more specs.

It will be interesting to see what they propose to supply as a PC control suite. I hope they keep it simple, but allow it to grow and develop. Some existing PC control systems suffer from developer burn out and a lack of support.

The prices for the digital componants are great. Not at all overpriced - sending a signal to those other companies to get real or get out.

On Track's prices:

DCC System [TD]
226R8213 DCC Basic Unit - "Select" [TD] £50.00
226R8214 DCC Senior Unit - "Elite" [TD] £99.93
226R8215 Loco Decoder [TD] £9.33
226R8216 Point Decoder [TD] £26.00

We can look forward to more news on this system in the next month or two.

 

[Doug]

Hornby have said that their 4-function decoders will support 99 levels of inertia.

That means acceleration momentum (CV3) and braking momentum (CV4).

They must - If I'm going to use them - have minimum (CV2) maximum (CV5) and mid-point (CV6) speed values OR use a speed table (CV67 to CV94), enabled with CV29.

 

[Doug]

Railcom info here.

For me a starter system is just that - something to start with, with the intention of expanding. To expand, you need to connect and to connect you need a protocol.

With this system, you CAN buy a set with a Select controller, then add an Elite controller and the two will work together. Tho this you can add Lenz modules or anything else Hornby may produce in the future.

Regarding amps. A Hornby A4 model draws 0.15 amp when rolling by itself; 0.25 amp when held stationary at the buffers, but with wheels freely sliding on the track; and 1.3 amp with the motor stalled (don't try this unless your decoder can handle the current).

So with one Select system at 1 amp, you could theoretically run 4 locos at once safely, but if there was a problem your system may overload. Points and signals also use current. A Peco point motor could draw up to 2 amp to throw the point.

 

[Doug]

QUOTE (ChrisE @ 5 Jan 2006, 19:17)Can somebody please confirm when the Hornby system is likely to become available? I had thought that I had read Autumn but having followed links here it appears that dealers have definite prices and are accepting orders. This suggests something much earlier.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't think anyone can answer that right now. I have been told that further technical info will arrive shortly regarding the DCC systems. Perhaps the release dates will be with that news.

 

[Doug]

Oh well that's a shame, but I suppose they have to build it first.

Remember that It took Hornby a year to produce the Scalextric Sport Digital racing system and two years to produce the Scalextric Sport World race management and Internet racing system after announcing the products at the 2004 British Toy Fair.