QUOTE (Richard Johnson @ 4 Dec 2008, 02:38)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>The PROM based systems tend to need LESS updating than operating system based product like Hornby, ESU and Veissmann etc because they release cumulative updates that are fully field tested for months prior to release.
Operating based system brands can be more frequent because they MUST be - they use YOU as the Beta tester which saves them time and money, so they use updates a little like Mocrosoft - largely patches for reported problems the brand didn't find and correct before release, improvements to existing functions or corrections of errors, with the occasional feature update. If they are very clever (and most are) they use this "maintenance programme" to make them look up to date rather than be seen as careless.....
The PROM based systems use absolutely bulletproof processors very similar to those used for the most sophisticated CAD/CAM Machinery - they are absolutely stable and have none of the vulnerabilities of operating system based products. (Look back to see how many have problems updating ECOS or Veismann for example).
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MOST OS differences are nothing to do with DCC per se - DCC is a very, very low level slow comm speed technology designed to be reliable in use. It cannot be improved by changing the OS. The loc driving ability of all (most anyway) systems is good. The frequent updating of NEW Capabiities for the EU systems is to do with in-house proprietary issues, not DCC operation.
The two should not be confused..... There is an insidious dilution of standards happening with the race to have a sexier console type system and an attempt to lock users into over-high priced accessories of that brand as a result...
My definition of quality/Serious brands is that those are the ones who forget the own brand frills and work to do more to make use easier, more relaxed and more instinctive for modellers.
If I had to sum it up I'd say that the difference in OS type is in fact 100% irrelevant.
Richard
While I do not disagree with most of what Richard Johnson writes, I think that there is a bit more to it. I write in the light of my experience with my digital system, an Uhlenbrock Intellibox, which I have had for 8 years. During this time there have been several software updates to download without charge via the internet. I have not felt like a beta tester. Certainly some bugs have been corrected, but they were mostly fairly obscure ones that had not caused me any trouble. Certain worthwhile improvements were incorporated in the updates, and I certainly find it preferable to be able to incorporate them without having to leave my railway room, rather by than wrapping up a parcel to send the equipment to the manufacturer (possibly abroad) and pay a fee.
I think that Richard is unduly dismissive of what he calls "in house proprietary issues". He is right that "the loco driving abilities of all (most anyway) systems is good", so if all you want to do is drive trains then the frills are irrelevant. However I for one want my system to do other things. Most of the Uhlenbrock updates have been primarily to enable the Intellibox to control new accessories, such the infra red controllers, the Loconet display, the LISSY infra red control system (a.ka. Fleischmann Train Navigator) which enables the system to identify individual locos or classes of train and automatically do various things. It is hardly surprising that manufacturers want to sell their own brand frills; because of the lack of any norms or standards for accessory buses they can hardly do anything else (if you want everything altogether standardised you can always change to Selectrix). The EcoS, Commander and Intellibox all offer facilities for connecting various items from other manufacturers, so it is not altogether true that they lock you into one system's overpriced accessories (though some of them are undoubtedly overpriced). For me all the accessories add to the interest and the fun. The reason in my opinion that Digitrax do not need to bother with updates is that for years they have produced very little that is new. They have a sound basic system but for innovations you need to look elsewhere.
Inevitably complicated systems like EcoS and the Viessmann Commander have teething problems and bugs. The important thing is whether the makers make serious and successful efforts to sort them out reasonably quickly. In the end each of us has to decide what he wants; but in addition to simple foolproof systems there is room for those with all the frills.