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Tutorials, Tips & Tricks -->>

Tutorials, Tips & Tricks -->>

 
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Email sales@sbs4dcc.com or call 317-201-4974 to discuss your project today!

 

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Streamlined Backshop Services is an authorized dealer for all major DCC manufacturers including:

 

CT Elektronik

DCC Specialties

Digitrax

ESU-Electronic Solutions

Lenz USA

MRC Corporation

NCE Corporation

QSI Solutions

Soundtraxx

SPROG USA

TCS-Train Control Systems

Zimo USA

 

Be sure to contact us if you don't find what you are looking for.  We can ship most items in 5-7 business days.

 

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Be sure to visit our store,Streamlined Backshop Services, where you can purchase many great items like DCC Decoders and Command Stations, DCC Installation Parts, Locomotives and Rolling Stock, Ready-To-Run Sound Cars, and our exclusive custom-engineered truck pick-ups.


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Be sure to visit our friends at www.hoseeker.netwhere you can find parts lists and diagrams of all your vintage and contemporary locomotives.

 

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ESU LokSound 

Decoder and Sound File Selection
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Physical Decoders

ESU really has four product lines for Sound Decoders; Select, v4.0, XL and M4.


The physical decoders come in three basic sizes; Micro, Standard, and XL.


The same hardware is used for the Select and the v4.0, both Micro and Standard.  The only difference is firmware.  Both models are fully compatible with the DCC protocol.


The Select Direct uses a Micro decoder mounted to a special adapter board.  The adapter board is made to be a drop-in replacement for the original circuit boards in Athearn, Atlas and other models.


The M4 uses the same circuit board as the v4.0 but there are differences in components and this model incorporates the Marklin Motorola M4 protocol in addition to DCC.


The XL is physically larger to accommodate the larger components required for the higher power rating.


The basic difference between the physical decoders is the physical size and the motor rating.


Physical size...


Micro - 1.00x0.42x0.15 Inch (25x10.6x3.8 mm)

Standard - 1.24x0.62x0.26 Inch (31x15.5x6.5 mm)

XL - 2.04x1.60x0.56 Inch (51x40x14 mm)


Motor rating (continuous)...


Micro - 0.75A

Standard - 1.1A

XL - 4.0A


Function outputs...


Micro - (4) at 250mA each plus (2) logic

Standard - (4) at 250mA each plus (2) logic

Select Direct - (6) at 250mA

XL - (12) at 500mA each plus (4) 5.0V servo



There are some variations with regard to protocol also but all models are DCC compatible.  


For those who don't know, DCC is a protocol.  So is Motorola, M4, Selectrix, MTH DCS, and Lionel TMCC.  


A protocol is basically just a language like English, Spanish, German and Italian.  The are all saying the same thing, speed up, slow down, they just say it differently.  If the decoder doesn't speak the same language as the command station, it won't know what to do.

  
Sound Files


The sound files available for one product line cannot be used with the hardware from another line.  


The Select is aimed at the US market so there are no European-type sound files available for that product.

 

File compatability...


Select with Select - Yes.

Select with v4.0 - No.

Select with M4 - No.

v4.0 with M4 - No.

and vice versa...

 

Editable sound files...


Select - No.

v4.0 - Yes.

M4 - Yes.

 

Firmware can be updated in all models.

 

An exception here is v3.5 sound files can be converted and used with v4.0 hardware.  v4.0 files are not backward compatible so cannot be used with the v3.5 or prior.

 

The Select is a locked-down version of the v4.0.  


You get to "SELECT" from a couple horns, bells, and maybe an optional prime mover.  The Select is otherwise more-or-less identical to the v4.0.  Motor and function control are the same.  But you get what you get for sound.  No modifications except for volume control, function assignment and logic.

 

For an additional $30 or so you can get the v4.0 where you get the ESU sound library, unlimited access to the sound file templates and the unrestrained ability to edit the file as you desire and even add your own recordings.

 

ESU's work on the quality and variety of the Select files make them an exceptional value if you can accept the choices you get to SELECT from.

There are also some variations with regard to protocol also but all models are DCC compatible.  


For those who don't know, DCC is a protocol.  So is Motorola, M4, Selectrix, MTH DCS, and Lionel TMCC.  


A protocol is basically just a language like English, Spanish, German and Italian.  The are all saying the same thing, speed up, slow down, they just say it differently.  If the decoder doesn't speak the same language as the command station, it won't know what to do.

 

 

You can purchase many great ESU products today from my online store

 

Streamlined Backshop Services