RailPro > RailPro Specific Help & Discussion

Cannot load sound files from HC-2b to LM-3S

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robert.h.giffin:
No, the frustration was too much.  I am also a fly fisherman and I find that to be relaxing, as it should be, as I thought I remembered this hobby being.  I don't fish primarily to catch fish, I fish to get away.  But getting back into the hobby after 40 years away from it was a mistake.  And, you have my other frustrations in the emails I sent you, it wasn't just this issue.  I deal with troublesome technology at work as an IT Director, I don't need it in a hobby.  Tying flies is about as technical as I need to get.  Plus, recent health issues did not help any.

Don't feel bad, just didn't work out.  I have been keeping a document of suggestions that I would be happy to send you if you wish.  Like the one that was just submitted - a direct connection between the HC and the decoder using USB or some other connector to attach the decoder to the controller for direct disk access.  Files would be slow to come down from the Ring servers but quick to place on the flash in the decoder that way.  Would be good for initial setup before you put it in the locomotive.

robert.h.giffin:
By the way, I am also sending the two locomotives back as well.  I can reuse some of the tools on the fly tying bench or give them to my son who models stuff (not railroads).  I'll lose a bit of money on the re-stocking fees but I will recover some of it.  All part of the game.

robert.h.giffin:
From the research I've done, the radios use UDP to transfer the files.  This will usually result in them taking a long time as packets have to be re-sent if they didn't come through the first time and fail the error protocol.  I understand the use of UDP for small radio based systems because TCP overhead is much greater.  But TCP brings packet acknowledgement to the table and often, when you think you are saving using UDP, you actually are not because of all the packet retransmission and error handling that has to happen with UDP.  It can often take longer with UDP than with TCP.  Based on my limited experience with these systems, this seems to indeed be one of the issues.  Sorry if I sound like I'm guessing.

I think there are other options.  But most of them would require some form of re-architecture of the system to implement.  Not sure Mr. Ring would be open to that.

robert.h.giffin:
I also have a few suggestions about the operation of the controller and Assistant.  You should be able to quickly download the files from the server to Assistant using the full stack of TCP available on the computer.  You should be able to store those in Assistant, you should also be able to preview the sound files and preview pictures through Assistant.  Then you should be able to pick from those and COPY them to the controller, keeping them in Assistant so you don't have to go back to the server every time you need that file or files.  I think there are a lot of UI improvements that could be valuable additions and would help to warm the technically challenged folks to the technology.

Again, I was keeping a file with all of these that I had planned to send to either you or Mr. Ring.  Would still be happy to provide.  Sorry for the multiple posts, just got me thinking...

William Brillinger:
Robert,

Please feel free to send your ideas to me and to Mr. Ring.

As far as local storage, the RPA software does store the files locally after downloading, you just need to choose them from the second row of buttons in the RPA. I agree, this could be laid out better and be a little more seamless in execution.

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