From the 2014 Fall new Items.

Major addition is complete PC control this Fall.



Bad google translation:

Looking at the pictures in the brochure, it will be nice to have loco control, keyboard, layout and memory in the same screen.

I have always wished that you could hook up with remote desktop against CS2. The last response I received to the question was that there is no need to connect the PC when we have apps for iPhone and Android


So it will now be standalone apps software for Win computer that must be purchased to enables connect

For me, driving the cab is a ridiculous idea, because I try to minimize the time of ending up in front of CS2, and instead involving me what’s happens on the layout.

Free as a bird and lets TrainController take control of CS2

Edited by user 06 September 2014 14:34:22(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I think it's as Jonas wrote: the "Central Station" app was ported from iOS to PC (whatever PC means here: Windows, Linux, OS X, whatever).

I didn't read anywhere that this PC app would be free. So let's wait how much they ask for it.

So you need a CS2, a PC, and the "Central Station" app. Connect PC and CS2 via Ethernet and you can take advantage of the big PC screen.

I heard from people who hardly use the CS2 because they drive their trains from an iPad. This way you can control 8 locos at the same time - or four locos and two keyboards - or other combinations.

A Windows tablet with touchscreen may be more comfortable than a mouse-operated PC. We will see when it's there.

I think there is potential for a new CS3 box, which is just that a box, that sits between the PC and/or tablets and martphones, and has all the connections that the CS2 has, but no screen.

Rather like a Roco Z21 then........

Hmm. maybe

...to have them on a single screen, excepted MFX+ CAB-Control.was possible on I-Pad already, don't you think so ? ( probably not in the same way..I don't have Apple tabs...not yet)

I Wonder which OS will be compatible....Window 7, window 8....or older window OS ?
It could work with mouse or/and recent PC touch screen may be...?

Hello to all of you

I Think that Marklin will be putting a VNC-Server into the Marklin CS2, just like ESU just have made with the ESU ECOS from Firmware-version 4.0.0, where they have a builtin
VNC-Server in ECOS and a VNC-Client written in JAVA, which can be used on a Computer to communicate with the CS2.
With this you can have one or more Computers that can communicate with CS2 at the same time.

The CS2 Supports Java-Applications and there is already one JAVA-Program on the Marklin CS2 :
http://192.168.1.100/betatest/CS2analyse.jnlp (replace the IP-Address with the one you are using).

We will have to wait and see, what solution Marklin decides to put into the CS2 with the V3.8.x Software when it can be downloaded from the Marklin-Server.

I would use the PC screen only to control a big layout. If I wanted to see the cab on a screen, I wouldn't be buying model locomotives and I'd be buying a loco simulator instead.

That's my two cents about it :-)

I really hope not. I think a solution like a VNC server is a gimmick, all it really does is letting you have the screen of the CS2 on the computer. IMO needing Java feels like going back to the 90'es.

The text in the catalogue gives the impression that the CS2 software on the pc will be able to do more than just show whatever is on the CS2 screen. I hope it will be some stand alone software that I can install and connect to the CS2 - because I bet I will need a CS2 no matter what the outcome will be.

We will just have to wait and see.

We don't know.
But we know what they did for iThingies and Android - and the newly announced PC software seems to be pretty the same.

Maybe they even used a cross-platform development environment that allows them to share code between iOS, Android, and Windows.

They didn't announce any sort of automatic layout control, did they?
So IMHO there is no reason to expect functionality of WinDigipet or RocRail or similar tools in the Märklin program announced so far.

That is of course true. I just do not think your average model railroader will know about that. They will go to the Ecos internal website and run it from there. That way, you will need Java (and all the malware it brings to your computer *I'm looking at you Ask.com toolbar*. Personally, I think that sucks, but that is my opinion.


LOL. Sounds like you really dislike them. Using a VNC client (or any remote desktop for that matter) IMO is not the comparable to using stand-alone software (if that is what Märklin is doing, we do not know of course). With stand-alone software you can do much more native stuff quicker and smoother than a remote desktop will ever be able to do. Just responding to a touch interface can be a pain if the data needs to be transferred over the network and handled by the Central Station. I can understand if they would choose a different approach.

Both ECoS and CS2 can be controlled via Ethernet (TCP/IP). I guess this is what Märklin will be using for the new application, this is what WinDigipet and other programs are using. Märklin offer apps for iOS and Android that use this interface to use the CS2.

Besides that ECoS can be controlled via VNC.

The former approach requires special client software for every operating system. VNC clients exist for many operating systems.
Thus the latter approach instantly brings support for many operating systems, but somewhat limited.
The former approach can do more - provided you get a client program for your "device".

Google Translate.

Update of the central station 60213 60215 on software version 3.8.

Soon, the update will be on the software version 3.8 for the central station 60213 60215 available. While initially only will be making the update via the Internet. A short time later but then again is the download version for an update via a USB stick available.

With this update are 5 new cabs for the mfx + ® *-operation made available. Thus the buyer of a glass train, the locomotive of the ore may be DM, 1200 Series, the Koploper or offers of oil-fired steam locomotives on suitable operating environments in the mfx + ® * game mode. The number of different cabs in the mfx + ® * mode has thus quadrupled compared to last year.

Note: Model Railroaders who want to use the new s88 - family (E.G. link s88 No. 60883) decoder on your system, must play to be sure at least this software version 3.8 on the central station for a trouble-free operation.

In a small number of Central station it happened when the update via the USB-stick unfortunately, that serial number in the memory has been deleted. A tool in the current update checks this and will, if necessary, correct this entry. This intermediate step is active only when the affected devices.

Follow these steps when updating:

1. the Central Station via a LAN cable directly to a router that is connected to the Internet.

Now only 2.Schalten the central station one.

3.Bei of current software version 3.6 or 3.7 on the device switch in the menu "Setup" and press the "Power" button there. The system automatically determines which new data are available. Once this information is available, the "Start" button can be selected at the beginning of the data transfer.

4.Die the following data transfer may take longer depending on the amount of data (up to 45 minutes). When this step is completed, then necessarily press the button 'continue' on the screen. So, the update is implemented and completed. Also this operation with automatic restart of the unit can take again some minutes.

Who owns a software version prior to 3.6 on his device to update twice this. In the first pass, he receives the new interface for the update as described above.

Whether an update was successful can easily be checked in Setup version. A new version number is in the second line you may be sure that all necessary steps have been successfully completed.

Central Station now on the PC

Also the software appears parallel to the update of the central station, to accommodate a computer as an additional control unit into the overall system. In Windows, Linux, or MAC computers are supported. The computer takes over the functionality of a central station, but without a power unit to supply the plant. The following points are worth noting in practice:

1.Das layout in Central station is optimally matched to the size of the screen of this unit. A but a still larger display area available on a corresponding computer screen, the layout is scalable. More items at the same time appear on a screen at the central station as it therefore may wish.

2.bei you can open multiple Windows PC. It can at the appropriate screen size also several layouts, driving, or consoles are displayed at the same time.

3.Dieses program can be used also without connected system for training purposes. This is a good help, get to know the different ways of operation of the central station.

4.Tipp: to establish certain elements (E.g. label the solenoid accessory in the keyboard), the PC can be a comfortable input alternative to the central station.

The LAN connection is used to connect the PC to the central station, which belongs to the standard connections for today's computer. Is the PC directly via a cable connected to the central station, this cable must be a cross-over cable. The two devices are, however, integrated into an existing network, then normal LAN cable between the CS and the HUB, or between the PC and the HUB are used. These LAN cables are available in computer stores in standard. Therefore, these are not offered by Märklin.

Locomotive pictures on the central station play Two different ways are possible since the update to version 3.7.

1.Das update was conducted via a USB stick.

In this case, a file cs2\import\icons on the USB-stick was applied from the central station at the update. In this file, the new images to a PC are now copied. Please note that these may have a maximum size of about 8 KB and must be in png format.

This USB stick now insert into the USB socket of the central station. In the "Setup" menu you now restart the update via the button "USB flash drive". First, the system checks in which new information is available. By pressing the button "Start", then starts the update process. It transmitted then the new locomotive images from a USB stick in the central station. Important: at the end necessarily "Next" press the button. Then please shut down the central station and these new images start again, so then also active are.

2.Das update was conducted over the Internet

In this case the folder cs2\import\icons on a USB-stick please refer to a PC (maximum capacity 8 GB!) a. It is important to note the case of the individual letters. Now please copy the new image data in this folder.


Insert the USB flash drive now in the central station. Make the connection to a router with a LAN cable is connected to Internet. Now turn the central station.


Now, invoke the update via the "network" in "Setup". The update works now analog described under case 1. The procedure runs off through the network, accesses but at the decisive moment (step 14) image data, are located on the USB-stick. Here too it is necessary to stop the process with the button "Next" and a subsequent reboot like at each update.

It will be go ahead early December if test successful at Marklin but I will check with M tomorrow!

Just updated my CS60215 . As far I can tell for the moment ( havent got time to test more in depth right now ) , everything seems to be in order.

http://www.maerklin.de/d...ds/software_updates.html

How can I get to PC after update 3.8??

Nothing on PC but I will contact Marklin again.

Yes, it seems that only one TFP will be updated at a time. After the TFP update, the boot process does not continue, so the CS2 must be shut down and restarted. Effectively, this means you have to power off and reboot once per booster you have, in my case quite a few times (though some of my boosters are up-level even compared with this new update)!

I think this new mini-bug has been introduced with this update, because multiple boosters could always be updated together with previous versions.


Nigel

Has two CS 2 after 3.8.1 (11), no contact with other equipment. Shifted master / slave, then got in touch again started with booster, slave, transformer etc!

Hi
Just updated my CS2 to 3.8.1. Works fine so far...
//LG

Well, I guess the fire one (171) is used to activate the appropriate message in the TEE Dining Car. Some of the others like the cell phone (172) probably have similar uses.

FYI ChangeLog for 3.8
note: zipped up because it has images that are called by the ChangeLog.html

Source = CS2 if you are network connected = http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/hilfe/ChangeLog.html

Zipped ChangeLog for 3.8

Mine works perfectly after 3.8 update. As for the boosters, the CS2 needed a reboot/restart for every single one to work perfectly. Now all great :)

Just updated my Central Station with 3.8; as usual, any new features are a total mystery as Marklin doesn't readily supply any info; I'll keep an interested eye on these pages as I'm sure the more tech-savvy amongst my fellow enthusiasts will find the usual treasure-trove of improvements..cheers!

Edited by user 10 December 2014 07:05:50(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi,

Have installed it yesterday. Tested it and worked with it all evening.

Works great, nice features (like clicking on the 'door' icon when in Console-mode).

Of course some little issue's, but for the first release, not bad.

Greetings,

Jan