Hardly any profiles, forget if you have an Android phone for now and they are designed for Hornby locomotives. Try fitting the Next 18 decoder in a locomotive.
I'm currently waiting for the Willie Whitelaw (with sound) set. Been airfix kit building for a while, after abandoning model railways due to moving to a small bungalow in retirement. (I'm approaching 76) but was totally blown away after watching the Hornby model world and seing the introduction of TT 120. With my wife's permission I have got to work on a baseboard and watching this I'm so excited at DCC and the free app, beautifully explained Simon. Thanks for your videos and, yes, I'd appreciate further 'tutorials' on the DCC set up.
Oh WOW, more things controlled by my phone, NICE !! I just love how my phone does everything for me in my life, no matter how small the task. What's not so good is how bad it is at being a phone to talk to people on, especially when I'm out of my town!
Thanks for that Simon. Succinct and to the point review. The sound on the loco was so good it was drowning you out 😂. Fitted my N18TXS chip to my TT:120 William Whitelaw when it arrived, but have not used it yet as have decided to switch over to Peco track and in the process of changing over. Watching your video will certainly help when I get around to setting things up. Interesting that you cannot have the same profile on two devices, that’s technology for you, but like you say this is ground breaking stuff. Knowing this I think I’m with you and will set things up on my iPad. Thanks again
When it comes to larger layouts and some sort of automation this becomes very interesting. We could steal the ETCS 2-principle and hide little RFID-transponders below the track on certain points of interest. The locos could read those transponders whenever they roll over them and send the information read via bluetooth to the central unit. The central unit gets knowledge where each loco on the layout currently moves. The transponders themselves do not need any wiring or programming. And the bluetooth connection should be fast enough to carry many of this locational data. The central unit could react by e.g. throwing a point or anything else. To solve this in a "classical way" you could use e.g. RailCom and (relatively expensive) occupation detection circuits with the ability to read RailCom-messages. The occupation detection devices have to send their informations over a relatively slow bidirectional bus to the central unit. Unless something like CAN-bus is in use many other accessory busses could be too slow.
Great demo, thanks for recording it. My initial thoughts are that you can't work the layout with a friend if you have to re-pair with each phone. Surely that would be the sole benefit of logging in to the app. The huge disbenefit though seems to be if Hornby's servers are down, they stop supporting this or heaven forbid go bust. All that hardware and it will be unusable as soon as your phone dies. At least the decoders run in DCC mode, but needing Bluetooth to enable DCC mode would of course be impossible in that situation.
Hopefully other manufacturers will get their act together and make smaller decoders that will fit into n gauge locomotives. I like the Bluetooth simplicity but I do enjoy my JRMI setup. I have been looking at Simons videos from the very beginning they have inspired me and enhanced my modelling ability. THANK YOU 😂😂😂 Just started my third layout.
This sounds jolly miraculous!! My own system operates both DC and DCC!! My layout is a Dad’s Army layout - Walmington-On-Sea - complete with appropriate vehicles.
This looks brilliant. I've had Bluetooth glitches with the previous HM analog system but that isn't a surprise. But why are people so down on this, it has to be the most logical thing to do in this day and age? Maybe I'm biased as an RC Ship models too. Bluetooth is ubiquitous, reliable and the separation of signal and power is just good practice! I intend to try and use this on my N Gauge and ON30 locos.
Ordered the 21pin sound chip and should be here Friday . That`s going into a Colas class 37 .. Thanks for the vlog , very usefull (saves me reading the instructions)😂😂👍👍
Hi Simon, I know this video is 9 months old, but I've just bought one to try and found your video most instructive, so thank you for that. Oh and Simon's Shed? More like Simon's conservatory! 😃
Sounds great. Can’t wait for mine to arrive. It’s a game changing bargain. Lots of people have been dismissive of this Hornby system. I think they will all have egg on their faces 😂 Regards … Steve 👍
This is a really good budget option that isn’t massively limited. It’s got an additional channel to the old TTS decoders and the fact the files are free is excellent and makes it very flexible. One thing about the more expensive sound decoders, they do often synchronise brake sounds with the deceleration, if Hornby could add that feature in this would be a perfect solution.
it does seem to try and sync the brake sound if you leave the AFC on...doesn't really show in the video as I kept pressing Stop instead of just slowing the loco down gradually 👍
Wow, very interesting! Bluetooth control has been tried over and over (by US manufacturers I think), but adding full DCC compatibility in parallel, and very cheap sound decoders, that does sound very interesting! Definitely will need to get my hands on one of those, the Next18 version does seem on the large side for N Scale, but may fit in some models. Thanks for the details!
Thanks Simon for all your videos. I was eager to install decoder and was excited right up to the point where error message displayed missing sound data and before that missing Rom. I phoned Hornby and did some resetting with of decoder with them ,still fault remains,say it may be decoder at fault. Waiting for them to email me with a remedy. Pleased to see yours went smoothly however clearly not everyone is having a good time. All the best with layout. Ian
It certainly looks a nice system. It’s certainly a very clever way of Hornby to get extra and additional money out of its customers. For those of us with perhaps only a few locomotives. Podding out another £30 to £70 per locomotive isn’t perhaps too bad. And if the Locomotives that are going to be used are simply DCC ready, rather than say pre-fitted, then it certainly could be the way to go. The app certainly looks swish. Though not sure I quite have the patience to go through all those menus on a screen. Seems to me a person could actually end up spending more time staring at a screen rather than at the trains and the layout. I really do think Hornby could have done a different version of the HM6000 that worked on existing DCC locomotives instead of the current DC version. Really not sure I want to change all the DCC cards I already have in locomotives on the layout I’m currently building. And have already got locomotives with DCC chips fitted. On one hand I might like the idea of the swish new Hornby app but the reality is I think I’d prefer actual rotary knobs and physical switches rather than a touch screen based system.
I’m slowly replacing my 00 gauge fleet with these and also adding smoke units to them which needs a small relay to work as the decoder function output current is low the first I fitted went into my flying Scotsman that sound profile also plays Scotland the brave lol
Hi Simon! Looks like a very interesting development for the hobby. They look a bit too large for N guage - at least for the majority of my locos - but hopefully they'll get scaled down in time! TBH tablet / phone control really doesn't appeal to me as I like the tactile feel of a proper throttle, however, I'd love an app to allow me to change CV values easily, which this system seems to provide! I await an update on how well it plays with your Z21 system with interest! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian, I'll have to try it in my Dapol 68 but I suspect you are right and it will be too big. Setting the CV values is so easy, it does make make other systems feel old-hat, will be interesting to see how they develop it and add to it. Thanks for watching 👍
My 8 years old son wants to start playing with these trains and I am helping him to get a first train with tracks. I have no clue. Going thru the website. Can you let me know if am good to go, by buying Track Set A, a train (most likely South Western rail), a DCC controller, and am good? Thanks x
So essentially I don’t actually need a controller? Daft question probably but I’m a newbie to the hobby and really don’t want to confuse things too much, this looks a good way to me!
I purchased a new Lenovo TAB M11 so that I could go with HM7000. Unfortunately I could not get things to work properly. After several days of backwards and forwards with Hornby, I received this message from Hornby today (20th March 2024): It’s also worth noting if you are an Android user, we are aware of a bug whereby HM7000 decoders are appearing fresh out the box as ‘Resettable’ and no appearing under the Ready to Link section. This can be fixed by using the Force Quit function within Android settings to close the HM | DCC app, then re-open the HM | DCC app and then Restart Scan. This will then find the HM7000 decoder without the need for a Reset Code.
Hi Simon, The app is available for android, I purchased a 21 pin sound decoder to try but unfortunately if was DOA. Your video is very informative and I'm looking forward to receiving a replacement. Regards, David.
Hi Simon, Having looked again it looks like I was mistaken, The app was the HM|DC I had seen, it's a little misleading from Hornby having two apps that look similar.
For everyone concerned about Hornby pulling the plug, charging for the app, going bust(!) etc. From what I can see you can use the app to set up a decoder with custom sounds, play around until you get it just so, then set it to normal DCC operation and it will then run forever without needing Bluetooth? You can still change the CV values on a track, etc. Without the app the only thing you won't be able to do is change the sound files, but presumably once you have that to your liking you'll never need to change it again anyway unless you move the decoder to another loco. £65-70 for a decoder with sound that you can set up yourself for any loco seems like a bit of a bargain to me? I'm pretty new to this, am I missing something?
I have fitted 2 of these now and they have been running flawlessly via bluetooth.. One issue I have found that needs addressing is while the loco is running the sound gets lower and distorts to the point you can’t hear it…. Switch sound off for couple minutes and works again!! But going forward it’s the same quality for half the price of the overpriced DCC controllers
HI Simon Great vid and it does make DCC more attractive, one question I do have is what happens if you would like to run 3 or 4 trains how would that work ?? Cheers Mark
Hi Simon, I think you also have a Z21 as do I, installed my first HM 7000 chip into a Bachmann 66 working well via Hornby app but can’t drive it to be recognised on the Z21 system. Any ideas? Thanks
Hi Simon, I've been thinking more about the HM7000 and to be quite frank getting feed up of waiting for them to release the Android app LOL! As I know Apps are something you are familiar with, would it be possible to use a IOS emulator on a pc to use the apple app to initially set up the HM7000 decoder (updates and sound profile) then just use dcc as it's usual control. Never having owned any apple devices apart from a 1st gen nano ipod LOL! not sure if you need an apple account and if this is possible. Any thoughts would be appreciated. All the best Tony.
I am now even more imaptient for delivery of my Easterner TT:120 set (DCC fitted)! Is the power supply you're using the one that came with the set? If so, how many locos do you reckon you can run off 1A?
I did have a quick go with the Hornby Select and it just worked as a 'normal' DCC chip would but need to have a proper look and maybe do a video on it.
Hi, great video 👍🏼 This has me a little excited. Please bear with me as I’ve only ever used analogue and have been looking at DCC for a while. So I currently have a very basic Hornby Hogwarts Express set, DCC ready, with analogue power track and controller that came with it. I wanted to add sound, but the cost of converting to DCC put me off a little. This seems to be the answer! So would I be correct in saying, to convert to use this system, I would need to buy: A DCC power track. The recommended DCC power supply adaptor. And then the relevant HM7000 Bluetooth pack (looking at the instructions, the train I have has an 8 pin chip, I’ve not opened it up to confirm) Would that be correct? Thanks in advance for any guidance. Gary.
Hi again, so I went ahead and bought the bits I mentioned. I spent most of an afternoon excitedly installing my HM7000, to a DCC ready, Hornby Hogwarts Express. Just in case this helps others, I had some issues. I was analog only, so installed an R8241 power track with the R7337 power supply and adaptor cable. Installed the HM DCC software to my iPhone 12 Pro. Linked the decoder and updated the firmware fine. Then when installing a profile, I got a slightly different block error to you: ‘Error Installing Sound Pack block_error - Block 386 Failed! the decoder took to long to respond. Please power cycle the loco and nstallation Options try again.’ It would report different blocks each time and would fail with this error, at different points of the ‘Updating SPIROM’ step. Kept reporting sound data missing. I tried all sorts. Different profiles reboot of phone, different Bluetooth setting. Remove the loco and decoder then re-add (never changed the loco number or name), Nothing worked. I eventually tried another iPhone. And it finally installed the sound profile. It still initially reporting sound data missing, but a second successful profile install fixed it. I’m now happily installing the different profiles to try. Hope this helps someone. Cheers, Gary.
Thanks for this very informative video, if I decide to go down the DCC route then I can come back and use this as a good reference. Thanks. I'm not too sure if it's that cheap, maybe for one Loco but I've ended up with 3 and hoping for the Class 08 later on in the year. So that's close to £280 then I would need to buy the transformer.
Thanks! Yes it soon adds up if you are fitting multiple chips! Compared to buying an alternative DCC system (z21 etc.) and, for example, Zimo sound chips it will be less...but not 'cheap'!
Cheaper if you don't want/need sound on your. Locos, sound locos are never going to be cheap. For a cheap DCC control system take a look at DCC-EX but that is not plug and play.
A game changer indeed. But can you operate 2 or more controlling devices (via the Bluetooth app) for more complex layouts requiring more than one controller at a time?
You can but it looks like its not easy to swap a loco from 1 phone to another so 1 person would control 1 set of locos and the other would have a different set which isn't ideal.
One of the other interesting facts is that this can be used by a Battery Powered locomotive, not perhaps so relevant formTT120. But 00 and larger scales may well find this a good cheep way to get into battery DCC. Though be interested to know the range in the garden.
I hope you got over your confusion. If not, the track is still powered the same as for any DCC system and powers the loco. The HM 7000 decoders can either be controlled direct by Bluetooth or through a DCC system. You just have to tell it if not using Bluetooth.
It's an interesting idea, however I'm not sure how well they'd fit in N Gauge models, though the 6-pin one at 17mm long might work for anything which doesn't need a smaller decoder (Dapol Steam engines) or a Right Angled one, the Next-18 chip at 28.5mm long would be far too big for N Gauge. Still it's something to keep an eye on, but will have to pass on trying it till the decoders are smaller (and I've only got an Android phone)
Yes shame they didn't get the Android app out in time. As soon as a class 68 sound profile is out I'll try it in the Dapol N gauge 68, hopefully it will fit. Thanks for watching 👍
New to the channel and wow this is very interesting. I am starting again after 40+ years away from the hobby. So many changes. Not seen your earlier video's but interested in your choice of scale TT:120 was there something that made you choose that? This does seem to be great value for money and I will see when I get to this point.
Welcome aboard! I decided to give tt120 a go as I was looking for a new project as a break from my big n gauge layout which I've been working on for a number of years. I don't have space for a OO/HO layout so I love the smaller scales. 🚂
@@SimonsShed interesting. I have looked good and hard at TT:120 but I fear that it may not take off. I like the slightly larger scale from N but in the end what with my eyes etc 00 will fit the bill for now anyway. Thank you for the advise.
Its a game changer for hornby, once they got people using it they will switch to a subscription model. You will end up paying a monthly fee to use the app or access sounds / features. If you think this won't happen, ask yourself why would they not do it.
"once they got people using it they will switch to a subscription model" Since the decoders are NMRA compliant and fully support DCC they can't really lock you into their system -- that's the whole idea behind standards. If you want to use, let's say, a Roco Z21 controller to control your TXS locos on your layout, there is literally nothing Hornby can do to stop you. The only thing you cannot do without Hornby's app is loading sounds onto the decoder -- but that is essentially the same with all sound decoders. Moreover, with other manufacturers, you also need dedicated hardware, not only an app: you need a LokProgrammer to load sounds onto an ESU decoder, an MXULFA to load sounds onto a Zimo decoder, a Piko SmartProgrammer to load sounds onto Piko decoders, etc. So by some measure Hornby's solution will actually be more accessible and user friendly.
@Áron Virginás-Tar I understand the standards and won't be locked in. But I think they will expand the app and need funding to do that. I would like to have seen them release a new controller like the elite but with option to control via Bluetooth. This would mean you can control any chip via the app.
Hello simon just found your channel and wow watched most videos Im hopeing to get a shed layout but was wondering few things Whats the heat like in summer and whats it like in winter. Also is it a ship lap shed And i was worried about thiefs Where i live is very rural middle terraced house. Do you keep the cars buildings trains wagons in the shed or do you take them into the house. Many thanks
Hi and thanks for watching, the heat / cold is not too bad as I insulated the whole shed with 50mm celotex boards. It is ship lap and I don't leave anything valuable in there but we've not had any problems as like yourself its a house in the middle with no access so they'd have to come through the house and ignore everything in there just to get to the shed. 👍
Hi Simon, This system is very intriguing, Now I know everyone will be reviewing this directly at the Bluetooth feature point of view, but it would be nice to see it from the dcc aspect. I assume you program it through the Bluetooth ( sound profile) but will it program on a dcc system? ie cv's. is the next 18 chip wired so that it will plug into a loco that has already got speakers wired up? or do we have to use their plug in speaker. will the decoder and sound work on a z21 app properly. Hopefully some of these questions will be answered as many get to grips with this new chip. I suspect that Hornby will drop their tts sound decoders in the future in preference of this system so it would be nice to know if this would work or have limitations as a dcc decoder. All the best Tony.
Hi Tony, yes wanted to tackle the novel features of the Bluetooth bit first. I did briefly try it with the Hornby Select on DCC and it worked as a 'normal' DCC chip would.You should be able to change the CV values on Bluetooth or in DCC mode on a programming track. I've since had a quick play with the Bluetooth CV editor and it's so much easier and quicker then, for example with the z21. May be wrong but I think the Dapol 68 in n gauge has 'pads' to solder a speaker to, so I may be able to test on that to see if you need to use their plug or not for the speaker. Not sure if/when they will release a class 68 sound file (or if the chip fits in an N gauge 68!). Cheers, Simon.
The decoder works perfectly fine on any DCC systems as any other decoder will. You can program it, setup function mapping with CV values. The easiest is to program it using the app, because the app will make some things easy for you. But you can do the same with a DCC controller and CVs. I have programmed mine using a Märklin CS3. Worked like a charm.
@@SimonsShed I suspect it won't fit into a N-gauge loco LOL! I use a different method of sound where I link the sound decoder to a normal decoder using the same address, then amplify the sound from the sound decoder under the board to some pc speakers. I have since found out that the sound decoder will work in a dummy loco with no motor so it looks like it could be a winner for my use 😁.
As the 'instructions' to the loco are not carried via the track, does that mean that the modifications recommended for electrofrog points [to increase the reliability of the track signal] are no longer necessary?
Q: will the app fire up after being installed _without_ an internet connection? thinking say if on a tablet with bluetooth but that uses WiFi but is it still usable without the wifi after installing it? if its not will also struggle if for whatever reason the internet connection is out (e.g. poor mobile signal or poor wifi) it does look impressive, the integration of "take a picture with the camera and use that" is nice and shows a bit of thought has gone in. and this is the first version. looks promising, would also be nice if there is eventually some method for controlling from a PC over bluetooth (e.g. laptop), for the future though - likely if Hornby publish the comms protocol to allow third parties to develop that overall though, looks very nice and good review :)
Can you use that chip on your shed layout using bluetooth while some one else uses the normal DCC system and the other regular DCC locos at the same time/
The app uses Bluetooth Mesh. That is another technology. You can compare it more to the networks used by Philips Hue bulbs and similar systems. It is an entirely different league from your Bluetooth headphones.
I'm not sure which came first: the chicken or the egg i.e. TT120 or the HM7000, but unless I have missed something it looks like N scale was just too small for the HM7000 DCC system which is very frustrating
The sound is going half speed, is that a fault or has Simon not taken on board steam locos have double acting cylinders and an A4 with 3 cylinders has six beats per revolution of the wheels. Or can't it be set to 6 beats per revolution?
If you would have left this connected to the Gaugemaster controller that most people use, it would have crackled, packed up and then smoked. In my view you have soft soaped this. It says on the box TRI-MODE, it is not. You have not gone through all the Hornby controllers that there are issues with which they list in there own pdf. I guess you have covered what you are doing with this, however, not everyone will have your scenario. These decoders are smoking out all the time, not just for me, the carpet kid too and many others. The bottom line is if you pay £60.00 for the Hornby power supply you will be fine, however, if this is all you can afford then you cannot run anything else but HM7000. Hornby are no closer to solving the problems with this decoder which suggests it is hardware more than software (It has been 3 weeks plus now). The surprising thing is the Hornby TTS decoders run superbly in both analogue and Digital which considering both products come from the same company I find a little strange. Even using digital power while not blowing up, there are other issues too with this. Again, you have covered what you set out to achieve, however, people in my opinion should look at all the other reviews before purchasing. A small caveat, if any on here reading this have a Hornby HM2000 controller and think this will be great, it is Hornby, it is compatible, well, think on, Hornby say on page 16-17 of their pdf there are issues using this controller. Your videoing of your phone screen is superb, crystal clear with no reflections.
The cheapest iphone 8, new (probably been out on a shelf somewhere) and unused is £136.99. I rarely buy used noways as often there are problems. For some, new and 'I used it for a while' are the same thing! The cheapest ipad (2021) on Amazon is £329.99. I have two Galaxy S IIs. One that I use regularly and is in pristine condition, the other is 'as new' and will take over from the other when the electronics fail. I do not really want or need another smartphone.
When using DC, the power is at maximum all the time hence the loco can work. If you put a normal DC loco on that track, it will shoot off in to the distance.
Sound good but won't you need a device for each loco if you want to run more than one loco at a time on the same layout? You need to purchase another device if you only have a phone. Come and play but don't forget your smartphone or tablet.
It may be low cost but this is to draw people in. At some stage Hornby shall be charging people a subscription charge to cover the cost of the system at Hornby. Bluetooth is not free as the infrastructure needs to be looked after at the base of the system which will be at Hornby
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Hearing the words 'free' and 'Hornby' in the same sentence is mind-blowing and rare. I wonder where the catch is, nothing is ever truly free.
Yes I was surprised they didn’t charge a subscription for the app or something, fingers crossed it stays free! Thanks for watching 👍🏼
Hardly any profiles, forget if you have an Android phone for now and they are designed for Hornby locomotives. Try fitting the Next 18 decoder in a locomotive.
@@SimonsShed Nothing is ever truly free, and also thanks for watching
EVERYBODY'S phone / pad control apps for hardware are free. No-one charges for that.
I'm currently waiting for the Willie Whitelaw (with sound) set. Been airfix kit building for a while, after abandoning model railways due to moving to a small bungalow in retirement. (I'm approaching 76) but was totally blown away after watching the Hornby model world and seing the introduction of TT 120. With my wife's permission I have got to work on a baseboard and watching this I'm so excited at DCC and the free app, beautifully explained Simon. Thanks for your videos and, yes, I'd appreciate further 'tutorials' on the DCC set up.
Oh WOW, more things controlled by my phone, NICE !!
I just love how my phone does everything for me in my life, no matter how small the task.
What's not so good is how bad it is at being a phone to talk to people on, especially when I'm out of my town!
Thanks for that Simon. Succinct and to the point review. The sound on the loco was so good it was drowning you out 😂. Fitted my N18TXS chip to my TT:120 William Whitelaw when it arrived, but have not used it yet as have decided to switch over to Peco track and in the process of changing over. Watching your video will certainly help when I get around to setting things up. Interesting that you cannot have the same profile on two devices, that’s technology for you, but like you say this is ground breaking stuff. Knowing this I think I’m with you and will set things up on my iPad.
Thanks again
When it comes to larger layouts and some sort of automation this becomes very interesting. We could steal the ETCS 2-principle and hide little RFID-transponders below the track on certain points of interest. The locos could read those transponders whenever they roll over them and send the information read via bluetooth to the central unit. The central unit gets knowledge where each loco on the layout currently moves. The transponders themselves do not need any wiring or programming. And the bluetooth connection should be fast enough to carry many of this locational data. The central unit could react by e.g. throwing a point or anything else.
To solve this in a "classical way" you could use e.g. RailCom and (relatively expensive) occupation detection circuits with the ability to read RailCom-messages. The occupation detection devices have to send their informations over a relatively slow bidirectional bus to the central unit. Unless something like CAN-bus is in use many other accessory busses could be too slow.
Great demo, thanks for recording it.
My initial thoughts are that you can't work the layout with a friend if you have to re-pair with each phone. Surely that would be the sole benefit of logging in to the app.
The huge disbenefit though seems to be if Hornby's servers are down, they stop supporting this or heaven forbid go bust. All that hardware and it will be unusable as soon as your phone dies.
At least the decoders run in DCC mode, but needing Bluetooth to enable DCC mode would of course be impossible in that situation.
fingers crossed they dont go bust 😱
I'm guessing the server element is for the loco names/photos/config. I wonder if someone would hack it for JMRI !
Hopefully other manufacturers will get their act together and make smaller decoders that will fit into n gauge locomotives. I like the Bluetooth simplicity but I do enjoy my JRMI setup. I have been looking at Simons videos from the very beginning they have inspired me and enhanced my modelling ability. THANK YOU 😂😂😂 Just started my third layout.
Yes its a good start but I guess they will release 'gen 2' chips at some point that will be smaller. Thanks For Watching 🚂
These chips are still DCC compatible. Long live JMRI!
What an excellent demonstration. Well done Hornby. I am tempted to get one to try it out. I look forward to following your progress.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching 👍
This sounds jolly miraculous!! My own system operates both DC and DCC!! My layout is a Dad’s Army layout - Walmington-On-Sea - complete with appropriate vehicles.
Sounds fantastic, thanks for watching 👍
It's brilliant! I have it on two TT120 locos. Credit to Hornby which is well deserved 👏👏👏
Yes indeed!
This looks brilliant. I've had Bluetooth glitches with the previous HM analog system but that isn't a surprise. But why are people so down on this, it has to be the most logical thing to do in this day and age? Maybe I'm biased as an RC Ship models too. Bluetooth is ubiquitous, reliable and the separation of signal and power is just good practice! I intend to try and use this on my N Gauge and ON30 locos.
Looks like you had a lot of fun making this video. Thanks for uploading.
Ordered the 21pin sound chip and should be here Friday . That`s going into a Colas class 37 .. Thanks for the vlog , very usefull (saves me reading the instructions)😂😂👍👍
Have fun! 👍
Great video thanks...this new system looks really exciting...with so much more potential
Hi Simon, I know this video is 9 months old, but I've just bought one to try and found your video most instructive, so thank you for that. Oh and Simon's Shed? More like Simon's conservatory! 😃
Great to hear you are more positive, this week! Great review!👏👏👏👏
Thanks so much!
great, lovely loco, and nice run through of everything enjoyed that
Thanks for a great review Simon. One of the sound keys is labelled "Fireman's breakfast" - great attention to detail, Hornby! :)
My control system for my Dad’s Army layout is the ANEModel LD101. I have both digital and analogue locomotives to control.
Outstanding! Great informative video. Keep them coming.
Thanks, will do! 👍
About time Hornby really took the lead as market dominant leader
A bluetooth loco control system has been available in America for about 5 years now but I am pleased to see this hornby version.
Sounds great. Can’t wait for mine to arrive. It’s a game changing bargain.
Lots of people have been dismissive of this Hornby system. I think they will all have egg on their faces 😂
Regards … Steve 👍
Its great and hope they sell loads and continue to add to it and develop it 👍
Impressively smooth speed control!
very nice video. have a nice weekend😊
great video and explanation of a great system, Simon
Quality as usual Simon. But don’t forget the scenery 😜
😁 yes still got some work to do on the layout!
Looks like a good time to get into DCC!
Yep, impressed with it so far 👍
I'd be interested in seeing how the Legacy dongle works with existing systems and soundchips. great video
Thanks, I'll have to take a look..seems to be on pre-order at the moment so not sure when it will be out.
Cannot wait to try this.
This is a really good budget option that isn’t massively limited. It’s got an additional channel to the old TTS decoders and the fact the files are free is excellent and makes it very flexible. One thing about the more expensive sound decoders, they do often synchronise brake sounds with the deceleration, if Hornby could add that feature in this would be a perfect solution.
it does seem to try and sync the brake sound if you leave the AFC on...doesn't really show in the video as I kept pressing Stop instead of just slowing the loco down gradually 👍
Wow, very interesting! Bluetooth control has been tried over and over (by US manufacturers I think), but adding full DCC compatibility in parallel, and very cheap sound decoders, that does sound very interesting!
Definitely will need to get my hands on one of those, the Next18 version does seem on the large side for N Scale, but may fit in some models. Thanks for the details!
Thanks Simon for all your videos. I was eager to install decoder and was excited right up to the point where error message displayed missing sound data and before that missing Rom. I phoned Hornby and did some resetting with of decoder with them ,still fault remains,say it may be decoder at fault. Waiting for them to email me with a remedy. Pleased to see yours went smoothly however clearly not everyone is having a good time. All the best with layout.
Ian
Thanks for the explanation Simon. About to use Android App.
It certainly looks a nice system. It’s certainly a very clever way of Hornby to get extra and additional money out of its customers. For those of us with perhaps only a few locomotives. Podding out another £30 to £70 per locomotive isn’t perhaps too bad. And if the Locomotives that are going to be used are simply DCC ready, rather than say pre-fitted, then it certainly could be the way to go. The app certainly looks swish. Though not sure I quite have the patience to go through all those menus on a screen. Seems to me a person could actually end up spending more time staring at a screen rather than at the trains and the layout.
I really do think Hornby could have done a different version of the HM6000 that worked on existing DCC locomotives instead of the current DC version. Really not sure I want to change all the DCC cards I already have in locomotives on the layout I’m currently building. And have already got locomotives with DCC chips fitted. On one hand I might like the idea of the swish new Hornby app but the reality is I think I’d prefer actual rotary knobs and physical switches rather than a touch screen based system.
I’m slowly replacing my 00 gauge fleet with these and also adding smoke units to them which needs a small relay to work as the decoder function output current is low the first I fitted went into my flying Scotsman that sound profile also plays Scotland the brave lol
Good news!
👍👍👍
Great video Simon I have got oo gauge in the garden how do you change number from 3 to onther number kind regards Paul
Thanks, I think you just tap the DCC address box and enter a new number and it just changes it straight away. Thanks for watching
Great video mate
Hi Simon! Looks like a very interesting development for the hobby. They look a bit too large for N guage - at least for the majority of my locos - but hopefully they'll get scaled down in time! TBH tablet / phone control really doesn't appeal to me as I like the tactile feel of a proper throttle, however, I'd love an app to allow me to change CV values easily, which this system seems to provide! I await an update on how well it plays with your Z21 system with interest! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian, I'll have to try it in my Dapol 68 but I suspect you are right and it will be too big. Setting the CV values is so easy, it does make make other systems feel old-hat, will be interesting to see how they develop it and add to it. Thanks for watching 👍
Great review thank you
Thanks for watching!
My 8 years old son wants to start playing with these trains and I am helping him to get a first train with tracks. I have no clue. Going thru the website. Can you let me know if am good to go, by buying Track Set A, a train (most likely South Western rail), a DCC controller, and am good? Thanks x
So essentially I don’t actually need a controller? Daft question probably but I’m a newbie to the hobby and really don’t want to confuse things too much, this looks a good way to me!
I purchased a new Lenovo TAB M11 so that I could go with HM7000. Unfortunately I could not get things to work properly. After several days of backwards and forwards with Hornby, I received this message from Hornby today (20th March 2024):
It’s also worth noting if you are an Android user, we are aware of a bug whereby HM7000 decoders are appearing fresh out the box as ‘Resettable’ and no appearing under the Ready to Link section. This can be fixed by using the Force Quit function within Android settings to close the HM | DCC app, then re-open the HM | DCC app and then Restart Scan. This will then find the HM7000 decoder without the need for a Reset Code.
Not sure why Hornby launched the chip without Android support..
No, its is strange. Don't see why iOS and Android could have been developed along-side each other. Hope they sort it out soon.
Hi Simon, The app is available for android, I purchased a 21 pin sound decoder to try but unfortunately if was DOA. Your video is very informative and I'm looking forward to receiving a replacement. Regards, David.
Hope you get a replacement soon. Do you have a link to the Android app? Can't seem to find it and I'd like to add a link in to the video.
@@SimonsShed Hi Simon, I did try send a link but not sure if you received it. Regards, David.
Hi Simon, Having looked again it looks like I was mistaken, The app was the HM|DC I had seen, it's a little misleading from Hornby having two apps that look similar.
For everyone concerned about Hornby pulling the plug, charging for the app, going bust(!) etc.
From what I can see you can use the app to set up a decoder with custom sounds, play around until you get it just so, then set it to normal DCC operation and it will then run forever without needing Bluetooth? You can still change the CV values on a track, etc. Without the app the only thing you won't be able to do is change the sound files, but presumably once you have that to your liking you'll never need to change it again anyway unless you move the decoder to another loco. £65-70 for a decoder with sound that you can set up yourself for any loco seems like a bit of a bargain to me?
I'm pretty new to this, am I missing something?
Thanks much appreciated
I have fitted 2 of these now and they have been running flawlessly via bluetooth.. One issue I have found that needs addressing is while the loco is running the sound gets lower and distorts to the point you can’t hear it…. Switch sound off for couple minutes and works again!! But going forward it’s the same quality for half the price of the overpriced DCC controllers
I use z21 with a digikeijs dr5000. Works great. Is this easy to migrate a whole fleet? Thanks
Are you able to adjust the cv chuff timing setting so it’s more in time with the wheel revolutions?
HI Simon
Great vid and it does make DCC more attractive, one question I do have is what happens if you would like to run 3 or 4 trains how would that work ??
Cheers Mark
Hi Simon, I think you also have a Z21 as do I, installed my first HM 7000 chip into a Bachmann 66 working well via Hornby app but can’t drive it to be recognised on the Z21 system. Any ideas? Thanks
Hi Simon, I've been thinking more about the HM7000 and to be quite frank getting feed up of waiting for them to release the Android app LOL! As I know Apps are something you are familiar with, would it be possible to use a IOS emulator on a pc to use the apple app to initially set up the HM7000 decoder (updates and sound profile) then just use dcc as it's usual control. Never having owned any apple devices apart from a 1st gen nano ipod LOL! not sure if you need an apple account and if this is possible. Any thoughts would be appreciated. All the best Tony.
Unfortunately the iOS simulator doesn't do Bluetooth, it has to be a real device. I think they have now released the Android app though (finally!).
Can you control more than 1 train at a time from the app? If so, how long does it take to switch from one to another?
you use the tabs at the top of the screen, it will be almost instant. Apparently the limit is 9999 locos on 1 phone 😳
@@SimonsShed "Apparently the limit is 9999 locos on 1 phone 😳"
Good luck navigating more than 10 though 😅
Great video
I am now even more imaptient for delivery of my Easterner TT:120 set (DCC fitted)! Is the power supply you're using the one that came with the set? If so, how many locos do you reckon you can run off 1A?
It is but not sure how many locos it would run as I only have the budget for 1 chip so far 😅
I would be interested to see how it works if you are using an existing DCC controller on the layout.
I did have a quick go with the Hornby Select and it just worked as a 'normal' DCC chip would but need to have a proper look and maybe do a video on it.
Hi, great video 👍🏼
This has me a little excited.
Please bear with me as I’ve only ever used analogue and have been looking at DCC for a while.
So I currently have a very basic Hornby Hogwarts Express set, DCC ready, with analogue power track and controller that came with it.
I wanted to add sound, but the cost of converting to DCC put me off a little.
This seems to be the answer!
So would I be correct in saying, to convert to use this system, I would need to buy:
A DCC power track.
The recommended DCC power supply adaptor.
And then the relevant HM7000 Bluetooth pack (looking at the instructions, the train I have has an 8 pin chip, I’ve not opened it up to confirm)
Would that be correct?
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Gary.
Hi again, so I went ahead and bought the bits I mentioned. I spent most of an afternoon excitedly installing my HM7000, to a DCC ready, Hornby Hogwarts Express.
Just in case this helps others, I had some issues. I was analog only, so installed an R8241 power track with the R7337 power supply and adaptor cable.
Installed the HM DCC software to my iPhone 12 Pro.
Linked the decoder and updated the firmware fine.
Then when installing a profile, I got a slightly different block error to you: ‘Error Installing Sound Pack
block_error - Block 386 Failed! the decoder took to long to respond. Please power cycle the loco and
nstallation Options
try again.’
It would report different blocks each time and would fail with this error, at different points of the ‘Updating SPIROM’ step.
Kept reporting sound data missing.
I tried all sorts. Different profiles reboot of phone, different Bluetooth setting. Remove the loco and decoder then re-add (never changed the loco number or name), Nothing worked.
I eventually tried another iPhone. And it finally installed the sound profile.
It still initially reporting sound data missing, but a second successful profile install fixed it.
I’m now happily installing the different profiles to try.
Hope this helps someone.
Cheers,
Gary.
Thanks for this very informative video, if I decide to go down the DCC route then I can come back and use this as a good reference. Thanks.
I'm not too sure if it's that cheap, maybe for one Loco but I've ended up with 3 and hoping for the Class 08 later on in the year. So that's close to £280 then I would need to buy the transformer.
Thanks! Yes it soon adds up if you are fitting multiple chips! Compared to buying an alternative DCC system (z21 etc.) and, for example, Zimo sound chips it will be less...but not 'cheap'!
Cheaper if you don't want/need sound on your. Locos, sound locos are never going to be cheap.
For a cheap DCC control system take a look at DCC-EX but that is not plug and play.
I must be a bit dim, but how you operating the controls without your finger appearing?
I recorded the phone screen with the built in screen-capture feature. on the iPhone, not with a camera pointing at the phone.
A game changer indeed. But can you operate 2 or more controlling devices (via the Bluetooth app) for more complex layouts requiring more than one controller at a time?
You can but it looks like its not easy to swap a loco from 1 phone to another so 1 person would control 1 set of locos and the other would have a different set which isn't ideal.
One of the other interesting facts is that this can be used by a Battery Powered locomotive, not perhaps so relevant formTT120. But 00 and larger scales may well find this a good cheep way to get into battery DCC. Though be interested to know the range in the garden.
Interesting! Also reminded me that I completely forgot to do the range test in the review!
Hi I'm a little confused at what would be providing the track power. So some sort of DDC track power is still needed I presume?
I hope you got over your confusion. If not, the track is still powered the same as for any DCC system and powers the loco. The HM 7000 decoders can either be controlled direct by Bluetooth or through a DCC system. You just have to tell it if not using Bluetooth.
Have you tried the app on a tablet for more space? Can you have 2 throttles for instance or more buttons available?
It's an interesting idea, however I'm not sure how well they'd fit in N Gauge models, though the 6-pin one at 17mm long might work for anything which doesn't need a smaller decoder (Dapol Steam engines) or a Right Angled one, the Next-18 chip at 28.5mm long would be far too big for N Gauge.
Still it's something to keep an eye on, but will have to pass on trying it till the decoders are smaller (and I've only got an Android phone)
Yes shame they didn't get the Android app out in time. As soon as a class 68 sound profile is out I'll try it in the Dapol N gauge 68, hopefully it will fit. Thanks for watching 👍
New to the channel and wow this is very interesting. I am starting again after 40+ years away from the hobby. So many changes. Not seen your earlier video's but interested in your choice of scale TT:120 was there something that made you choose that? This does seem to be great value for money and I will see when I get to this point.
Welcome aboard! I decided to give tt120 a go as I was looking for a new project as a break from my big n gauge layout which I've been working on for a number of years. I don't have space for a OO/HO layout so I love the smaller scales. 🚂
@@SimonsShed interesting. I have looked good and hard at TT:120 but I fear that it may not take off. I like the slightly larger scale from N but in the end what with my eyes etc 00 will fit the bill for now anyway. Thank you for the advise.
Hey. Thinking of buying the chip. But does it have the class 43 yet or it all steam?
class 43 is on there 👍
Its a game changer for hornby, once they got people using it they will switch to a subscription model. You will end up paying a monthly fee to use the app or access sounds / features. If you think this won't happen, ask yourself why would they not do it.
Think it would be difficult to charge now theyve given it away....time will tell! 👍
"once they got people using it they will switch to a subscription model"
Since the decoders are NMRA compliant and fully support DCC they can't really lock you into their system -- that's the whole idea behind standards. If you want to use, let's say, a Roco Z21 controller to control your TXS locos on your layout, there is literally nothing Hornby can do to stop you.
The only thing you cannot do without Hornby's app is loading sounds onto the decoder -- but that is essentially the same with all sound decoders. Moreover, with other manufacturers, you also need dedicated hardware, not only an app: you need a LokProgrammer to load sounds onto an ESU decoder, an MXULFA to load sounds onto a Zimo decoder, a Piko SmartProgrammer to load sounds onto Piko decoders, etc. So by some measure Hornby's solution will actually be more accessible and user friendly.
@Áron Virginás-Tar I understand the standards and won't be locked in. But I think they will expand the app and need funding to do that. I would like to have seen them release a new controller like the elite but with option to control via Bluetooth. This would mean you can control any chip via the app.
Hello simon just found your channel and wow watched most videos
Im hopeing to get a shed layout but was wondering few things
Whats the heat like in summer and whats it like in winter.
Also is it a ship lap shed
And i was worried about thiefs
Where i live is very rural middle terraced house.
Do you keep the cars buildings trains wagons in the shed or do you take them into the house. Many thanks
Hi and thanks for watching, the heat / cold is not too bad as I insulated the whole shed with 50mm celotex boards. It is ship lap and I don't leave anything valuable in there but we've not had any problems as like yourself its a house in the middle with no access so they'd have to come through the house and ignore everything in there just to get to the shed. 👍
Hi Simon, This system is very intriguing, Now I know everyone will be reviewing this directly at the Bluetooth feature point of view, but it would be nice to see it from the dcc aspect. I assume you program it through the Bluetooth ( sound profile) but will it program on a dcc system? ie cv's. is the next 18 chip wired so that it will plug into a loco that has already got speakers wired up? or do we have to use their plug in speaker. will the decoder and sound work on a z21 app properly. Hopefully some of these questions will be answered as many get to grips with this new chip. I suspect that Hornby will drop their tts sound decoders in the future in preference of this system so it would be nice to know if this would work or have limitations as a dcc decoder. All the best Tony.
Hi Tony, yes wanted to tackle the novel features of the Bluetooth bit first. I did briefly try it with the Hornby Select on DCC and it worked as a 'normal' DCC chip would.You should be able to change the CV values on Bluetooth or in DCC mode on a programming track. I've since had a quick play with the Bluetooth CV editor and it's so much easier and quicker then, for example with the z21. May be wrong but I think the Dapol 68 in n gauge has 'pads' to solder a speaker to, so I may be able to test on that to see if you need to use their plug or not for the speaker. Not sure if/when they will release a class 68 sound file (or if the chip fits in an N gauge 68!). Cheers, Simon.
The decoder works perfectly fine on any DCC systems as any other decoder will. You can program it, setup function mapping with CV values. The easiest is to program it using the app, because the app will make some things easy for you. But you can do the same with a DCC controller and CVs.
I have programmed mine using a Märklin CS3. Worked like a charm.
@@SimonsShed I suspect it won't fit into a N-gauge loco LOL! I use a different method of sound where I link the sound decoder to a normal decoder using the same address, then amplify the sound from the sound decoder under the board to some pc speakers. I have since found out that the sound decoder will work in a dummy loco with no motor so it looks like it could be a winner for my use 😁.
@@stormbowman7148 Nice to know 😁, Thanks for the info, looks like this system could be a winner.
As the 'instructions' to the loco are not carried via the track, does that mean that the modifications recommended for electrofrog points [to increase the reliability of the track signal] are no longer necessary?
I would think the electical short issue would be the same - track is still powered.
The best speakers for this locomotive would be a double sugar cube in the tender.
Are there sound chipsets for tracks?
have you tried powering the loco from a battery.
Good video thanks lee
No problem 👍
Hi Simon, I wonder if this works with R8312 elink with railmaster software
this is great but could other people in an exhibition just control your models if they download an app?
no they won't see your locos in their app 👍
What if there is no internet at a venue ( railway exhibitions ) ..? Or will I have to be on a plan to used it..?
Once its set up you don't need Internet to use it (it just uses Bluetooth) 👍
Q: will the app fire up after being installed _without_ an internet connection? thinking say if on a tablet with bluetooth but that uses WiFi but is it still usable without the wifi after installing it?
if its not will also struggle if for whatever reason the internet connection is out (e.g. poor mobile signal or poor wifi)
it does look impressive, the integration of "take a picture with the camera and use that" is nice and shows a bit of thought has gone in.
and this is the first version.
looks promising, would also be nice if there is eventually some method for controlling from a PC over bluetooth (e.g. laptop), for the future though - likely if Hornby publish the comms protocol to allow third parties to develop that
overall though, looks very nice
and good review :)
Yes once everything is set up it does work without wifi. Thanks for watching 👍
Can you use that chip on your shed layout using bluetooth while some one else uses the normal DCC system and the other regular DCC locos at the same time/
Yes, absolutely
Hi Simon would I be able to use my mobile phone to use this system as I do the hm6000
Yes, should work fine 👍🏼
@@SimonsShed thanks Simon
How many locos can the app connect to at once to control ? I thought Bluetooth had a limit of 7 connections, although I might be wrong.
The limit is 9999 locos in the app 😳 As long as their is enough power to the track it should run as many as you want.
It used to be 7, but this is Bluetooth 4, and limits are more than you'd need.
@@roundel52 the app utilises Bluetooth Mesh technology, you’ll be hard pressed to max the app out!!
The app uses Bluetooth Mesh. That is another technology. You can compare it more to the networks used by Philips Hue bulbs and similar systems. It is an entirely different league from your Bluetooth headphones.
Any info on point control or is it only for the track and locos
not looked into that yet, not heard anything.
I'm not sure which came first: the chicken or the egg i.e. TT120 or the HM7000, but unless I have missed something it looks like N scale was just too small for the HM7000 DCC system which is very frustrating
The sound is going half speed, is that a fault or has Simon not taken on board steam locos have double acting cylinders and an A4 with 3 cylinders has six beats per revolution of the wheels. Or can't it be set to 6 beats per revolution?
If you would have left this connected to the Gaugemaster controller that most people use, it would have crackled, packed up and then smoked. In my view you have soft soaped this. It says on the box TRI-MODE, it is not. You have not gone through all the Hornby controllers that there are issues with which they list in there own pdf. I guess you have covered what you are doing with this, however, not everyone will have your scenario. These decoders are smoking out all the time, not just for me, the carpet kid too and many others. The bottom line is if you pay £60.00 for the Hornby power supply you will be fine, however, if this is all you can afford then you cannot run anything else but HM7000. Hornby are no closer to solving the problems with this decoder which suggests it is hardware more than software (It has been 3 weeks plus now). The surprising thing is the Hornby TTS decoders run superbly in both analogue and Digital which considering both products come from the same company I find a little strange. Even using digital power while not blowing up, there are other issues too with this. Again, you have covered what you set out to achieve, however, people in my opinion should look at all the other reviews before purchasing. A small caveat, if any on here reading this have a Hornby HM2000 controller and think this will be great, it is Hornby, it is compatible, well, think on, Hornby say on page 16-17 of their pdf there are issues using this controller. Your videoing of your phone screen is superb, crystal clear with no reflections.
what is the with of the table ?
How long does it take to set up
A good video Simon. However, there is a considerable cost to those who would need to buy a new smartphone (with Bluetooth)!
a cheap iPhone 8 ebay special will do the job 😀
I think they said up to 5 years old hardware.
The cheapest iphone 8, new (probably been out on a shelf somewhere) and unused is £136.99. I rarely buy used noways as often there are problems. For some, new and 'I used it for a while' are the same thing! The cheapest ipad (2021) on Amazon is £329.99. I have two Galaxy S IIs. One that I use regularly and is in pristine condition, the other is 'as new' and will take over from the other when the electronics fail. I do not really want or need another smartphone.
How does it get power to track that in an ordinary DC layout would be dead?
It doesn’t defy physics. If the track is dead, the track is dead.
When using DC, the power is at maximum all the time hence the loco can work. If you put a normal DC loco on that track, it will shoot off in to the distance.
yep whole layout needs power 👍
Can this be used on a laptop with a touch screen?
No iOS only and Android soon (hopefully) but I don't think there are plans for a PC version.
Thank you. Can anyone recommend a suitable iPad for this?
Can HM7000 decoders be used in non Hornby locomotives? As I’ve heard stories of them not functioning the way they should
I'm sure they would. Hornby would be foolish to cut off access to a broader market.
Yes, of course they can.
so can it onle be usd with a hornby dcc controler i onle have the bachmann ez command
no works with any DCC system 👍
I'll think I'll just stick to analogue - SIMPLES!!! 😄😉🚂🚂🚂
Can you use these decoders on a normal DCC controller (eg Gaugemaster Prodigy 2)
Yes, they also work as normal DCC decoders 👍
@@SimonsShed Does the sound work on normal DCC?
@@WHRBERT yes, works like a normal sound decoder👍🏼
@@SimonsShed Brilliant, thank you
Sound good but won't you need a device for each loco if you want to run more than one loco at a time on the same layout? You need to purchase another device if you only have a phone. Come and play but don't forget your smartphone or tablet.
you can add 9999 locos to 1 phone 👍
does the £32 package include sound ?
No
You’re giving me good information, but with the sound chip turned up you’re inaudible!!
It may be low cost but this is to draw people in. At some stage Hornby shall be charging people a subscription charge to cover the cost of the system at Hornby. Bluetooth is not free as the infrastructure needs to be looked after at the base of the system which will be at Hornby
I’m going somewhere i can get the abbreviations decoded. Feel like i’m the outsider in a schoolyard of teenage boys talking in insider code.