Support - Decoder Version

This page offers support on how to identify your TCS decoder hardware and version information, as well as the manufactured date. The information on this page pertains specifically to TCS decoders.

Identifying Your Decoder Type

Verifying the Manufacturer

Start by identifying the decoder as a TCS decoder by reading the Manufacturer ID CV 8. TCS' Manufacturer ID Number is 153.

If your command station AND decoder supports RailCom®, you can read CV's on the main. Otherwise, you will need to use a DCC Programming Track. If you are having issues with your programming track, see our Help Article on the subject.

identifying the Decoder Hardware

Once you have confirmed that CV 8 is 153, you now know that the decoder in question is indeed a TCS decoder! You can further identify your decoder by checking the Hardware ID number, stored in CV 249. Refer to the lookup table on the wiki page for CV 249 to compare the number in your decoder.

Question: How do I know if my decoder is new/current?

See the section below on Identifying the Version Number

Identifying the Date of Manufacturing

TCS decoders are created with a manufactured date stored in their memory. The Manufacturing Date can be read out from the decoder using three CV's:

• CV 250 - Month of Manufacturing
• CV 251 - Day of Manufacturing
• CV 252 - Year of Manufacturing

WOWSound decoders with Audio Assist® can speak the manufactured date, as well as other version information. Refer to the Audio Assist Tree Diagram for the decoder type and Version for instructions on how to do this.

Identifying the Version Number

TCS Version numbers and Version identification varies between product lines. Below are listed the various ways that TCS identifies version information based on the product type:

Non-Sound Decoders

TCS Non-sound decoders use a single software/firmware version number which is incremented every time TCS patches a major bug or introduces a feature. This version identifier information is stored in CV 7.

Hardware versions can be identified by looking at the decoder itself. A revision number or letter will be assigned and displayed on most (but not all) TCS decoders. If a decoder does not have a written Revision number on it, it can be assumed to be Rev1/RevA.

WOWSound Decoders - V4 and Older

TCS sound decoders use a an "architecture" or over-arching "major" version number which is incremented every time TCS introduces major changes in hardware. This version identifier information is stored in CV 7. WOWSound decoders Version 4.x and older do not individually track software/firmware updates.

Sound decoders are further identified by "Sound Set," meaning the library of sounds included on the decoder. In WOWSound Version 4, this is used as a "sub-major" version as in "4.5" or "4.6". The Sound Set version is stored in CV 248, and correlates to a particular List of Sounds for the decoder type. See the list on the wiki page for CV 248 for links to the sound lists for each version.

WOWSound Decoders - V5

(Coming Soon!)