POIs and Camera warnings

[MaskellMan]

I have just bought a TomTom 710 running version 6.20 firmwarewhich comes with a safety camera database, but I haven't actually been able to try it out on the road yet. I have been reading on various sites about the camera database. I am puzzled by how the POIs are organised. From what I can make out.

Cameras are now handled differently from other POIs
The builtin POIs are in the mapfile/poi.dat
The builtin cameras are in files mapfile/camera_type.ext
It is possible to set warning distances for the builtin POIs
It is not possible to set warning distances for the cameras and the default voice is a beep
3rd party camera .ov2 files can be added to the mapfile, they are treated as normal POIs and voices can be associated with them by placing a .ogg file of the same name in the mapfile directory

Is my interpretation correct? If so then why are the 3rd party cameras treated as POIs whereas the TomTom supplied cameras are not and are treated differently. Can voices be added to the TomTom cameras? Can different voices be added to the TomTom supplied POIs?

[Andy_P]

You are right, upto the last paragraph.

Third party cameras are handled as POIs, because that's how they always have been done; and until recently it is how TomTom's own ones were done too.

Voices (or even different built-in sounds) cannot at present be added to the TomTom camera warnings.

Only the built-in sounds (or replacements of them in a replacement data.chk file) can be assigned to the built-in POIs. This replacement data.chk method is how voices were assigned to the PGPSW camera alerts (until the better method using .ogg format audio files was announced), but it can still be used if you want to replace the default silly noises.
Utilities exist to unpick and rebuild the data.chk file using new ogg files.


Finally, going back to your first paragraph, don't forget that there is a "route demo" feature where you can set up an "A-B advanced planning" route on the Go and then do a simulation on screen, whith out leaving your armchair. Keep the demo speed below 300% (200% seems good) and all the voice commands and POI warnings will sound as they would in reality.

[Andy_P]

Oh, and I forgot to say....
Your next question is bound to be: "WHY are the TomTom cameras now so limited as to distance and alert sound options?"

No one outside of TomTom seems to know the answer to that one though...

But you can bet they are frantically working on it!

P.S. it's mapfolder/poi.dat etc.

[rjbsec]

Doing a search for audible warnings for Tom Tom Safety Cameras and came across this FAQ from 2006 - wonder if things have changed?

My issue is with a Tom Tom Go 520.

I have downloaded additional warnings using Home2, letting Home2 'do its thing' but I cannot discover how to set the new audible warning to work with the Tom Tom Safety Cameras, it still just does the double beep.

Assuming that it is possible, as Home2 downloads alternative warnings, can anyone please advise me of the steps needed to change it - I can see all sorts of POI's listed on the 520, (restaurants, garages etc), but not Safety Cameras!

Any help would be much appreciated.

[rjbsec]

Found the answer!
For anyone else looking - look here http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=65915

[DennisN]

It HAS all changed since 2006.

On your 520, you do stuff with the TT cameras via the PLUS services menu option, where you will find the one for changing warning preferences. I haven't used it because the TT cameras simply do not have any appeal for me (and a very large number of other people who use the camera database from here - PocketGPSWorld). Looking at it, I would imagine that the voice warnings you've downloaded should appear in amongst the beeps, bongs, whistles etc (I only get the opportunity to record my own voice, presumably because I haven't downloaded any TomTom ones).

If you opted for the PGPSW cameras, you'd not only have a far superior database, with a far superior warning facility (e.g to tell you the actual speed of the upcoming camera), but you'd also have the support of zillions of members here who know the answers to everything AND the universe.
_________________
Dennis
TT Mapshare NEVER.
Phone 08451610009 - A) issue, B) challenge, C) problem, D) cockup - fastest finger first, no friends, 50/50 nor audience

[rjbsec]

, yes I have previously used the PGPSWorld database in other units but for the moment I just need to find my way around the 520 before 'hacking' it
Thanks for the input.