Nuvi 550 update - TTS?

mupp · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:03 pm Post subject: Nuvi 550 update - TTS?

The latest Nuvi 550 update is supposed to add TTS, and the Garmin site has now added this feature to the specs page for new NUVI 550's on their site.
Alas I've downloaded the update (and the second download of the new voice) but am not getting the TTS function. Any other Nuvi 550 owners got this working?

PaulB2005 · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:13 pm Post subject:

I assume these updates are coming from WebUpdater?

Which voices are you being offered for download?

mupp · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:24 pm Post subject:

Yes, Webupdate took me from V.3.30 to V.3.40 and the info box said that I had gained Text to Speech. Running Wepupdate again upgraded the current 'English, British' voice (but didn't load or give the option for a new one) but the TTS function doesn't work on mine, perhaps this was a US spec upgrade only?
The UK Garmin site though has changed for the NUVI 550 specs though, it now shows the TTS 'Speaks street names' feature as standard

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=27442#specsTab

PaulB2005 · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject:

After you downloaded the voice did you change it on the unit to a TTS one?

The Voice Names should be something like "British English - Daniel" or "British English - Emily". It might say "Says Street Names" or "TTS" too...

mupp · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:00 pm Post subject:

It hasn't added any new names Sad

I guess it has just updated the existing one, the only English ones in there are British English and American English. No first names or anythinmg else that looks like it might be the TTS speech.

How does TTS work - does it have a massive speech list / database, or does it add a new program that tries to synthasise the street name from the text on the map (I'm assuming the latter, hence "TTS").

PaulB2005 · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:04 pm Post subject:

For TTS to work you need a TTS Voice. It won't work with the normal English - British voices....

TTS Voices will have a name as indicated above and may mention Says Street Names.

Check again for any new voices with WebUpdater....

mupp · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:29 pm Post subject:

Cheers, will do.

mupp · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:54 pm Post subject:

Sorted

Thanks. Just been back on Webupdate and there are a whole host of TTS voices there now, I'm sure they weren't there two days ago Embarassed

TTS now working a treat and has given the Nuvi 550 a big boost (although I don't much care for new voice British:Serena:TTS she's a bit aggressive)

mupp · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:07 pm Post subject:

And just for fun here's the very gruff Serena performing TTS in a jug of water....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNNNIXDhK9g

PaulB2005 · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear it's worked out ok.

Any reason the Nuvi is underwater?

mupp · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:57 pm Post subject:

No reason other than to drown the snappy Serena Jumping With Joy

And to test the '30 minutes at 1 meter depth' Garmin promise, a nervous 3 minutes at 6 inches depth Smile

PaulB2005 · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject:

and why not? Cool

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