Home PageFacebookRSS News Feed
PocketGPS
Web
SatNav,GPS,Navigation
Pocket GPS World - SatNavs | GPS | Speed Cameras: Forums

Pocket GPS World :: View topic - TMC Information
 Forum FAQForum FAQ   SearchSearch   UsergroupsUsergroups   ProfileProfile   Log in for private messagesLog in for private messages   Log inLog in 

TMC Information
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> TomTom Portable Navigation Devices
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs

PostPosted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:59 pm    Post subject: TMC Information Reply with quote

TMC (Traffic Message Channel)

There are two different methods for getting TMC data to work with your device, GPRS or RDS-TMC. The RDS-TMC only works with the TomTom Go-510, 710 and 910.

GPRS Based

The GPRS system uses a Bluetooth link to connect to your mobile phone, once connected and set-up the device can access a server to download the traffic data. In order to use this service your mobile phone must have full internet connectivity (WAP access is not sufficient).

If your phone is on contract you may still have to contact your phone service provider to have the required privileges enabled. Note phones on the “3” network will not work with the TomTom server, this is due to how network 3 lock down the internet access to sites within its own umbrella, if it’s a 3 network phone – forget it, or get a different sim card.

If you use a Pay As You Go service for your mobile phone then your options are somewhat limited, you should check with the phone service provider if it is possible to access full internet, and check it works before committing to the TomTom Traffic subscription.

Irrespective of phone type, payment method etc please check the associated costs for using GPRS with your mobile phone, the cheapest way to use GPRS is with a service bolt on that gives you so many MB per month for a flat rate cost. Please do check this out, certain phone companies charge ludicrously high charges – you don’t want to receive a huge bill.

On the topic of costs, it is also worth mentioning the file size of a typical days download. My device was set to update every 10 minutes (which to be honest is probably too often, 15 or 20 minutes is a more realistic figure). After driving six hours the device had downloaded 322Kb of data, if possible monitor your GPRS traffic on the phone SPB GRPS Monitor is great for those using PDA based phones.

The data that is downloaded is country specific so you don’t receive traffic information for the whole of Europe, you do get all the traffic information for the country unlike the RDS-TMC (see later).

RDS TMC

This method involves a radio receiver that connects to the TomTom Go-x10 devices mount, it uses the same connection point as an Ipod cable connect, so you can only use RDS or Ipod, not both at the same time.

Traffic information is transmitted over the normal FM radio frequencies, the actual channels are those employed by Classic FM, please note no other radio station is currently used to relay the TMC data.

The lead from the TMC unit to the Go device is actually the aerial, please don’t coil this up – it needs to be fully deployed to maximise the reception of the radio signals, which in the UK are relatively low power if compared to those on mainland Europe.
Also don’t try extending the cable, it contains four individual wires, which do not lend themselves to being cut, stripped and spliced/ soldered to longer wiring, think about the warranty – it can’t be sent back if you have butchered it.

The actual data received by the device is regional – you do not get the full country traffic data using the RDS-TMC. In practice I don’t find this a problem as you move around the country the actual transmitter you receive data from will change. With that change is also an alteration to the data transmitted, typically in Blackpool I can see traffic information across to the East coast, as far South as Birmingham and North up to Carlisle.

Your unit will receive new regional data long before you get to the edge of the current region you are actually in.

With the arrival of software version 6,522 (7709) a few new additions to the RDS-TMC software have been made available.

The TMC indicator on the navigation screen (top right) will only be coloured green if the unit is tuned to Classic FM, if tuning is in progress the TMC indicator will be amber coloured and appear to be rotating.







To assist the device to locate the Classic FM signal you have the option to manually tune the device to your local frequency, tap the screen in the area where traffic delays are displayed (right hand edge of the screen).
The Tune RDS-TMC icon should be available top right of the display, when the TomTom is first powered up the Tune icon is not always available for selection if greyed out try selecting again after a short wait.
Also you must have a route planned to be able to access the page the Tune Icon is displayed on.



Enter the frequency for your local Classic FM transmitter, this information can be found in your local paper, or try tuning the car radio until it finds Classic FM, then input the values and press done.



The unit has now found the Classic FM channel, which is displayed in the lower left corner of the screen, in certain areas the unit will not find a sufficiently strong radio signal in which case it will revert back to scanning the frequency band.

The small green arrow rotating above the image of the car (lower left) indicates an update is in progress.



Once the device has obtained traffic data the indicator lower left turns to a solid green disk, adjacent to this, the frequency and radio station name is also displayed.

The other icons are now selectable, prior to data being available they were greyed out, (note this image was taken using a Go-910 The Read aloud traffic info is only going to work with a 910 device as it is dependent upon the Text To Speech system).



With the unit now receiving TMC data you get the following display in the navigation screen, not much in the way of options to re-route to avoid this location though – Dartford Toll Bridge.



==========================================================

How to find the correct frequency for the RDS-TMC relative to current position.

In order to know the correct frequency as you travel around the UK it is possible to use a custom POI file that contains the location, name, power level and frequency of all the transmitters.

Once installed to the device go to Browse Map and tap the Find button. Select POI/ POI near you select the TMC POI in the list and the unit will return the information you need.

Note the transmitters power level is included in brackets this value is in KW the higher the figure the longer the effective range of that mast.

If the first frequency listed fails to work it is also worth trying the others nearest your position.




If anyone wants the TMC POI file please use my e-mail button below and I will reply with the files attached (they are small files).

Click HERE to return to the FAQ page.


Last edited by mikealder on Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:02 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
Fraserp
Lifetime Member


Joined: Jun 15, 2004
Posts: 297
Location: Manchester, UK

PostPosted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mike,
Many thanks for this update.

So, if I understand correctly you are\ may be required to manually 'tune' it to Classic FM?
Having to do that repeatedly on a long journey is a non starter. Surely TT know the frequencies?
IMHO, ANY requirement to tweak the unit by manually tuning it renders it 'not fit for purpose'.
Also, does anyone know what is the situation in Europe? Is any manual tuning required on the continent?
Thanks
_________________
Fraserp
TomTom 1000
GPSmap 60CSx
SatMap
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs

PostPosted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fraserp, the unit is quite capable of auto tuning, but when in poor reception areas you now have the option to manually inform the device which frequency to use. This can in practice speed up signal acquisition.
I have never tried the TMC unit in Europe, but it is widely known the transmission power is higher in Europe than the UK, so I would expect better reception over there - Mike
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
Fraserp
Lifetime Member


Joined: Jun 15, 2004
Posts: 297
Location: Manchester, UK

PostPosted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I must be being a bit dumb here (not for the first time). Wink

If you manually tune it, surely it then locks to that signal. What if you then leave that area? Say on a long journey. Do you have to go through that proces again, or does it 'automatically' switch?
_________________
Fraserp
TomTom 1000
GPSmap 60CSx
SatMap
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs

PostPosted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Once the TMC unit drops the signal it resumes scanning the FM band until it finds another Classic FM transmitter, so it is automatic - also if your entered frequency produces no data the unit will resume scanning the entire band fairly quickly.
I have just used it on a long 660 mile round trip, and being able to input the frequency manually was a major plus point, the device locked on to the entered frequency most of the times I entered a manual tune, other times it found the correct frequecy and worked automatically without intervention - IMHO its better than before, but still not as reliable as the GPRS method of obtaining TMC data to the unit - Mike
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
mark1968
Frequent Visitor


Joined: Mar 01, 2004
Posts: 290
Location: Northampton

PostPosted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I work as a HGV driver and cover most of the country. TomTom has shown other stations transmitting data for example Radio 1, and Heart FM.
_________________
Please follow me on twitter @mdyson1968
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs

PostPosted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mark, Try it with the new software and see if you actually get a green light with any station other than Classic FM, I would be most interested to know which station and where.
What you have probably observed is the unit having stored RDS-TMC data, re-scanning looking for a signal - it then showed a green light when locked to the wrong channel, the new software version cannot do this, if its not Classic FM then the top right disk is rotational amber.
If any traffic information is still stored by the unit the delays etc will stay displayed after the Classic FM signal has been dropped (for a short time period), which used to lead people to the conclusion that other stations were transmitting the data - Mike
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
Fraserp
Lifetime Member


Joined: Jun 15, 2004
Posts: 297
Location: Manchester, UK

PostPosted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mike wrote
Quote:
I have just used it on a long 660 mile round trip, and being able to input the frequency manually was a major plus point

TT rant starts....
I beg to differ. I should only have to switch it on for it to work. Who has got time while driving to mess around monitoring the signal, then inputting a radio frequency? It either works reliably or its a waste of space. No wonder TT delayed its release time and time again. Having said that, should I have expected anything more from TT? Sad
Realistically though, why should I be surprised? What with the droopy mounts x 2, GPRS Traffic giving out of date info (still not resolved). The only way it could be worse would to attempt to use a TT in Ireland!
I'll wait until until I start seeing, coments like: It works! Excellent product! or highly recommended! Rather than the bodges and fudges referred to in the forums.

Unfortunately, I'm stuck with a 910, any takers any where?

TT rant over.....
On the plus side, i've just saved myself £60! Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Martin4Jay
Regular Visitor


Joined: Aug 02, 2005
Posts: 150
Location: Monkton Heathfield, Somerset

PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I will reply with the files attached (they are small files).



Mike sorry for being thick but where do you put the files to on the Tom Tom 910 Question
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs

PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The files are standard POI files both the ov2 (which contains the locations) and the BMP (which contains the icon) go in your map folder, on the 910 it is named Western_and_Central_Europe - this is the same folder you would place the speed camera POI files - Mike
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
SpeedCam
Frequent Visitor


Joined: Mar 18, 2004
Posts: 753
Location: Biggleswade, BEDS

PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It won't be long before we see these TMC receivers in the 99p discount rubbish buckets of Dixons & PCWorld, then it maybe worth buying one. :o
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Martin4Jay
Regular Visitor


Joined: Aug 02, 2005
Posts: 150
Location: Monkton Heathfield, Somerset

PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Many thanks Mike. :D
Cheers
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Madmouse
Occasional Visitor


Joined: Aug 30, 2005
Posts: 53
Location: Liverpool

PostPosted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 10:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

might sound a bit daft...i've latest software on a tomtom 510 with tmc i'm getting all icons mentioned as well as occasionally an icon I don't recognise..it's a car with animated green arrow going across above...is this meaning data being received?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs

PostPosted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 10:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thats actually good news, at least the device is trying to receive information and must be tuned to the correct frequency - give it a few minutes and you should be able to see traffic information on the traffic map (these are displayed as small red icons, tap one to get further details about the incident) - you might need to zoom out on the traffic map to find the icons though, try zooming out to a county level rather than country - Mike
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
Martin4Jay
Regular Visitor


Joined: Aug 02, 2005
Posts: 150
Location: Monkton Heathfield, Somerset

PostPosted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 10:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Can I request that all members put there nearest destination in there profile as it would give others who may be thinking in buying one an idea in the reception with the TMC .
Please move it if it's in the place.
Cheers
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message







Posted: Today    Post subject: Pocket GPS Advertising

Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> TomTom Portable Navigation Devices All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7  Next
Page 1 of 7

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Make a Donation



CamerAlert Database

Click here for the PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database

Download Speed Camera Database
22.034 (27 Mar 24)



WORLDWIDE SPEED CAMERA SPOTTERS WANTED!

Click here to submit camera positions to the PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database


12mth Subscriber memberships awarded every week for verified new camera reports!

Submit Speed Camera Locations Now


CamerAlert Apps



iOS QR Code






Android QR Code







© Terms & Privacy


GPS Shopping