AMV8 - Traffic Alerts on SatNav
Discussion
Can someone shed some light on why the Volvo-sourced SatNav in the AMV8 doesn't provide traffic alerts when the same system in my Xc90 does? Is this one of those technology things that eventually AM will catch up with the rest of the world and sort (i.e. iPOD connection for 08 cars). After all, can't expect too much advanced technology from a car costing cost just shy of 100k...
Is there something I can do to activate voice alerts such as subscribing to a volvo-service?
Did a quick search on past chat over SatNav and only picked up discussion on the annoying voice annoucements.
Is there something I can do to activate voice alerts such as subscribing to a volvo-service?
Did a quick search on past chat over SatNav and only picked up discussion on the annoying voice annoucements.
Ah you are JUST the man we have been looking for...
Aston, for some reason do not subscribe to TMC (the traffic announcements bit in the Sat Nav) in the UK. Other countries get it but we don't.
I think we have established that the TMC authorisation is on the disk... So... We have been wondering if putting in a Volvo enabled disk will turn on the TMC in a UK car in the UK.
So, have you tried it?
Aston, for some reason do not subscribe to TMC (the traffic announcements bit in the Sat Nav) in the UK. Other countries get it but we don't.
I think we have established that the TMC authorisation is on the disk... So... We have been wondering if putting in a Volvo enabled disk will turn on the TMC in a UK car in the UK.
So, have you tried it?
No joy - inserted the Volvo CD and programmed Newcastle whilst approaching A3 in Surrey at rush hour thinking that would throw up all manner of traffic alerts for M25/M1 but nothing came up (yes, system settings active for traffic alerts!) Will keep CD in AMV8 just in case one of these rare days where no substantial traffic hold up on southern motorways.
SXO said:
No joy - inserted the Volvo CD and programmed Newcastle whilst approaching A3 in Surrey at rush hour thinking that would throw up all manner of traffic alerts for M25/M1 but nothing came up (yes, system settings active for traffic alerts!) Will keep CD in AMV8 just in case one of these rare days where no substantial traffic hold up on southern motorways.
Neat that the options show up. Does it allow any configuration (not used traffic alerts before).I wonder if it needs additional hardware to function...
I tried the Volvo CD in mine last night: no luck. The options for TMC are still greyed out - geek-talk for "visible in the menu but unavailable".
I suspect a TMC receiver is required, which can be bought separately but it would need to be compatible with the AM sat-nav and somebody would have to know how to connect it...
I suspect a TMC receiver is required, which can be bought separately but it would need to be compatible with the AM sat-nav and somebody would have to know how to connect it...
Edited by Captain Beaky on Tuesday 29th January 09:34
Captain Beaky said:
...
I suspect a TMC receiver is required, which can be bought separately but it would need to be compatible with the AM sat-nav and somebody would have to know how to connect it...
What I'd have though too.I suspect a TMC receiver is required, which can be bought separately but it would need to be compatible with the AM sat-nav and somebody would have to know how to connect it...
Edited by Captain Beaky on Tuesday 29th January 09:34
Wonder where the satnav gubbins is...must be the same/v.similar h/w to the Volvo so would think there'd be a plug for the TMC receiver...
Hi Guys I note that some of the contributors on this subject have voiced similar comments on other forums.
I have covered some of the ground elsewhere on this particular TMC subject. I have since searching for answers to this somewhat irritating issue with the satnav. As I'm sure there must be a DVD disk out there that is compatible. Moving swiftly on as already stated the system in the Aston V8 is a version of the Volvo PI as per XC90 which is a Mitsubishi underneath.
I have contacted Mitsubishi, as yet no reply. As said elsewhere it is the ITIS codes on the disk are the key to the TMC system working thus the system would not work in Europe if it was hardware attachment. The licence is on the disk as such when purchased with the UK ITIS codes.
I have found with other vehicles that these disks are available and are compatible. So the question is which Misubishi systems have UK ITIS codes on them and which ones would work in the Aston V8
I have covered some of the ground elsewhere on this particular TMC subject. I have since searching for answers to this somewhat irritating issue with the satnav. As I'm sure there must be a DVD disk out there that is compatible. Moving swiftly on as already stated the system in the Aston V8 is a version of the Volvo PI as per XC90 which is a Mitsubishi underneath.
I have contacted Mitsubishi, as yet no reply. As said elsewhere it is the ITIS codes on the disk are the key to the TMC system working thus the system would not work in Europe if it was hardware attachment. The licence is on the disk as such when purchased with the UK ITIS codes.
I have found with other vehicles that these disks are available and are compatible. So the question is which Misubishi systems have UK ITIS codes on them and which ones would work in the Aston V8
Edited by pilgrim7777 on Friday 1st August 11:31
Audi did this with the RS4 last year, didn't have TMC then did after a new disc was provided. As I understood it its not the unit itself that needs new hardware or firmware to run TMC as its all on the software/nav disk.
Why I suspect the Volvo one doesn't work though is that there probably has to be a coding match somewhere in the software with one in the firmware which I guess is unique to the manufacturer.
Why I suspect the Volvo one doesn't work though is that there probably has to be a coding match somewhere in the software with one in the firmware which I guess is unique to the manufacturer.
I suspect it also has something to do with the lack of reliability with TMC in the UK.
My Merc GL has it and it is hopeless! Roads with problems not identified whilst others with no problems are all red and have "road closed"!
For example, the A52 from the A46 to Grantham comes up at the moment as permanently "red" for the entire length during the evening even though there is no issue during weekdays! Even better, it came up with serious delays on the road between Colsterworth (A1) and Bourne and there were only saw three cars on the whole five mile stretch it was complaining about!!
My Merc GL has it and it is hopeless! Roads with problems not identified whilst others with no problems are all red and have "road closed"!
For example, the A52 from the A46 to Grantham comes up at the moment as permanently "red" for the entire length during the evening even though there is no issue during weekdays! Even better, it came up with serious delays on the road between Colsterworth (A1) and Bourne and there were only saw three cars on the whole five mile stretch it was complaining about!!
This is exactly the issue Porsche had until a couple of years ago - my first 997S (2005) had TMC which worked great over in Germany and Belgium but not in France or UK due to licence agreements. With the launch of PCM2 and MY07 the TMC issue was fixed as Porsche had paid their subs. BTW - does the standard AMV8 system cover Europe for navigation? Couldn't find Germany on mine? On holiday in the US now so cant nip into the garage to check!
Ref Merc sat-nav - i have a new'ish ML and the system is pants compared to the BMW / I-Drive system. The TMC info is erratic to say the least - I have followed its instructions on the M-Way only to join free following traffic miles later and then overtake the same cars 20 miles later!
Graham
Ref Merc sat-nav - i have a new'ish ML and the system is pants compared to the BMW / I-Drive system. The TMC info is erratic to say the least - I have followed its instructions on the M-Way only to join free following traffic miles later and then overtake the same cars 20 miles later!
Graham
Edited by GPM3D on Monday 4th August 17:55
GPM3D said:
BTW - does the standard AMV8 system cover Europe for navigation? Couldn't find Germany on mine? On holiday in the US now so cant nip into the garage to check!
I had two versions of the Sat Nav on my '05. The first one came on a single disc (IIRC) and the other needed you to change between two (the later version). Hi There are three disks with the system, strangely the UK maps disk is in with the Scandinavian countries, although there is an outline UK main routes map on the rest of Europe (France, Germany etc). I have tried to lift the UK ITIS codes off other disks but to no avail and getting through the formatting and encryption is not simple. I hasten to add this was merely an experimental exercise and also for backup purposes. So it is back to scouting out other DVDs that provide UK TMC and as said before the best bet appears to be one based on the Mitsubishi satnav system installed in quite a number of other vehicle manufacturers.
Edited by pilgrim7777 on Wednesday 6th August 08:09
Edited by pilgrim7777 on Wednesday 6th August 08:12
While we're on the subject of Sat Nav - is there any particular reason, with all the available systems on the market which have decent graphics - TomTom, Garmin, Sony all show decent readable maps - we have ended up with something that looks like it was a 12 year old's summer project, done in 1978 with a set of felt pens ? Half the time the surrounding road names do not show up, even when you zoom right in. Have to say my Merc system is streets better (if you'll excuse the pun). 
Hi
I have had communication from Mitsubishi, well, as usual an opt out answer. I really think some of these company's need to get their act together and the knowledge surrounding the way in which these systems and the licensing work, currently this is severely lacking. They claim once again that it is about Aston Martin's attitude and yes, up to a point this is true. Getting information that is factual and based on a clear understanding is like pushing water uphill... frustrating to say the least. It now leads me to conclude there is not a free market in the ability to purchase the relevant DVD's for some systems.
It is possible with other systems so if you are going purchase a satnav systems don't buy from a tied source unless the all the "bells and whistles" are in place. I am sure if UK purchasers stopped ordering the sub standard satnav systems that would have an effect on the attitude. It would be very easy to allow buyers to purchase the UK TMC disk separately although Navteq say is up to Aston Martin.
It would appear there can be a restriction by the manufacturer to prevent alternative disks being sold which can last a number of years. But since some manufacturers already supply the UK TMC systems and the fact that independent non oem suppliers already have a dominant share of the market. You would think the manufacturer's would be influenced by these facts. I can only hope a large number of complaints to the vehicle manufacturer's will help to change minds....
I have had communication from Mitsubishi, well, as usual an opt out answer. I really think some of these company's need to get their act together and the knowledge surrounding the way in which these systems and the licensing work, currently this is severely lacking. They claim once again that it is about Aston Martin's attitude and yes, up to a point this is true. Getting information that is factual and based on a clear understanding is like pushing water uphill... frustrating to say the least. It now leads me to conclude there is not a free market in the ability to purchase the relevant DVD's for some systems.
It is possible with other systems so if you are going purchase a satnav systems don't buy from a tied source unless the all the "bells and whistles" are in place. I am sure if UK purchasers stopped ordering the sub standard satnav systems that would have an effect on the attitude. It would be very easy to allow buyers to purchase the UK TMC disk separately although Navteq say is up to Aston Martin.
It would appear there can be a restriction by the manufacturer to prevent alternative disks being sold which can last a number of years. But since some manufacturers already supply the UK TMC systems and the fact that independent non oem suppliers already have a dominant share of the market. You would think the manufacturer's would be influenced by these facts. I can only hope a large number of complaints to the vehicle manufacturer's will help to change minds....
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