TMC available for Audi Nav system!

[chrisa1]

Got my disc on Wednesday (and about b****y time) 3 years in the making...

Tried for first time this morning. Did tell me about a delay but no dynamic reroutes. Not that the delay was of any consequence. Mind you on the 2nd of Jan and hardly any traffic. Monday should be interesting as I travel through the busiest part of the M1 every week. Fingers crossed and see what happens.

[chrisa1]

Having now been running with the TMC I have found that it seems to work very well. What it appears to do is categorise any holdups and decide whether or not it is worth diverting you. I have also noticed that the estimated time of arrival seems to be a lot more accurate.

So if you havn't got the disk yet I reccomend that you do.

[wombat]

This is annoying and disappointing news!

I asked the local [img]images/graemlins/24430-audibash.gif[/img] dealer if any of the Audi Sat Nav units supported TMC (or could be upgraded to TMC by software in the future). After a few days I was told "no" and as a consequence I did not order a built in Sat Nav for my S4, delivered one week ago. At the moment I'm using a dash mounted Garmin Street Pilot until I decide which VDO unit (with TMC) to invest in. I would much rather have had a built in unit after having my Blaupunkt Sat Nav stolen from my old car.

You just can't rely on dealer product knowlegde! [img]images/graemlins/rocketwhore.gif[/img]

Darren
PS. The bad advice DID NOT come from Preston Audi who eventually supplied the car when the other dealer failed on lead times!
--
[img]images/graemlins/audiS4black.gif[/img]

[RobGordon]

TMC?? Traffic Management C.... something?

I have NavPlus in my '99 A6 4.2 and am using the original SatNav disc which is chronically out of date. Since mine is not DX can it use the TMC system?
Or failing that where can I get the very latest non DX disc from?
Many thanks!

[ChrisB]

Traffic Management Channel. It's an RDS data stream, similar to how channel name, Programme Type (PTY) and Traffic Programme (TP) frequencies are sent out. It encodes traffic delay information, so that suitable receivers can decode it and either display it as textual messages or visual indicators on a map, or provide automatic routing round delays.

Audi's Navigation Plus units can use a TMC signal if they are fitted with the TMC decoder hardware (which all Nav+ units in the UK should be) and have a data disc that has the TMC decoding data for the road network on it. The latest Tele Atlas DX CDs are TMC-capable.

So, unfortunately for you, it won't work on a non-DX system. You can however look up Tele Atlas on the web for an updated CD for your navigation unit.

[Nordschleife]

However, to follow on from what Chris said, you can upgrade the firmware in your Nav Plus unit and get the TMCs working in your car.
One word of warning, only use an electrician who has done this before. Its simple until it goes wrong.

[ChrisB]

There are well-documented firmware updates on the Internet for RNS 4.x systems, but as a '99 model, I suspect this will be an RNS 3.x version, in which case I'd agree with Nordschleife that you would be best to seek advice for a firmware update - your Audi dealer may be able to put you in touch with somebody?

BTW, if you can get your version numbers from the navigation menu, it may help us tell exactly what you've got there.

I checked on the Tele Atlas NavShop site, they do sell data CDs for RNS 3.x units, so even if you don't want to update your firmware you can get an updated set of maps.

As an aside, does anyone know who makes data DVDs for the A8? I wondered if TMC would work on the A8 now, but the 4.0D I borrowed recently didn't - I guess a new data disc is the answer here as well?

[RobGordon]

Many thanks for the replies. For simplicity I'll probably stick to just getting an upgrade disc for my v.3 unit. I don't really use the car for work and so jam avoidance isn't so crucial.

Just thought though, ChrisB don't/didn't you post regularly on the US AudiWorld Forum? I think we have conversed previously! If memory serves me correctly (probably doesn't!) you were running an A8 at the time.

[ChrisB]

Just thought though, ChrisB don't/didn't you post regularly on the US AudiWorld Forum? I think we have conversed previously! If memory serves me correctly (probably doesn't!) you were running an A8 at the time.

There aren't many Audi forums I don't have a snout through from time to time, but yes I used to post on AW a lot before the likes of rs246.com came along for a bit of Euro Audi talk.

I probably had the S8 at the time (prior car to the RS 6), unless it was one of the many dealer cars I borrow from time to time. I can't seem to find anything other than Audis that I like enough to buy [img]images/graemlins/kissmyrings.gif[/img] - just don't tell my dealer that or he'll get cocky!

[RobGordon]

Ah yes, the S8. I remember now!
Even though the A6 is our first Audi, I seem to be sucked into the Vortex of the brand. I'm in real trouble when they announce the new A6, I fear! [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Nordschleife]

My 1999 Navigation Plus system works with TMC coded navigation disks which I use in the RS6, I have not upgraded it yet, although I plan to.

Instructions for upgrading firmware may be found here:

http://www.tvwiz.net/navigation/software.html

Incidentally, I do find the disks which combine with the Michelin Red and Green Guides to be invaluable. Even in Germany, Michelin is better than Merian who are the local equivalent.

The Audi DVD based units are Alpine sourced, the data supplier is NAVTECH.

R+C

[ChrisB]

The Audi DVD based units are Alpine sourced, the data supplier is NAVTECH.

Thanks, always handy to know who to start asking about updates - "official" product through the UK dealer network isn't always particularly timely.

[Steve_Mc]

So, let me see if I have got this right.

Nav and Nav Plus systems manufactured prior to April 2001 will have firmware 3.X, those manufactured after that date will have firmware 4.X. The TMC functionality doesn't work with 3.X units, but does with 4.X units. You can check your firmware version in the setup menus, and if needed you can upgrade from 3.X to 4.X yourself via the link posted by Nordschleife above.

That is my understanding of the situation but if a "nav guru" [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] could confirm that I would appreciate it - it may save me the time and money of upgrading the firmware and then shelling out £155 for the disc if I'm wrong (my firmware is 3.X as I've already checked)!

Thanks in advance

Steve

[NigelJ]

Thanks for the clarification! I was VERY confused. [img]images/graemlins/spineyes.gif[/img]

Will you please advise exactly what I need to do to see the firmware level on my unit.

Thanks

NigelJ

[Steve_Mc]

IIRC you press Mode then Settings and you see something like "version info". That will give you the hardware and software version you are running.

What I want clarified is if the upgrade on the TVWIZ site upgrades the firmware from 3.x to 4.x. The navshop.com site only sells the TMC disc for versions 4.x which implies that it only works for versions 4.x.

Can anyone clarify (Nigel, I am as confused as you!)

S