TMC feature on SatNav

[Nickm]

Not yet!

[loobola]

I emailed Thomas about a month ago and got this response:

HI Adam,

I am currently the recipient of a number of customer queries around the non operational UK TMC facility.



The main issue is with the technical capability of the A4 model to operate in the UK.

The license issue has already been resolved.



We are currently vigorously pursuing a retro fit solution with the Audi factory and hope to be able to offer this to our customers in the very near future.



I am compiling a spreadsheet containing the names of those customers like you who have emailed me, with the view that they will be amongst the first customers to be offered the retro fit solution.



With regard to your other questions around the DVD updates and latest mapping/software.



I will be asking one of my technical colleagues to investigate and respond.



Regards

Tom Peterkin

Customer Services Operations Mgr.

Office 01908 601627

email thomas.peterkin@audi.co.uk

[loobola]

Then I got an email from Steve Bennett as below:

Hi Adam

I have been requested to respond to your email on behalf of Tom Peterkin - Customer Services Operations Manager - Audi UK.

At this time there are no TMC enabled DVDs available for the RNS-E unit from any source. Audi UK are working to make these available as soon as possible. We expect towards the end of 2006 at the earliest. Details have not been finalised as yet. As soon as they are, the information will be announced to the Centre network.

As in the example with our other models, the TMC updated DVD is likely to be bundled with new up-to-date navigation software and maps, so potentially more than just the update for the TMC functionality.

In order to keep up to date with the constant changes to the Europe wide road network, it will always be necessary to update the satellite navigation systems on all vehicles. The provision of updated mapping via DVD is at customers cost. The same applies with the aftermarket either by monthly or annual subscription.

As the manufacture of new mapping DVDs only occurs every six months, with all data for submission being required six months prior to this, economies of scale dictate that all developments must be made across the Volkswagen Group simultaneously.

Audi's sister companies, VW, Skoda, SEAT and Bentley, have their own requirements. Each brand has its own display equipment, typescripts and unique brand information, such as dealership addresses, which must be made compatible with the partner data. Understandably, development of this software does take some time.

When you consider the primary role of the navigation system is that of a driver aid, it should not be a distraction and common sense is required when the limitations of the mapping software are found. Postcode entry is purely for convenience, you still have to confirm the street name once you have entered the postcode as with all aftermarket navigation units. Even with a 4-digit postcode, it should narrow the list down to fewer streets, from which you can choose quite quickly your destination. Each additional letter of the postcode just reduces the selection. We are waiting for details regards the incorporation of full postcode entry on the next release of the DVD data disc.

The "point of interest" co-ordinates (speed camera location) are required to be incorporated in the mapping software. The option to select speed camera location is not written on the data disc, therefore it is no fault of the RNS-E system that this option is not available. Again, we are waiting for details regards the inclusion of speed camera locations on the next release of the DVD data disc. The data provider will provide this information shortly.

There are advantages to having an integrated navigation system, incorporating a wide range of additional components for in-car entertainment and communication, with the convenience of operation being a major factor.

Apart from the obvious points of physical fitment, integration of audible instructions (faded muting, etc) automatic adjustment of the display according to lighting conditions, the system is more accurate, using the vehicle speed signal in addition to GPS. Reliance on GPS alone has some considerable shortcomings.

The RNS-E system uses a high quality 6.5" TFT display, split screen 3D navigation, optional Speech Dialogue System to control the navigation (as well as other functions), not to mention the much greater overall quality of the graphics. The DVD platform provides a considerable data storage, speed and stability in operation.

Some aftermarket devises are fiddly to use and require a stylus to select options. Many aftermarket units have very low specification processors and on-board memory, resulting in slow response. From personal experience some systems can be very frustrating to use. The integrated system does not need to be charged separately, has no trailing wires across the dash facia, and there is no need to remove the system from the vehicle for theft protection.


I hope my comments go some way to reassuring you that the decision to include the RNS-E navigation system in the specification of your RS4 was the right choice.


Regards

Steve


Stephen J Bennett AAE MIMI
Audi Technical Support Engineer
0845 300 1219

E-mail - steve.bennett@audi.co.uk
Group E-mail - technical.support@audi.co.uk

[loobola]

And finally my reply to that and then Steve's reply again is below:

Hi Adam
>
I have a moment ago had it confirmed we have no expectations for speed camera locations to be included on next revision of the Audi branded DVD.

The data collation process is complex bearing in mind the DVD is an Audi branded product and applies to the whole of Europe.

We are working in partnership with our business partner to bring to market the TMC update sometime in the future and this is to be a chargeable update.

All models with RNS-E DVD navigation system - Audi A3 - A4 - previous A6 model - RS6 - and allroad - operating platform could benefit from this update.

Any current Audi vehicle with the CD based navigation system (Teleatlas map
software) - this includes the new A6 with CD navigation system - the customer can go to Teleatlas themselves and buy the TMC software update and latest map disc.

However - it is important to note the Teleatlas non Audi branded products have not been tested or approved by AUDI AG or Audi UK - Audi does not support the use of non Audi branded software through the Audi Centre network
- independently sourced navigation system update may alter the function of the navigation unit and Audi will not accept any liability through warranty.


Previous versions of the RNS-E DVD are - 8P0 919 884J

This was followed by - 8P0 919 884K

The current RNS-E navigation DVD disc is - 8P0 060 884K

I recommend you check the part number on your DVD

Audi has several operating platforms and there have been revisions for both CD and DVD disc for our navigation systems in the remaining Audi model range.

It is likely Audi Marketing will publish a bulletin outlining the format of the next RNS-E DVD release - there is no further information I can supply at this time.

Regards


Stephen J Bennett AAE MIMI
Audi Technical Support Engineer
0845 300 1219

E-mail - steve.bennett@audi.co.uk
Group E-mail - technical.support@audi.co.uk






> ----------
> From: Lewis, Adam (HETCO - UK)[SMTP:alewis@Hetco.com]
> Sent: 25 August 2006 12:01
> To: 'Bennett,Steve'
> Subject: RE: TMC on RS4
>
> Thanks for your email Steve. The information is appreciated.
>
> Just to summarise on some of the Questions posed.
>
> 1. The postcode entry you have no information on as to full postcode
> entry. (Full postcode entry allows you to NOT know the street name and
> arrive within 100m of your destination so it is very useful and is
> present in all other models.)
> 2. You have no information on whether the speed camera location
> information
> will be added to the RNS-E (the mapping software company have stated on
> their website that they are releasing this data for their hardware
> models).
> 3. You have no information on the mapping and software changes from each
> DVD
> update released for the RNS-E? It is impossible for me to justify
> purchasing
> the latest DVD for the system if I do not know what changes have been made
> since the previous version. As a side note I understand that at the
> beginning of the year there were 2 new DVD's released for the system in
> the
> space of 2 months, thus from your comments of updating the mapping every 6
> months this is either incorrect or on one DVD update there was no mapping
> update and just a software update. But again I am looking to be supplied
> with this information so I can make an informed decision whether to
> upgrade
> my RNS-E.
> 4. The TMC is being worked and a lot of RNS-E owners are looking forward
> to
> its release.
>
> Thanks for your time in answering my questions. I hope that you can
> supply me with the final few points of information required.
>
> Regards.
>
> Adam Lewis

[PetrolDave]

Previous versions of the RNS-E DVD are - 8P0 919 884J

This was followed by - 8P0 919 884K

The current RNS-E navigation DVD disc is - 8P0 060 884K

I recommend you check the part number on your DVD

I've never heard of an 8P0 060 884 K DVD - all the Audi DVD's I've ever seen have been 8P0 919 884 x (where the latest version has x = K).

Can anyone shed light on this "new" part number?

[OnedayanRS4]

Anyone had a response yet?

Nope.

Zilch

[GlynRS2]

Then I got an email from Steve Bennett as below:

..the TMC updated DVD is likely to be bundled with new up-to-date navigation software and maps..

The provision of updated mapping via DVD is at customers cost.

Stephen J Bennett AAE MIMI
Audi Technical Support Engineer
0845 300 1219

E-mail - steve.bennett@audi.co.uk
Group E-mail - technical.support@audi.co.uk

This is a bit rich seeing as we were sold an expensive option that never had full fuctionality. Are customers having to pay for the upgrades on A6's & A8's?

[Nickm]

The provision of updated mapping via DVD is at customers cost.

I don't think so!

[NOMISEGDELP]

??????? A RESULT ????????
No mention of cost, tho




Hi Simon,

We are very hopeful that the retro fit option we have been discussing will be available by the end of October.



Regards

Tom Peterkin

Customer Services Operations Mgr.



Audi Aftersales & Service

Direct Line: 01908 601627

Fax: 01908 601281

E Mail: thomas.peterkin@audi.co.uk



-----Original Message-----
From: simon pledge [mailto:simon@nomisegdelp.wanadoo.co.uk]
Sent: 27 September 2006 06:47
To: 'Peterkin, Thomas'
Subject: RE: TMC



Hi,



Things seem to have gone quiet! Any news on TMC- I probably spent an extra hour on the M1 on Sunday night, engine off, Cos it doesn't work!

Simon

[simple1]

I got a different answer.............
Hi Simon,



As you are no doubt aware I am now the contact for all RS4 / A4 enquires for TMC.



I can assure you that we are actively pursuing a retro fit option which we are confident will be available before the end of this year.

I am keeping a record of all the Audi customers who have contacted me ref TMC and you will be added to this list.



Regards

Tom Peterkin

Customer Services Operations Mgr.



Audi Aftersales & Service

Direct Line: 01908 601627

E Mail: thomas.peterkin@audi.co.uk

[PetrolDave]

I haven't even been given the courtesy of an answer!

[Jezzer]

An email has been sent to Mr Petrkin regarding the failing TMC in my new RS4 Avant. I have asked for his comments to my letter to be sent back to me by return.

[Nickm]

Hi Jezzer, With all due respect, I am sure that:

have asked for his comments to my letter to be sent back to me by return.

Will make all the difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[simple1]

I did mention that I had been involved in the B5 wheel 'incident' and was not prepared to go round the block with all this........ I also mentioned RS246 in my e-mail, so keep the comments coming, Audi UK do read the appropriate threads, and RS4.Org was mainly responsible for getting Audi AG to come up with resolutions, when they had no intention of doing so!

[OnedayanRS4]

Nice reply from Tom assuring me a solution is being worked on and putting me on his database when the TMC DVD is ready.