SOX.EXE Version That Works - 14.0.1

Thanks Gary. I downloaded and installed. Haven't added any new POIs yet so don't know if it works yet.

I also have had success with:

POI loader v2.5.2
http://gpsinformation.org/perry/
and
sox v14.0.1
http://rapidshare.com/files/139638423/sox.zip

On a Nuvi 260W using converted MP3 to .wave files and .bmp icons. I have now loaded them into the Nuvi internal memory without a SD card installed. At one time when I tried to erase three speed camera locations in one file, it would not erase them from the internal memory with the SD card installed.

PhilHornby wrote:
.WAV support has been put back into POI Loader V2.5.2. As well as being undocumented, the change is not complete - Garmin forgot to ship SOX.EXE with it. (POILoader will tell you where it expects to find it.)

Hi Gary,
I have GARMIN Nuvi 255W and trying to set up custom audio proximity alert by creating a wave file since Nuvi 255W does not support mp3 format. I have created wave file using http://www.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/demo.php

I am using POI Loader version 2.5.3 on my Windows XP machine.
I have moved the wave file in the same folder which has schoolzone_midwest_speed_20.csv file. Nothing seems to be happening when i upload all the files to my Nuvi 255W. What am I doing wrong ?

Thanks in Advance.

OK, did you download the SOX.ZIP file and extract the SOX.EXE file to the same program folder where the POI Loader program is installed - for example C:\Garmin?

Using your example, you would have to name the WAV file exactly like your CSV file, except for the extension, like this:

schoolzone_midwest_speed_20.csv
schoolzone_midwest_speed_20.wav

And make sure both files are in the same POI data folder on your PC.

Or to edit an existing one, by deleting all text and replacing them with a simple .wav file like the 'ding' prompt so I just get the prompt but no instructions talking?

I'm not sure I understand your question, but the voice that speaks your turn-by-turn directions (you can choose between different ones) is totally different from custom POI audio alert files. The two can't be interchanged.

You are correct. I wanted to silence Jack or any other voice and just have instead a .wav tone. I wonder if it is possible.

With this software, will I be able to put a wav. file on my Garmin C530? Even though my C530 doesn't support or have the mp3 feature?

You can go into setup and turn off Voice Prompts, but you can't make WAV files to replace the turn-by-turn voice.

Thanks Gary. I though I might be able to alter the software on my unit.

You can customized some of the canned phrases in certain TTS voice files. Read here:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/16263

UPDATE:
I have installed sox.exe in Garmin folder and now I hear custom audio alerts on my Nuvi 255W.
Thanks !!!

But I have been unable to make this work.

I created the wav with the same link posted above, put it in the same folder as the POI file (the rest area file posted on this site) and named it identically, except using the wav extension instead of csv. I am using the latest version of POI loader (downloaded it today), and the sox.exe file from the link on this thread (which I put in the same folder as the POI loader).

I used POI loader to load POIs onto an SD card (from the card reader on my PC) and marked that the rest area file has audible warning (setting the warning to 4000 ft, so I would get a mile or better warning). My POI file loaded and I simulated a drive past a rest area I know exists in the file. The only audible warning I got was the bong. When I look in the settings for proximity points the only option I have is single tone or continuous tone. Neither gives me the wav file. They both only play the bong.

Any thoughts?

Go back to your files and name them but this time don't type in the extensions.That will take care of itself.
Here is a good link to get wav files.Just type in what you want it to say and follow instructions to download.No converting required. http://www.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/demo.php

One of them has to be named. You cannot have two files with the exact same name in the same folder.

Sox.exe belongs in the folder with POI Loader, not the POI files themselves.

Just type in the name only.The extension will be added automatic.They will not overwrite each other.Typing in the extensions are giving you double extensions.

To clarify.You can't have two same type files in the same folder with the same name.

You can have two different type files with the same same name in a folder.

Not the POI files. They are in a different folder. But I CANNOT leave the file extensions off. I am going to the folder where the POI files are (RestAreasCombined.csv and RestAreasCombined.wav). I cannot go to this folder on my PC and take the file extensions off of both files since they would both then have the exact same file name and Windows does not allow that.

I tried leaving the wav extension off of that file and leaving the other with the csv extension. That did not work either.

The only way Windows knows the files are different type files is by the file extensions.

I have gave you the correct info.If you try it you will see what I mean.The extension will add itself.The same method I used to get them on my unit.The biggest mistake that is made is double extensions or files not name the same.

Is your wav file formatted as: PCM 44.100kHz 16 Bit, Mono? Where did you get it?

If you do not have double extensions (and it sounds as if you know how to check that), then lets find the real problem.

Just right click the csv file rest area and click re-name.Name it what you want the same thing or anything else again don't type the extension.Right click the wav file and click rename and name it the same as the csv file but don't type the extension.

You may have done all of this right but the double extensions cause the biggest problems.

Just in case the wav file itself is the problem go to http://www.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/demo.php and type in what you want it to say and follow instructions to download.This will be a wav file.No converting required.

What the other poster doesn't seem to understand is that I am in Windows, in the folder where my dta POI files are at, and you absolutely cannot name two files exactly the same without file extensions. Windows then has no idea what type of files they are and cannot have two files with the identical name. I created the wav file from the link above and when I saved THAT file I let the program give it the file extension. I definetly do NOT have duplicate file extensions.

Any other ideas?

Sorry about the confusion.

I thought maybe this would work if I copied all the custom POIs to the Garmin instead of using the SD card. So I put the SD card in and when prompted said "install" to internal memory.

Now how do I get them back off of the internal memory so they will only be accesable from the SD card?

On my PC, I have a folder named Highway Rest Areas with 3 files in it, that load and work correctly on my 660, like this:

>> Highway Rest Area
>>>> Rest Area.bmp
>>>> Rest Area.csv
>>>> Rest Area.wav

If you double-click on the wav file on your PC, does it open in your default music player program and can you hear it play on your PC?

In Windows Explorer, right-click on the wav file and check the Properties>Summary>Advanced. The number of channels must be 1 (mono) or it will not work on the Garmin. Here are the audio settings for my wav file in my example above that works correctly on my 660:

Bit Rate .................. 705kbps
Audio sample size .. 16 bit
Channels ................ 1(mono)
Audio sample rate .. 44 kHz
Audio format ........... PCM

Run poiloader again and select delete all pois.run poiloader again and use the pull down window like you did before and select sd card.Based on some posts.You may have to select install to memory to get to don't ask again or you will get the instll alert everytime you turn on the unit

On the 4th screen of POI Loader (after selecting the device screen) select the 2nd option "Remove all previously installed custom POI's from your device."

Then run POI Loader again and pick the device where you want to install the POIs.

Folder named Rest Areas
files
restareascombined.csv
restareascombined.wav

When I double click on the wav file it opens in Windows media player and plays as it should.

The properties on summary>advanced are:
bit rate....256kbps
audio ample size....16 bit
channels....1(mono)
audio sample rate....16kHz
audio format ....PCM

If it matters at all, I am trying to see if it works using the simulator mode and setting my location near a recognized rest area. I am not actually driving by the rest are, though I don't know if it would make a difference.

I plugged the 255W to the PC via a USB cable, browsed to the garmin device and deleted the gpi file from the POI folder.

It should work in simulation mode, I've done it. In fact, in simulation mode I see the bmp icon and hear the custom audio alert wav file saying "rest area ahead."

And you confirmed that the sox.exe file is in the same program folder as the POILoader.exe file?

I am not sure what else to try now. It does work with the audible alert, just not with the wav file. When I go to the proximity alert setting from the tools menu, under the audio tab, I only see options for "one tone", or "continuous tone". Nothing related to wav or mp3 files. Does that have anything to do with it not playing the wav file? I do have the 4.6 firmware updated and see where others with 255W seem to be able to get this work.

What ver of POI Loader are you using?

Just downloaded and updated it today.

There have been some reports of problems with 2.5.3. Try http://gpsinformation.org/perry/POILoaderforWindows_252.exe

My 660 is set to Single Tone, but that has no effect on the wav files.

Check your email - PM sent.

I have the rest files on my computer along with the bmp and wav file.I know they work.Do you want me to email them to you so you can run test with them?

No, you did not. You gave some "information" that is very likely to confuse people (It seems to have confused you also). Here's what's really happening:

In windows a file can have a "extension" at the end of the name. This is part of the file name. Back in the old days the file name was limited to 8 characters, a period, and then 3 more characters. However, in modern Windows systems the file name can be much longer, and can even contain spaces. It can also contain multiple periods, but the last part after the final period is still considered the extension. The extension no longer has to be 3 characters, but out of convention is usually still is, thus the .csv file extension rather than something more descriptive.

Now, here's the problem: Microsoft in their wisdom added code that hides the extension from the average user (The "marks" in Microsoft speak). So an average user can be very confused by not seeing the extension, and can even think that they have two or more files with the same name. They do not, part of the name is just being hidden. Unfortunately, this "feature" causes nothing but problems. Hiding information is never good, and this is far from the only problem that I've seen it cause. So the proper fix isn't to give users two different ways to deal with things depending on is they have file names extensions hidden or not, it's to tell people how to disable this "feature" so that they can always see the full and proper file name.

Here is how to do that: Opnd any folder. Go to the tools option in the top menu, then select "Folder Options". A window will open that has multiple tabs. Take the second tab, "View" Look down the list of chek boxes. A little more than half way down there will be a check box for "Hide extensions for known file types". Uncheck this, then click "OK". You will now be able to see the file extensions, should never be confused by what type of file you have (the icon can be very deceptive and gets some people into a lot of trouble), and can follow the instructions for using the full file names properly.

I guess I was not clear the name is the same except the extensions.When you make up a subfolder and put the files in them they have the same name except the extensions.I think my post was clear don't type in the extension.

Actually, I almost always type in the file extension. As long as you have file extensions visable there should be no problem. If you have them hidden then there might be a problem (since foobar.csv.txt is now a legal file name and Windows is stupid enough to think that you might want to rename foo.txt to foobar.csv.txt rather than foobar.csv). This is another good example of how you can get into trouble unless you turn off the damn and useless "feature" that sometimes (but not always!) hides file extensions.

If you don't type the extension you can not change it even when you want to. If you do type it and it changes from what it was, Windows will pop up a warning asking if you want to change it, but will let you say "yes" and make the change. This is very important in many cases. Say for example you have a .txt file of POI information and want to edit it in a simple editor like notepad and save it back. You then need to change it to a CSV file (with is actually exactly the same a a .txt file, only the extension of the name is changed). You can just hit F2 and rename the file, as long as you have hiding extensions disabled.

I made a couple of typos in my previous post above description, including "is" instead of "if" and "Opnd" instead of "Open", and can no longer edit it. but I hope the above instructions should still be clear for any user here.

I keep mine hidden.So I just type in the name and the extensions take care of its self.This same topic has been posted before about the hidden extensions and how to get them to show if you want.

Especially Gary A for the PM.

After sleeping on it and starting fresh this morning, I realized I downloaded the new version of POI loader, but NEGLECTED TO INSTALL IT. What an idiot. I was running POI loader 2.42 yesterday, which apparently does not support the wav file feature.

After installing POI loader 2.53 this morning I reuploaded my POIs just as I had named the files before, it worked perfectly.

So the files were named correctly, the extensions were OK, and all is well.

This is a great feature, by the way.

Thanks again to all.

I have found that I do some of my best thinking about a problem either in the shower or the next morning after a good night's sleep and a fresh pair of eyes.

Glad you got it worked out

Gary: do you know if I need to run the SOX.EXE file to my 760 or just download the mp3 file sound??

Thanks: FRGG

Your 760 will play mp3 custom audio alerts but you may still want to use a wav instead if you plan to use your gps to play mp3 songs or books. If an mp3 custom audio alert triggers while the unit is playing a song or a book, some (all?) models skip to the next song/chapter. If you use a wav, you need Sox.

*

I have a nuvi 760, alerts in wav format for my poi's and just use the poiloader. Never heard of sox, and all works fine.

More info here:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/13429

Did a complete search on PC and no sox.exe. Guess with the new version of poiloader it's not needed.