AVI on Garmin - Is it possible?

I contacted Garmin myself with the exact same question and was told it was impossible. The screen refresh rate is too slow and the CPU they are using would not be able to handle a frame rate suitable for video. It's a hardware issue, not a question of software. Sorry, maybe in future models.

I would imagine that lawyers would also have a say as they do not want you watching...say a COPS chase...as you are driving down the interstate. Could be a big distraction factor...

Daniel

...on the nuvi 8xx series are built-in games that are actually playable while the unit has satellite lock. I can't see how Garmin would allow this...you'd think that they would have some sort of built-in disabling routine to lock out the games while the unit has satellite lock.
What's frighting is that people think they can do everything in the car like put on makeup, shave, text message, yap on the phone, etc. Having another distraction like games on a GPS is IMO, bad news. I have enough trouble trying to avoid being hit by these multi-tasking people who put actual driving at the bottom of the list when operating a motor vehicle.

Just this morning on my way home from a 12 hour night shift while I was stopped at a red light. I saw a guy drive by brushing his teeth with an electric toothbrush. That was a first for me. I had to laugh.

Not enough CPU?

I had seriously looked at purchasing a Sony NVU83T because I had read that it could play avi files. Which I think is great because the more use I can get out of a toy the better. The screen is bigger than the Nuvi 880 that I now have and the NVU83T has a split screen view. But the negative reviews put me off.
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDispla...

I even looked at the ARCHOS 605 WiFi GPS and came very close to buying one. But the suction cup base needs to be attached for the GPS to work since the GPS receiver is in it. And it’s an additional purchases as is the other add on features from the base unit. A relative has one but uses it mainly as an entertainment toy, Music, Movies and WiFi. Take my word for it. This is one sweet toy. http://www.archos.com/products/gen_5/archos_605_gps/index.ht...

In the end the Garmin won me over with the Voice Recognition feature. No avi? Crap!!

Palestar

has anyone tried an animated GIF file?

Not going to be super high quality, but it's motion.

Now don't laugh, But. I'm still considering the ARCHOS as an additional 'Toy'. Much bigger touch screen, mega GB versions, AVI, MP3, photo viewer, Audio Books, WiFi, GPS, Digital TV Recorder.

Just not very soon. Still got to pay off the plastic I used to get the Nuvi.

Palestar

Satellite lock is not the issue. I could be playing a game on a park bench or while tracking our route on a bus/train/plane. It's operating it while driving that's dangerous.

To that effect, every time I boot my device (Nuvi 260), I have to agree that it is dangerous and maybe illegal to interact with the device while driving. there is also an optional "Safety feature" that blocks the screen if I try to interact with it while moving (no problem at a red-light).

So it is not Garmin's problem but between you and your local authorities.

Simon

But I remember that the unit on display at Sam's Club was playing a demo that looked an awful lot like a video to me. I wonder....

My interest is not to play AVI files while driving but to be able to play AVI files when I’m not using it as a GPS in my vehicle.

If I can convert a file like MPEG4 or AVI etc… to play on an iPod, NDS, or other handheld units. Is it so farfetched to wonder if it’s possible to convert an AVI or other such file type to some kind of format that would then play on the Nuvi?

There is a converter/decoder called SUPER© that allows the user to convert/Encode almost anything to play on hand held devices. I have used it to convert an AVI of the TV program Lost so that I could download to my Sony Ericsson. The picture quality was/is great, although small.

Think of it. You drive to the airport guided by your GPS. You exit your vehicle, taking the GPS with you. While waiting for your flight you’re watching that game that went into overtime the night before. Or any number of other programs you might enjoy.

Then when you land at your destination you use your GPS in the rental to find your way around, on a route that you plotted before leaving home.

Maybe it will be the next step in the evolution of the Nuvi?

Garmin might add video capabilities around 2040. Considering their current track record for adding new technology!!

Garmin still can't make their FM transmitter work properly. And they sure can't create bug-free software. So how could Garmin possibly add a cutting edge feature such as video? (Yes, the preceding sentence is my attempt at sarcasm.)

Seriously though, adding a video feature isn't difficult. Heck, my old $20 cell phone could play videos.

Just wait three or four years. By then, cell phones will be able to replace your Garmin.

The nuvi's screen is so small that it would be a strain (at least for me) to watch any kind of video. I had a Zune and the screen was definitely to small to watch anything on it. If I want a movie at an airport I usually grab the laptop.

The ability for these little dashboard devices to play video files would make them, by existing motor vehicle laws, essentially TVs, and as TVs, they would be illegal to have on the dash any time the vehicle was moving.

It never fails. Anything that would be or could fun, exciting or just dammed nice to be able to do or have. Someone has to point out that it could be illegal – everywhere – except maybe in Vegas. Buy we'll never know for sure because what happens in Vegas...

Why does it have to be an impossible task?

I mean if an actor can become president or a foreigner can become a prize winning bodybuilder, then a big box office action star and then becomes the governor of a State that carries the biggest number of electoral votes or if they can put deliciously smooth caramel in a Caramilk Bar…

Getting a video format to play on a Garmin Nuvi without the NSA or CIA or the AAA/CAA finding out that you have one in your car, is this really too much to hope for?

Come on people!!! This is North America.

I mean after all, we already have pizza pockets.

Can Video on a GPS be that far off?

I certainly hope not!!

Thank You, Thank You Very Much!!

Don't hold your breath. : )

Thanks for the motherly advice but I’m not holding my breath. However I am lighting a candle and burning some incense to appease the GPS gods (satellites) in the heavens.

I figured that since I can run a slide show of my photos, play music and run the GPS navigation w/ TTS all at the same time on my Nuvi 880 right now. What’s stopping me from running a video on the Nuvi in a compatible format?

I mean what would it take?
- Add a piece of software on the SD card
along with drivers.
- Add an Icon on the Main Menu or Tools Menu
or some such link. That would link to the
program and then a menu to select and then
play the selection much like the current
Music Player does now.

The slide show scrolls through my 6.0mg pixel photos producing very clear photos. But then there is the frame rate issue.

An AVI format may not work but is there another format that would? I know it sounds like I’m beating a dead horse here but without vision for bigger and better we wouldn’t have scrubbing bubbles to help keep our bathrooms clean.

Lawyers. No GPS manufacturer is going to want to be the first to allow playing video on their devices and get sued when someone hurts themselves.

Besides - when you start to make one electronic device a jack of all trades, it's a master of none. That's why I have my Nuvi, and an iPod Touch for watching videos (not while I'm driving....)

I may have misread the spec on the NU-83T but…
Supports Memory Stick Duo media
Allowing you to add updated maps or music and video files (media not included).

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8757348&type=p...

This is something I would like to find out more about. Maybe there is some way of video input?

It would be great to use the GPS for a "back up camera" display.

I know there are some with built-in A/V input, but they are mostly no-name brands, or no battery, etc.

The Garmin 7200 and 7500 have A/V input for a backup camera, external DVD player, game system, etc.

According to this link:
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS8827997755.html

the Nuvi 800 line is built on open source Gnome Mobile Linux, and from the list of packages, it has the Gstreamer media libraries installed.

I think it's just a matter of time for some Linux geek to come up with an homebrew version with video playback.

Just have to get the right person interested.

Simon

That’s what’s needed!! A positive attitude that it can be done! Just not by me. I lack the needed Geek skills.

I had hoped that just planting the seed would get someone on board who had that ‘Geek’ gene in em to forge ahead with an off the wall idea and make it happen.

Raise the flag. Beat the drum, rally to the cause. “Video on GPS” shall be our cry.

Now where was I…? Darn.. the memory is the 2nd thing to go.

Excellent link and read.. Thanks

I think that porting TomTom Navigator to the Nüvi 8xx hardware would be more useful

(I'm having a bad day!)

Well the Italians get to watch TV on their nuvi's.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=14807

We are getting closer to having it happen?

Someone who can make a widgit(?) that us lesser mortals can just load onto our Nuvi 880 is out there... "The sleeper must awaken...."