*Truly* Updated TTS voices available via WebUpdater
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 3:34pm
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 16 years
|
After ignoring the constant "new" voices being available for download via WebUpdater for the longest time now (since they were never actually "updated", even after updating them time and time again), it looks like they have actually now been truly updated. For example, American English-Jill went from v1.90 to v2.20. The common update to all the voices has been the "normalization of volume levels".
Note that my update was done on the nuvi 765. I have yet to try the 750/760 so your updates may vary depending on your unit.
Didn't work on my 255.
As has been the case for quite a long time (beginning with the 7x0 series), there has been a bug where WebUpdater constantly displays voices that have already been updated. I did some experimenting and found that this bug *seems* to be triggered when the nuvi is plugged into the USB port while powered off (my normal procedure), then running WebUpdater. I just recently found (after the new voice updates that were recently released) that if immediately after the updates, you do NOT plug the nuvi into the USB port while powered off but rather power the nuvi on and let it boot to the Where To? screen BEFORE plugging it in and running WebUpdater. I've been through some 20 test cycles now and the 760 is no longer displaying the full list of voices needing updates.
As soon as I start using the "plug in to power on & connect" method is when the bug reappears.
The theory behind this is that when you boot the nuvi normally, this regenerates GarminDevice.xml and populates it correctly with the current nuvi update versions whereas "plug in to power on & connect" seems to not allow GarminDevice.xml to correctly regenerate and populate with the current nuvi settings that are stored internally. This is possibly because this method simply does not allow the nuvi to boot fully up to the Where To? screen and gives it time to populate the file. It may also explain the randomness of the bug...sometime I have done the "plug in to power on & connect" while other times, I have had the unit powered on and then connected.
Also, deleting GarminDevice .xml and then allowing the nuvi to fully boot will regenerate the file so if yours is still displaying all the "updated" voices in WebUpdater, you may want to delete it, then power-cycle the nuvi to generate a fresh copy. Then start using the "power on, then connect to USB" method.
So to avoid the bug, power on your nuvi first & let it boot to the Where To? screen, then connect it to the USB port, then run WebUpdater.
><> Glenn <>< Garmin nüvi 2598
SD card
@gdfaini
Do you have an SD card installed? I found on my 755T that DorkusNimrods' solution only works if I remove the SD card before I boot up the Garmin and leave it out while running WebUpdater.
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon
.
This WebUpdater bug may be firmware version or even unit hardware/series dependent. I have since gained access to a nuvi 250 and my posted solution does not work on it. "Updated" text files are always displayed upon the next WebUpdater run, regardless of how many times they have been updated and regardless of any method used to correct this issue.
How Garmin cannot even get WebUpdater working correctly with all the different series is really beyond me. I pity the poor soul who knows nothing of these bugs and dutifully updates every time they run WebUpdater thinking that "new" updates are actually being installed.
nuvi 760, nuvi 765T, nuvi 855, nuvi 3790LMT, nuvi 3490LMT - SoCal area
DorkusNimrod wrote: After
After ignoring the constant "new" voices being available for download via WebUpdater for the longest time now (since they were never actually "updated", even after updating them time and time again), it looks like they have actually now been truly updated. For example, American English-Jill went from v1.90 to v2.20. The common update to all the voices has been the "normalization of volume levels".
Note that my update was done on the nuvi 765. I have yet to try the 750/760 so your updates may vary depending on your unit.
How can you tell which voice version you have on your Nuvi ?
Thanks
I'm new ... And I don't know what I'm doing ...
Hi guys!
First off, seeingthecity, do you know how long I swatted at my monitor because I thought I had a bug?
It's true ... Duh.
Secondly, I recently purchased my first Garmin, a very simple one that I'm "easing" my parents into. They about go into cardiac arrest when DirecTV issues a new remote control so you see my problem. I do however have a nuvi 780 ordered for myself. But I've been doing so much research (1st year of law school ALL you do is learn to research) that I'm terribly confused, which is no great feat I might add. Guess that's why I now show my Palominos!
However, does anyone know if the 255W does indeed have Traffic? I was told yes when I purchased it from Best Buy yet I tried for hours last night but I couldn't activate that, not even for the MSN three free months. Furthermore, it kept asking for
my MSN Direct Product Key and only the Good Lord knows where in Sam Hell I'd find that!
So today I went to CNet.Com to read reviews, etc. and this is what it says re: the nuvi 255W:
# Navigation instructions , Street name announcement , Voice command recognition
Clock , Calculator, Custom POIs , Garmin Lock , Photo viewer, Built-in speaker, Currency converter, Measurement converter , 2D / 3D map perspective , XM Satellite Radio support , TMC (Traffic Message Channel) ready (AND HERE'S THE KILLER:) Trip timer , Trip distance , Avoid highways , Avoid toll roads , Fast/short route
I got NO idea how to access "voice command recognition" or even what it is; Further, if it indeed has "trip timer" and "trip distance" I'll ride my horse naked down Broadway in Nashville. Best Buy Dude swore it had all these functions but I must be dumber than a fence post because I surely can't locate anything about that -- plus, I'm very cautious about updating software, etc. but I'm an electronics freak and I maintain everything carefully. OH! And now I find it doesn't even use the SD card I inserted? Heck fire, I'm pulling that puppy out and putting it in my digital camera. This is ridiculous ...
Lastly, a recent update included new voices! WOO HOO! The one it came w/ is flat, boring -- it's Samantha which happens to be my first name!
I don't think I've ever been described as flat, boring but ... who knows what they say behind my back? 
So, if y'all feel like you want to take on a dumb, naive cowgirl I would surely appreciate it. And how about that nuvi 780? I've been reading @ Cnet about the 660 and it sounds pretty good too! Remember, I'm easing my parents into the 255W but purchasing the next one for myself.
HELP!! And many thanks to you!!
FURTHERMORE ...
My "voice" updates included Boring Samantha and Jack?? I wanted Jill, I have her on a nuvi 250 I no longer use and at least she kept me awake while driving long distances, pulling a ton of horse behind me. I have no idea if they did indeed load onto the 255W but I'm not holding my breath, y'all.
SIGH!
Nope, no SD card
@gdfaini
Do you have an SD card installed? I found on my 755T that DorkusNimrods' solution only works if I remove the SD card before I boot up the Garmin and leave it out while running WebUpdater.
><> Glenn <>< Garmin nüvi 2598
Please let me know when you
Please let me know when you ride your horse naked. I'd like to see that.
Updates via the Webupdater
I have found on my Nuvi 765T that if you remove the SD card before plugging in the USB cord it will show the proper updates for your unit.
Better voice = phonem pronounciation
Like I posted a couple weeks/months ago, the new released TTS voices still have text to speech capabilities, but the predefined phrases have now a phonem equivalent that has been tweaked to sound good.
Old firmware versions will use the regular TTS capabilities, but newer will use the phonem equivalent.
Example:
recalculating = ri-"k‘l-kj‹-lJ-RIN
This is why it sounds better.
The next question will be: Will TTSVoiceEditor be able to edit those phonems? Well, if you can write your own word in phonems, I do not mind but right now I cannot even do it for myself.
Weak FM
I just purchased a NUVI 765T. Everything seemed to work well except the fm transmitter. It would transmit to the radio but I would not get any audio from the gps. The first thing I tried to do was call Garmin customer support. Since it was the weekend they were of no help. I started to read a lot in the forums. If you hold your finger on the battery icon while the unit is not plugged into the power cable it will bring up a menu of options. One page lets you generate a constant 1KHZ signal which you can use to tune the unit. There is also an option for max power. This does not completely cure the problem but in my case it really helped. I also found out that units made to be sold in Europe have stronger transmitters because their laws allow it. Hope this helps.
good to know.. finally
good to know.. finally updated mine too.. will test it out soon
THAT WORKED!!!!!!
As has been the case for quite a long time (beginning with the 7x0 series), there has been a bug where WebUpdater constantly displays voices that have already been updated. I did some experimenting and found that this bug *seems* to be triggered when the nuvi is plugged into the USB port while powered off (my normal procedure), then running WebUpdater. I just recently found (after the new voice updates that were recently released) that if immediately after the updates, you do NOT plug the nuvi into the USB port while powered off but rather power the nuvi on and let it boot to the Where To? screen BEFORE plugging it in and running WebUpdater. I've been through some 20 test cycles now and the 760 is no longer displaying the full list of voices needing updates.
As soon as I start using the "plug in to power on & connect" method is when the bug reappears.
The theory behind this is that when you boot the nuvi normally, this regenerates GarminDevice.xml and populates it correctly with the current nuvi update versions whereas "plug in to power on & connect" seems to not allow GarminDevice.xml to correctly regenerate and populate with the current nuvi settings that are stored internally. This is possibly because this method simply does not allow the nuvi to boot fully up to the Where To? screen and gives it time to populate the file. It may also explain the randomness of the bug...sometime I have done the "plug in to power on & connect" while other times, I have had the unit powered on and then connected.
Also, deleting GarminDevice .xml and then allowing the nuvi to fully boot will regenerate the file so if yours is still displaying all the "updated" voices in WebUpdater, you may want to delete it, then power-cycle the nuvi to generate a fresh copy. Then start using the "power on, then connect to USB" method.
So to avoid the bug, power on your nuvi first & let it boot to the Where To? screen, then connect it to the USB port, then run WebUpdater.
that worked !! thank you very much !!!
DriveSmart 50, DriveSmart 60, nuvi 2595, nuvi 3760,
New GPS User
Hey, I am new to this site and new to GPS systems. I found this thread and was hoping to gather some information. I just purchased a Garmin Nuvi 765T. Since you all seem to be well versed in this stuff. I was hoping that you could help me. Do you have any advice as to what I should do to avoid future issues (etc) right from the start. Should I plug it in a get updates, new maps and if so how do I do this? Also, after reading many posts, I am concerned about the volume issue, so I am wondering about the tts voice editor software. I would like to use this to make the volume louder. I am not computer illiterate, yet I am not a technie either--especially not in this area. So, any help that you could provide would be great. Ps. Does each Nuvi model come equipped with the same voices?
fm transmitteres
Actually they work fine if you can find free of radio broadcast frequency. Otherwise signal from radio station will mix with signal from transmitter or will cover it totally. So when driving it is usually necessary to change channels on transmitter and radio to get away from strong radio stations. It can be a pain in big city areas, where is a lot of them.