Alert Sounds Discussion

With all the conversion going on between different formats, I'm curious. Any degredation of sound quality?

The resultant mp3 file was more than acceptable. My reasoning for using the cell phone's recorder was often when an "inspiration" hits we don't have the laptop. The other day the wife commented it would be nice to have Cracker Barrel locations announced. Many of their western locations are not right at a major intersection. Forewarning may be helpful.
Of course you can always use the recorder to make yourself a reminder to make the mp3 when you get home....

I have used over speed warning POI's with Garmin i2 and i3 units for some time. With both of those units the GPS would 'double boing' when I entered the outer edge of the proximity area - and then if I was exceeding the speed limit I had set - it would begin to 'chime' repeatedly until I got my speed under the set limit or I left the proximity area.

With my Nuvi 650 I get the 'double boing' at the outer edge of the proximity area but if I am over the set speed limit the 'over speed' warning chime occurs only *once* and does not repeat. I asked Garmin about this & they said 'that is the way it is for that model'.

I loaded in an mp3 file from your site and now when I hit the outer edge of the proximity area the GPS plays the mp3 file.
e.g. 'Warning speed trap ahead'.

If I am over speed in the area I do not get the 'chime' anymore. Does anyone know if there is a way to add a second mp3 file for the 'chime' portion?

e.g. When I hit the outer edge of the proximity area I would get the 'Warning speed trap ahead' and if I was over speed the GPS would play a second mp3 file that might say 'too fast - slow down' and would replay that file until I got below the set speed limit for the POI?

I don't want much do I?

Nope. Can't do that. Only one MP3 can be associated with a single POI file. And you can't program differential alerts.

Here's some great information on alerts from Phil.

Hornbyp's guide to setting alerts with POI Loader
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/6764

Turns out (near as I can figure) that the problem I was having with my 650 not constantly warning me of being over speed was due to me having a sub-folder underneath my main POI folder. That sub-folder contained prior versions of POI files that I was keeping 'just in case'. When I moved that sub folder away - the number of POI's loaded to my GPS dropped significantly - and - the speed warning began working properly.

Borgt,
I really like your idea so I am trying to do this for myself but so far have been unsuccessful. I found the Lucy I'm home wave file on the web and after many unsuccessful attempts, have finally converted it to .mp3. I wasn't sure how to get the lat long of my home, so I used MS streets and trips to give me the lat/long since it gives me xx.xxxx degrees which appears to be the proper format. I noticed that the garmin shows the lat/long of a location as xx degrees, yy.yyyy minutes which I don't think is the right format for .csv file (Am I right?) I ran the CSV thru POI verifier and it generated a file named home_V.csv, so I renamed the sound file to home_V.mp3. Downloaded to my nuvi 760 and took a drive around the block...and never got the alert as I approached the house. What am I doing wrong? Thanks

Did you SET an alert when you loaded the Custom POIs? Regular Custom POIs don't alert by default.

You must set an alert if you want an alert to sound. You can run POI Loader in Manual Mode and set whatever alerts you want. Or you can put some alert information in the files themselves.

Check out Phil's great guide for more information about alerts.

Hornbyp's guide to setting alerts with POI Loader
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/6764

OK - I changed the file names to include the term TourGuide and now I get the alerts. Thanks

"When I load them into my Nuvi 350 I never hear the audio warnings."

Was this problem ever solved?

I seem to have the same issue.

Well since this is a long thread and we don't know whose post that was, it's hard to determine the answer.

So, some questions for you.

Did you SET alerts when you loaded your Custom POIs?

Do you get the default alert?

Did you load an Custom Alert with the Custom POIs?

If you loaded an alert, double and triple check to ensure that you named and placed the file correctly in accordance with the instructions posted at the bottom of the sounds page. Especially check for double file extensions. Can you confirm the names of your alert and poi files?

If you aren't getting any alert and have SET alerts, are you traveling on the road on which the POI is located?

Is the POI located sufficiently close (typically 50 feet or less) to the roadway.

The DNX7100 has Garmin software for naigation system. I've followed all the directions and have been able to load custom POI's and icons, BUT no sounds. Help.

The Custom Alert sounds will only work if the GPS unit firmware supports an MP3 player.

does 4.20.30w for mobile xt support mp3 files ?

I don't see any indication that it does. Sorry.

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3389

Ok today I really got to work on uploading the Sound files that toyfountain send to me a few weeks ago. I uploaded around 130 new sounds (I am to tired to type them all out this time) you can find them in the recent posts area.

I am at the letter O right now and hope to get this project done by the end of the week.

I have linked most of the sounds to their related files and did some other general clean up while I was at it.

Now I am going to go sit down and veg in front of the tv for the rest of the night.

Miss POI

I finally have this project finished and we have around 275 new sound files on the site and attached to their files.

My next plan of attack is to organize the POI Files into more Categories so that things are easier to find.

Thanks again to ToyFountain for sending in all those great sounds.

Miss POI

Hi,

I have a Magellan Maestro 3225 and I'd like to put some MP3 alerts in it. How can I do that please?

Thanks for your help.

Hi,

Just curious, where did you download that redlight camera file? What city is it for?

Thanks for your help

http://www.nav-voices.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=6
i have found this site it states that you can load these sounds on several different gpsr

Hi,
Thanks for your answer, but the site does not work.

What file are you asking about? When you don't use the quote, don't address the question to an individual by name, and you aren't responding to the post directly above yours, it is difficult to figure out to whom you are talking.

I trust you realize this site has a redlight file for the whole country.

I believe I have read most if not all of the posts regarding sound alerts here but still have a problem.
I have loaded poi files, mp3 files and bmp files in same folder. The files have identical names excluding the extensions. i.e. cvs, mp3 etc. There are not double extensions i.e red-light.mp3.mp3

To the best of my knowledge the proximity alerts is turned on. When I go to menu, proximity alerts, change, a box next to custom poi is checked. There is not an on or off choice. I have a StreetPilot c550 which has an mp3 player.

I have loaded the files with the poi loader using both express and manual settings. Yet I do not get an alert when approaching a school, I have not yet approached a red-light camera. Am I missing something simple?

The poi files were downloaded from poi factory: Schools, speed-lights, red-lights. BTW The bmps are visible on the map.

When I select a poi in the custom poi on the c550 I see the following information:

Micheltorena Elementary
School

Alert Information:
Distance: 1401 ft
Speed: none

Or

Red Light Camera .01x4j
Alert Information:

Alert Information
Distance:1319ft
Speed: none
CA Los Angeles poi-
Factory May21 08

Is this all normal?

Thanks to any who maybe able to help this newbie to pois

Talk about somebody who has done their homework . . . and a great detailed post. If you can pull up the info above, it sounds like they are loaded properly. I see nothing you've done wrong. Maybe the coordinates are wrong in the file. Can you give us the name of the file and the line number of the school that doesn't alert; is it the school you listed? Let us look at it.

The following is the school I approached from two different directions:

Ivanhoe Elementary
School

Alert Information:
Distance 1401ft
Speed: none

I'm not familiar enough with the c550 to get the coordinates, but the school is located at the intersection of Silver Lake Drive and Rowena Ave in Los Angeles, CA

Thanks for the reply bentbiker, I'm going out for a while and will be passing some red-light cameras. I'll see if it works on them...

I looked at the coordinates and they are way back from the roads. Since the alerts are of the along-the-route variety, the recommended maximum distance from the road is 50ft and these are significantly greater than that. If you want to prove it to yourself that this is the problem, replace the current coordinates by opening the file and putting in -118.2671,34.1081. Then reload the file and It should then alert on both of the streets you mention. However, it probably won't alert when approaching on Auburn.

I pick the nearest school and it's the one that doesn't work.

I was out and about this afternoon and the red-light alert worked like a charm at several locations.

The school alert also worked, so I returned to the original school and it still doesn't work. Rowen goes right pass the school so you would think it would, that's where the crossing gaurd works.

I checked several other schools in the area and they worked so... I don't really need that warning as I am familiar with it but that won't help someone who isn't from this area. At any rate thanks for the info.. It looks like I'm all set.

Thanks again bentbiker...

BTW I was jus looking at the coordinates. How do the coordinates you gave 118.2671,34.1081 relate to the coordinates of the mapsource pointer 118.16.023, 34.06.506?

Never mind I see it's decimal vs deg and mins

The POI files are CSV (Comman Seperated Variables) and not CVS.

What am I doing wrong ? I have done all that I can to makes sure files are correct,but I still am not hearing the alert . The Zumo I have is in a cradle . MP3 player is working fine .
Oh the Icons are working fine . Any zumo 450 users? Help please .

The mp3 file is not named exactly the same as the poi and bmp files, which you say they are. Have you checked to make sure the alerts are turned on?

When I loaded the poi files I did not select a distance .I saw it was set to miles and feet .automatic seemed the way to go. I just kept hitting next assuming all was well . NOT .
I read the pdf on a suggested link and It explained nicely step by step what to do .\www.garmin.com/products/poiloader/. Manual was the setting I think I was missing .
I need the most basic instuctions on using software . I think there is a assumption of knowledge that might not be there . I need very basic step by step help .
I built my own PC but I need alot of help with software that goes in it .
Thanks so much for everyones help .

Hi All,

I'm in the process of loading custom MP3's for the Red Light Cameras and Speed Cameras.

Question: Can I also add a custom MP3 for the current "Lost Satelite Reception" clip?

What do I need to name my file and can I upload it the same way through the POI loader or another "trick"

???

Thanks!
Rick

No.

You can use POI Loader... if I understand you correctly, you can name any file any name you want... if you want a sound alert to correspond to the file, you must name it the exact same name only with the (.mp3) extension
ex. walmart.cvs
walmart.mp3
Also the files should be in the same folder on your computer.

Figures it would be my fault. Recently I was complaining that my Garmin 350 was not alerting me of any of my POIs. The problem? Using the POI loader, I set it to automatic. Apparently, that meant, no alert distances were entered for all of my POIs. I removed the, re-uploaded them manually and set the distance for each one and now it pings like crazy. I guess some 146K plus POIs is a little much.

Maybe too much of a good thing?

Like me, we each have find a balance we are happy with between nothing alerts and everything alerts.

Its the same with POI icons. If they all displayed all the time, they would cover over the map.

Hi folks,

Well, i've been working the couples of past days on creating my first POI file.

So far, my excel file (with the right extension...) is done, all of the coordonates i need are on it, the BMP icons also and my personnals sounds.

I already transfered everything (via Garmin POI loader) on my GPS.

Just to be sure, on a Nuivi 660.....
1. i proceed via the setting page and go on POI page.
2. i select "modification" for the alarms
3. i put a slash in the box for Personal POI
4. THEN.... i need (am I right ???) to go to AUDIO
5. Finally do i selct "TONE ONLY", "SPEED ALARM" or "ALL ALARMS" and then push to save

If someone can confirm me those two last steps.......

Thanks a lot !!!!

Bernard
from Montreal QC

Items should read:
4. THEN.... i need to go to AUDIO.
5. Finally, you can selct "Single Tone", "Continuous - Speed Alerts" or "Continuous - All Alerts" and then push to save. Choose which you prefer; the choices don't seem to apply to custom audio alerts.

Thanks Bentbiker,

I's amazing how fast answers comes on this site !!!

I finally selected "Continuous - All Alerts"

I'll try it in a few minutes , I will go to pick up my wife at work. I hope it works !!! If so, do a have the status of "POI PRO" ???

jUST KIDDING, I'm doing my class and always learning on this site !!

Again, thanks a lot

I read somewhere that if you convert the mp3 to wav that it will play on a 260w. Any one else heard of this? Also I can't seem to be able to put the sound files on this site in my poi loader. I tried to right click and I can't save as.Any help?

Yes, you can. There are probably hundreds of posts giving the methodology.

Search for posts regarding "sox.exe" and make sure you use the correct version.

Thanks, I think I have it figured out. Bill "wav"-ing good bye on my 04 Deuce!!

I know that there are quite a number of alert sounds in the library here. I would like to get some more alert sound added to the library. Can anybody suggest any other sites with free down loadable MP3 alert sounds.

Hi Jim,

Go to...

http://www.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/demo.php

...and you can create your own alerts.

If you choose "Save As Source" it will create a .wav file.
If you choose "Save As Quicktime Movie" it will create a .mov file.

The .wav file is already encoded "mono" (BTW "stereo" encoding won't work). Just name the file, with the same name as your associated poi file and you're good to go.

You'll have to convert the .mov file into a .wav or .mp3.

I know .wav files work on the Nuvi's, however, I don't know if they'll work on the StreetPilot 2730.

Anyway, check it out...

Regards,

Tailspin

Nüvi 670
Mac User

i just leave mine on the default.

I was thinking of some non-voice sounds. For example, I could tag my hobby farm with a horse sound when I get close to home for fun. Does anybody have any free down loadable MPS3 sounds for special effects?

I downloaded sounds from poi factory website,changed the fike to mp3 And still no sound on my garmin Nuvi 350. I have tried everything but stil no sound. I'm sure it's somthing small but i can't make it work HELP!

Are you getting the default sound with the alerts?

Hi Ggarger,

All the sound files at the poi-factory, are already .mp3 files. What you need to do is name the .mp3 file with the same name as the poi file it's associated with...

For example...

If you have a poi named "Sears.csv" then this is how that .mp3 and .bmp file must be named, in order for it to work in conjunction, with that specific poi file.

So, in order to have an .mp3 and an icon (.bmp) to work together with a csv or .gpx file, this is how they must be named.

Sears.csv
Sears.mp3
Sears.bmp

-or-

Sears.gpx
Sears.mp3
Sears.bmp

HTH (hope that helps)

Regards,

Tailspin

Nüvi 670
Mac User

Did everything you said to do over & over. got files to load, got icons to load, but no luck with sounds. all in same file called Garmin,just can not get sound yo work, all i get is a ding. HELP AGAIN!

If you double-click the mp3 sound file on your PC, can you hear it play with your default mp3 player? In Tailspin's example, are you placing the 3 files in the same folder on your PC before running POI Loader?

Post back with the folder structure and the 3 file names exactly as you have them on your PC, including all file extensions.