VDO Dayton's new portable navigation devices unite truck navigation and digital TV

VDO Dayton is offering a portable truck navigation system and at the same time incorporating digital television into its mobile devices. This means that drivers of large vehicles such as trucks, buses, or RVs can get more than professional support in choosing the right route to take. They can now make sure they never miss another episode of their favourite TV shows, whether they are in a parking lot or at a rest stop or campground. Designed for portability, the truck navigation devices can be used in different vehicles, whether passenger cars, RVs, or commercial vehicles. The new devices differ in screen size and are based on VDO Dayton's many years of experience and brings with it the tried-and-tested technology from the PC 5200 TSN built-in truck navigation system. Here, the system software is designed to ensure that individual vehicle data, such as length, height, width, weight, and axle load are included in the route calculation. To accomplish this, the user enters the attributes of the respective vehicle in the navigation device. The software then compares this input with the clearance heights, bridge loads, etc., stored in the map data and selects the appropriate route for the vehicle. In addition, the algorithms used for the route guidance are adjusted to the driving characteristics of large vehicles. For example, turning maneuvers are avoided wherever possible.

The integrated trip planner, which can store up to ten trips with 25 interim destinations each, is especially useful for multistop deliveries. The user can arrange and process the destinations in any sequence desired. The route is then planned as a whole according to this sequence. The estimated loading and unloading times at each interim destination can also be entered; the navigation system then takes this information into account when determining the overall driving time for the route.

In addition to the navigation computer, VDO Dayton has also built in a receiver for digital TV signals. It brings digital television, which is now available in many areas in Europe, into the vehicle. Thanks to high-performance batteries and an external power supply, the PN 4000 TSN and PN 6000 TSN can also be used outside of the vehicle, such as at campgrounds or rest stops or in hotel rooms. The dual tuner receives not only the television program itself, but also any screen text, subtitles, and the electronic TV guide for the next four days. The new high-end system has an integrated SD card reader that can be used to load music, or the user's own videos, in addition to digital roadmaps. The system can also be upgraded with an additional Bluetooth module that turns it into a hands-free kit for mobile phones.

Operating the devices couldn't be easier: Not only the destination entry, route selection, and address book functions, but also all TV functions can be controlled directly via the easy-to-understand menu displayed on the touch-sensitive screen. A built-in brightness sensor that automatically adjusts the light levels so that the high-resolution color display is well illuminated day and night, without glare that interferes with the driver's vision, ensures outstanding picture quality on the large-format widescreen monitor in any lighting conditions. As a basic principle, the system navigates using the 16 : 9 cinema format for a better overview. Its TV function supports both 16 : 9 and 4 : 3 modes.