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How do GPS guided tours work? We use a GPS receiver that receives Global Positioning System (GPS) signals for the purpose of determining the present location of a vehicle or vessel. From Wikipedia - Basic Concept of GPS: “A GPS receiver calculates its position by precisely timing the signals sent by the GPS satellites high above the Earth. Each satellite continually transmits messages containing the time the message was sent and precise orbital information. The receiver measures the transit time of each message and computes the distance to each satellite. Geometric trilateration is used to combine these distances with the location of the satellites to determine the receiver’s location." The position of a vehicle or vessel on a GPS guided tour is determined by using data that includes direction, speed, and latitude and longitude coordinates. Audio commentaries are played when the precise location of the vehicle or vessel enters a GPS trigger point. Our GPS trigger points are created as GPS zones – (circles) or by longitude or latitude (lines). The size of the “zone” or circle depends on the application and its intended purpose. We can make GPS trigger points as small as one metre (there is no practical application for this) or as large as a football stadium (or even larger). What this means is – we make GPS trigger points as small or large as required based on their intended purpose. Audio and/or video content is stored on media cards (much like a card you insert into your digital camera) because our GPS tour systems are solid state - which means - no moving parts. When our tour entertainment system enters a trigger point zone or crosses a latitude or longitude line, audio commentary (and/or video) automatically plays in one language – or several simultaneously. Do you stream audio directly from satellites? No. We do not stream audio from satellites (like satellite radio). All of your audio and/or video content resides on a Compact Flash card which is inserted into a GPS tour system. How much content can I store on a GPS tour system? Our GPS audio tour system supports up to 32GB of content. One minute of audio is equal to 1MB. Therefore, you can store 32,000 minutes of audio in an industry standard mp3 format. That's over 500 hours of content. Our GPS video system supports up to 32GB of content. This is equal to 9 hours of MP2 video content. Is there a manual push button for safety messages and Coast Guard Compliance? Yes. Our GPS tour system is designed to provide safety announcements at the push of a button. GPS automation means that the system does not require driver or captain intervention on tour routes. However, in boat tour applications where safety announcements are mandatory at the dock, safety messages are quickly and easily delivered over the Public Address system and wirelessly to foreign language passengers at the touch of a button. Is your GPS Video System available in HD? Yes. The next generation of GPS video systems are ready now. We deliver High Definition (HD) systems supporting 1080i, 720p, 480p/576p, 480i/576i screen resolutions. This new HD GPS video system supports a variety of audio and video formats including MP1, MP2, MP4, WMV, Dolby® Digital EX, Pro Logic® II, MLP and DTS® and more. How do I play PowerPoint presentations on the GPS Video System? We found a resource for delivering PowerPoint presentations on your GPS Digital Video System. Try a third party software solution called PresenterSoft. PresenterSoft is software that coverts your PowerPoint Presentation into MP2 files. After your PowerPoint presentation(s) are converted, you can use the MP2 files on your GPS Digital Video System. Play PowerPoint presentations on your bus or boat tour routes to provide additional information of value for your passengers. PresentSoft currently provides two programs, one for PowerPoint 2000 and for PowerPoint 2002/2003 and 2007. In order to play MP2 files on your system using PresentSoft – use the following settings when converting your presentations. Video Resolution = 720 x 480, Expected Framerate = 30 (Frames per second) [PAL] Preferred video format = MPEG Video: MPEG2 @ 8000kbps, 29.97fps, original frame size, Audio: 224kbps To download this software click here: PresenterSoft for converting PowerPoint presentations to MP2. Are your GPS Tour Entertainment Systems really carry on, carry off? Yes. Our GPS tour systems are portable, carry on, carry off tour entertainment systems. We designed our GPS tour systems to be portable to meet the operational demands of bus and boat tour operators. In some cases, sightseeing operators are allocating a number of different coaches for sightseeing tours on a daily basis. If a bus needs servicing - then our system can be moved to another bus. In most cases, what we do is install a GPS receiver in all of the vehicles or vessels that are used for sightseeing. When the system is carried onto another bus or boat, plug in the GPS receiver (and power) and you are ready to go. Can you GPS trigger content based on a directional heading? Yes. Here are some real world examples of how these GPS Tour triggers are applied: Non-Directional GPS Triggers
Directional GPS Triggers
How do our Captains contend with busy harbour traffic and necessary course changes? We understand that heavy watertraffic conditions can arise. So we added a feature to our software that enables our systems to GPS trigger content on a longitude or latitude line. Additonally, we can add a directional heading and make the line as small or big as required. Whether you're on a river, lake or ocean - we have removed course change barriers so that your passengers will always enjoy the best experience possible. Can I connect the GPS Digital Video System to a LCD screen? Yes. You can connect the GPS Digital Video System to LCD screens such as TFT screens. The GPS system outputs either NTSC or PAL frequencies, so only an LCD that accepts component or composite video at these frequencies will work. However, it's important to note that many desktop PC monitors will not sync to these standard video frequencies. What are the MP2 encoding requirements for the GPS Digital Video System? We recommend that you work with a professional services firm for your video production encoding. The most important step in creating a great sightseeing tour is to ensure that your source video is encoded for the highest quality. The MP2 Encoding Parameters are as follows:
Preferably each GOP will contain a sequence header. Can we manage our own promotional content using your GPS tour systems for buses? Yes. In fact, we provide you with the software and the training to completely self-manage your GPS tours and your audio tour or video tour content. Whether you are using the GPS Digital Audio System, the GPS Digital Video System or our multilingual multi-topical TriggerPOINT system, you can manage, add and delete content as required to fulfill your operational objectives. And this is not for GPS bus tours only. You can self-manage your GPS tours on boats, trolleys, trains and trams. We provide the software free of charge with every order and there are no ongoing software licensing fees. Call us at 905-492-1300 for more details or Contact AudioConexus using our online form. Can I use a GPS Digital Audio System in a car? Yes. We often use our GPS systems in cars for testing purposes. However, these systems are designed for sightseeing operators. All of our GPS tour systems are solid state which means no moving parts, developed specifically for rugged transportation environments. These GPS tour systems are being used by motor coach, double decker bus, boat, trolley, train and tram operators in the global tourism industry. Will GPS work where we're located? Yes. We have worked in the harshest GPS environments. From the urban canyons of Manhattan to fresh water lakes and oceans to the remote regions of the Rocky Mountains - we GPS trigger content everywhere we go. We've worked on GPS tour projects around the globe and have encountered a GPS trigger issue only once (in a harsh urban canyon environment). But that didn't stop us. We applied our experience and expertise to the problem and GPS triggered content exactly where we wanted the commentary to begin. We achieved this result with a little ingenuity and a dedicated passion for what we do. I run a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing operation. Do you provide hardwired seat back control systems for GPS tours? Yes. Our seat-back control audio system is state-of-the-art technology that is extremely durable and reliable in a harsh bus environment. This market proven digital design offers excellent scalability, ease of installation and fault tolerance. It also offers CD quality audio to all passengers on all audio channels – and not just to the passengers closest the front of the bus (like existing analogue systems). Unlike other analogue based systems which typically offer 8 channels for tour commentaries, this system supports the delivery of up to 21 channels of audio commentary delivered simultaneously to your passengers.
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Used to GPS trigger commentary based on the “direction” your vehicle or vessel is moving.
Effective for different eastbound/westbound – northbound/southbound messages.
Encoded files must comply to ISO/IEC Specification 13818-2