Moving map on the HST (Volo screen)

[truckman060473]

I like these moving maps that show you where you are, how fast you're going and the altitude. East of Bristol Parkway here we're doing 107mph and 300 and something in feet above sea level. Before dropping into the Severn Tunnel it dropped to zero and it can't be calibrated to read minus figures, as it stayed at zero right through the tunnel!

 

[Zoidberg]

I like these moving maps that show you where you are, how fast you're going and the altitude. East of Bristol Parkway here we're doing 107mph and 300 and something in feet above sea level. Before dropping into the Severn Tunnel it dropped to zero and it can't be calibrated to read minus figures, as it stayed at zero right through the tunnel!

There is something wrong with the attachment - I cannot Zoom or Go Back - on second thoughts, it's probably my PC

More seriously, does anyone know what plans there are to implement this interesting technology on other trains / routes? Is it something which would be implemented on new trains rather than retro-fitted?

 

[Any Permitted]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gingerblokey/4569131164/in/set-72157603876448324/

I was pleasantly surprised to see a 125 actually going at 125.

 

[mallard]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gingerblokey/4569131164/in/set-72157603876448324/

I was pleasantly surprised to see a 125 actually going at 125.

But is says it's only going 122!

More seriously, how reliable is this feature of the screens? The only time I've used them, that feature wasn't working...

 

[flymo]

There is something wrong with the attachment - I cannot Zoom or Go Back - on second thoughts, it's probably my PC

The 'Zoom' and 'Back' icons are on the screen of the TV in the seat back, not controls for your use in the photo.

 

[ukrob]

The 'Zoom' and 'Back' icons are on the screen of the TV in the seat back, not controls for your use in the photo.

Errr I think he knows

I assume these work of a GPS system?

 

[flymo]

I have to admit I realised what he was saying as soon as I posted it, but ah well too late.

My brain is not too good this time of the morning...

 

[blackfive460]

If you have a Windows Mobile smartphone with GPS you can get Memory Map which will do the same thing. Not particularly cheap though.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Why did they not install Wi-Fi instead, surely that would be more useful to all?

 

[Zoidberg]

I have to admit I realised what he was saying as soon as I posted it, but ah well too late.

My brain is not too good this time of the morning...

I shall have to make my feeble attempts at humour a bit less subtle

 

[flymo]

I shall have to make my feeble attempts at humour a bit less subtle

Thank you, any help appreciated..

 

[fgwoll1e]

Why did they not install Wi-Fi instead, surely that would be more useful to all?

Because that isn't what Volo does.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Because that isn't what Volo does.

I know, but why not scrap Volo and install Wi-Fi?

 

[fgwoll1e]

Thing is that FGW hasn't had to pay anything for Volo, Volo approached FGW asking to use FGW trains for their product.

 

[route:oxford]

The map function (5 minutes free) is quite fun...

Bit annoying the way it switches off as soon as the door-interlock is activated prior to departure though - doesn't seem to reboot until the train reaches about 60mph either.

Or that may have just been the unit I was on the the other day...

 

[TEW]

HST's don't even have door interlock so couldn't have been that.

 

[route:oxford]

HST's don't even have door interlock so couldn't have been that.

Ok, I'm calling it the wrong thing then.

Central Door Locking perhaps? The bolts that prevent you from opening the doors until they click.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

Ok, I'm calling it the wrong thing then.

Central Door Locking perhaps? The bolts that prevent you from opening the doors until they click.

Yes it's CDL, but there's no interlock, you can move a HST with the doors wide open if you wanted to... it's frowned upon though

 

[route:oxford]

Yes it's CDL, but there's no interlock, you can move a HST with the doors wide open if you wanted to... it's frowned upon though

So why would the activation of the CDL cause all the VOLO screens in a carriage to switch off and not reboot until the unit reaches about 60mph?

Is it a feature to reset the system to allow boarding passengers the opportunity to use the 5 minute preview shortly after departure?

Or dodgy wiring/batteries?

 

[jon0844]

Did you pay or just use the free service?

If you've paid, I presume it stays active - but they seem to have got a system that resets it at each station, presumably because you may have left and someone else has arrived - who can now enjoy their own free five minutes.

In other words, you can keep getting free five minute sessions at each stop if you DO stay seated, but would see the thing reset.

I have NO idea how it detects a stop, or whether it's simply down to a lack of movement. That would be a pretty simple way to do it - even if it did reset between stations, as in free mode you're hardly expecting to be able to watch anything seriously - the idea IS to pay!

 

[route:oxford]

Did you pay or just use the free service?

If you've paid, I presume it stays active - but they seem to have got a system that resets it at each station, presumably because you may have left and someone else has arrived - who can now enjoy their own free five minutes.

In other words, you can keep getting free five minute sessions at each stop if you DO stay seated, but would see the thing reset.

I have NO idea how it detects a stop, or whether it's simply down to a lack of movement. That would be a pretty simple way to do it - even if it did reset between stations, as in free mode you're hardly expecting to be able to watch anything seriously - the idea IS to pay!

I used the free service, the gps tracking on screen is quite fun. From observing it, it's the exact moment that the doors "click" prior to departure that the system resets.

Essentially it's free...

Sitting with an empty seat next to me from Paddington to Oxford. I get 5 mins on screen on each stage between Slough, Reading, Didcot

 

[jon0844]

The screens are only fitted in one coach, so they may well have rigged it up to the central locking system as a cheap and effective way to detect stops at stations and reset the people who used their free trial.

 

[truckman060473]

when I went to Cardiff last week, there were 6 seats unoccupied, where my 8yr old son could change from one Volo screen to the next, with the ones he'd been on for 5min resetting after 10min or so for use again. this doesn't necessarily happen at a station stop.

 

[jon0844]

I did comment to a colleague that you could watch programmes by fast forwarding to the bit where the preview last ended, but you'd have to be rather sad to do so!!