Two recent threads here…

https://my350z.com/forum/audio-and-video/252734-pioneer-avic-d3.html
https://my350z.com/forum/audio-and-video/246258-alpine-iva-w200.html

…inspired this post. Hopefully my thread isn’t boring to its readers.

DVD-based navigation systems (e.g., Eclipse and Pioneer) are beginning to look like old technology when comparing to the ROM-based systems (e.g., Kenwood and Garmin). But, there are advantages (and thus, as is the case in any comparison, some disadvantages) in both systems.

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DVD-Based Navigation Products
Pros:
1) Easily updated by simply sending the customer a new DVD. The customer does not need any additional equipment (i.e., a SD reader or an Internet connection to download new data or new versions of the application).
2) The ability to provide virtually an unlimited amount of map data and detail by simply dividing the data over multiple DVD’s. DVD systems typically provide a lot of map detail.

Cons:
1) The user must load a DVD to provide map data and application software. If a disk is lost or damaged, the user is literally stuck until they replace the missing or damaged disk.
2) The user may need multiple DVD disks, and thus be forced to swap disks during “normal” operation. This is mainly a problem when a user “crosses the boundary” defined by a DVD map data-set, although well-programmed systems typically provide some degree of overlap to minimize this problem.
3) Devices that lack a dedicated DVD player for navigation may require swapping the navigation disk into the player that is in use for entertainment.
4) The car’s interior is subject to temperature extremes that could damage a DVD or affect the player’s optimum performance.
5) DVD players have moving parts that make these devices vulnerable.

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ROM-Based Navigation Products
Pros:
1) This type of device supports instant updates of application software and map data by downloading from the manufacturer’s website. There is no waiting for a disk physically shipped by the manufacturer/supplier.
2) The navigation component of this type of device has no moving parts, and is far more reliable than DVD players. And, there are no disks to lose or damage.
3) ROM systems hold the application software and map data in fast memory that delivers very quick access. DVD systems depend upon loading application software and map data into the device’s RAM, and random access to a DVD driven by the player (a scenario that can slow-down). Arguably, DVD systems try to load pertinent application software and map data into the device’s RAM for optimum performance, but anytime you go to disk, it’s pretty slow.

Cons:
1) ROM-based devices cannot hold the theoretically unlimited map data that DVD-based systems can do since DVD-systems (using any number of disks) really have no data limit.
2) Updating this type of device requires an Internet connection and a SD reader. I suppose that is really not a disadvantage because you could always have a friend, relative, or somebody you pay to download the update and install the new application software and/or map data.

I believe we will see the DVD-based devices replaced by flash-memory devices.

--Spike

 

Nice job