Jan 22 2010
Garmin(R) today announced the nüvi(R) 1490TV a personal navigation device that combines cutting edge Pan-European navigation features with DVB-T digital terrestrial TV and radio.
Using the DVB-T digital television standard, the nüvi can pick up freeview digital TV and radio content from over 14 countries across Europe. In the UK there are over 50 digital TV channels and 24 digital radio stations including programmes from digital content providers such as the BBC, ITV, SKY, Film4 and Five to name a few.2
At the core of the device is an easy to use sat nav that has all the usual features you would find in a top of the range Garmin nüvi, but with the addition of the DVB -T digital tuner, users can keep in touch with all the digital TV content available over the airwaves.
"The nüvi 1490TV is the answer for those who want to keep in touch with the latest sporting events, soaps or even cookery shows while following TV recipes in the kitchen." said Colin Lee, Garmin's Automotive Product Manager. "The nüvi's 5 inch screen and mount is just the right size to place anywhere in the home, caravan or car and is ideal for people from parents waiting to pick up the kids from school to taxi drivers waiting for fares."
Any worries that the driver might keep the TV on while driving have been safeguarded against by Garmin engineers building in a safety feature that switches off the TV on the nüvi 1490TV and only allows the navigation when the car is moving.
The nüvi 1490TV features a bright, 5 inch colour touchscreen display, ensuring any picture is bright and colourful, great for sporting events such as the forthcoming FIFA World Cup as you won't have to miss any of games with this pocket sized TV. It also doubles up as a great picture viewer (with photo navigation capability).
The nüvi 1490TV has built-in stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone output, a long life lithium-ion battery, composite video input for external reversing camera (not supplied), a built-in aerial for high DVB-T signal strength areas and two magnetic dipole aerials for low signal areas.
The nüvi 1490TV comes pre-programmed with highly detailed road maps of Europe, free premium traffic updates3, safety camera warnings3, a database with over two million Points of Interest (POI's) featuring hotels, attractions, fuel stations and more, Garmin's 'Where am I' safety feature showing your precise location, nearest junction, hospital, police station and breakdown service contact details. Also turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions guiding drivers to their destination, announcing streets by name along the way. If they miss a turn, the nüvi automatically recalculates a route and gets them back on track.
You can also have hands-free phone calls, the nüvi 1490TV can be paired with compatible phones using Bluetooth wireless technology. Users can find and dial phone numbers (specifically supported phones can even access their history log of received, missed and dialled calls) or nüvi's POI database (hotels, restaurants, stores and more).
The nüvi 1490TV will be available across Europe in early April 2010 at GBP299/EUR299.
So that the nüvi 1490TV can be connected to existing aerial sockets within the home a 'standard aerial socket to plug adaptor' will be available in April. Price TBC
Countries where DVB-T Digital TV is available: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom.2 Subject to reception and digital and coverage area.3 Subject to country/region.
Source: http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us