I am looking for a VW head unit and after reading hundres of threads I came to a conclusion that in the price range up to $300 those two from title are the best choice.
Now I am torn between New Joying Intel 2GB/32GB and Ownice C500 quad core 2GB/16GB.
Are there any comparision tests between Intel SoFIA 3GR used in Joying and Ownice C500 CPU (supposedly Cortex-A53?)?
There's an AnTuTu test by ngochoangimsat of C500:
CPU: 10188
RAM: 3984
3D: 2446
TOTAL: 29946
Ownice C500 - 29
Still looking for the test of Joying.
Are there any comparision tests between their AMP IC (Joying - TDA7388(ST) VS Ownice TB2929)?
I wonder which unit is faster/better as they are priced quite similar on AliExpress.
The cheapest offers I have found:
$285 for Joying 2GB/32GB/Intel (AliExpress: JOYING Official Store, link not allowed yet)
$323 ($278+$45) for Ownice 2GB/16GB/Cortex-A52 (AliExpress: Autolink - Top Car D V D Supplier)
Interested in this as well as I just killed my mtcd kgl screen and digitiser. From what I can see, ownice c500 seems to have more features..4G, DVD drive..But Intel ones seems to get more development at the moment..
I have decided to go with Joying as I have no plans to use DVD drive (I have never used it even though I currently have one) and I have no plans to use 4G neither (I won't buy an extra SIM card, I will just tether connection from my phone over wifi).
C500 CPU scored around 29ks point in AnTuTu while old RK3188 CPU scored around 26k points.
On YouTube movies Intel CPU seems more responsive, it can be only a delusion though.
I am supposed to receive mine on 29/DEC.
i have not tried an Ownice, but I can tell you I went from a Joying MTCD to Joying Intel and it is night and day difference
I am leaning to the Joying intel, but the Ownice is really tempting because:
-the ownice has more features
>TPMS
>4G (this is not important for me)
-Android 6.0
-buttons are much better laid out.
-As I am buying for an Audi A4, the version by Joying has 2 buttons that are not functional meant for DVD operation and have the dvd slot blanked out making it feel like it's missing something. Checking with Joying if it can be reassigned or are they completely none functional.
-has a dvd slot
> not that I will use, but point above...it looks better with the DVD slot...
Reason I am leaning to the Joying unit is because:
-more development on this unit it seems
> unlocking full bluetooth function seems to be close
> have been rooted
-32GB storage
-more user feedback on Intel unit and how well it performs compared to the original MTCD units.
-joying seems to focus more on the software side, which is probably more important
I had similar concerns. The biggest downside of the Joying for me was the knobs placement, I prefer to have them on the lower edge like in the Ownice.
As for the Android version - I wouldn't count on pure 6.0 in Ownice. Seems like they are using some weird mixture of 4.4, 5.1 and 6.0 while majority of their kernel is still 4.4. Offering this mixture as Android 6.0 is kinda cheating...
I would have purchased a joying if they made it my car's form factor. Their website with examples and details alone speaks volumes.
Got a c500 instead. Crossing my fingers.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
So joying just confirmed with me that those buttons are dud...So weird having buttons that does nothing.
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vs this from Ownice:
Buttons layout just makes so much more sense...
argh...so hard to decide..just don't want another regret like my current MTCD KGL
i would be interested to see if those Ownice units work with an American SIM, specifically Verizon
I may eventually try finding a sim to work with it. I've been told you can go to a Verizon Store and they can try one out.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
aarick said:
So joying just confirmed with me that those buttons are dud...So weird having buttons that does nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because they reused the older injection mold and just blanked out the now useless DVD drive slot.
Probably would have cost too much to rework the whole thing.
I'll bet the buttons can still be pressed and remapped in software.
Didn't Intel cancel the SoFia stuff? so probably no future development of any kind?
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3063...-tablet-markets-after-cutting-atom-chips.html
The company is immediately canceling Atom chips, code-named Sofia and Broxton, for mobile devices, an Intel spokeswoman confirmed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyway here is sample result for SoFIA 3G-R it says 26719 for Antutu result.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Atom-C3230RK-SoC.156853.0.html
I bet C500 handily would beat it because it's processor at least seems to be much better on paper.
Also C500 has better GPU Mali-T720 compared to what Intel has Mali-450.
@concept5400 I think the screenshots from @ngochoangimsat clearly shows the SDK version is 23 in C500. I am not sure why you think it is a mixture. While I read some manufacturers tried to cheat by using mixed stuff. I think there is nothing which points to C500 not being an Android 6.0 device. While Joying is definitetely 5.x and it will probably never get an upgrade because of the dead Intel project.
So if I would compare C500 vs Joying SoFIA. C500 has faster processor, better GPU, supports 4G, android 6.0, many different C500 models with different button configurations, no buttons, dvd, without dvd etc. But Joying ? hmm rooted? I am not sure if it has any advantage over Ownice models other than being rooted?
leonkernan said:
That's because they reused the older injection mold and just blanked out the now useless DVD drive slot.
Probably would have cost too much to rework the whole thing.
I'll bet the buttons can still be pressed and remapped in software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to see another Melbournian here....
I agree and my gut feel is that it'll work as well. The lady at Joying also doesn't seem to know her stuff well.
---------- Post added at 11:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:11 AM ----------
yurtesen said:
Didn't Intel cancel the SoFia stuff? so probably no future development of any kind?
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3063...-tablet-markets-after-cutting-atom-chips.html
Anyway here is sample result for SoFIA 3G-R it says 26719 for Antutu result.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Atom-C3230RK-SoC.156853.0.html
I bet C500 handily would beat it because it's processor at least seems to be much better on paper.
Also C500 has better GPU Mali-T720 compared to what Intel has Mali-450.
@concept5400 I think the screenshots from @ngochoangimsat clearly shows the SDK version is 23 in C500. I am not sure why you think it is a mixture. While I read some manufacturers tried to cheat by using mixed stuff. I think there is nothing which points to C500 not being an Android 6.0 device. While Joying is definitetely 5.x and it will probably never get an upgrade because of the dead Intel project.
So if I would compare C500 vs Joying SoFIA. C500 has faster processor, better GPU, supports 4G, android 6.0, many different C500 models with different button configurations, no buttons, dvd, without dvd etc. But Joying ? hmm rooted? I am not sure if it has any advantage over Ownice models other than being rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You make some good points there sir!...
just as I was about to bite the bullet and get the joying...I'm back to holding position. Might monitor the c500 development a bit further first and see if it changes. Android 6.0 doesn't quite worry me, but the full bluetooth stack and root is important to me as usually the headunits doesn't work exactly as how i want and xposed and root helps make it work a lot better...
@aarick I found another good point for joying, apparently the intel cpu may be supporting glonass. But I still would not go for Intel.
About the bluetooth. It looks like you can do anything with bluetooth attached device. I am not sure what you want to do exactly? Here is a nice video. Bluetooth stuff appear at 1:20 about https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRE-opyLOog
What I want to see in these units is a digital compass. I dont understand why they never have it. I think I will get one of those new C500's with buttons on the left with 7" screen and they have map/sdcard slot also.
yurtesen said:
@aarick I found another good point for joying, apparently the intel cpu may be supporting glonass. But I still would not go for Intel.
About the bluetooth. It looks like you can do anything with bluetooth attached device. I am not sure what you want to do exactly? Here is a nice video. Bluetooth stuff appear at 1:20 about
What I want to see in these units is a digital compass. I dont understand why they never have it. I think I will get one of those new C500's with buttons on the left with 7" screen and they have map/sdcard slot also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mainly want to be able to hook up my Bluetooth tyre pressure monitoring system to my head unit.
The ownice seems to have their own TPSM kit, but would like to avoid investing further into more stuff that I already own.
I think right now.. I'll be happy with the joying.. But when development catch up for the ownice.. I might regret it..
A few words after testing the unit for the last few days.
Generally speaking responsiveness is at acceptable level.
It's not even close to an iPhone level but it's doing well enough.
Satellite signal is working with GPS and GLONASS at the same time.
I had to switch off AF funcion in the radio because apparently it doesn't work so well - instead of searching for other frequencies of the same station it was changing radio stations.
It was shipped with language changed to my country language and with iGO NAVI with Europe maps and my country language set up as well, even though it was 2014 version of the app and the maps it was a nice touch.
Bluetooth app have a problem - when downloading contacts it is not saving the "+" sign before the country code.
For example - if I have a number stored in my phone as +44 123456789 it will be downloaded as 44 123456789.
Then if that person would be calling me, the unit would show the caller as +44 123456789, without matching it with the saved contact, because it has saved the contact as 44 123456789, without the + sign.
It's a bit annoying but I can live with it.
The following problem is ground breaking for me.
As this is my first Android head unit ever I am not sure if it's Joying only or general problem of those chinese units.
The unit can play radio sound AND sound of ONE other app with radio in the background.
This function is called GPS MIX and it's working only with predeclared NAVI app only.
If I declare Google Maps as my NAVI app - it can play radio in the background with Google Maps on my main screen.
But other NAVI apps in the background cannot produce sound.
If I would put other NAVI app on my main screen it wil start to produce sound but the radio will be turned off the second other app starts to do so.
Therefore I am not able to use two NAVI apps and radio at the same time.
In my country we have a Waze-like app for speed camera and mobile speed control units with a HUGE community and it's working like a charm (YANOSIK app).
The problem is that the app really sucks at turn-by-turn navigation. Everyone is just using it in the background with other NAVI app on main screen.
With this unit when YANOSIK app is working in the background it will not produce any sound, unless declared as the NAVI app in CarMediaSettings. When it's declared as the NAVI app it will produce sound ine the background but other NAVI app will mute/turn off the radio completely.
I am quite desperate with this problem as for now I still have to use my phone for one navi app...
Not really a definitive answer to your wondering, but I have a MTCD which can have two navi-apps produce sound running in the background and run a media app at the same time. In my case Tomtom and Flitsmeister (which sounds as the equivalent of your Yanosik app).
So I don't know about Joying, but there are definately 5.x units out there that can do this.
HVB83 said:
Not really a definitive answer to your wondering, but I have a MTCD which can have two navi-apps produce sound running in the background and run a media app at the same time. In my case Tomtom and Flitsmeister (which sounds as the equivalent of your Yanosik app).
So I don't know about Joying, but there are definately 5.x units out there that can do this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Joying can do multiple nav apps and media app at the same time. Problem is playing the radio and multiple nav apps. Only assigned nav app can be heard when radio is playing.
gustden said:
Joying can do multiple nav apps and media app at the same time. Problem is playing the radio and multiple nav apps. Only assigned nav app can be heard when radio is playing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well.. not really in my case. When I run multiple nav apps in the background the only one producing sound is the one chosed as The Nav app in CarMediaSettings, others stay silent...
EDIT:
OK, I tested it thoroughly, you are right and I was wrong. The issue is caused by the radio app.
aarick said:
Mainly want to be able to hook up my Bluetooth tyre pressure monitoring system to my head unit.
The ownice seems to have their own TPSM kit, but would like to avoid investing further into more stuff that I already own.
I think right now.. I'll be happy with the joying.. But when development catch up for the ownice.. I might regret it..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually bought a C500 unit (waiting delivery) but I guess I can't test the bluetooth stuff for you without your sensors but I am not sure why they shouldnt work? I mean if it has an android app and it connects to bluetooth it should work, no?
On the other hand, I never had any case which would save me headaches if I had tire pressure monitoring. So I decided to not invest on one. (also I am not big fan of changing batteries how rarely it may be required ) But that is my opinion...
---------- Post added at 09:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:10 AM ----------
@concept5400 I know this is an annoying response but I have to say... What about driving within speed limits so you wont need to run a speed camera app? I highly recommend this option, it is also safer.
But you can perhaps work around it if you run your YANOSIK app in your phone. Since you don't have to see it, you can even keep your phone in your pocket.
Related
I'm updating this post so as to provide an overview of what is discussed in the thread (and in hopes that people will quit asking the same questions over and over that have already been answered).
There is a ton of great information in the wiki here. Please read through it before asking questions here - this thread has gotten very, very (very) long and it's tough to keep up with what's happening when people keep asking questions that are in the wiki.
The below info is from November; current info is in the wiki.
WHAT IS IT: The Newsmy Carpad NU3001 is a dual-DIN Android head unit that runs KitKat 4.4.2, has a 7-inch screen, and no physical controls. It's nice-looking, very well made, and comes rooted out of the box. The manufacturer seems to be quite responsive to bug reports and feature requests, releasing frequent ROM and MCU updates to fix problems and usability issues. Oh, and we have full source code.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
MAJOR FEATURES:
Quad-core 1.6GHz Rockchip RK3188 CPU and 1GB RAM
FM radio (RDS currently not working, awaiting a software update, priusfan figured out how to hack station names if you really must)
8GB Flash
Android Box that contains CPU and most of the Android guts connected via cable that can be unplugged and removed from the car
Built-in Wifi
1024x600 Capacitive Screen
Dual Bluetooth: one is standard Android BT for use with ODB etc. The second is hard-wired to the phone app and only works for phone calls and streaming music.
Pure Android, no fugly launchers, minimal other apps that aren't bad.
4x25W amplifier
WHERE TO BUY: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/News...eral-Android-only-without-DVD/2035002543.html COST USD$339. People are reporting various delivery times, mine shipped next day and arrived a week later. Note: this is the actual manufacturer on AliExpress, other pages are resellers. Do with that what you will. There is a dealer in Spain if you'd prefer to buy from Europe, it's 417€ plus shipping with VAT included. http://exclusivecarauto.com/android-quadcore-carpad-wifi-p-1001.html
BASIC Q&A:
Is it any good? Yes, it seems to be stable and work as expected
Is there a version for my car? No. It's only a universal 2-DIN package
But I saw one for a... No, you didn't. That's a Windows CE/Android frankestein thing made by the same company. You don't want it.
Does it work with Torque? Yes.
Does it work with my SWC? Supposedly, nobody has tried it yet. There is both CAN bus and resistive connections.
Can I talk on the phone and use Torque at the same time? Yes.
Can it be rooted? It comes rooted out of the box.
What ports does it have? USB Host, USB OTG, little bitty HDMI for when you take the Android Box out of your car and hook it to a TV
What connections does it have for my car? 4 channel high-power speakers, FM antenna, 1 set of line outs, 1 set of line ins, 3 composite video ins, CAN bus low and high (confusingly labeled + and -) and the usual complement of battery, acc, ground, dash lights, reverse switch, etc.
Does it run ....? Yes, think of it as a 7-inch tablet with built-in amp and radio that looks great in your dash.
AliExpress? Yes. It's like the Chinese eBay. Buying from them is not complicated. Summer, the girl who handles orders, is responsive and helpful.
HELPFUL LINKS:
New custom ROM from user red13dotnet de-chinese-afies the unit, fixes root, adds some useful utilities, and a bunch of other stuff http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...smy-carpad-t2865525/post56381346#post56381346
Full source code to the current firmware was found, um, on the internet. We're going to have lots of fun with this device. Mirror here, careful it's over 4GB. ftp://nu3001.ddns.net/
Software to fix problems some have reported with root http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56296349&postcount=292
Unboxing http://imgur.com/a/ECRtE
Android Box teardown http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56237758&postcount=245
Firmware and utility repository http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56227326&postcount=242 (note there is no reason at the moment to update the firmware)
Video walkthrough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC8_jyVUErE
Video of software update process https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BVZXn9n3LM
CAVEATS:
There are no balance or fader controls, no equalizer, etc. You get 25 watts to 4 speakers and a single line out to hook up your subs or amps or whatever. Fixed in firmware 1.0.9
RDS doesn't work at the moment, they say a software update is in the works.
The microphone input is hard-wired to the phone-specific BT module. This means among other things that you cannot use Google Now voice control with this unit until we figure out how to connect a mic to it. There is plenty of USB connectivity, so it's only a matter of time. USB microphone works, including "OK Google". http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56386685&postcount=359
OTHER INTERESTING THINGS:
There are extra wires in the AV harness that are for old-school steering wheel keys that use a resistive matrix. It ought to be possible to hook up all sorts of buttons and controls in a car for various stuff. The MCU is aware of these.
It sounds really good.
Screen is bright and crisp.
Using the Android box with your TV requires a DC adapter that is not included and nobody knows what the specs are. It's 5V DC, appears chargers from old Nokia phones with the teeny tiny plug will work
I'll try to keep this post updated but it's my busy season at work so don't have a lot of time.
Here's the original post that started it all:
I've been wanting to buy a H/U for a while now but nobody makes one of the Huifei ones for my Saab 9-3, and the universal ones are so gaudy and fugly that I've just kept searching, hoping to find something better looking. Today I came across this Italian guy on eBay, selling a very attractive universal double DIN with Kitkat. The one he's selling is a dual Android/WinCE unit (not interested) and claims to have both an 8-inch and 10.2-inch screen, so not really trustworthy.
BUT. I did a reverse image search on all the stuff he copy/pasted in the wrong aspect ratio and came up with a different model from Newsmy which claims to have a quad core A9 @ 1.6Ghz and be pure Android 4.4.2 with no WinCE.
Other stuff:
- Works with steering wheel controls
- 7" display @ 1024x600
- NO optical drive
- Dual bluetooth (one standard BC5 for the phone, one for OBD).
- Good TDA7851 amplifier (28Wx4)
- All the usual crap like car DVR, TV, etc.
- Screenshot shows a stock launcher, no sign of any UI that looks like it's from an 80's sci-fi movie.
- I am aware that it appears to be a cheap tablet stuck to the front of a 2-DIN chassis
- No line outs that I can see, one of the sockets on the back is labled AV IN and looks to have a lot of pins, and another that seems to be a firewire port labeled Key Accessory Interface. No idea.
The only way to buy one seems to be either for USD$299 through a reseller on Aliexpress, whose listing is mostly incomprehensible, or direct from Newsmy on EC21 for USD$200. I have no experience with either site.
I guess I'm going to roll the dice and see if I can get one of these shipped to me and find out if it's any good.
ETA: found a ton of pictures; apparently you can pull the front panel off and connect it to your TV via HDMI.
EATA: not allowed to post links so you'll have to Google I guess.
did you find any news about this carpad?
What are the pros nd cons to use a HU with android and winCE?
Is there a reason why to use winCE instead of a Pure android HU?
jindoseg said:
What are the pros nd cons to use a HU with android and winCE?
Is there a reason why to use winCE instead of a Pure android HU?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pure Android HUs have to cold boot each time the car is turned on (I don't understand this, certainly a tablet with a battery in airplane mode could last for many days without affecting the battery of a car, so I don't get why a HU can't be left in this state vs completely shut down) and startup time is way too long. The WinCE units are set up that way because they actually run Android in a virtual machine on CE and just suspend the VM when the HU is powered off. CE can start up in a couple of seconds and so your time to operation of Android is a fraction of cold booting every time. This sounds like a mess to me and I'm really only interested in a pure Android HU. From what I understand the Chinese companies have engineers working overtime to reduce Android boot time and some have it down into the 15-second range.
N.b., I've been unable to buy the one mentioned in the original post. Both websites are broken and companies don't responde to mail.
alaninsitges said:
Pure Android HUs have to cold boot each time the car is turned on (I don't understand this, certainly a tablet with a battery in airplane mode could last for many days without affecting the battery of a car, so I don't get why a HU can't be left in this state vs completely shut down) and startup time is way too long. The WinCE units are set up that way because they actually run Android in a virtual machine on CE and just suspend the VM when the HU is powered off. CE can start up in a couple of seconds and so your time to operation of Android is a fraction of cold booting every time. This sounds like a mess to me and I'm really only interested in a pure Android HU. From what I understand the Chinese companies have engineers working overtime to reduce Android boot time and some have it down into the 15-second range.
N.b., I've been unable to buy the one mentioned in the original post. Both websites are broken and companies don't responde to mail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply.
Thats a big disadvantage of the NU3001 and what about the DT2001S-H-H?
both are android 4.4 but the DT2001S has 2gb ddr3 + Wince
I'm curious
I would like to know more about this head unit. Mostly is it reliable and how does it look in person. Does anyone have this yet?
Thanks,
Brett
alaninsitges said:
I've been wanting to buy a H/U for a while now but nobody makes one of the Huifei ones for my Saab 9-3, and the universal ones are so gaudy and fugly that I've just kept searching, hoping to find something better looking. Today I came across this Italian guy on eBay, selling a very attractive universal double DIN with Kitkat. The one he's selling is a dual Android/WinCE unit (not interested) and claims to have both an 8-inch and 10.2-inch screen, so not really trustworthy.
BUT. I did a reverse image search on all the stuff he copy/pasted in the wrong aspect ratio and came up with a different model from Newsmy which claims to have a quad core A9 @ 1.6Ghz and be pure Android 4.4.2 with no WinCE.
Other stuff:
- Works with steering wheel controls
- 7" display @ 1024x600
- NO optical drive
- Dual bluetooth (one standard BC5 for the phone, one for OBD).
- Good TDA7851 amplifier (28Wx4)
- All the usual crap like car DVR, TV, etc.
- Screenshot shows a stock launcher, no sign of any UI that looks like it's from an 80's sci-fi movie.
- I am aware that it appears to be a cheap tablet stuck to the front of a 2-DIN chassis
- No line outs that I can see, one of the sockets on the back is labled AV IN and looks to have a lot of pins, and another that seems to be a firewire port labeled Key Accessory Interface. No idea.
The only way to buy one seems to be either for USD$299 through a reseller on Aliexpress, whose listing is mostly incomprehensible, or direct from Newsmy on EC21 for USD$200. I have no experience with either site.
I guess I'm going to roll the dice and see if I can get one of these shipped to me and find out if it's any good.
ETA: found a ton of pictures; apparently you can pull the front panel off and connect it to your TV via HDMI.
EATA: not allowed to post links so you'll have to Google I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever get this head unit?
Anybody tried this?
makkan00 said:
Anybody tried this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I might give it a try soon. It would be nice to hear from someone who already has it.
Really interesting Thank you for this Information!!
bpalmer1455 said:
I think I might give it a try soon. It would be nice to hear from someone who already has it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let us know how you get on.
makkan00 said:
Let us know how you get on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still waiting to hear back from EC21. Has anyone ever bought from them before?
any news on this carpad?
Marco
principino1984 said:
any news on this carpad?
Marco
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Im a littlr nervous to biy with such little info on it.
I'm ordering one direct from Newsmy right now on Aliexpress. We've been exchanging messages for two days trying to make sure their canbus adapter works in my car. Hopefully I'll have it soon.
alaninsitges said:
I'm ordering one direct from Newsmy right now on Aliexpress. We've been exchanging messages for two days trying to make sure their canbus adapter works in my car. Hopefully I'll have it soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet. I guess you're braver than me. Do you have any idea how long till you get it?
---------- Post added at 10:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 AM ----------
Were you able to get any info about subwoofer connections? My car has a factory sub and I couldn't find how you would tie it in. The seller told me it is connected through a "voice output cable". Do you know what that means?
It seems like a pretty nice unit from specs. It's the reliability that concerns me the most -- with no online reviews to be found. I am also a little concerned about that touchscreen volume control. Seems like it could be a PITA.
thanks for sharing.
alaninsitges said:
I'm ordering one direct from Newsmy right now on Aliexpress. We've been exchanging messages for two days trying to make sure their canbus adapter works in my car. Hopefully I'll have it soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which car you own. I am looking for a solution to my Skoda Yeti 2013. I had a chineese WinCE unit from the local dealer but I have returned it as the FM receiver was super crappy and the BT hands free worked only half of the time.
The issue still open for me is the quality of the FM radio although one can use the Android H/W to listen to radio through the internet. Not sure how fast would that change stations.
I was looking the Mistui FM receivers but I am not sure what is the exact model and thus that is the sensitivity.
Some Mistui receivers are pretty good ones.
All solutions that are not original VW do not have any support the the dual antenna with the built in diversity control. On the other hand most of the cards do not have such an implementation and radio still works fine.
yes. That's another concern of mine -- radio reception. Seems like it should be the simplest part, but I am constantly hearing about poor radios on these units.
Well, it's ordered. I opted for the 3-day SHL shipping and then noticed after I had paid them that "processing time" is 30 days.
The whole thing stinks like a scam, but I guess we'll see. It'll either be here in a week or in five weeks.
I just noticed that the aliexpress add says this: "Newsmy android 4.4 quad core car dvd 7 inch for univeral Android only (without DVD, bluetooth,NU3001)" Do you think that means that it doesn't have bluetooth? Surely not.
Also it looks to me like the guaranteed delivery time is 30 days. I bet you'll get it much quicker than that if you chose DHL.
Hi there.
Long story short...
I got involved in a new project of Universal 2DIN Android Media Device.
The designers made their work and now theres 2 parralell ways of further development.
1. The definition of hardware. The new or some existing device. Screen resolution, processor, RAM, ROM etc... There are several firmware manufacturers in China that offer pure android 5.0
2. The User Interface.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
The plan is to use 7/8 inch full touchcreen with no buttons, no dvd.
Maby some functions that other devices dont have. Or the mix of most popular features from different devices?
3G support
DVR
rear camera
can bus
SWC (steering wheel control)
wi-fi+wi-fi hotspot
webcam for skype video calls
BT calls and conntact sync
companion app for phones with Music Folder sync and maby some kind of controll of the car
navigation
screen gestures for volume, playback controll without leaving the current app (e.g. navigation)
voice control
multiscreen
split view when needed (e.g. navigation goes to left and browser/ chat/ music player on the right)
OTA firmware update
cloud backup of the settings
So what are features that are nessesary in the NEW device?
What wolud YOU buy?
Leave the comments below.
Any ideas and help (software development/ firmware modification of future device) would be appriciated.
leave the links for your favourite Android Head Unit.
Build good hardware and open source everything
Bokomaru said:
Build good hardware and open source everything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is good hardware for you?
playahate said:
what is good hardware for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tough question. I've been working with the Newsmy carpad hardware for a bit now and they basically handle everything I personally need but there are some improvements that could be made on that.
A few things I can think of offhand I would improve on that hardware
The HU has a microphone but that is only available to the bluetooth interface on the head unit and is not passed to the android portion
Having multiple options for audio output
Being able to pass audio/video to and from the head unit to android. I suspect plenty of people would want to be able to send different video to remote monitors to show movies to the kids but not have them displayed on the head unit
The biggest advantage that we have with the Newsmy carpad hardware is that there were source leaks for the android code base so we have been able to do a lot of improvements ourselves. If we had access to the head unit code as well we could go a bit further
Thanks for the anwer. The main thing i dont like in Newsmy is android box. Not everybody like to have the additional device in the glove box...
@Bokomaru by the way, how important is 1920x1200 screen?
or the 1024x600 is good enough?
playahate said:
Thanks for the anwer. The main thing i dont like in Newsmy is android box. Not everybody like to have the additional device in the glove box...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me Android Box is a great advantage of Newsmy. I can take box home and mess everything on TV screen sitting in the armchair using my BT keyboard and mouse. Cannot even imagine doing all this inside the car.
I would like to have the option of detaching a box from my car to work on it in the house. My unit doesn't have that and I have to do it all sitting on my driveway, but I'm not sure if tha twill be a big plus for regular users (not geeks like us). To me what these units need to improve on is the little details like the mic issue that @Bokomaru mentioned. Basically getting rid of the whole MCU side to keep everything accesible to Android.
One of the biggest gripes I have with m unit is that if I'm listening to the radio and I want to play something on PowerAmp I have to exit the radio app first and then go to PowerAmp and look for whatever I want to listen to because if I leave the radio app open in the background (so I can continue listening to it while I'm ready in PowerAmp) then I'll get both apps playing at the same time. This happens because of the way the MCU has direct access to the hardware without going through Android.
Optical output would make it an instant buy for me. I'd love to be able to run full lossless out to my DSP.
Actually, I would like physical buttons - at least for music playback. Volume up/down, Play/pause & next/prev would be enough - that would allow me to control the media playback without taking eyes off the road.
In my opinion, the perfect Android head unit could have been made by Parrot, the RNB6
So much very interesting features (such as front cam or OBD2 connector) and very nice interface
But production seems to be canceled.....
ant-11 said:
In my opinion, the perfect Android head unit could have been made by Parrot, the RNB6
So much very interesting features (such as front cam or OBD2 connector) and very nice interface
But production seems to be canceled.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah. i like it too.
i think its not cancelled. they say its not for aftermarket coz theres a LOT of integration needed, depending of the car model, so they will be pre-installed in some cars.
The perfect head unit for me turns on instantly. All of these android head units take too long to turn on. Figure something out and you have my sale. I'm talking turn on as fast as my single din head units. The only reason I have a single din is because they are instant on.
starfox5194 said:
The perfect head unit for me turns on instantly. All of these android head units take too long to turn on. Figure something out and you have my sale. I'm talking turn on as fast as my single din head units. The only reason I have a single din is because they are instant on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This could be done faily easily by just having a battery inside the unit. I'm actually surprised theses manufaturers haven't done it yet. Before I bought my headunit I used to have a tablet on a stand that I always kept plugged in to the car (I didn't use it for anything else) and I set it up to go to sleep when it stopped charging (meaning the car was off) and to wake up when it started charging again (meaning I had turned the car on again).
The car charger was crappy so the tablet ended up using more power while in use than it was receiveing from the charger, but this would be easily doable with a better charger so a headunit that's specifically been designed with this in mind shouldn't be difficult. It might be a little more expensive because of the added cost of the battery, but it shouldn't be much more.
starfox5194 said:
The perfect head unit for me turns on instantly. All of these android head units take too long to turn on. Figure something out and you have my sale. I'm talking turn on as fast as my single din head units. The only reason I have a single din is because they are instant on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually while i've been searching all the information of all the possible devices, i've found the device that boots the android in 4 seconds. It was 1,5 years ago. Not the 4.4 but still...
They say there are many devices with this tech, but i didnt find real pictures on their site
Kriszilla said:
Optical output would make it an instant buy for me. I'd love to be able to run full lossless out to my DSP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use optical out already on the Huifeis and the Newsmys if you get a USB sound card.
---------- Post added at 10:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:56 PM ----------
JakubAnderwald said:
Actually, I would like physical buttons - at least for music playback. Volume up/down, Play/pause & next/prev would be enough - that would allow me to control the media playback without taking eyes off the road.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, youre right, its good to have a touchscreen and having no buttons looks cool, but in reality its much easier to use physical buttons when driving.
playahate said:
yeah. i like it too.
i think its not cancelled. they say its not for aftermarket coz theres a LOT of integration needed, depending of the car model, so they will be pre-installed in some cars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ant-11 said:
In my opinion, the perfect Android head unit could have been made by Parrot, the RNB6
So much very interesting features (such as front cam or OBD2 connector) and very nice interface
But production seems to be canceled.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If its cancelled then good - if its anything like their last effort it will be ridiculously over priced, highly restricted rubbish.
EVERY Android HU in the XDA Android headunit section can do OBD and front cam and have been able to for years.
If i would build a car radio for my BMW E46, i will use the following parts...
1: A Odroid ODROID-XU3/XU4 with: 64GB eMMC with androit 4.4.4 or Lolipop, usb gps modul (Ublox 6010 chipset), Bluetooth 3.0, USB Audio Adapter with stereo out and mic in, usb IEEE 802.11b/g/n 1T1R WLAN module with Antenna, Lithium primary battery to back up the Real Time Clock, DC Plug Cable Assembly 5.5mm. hardkernel.com
2: A Chalkboard Electronics 7" open frame universal HDMI LCD with IPS capacitive multi-touch, ambient light sensor , a bezel for your screen . chalk-elec.com
3: A 5-24V DCDC-USB Intelligent DC-DC Converter with USB Interface and Metal Enclosure by Mini-Box for the Odroid and the Chalke Electronics screen. http://store.mp3car.com/
4:A resler Ibus can for steering wheel control. reslers.de/IBUS/
5: A monkeyboard FM/DAB+, DAB antenna, the app from Googleplay
6: And of course a good amplifier for the sound (i already have)
It's quite expensive, but you will have the fastest android car pc on the market.
playahate said:
Leave the comments below.
Any ideas and help (software development/ firmware modification of future device) would be appriciated.
leave the links for your favourite Android Head Unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Android Auto Headunit app I'm working on (see sig) makes me very interested in seeing nice hardware HUs.
I'm mostly targeting tablets at this point, but a hardware HU designed to be an HU can offer many advantages.
I've personally committed myself to working in the "connected car" space for the next few years at least. I'll be happy to try and help/enable anyone working on open source code and hardware for this.
Big HU companies and auto OEMs want to hold back features, and provide new ones every year to keep us on the upgrade hamster wheel. Example: None of the current aftermarket or auto OEM HUs are known to have Wifi. They will NOT be able to do Android Auto or Carplay over Wifi, despite that both seem imminent. (Wifi works with my HU app right now on Android Auto.)
Even IF some of those HUs have hidden Wifi capability, chances are low that it will ever be enabled in future firmware updates. Same thing is happening with Android Auto. Older HU and cars mostly will NEVER be retroactively enabled (despite that actually breaking some promises for at least one auto OEM). (I say mostly because Hyundai seems to be making retroactive upgrades possible for some cars. Props to Hyundai.)
My point is that open hardware and software will help enable retroactively adding features, without wasting money and filling landfills/garbage dumps with last years products.
(1) I'd love to see something as thin and compact as a tablet, but with power, USB and audio connections that are better than tablets offer.
(2) I'd also like to see something more traditional that is much deeper than a tablet, to hold more "stuff", but I think the concepts of CD's and DVD's are old enought that I'd prefer not to see support for them, meaning it doesn't have to be as deep as HUs with such support.
XDA user doitright has made a few posts on my HU thread about an HU he is building, and I've become rather interested in his thoughts. One such post here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61988233&postcount=490 .
He is basing his HU on the Qualcomm design of a "96boards" called DragonBoard: https://www.96boards.org/products/ce/dragonboard410c/ . It's $75, supports Android 5.1, Linux based on Ubuntu and Win 10 support to come.
I REALLY, REALLY like that this is supported by Qualcomm and I think it's likely that it will support the latest versions of Android, shortly after Google release, probably for a few years at least, and at least to Android 7.x (IMO). It's built by Arrow, not Qualcomm though. The design is a reference design from Qualcomm.
There is an open "96boards" spec so other companies can easily build boards that follow the specs. There is also a HiKey board right now, so already there is competition. Qualcomm apparently has committed to ensuring boards based on their design are available for the next TEN (!) years, which is important to embedded system companies.
The idea that an HU could be abandoned after 1-2 years really annoys me. Being stuck on Android 4.x, as the popular Chinese HUs are now, also really annoys me.
Give me something that can run the latest Android versions for the next 2-3 years at least. Give me something like a 96boards design where I can easily upgrade the main board after a few years.
playahate said:
The plan is to use 7/8 inch full touchcreen with no buttons, no dvd.
Maby some functions that other devices dont have. Or the mix of most popular features from different devices?
3G support
DVR
rear camera
can bus
SWC (steering wheel control)
wi-fi+wi-fi hotspot
webcam for skype video calls
BT calls and conntact sync
companion app for phones with Music Folder sync and maby some kind of controll of the car
navigation
screen gestures for volume, playback controll without leaving the current app (e.g. navigation)
voice control
multiscreen
split view when needed (e.g. navigation goes to left and browser/ chat/ music player on the right)
OTA firmware update
cloud backup of the settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beyond what I wrote above about 96boards and specifically the Qualcomm designed Dragonboard...
- Worry about hardware first. Software can be done and worried about later.
- Use open hardware supported by open software as much as possible. IMO this likely means forgetting about Chinese SOCs etc. and going with Qualcomm.
- Make it modular so we can add and change stuff in future ourselves.
- Start with the simplest and cheapest (but good quality) possible minimum hardware. Example: touchscreen + SOC board + power board + connectors for power in, USB, and low power analog audio output.
Modularity should mean that we can add as much as we like, whether we build it ourselves or it comes as add-ons from the vendor of the base HU. Maybe a row of physical buttons that can be added at bottom of display. Maybe an FM/HD etc radio board. Maybe a power amplifier with speaker level outputs. Maybe a USB hub add-on that allows flash-drives, cameras and phones to be attached for charging or Android Auto etc.
What's the perfect head unit
Mostly, it's quality components. I would pay $1000 for a device that had support, warranty, and quality components like solid capacitors and properly soldered ICs that are rated for high temperature changes
What new head units need are bug fixes not new features.
That said specs can still be improved
The RK3066 doesn't have enough performance, I would like something a bit newer
I'd like recent versions of software, and an interface that looks modern, the latest 4.4.4 units come closer, but still pretty far from ideal.
Screens have a lot of room for improvement. I would like good quality IPS screens at least 720p
The apps that make use of the MCU need a good redesign, while they look a lot like current gen pioneer interfaces, pioneer isn't known for having a fresh taste in design.
I think it's essential for any head unit to have these features
Rearview camera trigger
steering wheel control support
GOOD sounding FM radio (properly de-emphasized, no static)
capacitive glass screen of course
On paper, these head units sound great, but the execution needs a lot of work. Extensive QA/UX testing needs to be done, components need to be of a higher standard, and there needs to be better communication, and a way for a certain headunit to stand out from the mass of other ones on the market. Give it a name instead of a 3 letter designation, market it properly, and focus on one product for a longer period of time instead of move to new projects so quickly.
Hello, I've recently purchased a new head unit from Pumpkin (RQ0253) and was wondering if anyone else had experience with this unit in terms of custom roms/rooting? I'm looking to possibly install a Malaysk rom. Any advice is appreciated. Specs below:
OS: Android 4.4 Kit Kat
CPU: RK3188 Cortex A9 Quad Core 1.6GHz
RAM: DDR3 2GB
Screen Resolution: 1024*600
MCU: 5703-20160222-135414-V01
Hi!
If i'm right you're talking about this device: http://www.autopumpkin.com/pumpkin-universal-7-inch-1024-600-touchscreen-quad-core-android-4-4-head-unit-2-din-with-2gb-ram-32gb-nand-memory-support-screen-lock-av-output-gps-obd2-wifi-3g-steering-wheel-control.html
I'm wondering how is the audio quality of this device?
Thank you
I regret going with Pumpkin over Joying. Just letting you know.
Joying is already updating units to Android 5 while Pumpkin still hasn't.
zzEvilGeniuszz said:
I regret going with Pumpkin over Joying. Just letting you know.
Joying is already updating units to Android 5 while Pumpkin still hasn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for reply
but what Pumpkin unit do you have? Do you like audio quality? What about handsfree quality? How does unit work with navigation apps, phone calls and internet radio apps?
Thank you
BR
dima_vy said:
Thank you for reply
but what Pumpkin unit do you have? Do you like audio quality? What about handsfree quality? How does unit work with navigation apps, phone calls and internet radio apps?
Thank you
BR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've the new with Parrot-BT. It is as bad as other units. Reason is simple, they still connect front and external mics in parallel.
Weather widget stopped working. They are still struggling to get a new one. Remember Pumpkin is just a reseller.
halloj said:
I've the new with Parrot-BT. It is as bad as other units. Reason is simple, they still connect front and external mics in parallel.
Weather widget stopped working. They are still struggling to get a new one. Remember Pumpkin is just a reseller.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the info!
What exact model do you have?
Thanx
BR
dima_vy said:
Thank you for the info!
What exact model do you have?
Thanx
BR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
259
halloj said:
259
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this is the unit: http://www.autopumpkin.com/pumpkin-...t-dab-mirrorlink-aux-output-obd2-wifi-3g.html
But if it's only these 2 bad things - microphones and weather widget? Is there no possibility to disable the internal microphone? You unit has only 1GB of RAM. Don't you think that the unit with 2GB of RAM will work better?
How is the quality of the music you play via this unit?
I'm asking all these question because i'd like to buy the HU such Clarion or Pioneer, but there is no such unit which will be Android base Like there are Sony TV for example, working on Android
dima_vy said:
So this is the unit: http://www.autopumpkin.com/pumpkin-...t-dab-mirrorlink-aux-output-obd2-wifi-3g.html
But if it's only these 2 bad things - microphones and weather widget? Is there no possibility to disable the internal microphone? You unit has only 1GB of RAM. Don't you think that the unit with 2GB of RAM will work better?
How is the quality of the music you play via this unit?
I'm asking all these question because i'd like to buy the HU such Clarion or Pioneer, but there is no such unit which will be Android base Like there are Sony TV for example, working on Android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I've other units with 2 GB I can't find any difference. Go ahead and buy the Pioneer which has similar to android auto and you can run all your
apps from the phone. The only problem for me is that it's too expensive.
Sounds like all the rest, no high fidelity that's for sure. The only way to get all these units fair is to perform the mods. BT-mod and sound mod. You say, bad BT only.
Well if you can't use it in your car it's worthless. I've tried all the different ways, only front, only external, only front modified with external mic and so on. No improvement compared to the BT-mod.
halloj said:
Well, I've other units with 2 GB I can't find any difference. Go ahead and buy the Pioneer which has similar to android auto and you can run all your
apps from the phone. The only problem for me is that it's too expensive.
Sounds like all the rest, no high fidelity that's for sure. The only way to get all these units fair is to perform the mods. BT-mod and sound mod. You say, bad BT only.
Well if you can't use it in your car it's worthless. I've tried all the different ways, only front, only external, only front modified with external mic and so on. No improvement compared to the BT-mod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pioneer doesn't have android unit. The only way is to connect the phone with the cable, and i hate cables in the car Regarding the BT - yep, sounds like a problem...
dima_vy said:
Thank you for reply
but what Pumpkin unit do you have? Do you like audio quality? What about handsfree quality? How does unit work with navigation apps, phone calls and internet radio apps?
Thank you
BR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want my brutally honest opinion, don't buy a Chinese Android head unit. Spend a little more for something else.
zzEvilGeniuszz said:
If you want my brutally honest opinion, don't buy a Chinese Android head unit. Spend a little more for something else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like☺, but i want to get unit, that can can run Waze and Internet radio. Till now I didn't find such unit... For some reason well known companies don't use android in audio devices... Any ideas?
dima_vy said:
I'd like, but i want to get unit, that can can run Waze and Internet radio. Till now I didn't find such unit... For some reason well known companies don't use android in audio devices... Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought the same way until I actually spent the money for one. They are not reliable. The Android OS on them are dinosaurs. Constant crashes. If you do not upload a custom rom the crashes will only get worse.
My advice, get the pioneer Android auto unit (dont know exact model) and have it mirror your phone. Then run waze and whatever off your phone instead.
dima_vy said:
I'd like, but i want to get unit, that can can run Waze and Internet radio. Till now I didn't find such unit... For some reason well known companies don't use android in audio devices... Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, Blaupunkt does.
halloj said:
Well, Blaupunkt does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx! Looks interesting, but as i see i doesn't have google apps, so there is a problem to install applications... At list out of the box... I think that better way is to wait till someone else will start with Android based device. like Sony doing with TV...
did anyone ever get the Pumpkin 12-RQ0253-US-A ? it's one of the few I see with 2 gigs of RAM
CadillacMike said:
did anyone ever get the Pumpkin 12-RQ0253-US-A ? it's one of the few I see with 2 gigs of RAM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got this head from Ali (I cannot post links yet, you can find it by "RQ0253+Y0801" keyword) and installed it a few days ago. Works fine, but it doesn't have a bluetooth host - you cannot connect bluetooth devices to it. You only can pair media bluetooth from your phone and cast calls and music to the head. This is pretty disappointing. I wouldn't order this head if knew that before. Haven't installed rear camera yet, maybe there are more surprises awaiting.
Sound quality is OK to me (I'm not an audiophile), a device is pretty responsive. 32G is plenty of space for apps, plus 2 SD cards for music, plus 2 (potentially, 3) usb ports.
I will post more feedback when test it closer.
Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions.
talaman said:
I got this head from Ali (I cannot post links yet, you can find it by "RQ0253+Y0801" keyword) and installed it a few days ago. Works fine, but it doesn't have a bluetooth host - you cannot connect bluetooth devices to it. You only can pair media bluetooth from your phone and cast calls and music to the head. This is pretty disappointing. I wouldn't order this head if knew that before. Haven't installed rear camera yet, maybe there are more surprises awaiting.
Sound quality is OK to me (I'm not an audiophile), a device is pretty responsive. 32G is plenty of space for apps, plus 2 SD cards for music, plus 2 (potentially, 3) usb ports.
I will post more feedback when test it closer.
Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would like to see pics if you get the chance
I got this unit, too. I flashed joying update file and now it doesn't get pass the android logo. On top that, when I boot into recovery, unable to load. I'm sending this unit back and will be getting Carjoying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBuOQByUfTI
CadillacMike said:
i would like to see pics if you get the chance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, some impressions:
Pros:
- Device is fast. It lags a bit only during software update, as any android does
- Screen is bright. Map and navigation are clearly visible under direct sunlight right into the screen.
- Surprisingly usable pre-installed offline navigation (iGO). Interface is ugly, but in general it is ok
- 32 gig is a lot of space. SD card is needed only for music
- Sound via bluetooth is good
Cons:
- Bluetooth is limited by regular speakers/headset. I cannot connect any device to the head unit, I can only cast music and phone calls from my phone and that's all. Android just doesn't see any bluetooth adapter in the system. I can make calls using special application, sound from the phone just play when it's connected. Only one phone can be connected at the same time.
- Internal sound is very bad. I'm not an audiophile, but I've tried to play the same song from the soundcloud app from my phone via bluetooth and then from the head directly. I will probably never play music from the head unit, it is awful. Same for music from files on flash drives/sd card
- Screen frame is quite high, so I can't see some google maps interface elements (miles to next turn, top left corner)
- There's 2 mm gap between the unit and my Nissan's dash cover in the bottom. I will handle this later.
- Bad screen sensitivity in the lower part of the screen, some Ok/Cancel buttons are not responsive while installing software. Maybe, because of android lags. In the maps application touchscreen works fine everywhere.
- Android 4.4 interface is ugly to me. I'd prefer 5.
Conclusion: DO NOT BUY IT, unless you know what you are doing. Limited bluetooth looks a deal breaker to me. None of my 2 bluetooth adapters worked with the android. And without full-featured bluetooth I can't connect OBD2 and set up screen mirroring.
I'll try to send it back, but it might be too expensive and not worth it. Anyway, I keep searching for unit with good sound and full featured bluetooth (and bigger screen resolution, but I haven't seen such units so far)
I haven't attached rear camera yet. I will update this post as soon as I do.
Some pics I made (There's more of them, but I cannot attach links yet, you can add this to photos.google.com, sorry for inconvenience /share/AF1QipMkaPjBvN0gqef5SaFPDg6Br1xbnD1f1sstcIQLxlawDkqPAKsWE5ZQ3tJ1b-0F0g?key=M2NJd3FDQTFIMnBfRGF5c05RUEt3bXdKZGlMRzhn):
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
*picture removed - its a Chinese "OEM" looking unit with a purple IR dot bottom right*
Bought an M3 last week and it had this unit in it.
I've not really got a clue how to use it to It's strength though.
I've currently got my phone hotspot turned on 24/7 as I can't see a way of having it come on when it connects to the car.
The launcher in that picture is a pain as the radio app is junk. I can't tune any FM stations other than Radio 2 and 4. Is there an app that can tune actual FM radio rather than Internet radio that's fit for a car?
I've been playing around with a launcher called Agama tonight which allows me to control what apps open from the touch screen, if I can get a proper FM tuner, can it be mapped to the hard button?
I'm sure I'll have more questions so get used to the sight of me and sorry in advance.
Edit: can't post the picture until I've got 10 posts. Hoping some of you more familiar with these types of head units can help.
Without a picture, it's really hard to say what unit it is, but it is possibly one of the Eonon or Xtrons units, take a look at their websites and see if you can ID the unit. Also, take a look in Settings->About Machine and tell us what info is in there, including the firmware version and MCU type/version, which will help in id-ing the unit and giving advice on how to progress.
If it's not too old, then you may be able to install a custom ROM to get it up to date (easy to do). There are other Radio apps that you can use, but setting them as the default can be a pain, I'm not 100% sure but I think you will need a custom ROM to be able to achieve this.
I reckon you might have it with Xtrons based on the button pattern.
Top left down is Navi, Band, Menu, Mode
Some in Google images have different buttons such as home (which the menu seems to do in mine)
I couldn't tell anything of use from the settings but I recall it has android 9 so it can't be that old. It's in better condition that the rest of the interior that's for sure.
I have two female USB's sticking out from under the steering column. What might they be for?
Can anyone recommend a proper tuner app for the radio that uses actual FM radio rather than the Internet?
Thanks for looking.
Another question, do these Chinese units have a sub output?
I don't have HK in the car so looking for a little extra bass.
So I went the medieval route to identifying the unit - I pulled it out and had a look.
The only markings to give it away was a huge "hizpo" sticker on the side. Google/ebay search found this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-DAB-An...071044?hash=item5b72aea104:g:R4sAAOSwxMFemRw5
Although that is Android 10 and mine is 9
Looks like a piece of junk tbh. Is it worse junk than it's simular Eonon and Xtron counterparts?
I've been left with the bare minimum wiring at the back. None of the audio/visual in/outputs are there. The GPS antenna is just a stubby on the back of the unit, there's nothing for DAB.
What do we think, junk it and replace it or try and get the right ancillaries?
I was thinking of a small sub and amp and a reverse camera and would like DAB which are all out at the moment..
Hi Matt,
most do not come with DAB+ but you get a usb dongle and install an app, DAB-Z is very good,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/3031914365...SWq6_GyD1IyftEY8s3tRj4-ntcgqxfuxoCnX4QAvD_BwE
some of these units are poor, so can be very good. Little hard to tell without the full details of your unit, and if you dont have all the wiring for your sub etc, then its down to you if you replace it or not
RossMacgill said:
Hi Matt,
most do not come with DAB+ but you get a usb dongle and install an app, DAB-Z is very good,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/3031914365...SWq6_GyD1IyftEY8s3tRj4-ntcgqxfuxoCnX4QAvD_BwE
some of these units are poor, so can be very good. Little hard to tell without the full details of your unit, and if you dont have all the wiring for your sub etc, then its down to you if you replace it or not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are the wiring harnesses the same across the units that all look the same?
I ask that with a small hope I could buy just the harness but I can't find Eonon or Xtrons sell them on their own.
If you were to recommend the better units, what ones would you say? Has to be from the OEM look selection. Don't like naff looking screens sticking out of the dash.
I keep looking back to the Avin Avant 4 which is much closer to the OEM look with the button layout and has a lot of extra's, one of which is the ibus interface. You seem to be able to access the cars computers like NCS and do basic coding, show the PDC radar and potentially show navigations cues on the binnacle,.
That appears to be a 3rd party gadget I could add to this unit if I wanted to but not sure this one is worth it.
I will say I found an option in the equaliser "loud" that has made a vast improvement to the audio. but it still feels like it needs a sub.
Matt_Android said:
Are the wiring harnesses the same across the units that all look the same?
I ask that with a small hope I could buy just the harness but I can't find Eonon or Xtrons sell them on their own.
If you were to recommend the better units, what ones would you say? Has to be from the OEM look selection. Don't like naff looking screens sticking out of the dash.
I keep looking back to the Avin Avant 4 which is much closer to the OEM look with the button layout and has a lot of extra's, one of which is the ibus interface. You seem to be able to access the cars computers like NCS and do basic coding, show the PDC radar and potentially show navigations cues on the binnacle,.
That appears to be a 3rd party gadget I could add to this unit if I wanted to but not sure this one is worth it.
I will say I found an option in the equaliser "loud" that has made a vast improvement to the audio. but it still feels like it needs a sub.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the wiring is different on them, so your better off replacing the unit. Eonon and Xtrons have a good following and also dev's playing around with bits, so it would be a good route to go down, but dont hold me to that if it goes wrong haha, also PX6 should be good units, so another safer bet
Sorry, I am a complete noob here and have noticed this in the various different sites selling them - PX6? What is that, is it just the chip in the same vein as a snapdragon for instance?
Th Avant one comes in either PX30 or PX6 - other than the RAM and the storage, what's the benefit of the PX6? Process/bootup speed?
Matt_Android said:
Sorry, I am a complete noob here and have noticed this in the various different sites selling them - PX6? What is that, is it just the chip in the same vein as a snapdragon for instance?
Th Avant one comes in either PX30 or PX6 - other than the RAM and the storage, what's the benefit of the PX6? Process/bootup speed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rockchip is a manufacturer of SoCs (Systems on a chip), they make a range of general-purpose SoCs (eg RK3399). The PX6 is a SoC based on their RK3399 specifically tailored towards android head units. PX6 is the latest, it is a 6 core processor. The PX5 (based on RK3368) is the previous version, it is an 8 core processor. I don't know much about PX30, I believe it is older than PX5. PX6 is faster in most benchmarks despite having fewer processor cores. For the small-screen in-dash units, you probably want to look at Xtrons or Avin, they both have relatively good reputations
I have one of the 9" screen units in my E39 (very similar dash to the E46) and to my eyes, it just looks like it is meant to be there. It's not a perfect fit, but it is very close. But the extra screen real estate makes it more than worth the trade-off imho.
I only noticed today (because I was watching a YouTube video of one being installed) the Avant 4 has no disc drive at all. I rarely use discs, granted, but not sure I'm ready to sacrifice the option altogether.
Hey!
I am looking to buy an android head unit in 2020. I owned one years ago but back then, they were slow and sound wasn't that great. Today I am planning to set it up with a 5-channel Alpine amplifier for my E53 X5.
I have a Resler CANBUS that I will connect and most likely I will listen from the Spotify app 95% of the time.
Like a couple of years ago, I would buy the highest spec with 64 GB of storage and 4 GB of ram. DSP is also what I try to look for but the most important for me is speed and reliability. XTRONS out of these units seem to have the best support and the best brand - I am happy to be proven wrong.
My options starting from my most preferred one:
1. XTRONS with no DSP, optional, Wireless Carplay (stated), PX6
2. SKYSHADOW with DSP, built-in Wireless Carplay (stated), ARM A53
3. WONDEFOO with DSP, built-in Wireless Carplay (stated), PX6
4. BONROAD with DSP, built-in Wireless Carplay (stated), PX6 (not stated)
Which one would you go for, considering Xtrons is 340€, Skyshadow is 290€, Wondefoo ~340€ with import tax and Bonroad ~280€ with import tax
I also wanted to add links to the items, but can't due to the stupid 10 post rule...
Tuumapea said:
Hey!
I am looking to buy an android head unit in 2020. I owned one years ago but back then, they were slow and sound wasn't that great. Today I am planning to set it up with a 5-channel Alpine amplifier for my E53 X5.
I have a Resler CANBUS that I will connect and most likely I will listen from the Spotify app 95% of the time.
Like a couple of years ago, I would buy the highest spec with 64 GB of storage and 4 GB of ram. DSP is also what I try to look for but the most important for me is speed and reliability. XTRONS out of these units seem to have the best support and the best brand - I am happy to be proven wrong.
My options starting from my most preferred one:
1. XTRONS with no DSP, optional, Wireless Carplay (stated), PX6
2. SKYSHADOW with DSP, built-in Wireless Carplay (stated), ARM A53
3. WONDEFOO with DSP, built-in Wireless Carplay (stated), PX6
4. BONROAD with DSP, built-in Wireless Carplay (stated), PX6 (not stated)
Which one would you go for, considering Xtrons is 340€, Skyshadow is 290€, Wondefoo ~340€ with import tax and Bonroad ~280€ with import tax
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly if you plan running external amplifier then you can buy a chinese android unit type 8277L, root it, mod it and for like 60 bucks you'll have everything you need. You'll be able to run Viper4Android mod and in terms of sound tweaking, it's the best you're gonna get, hands down.
iceblue1980 said:
Honestly if you plan running external amplifier then you can buy a chinese android unit type 8277L, root it, mod it and for like 60 bucks you'll have everything you need. You'll be able to run Viper4Android mod and in terms of sound tweaking, it's the best you're gonna get, hands down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank for the input.
What about running Spotify, Waze and Resler apps simultaneously smoothly? Are the units speedy these days?
Also, the 10" screens seem like a nice fit in these BMW's.
Tuumapea said:
Thank for the input.
What about running Spotify, Waze and Resler apps simultaneously smoothly? Are the units speedy these days?
Also, the 10" screens seem like a nice fit in these BMW's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With a good mod even units with only 1Gb of RAM will run fast. It's all about the right configuration made possible with root access. Check out this video where I demonstrate one of these units. You can get a feel of it's speed there.
Tuumapea said:
Hey!
I am looking to buy an android head unit in 2020. I owned one years ago but back then, they were slow and sound wasn't that great. Today I am planning to set it up with a 5-channel Alpine amplifier for my E53 X5.
I have a Resler CANBUS that I will connect and most likely I will listen from the Spotify app 95% of the time.
Like a couple of years ago, I would buy the highest spec with 64 GB of storage and 4 GB of ram. DSP is also what I try to look for but the most important for me is speed and reliability. XTRONS out of these units seem to have the best support and the best brand - I am happy to be proven wrong.
My options starting from my most preferred one:
1. XTRONS with no DSP, optional, Wireless Carplay (stated), PX6
2. SKYSHADOW with DSP, built-in Wireless Carplay (stated), ARM A53
3. WONDEFOO with DSP, built-in Wireless Carplay (stated), PX6
4. BONROAD with DSP, built-in Wireless Carplay (stated), PX6 (not stated)
Which one would you go for, considering Xtrons is 340€, Skyshadow is 290€, Wondefoo ~340€ with import tax and Bonroad ~280€ with import tax
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you look at Teyes CC2+, Pro S + or the CC3?
Flemischguy said:
Did you look at Teyes CC2+, Pro S + or the CC3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I didn't as they don't seem to have one that would fit like I want.
All the ones that I have been looking so far look similar to this:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
I added links now, if you have been wondering what head units I have been talking about. Feel free to choose your favorite and tell us why.
Well, I had same problem to choose radio type to my car
I've tested an original-like 16:9 Navi-style 7", which looked like this:
And of Tesla-style 9" head unit like this one:
And "panoramic" 10" screen like linked by you.
I had them for testing for few days and they had same internals, so I'd rather rate them by their physical pros and cons;
"16:9" style radio:
+ look like original 16:9 Navigation
+ physical knobs & buttons
+ cd/DVD drive
- only 7 inch screen. Today smartphones got almost same size and if you take under consideration where screen is located...
- screen angle. Causes a sun-glare into driver eyes...
- requires A LOT of drilling and cutting if you have 1+1 DIN CD53 business CD radio. Probably after fitting this head unit you wont be able to back to factory audio.
"Tesla" style 9" radio:
+ 9" screen. Its huge difference between 7 and 9
+ Somehow I feel that screen angle is slightly better than in "16:9". I received less sun glare.
+ Due to lack of DVD drive it's flat on the back. It requires minimal work to fit into original radio frame (1+1 DIN)
- No cd/DVD drive
- no physical knob for at least volume
"Panoramic" style 10" :
+ 10" screen
+ Due to lack of DVD drive it's flat on the back. It requires minimal work to fit into original radio frame (1+1 DIN)
+ Somehow it resembles an built-in screen under dash, like in Bmw E60, E70 and newer. And better utilizes space for head unit than "tesla style".
- similar screen angle as "16:9". Also causes a sun-glare into driver eyes, but screen is bigger so... do the math
- No cd/DVD drive
- no physical knob for at least volume
- Due to panoramic screen you won't feel that is bigger than 9 inch tesla-style. Everything you display on that screen is still limited by its height, so playing videos causes black rectangles to appear from both sides.
I didn't decide to buy any of them, because of not good screen angle/position. In my opinion It should be more vertical.
So I did what @iceblue1980 said. I bought an generic 10" tablet-like head unit for circa 90 EUROs and fitted it into 1 DIN frame and set it at the angle I wanted.
+ true 10" screen. Its pleasure to use Navi system on this.
+ Due to lack of DVD drive it's flat on the back. there is no need to cut anything to fit it.
+ CHEAP! 1/3 price of Bmw dedicated headunits
+ You can set screen in your own way (angle). In my case passengers on backseats are able to watch videos on that screen with almost no brightness or contrast deformations. It applies to sun glare too
- No cd/DVD drive
- no physical knob for at least volume
- You have to solder harness by yourself [Quadlock <-> ISO]. Fitting into radio frame is also in your hands. And it can take several hours if you have no idea how to fit it.