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Android head unit microphone issues

These systems are well known for their mic troubles and I have taken this up with the manufacturer. There is a post that I have seen somewhere in this forum that details a hardware fix. From what I have gathered, anyone brave enough to attempt and has accomplished this fix has not reported any issues; great for the electricians out there.
I do work in the computer industry, but identifying electrical components and soldering is not something I am too confident with. The manufacturer did however, send me an updated update.img file in response to my mic issues. I've installed this and it made some improvement, but nothing so significant that I have actually started using the mic. It also has a new wallpaper and noticed that the default apps have been updated, but not sure how?
Anyway, I've just had a bright idea! I've tried improving the mic by using various bluetooth mics, various external mics that plugin into the mic jack, using the internal mic and manufacturer software update. All make very little difference, but has anyone actually tried using a USB mic?
I don't have one to hand and don't really want to buy one if this doesn't solve the issue. Would drivers/android recognising the usb device be an issue? Hoping someone has had a go at trying this out or can try it out if thay have a usb mic?

Shame no one replied on this one. Did you end up trying a USB mic solution and did it work out for you?

Yeah... Haven't tried it yet as don't want to buy one if it doesn't work. Your reply to this thread would have bumped it back to the top so may still get a response Im hoping

According to this link http://liliputing.com/2012/09/using-skype-on-an-mk802-android-4-0-mini-pc.html, a microsoft lifecam vx-700 with built-in microphone was found to be working on some android devices. The question is whether our firmware would work too. And whether there would be a way to simply disable the built-in input and only route the external usb sound in. It all feels like its probably too much to ask....

OK so I tried a cheap usb webcam with built in microphone to see if it would make a difference. The webcam seems to be working fine for video, was instantly recognized by android and showed video, but sound is still the horrible mess coming from the internal mic. I doubt that a dedicated USB mic would be any different.

Thanks for checking... you saved me some time at least.

Could it be when using an internal mic + external at the same time that can cause this kind of trouble? That is what it seems when i read around forums.

have a look at this, maybe it helps:
http://www.autopumpkin.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=171&start=90

I simply cut the internal red wire to mic and installed external mic again and the problems have disappeared. I have been told there is a slight echo but that may be fixed by changing the BT firmware from default.

I think the mic location on the HU is excellent and we don't really need to route an external mic somewhere else. How about just trying to desoldier the old one and try to locate a high quality one and soldier a new one ?
Fortunately I am lucky and my internal mic works great.

raptor18 said:
I think the mic location on the HU is excellent and we don't really need to route an external mic somewhere else. How about just trying to desoldier the old one and try to locate a high quality one and soldier a new one ?
Fortunately I am lucky and my internal mic works great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lucky you, though to be fair without an external mic my internal worked, just not very well. I have read somewhere that soldering to the internal connections had issues but not sure why, it cant hurt to try can it?

roscored1000 said:
Lucky you, though to be fair without an external mic my internal worked, just not very well. I have read somewhere that soldering to the internal connections had issues but not sure why, it cant hurt to try can it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shouldn't be a tough solder job.
Just make sure to use a solder sucker to remove old mic and you should be fine.

Guys,
I have the same problem with my android car navigation system.
I have a Note 4 and an android car navigation system in my car (with built in wifi and Bluetooth (BT)). The microphone of the car navigation system has a very low quality, it is almost not working/usable. I would like to pair my phone to the car system in BT but would like to disable the built- in microphone of the android car system and use the note 4's microphone by default and hear the sound of the person who is talking to me on the car speakers.
Is this possible? How? Do I need to use third party apps ?
Many thanks in advance

So frustrating... Anyone have a fix yet?
Android head unit mic barely picking up.
Why have they not fixed this issue?
So frustrating. Got everything all hooked up and straightened out except the daggum mic. I just bought this android head unit (9.0) and the person on the other end of the phone call can't hear me. So I plugged in the external and same. They can barely here me when I am screaming into it.
I have got to get this fixed.
Anyone found a solution yet???

Find out how to get into the engineering menu of your HU, there you can adjust the mic gain. Also have a look at this thread for other ideas.

did you fix it?
---------- Post added at 12:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:03 PM ----------
I improved the level of my mic built-in with th MTK enginerring app. hardware test and changing mic volumen in normal mode, headset mode and loudspeaker mode, but it is not enough when engine is working. I will try to solder and external mic to the pads of mic built-in. I think that it is problem of software filtering because when engine is off, sounds doesn't rattle, the volumen is not to high but the comunication is steady, but when i start the engine, conversation gets cuts. maybe engine sound is interfering with the mic built-in mic. I will update progresions.

8227L YT9216BJ Head Unit
even my above car android unit has mic problem. it does not recognize the voice commands unless spoken very close to the mic, which is not practical
Also, Bluetooth calls are intermittently heard (with Airtel). But when switched to JIO simcard, works fine.
Please can anyone support with a solution on both the issues
[email protected]

In short for helping anyone that has the same problem
I have a Bosion D6 android (android 10 version – 4 gb ram 64 storage, 8-core) head unit on my Ford Focus mk2.
Everything was perfect expect the microphone, even after I installed the external mic that came with it, the sound was poor and my listeners’ complaint that the quality of the conversation was not very good.
Read tons of stuff here and elsewhere so I decided to spend some money (around 20€) and bought a Sony microphone XA-MC10 to replace the Chinese original (since I have read some good reviews and you can find it in your local market also)
The difference was more than noticeable and everyone now listen to me perfect. i test it myslef through the sound recorder app and it seems like going from say 64kbits/s to 146kbits/s or more.

I don't want to open another thread because the problem is similar.
When I connect with iphone carplay, the interlocutor often hears me jerky, I tried both internal microphone and external also cutting the internal one to exclude it but nothing.
Using the application "microphone amplifier" and applying the filters instead it feels perfectly, but obviously every time it should start and set, so very boring.
Tried to use MTK Engineering mode to change the mic volume, but it doesn't solve completely.
Anyone have any ideas to try?
Thank you in advance

Did anyone ever find a solution to sounding really quiet to the person your calling? Cheers

Best joying (or other) head unit as far as modability and versatility

so as the title says which is the best joying or other android head unit as far as modability and versatility.
right now i have rooted parrot asteroid smart that is adequate but kinda lacking in processing power so can lag if i have more than a few apps open with torque running in the background.

I'm interested in this thread. I have an Xtrons unit I've been using for the past 5 years now, so I'm due for an update.
I know one thing that's important to me in any head unit I get is that it have physical dials and/or buttons. Touchscreen controls require visual contact, which I'd like to keep to a minimum while driving. Volume control and << | >> song controls primarily. Screencasting would also be a huge plus. I'm just beginning to do my research, so any shortcuts or suggestions anyone can offer, I'd love to hear it.

I have a winca s190 from carnaviplayer
Styled to the same shape as my original OEM one
Literally has everything you just listed
this is for my forfour
http://www.carnaviplayer.com/smart-fortwoforfour-2007-2010-aftermarket-gps-navigation-p-958

I would also love to know the answer to this question

PX5 Headunit Phone issues when recording dashcam DVR

I have been having a serious issue with my head unit ever since I got it. Well, actually, not me, but everyone who I talk to on my phone with it over bluetooth, in particular when my DVR is recording the dashcam. When the built-in DVR is recording the dashcam, it keeps making a loud buzz sound every 5 seconds to the receiving end of the call. That is, I don't hear it, but anyone I'm talking to on the other end of the call does. It is very loud and irritating, to such a degree that I have to turn off the DVR every time I'm in a call. Obviously, this shouldn't happen. Additionally, I find the same thing happens when making a call with Skype installed on the radio, which wouldn't be using bluetooth at that point, so it seems somehow either the dashcam itself (it is not the DVR software, I tried another software that did the same thing) or a hardware issue is creating noise on the line-in or mic in the sound system that goes out to the other end of the call. I've tried support from the "manufacturer", but they aren't much use and I don't intend to send the unit back to China and wait to get it back for 4 or 5 months. I suspect it isn't likely to be the dashcam, so for some reason there seems to be feedback on the USB line to the sound module.
So, I'd appreciate any ideas here. I've also tried numerous other DVR apps, but it seems that pretty much none of them function correctly with the USB dashcam that came with the radio. I don't know if it's an issue with the specific camera or that it's a USB interface for the camera. So, I'd appreciate any experience anyone can offer to resolve this.
Other than these issues, I've got it working the way I want. I installed a cooling fan on the PX5 CPU. I need to put a capacitor in parallel with it still as I think it's causing the LCD to flicker slightly. It came with Android 8, so I installed Android 9 on it. Upgraded the MCU. I also replaced the plain WIFI antenna wire with a plugin port so I can connect a better wifi antenna. I found an app that allows me to force a normal reboot instead of the pseudo-reboot it does with the power button because Android sometimes needs an actual real reboot.
There are some really annoying quirks about the radio too that if anyone knows how to change I'd be very grateful. For one, the Accessibility Services keep getting disabled when the radio is shutdown with the car. It seems to be a memory function built into the device as it doesn't happen with a real normal reboot. Also, the wifi sometimes gets shut off, I assume for the same reason. And the lack of security really really bugs me.

That's not an issue it's a feature I guess they didn't want to dedicate a PCB layer to route analog signals I even wonder if they have a dedicated layer for power. Anyway the problem is they run analog lines next to/under digital lines and no ground plane to isolate the 2. There is a mic mod thread that addresses those issues if you're interested.
Maybe just installing an external mic would be sufficient if your HU already has a connector for it. As for your other issue, check the factory settings menu there should be a setting to restore the unit to previous state on reboot. Sorry I can't remember the exact name of it.

nic2k said:
That's not an issue it's a feature I guess they didn't want to dedicate a PCB layer to route analog signals I even wonder if they have a dedicated layer for power. Anyway the problem is they run analog lines next to/under digital lines and no ground plane to isolate the 2. There is a mic mod thread that addresses those issues if you're interested.
Maybe just installing an external mic would be sufficient if your HU already has a connector for it. As for your other issue, check the factory settings menu there should be a setting to restore the unit to previous state on reboot. Sorry I can't remember the exact name of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an external mic. It doesn't help. Thanks for pointing me in the direction of the mic mod. It's probably what I've been looking for. As for the factory settings, I don't seem to have an option to restore the unit previous state in my factory settings.

Review of PX6 Android 9 head unit -too high expectations? Return or exchange?

I ordered a PX6 4 /64 GB (MTCE_CHS) head unit with 720 p display and Android 9 for my Mercedes-Benz W211. I found a seller at AliExpress with great reviews so I felt safe to order from them.
This will be a short review which I hope can help someone who is looking for info before buying a Android Head unit, but I am also very thankful if someone has ideas how I can solve my problems.
Pros:
- Very sharp display with good viewing angles.
- Reverse cam works great in good lightning conditions.
- Fast startup from standby.
- Useful equalizer which makes it possible to get a great sound experience.
- Custom ROM, root, Tasker and FCC Launcher make it possible to customize the head unit in many ways.
- Very good GPS performance when connected to original powered GPS-antenna in car.
- Apple CarPlay works and looks generally very good, but has problems with sound mixing which makes it useless.
Cons:
- Handsfree sound quality sucks so much it's useless. Sound from the other persons is bad and they can't barely hear me. Tried with external microphone also.
- No auto brightness and max brightness is low in sunny conditions.
- General audio quality, there is constant background noise and interference from wifi, bluetooth and USB devices makes it worse.
- The head unit was supposed to be plug and play but I had to modify my car and use an dremel multi tool to cut the plastic in the car, which makes it difficult to go back to original head unit. This is normal according to seller but no info before buying.
- Android apps does not display well in a car head unit. Even when adjusting dpi it is difficult to find a good setting. Text and objects will be too small or too big, sometimes frustrating and dangerous to control music and navigation apps when driving.
- Android Auto is displayed in low resolution and looks bad, it also has problems with sound mixing which makes it useless.
- FM radio reception is bad, even though I use the original powered antenna in the car.
- General sound mixing problems in different apps.
- I had dust debris inside the display, which is visible with both display off and on.
Problems:
- I have an intermittent problem with a "popping" sound and at the same time the display goes to night mode for a second and reset the clock to 0:00. Tried to disable auto night mode in factory settings but no difference.
- Sometimes when opening a door or turning on the ignition there is a loud high pitch sound from the speakers, very uncomfortable, almost hurts the ears and scares the passengers.
- Sound mixing, when using Android Auto och Apple CarPlay, it will automatically lower music volume when giving navigation directions, but will not increase volume afterwards. So when you manually increase music volume again, next time the voice will be so high it almost destroy your speakers and ears. The navigation voice in Waze Android app gets cut 0,5 - 1,0 seconds to early.
When speaking to the seller they have problems understanding my issues, and just tell me to wait for MCU update (I already have the latest). Seems like they just want to delay so the time when it is possible to open a dispute will end.
What would you recommend me to do? Demand an exchange of my head unit and canbus decoder and hope it will solve the problems? Demand a refund and buy a Sony or Kenwood Android Auto / Apple CarPlay head unit?
Just accept the problems and issues and try to forget that I paid A LOT of money for the head unit and all the accessories?

There are dozens of different manufacturers and hardware types using PX6.
Post MCU type so people can know the manufacturer and type of unit being reviewed.

marchnz said:
There are dozens of different manufacturers and hardware types using PX6.
Post MCU type so people can know the manufacturer and type of unit being reviewed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, it is a MTCE_CHS, I added the info to the first post.

I think that this highlights a general problem with the chinese android head units: They just aren't "consumer-ready". Don't get me wrong, they provide fantastic bang for your buck, but they all have their problems (many of which can be solved through help from this forum) and they all lack any decent support. Having said that, I also have a PX6 4G/64G unit in my car, and I just don't have any of the problems you mention. It's not without its annoyances, and I have had to work through several problems to get it sorted, but after just a few months I am very happy with what I have ended up with. The sound quality is fantastic to my untrained ears, and it all works fairly smoothly. I got a massive upgrade in functionality in my 21 year old car for not much money.
In your case, there seem to be too many problems that appear to be related to the hardware. I don't think that an MCU update is going to fix the issues that you list, and so If it were me, I would be returned the unit asap, and trying a different manufacturer, either another chinese manufacturer or one of the proven japanese manufacturers.

yt9213aj unit cuts off the car stock radio

Hi,
i recently recieved this unit (supposedly running 10.1 w. 9-inch screen, 1GB/16GB, but from other threads here i assume that this would not be quite true (Android version....)). Anyhow, after installing it in my car, i noticed that the stock car radio ceased to work and i wonder if it would be possible to get sound working from it again, even if this Android head-unit is connected?

No one has this problem? at all?
Sure, i have the radio of this Android unit working, but i'm just trying to understand why it would cut off the stock radio?

my03 said:
No one has this problem? at all?
Sure, i have the radio of this Android unit working, but i'm just trying to understand why it would cut off the stock radio?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the same problem did you manage to find a solution to the problem

yes and no. On my unit, there is this L+R "aux in" connectors hanging out of the main harness (that comes out of the Android unit) and the sellers (after 5 roundtrips of mails, videos of me explaining the issue, etc) told me to connect those two to the "aux-out". I believe they meant the aux-out on my car stereo (nothing such exists on the Kenwood unit that the car came with). What i DID try was to connect the audio-out (that also comes out of the Android head unit) to the aux-in and then i actually got sound from my car CD/Radio. Problem with that was that it now came out mixed together with the audio from the Android unit.
To make matters worse, as soon as i exited the Android unit radio app, the sound from my CD stopped playing as well (so muted). Only if i had either my radio on (android) or if i played something from USB (mp3) the sound came through.
The seller then told me to launch the AVIN app as that would be the only way to make it work, which it did not. To top it all off, having it connected like this (even if i dropped the volume on the Android unit to 0) was causing this constant "hum" in my speakers so it was not practical at all.
So no, it was never solved and imho it never will be solved (unless possibly if you have some aux-out connectors available?)

Thanks for reply I was thinking along the same lines myself which is good, as my car has an aux in so I was going to see if I could find aux out and connect it, I will have a good try this week and keep you updated, which vehicle is your unit installed in by the way

Hi Mercedes-w204, i have a Subaru Legacy 2005 with a Kenwood (gx-201-LHF2) radio/CD unit (without aux)
I got in touch with the sellers and now they are telling me that a filter might help sorting out the issue, lets see where it all ends up

In general, these units are replacing stock audio altogether. It's not recommended to keep stock stereos period.

I would tend to agree with you, but the issue i have is that the stock radio is rock solid where this one leaves certain things to desire (it sometimes has static, mutes occationally, etc). Also, i would like to keep the CD available and basically use it for maps/nav, USB audio and BT (prefferably routed through the stock stereo).

my03 said:
I would tend to agree with you, but the issue i have is that the stock radio is rock solid where this one leaves certain things to desire (it sometimes has static, mutes occationally, etc). Also, i would like to keep the CD available and basically use it for maps/nav, USB audio and BT (prefferably routed through the stock stereo).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't it be easier to just use your Android phone then? But I see what you mean and fully agree with you, which is why I heavily mod these units - hardware and software alike.
You can improve the radio quality considerably, nearly to DAB level. The sound can also be improved to very hi-end output levels. Frankly, enough things can be improved in these units at a very low cost (provided you have the equipment and intermediate soldering skills). T give you an example, this is what I know is possible to achieve with these units:
Enhance sound to HIFI quality
Improve radio to close to DAB output quality
Improve wifi speed 10-20x times
Improve microphone by up to 5 times
Enhance the speed of the operating system by 50%
Reduced overheating by up to 200%
Stabilize the Android OS while adding endless tweaking options for UI, sound, and other functions

Wow. Yeah it would be needed imho as those areas (that you describe) could be improved. Anywhere where mods like these are described?

iceblue1980 said:
Wouldn't it be easier to just use your Android phone then? But I see what you mean and fully agree with you, which is why I heavily mod these units - hardware and software alike.
You can improve the radio quality considerably, nearly to DAB level. The sound can also be improved to very hi-end output levels. Frankly, enough things can be improved in these units at a very low cost (provided you have the equipment and intermediate soldering skills). T give you an example, this is what I know is possible to achieve with these units:
Enhance sound to HIFI quality
Improve radio to close to DAB output quality
Improve wifi speed 10-20x times
Improve microphone by up to 5 times
Enhance the speed of the operating system by 50%
Reduced overheating by up to 200%
Stabilize the Android OS while adding endless tweaking options for UI, sound, and other functions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Consider posting "how tos" - if the results are as good as the claims.

marchnz said:
Consider posting "how tos" - if the results are as good as the claims.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The instructions are available here and on 4PDA forums, to name a few. It would take me an insanely long time to put everything here. I have a daytime job and a family so, unfortunately, no time to do what you asked. I might add some How-To videos to my Youtube channel later on.