Database Users

New 4.4.2 Kitkat Head Unit (Newsmy Carpad NU3001)

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.
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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.

2-din HeadUnit Quad Core Brand Newsmy 4.4.2

Hello all,
I have been searching for a good head unit radio for my car since july, and never been able to find a good one that I can ben sure of what I am ordering.
ker2gsr from here got me a link from Newsmy : NewsMy head unit thatlook pretty good on first look.
I contacted the company and here is what they said: "First of all, let me introduce our brand to you. We have our own brand"Newsmy", China top 10 car dvd brand. All our products are made by our factory. We are factory.
And we have our own technology, all our products are made by our own R&D technology.
Since you know: Roadmaster, Huifei, Klyde, i think you well know this industry in China. Are you a seller in Canada?
Actually a lot of factories in China dont have their own technology, they just use software company's solution. So it is very easy for them to produce product, they just need to assemble all the parts and became a product."
If they really are the factory, might be easy to maintain a good rooting project !
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And the android box ! I do not know what to think about it .....
I find it weird when I read that it can support android 5.0 ... but it might means they will continue the update for a while !!
Here are the specs:
Do you guys think we should jump on these unit and try rooting them ?
Thank you very much,
Martin L.

So how much have they quoted you for

It is at a very decent price !
The only thing i am worried about is that, after asking questions, she finally said it is a android box! !
Just a screen with an android box that i can install somewhere in my car.
It is firewire port so i can bring it home and plug it to my tv... something I'll never do.
So two things have to be known nor. .. are they rootable, and is it a good thing having it in a box instead of direct in the head unit ???
I will post photo of the box tomorrow.

I added the android box picture on the first page , I do not know what to think about it !

Talk source code with them that's usally a good indication of they know what they talking about it if its just a sells pitch

When I received the email regarding the android box, I answered with a question:
"I see there is other plugs behind the head unit (speakers, antenna, ect). So there should have something installed in the head unit as an OS.
How does the head unit antenna send the signal to the android box's radio app ?
Is it windows CE in the head unit, or any other OS ?"
She did not answer that one, might not be real "pure android" ...
I can easly buy a sample headunit with 7" screen and plug in a chrome cast ...

Yeah see that's the problem with these so called factories is that they are not .they have good sales pitch but then when you get into the technical they have no answers that's why I've been reluctant to pick up one of those Chinese units
---------- Post added at 08:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:22 PM ----------
I'm waiting for a more reliable manufacturer
---------- Post added at 08:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ----------
This is the sony one I told you about http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...-available-on-amazon-and-crutchfield-for-250/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Android-4-2...Video_In_Dash_Units_w_GPS&hash=item3a95ea3906 heres another quad core one with 1024*600 resolution

ker2gsr said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Android-4-2...Video_In_Dash_Units_w_GPS&hash=item3a95ea3906 heres another quad core one with 1024*600 resolution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This link does not work anymore !
but I am afraid of ordering from ebay, we have no idea what we are buying !
That is way I am searching for a good companie that I can order from knowing what we buy !!

I've come to this one as well on aliexpress.
Thanks to you i've realized it is a capacitive display + an android box plugged in.
at this point, it would be cheaper to buy a nice display and plug a chromecast to it., i believe.
plus, instead of buying from china , i could simply buy in EU and avoid import fees and have warranty in addition

dobe3 said:
I've come to this one as well on aliexpress.
Thanks to you i've realized it is a capacitive display + an android box plugged in.
at this point, it would be cheaper to buy a nice display and plug a chromecast to it., i believe.
plus, instead of buying from china , i could simply buy in EU and avoid import fees and have warranty in addition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but I don't think you'll be able to have radio on it then !

genius312 said:
Yes but I don't think you'll be able to have radio on it then !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you're right!
how dumb of me not thinking of that.
anyway there is still a way to bypass that issue: plug mobile phone with jack audio to the navi system (jack cable works as antenna for the radio on the mobile phone).
but of course, that's not a nice solution i'd like to have in my nissan juke !
so, i've just ocme up with another idea: chromecast + pioneer appradio . what do you think?

genius312 said:
Yes but I don't think you'll be able to have radio on it then !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aliexpress is having a sale today 50%off

Pumpkin has just added a Quad Cord Double DIN for $350, is this the Newsmy Model?
Here are the specs they listed:
　
Type 6.2 inch Quad-core HD Capacitive Touch Screen
Resolution 800*480(WVGA)
Image Brightness/ Contrast/ Color adjustable Yes
Full Dimmer Function Yes
Touch Screen Function Yes
3D Animation User Interface Yes
Car Brand Logo Changeable Yes
Built-In LCD Clock Display Function Yes
Drag-and-drop Icons (Under main interface) Yes
DVD
Compatible Format AVI/DVD/DVD+R/DVD-R/DVD+RW/DVD-RW/VCD/MP3/CD/CD-RW/JPEG
DVD OSD(On Screen Display) Language English/Traditional Chinese/Spanish/French/German/Portuguese/Italian/ Russian/Turkish/Norwegian/Simplified Chinese/Japanese
Virtual CD Driver Function No
Bluetooth
Make and receive calls hands free Yes ( Support the phones with bluetooth above 2.1 version)
Bluetooth MP3 Player Function Yes (Attention: This function can only be realized when the mobile phone supports Bluetooth Audio Output)
Built-in Microphone Yes
Support Bluetooth Phonebook Function Yes
TV & Radio
Built-In RDS Radio Receiver Function Yes
TV Input No
Radio Frequency Region Europe,United States,Japan,Latin America,Taiwan
Audio & Video
Max power 4×50W
EQ (Effect Compensation) POP, ROCK, CLASS, STANDARD
Input & Output
RCA Audio/Video Output Yes
AUX Audio/Video input Yes
Back Sight Input to Camera Yes
Built in amplifier Yes
USB/SD slot maximum compatibility 32G ( Can support soft drive such as USB flash drive, or MP3 player with maximum 16G compatibility, Can't support portable hard drive; Can support SDHC Card of maximum 32G compatibility.)
Subwoofer Output Yes
GPS Antenna Input Yes
USB/SD Compatible Video Formats Yes (MP4/DIVX6.0/XVID/ AVI/ 3GP)
General
Car models Universal
Installation type 2 DIN Size
Installation Size 178(L)×160(W)×100(H)mm
Steering Wheel Control Function Yes
Menu Language English/Traditional Chinese/Spanish/French/German/Portuguese/Italian/ Russian/Turkish/Norwegian/Simplified Chinese/Japanese
Auto-memory Function: Yes
iPod / iPhone
Support iPod/iPhone Input iPod/iPhone
Support iPod/iPhone Music Playback iPod CLASSIC/iPod NANO/iPod TOUCH/ iPhone 4/ iPhone 4s/
Can be charged when connecting Yes
GPS Specification
Operation System Android 4.4.4 system
CPU 1.6GHz
Map Storage Mode Micro SD CARD (with a KUDOS 4G Micro Card)
SD Card slot for updating maps Yes
Setup the world time zone freely Yes
Complete computerized turn by turn voice guidance Yes
Support 2D/3D Map Views Yes
Memory stores previous destinations Yes
POI(Point of interest) Search Option Automotive Service/Hotel/Eat & Drink/Shopping/Leisure Center/Medical Services/Transport Information and so on
Map US-Canada Map / Western Europe Map / Australia Map
Dual Zone Function Yes ( 1. Enjoy Navigation with car speakers in the front zone; while backseat passengers can enjoy DVD movies through the AV output of the unit. 2. You can listen to the music while using GPS navigation at the same time.)
Picture in Picture Function (PIP) No

2 DIN Pure Android 4.4 QuadCore Freescale i.MX6 Cortex A9 1.2GHz Car DVD Head Unit

I have found some new Android 4.4 car stereo head unit.
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Specifications from the seller:
CPU: FREESCALE i.MX6 ARM CORTEX A9, QUAD CORE 1.2GHz
8 inch Capacitive Touch Screen 800*480 pixels with dynamic GUI (1024*600 optional)
Rich periphery port (SD/MMC, Bluetooth, USB2.0 OTG, UART)
Built-in DDRIII 1G/2G (optional)
Built-in 16G/32G iNAND (optional)
Built-in DVD player, inhaled car special chipset
Built-in Radio PLL tuner with 36 FM/12 AM presets, high quality RDS reception
Built-in Bluetooth ( iPhone 4S/5/5S A2DP playback)
Built-in navigation (map in iNAND)
External Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n dongle/Built-in (optional)
External 3G WCDMA/4G LTE dongle (optional)
Support CAN-BUS of Europe Version (optional)
Support DVB-T, ISDB-T, ATSC, Compatible with PAL/NTSC/SECAM format (External or Built-in as optional)
Support iPod/iPhone (Audio/Video playback, charge)
SD card with maximum 32G
4-channel × 45W power output, 4.2-channel line-out: front, rear and 2 subwoofers 5-band equalizer
Parking brake control
Rear camera input
Illumination auto dimmer
Microphone internal & external switch
Support mirror link via USB
Support USB to connect computer
Works with steering wheel controls
All the usual stuff like car DVR, TV, etc.
It can be found on Aliexpress for about $550.
Don't know if there is any universal version but I have found some versions for Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Nissan ...
In Google can be also found as Carit head unit.
Some videos are also available:
Does any body have any experience with this head unit?
I wonder if it is worth those money as there is a lot of HU for less $$ (and huge threads here with bugs on them).

I'm interested as well, especially because of the 1024x600 possible screen definition.
I read other info concerning android double din radio but 800x480 was not comfortable for some applications (waze for instance)

This bigger screen resolution is optional. I wonder if it is possible to order it now or is it only a future feature to get more clients?

_arecki_ said:
I have found some new Android 4.4 car stereo head unit.
Specifications from the seller:
CPU: FREESCALE i.MX6 ARM CORTEX A9, QUAD CORE 1.2GHz
8 inch Capacitive Touch Screen 800*480 pixels with dynamic GUI (1024*600 optional)
Rich periphery port (SD/MMC, Bluetooth, USB2.0 OTG, UART)
Built-in DDRIII 1G/2G (optional)
Built-in 16G/32G iNAND (optional)
Built-in DVD player, inhaled car special chipset
Built-in Radio PLL tuner with 36 FM/12 AM presets, high quality RDS reception
Built-in Bluetooth ( iPhone 4S/5/5S A2DP playback)
Built-in navigation (map in iNAND)
External Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n dongle/Built-in (optional)
External 3G WCDMA/4G LTE dongle (optional)
Support CAN-BUS of Europe Version (optional)
Support DVB-T, ISDB-T, ATSC, Compatible with PAL/NTSC/SECAM format (External or Built-in as optional)
Support iPod/iPhone (Audio/Video playback, charge)
SD card with maximum 32G
4-channel × 45W power output, 4.2-channel line-out: front, rear and 2 subwoofers 5-band equalizer
Parking brake control
Rear camera input
Illumination auto dimmer
Microphone internal & external switch
Support mirror link via USB
Support USB to connect computer
Works with steering wheel controls
All the usual stuff like car DVR, TV, etc.
It can be found on Aliexpress for about $550.
Don't know if there is any universal version but I have found some versions for Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Nissan ...
In Google can be also found as Carit head unit.
Some videos are also available:
Does any body have any experience with this head unit?
I wonder if it is worth those money as there is a lot of HU for less $$ (and huge threads here with bugs on them).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found one universal version http://www.autopumpkin.com/new-prod...h-screen-3g-wifi-bluetooth-obd2-free-mic.html, it costs $389.99, but if you need 1024*600 resolution should pay extra $60.

anan2046 said:
I have found one universal version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But this is different unit. It is with dual core 1,6 GH Rokchip 3066, not quad core Freescale.
There is separate thread for those units on xda.

I've purchased a vehicle specific version of this and it's all fitted and up and running.
Does anyone know if this unit can be rooted?

I don't know if it can be rooted, but can you tell anything about this unit? How do you like it? Why do you want to root it, is there anything missing?
Where did buy it? Can you paste a link?

Chrisseh, is it the unit you have?
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Pure...PS-Canbus-Radio-BT-IPOD-USB-SD/843511550.html
An older version of this device was easy rooted by z4root application. You can try it. You can easy unroot if needed.

Yup! That's the exact one I bought. I'll look into z4root, thanks.
Are there any risks? I can't brick my unit by a failed root?
To answer your other questions.. I love it so far! Everything is snappy and responsive. The actual integration with my car's controls is seemless.
I asked about rooting purely for the future.. Incase I come across an app that won't install and I have to use Market Helper or I want to look into altering boot animations or graphics for the system apps.

I just found that the z4root works with the old android version and most probably it will not work for this unit.
But it is good to know that you look it for the future case
If you don't mind I would like to ask you some more questions about this unit.
What about the bluetooth? Is it possible to use phone and another bluetooth device (like OBD2 interface) in the same time?
I have found your photos in another thread an saw that there was two bluetooth icons in status bar.
Is there good quality sound for the phone calls?
Is there good radio reception signal quality?
What about the audio, is it good or worse than original audio in your car?
What navigation application do you use? Was there any problem with GPS lock?
Have you tested the internet connection (GPRS/WiFi)?
Have you tested USB hub?
Thanks

_arecki_ said:
I just found that the z4root works with the old android version and most probably it will not work for this unit.
But it is good to know that you look it for the future case
If you don't mind I would like to ask you some more questions about this unit.
What about the bluetooth? Is it possible to use phone and another bluetooth device (like OBD2 interface) in the same time?
Unfortunately I don't have another bluetooth device to test this.
I have found your photos in another thread an saw that there was two bluetooth icons in status bar.
I can only presume this is because I was connected via bluetooth for handsfree and also streaming music via A2DP
Is there good quality sound for the phone calls?
Phonecalls could be better but for me they are totally adequate.
Is there good radio reception signal quality?
The radio audio quality isn't great if I'm honest. Doesn't bother me all that much as I rarely listen to the radio.
What about the audio, is it good or worse than original audio in your car?
The audio over A2DP sounds pretty much the same as the original unit.
What navigation application do you use? Was there any problem with GPS lock?
The default navigation app is Navigon. I've used it twice and it has been excellent. No GPS issues whatsoever.
Have you tested the internet connection (GPRS/WiFi)?
Unfortunately this unit doesn't come with built in wifi and I didn't buy the adapter at the time. I've since ordered one from the seller and it should be here soon!
Have you tested USB hub?
I haven't tested a usb hub yet.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope this helps!

Chrisseh said:
Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. Thank you for the response.
If you have any new thoughts about this unit please share

Root is available.
Our Russian friends did it already with the Root_Zhushou_v1.3.0_rus.apk application. It works.
File:
http://dusias.spaces.ru/files/?read=54056373
Instructions (one click):

Does anybody know how to fix FM radio in this head unit?
It is absolutely unusable. Not possible to seek next/prev stations from steering wheel and very poor radio signal reception.

Absolutely **** ... I having hell of a problems with my FREESCALE i.MX6 ARM CORTEX A9, QUAD CORE
No support of the seller at all . as I have been suggest to look in google .
I can`t restore it to the factory settings cos it ask me for password , looking for another way to get to the restore menu ,if is possible because is custom made Android I guess

milenmarinov78, to restore to factory settings you can try password: 110601.
I haven't tried, but found on some russian page.
Please give some feedback if it works.

_arecki_ said:
milenmarinov78, to restore to factory settings you can try password: 110601.
I haven't tried, but found on some russian page.
Please give some feedback if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes mate is working Thanks
I`m just worrying if factory restore it to lose some of the custom made apps , because is not pure android 4.4 system
My problem is Google play services and mainly Fused location , every time when restart my player pop up message tell in me that
" The fused location has stop working " I pressing OK then popping up again and then when using Goggle maps to navigate , don't want to recalculate and reroute my journey . Very annoying . Read about it a lot but there is no hoop .
I`ve try to downgrade Google play to lover version and is all working until update himself and going in the same circle .

Thanks. It's greate to hear that reset password works.
Regarding this "The fused location has stop working" issue I had the same problem.
I have downgraded Google Play and disabled automatic applications update in the Play Store application.
Since then I haven't seen this irritating popups.
There is also an option to disable google play service write rights (root required) but I didn't have to try this.
If you want I can search for description of this procedure.

_arecki_ said:
Thanks. It's greate to hear that reset password works.
Regarding this "The fused location has stop working" issue I had the same problem.
I have downgraded Google Play and disabled automatic applications update in the Play Store application.
Since then I haven't seen this irritating popups.
There is also an option to disable google play service write rights (root required) but I didn't have to try this.
If you want I can search for description of this procedure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the same thing , but after couple of restarts Google manage to update himself and then the same pop-up message again

Ok, the option with disabling google play updates:
Install Android Terminal Emulator
In Terminal, enter:
su
touch /data/app/com.android.vending-1.apk
chattr + i /data/app/com.android.vending-1.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried this so I am not sure if this is correct and working.
Source
You can find there also option with LuckyPatcher, but is more complicated.

[NEW PROJECT] What is the perfect Android Head Unit? Make your dream come true

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.

[SOLVED] How to use Steering Wheel Controls (SWC) with Zlink/Zbox/Spotify/Apple Music

[SOLUTION]
This integration is not present on most head units so I wrote a Xposed module which hooks the proprietary button press handling methods and translates them into standard HID keypresses. This means that SWC will work with Zlink/Zbox and it will also work with other apps on the head unit such as Spotify and Apple Music.
See https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79312591&postcount=56 for the first release and follow the thread for later releases.
Note that there are two types of releases, final and debug releases. Final releases do not display and debug information via toast messages on the screen. Debug releases display button press information via toast messages on the screen which allow users to collect this information and submit it on this thread so that it can be integrated into the module and their buttons can be supported.
[ORIGINAL PROBLEM]
Hi all,
I recently just picked up a Witson W2-W329 unit. Basically it's a PX5 unit with the following OS Build and firmware:
CPU: ARM Cortex-A53 eight-core 2+32 GB PX5; CPU: PowerVR G6110
Build: PX5-userdebug 8.0.0 OPR5.170623.007 eng.bsp.20180528.174007 test-keys
MCU: 2018-04-16 17:04:06 ZHAN_(NOR)__90_C9RD6686_CAN(A)PX5D1804160
After some fiddling with USB ports I managed to get CarPlay working and to be honest the interface makes the unit feel premium vs the standard bluetooth audio interface. I'd love to use it over the standard interface BUT.... steering wheel controls don't work.
I've got it installed into a Renault Koleos which has a CANBus box. So here is my question...
Has anyone else used CarPlay on a PX5 unit and been able to use their steering wheel controls with it?
It would seem as if the OS just has to push the commands through to the app via some sort of an API. The kind of integration you would expect...

Are you using the zlink app for Carplay or do you have a dongle?

vassandrei said:
Are you using the zlink app for Carplay or do you have a dongle?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Zlink. What Witson unit do you have? Is it PX5 and running CAN? Do you know if the SoM is made by FYT?

looxonline said:
Hi all,
I recently just picked up a Witson W2-W329 unit. Basically it's a PX5 unit with the following OS Build and firmware:
CPU: ARM Cortex-A53 eight-core 2+32 GB PX5; CPU: PowerVR G6110
Build: PX5-userdebug 8.0.0 OPR5.170623.007 eng.bsp.20180528.174007 test-keys
MCU: 2018-04-16 17:04:06 ZHAN_(NOR)__90_C9RD6686_CAN(A)PX5D1804160
After some fiddling with USB ports I managed to get CarPlay working and to be honest the interface makes the unit feel premium vs the standard bluetooth audio interface. I'd love to use it over the standard interface BUT.... steering wheel controls don't work.
I've got it installed into a Renault Koleos which has a CANBus box but I've looked at the wiring diagram of the car and I'm sure that the steering wheel controls are wired directly and not through CAN.
So here is my question...
Has anyone else used CarPlay on a PX5 unit and been able to use their steering wheel controls with it?
It would seem as if the OS just has to push the commands through to the app via some sort of an API. The kind of integration you would expect...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem, also with can bus with a w2 w207 wiston device for my peugeot 207
joying has similar looking mcu names
{
"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"
}
and has also firmware for my car, with can bus and the same px5, screen res & ram. (maybe also for your car)
what is different is that i have a built in dvd drive and the joying unit does not.
1. Is it a bad idea to try this firmware? joying has a newer firmware
2. is it possible to revert to the preinstalled firmware if it does not work properly (backup)?

Zaagfluit said:
I have the same problem, also with can bus with a w2 w207 wiston device for my peugeot 207
joying has similar looking mcu names
and has also firmware for my car, with can bus and the same px5, screen res & ram. (maybe also for your car)
what is different is that i have a built in dvd drive and the joying unit does not.
1. Is it a bad idea to try this firmware? joying has a newer firmware
2. is it possible to revert to the preinstalled firmware if it does not work properly (backup)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A few thoughts:
Some weeks ago the user @walkin123 tried the same thing. He installed the latest Joying FW onto his Seicane unit. The unit accepted the firmware but knew that it was not a joying unit (they must have some sort of a handshake with the MCU) and therefore displayed a banner at the top of the screen indicating that the FW does not match the MCU. Even though his FW supported CAN it seems that it does not support all of the vehicles that the Seicane FW did and so he was unable to select his particular vehicle from the Android system. Even though Android does not perform the CAN decoding it seems as if it configures the MCU and possibly the CAN box as to what vehicle to decode for and without the option to select his vehicle he lost all CAN inputs including steering wheel commands. On the plus side the FW solved all of the other bugs that he was experiencing.
Another possible problem is that while the MCUs and the interconnections within the units are similar they are not identical. For instance they seem to use different radio tuner modules which the MCU controls via I2C/I2S. You may lose radio functionality if the different modules are not protocol compatible but you may be OK if they are.
Regarding the backup and restore option, this is something that I have been investigating for the last week. I believe that it should be simple to make a backup of the /system /restore /data and /misc partitions so that an Android restore should be possible. Whether or not the unit will allow you to force an older ROM over a newer ROM is something that I am unsure of. @surfer63 or another experienced member would be able to help you there. In the case of the MCU I also believe it is simple to extract the img but once again I am unsure of how simple it would be to write it back over whatever you install.
Perhaps @surfer63 or one of the more experienced guys could comment on this.

Ok, thnx for the explanation!
I'll probably wait/hunt for a more suitable firmware then.
I think the swc function for the zlink app is just something they forgot to implement, all other stock apps do have swc, so a small update would fix it.
I also noticed that the zlink software in my unit is 2.X. The latest from zjinnova is 4.X.

Zaagfluit said:
Ok, thnx for the explanation!
I'll probably wait/hunt for a more suitable firmware then.
I think the swc function for the zlink app is just something they forgot to implement, all other stock apps do have swc, so a small update would fix it.
I also noticed that the zlink software in my unit is 2.X. The latest from zjinnova is 4.X.
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Click to collapse
All the best getting firmware out of Witson. I think you would be the first person I have hear of as being successful in doing so. They have literally zero support. I would never suggest buying from them unless you absolutely have to. Joying support is FAR better.

looxonline said:
All the best getting firmware out of Witson. I think you would be the first person I have hear of as being successful in doing so. They have literally zero support. I would never suggest buying from them unless you absolutely have to. Joying support is FAR better.
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Click to collapse
I'm afraid you're right. i think i will try some retailers selling "s200" devices that claim they provide software updates.

Somone on this forum has extracted an updated version of the zlink apk from a joying firmware with build in carplay support. Could this solve the steering wheel problems? Is it possible to run the 2 apk’s with different version numbers side by side?

Zaagfluit said:
Somone on this forum has extracted an updated version of the zlink apk from a joying firmware with build in carplay support. Could this solve the steering wheel problems? Is it possible to run the 2 apk’s with different version numbers side by side?
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Click to collapse
Just be sure you are not mixing the zBox APK with the zLink APK. If you did find an updated zLink APK I'd be interested to know where. I would like to give it a test.

looxonline said:
Just be sure you are not mixing the zBox APK with the zLink APK. If you did find an updated zLink APK I'd be interested to know where. I would like to give it a test.
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https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...ction-joying-unit-android-auto-t3791200/page3
Its on this page, the apk is included in reply #25. They try to use it in a unit without the carplay function built in
---------- Post added at 11:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 PM ----------
looxonline said:
All the best getting firmware out of Witson. I think you would be the first person I have hear of as being successful in doing so. They have literally zero support. I would never suggest buying from them unless you absolutely have to. Joying support is FAR better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On this site there are people who do get newer versions of certain s200 wxxx mcu’s from witson, So if a new version is released you will probably find it there first.
https://www.roadnav.com

Zaagfluit said:
I'm afraid you're right. i think i will try some retailers selling "s200" devices that claim they provide software updates.
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Sweet mother of pearl.......WITSON just contacted me with a firmware update dated 02.08.2018. After weeks and weeks of absolutely no feedback whatsoever they just dropped this one....
Will install it this weekend and see if it fixes the issue.

looxonline said:
Sweet mother of pearl.......WITSON just contacted me with a firmware update dated 02.08.2018. After weeks and weeks of absolutely no feedback whatsoever they just dropped this one....
Will install it this weekend and see if it fixes the issue.
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Nice!, Thats fresh from the oven. Is it specific for your car?:angel:

It's labelled as specific in the filename but when you scan through the MCU folder it has a list of compatibly radio and CAN configurations that seems to cover everything that they sell.

looxonline said:
It's labelled as specific in the filename but when you scan through the MCU folder it has a list of compatibly radio and CAN configurations that seems to cover everything that they sell.
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Sounds promising:good:
---------- Post added at 08:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 AM ----------
Zaagfluit said:
Sounds promising:good:
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Ohh yeah...I got it too!

Zaagfluit said:
Sounds promising:good:
---------- Post added at 08:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 AM ----------
Ohh yeah...I got it too!
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Dig through the archive and check what dates the files were modified on. Looks like they labelled it 02.08.2018 but to be honest there is not much in there that was modified after April.

looxonline said:
Dig through the archive and check what dates the files were modified on. Looks like they labelled it 02.08.2018 but to be honest there is not much in there that was modified after April.
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I’ve installed it, and it is EXACTLY the same mcu number (same date, same time, same everything) as you described in the beginning of this topic. Nothing changed, zlink app still on 2.4

Zaagfluit said:
I’ve installed it, and it is EXACTLY the same mcu number (same date, same time, same everything) as you described in the beginning of this topic. Nothing changed, zlink app still on 2.4
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Exactly my point. Did you check the android build details and are they also the same?
Joying actually make improvements based on the problems that the customer is experiencing. WITSON stick their head in the sand and hope that the problem will disappear. I'm planning on doing a youtube review to show how poor the service is and how many bugs the unit has just to try and help other people. To be fair I will probably give it another month to see if they are actually interested in working on new firmware.

looxonline said:
Exactly my point. Did you check the android build details and are they also the same?
Joying actually make improvements based on the problems that the customer is experiencing. WITSON stick their head in the sand and hope that the problem will disappear. I'm planning on doing a youtube review to show how poor the service is and how many bugs the unit has just to try and help other people. To be fair I will probably give it another month to see if they are actually interested in working on new firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not check the Android build yet. A youtube review might be usefull, also for witson to see how they are screwing things up. I hope there will be custom/alternative roms available in the future, since it uses the same hardware as many other brands. I will try The zlink apk from Joying this weekend to see if it changes anything.

Zaagfluit said:
I did not check the Android build yet. A youtube review might be usefull, also for witson to see how they are screwing things up. I hope there will be custom/alternative roms available in the future, since it uses the same hardware as many other brands. I will try The zlink apk from Joying this weekend to see if it changes anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that gtxaspec is working on a custom ROM for FYT based PX5 units. He fried his FYT SoM though so I think he needs more time to get another. When that is ready it should be compatible with our units provided it does not touch the MCU. That being said I am not too familiar with all of the interfaces between SoM and motherboard and whether there are major differences in implementation between the two resellers. Could be that the Joying ROM (which gtxaspec) is basing his off does not have support for the CAN vehicles that we need...anyway we will see with time.
Let us know how the new zlink app works out.