Database Users

HU with 2gb w/o Intel Sofia

Hi everyone,
I'm looking to buy my first HU and after reading the forums for a while I'm undecided what to pick.
It looks like the Intel Sofia platform is the current recommendation - it comes with 2gb, the CPU is powerful enough and it has some support for fastboot. However from what I can tell there's no custom ROM for it (Malaysk is only for RK3x88 series) which is kinda of a big minus for me (since one is at the mercy of the seller).
Am I missing something? From what I can tell the RK3188 and Sofia CPUs are more or less identical in terms of performance, the RAM being the big difference.
I'm looking for stability (not going to play games or videos on the HU - I just want waze and probably the radio) first so a slower, older CPU with a solid community and ROM behind it fits my list.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,

selbyog said:
Hi everyone,
I'm looking to buy my first HU and after reading the forums for a while I'm undecided what to pick.
It looks like the Intel Sofia platform is the current recommendation - it comes with 2gb, the CPU is powerful enough and it has some support for fastboot. However from what I can tell there's no custom ROM for it (Malaysk is only for RK3x88 series) which is kinda of a big minus for me (since one is at the mercy of the seller).
Am I missing something? From what I can tell the RK3188 and Sofia CPUs are more or less identical in terms of performance, the RAM being the big difference.
I'm looking for stability (not going to play games or videos on the HU - I just want waze and probably the radio) first so a slower, older CPU with a solid community and ROM behind it fits my list.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theres no "current recommendation", its all down to personal opinion. The Sofia units are ok (both MTCD and "009" versions), so are the Rockchip RK3188 MTCB/C/D ones which bring the benefit of custom ROMs. The Rockchip ones dont come with 2GB as standard and (in Lollipop guise at least) they need it, but that can be added relatively easily. However, the latest MTCD versions and Klyde's versions (probably MTCC but no ones sure at the mo) use the octacore Rockchip PX5 (RK3368) so should offer better performance than the Sofia or RK3188 units.
Your only option for custom ROMs at least at the moment are the RK3188 units. Another benefit of the MTCB/C type is that theres a particularly good audio mod that gives control of the audio chip to Android, although youd have to be able to solder to do it.

typos1 said:
Theres no "current recommendation", its all down to personal opinion. The Sofia units are ok (both MTCD and "009" versions), so are the Rockchip RK3188 MTCB/C/D ones which bring the benefit of custom ROMs. The Rockchip ones dont come with 2GB as standard and (in Lollipop guise at least) they need it, but that can be added relatively easily. However, the latest MTCD versions and Klyde's versions (probably MTCC but no ones sure at the mo) use the octacore Rockchip PX5 (RK3368) so should offer better performance than the Sofia or RK3188 units.
Your only option for custom ROMs at least at the moment are the RK3188 units. Another benefit of the MTCB/C type is that theres a particularly good audio mod that gives control of the audio chip to Android, although youd have to be able to solder to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Soldering extra RAM is not something I can do easy - I lack expertise and getting hardware in EU tends to be expensive and slow; I'd much rather pay extra (and wait) to have it built in the factory.
I'll keep an eye on the RK3368 boards.
Any idea whether these would be ROM friendly ?

selbyog said:
Thanks for the reply. Soldering extra RAM is not something I can do easy - I lack expertise and getting hardware in EU tends to be expensive and slow; I'd much rather pay extra (and wait) to have it built in the factory.
I'll keep an eye on the RK3368 boards.
Any idea whether these would be ROM friendly ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I m in the EU and I got my RAM for about $30 in the group buy, theres a thread open at the mo, they took 3 days to arrive. It would just be a case of finding somewhere to do the soldering for you, thats what most people have done.
If the Klyde PX5 units are MTCC it should mean that anyone with an MTCB or MTCC unit currently could simply change their SoM for a PX5 one, we just dont know yet (the original MTCB units were dual core RK3066 and a lot of people just upgraded their SoMs to the quadcore RK3188). Well, we dont know until someone buys one - theyve been on sale since November, but if they are MTCC an upgrade to a PX5 would be possible if you bought an MTCB or C RK3188 and upgraded the RAM, then youd be able to sell your RK3188 SoM with 2GB RAM as it would be quite sort after due to the extra RAM . . IF theyre MTCC that is.
All that may be a bit long winded for you but at least youd have access to a custom ROM as you wanted with the possibility of upgrading in the future to a version that is more likely to have support from current MTCB custom ROM makers (I m assuming theyd eventually upgrade to PX5 units themselves and start making ROMs for them).
Or you could just buy a Klyde PX5 unit now and have the most up to date unit, but with no custom ROMs support yet :
http://www.szklyde.com/bmw-android-car-dvd-player/38112008.html
If I sound MTCB/C biased, well I have 2 so I am. But from what I ve read the Sofia MTCD and 009 units are good too and at least theoretically easier to make a custom ROM for because Intel release their source code, unlike Rockchip. But no custom ROMs exist as yet.

Thanks again!
typos1 said:
I m in the EU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool - where did you buy your units? Any with warehouses in EU?
typos1 said:
If I sound MTCB/C biased, well I have 2 so I am. But from what I ve read the Sofia MTCD and 009 units are good too and at least theoretically easier to make a custom ROM for because Intel release their source code, unlike Rockchip. But no custom ROMs exist as yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Klyde's unit indicates support for Android 6.0.1 while Intel's on 5.x and most MTCB on 4.x. Reading the forums I thought a MTCD board is required for android 5.x but it looks like that might not be the case - I guess in the end it depends on the manufacturer.
Btw, I read that one nice thing about Sofia is the fastboot feature which is not present on RK31xx/30xx units - not sure whether this is SoM or MCU specific. Do you have this feature on your units?
I like your idea about using an existing, tried-out platform (RK3188) with upgraded ram and custom ROM - it was my initial plan but the whole prospect was off putting.
I'll ask around to see how complicated/expensive would be to do the soldering.
Cheers,

selbyog said:
Thanks again!
Cool - where did you buy your units? Any with warehouses in EU?
Klyde's unit indicates support for Android 6.0.1 while Intel's on 5.x and most MTCB on 4.x. Reading the forums I thought a MTCD board is required for android 5.x but it looks like that might not be the case - I guess in the end it depends on the manufacturer.
Btw, I read that one nice thing about Sofia is the fastboot feature which is not present on RK31xx/30xx units - not sure whether this is SoM or MCU specific. Do you have this feature on your units?
I like your idea about using an existing, tried-out platform (RK3188) with upgraded ram and custom ROM - it was my initial plan but the whole prospect was off putting.
I'll ask around to see how complicated/expensive would be to do the soldering.
Cheers,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lollipop has been out for MTCB/C for about a year, this applies to ALL manufacturers and all RK3188 units, Klyde are the only ones who do Lollipop ROMs but the ROM can be used on ANY MTCB/C RK3188 device because they all use the same SoM. Some people find it laggy (I dont) but the 2GB RAM sorts that. Boot time is 20 - 30 seconds depending on what ROM you use, but there is no specific fast boot feature.
I did a group buy as ordering just 2 modules is expensive, but read the second RAM group buy thread in the MTCB hardware mod section and pm the guy who did it I think there may be some left.

Android Head Unit Advice

Hi all,
I've been looking to upgrade the head unit in my car. I came across Android HUs on eBay.
This seems to be the best one on eBay to my (very limited) knowledge:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Android-7...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
Are they any good? I have also seen them on Alibaba/Aliexpress. Are they all the same or are certain ones better? Prices can vary wildly.
If someone could point me in the right direction for the best quality HU I'd be very grateful!

That a px3 new modle with 2gig ram so yes it good but i would go for px5 chip if possible as it an 8 core both have great support on here malesky rom is excellent i personally wouldn't go for intel sofia as there slightly less support but that can change there some and root from what i read but no custom rom i could be wrong this is just my opinion
---------- Post added at 11:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:46 PM ----------
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...rom-malaysk-roms-mtcd-device-t3598908/page211
---------- Post added 15th October 2017 at 12:00 AM ---------- Previous post was 14th October 2017 at 11:56 PM ----------
The download link is on first page of his page v5 is his latest https://yadi.sk/d/ouDv5oAo3Mh7M5 this his link to v5 it says download limit reached but all you do is just make an account then save to your yandisk acount then you can download

chris4507 said:
That a px3 new modle with 2gig ram so yes it good but i would go for px5 chip if possible as it an 8 core both have great support on here malesky rom is excellent i personally wouldn't go for intel sofia as there slightly less support but that can change there some and root from what i read but no custom rom i could be wrong this is just my opinion
---------- Post added at 11:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:46 PM ----------
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...rom-malaysk-roms-mtcd-device-t3598908/page211
---------- Post added 15th October 2017 at 12:00 AM ---------- Previous post was 14th October 2017 at 11:56 PM ----------
The download link is on first page of his page v5 is his latest https://yadi.sk/d/ouDv5oAo3Mh7M5 this his link to v5 it says download limit reached but all you do is just make an account then save to your yandisk acount then you can download
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Less support? You should SEE what they're doing on the joying forum.... They've got the whole MCU protocol reverse engineered, and have the things running on the base AOSP (i.e., without all the chinese trash applications installed).

luciusfox said:
Less support? You should SEE what they're doing on the joying forum.... They've got the whole MCU protocol reverse engineered, and have the things running on the base AOSP (i.e., without all the chinese trash applications installed).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that changes alot as i said i could be wrong lol you have to admit it is hard navigating throu these forums we could do with having them all cleaned up put into sections px5 px3 intel ..... Like the mobile section if you get me but anyway thanks for the info that may well be the next for me so do you think intel sofia ones better that px5 ?

So this is confusing me even more lol.
I've found the PX-5 unit which @chris4507 mentioned. Seems expensive but I'm willing to pay more for a piece of mind:
https://www.seicane.com/oem-2-din-2...nk-obd2-3g-wifi-backup-camera-canbus-s127000e
Can't find anything that mentions Joying? I'm not sure what that is...

mikem1989 said:
So this is confusing me even more lol.
I've found the PX-5 unit which @chris4507 mentioned. Seems expensive but I'm willing to pay more for a piece of mind:
https://www.seicane.com/oem-2-din-2...nk-obd2-3g-wifi-backup-camera-canbus-s127000e
Can't find anything that mentions Joying? I'm not sure what that is...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2GB RAM Octa Core Android 6.0 Car DVD GPS Navigation Multimedia Player Car Stereo for Fiat BRAVO 2007-2012 Radio Headunit
http://s.aliexpress.com/eiArENfu
(from AliExpress Android) theres this for fiat bravo anno there bit more expensive but px3 4 core px5 8 but up to you i dont know much about intel sofia and apparently there is support out there for them i.e custom roms so someone else who know will have to inform you which is better px5 or sofia but can garentee px5 better than px3

chris4507 said:
2GB RAM Octa Core Android 6.0 Car DVD GPS Navigation Multimedia Player Car Stereo for Fiat BRAVO 2007-2012 Radio Headunit
http://s.aliexpress.com/eiArENfu
(from AliExpress Android) theres this for fiat bravo anno there bit more expensive but px3 4 core px5 8 but up to you i dont know much about intel sofia and apparently there is support out there for them i.e custom roms so someone else who know will have to inform you which is better px5 or sofia but can garentee px5 better than px3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may go for the PX5. It seems to be well supported. The Chinese Android head units do seem a bit of a gamble but have great potential.
I do agree with you that this forum should have more subsections, which would make it easier to navigate/ find the information I'm looking for.

mikem1989 said:
So this is confusing me even more lol.
I've found the PX-5 unit which @chris4507 mentioned. Seems expensive but I'm willing to pay more for a piece of mind:
https://www.seicane.com/oem-2-din-2...nk-obd2-3g-wifi-backup-camera-canbus-s127000e
Can't find anything that mentions Joying? I'm not sure what that is...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to be a prick... http://bfy.tw/EU5z

luciusfox said:
Just to be a prick... http://bfy.tw/EU5z
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers mate...
I thought googling joying would yield similar pointless results as when I google PX5 (try it and see what comes up).
Been new to this, I actually thought 'joying' was a CPU name like PX5 is. I was keeping an eye out for joying in the specs.

luciusfox said:
Just to be a prick... http://bfy.tw/EU5z
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you do that btw?
We all enjoy being a prick. I want to do one for when people ask stupid questions on FB, like "What time does the Asda down the road close?"

mikem1989 said:
How did you do that btw?
We all enjoy being a prick. I want to do one for when people ask stupid questions on FB, like "What time does the Asda down the road close?"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Literally search Google for let me Google that for you.
Or visit here.
Which is lmgtfy =
Let
Me
Google
That
For
You

luciusfox said:
Less support? You should SEE what they're doing on the joying forum.... They've got the whole MCU protocol reverse engineered, and have the things running on the base AOSP (i.e., without all the chinese trash applications installed).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...disabled on xda, he sure does claim alot. Context is the JY sofia unit, which may or may not use the same protocol as MTCx.
For OP, read before you buy and understand what you are buying; do you need to rush.
These px3/px5 and sofia (except sofia jy) are all common reference units with many resellers and only a few manufacturers. They call work from a common reference design (MTCD being the latest) with a few minor variations - such as amp IC.
Beat you to it @typos1

marchnz said:
...disabled on xda, he sure does claim alot. Context is the JY sofia unit, which may or may not use the same protocol as MTCx.
For OP, read before you buy and understand what you are buying; do you need to rush.
These px3/px5 and sofia (except sofia jy) are all common reference units with many resellers and only a few manufacturers. They call work from a common reference design (MTCD being the latest) with a few minor variations - such as amp IC.
Beat you to it @typos1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You say that as if you don't believe a word of it, which is a pretty curious position for anyone to take when there is actual SOURCE CODE being provided. So you don't believe it? Maybe you should actually try it out. Check out the source code, build it, install it.
There are actually two main competing "sources". One is, as you mention, MTC, the other is FYT. Joying was initially reselling MTC units being built by Joyous (confusing?), buy they switched to SYU, which was manufacturing units based on the FYT SoM (specifically, FYT5009, and later they switched to FYT6021 which is basically the same, but has a different physical interface). Shortly after, FYT acquired SYU.
One of the big advantages to the FYT/SYU design is that there is a whole lot LESS dependency on the MCU. For example, you can search through the MTC forums and will find reference to a hardware modification to disconnect the i2c lines controlling the BD37xxx sound processor from the MCU and attach it to the SoC. This modification is entirely redundant on the FYT/SYU units, because the BD37xxx is built into the SoM rather than being added on later to the mainboard through the MCU. So right off the bat, it is a heck of a lot easier to manage the FYT units than the MTC units.
The MCU on the FYT designs is responsible for these functions;
1) AMFM radio,
2) GPIO, which basically means the binary car i/o signals; ACC, headlights, reverse, e-brake, amp power (out), antenna power (out). And on top of that, it has two analog inputs for 2-channel steering wheel interfaces.
And guess what? Everything else is directly controllable.
So you're absolutely right that the work being done for the joying units (FYT) is not in any way applicable to the MTC units. You can take that to mean that nobody with an MTC will be able to benefit from it, which means that they remain restricted by the broken software being distributed by the chinese manufacturers, whereas somebody who buys a Joying unit will have the freedom to CHOOSE if they want to use the broken chinese firmware, or try out the much LESS broken open source firmware, and contribute to that firmware if they like.
There are also plans to bring Android 8 to the Joying units.
Now one other consideration for the joying/fyt units; since the job of the MCU is so radically simplified compared to the MTC units, there is also a reasonable prospect of somebody one day deciding to build an open source MCU firmware for them. Its not like these MCU's are super secret chips that nobody can program anything for. The biggest part of that job will just be in writing the driver for working the AMFM radio, and AMFM radios really aren't all that complex. In the past, there have been hacker modifications for the MTC MCU firmware, but very restricted in scope due to the heap of bad code. Basically, the reverse engineering effort was insurmountable. With the MCU for the FYT, the only reverse engineering that is actually needed is restricted to simply tracing the circuit, then it can simply be written from scratch. Remember, its just AMFM radio and GPIO's.

luciusfox said:
You say that as if you don't believe a word of it, which is a pretty curious position for anyone to take when there is actual SOURCE CODE being provided. So you don't believe it? Maybe you should actually try it out. Check out the source code, build it, install it.
There are actually two main competing "sources". One is, as you mention, MTC, the other is FYT. Joying was initially reselling MTC units being built by Joyous (confusing?), buy they switched to SYU, which was manufacturing units based on the FYT SoM (specifically, FYT5009, and later they switched to FYT6021 which is basically the same, but has a different physical interface). Shortly after, FYT acquired SYU.
One of the big advantages to the FYT/SYU design is that there is a whole lot LESS dependency on the MCU. For example, you can search through the MTC forums and will find reference to a hardware modification to disconnect the i2c lines controlling the BD37xxx sound processor from the MCU and attach it to the SoC. This modification is entirely redundant on the FYT/SYU units, because the BD37xxx is built into the SoM rather than being added on later to the mainboard through the MCU. So right off the bat, it is a heck of a lot easier to manage the FYT units than the MTC units.
The MCU on the FYT designs is responsible for these functions;
1) AMFM radio,
2) GPIO, which basically means the binary car i/o signals; ACC, headlights, reverse, e-brake, amp power (out), antenna power (out). And on top of that, it has two analog inputs for 2-channel steering wheel interfaces.
And guess what? Everything else is directly controllable.
So you're absolutely right that the work being done for the joying units (FYT) is not in any way applicable to the MTC units. You can take that to mean that nobody with an MTC will be able to benefit from it, which means that they remain restricted by the broken software being distributed by the chinese manufacturers, whereas somebody who buys a Joying unit will have the freedom to CHOOSE if they want to use the broken chinese firmware, or try out the much LESS broken open source firmware, and contribute to that firmware if they like.
There are also plans to bring Android 8 to the Joying units.
Now one other consideration for the joying/fyt units; since the job of the MCU is so radically simplified compared to the MTC units, there is also a reasonable prospect of somebody one day deciding to build an open source MCU firmware for them. Its not like these MCU's are super secret chips that nobody can program anything for. The biggest part of that job will just be in writing the driver for working the AMFM radio, and AMFM radios really aren't all that complex. In the past, there have been hacker modifications for the MTC MCU firmware, but very restricted in scope due to the heap of bad code. Basically, the reverse engineering effort was insurmountable. With the MCU for the FYT, the only reverse engineering that is actually needed is restricted to simply tracing the circuit, then it can simply be written from scratch. Remember, its just AMFM radio and GPIO's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes sense, thanks for the thoughtful and detailed response.
Was sceptical that anything might come of it.

Basically, what I am getting from this is that I should buy a Joying unit?...
It's a shame, as I do not like the physical appearance of them. The PX5 unit visibly suits my car much better.

mikem1989 said:
Basically, what I am getting from this is that I should buy a Joying unit?...
It's a shame, as I do not like the physical appearance of them. The PX5 unit visibly suits my car much better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its certainly what I would do.
As far as appearance goes, they have an "all black glass rectangle". Pretty hard to beat that visually.

N
mikem1989 said:
Basically, what I am getting from this is that I should buy a Joying unit?...
It's a shame, as I do not like the physical appearance of them. The PX5 unit visibly suits my car much better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Feel free to correct me if Im wrong - the pros n cons of each platform:
JY (sofia FTY)
Pros:
- Android Bluetooth, better a2dp quality.
- 3G built in option
- True 3 band eq(?)
- Android control of audio (?)
- potentially AOSP on these units within an undefined timeline
Cons:
- same as MTCD in terms of software bugs/overall quality
- RDS AF issue/non-function
- small number of manufacturers
- suspect JY to drop sofia soon and move to PX5
SOM (this might be based on same reference as sofia w/built in BT?)
- Still uses MCU, albeit less functions are performed by MCU
-hardware QA
- rubbish warranty as all other chinese reseller
- rubbish reseller support as all other chinese reseller
MTCD
Pros:
- Wide support and spares.
- high update cycle, availability of mcu and android due to multiple resellers, greater probability of a vendor releasing updates based on the reference release (e.g.currently HA releasing both HA and HCT reference updates)
- Ability to upgrade SOM or replace on failure
- same boot time/sleep as JY sofia
- same features as JY sofia
- greater model/case variations
- ostensibly more devs writing custom apps/control mods
Cons:
-Awful BT implementation (i suspect a port from wince units )
- above results in terrible a2dp quality and until recently bad quality/echo phone handsfree
- same RDS AF issue
- Hardware QA
- rubbish warranty as all other chinese reseller
- rubbish reseller support as all other chinese reseller
Anything else or do I have anything wrong here?

I'm still not decided between PX3 or PX5.
Does anyone know when they are due an update? (better CPU/More RAM)
Is it a yearly thing?
If so, may just wait for the next iteration.

mikem1989 said:
I'm still not decided between PX3 or PX5.
Does anyone know when they are due an update? (better CPU/More RAM)
Is it a yearly thing?
If so, may just wait for the next iteration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've read that to move GPS Navigation and music at the same time comfortably, you should have at least 2 GB and PX5, but the Intel Sofia seems to be the best one of all.
Sent from my LG-D955 using Tapatalk

ptolomeo said:
I've read that to move GPS Navigation and music at the same time comfortably, you should have at least 2 GB and PX5, but the Intel Sofia seems to be the best one of all.
Sent from my LG-D955 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Intel Sofia only seems to be available in the joying units from what I see. With the fascia I want for my car it looks like I can choose between PX3 or PX5 only.
Think I'll go PX5. Unless there are any updated models on the horizon.

MTCD or Joying?

Hello,
I'm looking to upgrade the stock head unit of my 2005 Opel Meriva to an android-based HU and I'm not sure which one I want. I've been reading up on the development threads here, which seem to be split between PX5-based MTCD units on the one hand and Intel Sofia-based Joying units. Please correct me in anything I might have researched wrongly, as that might help me make the right decision. I'm in favor of vendors shipping from EU warehouses because of the insanely long waiting times for Chinese shipping and customs hassle & delays.
The three options that seem to make most sense for the moment are:
Joying - for the actual hardware (on the other hand, maybe PX5 is better than Sofia b/c of thermal throttling issues?)
https://www.carjoying.de/2017-new-o...stem-hd-screen-support-backup-camera-dab.html
Eonon 8155 - for the looks (advertised as quad core with no further info - is this an MTCD with PX3? Why does it have Android 7?
https://eonon.com/Android-Car-GPS/V...h-Double-Din-AM-FM-Multimedia-Car-Stereo.html
Any MTCD PX5 based HU - for software versatility, that is, Malaysk CFW (which vendor - advice please? Pumpkin maybe?)
I've seen some MTCD offers look like the Eonon. Getting one of those would really be cool. Any EU sources aside from Aliex?
So here's more on what I am looking for:
I like rooting and flashing my Androids and would like to at least have root access on the device. From what I've read, this is possible on both platforms. Opposed to Joying (?), the PX5 platform also has Malaysk's AOSP based FW - is this any good for a daily driver/full replacement of stock ROM, or are there any missing features? Is there also a custom ROM for Sofia? I've seen someone recently mention something along the lines of, there's a lot of development going on for Joying - I've seen lots of scripts and rooting guides, but I haven't found anything like a custom ROM. Is there something in the making that I've just not been able to find?
Also, the Joying unit has no built in mobile data modem, or only works via their external 4G stick (available for extra € ofc), while I've read that PX5 based units usually have it integrated. Can MTCD units also interface with cameras?
Can any of these units read Opel CANbus data like RPM/liters per 100km? How about OBDII BT adapters, can MTCD/Joying use my old ELM327 one or do I have to buy a new one because of some vendor-implemented driver lockout? The CFW of MTCD would fix that, right?
Thanks for reading through this wall of text and for any answers in advance.
TL;DR
Want to buy android HU for 2005 Meriva. Joying (Sofia) or MTCD (PX5)? If the latter, which vendor can you recommend for EU?

Looking for a decent DoubleDin Android HeadUnit

Hi folks,
I drive (and always will drive \o/) a Mazda MX-5 (NB currently, but that might change over the years) and need some advice on the HeadUnit to choose. So here is what I need:
Good sound-quality
Reliable / good built-quality
Fast bootup (always on, just sleeping maybe?)
WLAN
Good community around it
GPS available / built-in
Runs OSMAnd (preferred offline nav-software for android)
Root-able / different (community) firmware available
2GB RAM (or more?)
Front-USB
Physical button / knob / wheel for volume
Not too horrible radio app (RDS station name and radio-text?)
Good support from manufacturer
3G/4G dongle available or built-in SIM-card-slot
The further to the top, the more important to me... kinda. But for example if a suggested device comes with the best sound possible, I could live without a hardware knob for volume and without a community firmware available. So the list is more or less a nice-to-have-list.
Advice?
I guess I'd prefer ARM, but I am not fixed there. Differences to Intel? At least for all other android devices I own, there is just one Intel device (rest ARM) and it is the one with the worst (non-existent) community support. Apart from the list and the CPU stuff, I guess that's it.
regards
UnsettledSoul

UnsettledSoul said:
Hi folks,
I drive (and always will drive \o/) a Mazda MX-5 (NB currently, but that might change over the years) and need some advice on the HeadUnit to choose. So here is what I need:
Good sound-quality
Reliable / good built-quality
Fast bootup (always on, just sleeping maybe?)
WLAN
Good community around it
GPS available / built-in
Runs OSMAnd (preferred offline nav-software for android)
Root-able / different (community) firmware available
2GB RAM (or more?)
Front-USB
Physical button / knob / wheel for volume
Not too horrible radio app (RDS station name and radio-text?)
Good support from manufacturer
3G/4G dongle available or built-in SIM-card-slot
The further to the top, the more important to me... kinda. But for example if a suggested device comes with the best sound possible, I could live without a hardware knob for volume and without a community firmware available. So the list is more or less a nice-to-have-list.
Advice?
I guess I'd prefer ARM, but I am not fixed there. Differences to Intel? At least for all other android devices I own, there is just one Intel device (rest ARM) and it is the one with the worst (non-existent) community support. Apart from the list and the CPU stuff, I guess that's it.
regards
UnsettledSoul
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would I be correct in thinking you're not after an expensive branded units and one of the chinese android units? If so...
Of the various units discussed here and manufacturer options, what have you considered? The intel units appear to be phased out so that might further limit your options.
Of what is available, there are various allwinner units, but these are little known. If you want community discussion, mods and knowledge, that leaves MTCD/E units, for which there are Px3 2GB and PX5 2 & 4GB RAM SOMs with almost identical reference hardware - some subtle differences such as tuner, buton/buttonless options, AMP IC, display board, but this often comes down to a mix and match from the factory.
Also note, the latest JY PX5 MTCD units appear to vary in terms of SOM manufacturer and MCU code, this might furher reduce what is supported/known here.
TLDR - would be useful to post what you may have considered. Look around for an MTCD model that suits your vehicle and then read/compare in the MTCD forums. If you want branded look around.

marchnz said:
Would I be correct in thinking you're not after an expensive branded units and one of the chinese android units? If so...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct, Joying, Eonon, Pumpkin, whatever is what I have my eyes slotted at at the moment
Of the various units discussed here and manufacturer options, what have you considered? The intel units appear to be phased out so that might further limit your options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have considered basically almost every device discussed here. At least at a glimpse it LOOKS like Joying is the most discussed brand here, does that mean the overall quality is/was that good that many folks choose that manufacturer or was prize the selling point #1? I did not add a prizetag to my post intentionally and preferred to note the quality I wanted only.
Of what is available, there are various allwinner units, but these are little known.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So... not interested.
If you want community discussion, mods and knowledge, that leaves MTCD/E units, for which there are Px3 2GB and PX5 2 & 4GB RAM SOMs with almost identical reference hardware - some subtle differences such as tuner, buton/buttonless options, AMP IC, display board, but this often comes down to a mix and match from the factory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mix and match in hardware? So varying sound quality and overall built-quality? But basically, yeah... MTCD/E is what I think I might want.
Also note, the latest JY PX5 MTCD units appear to vary in terms of SOM manufacturer and MCU code, this might furher reduce what is supported/known here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Generally I prefer older hardware anyway, so...
TLDR - would be useful to post what you may have considered. Look around for an MTCD model that suits your vehicle and then read/compare in the MTCD forums. If you want branded look around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't care for a specific brand at all. And that's kind of the problem because there are so many different devices and I just want the best in regards to my list. I live in germany, which might limit the list of devices I can get even more.
I did try to find a device on eBay / Amazon and see if there is any discussion about it here. But I guess as the eBay / Amazon seller never tells the HW revision, basically no idea which device is which.
So what about...
Joying JY-UM124N2 (ARM)
or
Joying JY-UL124N2 (Intel)
or
Pumpkin AS0272B (no CPU arch mentioned)
... at least those devices are available here via eBay / Amazon and I guess directly from the manufacturer.
Suggestions?

Joying Intel SC9853i 4Gb vs Pumpkin 4gb Android 9.0

Hi.
I have a VW Scirocco 2010 with Dynaudio system, until now I have a Joying Intel Sofia unit, but since 2 weeks ago the unit display start to dissapear sometimes and right now if more often that the display doesn´t work.
I'm thinking in change the unit and I have seen the new Joying 4Gb and a Pumpking unit. Both manufacters said that is compatible with dynaudio system.
I would like to know which one do you think is bette and with better audio quality, because when I changed my factory radio (RCD510) to Joying intel sofia, the sound quality was much worse than the factory sound.
Joying 4/64Gb Intel SC9853i Android 8.1.0
Pumpkin 4/32 Octacore Android 9.0
Thank you very much

jose.marcos.3720 said:
Hi.
I have a VW Scirocco 2010 with Dynaudio system, until now I have a Joying Intel Sofia unit, but since 2 weeks ago the unit display start to dissapear sometimes and right now if more often that the display doesn´t work.
I'm thinking in change the unit and I have seen the new Joying 4Gb and a Pumpking unit. Both manufacters said that is compatible with dynaudio system.
I would like to know which one do you think is bette and with better audio quality, because when I changed my factory radio (RCD510) to Joying intel sofia, the sound quality was much worse than the factory sound.
Joying 4/64Gb Intel SC9853i Android 8.1.0
Pumpkin 4/32 Octacore Android 9.0
Thank you very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody can help me?

The OEM head unit has an in-build equalizer curve (to match the Dynaudio system), the android radio has a "flat" output. That is the reason for the bad or different soud quality.
I had my Skoda Columbus Navigation device coded via VCDS to "flat" (because I have an external DSP installed) and there is no change in sound quality after my recent change to an Joying Intel device.

Any up on this topic please. We need Android 9 firmware like Malay for Joying Intel SC9853i. The reason for an aftermarket radio is for us to be able to customize as needed, but it seems that Joying firmware is too boring and a lot of bugs. Don't quote me wrong, I love Joying radio, but they need to do more with firmware updates.

Lovin' my Pumpkin : https://www.autopumpkin.com/product...t-access-function?_pos=1&_sid=ca287b8cb&_ss=r

123olasoft said:
Any up on this topic please. We need Android 9 firmware like Malay for Joying Intel SC9853i. The reason for an aftermarket radio is for us to be able to customize as needed, but it seems that Joying firmware is too boring and a lot of bugs. Don't quote me wrong, I love Joying radio, but they need to do more with firmware updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Come on. It is the same for all brands. Joying is actually relatively active with their firmware upgrades compared to the rest. Since introduction in Feb 2019 we already had 6-7 firmware upgrades.
The fact that Malaysk and Hal9K are even more active with their custom roms, doesn't mean Joying is not doing a (relatively) good job.
And as such I fully agree: there are bugs in the FYT software (not Joying! Joying is like many others brands just a reseller of FYT hardware/software), and it takes way too long to solve them. But at least you sometimes get a firmware upgrade.
Malaysk/Hal9k give you more options to tweak your mtc-b/c/d/e unit, but qualitatively speaking: the units are not better or worse. All Chinese units are qualitatively worse compared to the real A-brands.
Also: How often do you get an upgrade on your phone if it is not an A-brand and a top-model of that A-brand?
You pay 300 euros/dollars for a unit, and maybe 500-1000 euros/dollars for a phone, which proabably also sell in much higher quantities increasing margin. What do you expect?

Hi surfer63,
I appreciate your comment. I just want you to know that you don't need to sound defensive here. If you read my comment good I said I love Joying radio, which is my opinion. How much we spend on radio is not what matters.
NVIDIA Shield 2015 still receives update till now just for an example. I guess you know how much it cost to get one.
I love Joying radio and will recommend it to anyone that is in the market for an Android radio.

123olasoft said:
Hi surfer63,
I appreciate your comment. I just want you to know that you don't need to sound defensive here. If you read my comment good I said I love Joying radio, which is my opinion. How much we spend on radio is not what matters.
NVIDIA Shield 2015 still receives update till now just for an example. I guess you know how much it cost to get one.
I love Joying radio and will recommend it to anyone that is in the market for an Android radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think you understood his post, there's nothing defensive in it. You also missed where surfer explains that Joying are a reseller of FYT, they're just a reseller of multiple manufacturers.

marchnz said:
I dont think you understood his post, there's nothing defensive in it. You also missed where surfer explains that Joying are a reseller of FYT, they're just a reseller of multiple manufacturers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both of you should accept my apology.

123olasoft said:
Both of you should accept my apology.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessary at all. We all reflect our own opinions here and sometimes they are not the same, sometimes they directly clash. Sometimes we simply misunderstand each other. Most of us are not native speakers (like myself) and that sometimes can also lead to discussions going into the wrong direction.
As long as everyone shows respect to one another, that is never a problem (to me). It only sometimes takes a few more posts to get it clear.