Related
This is my attempt to compile initial concerns and tips to perform BASIC customization of a head unit. There is a lot of fantastic information in the original Sticky, but I think there is a lot of advanced information that is getting in the way of finding basic information and that the original author(s) have so much knowledge that they forget that many of us do not understand the basics.
Feel free to add suggestions or questions to the end and I will insert them on the front page (assuming I find it useful and simple and I actually understand it). Please format your suggestions as Issue -> Solution.
And if any Moderator finds this to be duplicative and should be deleted as confusing, go right ahead. If any Moderator find this to be fantastic and wants to take over, please do. In any event, I would like to see a Sticky of things like this with the Problem listed first. Just being given a solution without knowing what it solves doesn't work for me.
For now, this is a work in progress and I'm not at my stereo. Some of my suggestions are wrong because I am not hands on right now.
Actually, I'm just going to post questions now. I'll post answers to what I know when I get a chance.
Basics;
Installation
How do I install a rear-view camera
Follow manufacturer's instruction for the camera itself.
The RCA jack on a yellow wire plugs into the RCA female jack on the head unit.
The "Back" or "Reverse" wire on the head unit needs to be connected to a wire that signals when the car is in reverse (normally spliced into the reverse lights). This will allow the screen to display the camera when the car is in reverse.
How can I have the rear-view camera on even if the car is not in reverse
Got me
How do I install a dash-cam to show on the head unit?
Sounds dangerous
How do I connect an amplifier?
I only have standard speakers
Radio
Presets are on wrong station.
Tune the radio to the desired station.
Press and hold whichever preset you want to have that station.
Radio is on wrong band.
Press either AM or FM
Signal is weak.
Sure is.
Install a signal booster (Anyone have that work?)
If your car has a powered antenna, you need to connect a wire from the head unit to engage the antenna. It should be labeled "ANT" and is probably blue.
What does everything do?
I have no idea what PTY, etc. do.
Anyone want to chime in?
No channels lock and I do not even get static.
The radio is set up incorrectly.
Go to Settings -> Factory Settings -> Enter 126 ->Application -> Look at the Radio drop-box(write down what your original selection is (eg; TEF6685) Make a new selection from choices -> Press "Apply" -> Press "Exit" to reboot the head unit to engage the choices. (If you are not asked to reboot, then you forgot to press "Apply" first.
Presets are lost on reboot
Malaysk has a solution (has not worked for me yet)
Navigation
How do I activate my Navigation?
This is a separate App that must be installed.
Use an .apk installer for one that you have.
Music Player
How do I organize music?
Poorly. As far as I know, the Player App automatically organizes it however it wants.
Get a new player that organizes it better.
How do I use a different Music Player App
I'm still working on that.
How do I adjust the time?
Settings -> Date and Time -> Turn off Automatic, Change Time Zone, ...
How do I use Google Play?
Set up account
Why did Google change the name of their app store to the child-like "Google Play"? I'm not 12 years old.
It was a horrible mistake that they should correct.
Change start-up animation
Go to Settings -> Factory Settings -> Enter 126 -> Car Logo -> Select animation -> Press Apply and then press Exit?
Change what the physical buttons do
Probably cannot without Malaysk's ROM
Set up steering wheel buttons
PHYSICAL
The physical wires must be connected to your head unit
There is a separate ground wire from the unit to the wires from the buttons.
There are two other wires (labeled "Key" on mine) from the head unit to the buttons. It does not matter which one goes where.
PROGRAMMING
Settings -> I don't remember
How do I root?
This is a very basic instruction for how to root your Android 4.4. head unit.
To my limited understanding, you cannot simply root an Android 4.4. head unit. Instead, you need to install a disk image (ROM) of one that has already been rooted. Fortunately, we have many wonderful people on this site who do this sort of thing.
This is only for installing the ROM. Updating the MCU is similar, but often not necessary and sometimes harmful.
FOLLOW THIS TO UPGRADE YOUR ROM
0- go to Settings -> About Machine to get your MCU version and Android Version. You also need to know what your screen resolution is.
1- Do a back up (copy the files somewhere safe) of your internal SD card memory. It will be wiped during the process. (From what I can tell, you can use File Manager to copy the files from Internal SD to GPS)
2- Download the ROM (Resolution 1024x600 or 800x480) and MCU (KGL, KLD, JY, GS,RM, MX, BN, HA) for your unit.
ROMs--> repository (Please go to the actual page (linked at the bottom of this instruction) to enter the repository) This will get you a file named update.img. There are different "flavors" of ROMs.
Code:
- @coudu (rooted, stock). Early v4.0 and v4.1 have some problems.
- @Malaysk (rooted, with very useful mods, some come with NEXT launcher)
- @dsa8310 (rooted, almost stock)
MCUs--> Latest MCUs by Malaysk are here . This will get you a file named mcu.img
3- copy the update.img you have chosen to the root of your GPS card. (This means directly onto your GPS micro-SD card, not in any sub-folder)
4- insert back the GPS card to the unit. If no window pops up, reboot the unit. At boot, the presence of update.img will be detected and a pop up window will ask you whether you want to update your unit. It will automatically reboot into recovery mode and update your unit. Once done, remove update.img from the root of the gps card or you will be asked every boot for an update.
5- In some Coudu´s (sd partition of 3Gb) and Malaysk´s ROMs versions, it is necessary to do a factory reset just after the first boot so that everything works properly.
This information is a summary of the main page here. It has been used without permission and I thus provided no actual link to the files. This is just so readers can understand what the minimum steps are to root their systems.
Head Unit is Rooted with Malaysk's fantastic ROM. Now what can I do?
That will be a much larger section. Stay tuned.
How to use a different Music Player?
Not sure. What I read did not work for me. I'll try again on my new unit
Basic questions with hard answers
The microphone is terrible
Pull out your soldering iron and be ready to potentially break your head unit.
Saved
Please feel free to improve on my suggestions, correct grammar, pose new questions, etc.
Also Saved
Thanks for the info. On your comment "No channels lock and I do not even get static", you said in the fix to "Reset". Do you mean reboot or actually reset the unit? Thanks
null/delete
hallo dare said:
Thanks for the info. On your comment "No channels lock and I do not even get static", you said in the fix to "Reset". Do you mean reboot or actually reset the unit? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you press "exit" it will say the system needs to do something. I do not recall what it is, but since you asked your question like you did, I assume it's "Reboot". I have edited the original post to reflect that and will edit again if I notice it to be incorrect.
Thanks, it says reboot on mine
Anyone one out there got issues with usb ports not working? I have huifei 4.4.4 unit. Hope someone can help?
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
Hi,
Under the entry for "How do I install a rear-view camera"
I suggest that the sentence:
The "Brake" wire on the head unit needs to be connected to a wire that signals when the brake is pressed.
Should read:
The wire labelled "Back" or "Reverse" on the head unit needs to be connected to a wire that signals when the car is in reverse gear (e.g. reversing lights)
(The "Brake" wire on the head unit needs to be connected to a wire that signals when the parking/handbrake is applied so as to only enable the display of videos while stationary.)
paulcooper said:
(The "Brake" wire on the head unit needs to be connected to a wire that signals when the parking/handbrake is applied so as to only enable the display of videos while stationary.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An embarrassing one to get wrong, since the whole point was to correct the misunderstanding I perpetuated.
Where can I get more info on how to root? Your right there is a lot of info on this site but all the info kinda makes it confusing.
I was hoping to install the xposed framework on my klyde machine. I'm guessing I would need to root.
ddbigs said:
Where can I get more info on how to root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have included info on how to root. It is just a summary (with some commentary) from the main page. Hopefully it explains the process without overwhelming you with other information.
No signal
Hello Dear Forum & BMW "User"
I'm writing here now, because I have a problem with the Android Display 10.25 " and i Feel kind of desperate...
When I try to get to the original menu I get a "No Signal" on the left side ,,,, and on the right side several blue lines and 8L (8 liter tank left probably, which is true).
I tried in the settings to select me almost same model (F4x half screen 6.5 ") as I have. Then comes the explained “no signal” left side ,,,, and right side blue lines + 8L. If I, however select Fx4 6.5 "fullscreen, I get a no signal in the middle of the Screen. ,,, at the right side there is nothing this time!
Have a F31, built 2016, and had the little RADIO professinal WITHOUT navigation. I do not even have an optical audio cable. Have no camera installed or other optional festures.
The PDC (at the back, because I have only factory at the back) work, but a bit slow but they work ...
Anyone here has a solution,
Or what could I do? I am so desperate ... please help me.....
Sooo... I have had my unit installed in my Sonata for about a year and just stumbled upon a few little gems I didn't know about. I have seen some info indicating that you can control the climate controls of the vehicle, and even have the display show when a door is open. HOW do I do this?!?!?!?
I am not using a canbus decoder, and I believe that will be the answer I need to achieve the desired result.
I was monkeying with the canbus settings in the Factory Settings menu and it has "15 HYUNDAI & KIA" with nothing selected for canbus items. I select any of the 2 options in that menu and it makes "no" difference. The middle one added an app to the application tray, but it wouldn't open.
-----------------
I also tried the IX35 and KIA5 options from the canbus menu and each of the sub items listed, and still a no-go...
Any ideas @doctorman or @Malaysk?
matt1981m said:
Sooo... I have had my unit installed in my Sonata for about a year and just stumbled upon a few little gems I didn't know about. I have seen some info indicating that you can control the climate controls of the vehicle, and even have the display show when a door is open. HOW do I do this?!?!?!?
I am not using a canbus decoder, and I believe that will be the answer I need to achieve the desired result.
I was monkeying with the canbus settings in the Factory Settings menu and it has "15 HYUNDAI & KIA" with nothing selected for canbus items. I select any of the 2 options in that menu and it makes "no" difference. The middle one added an app to the application tray, but it wouldn't open.
-----------------
I also tried the IX35 and KIA5 options from the canbus menu and each of the sub items listed, and still a no-go...
Any ideas @doctorman or @Malaysk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not any of the guys you're asking, but I can give an answer.
I've been struggling with that for the past four years and I never had it working. I've tried various can-bus decoders
like the ones you mentioned. Never had anything displayed from the can-bus.
I'm sure this has to do with the hardware from the Chinese. It's not working. The SPDIF interface-box works, hence
I can use the factory amplifier. I even tried various apps I've found, but again, nada. I've at least 6 can-bus decoders for I40, IX35 and so on.
Reason being that I've requested can-bus function when I've been buying HU's. I also have complained several times, but silence is the word from
the Chinese sellers.
If you ever find a solution, please tell.
halloj said:
I'm not any of the guys you're asking, but I can give an answer.
I've been struggling with that for the past four years and I never had it working. I've tried various can-bus decoders
like the ones you mentioned. Never had anything displayed from the can-bus.
I'm sure this has to do with the hardware from the Chinese. It's not working. The SPDIF interface-box works, hence
I can use the factory amplifier. I even tried various apps I've found, but again, nada. I've at least 6 can-bus decoders for I40, IX35 and so on.
Reason being that I've requested can-bus function when I've been buying HU's. I also have complained several times, but silence is the word from
the Chinese sellers.
If you ever find a solution, please tell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't like that answer....please try again :crying:
I want to be able to control the climate controls for the system because I want to design an application that would pass commands to the controls for weather related activity... For instance, remote start the car in the middle of winter w/ frost on the window (below ~34F normally), and it will switch to defroster, and activate the rear defrost. Or when it is hot out, it will turn on the A/C to full, and make sure econ and recirculate are off.
If it has access to manage the climate controls it should be able to access the onboard temperature sensor to have all of the info I would need...
matt1981m said:
I don't like that answer....please try again :crying:
I want to be able to control the climate controls for the system because I want to design an application that would pass commands to the controls for weather related activity... For instance, remote start the car in the middle of winter w/ frost on the window (below ~34F normally), and it will switch to defroster, and activate the rear defrost. Or when it is hot out, it will turn on the A/C to full, and make sure econ and recirculate are off.
If it has access to manage the climate controls it should be able to access the onboard temperature sensor to have all of the info I would need...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For that purpose you've dedicated stuff already working. e.g https://www.viper.com/car/remotestart/
halloj said:
For that purpose you've dedicated stuff already working. e.g https://www.viper.com/car/remotestart/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I currently use a Viper system for remote start/etc... It doesn't have that functionality... You can hard wire a pulsed signal or constant +/- signal over a couple extra channels to do things like roll up the windows, or turn on rear defrost. It does sense the temp using an onboard sensor, but will not adjust the temp or level of the fan without causing a wiring headache, even for the most advanced installers. That also includes units that have a dball or one of the other devices that uses canbus to communicate w/ the car, as I do with the SmartStart device I have installed.
I've got a new avin avant 2 system build in my car. I tried contacting the developer of the system for a few questions, but he won't reply.
But i see that it is a mtcb device so i thought I ask it here.
1: When turning off my car while playing spotify it would keep playing until the device turns itself completely off after 30 seconds. now I see that you can pause it by using tasker of some sort. But when I turn my car back on (cold boot) it starts spotify again but not play the last song it was when turning it off. I have to search the song again and then play it again from the beginning. Is there something to do about this or is it a spotify limitation.
It would be awesome if it shows the last song and I only have to press play instead of searching it again. Or better it would start itself. A friend of mine told me he has an android head unit himself and it would play spotify where it left off. Don't know if that's a lie though
2: Is there any profit when installing an custom firmware? Let's say the one from Malaysk? Would it be faster or something? I'm not really a root guy so xposed is something I'm not interrested in (for now).
What would be the benefits?
3: maybe this is a stupid question so my apologies beforehand: I want to replace the radio software with a different one because when a radio station name is to long it would take up 2 rows and the 6 quick station buttons are placed a row below, behind the search buttons. So choosing a station is a difficult task if a radio station name is too long. I saw a different radio software where the search buttons are not present on the lower row but more at the top. that would be ideal. But I downloaded a new apk from xda. placed it on a sd card. tried installing the apk. But it says this app cannot be installed. Am I doing something wrong? (probably yes ).
4: I have a universal avant 2 (6'95") Which does not have a reset button (at least at the front) It has touch buttons (Eject dvd, power, home, volume + and volume -) Is there a way to go into recovery without a reset button? and what if the radio hangs?
I think this is it for now.
My unit is a Joying Jeep specific model (MTCD and Android 5.1) with the Malaysk V4 ROM, so some of this might not apply to your Avant
1 - i think this has to do with Internet access. Specifically when you turn on your vehicle and the head unit either returns from sleep or boots. In my month or so of use, I have found that I have seen all scenarios. Sometimes it boots to the last song and I can play from where it left off, sometimes it just starts the song over again, sometimes I start from scratch. I think that if you have an internet source when the radio boos or wakes up, then it will find the last song. If you do not have internet access, then it is a crapshoot. I try to turn on my hotspot when I hit my remote start, and I have had much more success playing the current/last song. However I do Pause Spotify right before I shut off my vehicle.
2 - you have to read a ton to figure out all the benefits. For most I would assume the expanded storage. On my Joying initially only 2 gigs were available for apps, but with Malaysk you get the full 12 or 13 or whatever. And the DPI is adjusted. On the stock Joying ROM everything was a little too big, but with Malaysk, things fit the screen better
3 - I dont use the actual Radio at all, I even disabled the app. So I dont know, but i think Malaysk fixes this
4 - no idea
CadillacMike said:
My unit is a Joying Jeep specific model (MTCD and Android 5.1) with the Malaysk V4 ROM, so some of this might not apply to your Avant
1 - i think this has to do with Internet access. Specifically when you turn on your vehicle and the head unit either returns from sleep or boots. In my month or so of use, I have found that I have seen all scenarios. Sometimes it boots to the last song and I can play from where it left off, sometimes it just starts the song over again, sometimes I start from scratch. I think that if you have an internet source when the radio boos or wakes up, then it will find the last song. If you do not have internet access, then it is a crapshoot. I try to turn on my hotspot when I hit my remote start, and I have had much more success playing the current/last song. However I do Pause Spotify right before I shut off my vehicle.
2 - you have to read a ton to figure out all the benefits. For most I would assume the expanded storage. On my Joying initially only 2 gigs were available for apps, but with Malaysk you get the full 12 or 13 or whatever. And the DPI is adjusted. On the stock Joying ROM everything was a little too big, but with Malaysk, things fit the screen better
3 - I dont use the actual Radio at all, I even disabled the app. So I dont know, but i think Malaysk fixes this
4 - no idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply,
My biggest question is: Do you experience a speed difference between stock and Malaysk rom? or is it about the same? I experience a fast downgrade of speed while using the radio. I wish it was possible to auto clean processes every couple of minutes or so. But maybe the Custom Firmware handles the speed better?
andytuinman3 said:
Thank you for your reply,
My biggest question is: Do you experience a speed difference between stock and Malaysk rom? or is it about the same? I experience a fast downgrade of speed while using the radio. I wish it was possible to auto clean processes every couple of minutes or so. But maybe the Custom Firmware handles the speed better?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you could probably set that up with some app. Malaysk has the "speed" option, rocket icon, that cleans something. ES Task Manager has a way to kill stuff, and you can add apps to the ignore file. I had mine set to ignore Spotify and Google Maps and I would kill stuff like that.
I only had stock for about a week, so I can't really say if there is a speed difference. It is all a matter of setting expectations I think. Nothing is lighting fast, it is not a Samsung S7 Edge in the dash. I also went through and disabled as much stuff as possible.
For the most part, I just use my Joying for 3 things:
Music - Spotify
GPS - Google Maps, sometimes Waze, sometimes iGO
Bluetooth - phone calls or audio from my phone
So I have disabled a ton of stuff. There is still some lag, especially with Google Maps. It is worth noting I also had lag using Google Play Music and Google Calendar. I bailed on Google Music for Spotify. However i just like Google Maps better than any other Nav, so I have learned to deal with it. I also have a calendar app, but i dont use that every day. For the record it is aCalendar
CadillacMike said:
you could probably set that up with some app. Malaysk has the "speed" option, rocket icon, that cleans something. ES Task Manager has a way to kill stuff, and you can add apps to the ignore file. I had mine set to ignore Spotify and Google Maps and I would kill stuff like that.
I only had stock for about a week, so I can't really say if there is a speed difference. It is all a matter of setting expectations I think. Nothing is lighting fast, it is not a Samsung S7 Edge in the dash. I also went through and disabled as much stuff as possible.
For the most part, I just use my Joying for 3 things:
Music - Spotify
GPS - Google Maps, sometimes Waze, sometimes iGO
Bluetooth - phone calls or audio from my phone
So I have disabled a ton of stuff. There is still some lag, especially with Google Maps. It is worth noting I also had lag using Google Play Music and Google Calendar. I bailed on Google Music for Spotify. However i just like Google Maps better than any other Nav, so I have learned to deal with it. I also have a calendar app, but i dont use that every day. For the record it is aCalendar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by disabeling alot of stuff? WHat kind of stuff and how do you disable it? maybe i can clear some memory too in that way. sorry if I ask stupid questions .
Well I just go through Settings > Apps and then go through and disable stuff i do not need.
One example is the Radio, i never use it, so I clear cache, clear memory, then disable. I will have to a take a look to see what all I disabled. I know the Malaysk ROM will add a bunch of stuff that some people like, but I have no need for, such as Titanium Backup, so I got rid of it. Joying adds Torque and some Live Wallpapers, so say you dont use those ever, just go into the App settings and disable it
Hi folks,
I frequently stream NPR / This American Life or similar apps in my car (2015 Toyota Highlander), via bluetooth to the car's audio. Until today, the name of whatever title I was streaming would show up on the car's screen. Basically metadata... name of the show, name of the episode, time... that sort of thing.
Today I updated my G3 (D851) from Lollipop (20g) to Marshmallow (30e). Immediately after finishing the update, any streamed content shows on the car screen (head unit) as "Unknown Artist" and similar blank entries instead of the name of whatever is streaming.
That's really annoying. How can I fix this? Again, it's definitely a Marshmallow thing. Never once did this on Lollipop.
TIA!
Frankenscript said:
Hi folks,
I frequently stream NPR / This American Life or similar apps in my car (2015 Toyota Highlander), via bluetooth to the car's audio. Until today, the name of whatever title I was streaming would show up on the car's screen. Basically metadata... name of the show, name of the episode, time... that sort of thing.
Today I updated my G3 (D851) from Lollipop (20g) to Marshmallow (30e). Immediately after finishing the update, any streamed content shows on the car screen (head unit) as "Unknown Artist" and similar blank entries instead of the name of whatever is streaming.
That's really annoying. How can I fix this? Again, it's definitely a Marshmallow thing. Never once did this on Lollipop.
TIA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what app are you using, I think the protocols are set by the app not the OS. I know some of my music players support A2DP and others don't. Try different apps, you can also try forgetting the pair and repairing, or checking the settings of the pair to make sure everything is enabled. I had a giltch once where when i paired my phone to my car it only had a basic connection but nothing else worked and i had to repair. If you are using stock roms then I doubt it's Rom related. Some other things you could try is powering down the phone pull battery and reboot, just to fully reset all hardware, or a hard reset of the rom just incase there was an issue during the update process. Just some thoughts.
The two apps I use are the NPR News app and the This American Life app. Been using them for years. They both fine yesterday morning, but immediately after the update to Marshmallow the car screen reports Unknown Artist etc. Forgetting the connection on both ends and re-pairing doesn't fix it. The ROM is the stock 30e Marshmallow ROM from LG.
I've done a battery pull; didn't help. I heard early Marshmallow builds in general had some bluetooth issues but figured they would be worked out by the time a second release was made for our phones.
I will check the pair settings... haven't actually done that yet. Maybe there's some new option in there that's off by default.
Thanks to all for any other thoughts.
So, for a test I deleted ALL Bluetooth profiles on both the car and the phone, then pulled the battery on the phone, turned off the car, restarted the car, and rebooted the phone. PRior to this I checked the profile settings; all the boxes were checked.
That done, I re-paired the phone to the car.
I then played something from the This American Life app. Blank info showed up on the car screen. Tried the NPR app, playing a story from there. Blank info. In a fit of pique I poked back and forth between the car's home screen and it's audio selection screen, and returning to the home screen lo and behold there was the info about what was playing! How strange.
I switched back to This American Life, and the info on the car screen did not change... it stayed as the info from the program I was playing before. Went into the car's audio settings and back out to home screen. Now the info refreshed.
My current hypothesis is that under Lollipop, the phone "pushes" the metadata to the car, and it picks it up instantly. Under Marshmallow, it seems the car has to pull the data, and the screen gymnastics I was doing accomplished this.
I will test the theory by installing the apps on my Lollipop tablet, and trying to play them on the car, and seeing what the results are.
Marc
Okay. I tested on my now-marshmallow phone and my lollipop tablet.
Anytime I play from an app like this American life which I used as my test platform from my lollipop tablet, it immediately displayed on the cars home screen the metadata for the show.
Anytime I used my marshmallow phone to do the same thing with the exact same version of the app the metadata did not show on the home screen no matter how long I waited, however if I went into the program details on the car by pushing the section on the screen where the details should be it would then display the details. If I back out to the home screen again the metadata remains visible there.
It's very clear because this change in how it works on my phone happened immediately after upgrading to marshmallow that this is a difference between how marshmallow and lollipop handle the data. It seems that under lollipop data is automatically pushed out to the car upon starting playback where as under marshmallow the car seems to have to refresh or pull the data from the phone.
Again, this works the same way for several apps... not just This American Life.
Hi all,
A couple of months ago I bought a second hand car with a Android head unit. It's a pretty old rk3188, MTCD_MX_V2.59, Android 5.1.1. 1024MB. I have been reading quite a lot on this forum to get introduced into the magical world of MCUs and ROMs
The unit was full of apps and very slow. My goal is just to use it for radio and Android Auto. So I did a factory reset of the unit, and bought an Android Auto USB dongle. I am satisfied with the boot time and with Android Auto.
There is just one thing that is quite bothersome. If I set radio channels in the standard Radio app (find a frequency, and then hold a pre-set button until it displays the current frequency) this works fine for the rest of the drive. However, this configuration sometimes becomes lost. I think after the unit has been powered off for a full day or something. Mostly if I shut down the car, and start it again within an hour, the radio channels are still there. If the configuration is lost, it is lost forever, and I have to manually set the pre-set buttons again.
Does this issue sound familiar to anyone? Thanks a lot for you help!
edit: oops, I should have posted this in the MTCD section..