Database Info

About AF function in KD MCU

Hello, i have a MTCD head unit with KD MCU version; i noticed AF doesn't work fine: it doesn't search a better frequency of same radio station. Anyone noticed the same problem?

About AF function
Same hardware (KD with vers. 1.81)
It happens Same with RDS.
Does it works for you??

inter981 said:
Same hardware (KD with vers. 1.81)
It happens Same with RDS.
Does it works for you??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RDS works fine. What's your issue?

Does not change the frecuency of an station while i make long trips (i want to hear allways the same radio station)

inter981 said:
Does not change the frecuency of an station while i make long trips (i want to hear allways the same radio station)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same issue for me; with RDS I can see name station, but don't change frequency in long trips

people says in another post, with the new MCU for Joying devices fixes the RDS issues.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68917375&postcount=434
That MCU is not yet compatible with our hardware (i think), let's wait (and hope) for a new one for our machines...

Very interesting, thanks.
Unfortunately, MCU are not interchangeable. We have to wait for an update

I want to re-up this thread:
My unit doesn't work properly: my HU doesn't change frequency when I make a long trip (so I lost broadcast)
Did anyone with KD MCU notice this AF issue?

Same here, KD MCU v1.82_2. I have the same problem since day one.
I use a double fakra din adapter to connect the radio to my car stock antenna.
The reception is not as good as it was with the stock radio and I experience this horrible AF problem. Whenever I leave town AF goes crazy, when signal gets weak it starts scanning frequencies and takes forever to find back the program or most of the time it keeps scanning and eventually will stop on a totally different radio station.
I want to try a new fakra din adapter, and maybe will try the JY MCU since it has been reported working on KD units.

AF is still not good?

Has anyone a solution ?
End 2020 and stil AF does not function properly, doesn't change frequency when I make a long trip.
XTRONS PX5 GS MCU 3.44

WillyWonka123 said:
Has anyone a solution ?
End 2020 and stil AF does not function properly, doesn't change frequency when I make a long trip.
XTRONS PX5 GS MCU 3.44
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does the reseller suggest when contacted for support?

Not alot apparently

marchnz said:
What does the reseller suggest when contacted for support?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please go to settings 126 OTHER then change value radio from 20db to 40db
This help you after change AF work Perfekt

My AF on my dasaita doesn't work at all, it doesn't matter if I put it to 40db or any other value. Even an antenna amplifier does not help. Someone said that the newer mtce updates provide a fix, I have the newest version but still no AF. The problem seems that it doesn't search for a new frequency when TP is dropped..

seicane unit?

Not many manufacturers make head units to match my car, a 2004 C5, even less with the newer PX5 units. I did find this one,
https://www.seicane.com/android-199...mirror-link-backup-camera-dvr-obd2-dab-s32577
Anyone familiar with this brand? Do they make their own or repackage?

What 2004 C5 is? (I expected a Citroën C5)
the link you provided is for a 2004 Audi Series (A4, A3, A6)
I think the same Audi you linked is on Daasaita (HotAudio):
https://es.aliexpress.com/store/pro...2804594516.html?spm=a2g0v.12010612.0.0.cLbLd3

ikerg said:
What 2004 C5 is? (I expected a Citroën C5)
the link you provided is for a 2004 Audi Series (A4, A3, A6)
I think the same Audi you linked is on Daasaita (HotAudio):
https://es.aliexpress.com/store/pro...2804594516.html?spm=a2g0v.12010612.0.0.cLbLd3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Audi C5 is the Volkswagon/Audi platform code,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A6#C5_.28Typ_4B.2C_1997.E2.80.932004.29
What I need is for the A6 only, not the A3 or the A4. The A3 and A4 both use a different size face plate. I need one for the A6 from those years specifically.

anyone have one of these Seicane units?
is there any reason to think it's any different than the other PX5 units as far as modding and firmware upgrades?
thanks!

Hello, yes I do have a unit bought by Seicane SELLER.
Seicane is just reseller and you will get all sorts of units built buy other MANUFACTURERS if you buy from them.
In my case I bought a unit for Subaru and found it to be an MTCD device built by Klyde (MCU manufacturer code: KLD).
So as of my current knowledge you won't really know what manufacturer built your unit until you check the system about screen for the real manufacturer. And as a result the devices are no different than the ones bought by any other reseller.

Don't buy from them, they have worse to NO service at all!
I have a broken (warranty) seicane unit, i am mailing with them now for 1,5 month to get instruction how to send back.
They give bull**** answers or ask bull**** questions to keep you waiting, after a while they stop responding.....
I advise do absolutely NOT BUY from them, just a worse and also expensive seller....

B3rt said:
Don't buy from them, they have worse to NO service at all!
I have a broken (warranty) seicane unit, i am mailing with them now for 1,5 month to get instruction how to send back.
They give bull**** answers or ask bull**** questions to keep you waiting, after a while they stop responding.....
I advise do absolutely NOT BUY from them, just a worse and also expensive seller....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seicane are a seller not a manufacturer, there are no "Seicane" units.
Whats wrong with your unit ?

typos1 said:
Seicane are a seller not a manufacturer, there are no "Seicane" units.
Whats wrong with your unit ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know they are sellers and not manufactors, but have no idea who is the manufacturer.
But warranty is given by a seller, not a manufactor, they sell it as there own but give no support what so ever on it.
If you have a problem they simply ignore it and hope you stop complaining and so there problem is gone.
Please make sure if you buy from China that you chose a seller which does give support!
The problem with my unit is it does not turn of anymore.
When plugged in it directly boot up, also when acc is off, when acc is turned on and off agin it should turn off by ACC control through can-bus control.
It seems can-bus is not working properly anymore....
When i asked support i get the most stupid answers such as:
check the 12V acc wire is connected... DUH there is no 12V acc wire in my car, it is fully can-bus, also there is NO 12v acc wire in the connector of the radio!
This then i get 4 times to check!
Now i get 5 weeks (i contact them 3 times a week) that there engineers are checking the software, FIVE WEEKS !!!!!
I am now aprox 9 weeks contacting them how to solve this (the unit was when i first reported it under warranty, now it is out of warranty...)
I never buy/order from them again!
I hope no one does!

B3rt said:
I know they are sellers and not manufactors, but have no idea who is the manufacturer.
But warranty is given by a seller, not a manufactor, they sell it as there own but give no support what so ever on it.
If you have a problem they simply ignore it and hope you stop complaining and so there problem is gone.
Please make sure if you buy from China that you chose a seller which does give support!
The problem with my unit is it does not turn of anymore.
When plugged in it directly boot up, also when acc is off, when acc is turned on and off agin it should turn off by ACC control through can-bus control.
It seems can-bus is not working properly anymore....
When i asked support i get the most stupid answers such as:
check the 12V acc wire is connected... DUH there is no 12V acc wire in my car, it is fully can-bus, also there is NO 12v acc wire in the connector of the radio!
This then i get 4 times to check!
Now i get 5 weeks (i contact them 3 times a week) that there engineers are checking the software, FIVE WEEKS !!!!!
I am now aprox 9 weeks contacting them how to solve this (the unit was when i first reported it under warranty, now it is out of warranty...)
I never buy/order from them again!
I hope no one does!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know a lot of sellers have bad support. I m just trying to see if I can help.
The stereo will have pins for ACC even if the loom does not have wires, what ahv eyout ried so far ? Have you asked on here for help ?
The MCU type will tell you who makes your unit.

typos1 said:
I know a lot of sellers have bad support. I m just trying to see if I can help.
The stereo will have pins for ACC even if the loom does not have wires, what ahv eyout ried so far ? Have you asked on here for help ?
The MCU type will tell you who makes your unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes thx for any help, but the problem is within the canbus decoder i believe.
It is a unit specific for a Mini cooper, it has besides the radio/android part also the dials for fuel, obd and other car control lights etc, these also do not work properly anymore.
This car section is also controlled by the can-bus part of the unit.
The android part itself works fine, it is the can-bus part which is not working properly anymore.
The MCU have the letter KGL in it, i have really no idea who is the 'real' manufactor, but i actually doubt the manufactor will help.

B3rt said:
Yes thx for any help, but the problem is within the canbus decoder i believe.
It is a unit specific for a Mini cooper, it has besides the radio/android part also the dials for fuel, obd and other car control lights etc, these also do not work properly anymore.
This car section is also controlled by the can-bus part of the unit.
The android part itself works fine, it is the can-bus part which is not working properly anymore.
The MCU have the letter KGL in it, i have really no idea who is the 'real' manufactor, but i actually doubt the manufactor will help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know the type, it has a round screen. KGL are the manufacturer - Shenzhen Kai Ge Le.
In factory settings, how many options are there for your car, for Minis ?
You can list CAN Bus decoder by manufacturer, how many many are showing for Mini ?
I ask this because you may be able to sort things out by getting a new CAN Bus decoder.

typos1 said:
Yes, I know the type, it has a round screen. KGL are the manufacturer - Shenzhen Kai Ge Le.
In factory settings, how many options are there for your car, for Minis ?
You can list CAN Bus decoder by manufacturer, how many many are showing for Mini ?
I ask this because you may be able to sort things out by getting a new CAN Bus decoder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will take a look, at the moment the device is stored in a box
Thx for the tip!

Witson sells one for our cars...just picked one up for my allroad
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Seicane = Bad Customer Service + Do nothing for you after the sale.
I purchased a Head Unit from them back in June 2018. The bluetooth module has never worked and after going around with them about it, they sent me a different module, not the Parrot BT module I purchased originally. Replacement of the BT module requires disasembly of the unit, de-solder old BT, solder new one, but the reason the BT did not work was that a few of the SMD resistors were damaged during build or soldering the BT module in. 3 months since purchase and still dont have a working unit. Now they want me to ship the unit back but I know they will void warrentee due to customer opening the unit (not the factory), and will claim I damaged the board attempting replacement. Oh, did I tell you they never told me the BT module was soldered onto the main board?? When they offered to ship a replacement BT I was under the impression it was a snap in module simular to how PC processors or flat cable connectors lock in. They knew, but dont want to deal with problems.
Remeber, they are only resellers, not the manufacturer. They all buy from the same manufacter for the most part. Good luck if you do get one that works as expected from them.
Seicane:
CPU: 8 core 64-bit CPU Coretex-A53 @ 1.5G
Memory: 3891
Kernel Version: 4.4.93+ [email protected] #263 Wed May 9 09:36:56 CST 2018
Build Number: px5-userdebug 8.0.0 OPR5.170623.007 end.hct.20180515.095719 test-keys
MCU Version: MTCE_KLD_V2.80_1 Mar 1 2018 16:54:22
Model: px5(800x480)
Android version: 8.0.0
Android security patch level: October 5, 2017

Dont buy Seicane
I will just add that I purchased from Seicane in May 2018 and at day 174 I have tonight lodged PayPal buyer dispute due to the ongoing issues I have ane the absolutely substandard customer service. Simply terrible. Buyers beware.
If PayPal cant resolve this then I will be offering payment to anyone in the forum who can resolve the issues for me.. watch this space. Dont buy Seicane!
G

Duck020 said:
I will just add that I purchased from Seicane in May 2018 and at day 174 I have tonight lodged PayPal buyer dispute due to the ongoing issues I have ane the absolutely substandard customer service. Simply terrible. Buyers beware.
If PayPal cant resolve this then I will be offering payment to anyone in the forum who can resolve the issues for me.. watch this space. Dont buy Seicane!
G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seicane are a seller only, there are no "Seicane" units.
What MCU do you have ?
What problems do you have ?

typos1 said:
Seicane are a seller only, there are no "Seicane" units.
What MCU do you have ?
What problems do you have ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi typos1,
The spec for my unit as follows:-
Head Unit: Seicane s081988f
OS: Android 7.1.2 (Nougat)
CPU: Allwinner T8, 8-core Cortex-A7 @ 1.8GHz
Memory: 2GB DDR3 RAM, 16GB EMMC, 2xUSB2
Display: 9", 1024x600 capacitive
MCU Version: T8.3.19-23-10-E43101-171127
System Vers: V9.2.2_20171202.103838_TW2
Linux Kernel: 3.10.65 (20171129)
Security Patch Level: 2017-07-05, 7.1.2 (Nougat)
Issues still unresolved:
Microphone only works for phone calls, no android apps (no OK google)
Screen calibration slightly off by 0.5cm
Audio from AM / FM radio good, but Android apps (google maps, Spotify, youtube etc) audio louder from front left channel than all other channels
no root, unable to add some apps that I would like
Using AM / FM radio and waze, an alert in waze mutes AM / FM radio and it does not return. This doesn't happen in google Maps
When using google maps, something happens to the audio where it sounds like it changes the audio fade to front speakers more than rear speakers but when this happens the balance between left and right seems to be corrected resolving issue 3. System audio preferences for navigation set to use all 4 speakers but doesnt appear to be working
I suspect that there are other issues that I cant recall right now but whats listed above is enough to be unsatisfied with the product. The primary issues that I need resolved are the Microphone and the Audio being all over the place depending on what app is used. It just needs to be consistently balanced left to right, front to back right in the middle for all apps.
I am not against using an updated system ROM or MCU but I am not knowledgeable in this area and despite doing quite a bit of research I still havent figured out if there is a compatible release that I can apply to my unit, and frankly with all the time invested in research, forums, testing and trying to resolve issues with the re-seller I've got more important things to do with my time (work, family, hobbies)
Any assistance that can be provided would be greatly appreciated and rewarded.
cheers
G

I bought about 9 months ago, directly from Seicane a radio of 9 "android 8 PX5, 8 core 64 bit cortex A53, memory 3891 MB, MCU MTCE HF V2.86 May 28 2018, for a Subaru Forester, the integration and the connectors are excellent but the radio had problems with the bluetooth handled by google and when connecting the cell phone via usb Easyconected, it did not recognize the cell phone, I asked for support but the solution from them was simple, and it was still the same, at the end I found a firmware of Hal9k, I installed to the radio and with this all these problems were solved, the link is "https: //forum.xda -developers.com/android-auto/mtcd-software-development/rom-hal9k-rom-3-mtcd-e-head-units-t3847477 ", Seicane never respond very bad seller.

Duck020 said:
Hi typos1,
The spec for my unit as follows:-
Head Unit: Seicane s081988f
OS: Android 7.1.2 (Nougat)
CPU: Allwinner T8, 8-core Cortex-A7 @ 1.8GHz
Memory: 2GB DDR3 RAM, 16GB EMMC, 2xUSB2
Display: 9", 1024x600 capacitive
MCU Version: T8.3.19-23-10-E43101-171127
System Vers: V9.2.2_20171202.103838_TW2
Linux Kernel: 3.10.65 (20171129)
Security Patch Level: 2017-07-05, 7.1.2 (Nougat)
Issues still unresolved:
Microphone only works for phone calls, no android apps (no OK google)
Screen calibration slightly off by 0.5cm
Audio from AM / FM radio good, but Android apps (google maps, Spotify, youtube etc) audio louder from front left channel than all other channels
no root, unable to add some apps that I would like
Using AM / FM radio and waze, an alert in waze mutes AM / FM radio and it does not return. This doesn't happen in google Maps
When using google maps, something happens to the audio where it sounds like it changes the audio fade to front speakers more than rear speakers but when this happens the balance between left and right seems to be corrected resolving issue 3. System audio preferences for navigation set to use all 4 speakers but doesnt appear to be working
I suspect that there are other issues that I cant recall right now but whats listed above is enough to be unsatisfied with the product. The primary issues that I need resolved are the Microphone and the Audio being all over the place depending on what app is used. It just needs to be consistently balanced left to right, front to back right in the middle for all apps.
I am not against using an updated system ROM or MCU but I am not knowledgeable in this area and despite doing quite a bit of research I still havent figured out if there is a compatible release that I can apply to my unit, and frankly with all the time invested in research, forums, testing and trying to resolve issues with the re-seller I've got more important things to do with my time (work, family, hobbies)
Any assistance that can be provided would be greatly appreciated and rewarded.
cheers
G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have an Allwinner chipset (not Rockchip or Intel Sofia) and "MTCD" or "MTCE" does not appear in your MCU field, so you dont have an MTCD/E unit and are in the wrong forum, try the Android Headunits general forum.

migcep said:
I bought about 9 months ago, directly from Seicane a radio of 9 "android 8 PX5, 8 core 64 bit cortex A53, memory 3891 MB, MCU MTCE HF V2.86 May 28 2018, for a Subaru Forester, the integration and the connectors are excellent but the radio had problems with the bluetooth handled by google and when connecting the cell phone via usb Easyconected, it did not recognize the cell phone, I asked for support but the solution from them was simple, and it was still the same, at the end I found a firmware of Hal9k, I installed to the radio and with this all these problems were solved, the link is "https: //forum.xda -developers.com/android-auto/mtcd-software-development/rom-hal9k-rom-3-mtcd-e-head-units-t3847477 ", Seicane never respond very bad seller.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Migcep !! I think you saved me. So little about the same unit I bought for my Forester. Glad you shared your info.

Android Auto Freezing

Having an issue with the Android Auto unit in my '18 Subaru Crosstrek. Android Auto typically starts fine, but it keeps freezing five minutes or so into playing music. The track skips to the next track and the display just freezes.
Do not have the same issue on my Nexus 6P running Oreo. Boost is not optimizing Android Auto as well.
Any ideas? This is the US Unlocked version running the latest (so out of date) ROM.

I had the same problem with my mondeo/contour and an aftermarket head unit. The head unit didn't have the appropriate space behind it and the structural brace behind the dashboard was blocking the fan and causing the unit to overheat. I was prepared to cut into the brace but Ford advised against it.
Another issue you may encounter is optimization of the app may be closing it as it might be seen as idling instead of running. Do not optimise or greenify the app in any way.
Some music files may not be compatible. Only certain containers work. Some files, although labelled the same type of file, may actually have a different container than the one the head unit is programmed to decode. This will cause the head unit to skip the file(s) until a readable file is found.
If the head unit in the car is an aftermarket unit it may have a fault or be overheating. It is not unheard of as it happened to me and I still had to pay for removal of the unit even though they knew it was a problem before I bought it.
Beamed in by telepathy

shivadow said:
I had the same problem with my mondeo/contour and an aftermarket head unit. The head unit didn't have the appropriate space behind it and the structural brace behind the dashboard was blocking the fan and causing the unit to overheat. I was prepared to cut into the brace but Ford advised against it.
Another issue you may encounter is optimization of the app may be closing it as it might be seen as idling instead of running. Do not optimise or greenify the app in any way.
Some music files may not be compatible. Only certain containers work. Some files, although labelled the same type of file, may actually have a different container than the one the head unit is programmed to decode. This will cause the head unit to skip the file(s) until a readable file is found.
If the head unit in the car is an aftermarket unit it may have a fault or be overheating. It is not unheard of as it happened to me and I still had to pay for removal of the unit even though they knew it was a problem before I bought it.
Beamed in by telepathy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the stock Subaru head unit. Only using Google Play Music with subscription streaming.
I thought Boost might be the problem, but it's not touching Android Auto. I might try completely disabling it system wide.

See if there is an update for the head unit. It appears that you are not the only one to suffer this issue!.
Beamed in by telepathy

shivadow said:
See if there is an update for the head unit. It appears that you are not the only one to suffer this issue!.
Beamed in by telepathy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's quite frustrating. Zero problems whatsoever on my Nexus 6P. Almost wonder if my HTC has a problem with the port.

Same issue as OP
I have the exact same issue with my HTC U11 and Sony head unit with Android auto. Also works perfectly with my Nexus. Did you find a fix?

AMGNZ said:
I have the exact same issue with my HTC U11 and Sony head unit with Android auto. Also works perfectly with my Nexus. Did you find a fix?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have not, but I haven't been using my U11 because of blueborne. I'm heading on a mini vacation tomorrow to the wilderness... Might test it out again then since I don't think someone will hack my phone in the woods lol.
Are you on the latest OTA? Haven't tried it again since they released the August security update since I'm holding out for September.

Screen freezes after 2 minutes without update
I have something similair. My screen freezes when the screen isn't updated for a minute or two. I found a reddit with the same problem, not able to post it yet
I doesn't freeze while playing music, because the screen updates, if only minimal, ie the progress bar.
I have a Nissan Leaf with support for android Auto. Cable is original one and tried others too. I have a HTC U11 and I am running version 3.2.5815 (latest)

Same issue as posted above
I suffered the same issue with Android auto, I also have a Son head unit in a 2017 ford. It froze on me as I was navigating and listening to play music.
Only fix I found was to uninstall the current version of Android auto, I found the prior version to the one that gave me issues. The prior version did not give me any issues.

I'm having the same problem and I am also using an HTC U11. I've got the Sony XAV-AX100 head unit. It only seems to happen if there is no movement on the screen for a couple of minutes.

Svenvdmeer said:
I'm having the same problem and I am also using an HTC U11. I've got the Sony XAV-AX100 head unit. It only seems to happen if there is no movement on the screen for a couple of minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same config and the same issue

PX3, PX5 or other?

I have a MTCD GS (Xtrons) unit for my Audi (PF75ATTAR). This is a RK3188 unit with Android 5.1. I have installed Malaysk's latest 12.6 ROM for this however I expect this is the last ROM he will be releasing for this platform.
The unit is a bit slow, however the MicroG version of Malaysk's ROM speeds things up. But I still think its time for a replacement.
I am trying to decide on whether to get a PX3 or a PX5 based unit. Both seem to be popular and Malaysk has current ROMs for both. I like the idea of Android 7.1.
Just wondering whether anyone has had or has both currently and their experience/comparison?
Is it worth just replacing the SoM for a PX5 board since the actual head unit hardware is the same?
Andy

ADB100 said:
I have a MTCD GS (Xtrons) unit for my Audi (PF75ATTAR). This is a RK3188 unit with Android 5.1. I have installed Malaysk's latest 12.6 ROM for this however I expect this is the last ROM he will be releasing for this platform.
The unit is a bit slow, however the MicroG version of Malaysk's ROM speeds things up. But I still think its time for a replacement.
I am trying to decide on whether to get a PX3 or a PX5 based unit. Both seem to be popular and Malaysk has current ROMs for both. I like the idea of Android 7.1.
Just wondering whether anyone has had or has both currently and their experience/comparison?
Is it worth just replacing the SoM for a PX5 board since the actual head unit hardware is the same?
Andy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody?

ADB100 said:
I have a MTCD GS (Xtrons) unit for my Audi (PF75ATTAR). This is a RK3188 unit with Android 5.1. I have installed Malaysk's latest 12.6 ROM for this however I expect this is the last ROM he will be releasing for this platform.
The unit is a bit slow, however the MicroG version of Malaysk's ROM speeds things up. But I still think its time for a replacement.
I am trying to decide on whether to get a PX3 or a PX5 based unit. Both seem to be popular and Malaysk has current ROMs for both. I like the idea of Android 7.1.
Just wondering whether anyone has had or has both currently and their experience/comparison?
Is it worth just replacing the SoM for a PX5 board since the actual head unit hardware is the same?
Andy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say px5 with 4gb ram. If you can't find one then 2gb ram.
Because they are making an Android Oreo build for px5.

ADB100 said:
Nobody?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try @Hal9k_'s ROM, use the microG settings, its easily the best and fastest RK3188/PX3 ROM.
Hes even made the Nougat ROM from the RK3188/PX3 Nougat SoMs work on the 1Gb version, although its not as fast as his Lollipop ROM and is just the standard Nougat ROM (rooted), made to work non Lolliop units, he is working on a custom Nougat version that will work on both 1Gb and 2Gb RK3188/PX3 units.
However, you could probably very easily remove gapps and replace with microG yourself to make it faster, theres a guide for doing it (to Lollipop units) in the forum, just removing about 5 apps and installing microG.
Of course a 2 or 4GB RK3368/PX5 will be faster and newer, but @Hal9k_'s ROM will give your old unit a new lease of life.

I can't recommend the px5 for the unstable rom and no improvement in an year.
I haven't tried the others (px3) but even slower hardware is better with stable software.
I'm also disappointed about the functionality in general, you can't set stay on without ignition and go to sleep after half an hour, there is no low voltage shutoff, the device drains the battery well below 10 Volts and goes in an reset loop at low voltages disturbing other can bus devices some till some failure. Switched off by power button still takes nearly full current.
Not a device to put in an car overall.

iwl said:
I can't recommend the px5 for the unstable rom and no improvement in an year.
I haven't tried the others (px3) but even slower hardware is better with stable software.
I'm also disappointed about the functionality in general, you can't set stay on without ignition and go to sleep after half an hour, there is no low voltage shutoff, the device drains the battery well below 10 Volts and goes in an reset loop at low voltages disturbing other can bus devices some till some failure. Switched off by power button still takes nearly full current.
Not a device to put in an car overall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I decided on a PX5 board with 32GB ROM 2GB RAM which took only a couple of weeks to arrive from China (Witson) and its working fine in my MTCD(now E) GS unit. The hardware behaviour is exactly the same as it was with the PX3 board (which I would expect as I haven't changed the MTCE hardware). The unit powers off with no ignition (as it did previously which I don't see as an issue?) and I don't have battery drain. I can only think you have it wired wrong or you have faulty hardware?
I installed Malaysk's 6.2 ROM and have installed my own apps and its all good. I have issues with the integration with the car (CANBUS) but these are exactly the same as they were with the PX3 - I don't think anything but new firmware for CANBUS decoder will fix these issues.
Andy

iwl said:
I can't recommend the px5 for the unstable rom and no improvement in an year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here I tend to partially agree. However Android 8 might be available as custom ROM on PX5/2GB/4GB units soon. There are official Android 8 preinstalled PX5/4GB boards available already but it's still not clear whether we can upgrade PX5 2GB SoM and the PX5 4GB SoM which were shipped with Android 6. Probably this will be sorted out soon.
What kind of instabilities are you referring to in particular?
I am asking since my PX5 with stock KLD ROM from November 2017 is quite stable. At least no app crashes and similar issues. Despite the famous Google Maps hanging which seem to be mainly related to Google Maps code itself and there is a work-around for it.
iwl said:
I'm also disappointed about the functionality in general, you can't set stay on without ignition and go to sleep after half an hour, there is no low voltage shutoff, the device drains the battery well below 10 Volts and goes in an reset loop at low voltages disturbing other can bus devices some till some failure. Switched off by power button still takes nearly full current.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what would cause this. My unit enters standby immediately after ignition is off. Then it kills all applications to avoid any background process waking the device (which is btw. the root cause for some app issues). In Standby mode my device draws very little power. I didn't have a single issue even after the unit being on standby for more than a week when the car was not in use. If concerned you might connect a battery watchdog in between the unit and the car so when voltage drops below a certain treshold it would cut-off the head unit from power.
If the unit would have such a battery watchdog implemented that would of course be great but I guess the units were built to keep a certain price range and in most cases such a watchdog is not required.
Though I understood that some cars do not have an ignition trigger any more but get their power-on signal on canbus. Here I could imagine that the canbus adapter perhaps need additional power to listen to canbus wakeup events. Not sure about this scenario though as my car has an ignition cable connected to the head unit.
I fully agree to the "unable to turn on when ignition is off" issue. This is usually possible with factory head units but MTCD/MTCE units seem to be mostly unable to be powered on without ignition. The only work-around I can currently imagine is to mount a switch which shorts battery+ to ignition input on the head unit which would allow you to manually power it up. Also such a switch can be combined with a small electronic timer. So it would be medium difficulty to mount a button which pulls on the ignition line on the head unit to 12V for 30 minutes and then resets. Still a pity it's not built in I agree.

iwl said:
I can't recommend the px5 for the unstable rom and no improvement in an year.
I haven't tried the others (px3) but even slower hardware is better with stable software.
I'm also disappointed about the functionality in general, you can't set stay on without ignition and go to sleep after half an hour, there is no low voltage shutoff, the device drains the battery well below 10 Volts and goes in an reset loop at low voltages disturbing other can bus devices some till some failure. Switched off by power button still takes nearly full current.
Not a device to put in an car overall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You ignition/sleep problems will be down to your car and/or the CAN Bus decoder, not the stereo, as will whether the unit can be powered on or off with the ignition on.
I ve not heard of anyone saying the ROM is "unstable" before. In fact I ve not heard of any of your problems before, only the GPS bug and the BT/mic probs which you dont mention.
It sounds to me like your stereo has not been installed properly.

Many are just lacking deeper technical knowledge to see that problems I have investigated.
Or try to fix it with cooling fans.
I have a original mercedes radio having the missing features it is just a matter of proper engineering.
Yes it is not android computer I would like to have but not crashing every hour and at the end the car distracted by.
Don't tell it works just count the posts.

New pumpkin Octo Core Android 8 Head Unit Review/Issues/Ramblings

Hey all,
I just bought a pumpkin android octo core, 4GB ram Android 8 head unit.
This isn't my first android HU. So some quick thoughts...
Very nice they gave a good WiFi antenna with the included kit.
This unit has something odd about it that I need some guidance on... it supports some super fast boot up where if I put the igntion on , the unit is ready to go in a second.
I wonder is this a battery built into the unit? Is it using some large capacitor (tested at least 1hr after shutdown, bootup took 1 second) I very much hope it's not draining the car battery (old android head unit never did).
Everything seems lightning fast on this unit. I can finally even use Google assistant. I sort of could with the last Joying one, but it was just too slow to be practical... as was waiting 5 minutes to be able to use the GPS.
This is literally day zero, as in I just got it a few hours ago so I'll be updating this and testing anything people want me to test later... but I have one other issue and that is that there seems to be a slight hissing sound coming from the unit .. .even with the levels turned way down in the factory settings app... not sure what's causing that but it's a bit of an issue while there's no music playing / not driving around.
Some pics of course :
I got it from Amazon. Cost me £250 on-sale.

The sleep mode you're talking about is the "Auto" setting in the sleep settings menu, I think it's under the "Extra Settings" menu entry. It basically keeps the unit on in a low power mode indefinitely until it gets a 12v+ signal on the red wire behind the radio. During this time though, it's still drawing from your vehicle's battery. Unless your car has a low capacity battery or other charging system issues, it shouldn't be a problem for you. I've left my truck sitting for over a week with the radio in sleep mode and it fired right up to whatever screen I left it on.
Since this is your first unit, don't get hung up on brand names. All of these units are basically either a PX3 or a PX5, and the roms and programs you'll find on these boards are broken down based on what processor is in it. Theres a dozen different brand names, but they're all basically the same three units.

Thanks Hazard15301 it's good to know. I travel a lot for work and often leave my car in airport car parks for weeks. It has a good AGM battery so I guess I should be ok.

from what i can tell, that box is actually the design Erisin uses on their boxes. and the headunit im pretty sure is a Klyde. what is the MCU version on it?

I left my car for well over a week with my unit in 'sleep' mode. Started up no problem

Hi, how did you download Google Assistant onto the pumpkin head unit? And can it work just like the phone - playing specific songs in Spotify etc? Thanks.

Google assistant is built-in to the android OS on it. Just enable it and say "OK Google". It can do anything you can do on your phone (although i'm now having trouble with it making phone calls because it thinks it's a phone.. on my old unit it would just bluetooth to the phone and make the call ... the new one won't make calls for some reason - haven't had time to figure out why yet) ... very happy with this unit. This is what Android head units should be like. Everything works, and it's fast.

Thank you very much for the quick reply!
Is the Google assistant an app on its own in the HU? Do I have to click the app first in order to say “ok Google”?
Or can I be on any screen and say “ok Google” and it’ll work?
thanks!

imogenheap said:
Thank you very much for the quick reply!
Is the Google assistant an app on its own in the HU? Do I have to click the app first in order to say “ok Google”?
Or can I be on any screen and say “ok Google” and it’ll work?
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's already there, installed as part of the OS, but you have to enable it.
open the Google app (again, built in / pre-installed)
At the bottom right, tap More More and then Settings and then Voice.
Under "Okay Google," tap Voice match.
Turn on Access with voice match.
It's not a separate app, it's just in the "google" app (it's just literally called Google on mine)
Once you enable it ... you can just say "OK Google" from any screen ... you don't have to press anything / open any app first.
For some reason I have to set my language to English US (I'm British) otherwise it says English UK isn't supported.
Cheers

Follow up on unit
Hello, I know this is an old post, however i would like to know how your Pumpkin stereo has held up? Even if you no longer have the head unit or you sold your car, what was your thoughts during the time you had it?
I am considering putting one in my VW Jetta, as i noticed you also had it in a VW and would appreciate your input?
Thanks in advance
lordxenu said:
Hey all,
I just bought a pumpkin android octo core, 4GB ram Android 8 head unit.
This isn't my first android HU. So some quick thoughts...
Very nice they gave a good WiFi antenna with the included kit.
This unit has something odd about it that I need some guidance on... it supports some super fast boot up where if I put the igntion on , the unit is ready to go in a second.
I wonder is this a battery built into the unit? Is it using some large capacitor (tested at least 1hr after shutdown, bootup took 1 second) I very much hope it's not draining the car battery (old android head unit never did).
Everything seems lightning fast on this unit. I can finally even use Google assistant. I sort of could with the last Joying one, but it was just too slow to be practical... as was waiting 5 minutes to be able to use the GPS.
This is literally day zero, as in I just got it a few hours ago so I'll be updating this and testing anything people want me to test later... but I have one other issue and that is that there seems to be a slight hissing sound coming from the unit .. .even with the levels turned way down in the factory settings app... not sure what's causing that but it's a bit of an issue while there's no music playing / not driving around.
Some pics of course :
I got it from Amazon. Cost me £250 on-sale.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

zapper_master said:
Hello, I know this is an old post, however i would like to know how your Pumpkin stereo has held up? Even if you no longer have the head unit or you sold your car, what was your thoughts during the time you had it?
I am considering putting one in my VW Jetta, as i noticed you also had it in a VW and would appreciate your input?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
I still have the headunit, and I'm really happy with it. It has served me very well while i've had it. It has never failed, crashed, slowed down etc and I've never needed to mess around with custom ROMs or anything. I can still install apps from the play store etc. Waze works perfectly, as does google maps.
I did purchase poweramp for it and the controls on the steering wheel work just fine too. So I would still recommend it. This is my second android headunit and it's so much better than my first Joying one stuck on android 5 and had only 1GB of RAM and it was sooo slow that GPS was almost unusable. But this one is lightning fast, it goes into standby when you turn off the car so when you turn it back on it's up and running straight away.. no waiting to boot.
The radio is a bit crap though, if that bothers you (I never listen to it) .. it doesn't recieve signals very well and I did hook up the power to the antenna and I did set it to Europe region (where I live) but yeah it doesn't pick up that many channels for some reason but since I either stream music or listen to MP3s from the memory card, i'm not too bothered about that.
One other strange bug, on my old android head unit I could use google assistant / say OK Google and say "Call work" or whomever, and it would dial on my phone. This one seems to think it's a phone , and says that there is no service. But not a big problem, I can press the phone button and just dial .. but it would be nice if I could do it by speaking to it.
Overall, very happy.

Thank you so much for the quick response. Your information is VERY helpful. I do realize none are going to be perfect, but it sounds decent unit for the price. Do you mind sharing what model you got? unless you mentioned it earlier in the thread then i apologize for asking.
lordxenu said:
Hi
I still have the headunit, and I'm really happy with it. It has served me very well while i've had it. It has never failed, crashed, slowed down etc and I've never needed to mess around with custom ROMs or anything. I can still install apps from the play store etc. Waze works perfectly, as does google maps.
I did purchase poweramp for it and the controls on the steering wheel work just fine too. So I would still recommend it. This is my second android headunit and it's so much better than my first Joying one stuck on android 5 and had only 1GB of RAM and it was sooo slow that GPS was almost unusable. But this one is lightning fast, it goes into standby when you turn off the car so when you turn it back on it's up and running straight away.. no waiting to boot.
The radio is a bit crap though, if that bothers you (I never listen to it) .. it doesn't recieve signals very well and I did hook up the power to the antenna and I did set it to Europe region (where I live) but yeah it doesn't pick up that many channels for some reason but since I either stream music or listen to MP3s from the memory card, i'm not too bothered about that.
One other strange bug, on my old android head unit I could use google assistant / say OK Google and say "Call work" or whomever, and it would dial on my phone. This one seems to think it's a phone , and says that there is no service. But not a big problem, I can press the phone button and just dial .. but it would be nice if I could do it by speaking to it.
Overall, very happy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

zapper_master said:
Thank you so much for the quick response. Your information is VERY helpful. I do realize none are going to be perfect, but it sounds decent unit for the price. Do you mind sharing what model you got? unless you mentioned it earlier in the thread then i apologize for asking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, feel free to ask me as many questions about it as you like and i'll try to answer.
With regards to which model,
The amazon listing said "Pumpkin Android 8.0 Car Stereo for VW Golf Passat Polo
4GB RAM Sat Nav Bluetooth Support CD DVD GPS DAB+ WIFI Android Auto"
if i check the about menu on the unit itself it says it's a "PX5"

Thank you I appreciate it. Looks like the internals are all about the same on most models with just small differences.
Enjoy your evening.
lordxenu said:
No worries, feel free to ask me as many questions about it as you like and i'll try to answer.
With regards to which model,
The amazon listing said "Pumpkin Android 8.0 Car Stereo for VW Golf Passat Polo
4GB RAM Sat Nav Bluetooth Support CD DVD GPS DAB+ WIFI Android Auto"
if i check the about menu on the unit itself it says it's a "PX5"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse