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Nameless Headunit Reviews / Experiences

I'm looking for an Android headunit and was wondering what everyone's opinion was on the various no name manufacturers? So far I've tested a few Cusptech units, but noticed several flaws. I'm sure if I had access to the MCU source code or schematics, I could fix the issues myself. Ultimately it'd be nice to be able to use a custom ROM on it.
In any case, here's my take on the CP-F011 from Cusptech. Please add to this thread with your experience for other units. Hopefully this can provide some guidance for anyone looking to purchase an Android headunit.
OS / General
The units I purchased all came with Android 4.4.2 installed. After a few days of use, I haven't noticed any serious issues with the user interface aside from it being seemingly cluttered. One nice feature it has is integrated WiFi. The antenna is internal, so the range is pretty limited though.
Power On / Off - One frustrating thing for me is that the unit always has to boot up when the accessory line is turned on, despite the constant hot line always having power. It'd be much nicer if the unit would go into lower power mode rather than completely shutting down. Interestingly, the tuner and sound come on almost immediately while the OS is booting.
AM/FM Radio - With a plain old AM/FM antenna, this tuner is essentially worthless. On my stock Ford nav unit, I get excellent reception across the FM band. The Cusptech unit however picks up nothing but static with maybe a slight hint of a radio station here and there. I'll try again with an amplified antenna to see if it makes a difference.
Bluetooth - In the Android settings menu, there's an option to turn on Bluetooth. When selected, it tries to turn something on, then shows an error message indicating failure, and shuts off again. Despite the UI showing Bluetooth off, the unit broadcasts as "Apple" and allows a phone connection with my HTC One.
GPS Receiver / Navigation Apps - I hope to test this in the coming days. By default the unit is configured for Waze, which I've never used. After playing around with a bit, I'll see about using Google Maps.
Rear-view Camera - No complaints here. When voltage is applied to the reverse line, the display flips to the rear camera instantly. No picture-in-picture functionality, but that also means the rear-view camera works while it's booting.
Sound Quality - I haven't had a chance to connect this unit with the appropriate speakers, so I can't comment on this yet. Will update when normal speakers arrive.
On a side note, if anyone knows of a unit that someone has been able to write custom MCU code for, please let me know. I'd be more than happy to contribute my software/hardware development expertise in making it better. At this point, if the enclosures weren't such a PIA to build, I'd design my own.

What is a 'WWW' MCU? Anyone using USB Audio?

Hi,
I run a car audio firm, we have a PX5-based unit a client ordered.. The MCU version is "MTCD_WWW_V2.54b_2" .. Our goal is USB audio working proper, among a few other things (better interface if possible, better apps, better SQ stuff)
I haven't seen a "www" mcu anywhere? It's sold as an EONON GA7150A..
Anyone know anything about this MCU? If it's compatible with any others or anything like that? I definitely would like to root it, update the ROM to something better, get rid of the "Windows Mobile" part of it which was, IIRC, advertised as the ability to 'boot' between Android and Windows but is actually just a different interface theme from the home screen.. Also want to do whatever we can for sound quality and smooth experience.
I should note that, as a car audio company (in Canada), we are seriously considering producing our own Android units.. likely 'producing' would consist of getting units like a px5, branding them and primarily, having a SOLID software system built for automotive use. I think a lot of these units are a great start and are ALMOST there for a lot of things but..some of the interface stuff is rushed, not translated great, etc.
What I'd like to see is an Android unit, priced like these ones usually are, but with *really* good class A interfaces. The kind of experience you'd expect on a Samsung phone or a Pioneer headunit. I personally have been using my Samsung Tab S 8.4" in my car as my 'head unit' (paired with a Pioneer single din for a hardware volume knob and some easy control) for along time and I would not want to ever go back.
Here's a short video of the interface and version info..
My eventual goal is getting USB audio working decently. It does work for most Android apps but the volume control only controls the internal audio chip, and the radio app routes through the internal audio chip as well.. I assume perhaps other sources like DVD and line-in would as well, I haven't verified but I will pretty quick here. I plan on making another video showing what works/what doesn't/how it works.
I'm hoping for a software only solution but am happy to hack the hardware if needed. I'm using a Behringer UCA-222 as a "DAC" (same as 202 but red in color) but won't actually be using the DAC in it but only it's optical output into an Audison Bit 8.9 DSP/Amplifier.
There's the possibility of routing the px5's audio output RCA's to the Behringer's Input and 'monitoring' that input to the optical output via software but that doesn't solve the fact the volume control does nothing for apps when using the USB.. Eg, youtube plays through USB/optical fine but volume control doesn't change the volume..Radio plays through the px5's audio chip and volume control controls that, and shows on screen.. I could force everything to play thru the px5 audio chip and then monitor it to optical but that defeats the purpose of what I'm trying to do completely (full digital audio to the amplifier).
I'm willing to sacrifice some sources re-routed like that though, eg, the radio would be fine as it already sounds ****. Aux in also doesn't sound great usually and won't be used in this car anyway. DVD would be nice to have optical out as well but
I'm currently still searching for a schematic/block diagram for these devices, this would probably answer a lot of my questions like.. I'm curious whether audio from any of the other onboard devices (radio, dvd, aux in) go through Android at all or whether they're directly sourced to the output chip.
If it's the latter - that sucks - but I wouldn't be surprised. I have read the thread about the hardware hack to allow android control of the audio chip but I don't see this giving me the functionality I need. If it is wired like this, and I can get the other components (eg. radio chip) to output their audio to Android, digitally somehow and have Android push it to the USB audio device that'd be cool.
Is no one else using a USB dac on any of these units? I have many years experience coding, hacking, electronic engineering, tinkering, etc. including Android but I haven't done many of these Android Head Units.. A lot of times we use tablets instead! But this client wanted OEM look..so we thought we'd give it a shot.
The difference between the audio quality from the internal DAC and the USB audio device's optical routed directly to the DSP (digital to the power amp) is definitely noticeable, even with there being very little noise picked up in our interconnects.

Hi,
I can help you only with WWW MCU,
forbiddenera said:
Hi,
I run a car audio firm, we have a PX5-based unit a client ordered.. The MCU version is "MTCD_WWW_V2.54b_2" .. Our goal is USB audio working proper, among a few other things (better interface if possible, better apps, better SQ stuff)
I haven't seen a "www" mcu anywhere? It's sold as an EONON GA7150A..
Anyone know anything about this MCU? If it's compatible with any others or anything like that? I definitely would like to root it, update the ROM to something better, get rid of the "Windows Mobile" part of it which was, IIRC, advertised as the ability to 'boot' between Android and Windows but is actually just a different interface theme from the home screen.. Also want to do whatever we can for sound quality and smooth experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tha same question (#1956) i read in this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...-head-unit-discussion-thread-t3573881/page196
it should be KLD (klyde), you can read the answer in post #1959

Thanks for the pointer.

Hi,
I uses the newsmy carpad since 2 yrs with android box with wince interface and same issue of radio, bt and dvd being analog while the android side of things is 100% digital output via the included hdmi.
I put aside my alpine pxa-h900 and installed the helix dsp pro with auto switching of input with priority on digital input and use internet radio apps, android bt apps and plugged in an usb portable drive for dvd/cd.
Cheers.
Richard
Singapore

Bluetooth delay and Google Assistant

Some BT headsets (typically in car built in systems) have 1-2 second delays from when audio is sent from phone to BT receiver to actual playback. This causes Google Assistant to turn on the mic to listen before the speech is completed. In some cases, the app would time out waiting for a response before the speech is done being read out. Typically when you use Google Assistant to dictate a text message to someone.
Anyone have ideas on how we can customize Google Assistant's wait timer to deal with this kind of delay? Preferably on a per BT device level.

Nobody owns a car and uses Google Assistant in it?

I have a Hyundai Ioniq w/ Android Auto and also have similar Bluetooth lag. I think this is an issue with the (most likely) poor quality BT that cars implement. I've always had several seconds of lag when using bluetooth in a car system. It's never been so bad that it will prematurely cancel voice requests, though.
AFAIK, I don't think there's a specific software option (officially) to account for this bluetooth lag. I'd think the only solution would be to get an ApTX Low Latency-certified bluetooth connector for your car? Might be worth a shot. The Pixel 3 supports it.

I found that it affects cars that uses BT implementation from Johnson controls - Hyundai, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, GM are those I know of at this point. Doesn't seem to impact newer iDrive 6 based BMWs since they have a passthrough button that triggers the assistant directly.

https://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-BTC450-Bluetooth-Hands-Free-Input/dp/B009NLTW60 Seems to work OK ish if you have an aux-in port. Delay is still there but manageable since it's just a slight delay. If you set the phone to not use BT to record audio, move the phone closer to the center away from speakers (assuming you don't have it on full blast loudness) it won't catch the last half a second of delayed audio.
Still not as good as the built in system like on the BMW or my friend's MB. Audi that comes with Android Auto support works beautifully.

Question Doubts about what can be done with a 7862

Hello. I am looking for a radio to install in my skoda Rapid and I have doubts regarding these FYT uis7862.
1- Would the parking sensors work acoustically and visually?
2- Could I see the information of open doors, temperature, etc on the screen?
3- Can it be integrated with the car's on-board computer to see the phone or navigation?
4- What can be done with these radios that cannot be done with a Px6 or vice versa?

Do you mean FYT based UIS7862

marchnz said:
Do you mean FYT based UIS7862
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes

1- Visually (someone correct me if I'm wrong)
2- Depends on your car and canbus
3- Depends on your car and canbus
4- Esasy rootable and many mods available !

@albertron The canbus is one of the biggest unknowns. Unless there is someone with the same car model and audio, amplifier and climate control as you, there is no way to know unless you try it yourself. You can ask the reseller, but if they say everything works and then it doesn't, what will you do?
Each manufacturer/reseller of these Android head units has code that works with the canbus modules. They don't share code. Some manufacturers are better than others with the canbus coding. Your experiences with other head units, such as a PX6, are not relevant as the code on the PX6 may or may not be used in these newer models.
As cars electronics change and become more complex or various items are integrated such as climate control through the head unit screen, canbus coding for the manufacturers of these head units becomes more difficult. My car is a 2012 Kia Sorento with an amplifier. The audio from the head unit to the amplifier is the only thing that uses the canbus that is used by my head unit. The canbus module that the reseller provided did not work and I had to purchase an aftermarket interface module. I was lucky that I found it. If I didn't find the interface module, I would have a paperweight that I would try to sell.
So, if those items you mention are important or required for you, I would make sure those functions work for your specific setup before purchasing a head unit...any head unit.
The above is what I've come to believe and based on my experience with my head unit and what I've read on various forums.

@mariodantas @mastrv
Thanks for answering. So it's best to ask the seller. Really the only thing that matters to me is that the parking sensor and the buttons on the steering wheel work, the rest of the things are secondary. I have also seen that most radios do not include the canbus adapter and you have to buy it separately, spending another €30. I'll have to look first for an adapter compatible with my skoda Rapid. Although I still have doubts about whether to take a px6 or a FYT with uis7862. I also have the option of an rcd330, but it has bugs that are too serious for me.
What would you do? My use will be 90% listening to music with tidal, and fm radio. The remaining 10% I will use a GPS navigator to travel.

albertron said:
@mariodantas @mastrv
Really the only thing that matters to me is that the parking sensor and the buttons on the steering wheel work, the rest of the things are secondary. I have also seen that most radios do not include the canbus adapter and you have to buy it separately, spending another €30. I'll have to look first for an adapter compatible with my skoda Rapid. Although I still have doubts about whether to take a px6 or a FYT with uis7862. I also have the option of an rcd330, but it has bugs that are too serious for me.
What would you do? My use will be 90% listening to music with tidal, and fm radio. The remaining 10% I will use a GPS navigator to travel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your parking sensors will definitely work. If you get the correct canbus decoder you will also have visual parking sensors display on your headunit.
Chances are it will work as VAG group canbus codes are pretty well known. I helepd a friend install a MEKEDE unit in a Golf 5 and, even if this particular model was not a choice in setup, canbus integration worked out of the box.
PX6 units are obsolete, go for a FYT unit.

m00n61 said:
Your parking sensors will definitely work. If you get the correct canbus decoder you will also have visual parking sensors display on your headunit.
Chances are it will work as VAG group canbus codes are pretty well known. I helepd a friend install a MEKEDE unit in a Golf 5 and, even if this particular model was not a choice in setup, canbus integration worked out of the box.
PX6 units are obsolete, go for a FYT unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, thanks. I think I'll buy a medeke or navifly then. First I will ask the seller if it is compatible with my car's canbus. Another question I had that I forgot to ask: 1 year ago I had an Android radio in another vehicle, and the tidal app interface was unusable when in landscape mode. By any chance someone has it installed and can tell me if they have fixed it? The problem was that you can't access the search, or playlist, or anything. Only the music player comes out with the last song you listened to. Tidal is my main music medium, and if it still doesn't work I could consider other radios with original Android auto.

I have a Joying uis7862 based unit. It does or can do all the things you asked. Canbus adapter was included with the wiring harness. Specifically I have the JY-VQ130N4GN in a 2010 VW Passat.
I see that they offer a number of units for the Skoda Octavia. I don't know how similar the dash of the Octavia is to the Rapid.

Hardware Development Enabling audio output on VW MkVI GTI w/ Dynaudio

I'm not sure this is the best place for this, but given how hard it was to find good information about this combination, I thought I'd put it here.
I purchased a M500S for my MkVI GTI, however when I installed it, I couldn't get any audio output. Searching the internet for how to use the stock amp with an aftermarket head-unit yielded lots of different information, most of it wrong. I talked to the vendor, but they were less than helpful, indicating that Dynaudio was unsupported with this head unit (true) and that VW used an optical signal to communicate between the head unit and amplifier (untrue). I saw a post from @COASTER19 regarding reading the steering wheel buttons on an Audi here, which looked awfully similar to my steering-wheel/gauge cluster, so figured I'd give it a go myself.
So I built hooked a cheap CAN bus controller to a Raspberry Pi, and analyzed my current (working head unit). I was able to determine that:
The media CAN bus runs at 100 kbps (as opposed to the drivetrain canbus which runs at 500 kbps)
The amplifier has an identifier of 0x6C7
The amplifier can be powered on/off via CAN bus commands
Once powered on, the M500S audio worked fine
The amplifier supports direct balance/fade commands (which may be useful some day in the future)
With this info, in hand, I made a simple circuit from an Arduino Pro Mini + MCP2515 module that is activated from the 'Amp Power' lead on the back of the radio. It simply replays the messages I snooped from the current head-unit, and now my M500S works perfectly with the stock Dynaudio amplifier/speakers. I don't currently send the fade/balance commands to the amp, so maybe the quality could be better, but that is a project for another day.
I have released the schematics, code and what CAN info I have on GitHub here.
In theory this project could completely replace the module that came with the unit and/or provide music/navigation updates on the gauge cluster as well, but that requires figuring out how to get that info out of the head unit, and I don't have the time to write an Android application to do so right now.

While trying to identify the CAN ids, I found this post by @hugovw1976
regarding a Golf 6 with some CAN bus commands: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/mtcd-kgl-px5-canbus-problem-with-vw-golf-6.3632690/post-73939457
That post identifies the following canids:
0x2C3: power on/off
0x635: lights on/off
0x470: doors open
0x35B: RPM
0x527: Speed and outside temperature
0x621: Wiper state and fuel level
0x65D: odometer
0x351: reverse and brake
0x571: battery voltage
0x151: seat-belt state
I didn't spend too much time investigating these, but I at least see some correlation with the battery voltage, door-open, and fuel-level canids, so they are probably accurate. However, I was not able to correlate the odometer, so probably further investigation is needed there.

AxesofEvil said:
I'm not sure this is the best place for this, but given how hard it was to find good information about this combination, I thought I'd put it here.
I purchased a M500S for my MkVI GTI, however when I installed it, I couldn't get any audio output. Searching the internet for how to use the stock amp with an aftermarket head-unit yielded lots of different information, most of it wrong. I talked to the vendor, but they were less than helpful, indicating that Dynaudio was unsupported with this head unit (true) and that VW used an optical signal to communicate between the head unit and amplifier (untrue). I saw a post from @COASTER19 regarding reading the steering wheel buttons on an Audi here, which looked awfully similar to my steering-wheel/gauge cluster, so figured I'd give it a go myself.
So I built hooked a cheap CAN bus controller to a Raspberry Pi, and analyzed my current (working head unit). I was able to determine that:
The media CAN bus runs at 100 kbps (as opposed to the drivetrain canbus which runs at 500 kbps)
The amplifier has an identifier of 0x6C7
The amplifier can be powered on/off via CAN bus commands
Once powered on, the M500S audio worked fine
The amplifier supports direct balance/fade commands (which may be useful some day in the future)
With this info, in hand, I made a simple circuit from an Arduino Pro Mini + MCP2515 module that is activated from the 'Amp Power' lead on the back of the radio. It simply replays the messages I snooped from the current head-unit, and now my M500S works perfectly with the stock Dynaudio amplifier/speakers. I don't currently send the fade/balance commands to the amp, so maybe the quality could be better, but that is a project for another day.
I have released the schematics, code and what CAN info I have on GitHub here.
In theory this project could completely replace the module that came with the unit and/or provide music/navigation updates on the gauge cluster as well, but that requires figuring out how to get that info out of the head unit, and I don't have the time to write an Android application to do so right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I registered to this forum specifically to reply to your post. THANK YOU. I have just installed an aftermarket head unit and it went swimmingly until I discovered that it doesn't play nicely with my factory upgrade audio system. Then things went from bad to worse when I discovered that the Dynaudio/Fender amplifier is controlled via CAN, not just some 12V signal. I was going to reinstall the factory RNS510 and sniff the CAN bus when I came across this post and your github code.
I have not tried it yet, as I am hoping that the vendor (who is VERY responsive) will be able to integrate it right into the radio. Failing that, I'll be able to whip up a similar circuit to yours and be up and running. Thank you for sharing not just the code, but the technical details behind it. I truly appreciate it!