yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Head-Units] kaween:
From my own personal experience, that sounds like a failing MCU.

What you can do to test this : if you can open the front of you unit (depending on what version you have this may be fairly easy : 2 little black screws either side of the black plastic rim surrounding the screen - see my tear-down guide from some while ago) and look inside your unit, the MCU chip sits "to the left of the DVD flatcable that goes to the drive".

If you switch off the unit, apply mild pressure on the little black chip (approx 6x6mm, square thingy, that's the mcu) and try to boot the unit again afterwards.

If it boots, the MCU suffers cold-solder joints.

If that doesn't do anthing : to the RIGHT of that flex connector, there's an "indent" in the PCB as if the PCB has a "rectangle hole" in it (it acutally is exactly that). Under there is the ARM board. Apply slight pressure on that indent. Try to boot it. If it boots, the ARM board is failing or suffers cold joints.

These tests can be done without leaving traces of doing so when performed carefully. The waranty sticker does not have to be broken.

Both problems can be solved by anyone with a good solder station (preferably a rework station). When in doubt, send the unit back in waranty.

Another option is to change the board yourself. Depening on what unit you have exactly, that may be a good option from the economical viewpoint.

[MENTION=5505466]toomanygadgets[/MENTION] .... same rings true for you. The fact you still hear a hiss means the mcu board does SOMETHING (you're probably hearing the 66xx tuner chip pushing out static as it isn't tuned to a staion anymore. The same I stated here above are valid to try and debug the situation.

Remember how I stated this unit has bad cooling according to my measurements ? I stand by that opinion and will say it again : if you're handy enough and want to minimize the chances of these issues, consider extra cooling measures as I posted in the tear-down guide.
[Android Head-Units] omarko:
thanks for this. I think it will be just easier to send the unit back and I'll just buy another one in the meantime as I have come to love it so much, I cant be without it !!! :)
[Android Head-Units] kaween:
Wow. A true believer.

No seriously, it's not a bad unit and it does grow on you. If it didn't, I'd ditched mine at the first sign of troubles. Instead, I went a long way to revive it and I'm not the only one. (Cool_Head and Scallio, Kid52 I think too did the same). But the cooling on these units is subpar and I wouldn't be suprised if at least half of the "sudden deaths" are linked to temperature issues.
[Android Head-Units] gyaku_setsu:
Good reason to get a better fan in these.

Anyone know what size the fan is? I want to beef it up before next summer. Hell, I might even try liquid cooling it and seeing if I can use an overclocking app to maximize performance.... or is that even necessary? What am I saying, of course it is :P
[Android Head-Units] omarko:
Instead of getting another AN-21U, I noticed there are new models out.

What do you guys think about this one ?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Android-...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item41888203e9

has faster CPU and inbuilt wifi and OBD support.

EDIT: I bought it so will see how it goes. Fingers crossed it will last longer than the previous one.
[Android Head-Units] kaween:
Looking at the specs, that's some kind of Huifei/KGL/Roadmaster design. There's a very long and active topic on those.

---------- Post added at 08:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:22 AM ----------

[MENTION=4296790]gyaku_setsu[/MENTION] : The fan dimensions are 40x40mm. I swapped out my Original fan with a Scythe 40x40 and it is dead silent.

But as the CPU board resides on the underside of the mcu, further mod is needed (cooling block) to keep the cpu temperature somewhat in check. I again refer to my tear-down guide where I've done just that.
[Android Head-Units] wanxu:
Hey, any experience with antireflex screen protector?
[Android Head-Units] PsychoMcSatan:
The unit doesn't get very hot at all, whether the radio is on or not. When the radio is off and it is connected to battery, there is a tiny bit of current. I think it was maybe 20mA at most. Not an issue if you drive regularly, but as I mentioned, I don't so I used relays to disconnect the power source when the engine is off. I haven't cracked open my dash in a while so I'm not sure how accessible it is now, but if I can reach, I'll try to take another measurement next time I'm down in my basement.
[Android Head-Units] flblbl:
Hello, my seller has sent me a new can bus, a see-through like you, and it works.

Now, I have a button "source" at my SWC with a lot of source which I don't need: iPod, TV, aux ...

Instead, I would prefer to access to google play music with this button.

I have seen this link: http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=522762&st=3100#entry34750055

But I don't know how to use this apk and if it is "dangerous"

I am French, so I understand a little what is said in XDA but I understand nothing in Russian.

Someone can explain how to use the apk I have linked ? Is it necessary to be rooted ?

Thanks
[Android Head-Units] PsychoMcSatan:
You can use ones made for the Wii U controllers. They're an exact fit, at least on my model with the knobs on each side.
[Android Head-Units] wanxu:
Thanks, but in my case I have an 8" unit (this one):

My main problem is that with the sun it reflects and sometimes I cannot see what's on the screen (Like if you are with an iPad on the street on a sunny day).
[Android Head-Units] ZexGX:
Try to find a matte/satin/frosted screen protector. They will help with reducing reflections.
[Android Head-Units] toomanygadgets:
At the point of no return.

[MENTION=4736782]kaween[/MENTION] I just wanted to say thank you for an explanation on this. Unfortunately i am not equipped skill wise to take the unit apart and do the modifications. So, what options do I have?

An earlier post said that these seem half decent.

(Android 4.2 Double 2Din Car DVD GPS Player Radio FM CD IPhone IPod Wifi 3G OBD2)

I just want to replace the whole thing now for something that will work and NOT have overheating issues, soldering issues or anything that will send me back to the installer to take apart again.

Is there any of these units on Ebay or that you can strongly recommend. I really like the Android units and I love the functionality but I just have got the money to keep buying a new unit every 8 months. ANY suggestion would be great I want a new unit in as soon as possible. Or else it back to the regular stock units.

Thanks again.
[Android Head-Units] Ackms421:
Is there anyway that I can get this unit powered up before I connect it to my car? I would like to jailbreak and tinker with it before I install it.
[Android Head-Units] gyaku_setsu:
You mean root it? ;)

Yes, connect a DC 12v power supply to the unit. You will need to connect the Main 12v+, ACC (12v+) and the Main 12v- and it should power up. If you have a PC power supply, it should do the trick. You can also tap in to a 12v power transformer if you want. There are many options...

Awesome, that seems easy enough. I have the unit pictured above in Post 5324, so it might be a tad trickier to get the unit apart, but we'll see. I have ordered a new fan for the unit that is supposed to be very quiet and pull about 24CFM through the unit.... maybe overkill, but better safe than sorry. I also disassembled an old graphics card and found a nifty heatsink that should fit nicely on the unit's board. I might even look in to putting a small spot-fan inside the unit to circulate air over the heatsink, but I'm going to see how this new beefey main fan replacement does first. I should probably look in to a thermometer to stick on the heatsink to see if it is getting too hot. How hot does your heatsink get after operating for a normal amount of time?

Also, what kind of connector does the fan have? I want to see about getting an adapter so I can replace the stock fan if I ever have to return it and snipping wires there seems shoddy. There are more than one 2-pin fan connecter adapters out there, though...

[IMG="fan connectors"]http://xdaforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2972587&stc=1&d=1413414151[/IMG]
[Android Head-Units] kaween:
Honestly, if you're looking for a "out of box and everything works with no risk at all", none of these Chinese units will do. The "Android 4.2 ect ect" are Huifei based units, and they too suffer from a wide veriaty of different quality issues. In fact, on the first page of their thread, it simply states "the unit will not boot in very hot circumstances" and this is "normal". Other users have complained about the bad build quality of their units, stating bad solder, bad circuit layout, bad sound, bad FM reception, ect ect ect.

I myself was on the brink of replacing my -at that point dead- AN21 by one of these, but I returned back to the AN21 design after reading up their forum and realise there's NO waranty these units would really be any better. In fact, I miss quite a lot functionality that I like on the AN which either needs to be fixed by 3th party software (for example Speed Dependant Volume Control, or 3th party SWC support) or is simply not there (like the "instant on" feature of the radio tuner of the AN, or the internal DVB-T, or support for Radio Text ....).

It's not really boding well that the most popular topic there is tittled (and I kid you not) "oh how crap my unit is ....". :(

I'm not saying those units are crap. I'm only saying there's absolutly no garantee you will not get into any trouble choosing such a device as they too have their issues which can prove to be real show-stoppers.

Although you don't welcome the idea, I would try to contact your seller and ask for a new mainboard. If he's even a bit fair, he should be able to provide you with a new board under waranty. Replacing the board is very, very easy and if you don't feel comfortable, I'll even try to talk you through it. And believe it or not, if you've come that far, modding the board to avoid possible temp problems is even EASIER.

Trust me, once you've done it, you will wonder what the whole fuss is all about.

[MENTION=4441413]Ackms421[/MENTION] : Sure. I do that all the time. My car has Iso plugs (A+B) and I simply took a reverse Iso plug where I connected Mass/Ground (Black Wire), RED and Yellow (VCC and Bat) and I connected the 2 front speaker connectors to two lowcost/recuperated speakers. Put a 12 V PSU (anything that can deliver 12V-3Amp will do) and you're in the game. But I seen Guyaku has answered that question already while I was still typing. :)

[MENTION=4296790]gyaku_setsu[/MENTION]

Looking at the pictures, the fan connector on the mainboard looks like connector "D". It is really small. Not really sure it's that one though, as there's still some variation possible in terms of connector retention and such. But it sure as h*ll is NOT A, B or C.
[Android Head-Units] gyaku_setsu:
I was hoping you would say that. I did some research and 3-pin connecters fit in to those 2-pin slots without adapters PLUS I seem to have found a couple extra in my adapter collection.

Glad I have the air on all the time in my car, 'cause this new fan I got is going to be pretty loud...

Also, from what I just noticed re-looking through your pictures, it seems like there is a header for a front USB port on the mainboard. I don't have a front port, so I might be able to add a 3rd USB port after all. Very nice! I just need to het a generic USB2 header to USB Female plug from usbfirewire.com!!
[Android Head-Units] Journeyman91:
Hey guys,

so I tried out more over the last days and I just can't get it to work. What I basically want is streaming my music with google play music and use google maps. But both of these things are just not usable with the Mobile Hotspot. When I use Google Play Music to stream from my phone everything works great and without lag the whole 30 minutes drive from home to work. -> No 3G Network Problem!! When I try to use the phone or the mobile hotspot device as a hotspot for the car radio it DOES NOT have any kind of reliable internet connection. So to confirm again. You guys use a mobile Hotspot, your radio is connected via W-LAN and Internet works great?!!
[Android Head-Units] kaween:
Confirmed.

The only thing that I can imagine is some kind of dud Wifi stick, but in that case it shouldn't be working with your home AP which it does (I think I remember).

I "stream" so to speak : there's an TV over IP service around here that lets me look at 38-or-so cable channels and is free of charge (one of the very few things "free of charge" in Belgium :) ). It needs a constant stream of anything between 256 and 512K/sec, and it works flawless over 3G using my old Phone as 3G AP.

Safe for tyring another Wifi stick, I've no idea.

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:28 PM ----------
[Android Head-Units] Journeyman91:
Thanks for your answer. That sucks... I already deinstalled my car radio minimum 5 times. Due to the fact that my car actually does not have a proper DIN 2 Slot I always fear to finally break the car dash. I really would like to physically move the unit just when needed.... For the Wifi connector I do I guess... But on the other side you where right, with my home Wifi it was working perfectly (Btw I changed the security settings to avoid initial connection problems, so Mobile Hotspot, Home Wifi, Smartphone speak the same language now -> Couldn't be the issue)

Also, what I noticed is that when I connect the Smartphone hotspot or the mobile hotspot the sentence "Avoided poor Internet connection" after it states "Register IP adress" and before it states "connected". So apparently it receives a bad connection but connects anyway? The Wifi signal shows 100% though ...... Any other ides?
[Android Head-Units] kaween:
That "poor internet connection" thing is something I've seen in my tests too, but this was caused by the fact I do my tests in my cellar (and 3G reception sucks there). When I placed my phone near a cellar-window, this message did not show anymore. In other words, that message refers not to the Wifi quality itself I guess (my phone sat 2 meter from my stick during that test) but _supposes_ the connection is bad as it internally "times out" due to bad 3G/Data reception at that point.

I assume this because no way the Wifi connection would become any better when moving my phone from 1 meter to 2 meter (the distance to the afore mentioned window), but the 3G signal strength (visable on that phone) jumped up a couple of bars at that time.
[Android Head-Units] xalock:
Hello again!

I am trying to figure out how to install Poweramp in my unit. When I go to Google play it says that is not suitable for my device... but some of you got to install it as I checked in previous replies of the thread. Any thoughts? My version is 2.7.42
[Android Head-Units] kaween:
download here http://powerampapp.com/download-poweramp/ (non-playstore download)
[Android Head-Units] gyaku_setsu:
You can also download Market Helper from XDA to spoof the play store in to thinking you have a different device. Requires Root.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2146216
[Android Head-Units] xalock:
Done!

Now, the hard part. Is it possible that Poweramp works exactly as the music stock app? I mean, resuming automatically the song in the position where it stopped when turned off.

Thanks
[Android Head-Units] gyaku_setsu:
If you have Tasker, you can set it to open immediately after boot. It takes a few seconds, but it starts right up. There is also an option in the settings of Poweramp to play on application launch (I forget if it is in the Audio settings, or the Headset settings...). It won't resume the track's position (it restarts the track from the beginning) but keeps your playlists, queue, and such in the same order. I am actively prodding the developers to improve playback resuming so that it keeps your track position on reboot. I think I was the one that got them to add play on app launch functionality, so there is a chance it can be done. I assume it is just harder to code that kind of function.

Something to note, though... Poweramp keeps playing until the unit shuts off entirely, so if you have the unit set to go to 'sleep' mode, it won't resume correctly and will keep playing silently until the end of the 'sleep' duration. I am trying to find a trigger that Tasker can use to pause the playback when the unit goes to sleep, but so far haven't been able to.
[Android Head-Units] wanxu:
Did you try on screen off? Or maybe lost bluetooth connection if you use it. Maybe something with the battery?

By the way, don't you lose root on every boot? How comes tasker works without root?
[Android Head-Units] Zaphod-Beeblebrox:
Have you tried triggering on screen off?
[Android Head-Units] gyaku_setsu:
Screen off doesn't work, nor does Bluetooth (handled by the MCU, not android). I haven't tried battery. I'll do that next. For now I just have sleep disabled entirely and don't mind the boot up time.

And no, you don't lose root every time you reboot. That would suck! Also, Tasker works without root for most functions. I use it on my unrooted phone all the time.
[Android Head-Units] cool_head:
Can someone post a recent com.tw.music_a41e.apk file? Maybe from version 2.7.42 or .39 if possible.

cheers.
[Android Head-Units] wanxu:
In my case I lose it every time. I root with Baidu russian 2.4.6 but it doesn't keep after reboot.
[Android Head-Units] xalock:
I have discovered that if you pause the song before turning off the car, Poweramp will remember the position of the song. With the Tasker I did as you said and the app is starting automatically when I turn on.

But I have some problems: the music of Poweramp stops when I switch to Home and then I go back to the app. So weird. And when I open other app like Sygic, it stops too. I have tried to open the stock music app to solve this, and it works while it plays the same song, but when it moves to next song, the problem reappears.
[Android Head-Units] gyaku_setsu:
Strange. Did you install a 3rd-party Superuser app while baidu had root? Try following the instructions I wrote in the wiki. My root seems to be fine and permanent and I can even uninstall that sketchy baidu app.

I have noticed that problem too. Sometimes if I switch apps, the music won't go through, even though poweramp is obviously playing. This was especially annoying because if I google searched something, it would do that too and google always seemed to crash the audio threads. I think I fixed it by switching my default navi app to poweramp so that it almost always has sound priority.... which works in my case because I don't have a physical navi button and I don't use voice guidance...

But a quick fix I found is to pause poweramp, open the default media player app, press/hold back to close it and then resume poweramp. Some combination of those steps always got it working again for me.

As for pausing the song, I have also noticed that. I just wish there was some sort of trigger I could program so that it pauses on shutdown/sleep. I notice if I have the volume up high enough, I can still faintly hear audio playing for a few moments until the unit completely shuts off. There is some weird voo-doo magic going on with these units and how they handle sleep/shutdown.
[Android Head-Units] ryrager:
Development seems to have stopped

Hi All

Just wondering if anyone knows if there is an Android 4.4 ROM coming out for the AN-21 U? Would be great. I hate the 4 button screen layout and would like to get the home screen customizable. Anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks
[Android Head-Units] anan2046:
http://www.autopumpkin.com/car-dvd-players/android-dvd-player/vw-android-dvd-player/aftermarket-car-stereo-gps-navigation-pure-android-4-1-system-with-8-inch-capacitive-hd-touch-screen-odb2-3g-wifi-1080p-anoalog-tv-for-vw-vehicle.html Is this one? The SKU of the site is TH-C0331, right?

---------- Post added at 03:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:13 AM ----------

Here is the link of the unit. http://www.autopumpkin.com/car-dvd-players/android-dvd-player/vw-android-dvd-player/aftermarket-car-stereo-gps-navigation-pure-android-4-1-system-with-8-inch-capacitive-hd-touch-screen-odb2-3g-wifi-1080p-anoalog-tv-for-vw-vehicle.htmlBut I don't know if it's rootable.
[Android Head-Units] shadowmike:
So what's the best version to upgrade to ? Cleanest ui, best features.

Last time I had one of these , we just got the option to switch the tune and volume knobs.

Otherwise I assume just upgrade to the lastest version, depending on what mine is shipped with.
[Android Head-Units] gyaku_setsu:
Just get a new launcher like novalauncher or adw. All updates are going to be a play on the same launcher and it will probably be lacking anyway.

Yes, that's the one! Awesome stuff. 8" screen is basically the best thing ever. And yes, it is rootable...
[Android Head-Units] shadowmike:
I really enjoyed smart launcher when I had my last unit. Will be the launcher I install on Monday.
[Android Head-Units] flblbl:
Nobody has changed com_tw_systeme ?
[Android Head-Units] wanxu:
Guys, it seems 2.8.6 is out:

Source: http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=522762&st=3680#entry35068378

You can download it: http://4pda.ru/pages/go/?u=https://yadi.sk/d/XmI1NHdcc7kpd. It's 800x480. I need 1024x600 :(
[Android Head-Units] mr2manycars:
Help

Just bought an ebay android head unit and torque doesnt work. I tried to link the ebay item but this forum wont let me post links yet. From what i am reading i Need to root it i beleive to make it able to pick up the obd2 adapter. Seller description mentions mstar, which when i searched here leads me to believe it is an21u, but the pictures of an21u i am finding online do not look like my unit.

---------- Post added at 05:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:10 PM ----------

181438634845 is the ebay item number. On the about device screen it says

Cpu information: cortex-a9 dual core

Ram information ddr3 1g

Android version 4.2.2

Mcu version 4.3.2-10-10-2501

System information 2.7.31

Dvd version 2.13.13-860mc
[Android Head-Units] shadowmike:


I myself would have found one with better accessories and cheaper, but that's an an21u same one I purchased but different seller.

Read this threads earlier posts from 5-9 months ago there was a lot of odb2 talk back then.
[Android Head-Units] cool_head:
By your mcu version i'm seeing that you have a bc5 module.. it means that you can't run torque by bluetooth... you need a bc6 module to pair any bluetooth obd dongle.. sorry..
[Android Head-Units] kaween:
Correct. MCU 25xx means no BC6 module.

BC5 means no OBD over BT.

Possible solutions to run Torque pro :

1) USB OBD interface

2) Wifi OBD interface with AP/DHCP support. Careful, most cheap OBD WIFI's only support Ad-Hoc which is not that easy to do on any android these days.

3) buy a BC6 module and modify the unit (opening and modifiying of mainboard and MCU version needed)

For people looking for BC6 modules : send a mail to these guys : h t t p://www.made-in-china.com/showroom/cardvdgps-china

They modify their non-BC6's to BC6 at the request of the customer., so they do have access to them. They also sell TH/AN21 spare boards when asked, and that for a very reasonable price.

I bought a replacement BC5 AN21 from them for 65 USD. For a BC6, they ask a surplus of 15 USD.

I've got no ties to them and this isn't meant as endorsement or shameless plugg, but I've seen countless people asking access to BC6 modules on this forum and a couple of people hinting "they knew a seller", but I've never seen anyone providing a useful link to that. So here it is.

And then something completly different : Thank you for the link Wanxu but honestly : that Radio app ? REALLY ???

A TON of room on the screen, but an ITSY PITSY TEENY WEENY readable frequency dial ? Even with that "current freq eye", that layout is probably the worst I've ever seen. (in my opinion, even the original design that we all know from Ouku days was better than that .... thing).