yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
Yes, tried that too...

I have all of the MCU, files are not a problem this time, just no way to apply them. The MCU update in settings causes settings to stop and crash before it applies it. I can't find a different way to apply MCU updates. The update proces by holding home and power doesn't update the MCU...

---------- Post added at 12:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:15 AM ----------

Unfortunately, it looks like that mcu update option in the settings, just initiates an update at the board level, just like many of the native things, it merely tells the radio board (not android board) what to do. Since the MCU is hosed, all those operations result in the app trying to communicate to immediately crash. be it radio, aux, disk or any of the model choose or mcu update... "Model choose" doesn't even get to the choices, my guess is because it requests an identifier from the board that then determines what of the available MCU's you can choose from depending on your actual model. Since it can't communicate with the hardware, it doesn't even get to the choices... Needless to say no buttons or knobs work and neither the SWC nore pannel buttons settings screens can be reached without crashing the settings alltogether.

If there isn't another way to update MCU (without android in the mix) the only other way would be to physically push the update to the right chip via jtag...

Hopefully the manufacturer will dignify me with a reply this time and give me a simpler procedure than that... Meanwhile if anyone has any ideas keep them coming, I appreciate it, and will try anything.
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
Also, just FYI, kind of interesting, with 2.6.68 the Factory restore works or tries, without crashing settings, it did with other system roms.... but it just hangs for hours and doesn't recover MCU or DVD... How was the MCU updated on non-android units? anyone have experience with any? Is that what the second sd card slot was for?
[Android Head-Units] pgarrity18:
So does this mean we have everything we need to create custom ROMS like has been done on the older (Android 2+) Ouku units?
[Android Head-Units] avgaz:
what's new in firmware 2.6.68 ? if there is sleep mode? necessary to put it?
[Android Head-Units] pgarrity18:
I bought the unit with 2 knobs, also known as the ouku model with 4.1 Android. I purchased it for $350 (1st offer) from best dream_gift on ebay. It was called...

FASTEST 2-Core A9 CPU Android 4.1 Car DVD GPS Car Stereo PC Din Radio CAPACITIVE

So far I am happy with the unit, although I have not installed the USB hub or the scan tool.net OBDII dongle yet. I am about to root the device and update the firmware, but since I do not have the exact AN21U model in the title of this forum, I am nervous that I will install the wrong firmware and lose some functionality.

Bestdream_gift could not provide me with a link to the firmware updates. Does anyone know if the firmware on the first page is what I am looking for?

I want to update my launcher and get better functionality from my bluetooth. I cannot get my phone to auto connect.I also would just like to have the latest firmware for obvious reasons.

Thanks!

---------- Post added at 09:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:18 AM ----------

Has anybody had an issue with plugging in the antenna? I have a 2008 Lincoln Mark LT (same as F-150) and the antenna does not fit into the back of the unit.

Same goes for the car's gps antenna, would be nice to just use the one already integrated neatly into the truck.
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
There is a list of the few changes a page or so back. I don't believe it has sleep mode, as far as I can tell only 2.6.60 and .60-2 come with that. But I found yesterday I could get the sleep functionality on later roms by manually applying MCU.

Best way is to

- load firmware 2.6.60-2

- select model with sleep and take a note of the MCU version (it might change from model to model)

- Root

- copy file with the same version number from /system/etc/mcu/

- save on ext sdcard - extract zip to root of sd card

- load latest firmware

- go to settings->general->update MCU

I had that working yesterday. until I took it too far further playing with MCU's and the earliest version of system recorded. I now have no MCU and a nice paper weight on my desk... so as usual, use at your own risk!!

It should be, there is only one unit that we know of that wasn't compatible... go to settings->about device and post what you have now, especially MCU version. Also is your volume knob on the right or the left side?
[Android Head-Units] pgarrity18:
My volume know is on the left side of the unit. Here are the specs...

cortex a9 dual core

ddr3 1gb ram

android 4.1.1

MCU version 4.0.6-1-10-2101

System version 2.6.60

Dvd version 2.13.11-hd860mc
[Android Head-Units] avgaz:
And how to make sleep mode, enabled by a signal ACC I cassette completely disconnected if disappears in 12 on the red wire
[Android Head-Units] tarzansg:
PMS - I have been following your posts about your unit descriptions and i am almost certain that my unit is same or at least very similer to yours. My unit came in 3 days ago, and its now by my deskside, i have been playing around and so far i am very satified with my purchase, again to mention that i got it from a very nice and helpful seller in Aliexpress. This is the seller :

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2-di...-GPS-Wifi-Bluetooth-Dual-core/1505304660.html

The pictures posted in the seller page is exactly the same as the actual unit, i can only confirm that, as i already have the unit with me now.

Beside i feel the price is pretty reasonable compare to the so many similar units out there.

I have been posting about this unit on a separate thread as i google the unit model and found 1 forum member has the same unit, therefore been doing a couple of post over there and decided to start posting back here since the system is really almost identical other than having a different face panel. If anyone is interested about some pictures i posted on that thread, here is the link :

E-257AGNR Android 4.1 Double DIN Head Unit :

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2565717

Just moments ago, i have finally rooted the unit, and i do agreed with you, it seamlessly rooted the device and the procedure is simple and work like a charm. Me too would like to figure a good way to back up the entire stock Rom image before i consider making updates to the system and MCU. i worked in other Android device where people has custom Rom, Clockworkmode recovery image specific to the device type to perform full system backup and full system recovery. We just need to find a similar recovery mode for this Android unit. There would be the proper and graceful unit to do full system backup, other than a paid app call Titanium Backup. i have also read about other Android device using Unix command DD to transfer the /system /data/ etc files to a external backup media, this might be a alternate and more technical method of piping out your system files, this can be explore further. Especially now we have root, so these method will be doable.

I do realized i have a slightly higher MCU and System version in my Stock unit compare to your posting on your Stock.

MCU : 4.2.1-7-10-2501

System : 2.6.64 (i am aware this is not the latest after following the posting here, as these are my stock versions)

I also do agreed that this unit has a some slight difference in your radio, music, system apps compare to the "AN-21 U" that mostly people is talking about and compare to the video from the pumpkin guy. I would not say entire different, but just slight layout changes and position of the buttons but functionality and look and feel are similar.

i also read past posting talking about the external mic, and yes me too has the mic cable out from 1 of the harness pin cable. However, i initially thought its a 3.5mm jack but when i try to insert a 3.5mm male into it, it does not allow me to plug in fully, so i am wondering is it really a 3.5mm jack?

Here are some posting taken during the rooting process.
[Android Head-Units] tarzansg:
One more thing, does anyone know how can i manage my apps that i running in the background? These are typical standard Android features, i saw this can be done in the other videos and also a picture from the seller i bought the unit from. However i cant seem to navigate to that screen to select or kill my apps running in the background. Picture attached.
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
Should be fine, however, I have not run across a 4.0.6-1-10-2101 MCU version... what model choices do you have under settings->general->extra settings->model choose? It seems by the last 4 digits of that mcu you should be able to change your button colors...

I would back up your mcu files before updating just in case (/system/etc/mcu/)
[Android Head-Units] pgarrity18:
Did u have any issue plugging in your car antenna to get radio stations?

---------- Post added at 11:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 AM ----------

Here is what I have...

vw (4.06, rds, rohm37534, tef66xx)

Vw (4.06, rds, sleep, rohm37534, tef66xx)

What is the difference? Any suggestions?
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
I was planning to use a IOIO for that and other things, but I can't seem to hang on to a unit for longer that 3 days without bricking it, so don't hold your breath...

Backups are doable, it's the restoring process that proves complicated without a custom recovery. You can't write over a filesystem that you're currently using. you need to use it to do anything with it... correct me if I'm wrong...

And that's only for stuff android can see. As for other things like MCU etc... Well I'm fighting that right now.

I had a long press of home mapped to "buttons", that brings up on screen buttons for Home back and recent apps and that one works...
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
The "sleep" one allows you to put your unit in a "pseudo sleep" mode. I say pseudo because it still draws almost 1 amp... But It pauses anything playing (music, games etc.) shuts audio off, screen off etc. and It comes back in seconds.

Problem is disconnecting ACC still shuts the radio off, and keeping ACC on all the time will kill your battery even in sleep in a matter of a day...

The other mode will cause the unit to power down both with ACC disconnect and power button.

Like I said I havent tried the version you currently have showing in about. From the last digits I thought it would be a "color" option seen in later roms. The only way to know what version each of those two choices is, would be to select one and note MCU version from the about, then select the other and look again.

Like I said, those versions (and probably more) are in /system/etc/mcu/ , I would back up that folder...
[Android Head-Units] tarzansg:
Long press of my home button does not do anything..
[Android Head-Units] PsychoMcSatan:
I've got a Ford Taurus X which I believe should have fairly similar radio/wiring setup to your car. I required an adapter cable which I picked up at my local car audio shop and it seems to work fine.

---------- Post added at 12:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:49 PM ----------

I'd wondered that as well. I've never seen that task switcher on my unit. Oh, just saw the comment above that some button mapping should allow access. I'll give that a try.

And yes, mine appears physically identical to yours. The radio and music player apps in your seller's ad are the apps that I have. My software is a bit older than yours:

MCU - 4.1.0-7-10-2501-1

Sys - 2.6.60

DVD 2.13.12.2-860mc

Curiously, I asked my seller if they had any software updates and they just responded that their manufacturer had none yet, but they'd let me know when updates become available. I wonder if we have the same "manufacturer", but it sure looks identical. If I get some time today I was going to pull the system files so I have a backup available. I wonder if this system software is maintained by one source, or if development tools are distributed to various "manufacturers".

And, yes, I was able to plug a 3.5mm mic into that plug and it works fine. I seem to recall it was a tight fit but eventually clicked in. Isn't there also a 2.5mm standard for mic/headphone jacks?
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
(going by memory here since I can no longer access the extra menu....

Go to settings->general->extra settings->panel buttons

click on start (bottom left corner) that will stay highlighted, long press on Home, a menu will pop up select Long, another menu will pop up select buttons (or button, I forget) tap end (same highlited bottom left button) you're done, now long pressing home should bring up onscreen buttons.
[Android Head-Units] pgarrity18:
I do have the color option, as in the app that let's me choose the backlit colors of my buttons.
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
I would really like to know (pure curiosity at this point) what files you have in /system/etc/mcu/ (need root to see them)
[Android Head-Units] pgarrity18:
I am rooted but that folder is empty
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
How are you trying to access it? in the filemanager, there is an option in the settings to browse as root (you should either get asked for su permission or see a message on screen that sais the program has been granted su)

or even simpler open terminal:

type

su
ls /system/etc/mcu/
[Android Head-Units] donaldta:
I know it sounds ignorant but all this time I didn't really undestand what the MCU was nor really how it related to the Model selection. This is just not something I am used to seeing in other Android devices. Then after sciallo bricked his unit. It finally dawned upon me that this is a part of the low level board that controls most of the native functions; like SWC and faceplate controls, proprietary multimedia software, phone/bluetooth, and most likely the CAN (TX/RX) connection. I suspect that the STM8AH and the BlueCore5 which are listed in the specifications are part of this "low level" board which facilitates those features.

So, I did a little research to figure out what "STM8AH" meant. STM stands for ST Microelctronics which apparently, is product of the merging of SGS Microelettronica of Italy and Thomson Semiconducteurs of France. "8A" stands for the 8-bit Automotive MCU. "H" indicates that has Flash Program memory. I ascertained this from looking at the Ordering Information of Chapter 12 page 98 of the STM8AF5198 datasheet.

Apparently, this particular MCU is a part of the STM8AF Series and there is information regarding programming its bootloader with a few options for in circuit programmers(ing). This reference material might be of help if the manufacturer does not come up with any possibilities to unbrick it.

But, I am not quite sure about the "model". I saw in KID52's youtube video that in addition to the VW options that most others had, he also had "CRV(4.0.4, RDS, Sleep, Rohm37534, TEF66XX)" and [MENTION=2678656]ThePapabear[/MENTION] claimed in Post #789 has six versions; 2x VW, 2x CRV and 2x Camry. From what I can ascertain from Post #595 it makes quite a bit of changes in the /system/lib directory but it really doesn't make sense why. For example, libz.so is a compression library and fairly standardized at that, so why is there a difference between models?

Not all cars come with a male Motorola car antenna plug which fit in the aftermarket radios. You will probably have to find an appropriate adapter for your car. As for the GPS you might be able to get an adapter for it as well, but the one that comes with the AN 21-U is an Active GPS antenna, so you might want to check if your car comes with a passive or active antenna. Otherwise, you'll lose signal strength and may even render it useless.
[Android Head-Units] pgarrity18:
Okay thanks for that tip...

4.0.6-1-10-

0101

0301

4501

3 files
[Android Head-Units] Black6spdZ:
would it be worth getting the two knob version to gain digital-tv in your opinion?
[Android Head-Units] omarko:
I just ordered another unit from Ebay this time, incredibly only hours after ordering they provided me with a DHL express tracking number and the parcel has already been picked up. Pretty amazing.

Hoping to get it in few days so fingers crossed no battery drain issues and I can start enjoying this little beauty ! :good::good::good::good:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/331089665694?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
[Android Head-Units] donaldta:
Btw, the "Recent App" list bares no relevance to the actual running apps. Many people confuse this as a task list which shows you the running applications. It doesn't. All it does is show you the apps that have recently been ran. Whether or not is is currently running is irrelevant.

Yes, you can swipe items off the list and it should kill or suspend any background processes associated with the app but not the actual program itself. In fact, the app may still continue to be running or suspended in the background. In order to ensure that app is not running, you'll have to hold down the app from the list then select "App Info" then "Force Stop" (if available, being grayed out means it is not running).

These days; however, Android has its own task monitoring algorithms which allow it to manage the available processes and free resources as necessary. In fact because programs can share processes, you can end up making another app misbehave.
[Android Head-Units] avgaz:
If I understand you correctly, I can just copy from sleep mode firmware 2.6.60-2 which is located at /system/etc/mcu/ and just put it in the same directory in the firmware 2.6.62 and I will color mode and sleep mode?
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
You nailed it in the head, that about sums it up... The MCU is the non android firmware of the radio, you sure dug up some good info, I'll be looking back at this post and doing a whole lot more research if I can't figure it out otherwise to possibly come up with a jtag for it

Almost,

If you copy that to the same folder the new system won't give you a choice (well, maybe, can't say I triedI certainly would if I could, that would make it more convenient).

What I did is unzip the file from the chosen mcu zip file from the old rom (for example 4.0.6-1-10-0301 in my case* for sleep) to the root of a SD card and with it in the unit got to settings->general->MCU update

I want to stress the "in my case because yours might be different if your hardware is different than mine. You can find out exactly which one it's using by flashing the old rom, selecting the model and taking note of the MCU version. I tried MCU's that enabled color for example, but disabled knobs on my unit, probably intended for a different unit, those MCU's - Those versions would never be a choice in the "model choose" for me, but may be the choice for someone else with a different unit.

What I think is happening with the whole "Model choose" is when you get in that menu, android communicates with the underlying hardware's eprom described above beautifully by [MENTION=5389783]donaldta[/MENTION] and a few other posts early on, it gets some sort of identifier from it so it can present with the right choices for your hardware, and when you choose one it updates to that MCU, plus it seems to do some other things, some that make sense like remove color app, some that don't really as [MENTION=5389783]donaldta[/MENTION] described...

This is just my sense of what's going on, it would be awesome if any of the people that have been able to extract and decompile the settings apks could look into the code and confirm... Maybe even figure out what way the MCU gets flashed from the "model choose" it might give me a way to flash the MCU...

Applying the MCU from the MCU update as I describe above has worked fine for me with any of the MCUs my unit worked with. I had sleep in 2.6.62 working just fine. Too bad there doesn't seem to be an MCU that provides both color and sleep at the same time... They might not have enough room for both in the 64k those files seem to share...
[Android Head-Units] KID52:
From my post regarding the file differences, I don't understand it either except for the moving of the "Color" app which makes sense.

Have you tried just moving it back over to "/system/apps"?

Wait, which unit wasn't compatible?

Not seen that homescreen before. Have you got some images of the default apps? (music, radio, video etc)
[Android Head-Units] donaldta:
So, apparently... in the Models VW(4.0.4, RDS, Rohm37534, TEF66XX)

VW is the vehicle make (Maybe to support the different CAN BUS versions?)

4.0.4 is the MCU update version, the rest are its options:

RDS is the Radio Data System

Rohm37534 is sound processor with a three band equalizer

TEF66xx is a low intermediate frequency AM/FM tuner.

I guess in certain firmware update versions, there are also "sleep" and "color" which enable sleep and led color changing respectively.

Also, I have also came upon the following Facebook page detailing some information about certain firmware update.

Then I found this...

Apparently, these units just started shipping last month. Looks nice, considering the previous units with 7" displays protruded out because of the sliding panel that provided access to the SD card and DVD slot. So, this one should provide a larger display and a flatter profile. Hopefully, it uses the similar specs as the current AN 21-U units.
[Android Head-Units] KID52:
Those changes sound like the 2.6.40 update.

The "Shutdown sonic boom problem" sounds a little disconcerting! :eek: Glad they fixed it!

That unit looks nice, probably would have gone for that if I didn't already have the AN-21 U.
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
I just reinstalled it, though it wouldn't work if the "color" mcu wasn't installed.

I might be completely wrong, I think I was thinking of a OUKU unit that was bricked by the HAL9K rom... Sorry

---------- Post added at 04:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:30 PM ----------

LOL wow, they really are adamant about not using the MCU update...
[Android Head-Units] typos1:
Lol, I think theyre referring to the "pop" from the speakers that I m sure someone has reported in this thread.
[Android Head-Units] donaldta:
Heh, heh. I'll mark that up as a translation quirk. I'm pretty sure they're describing the condition when the power from the DSP is removed abruptly prior to the amplifier. The result is usually an audible thump not really a sonic boom. lol

I agree. I probably would have gone for that too, if I hadn't already purchased the Parrot Asteroid Smart.
[Android Head-Units] KID52:
Interesting, so even with the app, you still need the correct MCU for it to function.

I mentioned it as one of the first things that annoyed me, it seems to occur when you turn the unit on, turn the unit off, and sometimes when switching between audio "sources" on the unit (different apps).

Can't say it has been fixed though, and I've tried up to 2.6.62 in the car.

With standard door speakers it's not really noticeable (with the speakers sat on my desk it was because they were only a short distance away from my ears with very little background sound). But having a rather large sub in the boot, it isn't actually that far from a sonic boom!
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
Does anyone have a better contact to the manufacturer than allison@szcreat.com posted on their contact page? Last time that got no reply...
[Android Head-Units] donaldta:
Have you tried calling her? +86-755-2903 1735
[Android Head-Units] sciallo:
I might try that, I'd probably have to wait for business hours... That will be fun, anyone knows chinese?

I took a video of what I'm stuck with, it sucks, could't get it to focus... but it shows what's up. I emailed a link and a picture of my "about" to that address, we'll see...

[YOUTUBE]S-l3RMAiBc0[/YOUTUBE]