yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
Easy. There's no cheap substitute for the MCU chips. Cheap caps are easily found.

And don't think I'm bashing the Chinese. There's plenty of American companies that put cheap capacitors in their products. While I wouldn't consider myself a regular, I have put some time in over at badcaps.net and have replaced more bad capacitors than I would have preferred to.

Further, and I can't say I know how they do it, I haven't actually seen an electrolytic capacitor in an automotive application. ECUs tend to use tantaulm capacitors because they don't have an electrolyte to freeze and tend to be more rugged. Electrolytics WILL freeze and perform very badly after they do. I haven't torn down any automotive radios, so they may be stuffed full of them, I can't say for certain. So, if there are electrolytics in automotive applications, it's not a great leap to assume that they are more expensive to deal with the heat and the cold.

So, given the price point on these units, that there's competition between nearly identical units from different manufacturers, availability of cheap (but not long lasting) capacitor substitutes, and low likelihood of actually being able to make a warrantee claim, IMHO, use of cheap caps is all but assured.

In buying this unit, I have assumed I'd be pulling the caps out and replacing them. The only question is the time frame involved. I was hoping to get two summer seasons out of them, but that may be too much to ask. Given that a comparable unit, were it even produced, by a "reputable" company would be around 1k USD, I'm totally ok with that.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] typos1:
Um, ok you clearly have far more knowledge than me on the subject !!

But it seems this problem almost exclusively affects KGL units, rather than the other types.

And as for the cost of the product if it was sold by "reputable" companies, I put that down to paying extra for the name rather than for any tangible benefit (aside from the fact that theyve scrimped on development) and there are a lot of components in these units that are used in "reputable" companies' products and/or made by "reputable" companies - Samsung RAM, Rockchip processor, Hitachi DVD loader, STMicroElectronics MCUs, NXP radio chip (ex Phillips Semiconductors), Toshiba amp IC (Roadmaster units only), SIRF Star, U-Blox etc.

I ve had a couple of Chinese phones made by unheard of companies that actually contain the same components as phones sold by heard of/"reputable" companies, you just pay more for the name, "branding" as they like to call it, its all the rage nowadays.

But this isnt always a good thing - my Newman N2 used a quadcore Samsung Exynos processor, which has an overheating problem, this overheated and caused the connector to the touchscreen to come undone, rendering the phone unusable, so my phone from an unheard of Chinese company failed due to the poor component design of one of the largest electronics companies in the world.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] kharnm:
Well, my Android unit doesn't match with there on the first page.

Here is some picture about the information.

Any help ? :(

Thanks
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
If it just effects the KGL units, it could be design or it could be capacitor supplier. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say it's not design as all these radios are probably copied one off the next. If you google "capacitor plague" you can read about the time when many computer boards were built with caps that had bad electrolyte...

I probably sound like I know more than I do, I'm a software guy, not a hardware guy. I just hate tossing a piece of equipment after 2 years just to get a new piece of equipment that's going to fail in two years. I'd rather take a few minutes and rebuild it with caps that might last 3-5 years. With a temp controlled soldering iron and a cheap air station, it's really not hard. I have a router that I have swapped the caps on it three times, and replaced the wall wart twice - it's still ticking.. (come to think of it, getting to be that time again)

That and most people don't realize that capacitors are basically consumables. They are generally rated for 10k hours at a certain temp, and higher heat leads to exponential life shortening. There are equations out there, but as a rule of thumb, if a system is powered on 24/7 for two years, at room temp, that's about all you can really expect. Cheap caps make it worse.

Yep, part of the cost of "reputable" products is the name, but I'd say in most cases you do get some quality and R&D (design) also. Of course, there are exceptions, both in name brands and "underdogs".
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] koimr:
Off the top of my head I would uninstall and reinstall Nova. If this didn't work, I'd try one of the "launcher manager" apps on the Play Store which are designed to deal with this problem.

The only time I've ever had this issue reinstalling worked but that was a long time ago (ICS-era).
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] nzdreamer55:
Another great idea. Will post once I give it a try. Any recommendations on launcher managers? I'm happy to pay for one if it is going to work well.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] elbaroark:
HuiFei - 2 DIN Pure Android 4.2.2/4.4.2/4.4.4 RK3066 Car Stereo Radio Head Unit

Sorry, 800 x 480 is what it is
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] typos1:
Yes I think its an AN21-U, try that thread.

---------- Post added at 08:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:56 PM ----------

The designs all differ internally somewhat - they are all slightly different inside and use some different parts, for instance, the RK3066 tablet part of my Klyde unit is on the faceplate, behind the screen, but my JY unit has it mounted in the middle of the motherboard. There are pics in the thread of the insides of the different units showing this. The Chinese have moved on from copying (mostly) and all these units probably share the same Indian developer who mildly alters the software between manufacturers using the same basic RK SDK, the companies then design their unit in their own way and I guess some are better than others at this. It sounds to me like a parts issue.

As for "reputable" manufacturers, I d have to disagree with you - more and more I m realising just how much you pay for the name when you buy a brand, especially when it comes to electronics - many of the branded products are even made in the same factory from the same components as the branded products that sell for 100 % more.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] Siffion:
Hi. Im having an issue with Google voice whereas I receive the unfortunately google app has stopped working message. I've searched on here and have cleared the cache for the app, however the error returns.

Has anyone had any success with this

Cheers in advance
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] gy_ro:
My unit failed when it was 6 months old. I don't know yet what is causing the problems and I'm not that familiar with ssd, I left the scene when there where only capacitors and transistors where you could read the type/voltage without a microscope. But I can imagine that things are under-dimensioned because of 1 or 2 cents cheaper. It happens in satellite tuners too (and many other electronic things).

I didn't replace anything yet, except the power amplifier chip. I'm planning to let a friend have a look at it because I'm not equipped enough to measure and track an audio signal and test circuits. That friend is also better in electronics as I am. I post back when things are done.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] typos1:
Or try putting Nova launcher in system/priv-app.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] bhitman:
Same here. Google crashs when using voice search. The search via keyboard works.

I'm using Coudus KGL 4.4.4 from January.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] patoca:
Xpose and App Settings

Folks, I have been trying to customize (reduce) the screen for google maps using xpose and app settings with no success so far...

Have anyone done that yet?

In case yes, what parameters did you change in app settings?

Thanks
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] agentdr8:
I set my DPI to ~290 or so for Maps to make everything smaller.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
6 months to failure and it died in December. How is the weather in December in Belgium? Had it frozen yet? Any physical signs of damage? Bulging, leaking, leaning to the side, etc.

Here is a pic of what happened to some of my caps after freezing. Both were bad but only the one raised up.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] gy_ro:
ClearChris,

Nice picture.

I know how a damaged capacitor looks like, but it seems that those of the picture are from a power supply circuit. Those are much bigger as the ones that are in the audio signal circuit nowadays. If all goes well, my unit is in my friend's lab by the weekend.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] virus90opc:
heyhey,

i`ve read most of this thread but i anyway can`t solve the biggest problem with my head unit :(

at first: i have an android 4.2 head unit for my opel corsa d opc from 2008. my head unit looks like the ES9781A from erisin online-store (i don`t know if its exactly the same). i`ve bought it around 5 months ago on aliexpress.com from erisin.

my biggest problem is: i can`t set the time and the date of my original board-computer in my corsa. is there already a solution to this problem? i already read that you can set time/date of your board-computer with the newer erisin android head units but is it possible to do that with my old one? :( since i build in a new car battery, the date and time are set to 2008 and a false time :/

i hope anyone of you can help me, i would be soooo thankfull guys
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] CARRisma:
I have the same problem. It is intermittent though. It usually crashes first time then mostly works on the second attempt. I have a JY HU running the original ROM (Android 4.4.4 and MCU 2.16). Also happened on my previous KD.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
I

Yes and no. You are correct, they are from a power supply circuit, but no, they are pretty small. New pic attached with penny for reference. I replaced the bad caps with tantalum caps (yellow, one covered with black heat-shrink) which are more resistant to low temperatures.

In other news, I eyeballed the stock radio and it did contain what look like electrolytic caps. I'd be willing to wager they are specifically made for automotive use though.

Edit: wierd, the system wont let me put any more pics up. Maybe because Im a new user. Anyway, the caps are 47uf, which is pretty small.

Edit2: Keep us posted on the bench diagnosis, I'm very curious.

In other news, I have now twice observed the audio fuzz that others have reported. A power cycle resolved the issue.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] typos1:
What head unit have you got - KGL, KLD, JY, RM etc ?

Have you tried playing around with the CAN Bus settings in factory settings ? What type of CAN Bus adapter have you got ? Have you contacted your unit manufacturer and asked how to do it ?

I have heard of this problem with several cars before in this thread, there was a solution for the Mazda 3 which involved holding down the menu button on the SWC I think,have you tried all the buttons in the car, including long pressing etc ?

This is on a KGL unit ?
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
typos1:

If you are talking about my new radio, I have a KLD unit. v2.40 MCU (26 Jan 2015).

If you are talking about the picture of the damaged / frozen caps, that was on an arduino.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] RaZi3L_:
hi, I know some of you have this http://www.ebay.es/itm/360945645845?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649. I want to plug it into this http://es.aliexpress.com/item/DC-to...for-phone/32249993129.html?recommendVersion=1 but I need to know what is the mm for dc plug so I can plug this:

http://es.aliexpress.com/item/Gener...t-DC-Barrel-Jack-Power-Cable/32273276969.html
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] nrjdgn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8P0VEjJoWQ

What is the version of android ?
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] agentdr8:
According to the specs, it's 4.1 Jellybean. Doubt it's the same type of unit as the ones discussed in this thread.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] gy_ro:
Don't worry about the capacitors, I know perfect what you mean. I studied electronics, know how it evolved and I'm a PC technician in real life. I keep you posted.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] haxigi:
Does someone know how to speed up booting? From start till playing music takes 1:43 min.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
Ouch, I haven't timed mine, but it seems like around 30 seconds or so.

I have been thinking about how to handle this and there's a few options off the top of my head:

1. Don't turn the unit off. There have been reports of this strategy draining the battery in one day. I don't know if anything can be done to reduce power usage (turn off screen, amp, etc)

2. Start the unit quickly. I might be able to tap into the car alarm system to start when the door is unlocked vs when the key is turned.

3. Timed turn on. Set the unit to turn on at certain times. I don't know if this could be done internally to the radio or would need something external to bring the ACC line high.

Anyone have any other ideas?
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] haxigi:
ive been thinking more about changing something in android boot settings or disabling some startup applications.

I saw there are Music app and MyMusic app. Perhaps i can delete this non working MyMusic?
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] koimr:
What model and MCU version (JY, KGL, KLD, etc. - check the first post in this thread to find out) do you have and what version of Android is on it? Do you have any SD cards/USB drives plugged in and if so are there a ton of music on them?
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] haxigi:
Android 4.4.4 rooted MCU GS 2.20, no SD card, no USB, no ipod, no gps antena.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] agentdr8:
MyMusic is just a wrapper launcher for whatever your selected music app is in XposedMTC preferences. It handles the audio channel switching so you don't get Radio and Music playing at the same time. The My* apps are there just for non-SWC vehicles to facilitate source switching.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] Killer Turtle:
I'm using one of these, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J0SMB3C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, I have the radio acc attached to across the relay, and it truck acc attached as the signal, with the truck battery as the always on power. I have it set to 30 minutes, and it works great. I can run into a store or get gas and the radio statys on, but when I get home it'll shut off instead of being always on.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] haxigi:
Acctually xposedMTC does nothing. I changed music app to Poweramp but whenever i plug in pendrive, always start default music app or when i press on SWC to change source, it doesnt launch poweramp just MusicApp.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] agentdr8:
Did you install the Xposed Framework and get that working first? Also, there are preferences that need to be set if you wish to override the default source switching.

Also, to disable auto-run of the stock Music app when connecting your pendrive, you uncheck that setting in Settings->Storage (I think it's in here; something like "auto play music on sd/usb mount").
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] haxigi:
yes i did. perhaps i missed some settings in framework. will check tommorow.

What does do this dimmer option in xposedMTc?
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] agentdr8:
See here:
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] haxigi:
yeee.... my english isnt that good :D

auto change brightnes on selected time?
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] agentdr8:
Either between a fixed start and end time everyday, or it can automatically calculate and adjust when the start and end times are based on the date, GPS location and timezone.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] nzdreamer55:
So I gave the reinstall a try and it didn't work. Decided that because it was 4.2.2 to root the radio head. That went fine and I used a root file manager to delete the com.android.launcher stock launcher. Then when I tried to use the home button, it asked me for the launcher I wanted to use (Nova or next launcher) so I was able then to set Nova and the launcher and it sticks. :)

Is there any way to reassign the hard buttons on this HU? Can I change the application that is launched when I pick the DVD button? Maybe there is a way to assign the recent apps function to a hard button, that way I can navigate between apps a little nicer.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
Nice.

I was doing some research on how android communicates to the MCU. I figured the TV tuner would be simplest, so I would start there.

In method toChannel(I)V it calls AudioManager.setParameters("ctl_tv_frequency=<int>");

new-instance v1, Ljava/lang/StringBuilder;

invoke-direct {v1}, Ljava/lang/StringBuilder;-><init>()V

const-string v2, "ctl_tv_frequency="

invoke-virtual {v1, v2}, Ljava/lang/StringBuilder;->append(Ljava/lang/String;)Ljava/lang/StringBuilder;

move-result-object v1

iget v2, p0, Lcom/microntek/atv/MainActivity;->currentFreq:I

invoke-virtual {v1, v2}, Ljava/lang/StringBuilder;->append(I)Ljava/lang/StringBuilder;

move-result-object v;

invoke-virtual {v1}, Ljava/lang/StringBuilder;->toString()Ljava/lang/String;

move-result-object v1

invoke-virtual {v0, v1}, Landroid/media/AudioManager;->setParameters(Ljava/lang/String;)V

AudioManager.setParameters() calls AudioSystem.setParameters() which is a native call through JNI.

I haven't looked through android_media_AudioSystem.cpp yet. I thinkI'm getting closer to where the communication with the MCU happens.

So far, I'm pretty surprised, it's nearly seamless.

Going to bed, I'll look at this again tomorrow.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] devin2:
Weather

Weather is always on the launcher... But HOW to change the language of weather ?

;)
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] zorantoma:
My gues is,that the unit is fully functional that 30min( screen on,sound playing,...)??

Or not?
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] typos1:
Ah, right I see.

I ve got 90 Gb of music on my USB stick and boot time is less than 30 secs.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] Tung_meister:
Sorry if this has already been covered, I don't have time to read up on the thread. Is there any way to extend the time that the unit suspends before shutting off all together? The current length isn't long enough to be useful which is really annoying when going to fuel or popping into the shop.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
I timed it today and it was 32 seconds from ignition to home screen.

No usb drive, no ipod, 32g sd card with no music.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] Siffion:
Aye mine in my e46 is about 30 seconds. Internet connects about 2 seconds later
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
Thats my guess too, which is why, at the very least, it would be nice to have some type of communication back to the unit so it knows to blank the screen and turn off the sound. In my poking through the unit I jave also been trying to find if there is any supporrt for a straight usb serial port.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] devin2:
For me with this car radio : Witson W2-A9240V

32seconds with 1 sd-card 8go for iGo and 1 sd-card 32go for music

gps, rear and front cam ...

:)
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
Has anyone looked around thier unit for a jtag header?
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] -=Gerner=-:
At me, boot time is ~30sec, Radio works promptly, and I have very good GPS signal strength. 1 sec later, the WiFi has benn connected. I have two KLD unit, with 100%same configuration, using Coudu's firmware+next launcher, +iGO, +2x32GB microsd,+2x external GPS Antenna/HU, + some small apps.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] zorantoma:
That would be great if the sound and screen went of for the time set in delay. I realy hope you find something for this to work. My last alternative is going to be from our russian friends at 4pda,but that comes in a month or two,becouse of the winter.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
What does 4pda have coming? Software? Hardware? My Russian is non-existant.

I have a feeling I am going to end up reading assembly in the mcu.img file, but I don't know how to unpack it yet, none of the tools have worked...
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] zorantoma:
The russians have made a hardware modifikation for the delay shut off,but it's a lot of soldering and testing for me.Thats why i hope on a software solution ?
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] typos1:
Wow, dint know they did them that big !!

What make its yours ?

---------- Post added at 03:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:01 PM ----------

So is mine, but I ve read most of the 4pda.ru thread using Google and Yandex translate.

There a a few hardware mods on this thread for the same thing (agentdr8 has done it and others), not internal, but rigging something up that switches the unit off at a set time period, use the thread search feature to find them.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] v1ks:
which DPi settings are you using for the HERE map. I also have the same and planning on rooting the unit this weekend and installing XposedMTC to along with app settings to adjust the dpi for some app.

Thanks
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] Nova8316:
I have used 180 in AppSettings. The offline data maps is a real pleasure.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] victormartins:
Hey guys, I bought an Multimedia for my Ford Focus at Witson (http://witson.com/en/displayproduct.html?proID=102176320)

But I have some doubts about update and MCU, the MCU does not match with anything here, look at the pictures:

I have 2 problems, 3G instability (disconnects or did not connect after power on, must remove and plug again), and rear USB keeps disconnecting.

Someone can help me?

Thanks
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
Yeah, I could think of a hardware solution with an arduino, two relays, one for ACC, one for the power button. It would definitely involve soldering. Not too bad to implement, but I'm going to go for a software solution first.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] zorantoma:
Please keep me posted. Do you have canbus?
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
I think the consensus on USB problems is to get an externally powered USB hub. The unit just doesn't have enough power to reliable run devices off the power it has.
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] koimr:
Oh good, I'm glad you got your launcher sorted.

For the hardware keys, I haven't heard of a way to re-assign them (other than the GPS one) but I bet one of the clever devs here could figure it out. :)
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] clearchris:
I have the unit in an Mercedes ML320, which apparently does have canbus. How have people integrated this? Is there a USB canbus device that's supported on these machines? I have a generic double-din KLD unit, so none of that is built in.

Is canbus another name for the obdii interface?
[MTCB Android Head Units Q&A] koimr:
I'm at about 30 secs for boot time, was just thinking maybe the amount of music might be contributing to [MENTION=5929867]haxigi[/MENTION] 's boot time due to possible media scanner delay but if 90 Gb doesn't slow anything down then I'm guessing it's not a factor. :)

---------- Post added at 08:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:05 AM ----------

I'd love this as well.

Check this post for a hardware solution: 9353

Interestingly, I was messing around last night with the can bus type in the factory settings and picked a wrong one. Even with the key out of the ignition the unit would NOT turn off completely - the screen went black so it looked off but as soon as I turned the key to ACC the unit fired right back up where it was before and the music started playing instantly. I even waited with the key out for about five minutes with the same result.

What this tells me is that it's possible - I'd guess the MCU controls this.

I was tempted to leave things this way but worried I'd kill the battery so I pulled the fuse to reset things back to the normal behaviour.

I'd love a nice 15 min delay myself.