[MTCD Software Development] Hal9k_:
Hal9k Mod v3.1.2​

31.03.2019​

This version is deprecated. The new version is here

Firmware for platform MTCD-MTCE Rockchip PX5 1024x600 800x480 based on the latest official version of HA.

This is the further development of my Mod v2.x based on Android 7.

# Thanks AndroidAutoShop for the equipment provided for development.

# Everyone can now use the discount code "hal9k" for 25$ off your order!

If you want to know which firmware is the best, see the voting results here.

You can install this firmware on your radio, if in Settings > System > About machine >

The model starts with px5

The Android version starts with 8.0.

The MCU version starts with MTCD or MTCE. Then there can be any letters, two, three, four - it does not matter.

About machine example:

View attachment 4612033

Or, if in Settings > About device >

The Android version starts with 6.0.

The Build number starts with px5

The chip version starts with MTCD or MTCE. Then there can be any letters, two, three, four - it does not matter.

About device example:

View attachment 4612034

Also, to restore the radio, if something goes wrong, you should be able enter the recovery.

The main advantages and trends of development of this mod:

New features.

Correction of existing errors and imperfections of the stock.

Best responsiveness in comparison of the stock + the ability for the user to improve this indicator.

The customizability. All critical changes made on my taste, you can customize for yourself or do as it was in the stock.

All changes made directly in application code without the use of Xposed framework for best perfomance.

Stability.

The stock design.

The first boot takes less than one minute.

When switching from any other firmware it is necessary to wipe the user data!

If you are upgrading from a previous version, you do not need to wipe. But it is recommended if any problems arise.

If you install without wiping the data on top of the previous version, the first boot may take several minutes. Depends on the number of third-party applications.

But be sure to go to "Mod settings" to apply the default settings.

After installing or updating the firmware, the HU will reboot one more time to complete the installation of Magisk. Do not update Magisk. You will need to reinstall the firmware.

How to install the firmware ?

If you have Android 8 installed:

Download and unpack the archive from Download section. It is in the archive with the firmware.

Root access is not needed.

Install the ModInstaller.apk application on the HU, run it and click "Install".

View attachment 4612035

HU will reboot in recovery.

If you do not have hardware buttons use the pin-hole reset button. Short press to browse, longer press to select.

You can also use a USB keyboard.

Insert the USB flash drive with firmware file update.zip into the USB connector of the radio. USB flash drive must be formatted in FAT32.

I recommend to take out all the other flash drives, SD cards, modems and other devices from the radio jacks.

Select the menu item "Apply update system" - "From usb storage"

The firmware will be installed.

(You can use the SD card for installation, but it will be much slower.)

Select the menu item "Wipe data / factory reset".

The user data will be cleared.

Select the menu item "Reboot system now".

The device will reboot in Android 8.

Learn more in the video

If you have Android 6 installed:

This method is also suitable for a full recovery of HU with Android 8 or 6 if it does not boot, including even in recovery.

Download and unpack the archive Hal9k_Mod_3.x_upgrade_to_Android_8.0.rar

Insert the SD card into the card reader. It is desirable to use a small card, 2-4-8 GB.

Run Rockchip SD_Firmware_Tool.exe on a convenient Windows PC with a Micro SD card reader/writer connected to it. You must run the application as Administrator.

You do not need to switch any settings. Everything is set up.

Click the "Firmware" button and select the file bootcard.img

Click the "Create" button, then "Yes" and wait until the message with the "Ok" button appears.

Close SD_Firmware_Tool.

Copy the sdupdate.img file to this card, replacing the existing one.

Remove the SD card from the card reader and insert into the HU in the GPS slot.

Now you need to completely reboot the HU. This can be done by pressing the RST (Reset) button with a paperclip etc.

If the HU does not reboot, then this button (or the Power button) must be held down until the buttons backlight flashes. Then release.

As a last resort, you can disconnect and reconnect the power cable.

When the message "Doing actions succeeded. Please remove the sdcard ..." appears, remove the SD card from the HU.

HU will reboot in recovery Android 8.

Insert the USB flash drive with the update.zip firmware file, which you can find in the archive from the “Download” section, into the USB connector of the radio. USB flash drive must be formatted in FAT32.

I recommend to take out all the other flash drives, SD cards, modems and other devices from the radio jacks.

Select the menu item "Apply update system" - "From usb storage"

The firmware will be installed.

(You can use the SD card for installation, but it will be slower.)

Select the menu item "Wipe data / factory reset".

The user data will be cleared.

Select the menu item "Reboot system now".

The device will reboot in Android 8.

Learn more in the video

Known problem: If you have a Bluetooth module MD725 type 2, it will not work in Android 8, although Android 6 works.

The reason is that from Android 8 its driver was removed.

How do you know if you have such a module?

On the first page of the factory settings in the BT item, MD725

The command getprop bt.md725.type, executed in the terminal, answers "2"

There is a solution by replacing the module.

If you have an old version of the MCU, I highly recommend upgrading to the current version: 2.93 or higher.

MTCE MCU can be installed instead of MTCD. (make sure the letters of the current MCU matches the one you flash!)

If you have questions about DAB+, please mention [MENTION=6662093]zeMadCat[/MENTION].

If you want to help translate Mod into your language, please open this folder.

When you decide to place your translation in this folder, send me a personal message with your Google email. I will give you access.

If you think we need to translate other applications, write to me about it. I will add resources to the folder.

If you like my ROMs and you want to thank me, please consider making a donation. You can find the required details on my website or just click here.

Download:

Version 3.1 Google Drive

Commercial use of the ROM or its parts is prohibited.

Old versions

Version 3.0 Google Drive

Other launchers not included in the firmware. Installing by the replacement /system/priv-app/Launcher3_HA

List of changes:

Version 3.1.2 OTA-package

Added or corrected translations in different languages:

Thanks to:

de [MENTION=2507474]maus05[/MENTION], [MENTION=2962612]Toto1365[/MENTION]

el [MENTION=233178]grigoris_a[/MENTION]

it [MENTION=1580792]tonimontoia[/MENTION]

cs [MENTION=4270261]Bugscze[/MENTION]

hr [MENTION=7953858]dankec2000[/MENTION]

hu [MENTION=4962471]didu73[/MENTION]

nl [MENTION=1369996]ZeroZorro[/MENTION]

fr [MENTION=9727862]mykerinos1[/MENTION]

sv [MENTION=1358259]kupa[/MENTION]

es [MENTION=5348194]segu45[/MENTION]

Improved screensaver:

Made displaying covers for most third-party players and radio station icons for PCRADIO app.

For correct work, I recommend adding your players to the "List of applications that should not work simultaneously".

Made displaying recommendations when driving along a route for Yandex.Navigator, Yandex.Maps, Google Maps, Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps.

Made displaying temperature from Yandex.Weather, if the data on the temperature does not come from the CAN-adapter.

Now the screensaver is correctly displayed in 800x480.

While the screensaver is running, the stock volume control is no longer shown.

Added pop-up messages from BT Music and third-party media players. Third-party media players must be added to the appropriate list.

Added a list of applications that will work in immersive mode (full screen).

Made a separate list of navigation using TTS

Added the ability to assign the last launched navigation to the Navi button (to switch between navigation and player, for example).

By popular demand :) added custom parking lines. Thanks for Incognito+

Magisk updated to v18.1, Viper4Android updated to v2.7

Added new button codes to replace

OEM launchers with widgets can now be installed just all at once.

Much work has been done to ensure support for new basic firmware, although this is not visible from the outside.

Old versions

Version 3.1.1 OTA-package

Improved screensaver:

Made displaying information about the track being played for most third-party players.

The ability to customize the appearance of the screensaver: colors, background image, the maximum value for the speed indicator.

Swapped speed and volume indicators.

A short press on the screen power button now turns on the selected screensaver.

The Google application now calls via MTCDialer without additional settings.

You can muffle music by navigation application that play voice prompts through a speech synthesizer.

To use, you need to add the application to the "List of navigational applications that muffle other sounds" and select "Text-to-speech engine that muffle other sounds"

Replaced icons in the stock launcher and in the status bar.

Added the ability to call System UI Tuner from Mod Settings.

The timeout for mounting a memory card after getting out of sleep for a stock player is increased to 30 seconds.

Added the ability to replace new button codes for a joystick in a Mazda car.

Version 3.1

Magisk updated to v18.0. Solved the problem with the installation of modules.

A new screensaver has been added that displays the time and date, information from players (not only standard ones), volume level, speed, as well as temperature and voltage in the presence of this data.

To display the temperature, a CAN adapter is required, which displays the temperature in the status bar. And to display the voltage, the MCU is 2.93 and higher.

Many thanks to [MENTION=6662093]zeMadCat[/MENTION] for the graphics.

Added the ability to replace the codes of buttons located on the steering wheel and the front panel.

You can configure the actions that are performed when you press the buttons on the steering wheel, even if they are connected via a CAN adapter.

Added the ability to select a group of radio stations.

If you are traveling to another locality where other radio stations operate, you can select a different group and tune in the stations again.

And having come home, choose the default group again and your settings will be restored.

Solved the problem with a stock player that did not start playing tracks from a memory card after getting out of sleep.

Added a list of applications that have access to USB-devices. It allows you to get rid of the annoying request for access.

For fans of Taskers, the ability to assign numbers 1-9, 0, and the characters * and # to the steering buttons is added.

Intent = "com.microntek.report.event"

Extra "type" = "key"

Extra "value" = button code.

Added b-max script to reconnect freezing USB hubs.

Added the name of the artist in the A2DP application.

The name of the artist was added to the pop-up message from Music, and the frequency was added to the message from Radio.

Added an equalizer call for a long tap to the on-screen button of presets in Music.

Added the Home app (launcher choice) and Data usage (Network restrictions) items to Settings.

The checkbox "Switching folders in Music with buttons on the steering wheel" is removed, since now the buttons on the steering wheel can be customized.

Other minor changes to improve stability and usability.

Version 3.0

All interface changes are also made for screen resolution 800x480.

The firmware is completely re-odexed with optimization for the px5 processor.

The Mod settings are made in a separate application, also available from the "CAR" in the Settings app.

Removed the "red text", which appeared, if you flash not your MCU.

Preinstalled Magisk SU. Do not update. You will need to reinstall the firmware.

Added support for init.d

The default is:

English language and date format, time zone CET.

Watching video while driving - enabled

Bluetooth Password - 1234

Mixing level - 4

GPS time update - enabled

Navigation sound mode - mixing

Timeout of the screen saver - 1 minute, options added: 2 minutes, 10 and 30 minutes.

Added the ability to choose the speed at which the video will be blocked

Deny connection to data services in roaming.

Volume when reversing -4

Brightness of the screen at night - 20%

Unnecessary applications and files were deleted:

Open Wnn and GooglePinyinIME

Built-in Pico TTS speech synthesizer

WAP Push Manager

Corporate profiles

System tests

EasyConnected

Android live wallpapers (the ability to install your own Live wallpaper is left)

GPSTest replaced with GPS Test Plus

Google Maps, YouTube and Gmail has been moved from system applications to third-party applications. Now you can simply delete them in Settings if they are not needed.

Also, in third-party applications preinstalled Google Text-to-speech Engine. Speech synthesis works without connecting to the network.

Synchronization of Contacts and Calendar is added.

Time Zones updated to the latest version.

The built-in Contacts application is enabled.

Allowed to install applications not from the Play Market.

The Daydream functionality is enabled. This allows you to install any screensaver from the Play Market without stopping at one.

By default, the Clock screensaver from Android is selected. Color can be changed.

Any third-party screensaver is turned off under the same conditions as the standard one (touching the screen, switching cameras, etc.)

Android screensaver can be turned off, then the standard screensaver will work.

In the Bluetooth application, the name field is enlarged in the phone book. Added the recognition of the OBD adapter based on the settings so that the system distinguishes them from the phones and works with them correctly.

It is necessary, if your adapter does not have the letters OBD in the name.

In the Video application, the playlist is enlarged.

Repeat is disabled by default.

In the Music application, the playlist is enlarged and the repeat is disabled by default.

Instead of a spinning plate, a square fixed cover is made,

the player is paused for an incoming call and the Mute button is pressed.

Radio - the running RDS text has been removed from the saved stations buttons. Now we can assign names to saved stations.

Fixed Bluetooth.

Now normally works those diagnostic programs that previously wrote that Bluetooth is turned off, offered to turn it on and hang up.

Programs automatically detect a previously paired adapter.

The on-screen power menu button in the status bar is made.

Single click to turn on the screen saver.

Double click to make a screenshot.

Triple click to kill the active application.

Long press - power shutdown menu.

Added items in the shutdown menu : Restart, Safe mode, Recovery mode, Lock now

Added the ability to change the ringtone to any in the ringtones folder (only for the MD725 Bluetooth module)

Added the possibility of increasing TTL by default to bypass restrictions on the distribution of Internet from mobile devices.

Added a white list of applications that do not close when going to sleep, with the ability to configure.

The number on the volume control is increased and made white.

Added hidden item "Developer options" in settings.

The Status item is added in Settings - System - About machine.

Added the ability to disable some statusbar elements.

By default, the Home button, the Volume, Eject and Brightness icons are disabled. The Back button is moved from right to left. Everything can be configured in Mod settings, as it was in the stock or in another way.

The possibility of OTA-updates is added.

Added the ability to lock device as a regular Android device.

The lock is turned on after rebooting or exiting from sleep.

You can also turn on the lock after the Android screensaver has triggered or manually from the shutdown menu.

Sorting in alphabetical order case insensitive of all lists in players is done.

Added pop-up messages showing information about the current radio station and music file. It is possible to set the font size and the duration of the messages.

The audio player goes to the next folder in the list after the playing the last file in the current folder in the sequential play mode.

Added a request for a name for the button of the stored radio station.

Added the ability to choose from eight screensavers. Pictures here.

Added the ability to turn on/off the fullscreen keyboard.

Added the ability to turn off the restarting applications that worked before going to sleep.

In the application "Wheelkey Study" added actions "turn off the screen backlight", "recent applications" and "F-Cam application".

In third-party applications preinstalled "sound improver" ViPER4Android FX by [MENTION=9073985]Team_DeWitt[/MENTION].

In the OEM folder - added 6 launchers and their widgets (AY, GS, HCT2, HCT3, KGL, ZH). How to install and choose a launcher?

Run the ApkInstaller application, Install > OEM > AY (for example) > install Launcher3AY.apk > ... > done.

Press Home - the query "Use Laucher3 as Home" appears, and below it is written "Launcher3AY".

Choose "Launcher3AY" and click "Only now" or "Always". In the latter case, this question will no longer be, a new launcher will always be used.

Unfortunately, Android 8 does not allow third-party applications to automatically create widgets.

Therefore, if there is a desire to install widgets from some launcher, we do this:

We put APK widgets and launcher. Add any widget and give permission (see screenshot).

Then remove the launcher and install it again. Or clear the launcher's data.

In audioplayer - added a jump to the previous / next folder on the seekdown / seekup steering wheel buttons and a on the long tap to the prev / next screen buttons.

Added folder name display to the pop-up message when switching between folders.

Made a list of navigational apps that muffle other sounds when playing voice prompts.

The list should include all navigation applications, including the one that is set by default to the Navi button.

Added the ability to hide storage icons in the statusbar.

Made a list of applications that allow the screen saver to be started.

You can add a third-party launcher or player to it, for example.

Added the ability to switch tracks in third-party players using the steering wheel buttons for owners of CAN-adapters for Mercedes cars, etc.

Made a list of applications that are restarted after sleep.

I included the PCRadio application in it. Now it always starts playback correctly after exiting sleep, if it was started when HU go to sleep.

In PCRadio's settings, you must enable the "Resume playback when application starts" switch. Also it is necessary to remove it from the whitelist if it was added to it.

Added a volume control in the style typical for AV equipment from the 7floor module

Added the ability to display the volume control at the top, middle or bottom of the screen.

Added the ability to adjust the time during which the volume control remains on the screen after changing the volume value.

Added the ability to list applications that should not work simultaneously.

This list is an extension of the corresponding system list. So only third-party applications should be included in this list.

If one of the applications included in this list is launched, then the rest are closed.

That is, for example, if you include PCRadio to this list, then it will close when you start the stock Music or Radio. And vice versa.

Added the ability to move the statusbar to the bottom of the screen. (Experimental option.)

Changed the logic of the name request for the button of the stored radio station.

If the name for the stored frequency is not specified earlier, text from the RDS is suggested.

Added ability to edit the list of applications in the carousel that are switched with the Mode button.

Added the ability to replace applications that run instead of stock. You can have your radio button launch PCRadio etc.

Added speed dependant volume control.

Added color selection in the HCT screensaver

Added a modified MTCDialer from [MENTION=7621504]f1x[/MENTION] that works on this firmware.

Other changes aimed at improving stability.

Ideas of some improvements are taken from the module xposed-mtce-utils and other modules with the permission of the author, MVG-V70. For which I thank him very much.

But they are implemented without using the Xposed framework.

EasyConnected from the stock ROM

Backlight autolevel (brightness control on GPS time)

Internet Speed Meter StatusBar Widget

Autostart some apps just after the boot

Version 3.0 screenshots