InDashNet Octa Core Lollipop Head Units Info Thread

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swyner

Senior Member
Dec 30, 2009
381
85
Milton
Need info on the RCAs. Is it Front (L/R) Rear (L/R) Sub (L/R) and what is the RCA voltage

ya, I put that in my questions that the OP was going to send Thomas. I have asked these "basic" questions each time I investigate new units. It HAS to have very good SQ coming out of the unit with no hiss, pops, crackle. I am sick and tired of manufacturers pushing Android this, Android that and you can load 15 million apps on this....It is a car STEREO first. It HAS to have instant on with rearview camera and the faster it boots to full system up, the better. again, it's a car stereo first. Many units have a standby option that can last more than 1 day now so this is great but some work still needs to be done on the boot up sequence. I have seen Flyaudio and some others with SoC boot instantly into Android which is likely a program of standby where it draws next to nothing. I know FM/AM radio is being listened to less and less but it still is a great source of news and entertainment. The Radio chip needs to be free of reception issues and can be done quite easily (most name brand Pioneer, Kenwood, etc have same or better as OEM if you have the right adapters). If an Android Head Unit wants to stand out among an EXTREMELY crowded market...these key features would do that. In fact I know a bunch of people that would pay a premium for this. Food for thought.
 

touchpt12

Senior Member
Jun 18, 2010
79
16
New York, NY
Installed it in the truck today, but couldn't get the software loaded. Seems the supplied software doesn't work. DragonFace doesn't recognize the IMG file, and PhoenixCard says it's writing properly but the card is always empty.

I'll try again tomorrow with another disk imaging program, and failing that create my own image from the source.

Did you try installing the file using the Update utility?

---------- Post added at 01:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:44 PM ----------

@ rubenjavier,
Use these links for the forum and mirror the previous ones:

Android 4.4 Image (March 2016 Update):
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=53783

Tools (to update head unit and extract the .img file):
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=53785

All Updates Provided By Thomas:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=53787

APK (folder of apps that may be useful):
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=53784
 

CompletelyNumb

Senior Member
Feb 2, 2012
88
5
Calgary
Did you try installing the file using the Update utility?

---------- Post added at 01:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:44 PM ----------

@ rubenjavier,
Use these links for the forum and mirror the previous ones:

Android 4.4 Image (March 2016 Update):
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=53783

Tools (to update head unit and extract the .img file):
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=53785

All Updates Provided By Thomas:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=53787

APK (folder of apps that may be useful):
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=53784

I've tried every tool provided in every email, forum post, google grounds, indiegogo etc post. Remaking the IMG file now. This isnt the update im trying to install, but the base software. I just keep getting a white screen with an "error 1" message.
 

CompletelyNumb

Senior Member
Feb 2, 2012
88
5
Calgary
I guess I can't run 64 bit ubuntu in virtualbox on my machine, so no compiling my own image file. :/ Left with a dead HU until I hear back from thomas.
 

rubenjavier

Senior Member
Mar 16, 2016
128
45
Madrid
I guess I can't run 64 bit ubuntu in virtualbox on my machine, so no compiling my own image file. :/ Left with a dead HU until I hear back from thomas.

sorry to hear that,
just in case, latest version of Dragonface that I could find (v2.2.5, maybe a better support for A83 SoC, I loaded the image on it and checked few things):
http://www.mediafire.com/download/t65kuii3axon3cw/Dragonface_V2.2.5.rar
https://mega.nz/#!rQUE0IqY!S5nsVnzXVZg5aJ6qLtPOx1yJDPlbl0Vs4iV9VliRpE8
http://www.filefactory.com/file/2zcd22b3dn7d/Dragonface_V2.2.5.rar

and latest version of Phoenixcard that I could find (v3.1.0, some Head Units have more than one SD Card slot and only one of this will work for upload images):
http://www.mediafire.com/download/rlccciim76vsqnv/PhoenixCard_V3.1.0.rar
https://mega.co.nz/#!cgImBYKT!rJfjWFF-QDix2VPpWR6UjNfpjMMc8tCwNGzy4UZs6zo
http://www.filefactory.com/file/3jfr20xt38mf/PhoenixCard_V3.1.0.rar

Phoenixcard instructions, that I found on http://chinagadgetsreviews.com
Create installation SD card.
Important: This will erase the SD card
– Download and unzip the Phoenixcard archive to a folder on your PC.
– Unzip the single (imagename).img from the downloaded image to an accessible folder on your Windows system.
– Obtain a micro SD card of at least 1GB in size and connect it to your PC in some fashion. It should be accessible under a drive letter in Windows.
– Browse to the folder where you unzipped Phoenixcard and find the PhoenixCard.exe file with the green folder icon next to it. Double click to launch. The Phoenixcard software will launch.
– Using the drop down to the right of Disk select the windows drive letter that contains your Micro SD card.
– Click on the image button and browse to whereever you extracted (imagename).img to, and select the file.
– Ensure Product is selected under Write Mode. Product mode will create a self booting Micro SD designed to apply a separate image to a device.
– Click on Burn. Pay attention to the status messages. Once it is complete you can eject the Micro SD from your windows system.

Good luck
 

CompletelyNumb

Senior Member
Feb 2, 2012
88
5
Calgary
You know, I had both updated versions already. But I figured I would delete them and redownload them from your links. Lo and behold, it worked. Was able to burn an sd card and get the HU up and running.

Some minor speed bumps, default language is chinese. And the toush screen seems to be mirrored. I'm not sure how to bes describe it, but when i try to hit a button on the left, it presses something on the right instead...
 

rubenjavier

Senior Member
Mar 16, 2016
128
45
Madrid
You know, I had both updated versions already. But I figured I would delete them and redownload them from your links. Lo and behold, it worked. Was able to burn an sd card and get the HU up and running.

Some minor speed bumps, default language is chinese. And the toush screen seems to be mirrored. I'm not sure how to bes describe it, but when i try to hit a button on the left, it presses something on the right instead...

For the default language, you need to open the .img with Dragonface v2.2.5, go to "Advance Settings" Tab and click on the "BuildProp File" button, head down to this section:
persist.sys.timezone=Asia/Shanghai
persist.sys.country=CN
persist.sys.language=zh

and change it for something like:
persist.sys.timezone=America/New_York
persist.sys.country=US
persist.sys.language=en

save it and burn that modified image
...for the screen mirroring, Im not sure yet
 
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CompletelyNumb

Senior Member
Feb 2, 2012
88
5
Calgary
You rock! Some googling shows me there are apps that can calibrate the screen, but the playstore doesn't want to load, just sits there thinking. I did get wifi working however. Going to try to get ADB going as well, see if I can't push a calibrating apk over.
 

rubenjavier

Senior Member
Mar 16, 2016
128
45
Madrid
You rock! Some googling shows me there are apps that can calibrate the screen, but the playstore doesn't want to load, just sits there thinking. I did get wifi working however. Going to try to get ADB going as well, see if I can't push a calibrating apk over.

For the Touch screen miss calibration, you need to open the .img with Dragonface v2.2.5, go to "Advance Settings" Tab and click on the "System configuration" button, head down to this section:

[ctp_para]

If your touchscreen senses on the left part whenever you touch its right, look for:
ctp_revert_x_flag = 0
and change it for:
ctp_revert_x_flag = 1

If your touchscreen senses on the bottom part whenever you touch its upper, look for:
ctp_revert_y_flag = 0
and change it for:
ctp_revert_y_flag = 1

If your touch screen is reverted / reversed like if you slide up it works left to right,
look for:
ctp_exchange_x_y_flag = 0
and change it for:
ctp_exchange_x_y_flag = 1
(it will turn its x-axis to y-axis)

save it and burn that image

This site explains this phenomenon (its because the firmware didnt synced with the hardware)
https://sites.google.com/site/fixedandoidtouchscreen/

I hope this gets you a fully working Head Unit again
Enjoy!!!
 
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CompletelyNumb

Senior Member
Feb 2, 2012
88
5
Calgary
Sadly I've been unable to successfully flash the HU with any of these edits. It seems as though any image file that's been edited by DragonFace fails, either in the installation itself, or the HU will hang up on the boot logo afterwards with the same error of "CODE 1".
 

rubenjavier

Senior Member
Mar 16, 2016
128
45
Madrid
Another Batch of questions answered by Thomas from InDashNet

Q.-What is the pre-amp voltage of the RCAs?
A.-​~2.5V​.

Q.-Will reverse camera work from immediate start up (before Android fully boots up)?
​A.-Immediate​

Q.-Any information on the FM radio chip?
​A.-There several options from ST to NXP.
(need to get back to this question, to get a list of the options available at this time)

Q.-Any information on 3G (or 4G) dongle compatibility?
A.-20+ 3G​ dongles are working(UMTS/HSPA, EVDO).
(need to get back to this question, to get a list of the options available at this time, and about 4G dongles)

Q.-What canbus features will work with the dedicated Audi car model units? caller ID in DIS
​A.-Canbus need longer time to confirm.​
(I also asked about my Peugeot 307 CAN BUS integration, giving him the model/year of the car, and a couple of CANBUS decoders that works with other HU from the people at connects2, and he said he'll look in to it and get back to me next week)

I' will update the Info Post
 
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rubenjavier

Senior Member
Mar 16, 2016
128
45
Madrid
Updated Android 4.4.4 and Testing Lollipop 5.1.1 imges

Sadly I've been unable to successfully flash the HU with any of these edits. It seems as though any image file that's been edited by DragonFace fails, either in the installation itself, or the HU will hang up on the boot logo afterwards with the same error of "CODE 1".

I wrote Thomas about your situation and the issues with his default 4.4.4 image (language and reversed horizontal touch), aand the software versions we re using of Dragonface and PhoenixCard

He wrote me back, regarding your issues:
"I uploaded a new version(and a trial of 5.1.1 as well). Language is controlled more than the ​Dragonface setting change. CTP is also not as common Allwinnner setting, we build a new structure and can set in factory parameters."

So, check your emails to see if anyone has got the links yet,
If somebody has the links, pelase post them here, to add the upated Android 4.4.4 imge and the testing Lollipop 5.1.1 image (F*** Yeah!)

I'll write Thomas back, to see if there are tools that allows its images to be edited and repacked(Dragonface can unpack, but the repack is wrong), and some instructions (windows or linux)
 

touchpt12

Senior Member
Jun 18, 2010
79
16
New York, NY
Lollipop Install

Just installed Lollipop on my head-unit. Initially you get a CODE1 error when installing the image but it progresses through the install giving a CARD OK notification. The Google Playstore is not installed so it will need to be installed manually by browsing for the APK online (Playstore version 6.3.16.B-all [0] 2697688). I found one on APK Mirror website.
Will report anything else that I come across.
 

rubenjavier

Senior Member
Mar 16, 2016
128
45
Madrid
That's great!
I saw that Playstore was mising, since I unpacked the image with Dragonface and took a look around (the image unpacks in the fsop subdir inside Dragonface folder), also saw the build.prop, default apks, the current CANBUS list of vehicles, and the possible Car Brands logos, the wallpaper looks colorful.
I've been reading a little and the fastest way to customize the ROM would be to burn the image on the SDcard with Phoenixcard, and read the card in linux, since the card will be in EXT4 format, then change the bootanimation.zip, the bootlogo, set the default language/timezone, location, or add/remove apks, also remove some bloat like the old Galxy4 or Holospiral android wallpapers
in theory you could do that from windows using something like Ext2Fsd, ext2expolerer or DiskInternals Linux Reader to read and write on the SDCard with the image... but I cant asure it will work..., Linux will
For something more advanced like change the ctp_params or add new drivers, you will need to look for the script.bin file in one of the partitions of the SDCard created by Phoenixcard, and use SUNIX tools to conver the script.bin file to a text file, edit it and turn it back to a binay file (FEX format) on the same palce you found it.
here is the SUNIX FEX guide with the possible options:
http://linux-sunxi.org/Fex_Guide
here the SUNIX tools for windows:
https://github.com/OLIMEX/OLINUXINO/tree/master/SOFTWARE/fex-bin-convertor-windows
and here the SUNIX tool for linux:
https://github.com/linux-sunxi/sunxi-tools

Hope you enjoy your units and report some lollipop goodness ;)
 
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CompletelyNumb

Senior Member
Feb 2, 2012
88
5
Calgary
Same here. It seems quite a bit smoother than the previous version. No X axis issues. Appreciate the proper play store version, that's what I'm currently working on. Although after installing it doesn't seem to want to open, just get the usual play store has stopped working error. Do I need to download play services separately?

I do notice some slight audio feedback from my speakers when moving between certain apps and menus.

Steering wheel mapping isn't working on this version either. App crashes the HU when you try to set a key.
 
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  • 4
    Just heard from Thomas. New update will be released this week addressing many of the issues noted in the log. I hope he provides a change log but he confirmed after this release, he will be moving is efforts to the Google Music and Apple Music issues. Awesome!!
    4
    Thanks man, definitely something I need to look at. This could also explain the frequent 'Optimizing apps' dialog I get, makes me believe it boots with a cleared cache partition if it does. In the meantime, I sincerely hope the Radio-Back-Button-issue is resolved soon, it drives me crazy! :silly:

    A quick cure version is coming to remove the 'evil back' function. :) Also the mode/mix audio will be removed.
    3
    Hi all,

    Just got a reply from Thomas on the G+ page about some documentation for the OctaCore Developer unit. Here is the literal quote:
    All documents, tools and SW update will be released here:

    goo.gl/ROAT9A

    "Developer Guide" is also uploaded there.
    direct acess: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8Nj9XViGv_6UFRUbE42YndlOW8/view

    For Developer Edition:
    1) No need to get into recovery as in normal booting mode, you can directly push any software into unit by ADB(with root user/right by default).
    2) Best way of re-flash IMG is by PhoenixSuit via USB device(same one of ADB).
    3) If you want to release your IMG, please test it by adb. Then pack your modification by IMG tool Dragonface.

    ! If your unit is coming with canbus box, you may need to get into factory setting after full IMG re-flash.

    I pointed Thomas to XDA, but he seems to use the G+ community for his communications. He wants to create one post that he will update with new information, so we can make a deeplink.
    So in the meantime, go and have a look on his Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B8Nj9XViGv_6TkpERXRJcnNjRFk&usp=drive_web#list
    @rubenjavier, can you update the first post again? Thanks!
    3
    do you get root user right of adb? If yes, you don't need recovery, fastboot etc.
    1) If some thing wrong, you can always re-flash full IMG via USB device/slave to get system back.
    2) Once you get system back, play with adb with root user right is much easier(adb push, adb install).
    3) You can pack your own IMG with the tool DragonFace.



    I just got my developers unit and had a chance to try out a few things, but have managed to get it stuck in an infinite boot cycle trying to 'optimize apps' when trying to install the amazon marketplace. I'd like to reflash with the image that includes play services linked on the top post but not sure how to get it into recovery mode. Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance!

    ---------- Post added at 02:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:58 AM ----------

    Ok, I managed to get it into fastboot mode using adb reboot bootloader and I can see the device with the fastboot command. Which partition is ZX8802-51_V3.00IB_PV5R0058_EN.img supposed to be flashed to? I havent had to do this in a while and remember doing it with an update.zip to flashall or having a complete set of img file for the bootloader and radio.

    Help! my unit wont boot, just as I was beginning to have some fun.
    3
    Well from what I can see the unit looks promising in its stage. In eager to replace my newsmy and it's so hard not to jump in on the sale they have going on. I'm just a little concerned with the overall development & the FM signal issues. If it's bad in a GM product then it's going to be horrible in my vw with their antenna setup.

    Plus I've asked in-dash (not sure who's answering the emails) a couple questions regarding the canbus and the answers haven't been the best. Not really wanting to spend another $600cdn on a radio and find out it's worse then my half functioning newsmy.

    Anyone out there with one of these units using it as a daily commuter device? Can they shine some light on the questions I've asked?

    Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk

    Exactly...I have an Audi so I share your concerns with the FM radio reception issues.....it's so frustrating that we as consumers value flashy, bells and whistles, CPU, RAM, OS versions that really do not help a CAR STEREO perform the basic functions first. Not blaming the manufacturers since they just make what the masses want....in this case a "cheaper" car stereo that pretends to be a tablet so you can surf the internet, play games and do all these fancy things while driving (not). There are a few sellers out there (Tommy from AVIN) that actually know what I am talking about and spend time optimizing the Android based head unit for it's core functions of playing music, providing GPS. They also understand that choosing proper hardware first is key....you can do all you want to the software but if the damn FM radio chip is garbage, it won't ever work.