Umecity (VW): Allwinner T3, 2GB/16GB, 6.0.1, 1024x600, Shallow 2DIN [2017/04]

[Rottgrub]

Just picked up what appears to be a newly designed (or redesigned) Volkswagen headunit using the Allwinner T3 Quadcore from Umecity. I didn't see any threads matching the hardware listed, so I thought I'd start a discussion thread for it. The unit I purchased is only a few centimeters deep, and seems to use several upgraded ICs (radio and amp, specifically). The images of the system indicate a hardware date of March 31st, 2017 (printed on the board), and a system date of April 10th, 2017.

Product Link: Umecity Allwinner T3

PHOTOS

[SIZE="+1"]HARDWARE SPECS[/SIZE]
CPU: Allwinner T3 Quad-Core, 1.6GHZ
MEMORY: 2GB DDR3 / 16GB
GPU: DUAL Mali 400*400MHZ
RADIO: TDA7786 IC (Not 6624)
AMPLIFIER: TDA7851 IC (Not 7388)​

[SIZE="+1"]FACTORY FIRMWARE[/SIZE]
OS: Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
MCU: T5.3.19-145-10-C06101-170413, SYSTEM: V8.2.1_20170410.135936_JP1
MCU: T5.3.EQ-145-13-C06101-170417, SYSTEM: V8.2.1_20170410.135936_JP1

2017-06-21 Firmware/MCU Update
​

[SIZE="+1"]ADVANCED SETTINGS[/SIZE]
Extra Settings password: 123456
Developer & Factory reset password: 7890​

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
This is probably one of the nicest car stereo designs I've seen. Very thin and light, with what look to be well thought out button placement for a 9" unit (capacitive buttons in the bottom bezel). The unit was well packed, and arrived in good shape with no damage. The vendor has also been super responsive and helpful.

INSTALL COMMENTARY
The unit is incredibly shallow, giving you way more space for cabling. Unfortunately, it didn't come with any documentation, or even a wiring diagram. Luckily, most of the connections are pretty obvious.

The combined the VW ISO1, and ISO2 connector harness is a nasty spaghetti cable, but manageable with some careful sorting, and zip ties. If you use CANBUS, don't connect the orange power connector to your ISO of choice. This will make the stereo not shut off when the car does.

USAGE REVIEW
Startup time: Took about 30 seconds from no power to radio on the first boot. Unit will stay in standby for up to an hour, then power down to preserve battery.
Responsiveness: Touch screen and capacitive hardware buttons are very responsive.
Display Quality: Screen is super clear and bright, with good viewing angles. Brightness and panel lights come up or down based on the headlights.
GPS: GPS found lock after only a few seconds.
Wireless: Wireless range could be stronger. That said, the unit did eventually see my home AP from the street and connected with 2 bars.

ISSUES WITH UNIT

• Fender Audio: Individual audio channels are way too loud. Listening to car on volume 3-4 starts to get painful. Volume control goes up to 40 or so.
• Can't install Android Auto through the Play Store directly. Will need to be side loaded.

 

[zerozoneice]

Please post screenshots of how Waze looks on this unit.
I have an unit from them, generally happy with it but since last FW update, they made the fonts in apps smaller, i'm waiting for them to revert to previous settings...DPI/PPI, whatever..

 

[Rottgrub]

Please post screenshots of how Waze looks on this unit.
I have an unit from them, generally happy with it but since last FW update, they made the fonts in apps smaller, i'm waiting for them to revert to previous settings...DPI/PPI, whatever..

Will do. Is your unit one of the updated models? Which system firmware date are you running? I'm curious if this is a wholly new unit, or compatible with some of the older models.

 

[zerozoneice]

Will do. Is your unit one of the updated models? Which system firmware date are you running? I'm curious if this is a wholly new unit, or compatible with some of the older models.

Check HERE

 

[Rottgrub]

Okay, cool. Looks like you have the earlier hardware, before the refresh. Is that a full depth unit?

 

[thanhvx]

Hi, how does it support steering wheel control buttons?

 

[Rottgrub]

Updated with unbox, first impressions, and install notes.

 

[zerozoneice]

did you get the antenna amplifier in the box or you bought on your own? that connector should clamp to the exposed end of the 12V blue wire after you take the cap off. I guess not to make an old fashioned wire knot out of it...use isolation tape anyway to cover the connection.

yes, mine is a full depth unit, but not that deep compared to others.

---------- Post added at 11:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 AM ----------

Hi, how does it support steering wheel control buttons?

if you have VW/Skoda/Audi and use canbus, more or less all chinese stuff recognize and use the wheel buttons out of the box.
left button block controls the unit, while right button block controls the MFD.
usually default pre-installed apps (radio/music) work perfect, volume being a global thing anyway, but some 3rd party players have probs with the fwd/rev prev/next buttons and therefore u need to script it.

 

[Rottgrub]

did you get the antenna amplifier in the box or you bought on your own? that connector should clamp to the exposed end of the 12V blue wire after you take the cap off. I guess not to make an old fashioned wire knot out of it...use isolation tape anyway to cover the connection.

yes, mine is a full depth unit, but not that deep compared to others.

I mentioned I needed a dual pole antenna connector, so they sent the antenna amplifier with the unit. It's nicely made, but the connector kinda threw me. I verified with the vendor, and it just needs to be cut off and patched to the ANT CONT line, like I suspected.

I have to say, this vendor is totally on the ball with responses. Just wish they hadn't included this dumb ISO1/ISO2 cable. It's really messing with my OCD.

I should have some info on the running unit tomorrow with any luck.

 

[zerozoneice]

i'm curious how do you find it compared to the 9" Joying which imho make the best units at the moment. Both functionality-wise and look of the UI.

 

[thanhvx]

---------- Post added at 11:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 AM ----------



if you have VW/Skoda/Audi and use canbus, more or less all chinese stuff recognize and use the wheel buttons out of the box.
left button block controls the unit, while right button block controls the MFD.
usually default pre-installed apps (radio/music) work perfect, volume being a global thing anyway, but some 3rd party players have probs with the fwd/rev prev/next buttons and therefore u need to script it.

Thank Zerozoneice!

My vehicle is outlander 2007 with Rockford Fosgate amp. I have exactly the same problem that you have mentioned. The fwd/rev and prev/next buttons are overlapped with answer and hangup buttons - I mean when I setup buttons I press answer then unit removes fwd and so on with hangup.

Im noob to swc, do you know where I can find how-to script it to solve the problem? Thank you!

 

[georgebest]

Just picked up what appears to be a newly designed (or redesigned) Volkswagen headunit using the Allwinner T3 Quadcore from Umecity. I didn't see any threads matching the hardware listed, so I thought I'd start a discussion thread for it. The unit I purchased is only a few centimeters deep, and seems to use several upgraded ICs (radio and amp, specifically). The images of the system indicate a hardware date of March 31st, 2017 (printed on the board), and a system date of April 10th, 2017.

Product Link: Umecity Allwinner T3

PHOTOS
View attachment 4148838 View attachment 4148839 View attachment 4148840
View attachment 4148841 View attachment 4148929

[SIZE="+1"]HARDWARE SPECS[/SIZE]
CPU: Allwinner T3 Quad-Core, 1.6GHZ
MEMORY: 2GB DDR3 / 16GB
GPU: DUAL Mali 400*400MHZ
RADIO: TDA7786 IC (Not 6624)
AMPLIFIER: TDA7851 IC (Not 7388)​

[SIZE="+1"]FACTORY FIRMWARE[/SIZE]
OS: Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
MCU: T5.3.19-145-10-C06101-170413, SYSTEM: V8.2.1_20170410.135936_JP1​

[SIZE="+1"]Advanced Settings Password: 123456[/SIZE]​

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
This is probably one of the nicest headunit designs I've seen. Very thin and light, with what look to be well thought out button placement for a 9" unit (capacitive buttons in the bottom bezel). The unit was well packed, and arrived in good shape with no damage. The vendor has also been super responsive and helpful.

INSTALL COMMENTARY
In theory, installing this unit should be super simple. It's incredibly shallow, giving you way more space for cabling. Also, it's a Volkswagen quadlock connector, so there shouldn't be many cables needed.

Unfortunately, I hit my first problem right out of the box. No documentation. Not even a wiring diagram to show where things get plugged in. Most of the connections are pretty obvious, but some make no sense at all since the back of the unit uses a completely custom set of ports.

Complicating this, they combined the VW ISO1, and ISO2 connectors onto the same harness. This makes for a nasty spaghetti cable where half the wires aren't used, and the rest are routed into a nasty tangle. I'll probably end up cutting the ISO2 connector off, just to keep things sane. I have requested that Umecity send a ISO1 only cable to replace this mess.
View attachment 4148910

So, the antenna power cable is pretty obvious, and connects to the "ANT CONT" lead, but WHY DOES IT HAVE THIS END ON IT? Makes me think it should plug into a molex harness of some sort. UPDATE: Got feedback from the vendor that the end should just be cut off, and connected to "ANT CONT" like I suspected.
View attachment 4148930

Will try to get the unit installed tomorrow, and update with more/better pics, etc.

It looks very nice indeed. Please post some picture when installed and powered on and comment on radio reception , audio quality and touch responsiveness.

 

[zerozoneice]

Thank Zerozoneice!

My vehicle is outlander 2007 with Rockford Fosgate amp. I have exactly the same problem that you have mentioned. The fwd/rev and prev/next buttons are overlapped with answer and hangup buttons - I mean when I setup buttons I press answer then unit removes fwd and so on with hangup.

Im noob to swc, do you know where I can find how-to script it to solve the problem? Thank you!

no idea myself, i remember reading about it somewhere, i'll try to find a link
if your unit was rk3066/3188, you could use the RK3066 HeadUnit app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.petrows.mtcservice&hl=en

and is important to know what headunit you have, not just the car model

 

[Frank1401s]

Connector layout wanted

Just picked up what appears to be a newly designed (or redesigned) Volkswagen headunit using the Allwinner T3 Quadcore from Umecity. I didn't see any threads matching the hardware listed, so I thought I'd start a discussion thread for it. The unit I purchased is only a few centimeters deep, and seems to use several upgraded ICs (radio and amp, specifically). The images of the system indicate a hardware date of March 31st, 2017 (printed on the board), and a system date of April 10th, 2017.

I'm interested in the same unit but with a 7" screen, it comes with an ISO cable for Toyota or one for universal use. I want the last one and asked them for the pin layout of that connector. We exchanged about 10 messages but I got no answer. They are not able or willing to provide those details. Did you get a manual with the details? If you have them can you share them with me?
I'm not able to show a pic of the unit because I'm a new user. I want the pin layout of the black connector.

 

[Hardy62]

I have that unit installed on my VW Tiguan 2012
Sound is okay, but there is too much high frequencies if you ask me (i have weird sensation in my ears because of that hi-hat clicks in rock/metal music. Sounds much better with club music.)
EQ is only 3 band, so you can't cut specific frequencies - only "bass" "mid" and "high".
Tried to root with KingRoot to install ViperFX and polish sound - without any success.

 

[Rottgrub]

i'm curious how do you find it compared to the 9" Joying which imho make the best units at the moment. Both functionality-wise and look of the UI.

Sorry for the long delay in replying. After using it for a few weeks, and really getting a feel for the unit, I have to say that it stacks up well against the Joying. Both units are quick, and have a smooth interface. I think the default UI in all of these units looks like crap. One of the first things I do is swap to a custom launcher. Automate is really nice, IMHO.

Joying Pros:

• Handles sleep properly when car is off. Unfortunately, the Umecity powers off after an hour or so.
• Exposes more advanced controls to the user. (This can also be a con, considering some users...)
• Compatible with Android Auto directly from the store. (At least when running Android 5.1.1.)
• Allows you to set default volume levels for things like System, Alarm, Voice, etc.
• Firmware is available, so you can futz about with the OS, and restore when you break it.

Umecity Pros:

• Super small design, which makes it trivial to install, and leaves lots of room for airflow behind the unit.
• Capacitive hardware controls built into the bezel.
• Upgraded radio and amplifier chips, which helps reception, and audio quality.
• Simplified advanced controls, which makes configuration fairly straightforward.
• Firmware is unavailable, so you won't be tempted to futz about with the OS and break it. =)

Things both get wrong (Ownice C500 quad as well):

• No HD Radio support in the US.
• Super shiny screen surface. Should be matte to reduce glare.
• Bluetooth media audio sounds terrible.
• No source code released.

 

[Rottgrub]

It looks very nice indeed. Please post some picture when installed and powered on and comment on radio reception , audio quality and touch responsiveness.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any pics of the interface that didn't look like crap. I blame my camera. That said, the unit is a perfect fit for the dash on my 2015 Beetle, so I would imagine it would be the same for any other unit that uses the same style head units. The UI, and OS, was completely smooth, with no stuttering or other slowdowns, even when running multiple applications at the same time (Automate, Google Maps, PowerAmp, etc). The screen was sharp and bright. I just wish they'd gone with a matte screen. With my convertible top down, all I see is glare. (To be fair, this was also the case with the Joying 9", Ownice C500, and even the factory units.)

As far as the radio goes, the unit picked up every station in my area immediately, and never seemed to wander or lose reception. I was even able to receive a low power college station all the way across town where it's usually just static.

Audio quality was clear, and without distortion. Though, as mentioned in the main review, I did encounter "too much volume" problems with my Fender amped vehicle. Unfortunately, while I could adjust the volume levels with a third party application, it would reset to max volume across the board every reboot.

 

[Rottgrub]

I have that unit installed on my VW Tiguan 2012
Sound is okay, but there is too much high frequencies if you ask me (i have weird sensation in my ears because of that hi-hat clicks in rock/metal music. Sounds much better with club music.)
EQ is only 3 band, so you can't cut specific frequencies - only "bass" "mid" and "high".
Tried to root with KingRoot to install ViperFX and polish sound - without any success.

That's interesting. I didn't have any issue with too much high end. If anything, the sound was a little flat with defaults EQ settings, and I ended up bumping both the lows and highs a bit (The "rock" defaults actually sounded okay).

Do you have the factory VW audio system, or one of the OEM amplified systems (Fender/Dynaudio)?

 

[Rottgrub]

I'm interested in the same unit but with a 7" screen, it comes with an ISO cable for Toyota or one for universal use. I want the last one and asked them for the pin layout of that connector. We exchanged about 10 messages but I got no answer. They are not able or willing to provide those details. Did you get a manual with the details? If you have them can you share them with me?
I'm not able to show a pic of the unit because I'm a new user. I want the pin layout of the black connector.

Unfortunately, the unit didn't come with any wiring diagram, or manual, and the pin out that's usually printed on the unit is missing since the hardware is only 2" thick. Let me look at the connector. There is a chance it could line up with other units which use the same ISO connector...

So, from what I can suss out looking at the wiring harness, this is what I have. Keep in mind that this is for the VW model, and may be entirely different from the universal. Wires are labeled with my looking into the wiring harness end, 1 is top left, 16 is bottom right.

1/2 - (white&w/stripe) Front left speaker
3/4 - (grey&w/stripe) Front right speaker
5 - (Pink) Key 1
6 - (Brown) Canbus
7 - (Red) Canbus bypass +
8 - (Black) Ground

9/10 - (Purple&w/stripe) Rear right speaker
11/12 - (Green&w/stripe) Rear left speaker
13 - (Blue) Ant Cont
14 - (Green) Key 2
15 - (Orange) Canbus bypass -
16 - (Yellow) 12v ACC

 

[georgebest]

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any pics of the interface that didn't look like crap. I blame my camera. That said, the unit is a perfect fit for the dash on my 2015 Beetle, so I would imagine it would be the same for any other unit that uses the same style head units. The UI, and OS, was completely smooth, with no stuttering or other slowdowns, even when running multiple applications at the same time (Automate, Google Maps, PowerAmp, etc). The screen was sharp and bright. I just wish they'd gone with a matte screen. With my convertible top down, all I see is glare. (To be fair, this was also the case with the Joying 9", Ownice C500, and even the factory units.)

As far as the radio goes, the unit picked up every station in my area immediately, and never seemed to wander or lose reception. I was even able to receive a low power college station all the way across town where it's usually just static.

Audio quality was clear, and without distortion. Though, as mentioned in the main review, I did encounter "too much volume" problems with my Fender amped vehicle. Unfortunately, while I could adjust the volume levels with a third party application, it would reset to max volume across the board every reboot.

All in all, would you say that it's better than Joying 9" Intel sofia 2gb ??