Android RNS-E

The main area's for me is;

I would very much like DAB
Sat Nav needs to be good/better then now
BT needs to be good aswell, Clear and easy to use etc
Good source for music, So Ideally for me a USB port is what I want

Does all the info come through the DIS, I.E track number/title, Radio etc, Also does the volume buttons etc work on the MFSW..?
 
I would very much like DAB - Not an option on these for now
Sat Nav needs to be good/better then now - lots of choice of apps to chose from and hardware is quite precise
BT needs to be good aswell, Clear and easy to use etc - I had never issues with it
Good source for music, So Ideally for me a USB port is what I want - 2xUSB ports and SD card expansion

Does all the info come through the DIS, I.E track number/title, Radio etc - no DIS integration
Also does the volume buttons etc work on the MFSW..- yes

It sounds like you probably want something a bit more mainstream. If I were you, I'd check out some of the Pioneer or Alpine NAV units - solid pieces of kit with many good features, but come with a big price tag and little scope for customization.
 
Thanks for the reply leshkin, Very helpful :)

I will certainly take a look at them suggested units and see what I think....
 
So the old unit went back months ago and what a balls ache that was.

Anyway a new one arrived today after telling my boys dad wants an android radio for his birthday.and hay presto one arrived.

This time I got a quad core and first impressions is its way better than the last.

I will try and get some pics up tomorrow but it's fully bose compliant so no messing around with that which is a major bonus.

I bought a gps adapter so I didn't need to use the supplied gps arial and the radio adapter I have works well too.

wifi is better than the other unit as I was able to log straight on to the home network unlike the other unit.

more testing and reporting to come later and some pic's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HHS3
leshkin said:
I would very much like DAB - Not an option on these for now
Sat Nav needs to be good/better then now - lots of choice of apps to chose from and hardware is quite precise
BT needs to be good aswell, Clear and easy to use etc - I had never issues with it
Good source for music, So Ideally for me a USB port is what I want - 2xUSB ports and SD card expansion

Does all the info come through the DIS, I.E track number/title, Radio etc - no DIS integration
Also does the volume buttons etc work on the MFSW..- yes

It sounds like you probably want something a bit more mainstream. If I were you, I'd check out some of the Pioneer or Alpine NAV units - solid pieces of kit with many good features, but come with a big price tag and little scope for customization.
Click to expand...

I have found this unit, do you think this is the same this one here please?

http://www.iceboxauto.com/audi-a3-03-12-android-444-m049
 
So tonight I had a little more time to play but on my way to work I discovered a crap load of feedback coming though the speaker and tonight I found the issue. There are two looms and one hooks in to the other to get round the bose system but it is the secondary loom which is picking up the noise.
Android%20Audi%20radio.jpg

Loom on the left was the issue.

So to get round the issue I used my hi low speaker adapters and fed off the main loom speaker outputs.

20151125_195017.jpg


Here's a video of the unit in action.

 
  • Like
Reactions: HHS3
Update:

Plus:
The unit been working well and the sound quality when using PowerAmp app is amazing, I have never heard the Bose sound so good.
Touch screen is so refreshing and I now use WAZE for my GPS program which I love, I now have full internet abilities if needed and can download music on command or with teamviewer software on my PC and Stereo and can download straight from my PC.

Bad:
Very tight fit behind the unit
Buttons and drink holder get stuck (need to look and see if I can adjust)
Radio sound quality lacks base (looking to switch to DAB) but tunes in great also this may get resoled once I root the unit and install a different EQ
The Bose part of the loom caused a load of engine noise in the system which I have been told is a issue possibly caused by the battery being in the boot but I have got round that with the hi/lo converters.

Conclusion todate

Is this better than the aging RSN-E......... hell yes
will I switch back.......... never
Is it perfect........ No





OK here's a list of what I Bought.

Head Unit (It says UK but it not but true to there word I did not pay any import duty)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-Quad-Co...979325?hash=item235cc0913d:g:eKQAAOSw7hRWQDdz


Aerial adapter (note stereo comes with a single adapter not tested by me)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TWIN-FAKRA-...W-SKODA-DVD-/252038961077?hash=item3aaeb157b5

Bluetooth Dongle (For Torque)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Mini-...BUS-Scanner-/321588591969?hash=item4ae02c7d61

GPS adapter (Allows use of stock GPS)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AD-GPS-01...631575?hash=item2ca27c8917:g:wwgAAOSw9r1WC9Px

HI/Lo Line converters I have bought some other adapter which will be plug and play but not tried them yet)
Amazon product

3G Dongle (took a monthly rolling data contract out with GiffGaff for £7.50 for 1GB)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111772340685?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Also on order and yet to test:

DAB adapter
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151167807992?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Additional aerial adater for DAB
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151735303790?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
 
  • Like
Reactions: kskreider, HHS3, dejongj and 1 other person
Thanks for the update! I've been loving my unit too - so much cool functionality for the money :)
 
I jumped in and bought a different headunit off the back of this thread, it came from Witson and is an S160 headset model M049.

No root available for it yet but it has some excellent functionality, overall very happy with it.

About to jump in and pick up the same DAB adapter as docurley mentioned
 
Nice information. I've got a similar unit that arrived this week. Mine is a quad core from pumpkin, but basically just another HuiFei but with DAB+ connection which is great.

Sounds and everything is ok, but I'm wondering whether my ears are wrong as I don't use a Hilo for the rear speakers or are convertibles not affects?

Anyway I'm struggling with my FM reception. Does is require the blue powe cable connected? And do I tap the one from the CanBus loom?
 
It may be the adapters connecting to the cars aerial system as I would suspect the loom powers up everything that needs doing. Take a pic of the aerial adapters as they may be crap.

On a side note I got my DAB working but need to connect the aerial adapter lead in to Piggy of the car system to hopefully get a better signal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dejongj
audi upgrades
Silly me. I didn't appreciate that my old 2004 Cabrio has got an aerial diversity system and it does require the 12v. I guess it would help if I actuall connect it :)

You may want to take a mom on dabonwheels as they seem to do a good range of aerials.
 
I could get ok FM reception, but no MW & the stick-on-screen DAB was next to useless. So I got a roof aerial from Dabonwheels, now get excellent DAB/FM/MW.
 
Unfortunately no option for me in a Cabrio. But hopefully the cloth roof makes it a little better.
 
john777w said:
get ready for low volume from rear speakers & poor radio reception!!
Click to expand...

docurley said:
I have ordered these to deal with the rear speaker issue PAC SNI-35
Click to expand...

I have a 2007 Audi S3 with the Bose system upgrade, will the PAC SNI-35 sort out the rear speaker issue or does it only work with the standard sound system?

john777w said:
Found an adapter lead that sorts out the speaker problem the Connects 2 CT51AU02
Click to expand...

I presume that the Connects 2 CT51AU02 mentioned is not necessary, providing that the PAC SNI-35 sorts out the issue?

docurley said:
built in eq and poor quality. Now I know it can give out good sound as the app poweramp has a eq and that plays sweet on the bose but for everything else like the radio it reverts back to the built in eq
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate a bit more on the EQ issue please, have you found anything since which has resolved it?

docurley said:
feedback coming though the speaker and tonight I found the issue. There are two looms and one hooks in to the other to get round the bose system but it is the secondary loom which is picking up the noise.

So to get round the issue I used my hi low speaker adapters and fed off the main loom speaker outputs.
Click to expand...

Have you got a link to the speaker adapters you purchased which sorted out the feedback issue please?
 
hi guys, got the unit below working yesterday (until i updated the MCU tonight anyway lol). Looks like the RNS-E and comes with an extra loom for use with BOSE

http://www.iceboxauto.com/autoradio-dvdgpsnavidabradioandroid-44-player-audi-a3-bose-03-13-a7037

everything worked out the box, except havent got the steering controls working yet. Plus the sound quality sounded poor. Solved that to some extent by adjusting the EQ, although there is still a distinct lack of bass. Maybe I need to connect the antenna (blue) cable to activate the bose sub amp? who knows.

anyway. issues above aside, the unit looks good, works very fast (got the quad core RK3188 upgrade). Both the DAB add-on and USB camera (the unit works as a DVR) worked first time.

Pretty happy with the unit - just hoping I can get hold of the original MCU file as it's bricked at the minute! lol
 
HHS3 said:
I have a 2007 Audi S3 with the Bose system upgrade, will the PAC SNI-35 sort out the rear speaker issue or does it only work with the standard sound system?
I presume that the Connects 2 CT51AU02 mentioned is not necessary, providing that the PAC SNI-35 sorts out the issue?
Can you elaborate a bit more on the EQ issue please, have you found anything since which has resolved it?
Have you got a link to the speaker adapters you purchased which sorted out the feedback issue please?
Click to expand...

wouldn't mind finding out more about this too. Managed to update my unit with a Malaysk ROM from the XDA forum. (I've got RK3188, MCU KLD6, 1024x600). Have got most things running sweet now, but still unhappy with the sound quality.
Using poweramp has improved things a little - but I still have most sound through the front speakers.

I assume the PAC SNI-35 boxes will help out with the rear speakers - but will that also improve the bass? At the minute, tweaking the EQ improves bass, but sounds as though it's just the door speakers kicking out the bass - which soon end up distorting when pushed - it's as though the BOSE sub isn't even on, maybe it takes the signal from the rear speakers? If not, i may need to wire up an "aerial" live to turn the sub amp on...

When I updated to the Malaysk ROM it was missing the DAB app. I got it from the XDA fileserver no problem and works fine again - http://huifei.fs-fileserver.de/content/
 
  • Like
Reactions: leshkin
The sound on these units is one of their biggest let-downs unfortunately. The standard equaliser is configured to be quite biased toward higher frequencies, which goes hand in hand with most of Chinese pop music I guess ;)

Anyway, if you installed Malaysk's ROM, then you probably have root, so in that case I recommend using Viper 4 Android software sound processor (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vipercn.viper4android_v2_fx&hl=en_GB). This app comes with a sound driver that, once installed, will allow you to tune the sound EQ settings for much more low and mid-range sound and this will apply to any app within the Android OS, not just PowerAmp. This will not apply to the FM Radio though, as the sound from the radio hardware module is sent directly to the hardware amplifier, bypassing the Android OS and the Viper app completely. The Radio app is like a remote for the module, which is controlled via the MCU firmware/hardware outside of the OS.

The other reason for low bass with these units is the fact that the signal sent to the rear amp that drives the sub and rear speakers seems to be lower than stock Audi/Bose (this is the case for all after-market systems), which requires you to fade to the back a little more in order to drive the sub a little harder. This is the biggest reason why you don't seem to hear much bass.

A better way of resolving all of these problems is to use a standalone sound processor unit (DSP). The good DSPs can take the normal speaker output from the head unit (high-level output), de-equalise it, apply your pre-set EQ settings to that and output a clean signal as Hi-level signal (directly to speaker) or adjustable low-level signal (to the amp). This option is the most expensive one, with prices for DSPs ranging from about £100 (miniDSP MDSP-24) to a few of hundred (Audison bit ten D being the best one to go for, but requires professional configuration)

My current setup is using the Viper 4 Android app and seeing as I never listen to radio, it works fine for my needs. My long-term objective is to have this combination:

Herts HSK 165 for front speakers
10" Sub in the boot
Audison bit ten D DSP
Hertz HCP4 Amp to drive the speakers and sub
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: HHS3
Hello Leshkin,

I have the same unit than you (Custom Fit Car DVD Player for Audi A3 model PF73AA3AR). My radio reception is a bit poor, for what you say, you have a different radio aerial adapter, because the one that come with the kit only uses one of the OEM diversity aerials. Are you sure that is true?. Can you tell me what kind of adapter are you using?. I show you a picture of my aerial adapter and it seems that both amplifiers are powered on.

Thanks.
 

Attachments

  • Antena connection.jpg
    Antena connection.jpg
    168.6 KB · Views: 488
dieleco said:
Hello Leshkin,

I have the same unit than you (Custom Fit Car DVD Player for Audi A3 model PF73AA3AR). My radio reception is a bit poor, for what you say, you have a different radio aerial adapter, because the one that come with the kit only uses one of the OEM diversity aerials. Are you sure that is true?. Can you tell me what kind of adapter are you using?. I show you a picture of my aerial adapter and it seems that both amplifiers are powered on.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

My unit is sold by an Ebay seller that goes by the name of 'kinseong' and comes with a higher resolution screen (1024x600 vs 800x400 on the Xtrons unit), so not quite the same. Saying that, the radio adapter I used should also work for you.

This is the adapter I ended up using in the end and radio reception is no too bad now, but not as good as it was on the stock unit http://www.connects2.co.uk/Product/ProductItem/CT27AA87 Like I say though, I never listen to radio, so really not an issue for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HHS3
leshkin said:
Anyway, if you installed Malaysk's ROM, then you probably have root, so in that case I recommend using Viper 4 Android software sound processor (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vipercn.viper4android_v2_fx&hl=en_GB). This app comes with a sound driver that, once installed, will allow you to tune the sound EQ settings for much more low and mid-range sound and this will apply to any app within the Android OS, not just PowerAmp. This will not apply to the FM Radio though, as the sound from the radio hardware module is sent directly to the hardware amplifier, bypassing the Android OS and the Viper app completely. The Radio app is like a remote for the module, which is controlled via the MCU firmware/hardware outside of the OS.

The other reason for low bass with these units is the fact that the signal sent to the rear amp that drives the sub and rear speakers seems to be lower than stock Audi/Bose (this is the case for all after-market systems), which requires you to fade to the back a little more in order to drive the sub a little harder. This is the biggest reason why you don't seem to hear much bass.
Click to expand...

some good info there mate. will defo try the viper app. not fussed about FM, have got DAB anyway, and will use my own MP3s or spotify 99% of the time.

Have seen some people use this sort of device on the rear - Amazon product
don't know if that'll improve the rears. More concerned with the sub though to be honest.

Does anyone know of the sub signal is taken from the head unit rears? would also explain lack of bass if the rears are quiet too! Got a feeling my sub isn't even powered on - especially since cranking up the bass in any EQs seems to reach distortion, need to check really!

For FM reception I;ve ordered this - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BN-Car-Auto-Dual-FM-AM-12V-Amplfied-Radio-Booster-Aerial-Antenna-/252283885738 (they are the same seller as my HU)
No idea what reception will be like, it was crap on my RNS-E! but need that adapter even just to connect to my arial.
 
lincoln_dj said:
Does anyone know of the sub signal is taken from the head unit rears? would also explain lack of bass if the rears are quiet too! Got a feeling my sub isn't even powered on - especially since cranking up the bass in any EQs seems to reach distortion, need to check really!
Click to expand...

Yes, the stock sub is driven by the same amp as the rears as far as I know and share the rear speaker signal from the head unit. This is why fading to the rear slightly should also increase the bass a bit, although you do need the viper 4 android app to set the EQ up to be quite bass-heavy to overcome the original EQ settings on the head unit.
 
audi upgrades
In my case, the rear speakers sound very low, almost unhearable. I contacted with Xtrons support and they told me that I need to connect a line converter in my rear speakers. The model they recommended me is a PC1-601. I bought this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC1-601-2...hash=item230d34d948:m:mJCyYTD8K5eNDPTPwqoiotg

I’m waiting to receive it. As regard with the Viper4android, I have installed PowerAmp and the sound coming from the front speakers has improved drastically. More bass and mid-range sounds. I recommend this application. I’ll tell you what the sounds is like, when I connect the line converter.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HHS3
Has anyone know how to show a car maker logo at startup?
 
It's going to be a few months until I purchase the Android HU and adapters etc. but I just wanted to say a big thank you to all the users on this thread, especially leshkin, as you've been very helpful and saved me a lot of money!

dieleco said:
The model they recommended me is a PC1-601. I’m waiting to receive it. I’ll tell you what the sounds is like, when I connect the line converter.
Click to expand...

If you could let us know the outcome of the PC1-601 once you've received & fitted it then that would be great cheers. I'm documenting everything from this thread that I need so when it comes to it, I should be pretty much ready to go!
 
leshkin said:
Settings > Factory Settings > enter password "126" > select from a bunch of existing logos

Custom boot logos are more involved: http://forum.xda-developers.com/wik...ying_the_boot_animation_.28see_post_.23835.29
Click to expand...

Thank you Leshkin.

HHS3 said:
It's going to be a few months until I purchase the Android HU and adapters etc. but I just wanted to say a big thank you to all the users on this thread, especially leshkin, as you've been very helpful and saved me a lot of money!



If you could let us know the outcome of the PC1-601 once you've received & fitted it then that would be great cheers. I'm documenting everything from this thread that I need so when it comes to it, I should be pretty much ready to go!
Click to expand...

Don't worry I'll let you know as soon as I install the new device.

Has anybody know if it is possible to be root of my HU without installing a custom ROM?.

Thanks!.
 
dieleco said:
Don't worry I'll let you know as soon as I install the new device.

Has anybody know if it is possible to be root of my HU without installing a custom ROM?
Click to expand...

Nice one, I was previously looking at the PAC SNI35 line out converter but if the PC1-601 line converter does the trick then's that's 20 quid saved!

I'm going to sound like a complete tard here (which I'm not in most cases I like to think!) but what on earth does it mean to root a HU and why is it necessary to do so?
 
HHS3 said:
Nice one, I was previously looking at the PAC SNI35 line out converter but if the PC1-601 line converter does the trick then's that's 20 quid saved!

I'm going to sound like a complete tard here (which I'm not in most cases I like to think!) but what on earth does it mean to root a HU and why is it necessary to do so?
Click to expand...

HHS3 I quote the answer giving for Leshkin in the first page of this post

leshkin said:
I'm pretty sure that my stock ROM allowed side-loading of apps anyway. The main benefits to a rooted ROM and updated MCU are mainly to do with adding ability to modify settings that are not exposed in stock. Some units allow you to change the time out for deep sleep, so you could get instant power-on after hours of unit being switched off, at the expense of extra car battery drain. It also allows for extra mods to be added that require root privileges and many more... Check out the mods section on this page: http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Hui_Fei_Type
Click to expand...

In my case, I want to uninstall some applications that come with my ROM as well as being able to add some logos in the folder “/system/etc/logos” directory of my HU.
 
dieleco said:
HHS3 I quote the answer giving for Leshkin in the first page of this post
Click to expand...

Thanks for linking, I should've remembered really considering that I only read the first page the other day!

So far on my list I've got that I need:
  • Android 4.4.4 Quad Core (1024*600)
  • PAC SNI35 Line Out Converter or PC1-601 Line Converter
  • FM Ariel Adapter (CT27AA87)
  • Ground Loop Isolator (Not sure if necessary, depends if Line Converter does the trick regarding the interference in addition to the volume issue)
  • Install Malaysk ROM
  • Install Viper software
  • Install Poweramp App
Is there anything else that people would recommend?
 
Last edited:
I think the Line Converter must do the trick, I mean, It has a ground cable in order to avoid ground noise. On the other hand, Viper4Android and PowerAmp are similar applications, you should choose one of them, shouldn't you?.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HHS3
HHS3 said:
Thanks for linking, I should've remembered really considering that I only read the first page the other day!

So far on my list I've got that I need:
  • Android 4.4.4 Quad Core (1024*600)
  • PAC SNI35 Line Out Converter or PC1-601 Line Converter
  • FM Ariel Adapter (CT27AA87)
  • Ground Loop Isolator (Not sure if necessary, depends if Line Converter does the trick regarding the interference in addition to the volume issue)
  • Install Malaysk ROM
  • Install Viper software
  • Install Poweramp App
Is there anything else that people would recommend?
Click to expand...

Depending on your car's wiring and which adapters come with the stereo, you may not need the HiLo converter. Check your OEM radio aerial connector to confirm that you have dual fakra connections. Other than that all looks good.
 
dieleco said:
I think the Line Converter must do the trick, I mean, It has a ground cable in order to avoid ground noise. On the other hand, Viper4Android and PowerAmp are similar applications, you should choose one of them, shouldn't you?.
Click to expand...

ICE is not my specialty so thanks for clarifying for me. The only difference between the PAC SNI35 (Amazon product) and PC1-601 is that the former is adjustable?

Ah ok I misunderstood, I thought the Viper4Android was just some software you can install to enhance the sound etc. and the Poweramp App was used to fiddle around with the EQ.

leshkin said:
Depending on your car's wiring and which adapters come with the stereo, you may not need the HiLo converter. Check your OEM radio aerial connector to confirm that you have dual fakra connections. Other than that all looks good.
Click to expand...

Ok cool, thanks.
 
HHS3 said:
Is there anything else that people would recommend?
Click to expand...

I've got this from IceBoxAutos for my S3. Looks similar to the RNS-E. Happy with it so far except not got steering controls working yet, plus the sound quality/rear speaker output issue already mentioned here.

http://www.iceboxauto.com/autoradio-dvdgpsnavidabradioandroid-44-player-audi-a3-bose-03-13-a7037

I added the quad core (RK3188) upgrade, and DAB+. Have also added a USB camera I bought for £8.99. all works well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: leshkin
HHS3 said:
Ah ok I misunderstood, I thought the Viper4Android was just some software you can install to enhance the sound etc. and the Poweramp App was used to fiddle around with the EQ.
Click to expand...

PowerAmp is an application you can use to enhance sound quality, It is like the media player software that comes with the radio but much better. I red in other forum that Viper4android makes little difference, I don’t know if Leshkin has tested both applications.
 
lincoln_dj said:
sound quality/rear speaker output issue.

Have also added a USB camera I bought for £8.99. all works well.
Click to expand...

Good to know you're happy with the unit, so thanks for your feedback mate. Have your tried a PAC SNI35 or PC1-601 Line Converter yet to see if that sorts out the rear speaker issue? Also, would you mind sending me a link to the USB camera you bought please? I've had a google but they're either too short or expensive in the UK compared to what you've found.

dieleco said:
PowerAmp is an application you can use to enhance sound quality, It is like the media player software that comes with the radio but much better. I red in other forum that Viper4android makes little difference, I don’t know if Leshkin has tested both applications.
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks for the information.

I'm also going to get a ELM327 OBD2 Bluetooth Scan Tool as it looks like a neat feature to have and for only a tenner as well.
 
audi upgrades
lincoln_dj said:
I've got this from IceBoxAutos for my S3. Looks similar to the RNS-E. Happy with it so far except not got steering controls working yet, plus the sound quality/rear speaker output issue already mentioned here.

http://www.iceboxauto.com/autoradio-dvdgpsnavidabradioandroid-44-player-audi-a3-bose-03-13-a7037

I added the quad core (RK3188) upgrade, and DAB+. Have also added a USB camera I bought for £8.99. all works well.
Click to expand...

I've got this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XTRONS-An...109608?hash=item1a0d0d1028:g:JMkAAOSwnLdWqaKz

It has a quad core RKPX3 (professional quality) and 16GB ROM. Also, the color of the HU trim is the same as the original RNS-E.

The accessories that come with the kit fit pretty well. I’ve bought the micro, Journey recorder, rear camera and OBD2 bluetooth for torque APP. I’ve installed almost everything except the rear camera. It has to wait until I have free time owing to the toughness of the job.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
RNS-e
Replies
1
Views
695
john777w
J
O
RNS-E
Replies
2
Views
1K
JamS3
JamS3
Niknak
RNS-E
Replies
4
Views
1K
Issac Hunt
I
V
rns e
Replies
1
Views
961
sakkie69
S
Q
rns-e
Replies
1
Views
991
mitch78
mitch78
Top
Back