[SlimE92]

Originally Posted by whitewidow

I know he chose the aux input but he did not utilize the aux cable plugin to the aux port. So this must use the use by internal wiring in the harness?

Interesting..

I would love to see if this is the case.

That would mean that our audio issues are gone if so...

[Hibbyfor]

I'm pretty sure if you have a Combox the android unit can use the MOST bus although I only have the base CCC system i.e.no amp and I've had it playing without the aux plugged in. I didn't follow up and I just now use a Cyrus DAC from the Android USB to aux along with the precise volume app and I'm more than happy with it.

[whitewidow]

Originally Posted by Hibbyfor

I'm pretty sure if you have a Combox the android unit can use the MOST bus although I only have the base CCC system i.e.no amp and I've had it playing without the aux plugged in. I didn't follow up and I just now use a Cyrus DAC from the Android USB to aux along with the precise volume app and I'm more than happy with it.

I like to get some confirmation on this. I have a 2010 e90 with cic idrive and logic 7. Aux and USB in the arm rest. No cd changer. Bluetooth handsfree calling only. No sure if I should just add a combox, or the eBay most.bluetooth, or one of these units. I'm would like all the features this unit provides but do not want degraded audio. If there is a way to tap in to the MOST with one of these like the eBay most Bluetooth does that would be ideal. Do any of these units do that or all go through the aux?

[ctuna]

The ebay box uses the cdc interface through the most bus
just like a oem cdc player would. There is no loss of fidelity.
The only thing negitive I would say about it is selecting the
source on the ebay box itself is kind of awkward.

It is essentially a cheap dension which also uses the Most Bus.

Also that is why both of these need the cdc programmed in.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...4#post23244354

[cannyjock]

Very interested in this option - the one thing putting me off the android head units is sound quality. Has anyone hooked one up via the optical connection in this way? I've got combox and CD Changer, so if it's possible it should be straightforward (it never is though is it :-)

[Scott1283]

Originally Posted by SlimE92

Interesting..

I would love to see if this is the case.

That would mean that our audio issues are gone if so...

Did anyone determine how he's getting audio without an aux cable? I read through the install procedure on that unit, and it still states that the aux cable must be plugged in.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3300...658f4d51F362Iz

[Captain Buumer]

Hi

I believe the AUX input in the unit i bought is done through the quadlock connector pins 7 & 8 in the image below (just my speculation). As it can't be using the same circuit as the original car AUX connector because from there there is definite signal degradation.


I did conduct an experiment with 320kbps mp3 file.
Transfer it in android unit - good sound.
Stream it with Bluetooth - good sound (changed Bluetooth codec settings in phone developer options to LDAC).
Burn the same file into CD disk and play with navigation unit - good sound. I did try some other store bought CD-s that had pretty much the same overall sound grade.
I would say they all sounded equal.

Now i did not have anything connected to the car AUX input.


I discovered you can have one of the 1...8 buttons set as AUX input (in my case set 8 as Aux input).
1...7 are set as radio stations.

While android interface was open (and music playing) i pressed 1 and radio started playing while the actual display remained on the Android side. I find this awesome where you can listen to radio while kids could play some games on it with Playstation Dualshock controller (haven't tested with PS controller it but then again see no reason why it wouldn't work).

Then i connected phone through the car AUX port and played the same 320kbps mp3 file which sounded awful. Also tried some old ipod which was also bad. There is clear distinction to be heard. Almost like highs and lows are cut off and is very quiet on same volume. I'm thinking should get rid of this now obsolete and quite useless AUX hole and put something useful there like the double USBs.

Might pull everything apart for the USB experiment this weekend to see if it uses pins 7 & 8.

Hope this information is helpful.

[whitewidow]

Originally Posted by Captain Buumer

Hi

I believe the AUX input in the unit i bought is done through the quadlock connector pins 7 & 8 in the image below (just my speculation). As it can't be using the same circuit as the original car AUX connector because from there there is definite signal degradation.


I did conduct an experiment with 320kbps mp3 file.
Transfer it in android unit - good sound.
Stream it with Bluetooth - good sound (changed Bluetooth codec settings in phone developer options to LDAC).
Burn the same file into CD disk and play with navigation unit - good sound. I did try some other store bought CD-s that had pretty much the same overall sound grade.
I would say they all sounded equal.

Now i did not have anything connected to the car AUX input.


I discovered you can have one of the 1...8 buttons set as AUX input (in my case set 8 as Aux input).
1...7 are set as radio stations.

While android interface was open (and music playing) i pressed 1 and radio started playing while the actual display remained on the Android side. I find this awesome where you can listen to radio while kids could play some games on it with Playstation Dualshock controller (haven't tested with PS controller it but then again see no reason why it wouldn't work).

Then i connected phone through the car AUX port and played the same 320kbps mp3 file which sounded awful. Also tried some old ipod which was also bad. There is clear distinction to be heard. Almost like highs and lows are cut off and is very quiet on same volume. I'm thinking should get rid of this now obsolete and quite useless AUX hole and put something useful there like the double USBs.

Might pull everything apart for the USB experiment this weekend to see if it uses pins 7 & 8.

Hope this information is helpful.

Much appreciated probably going to get this soon. Do you think I will have issues with the harness in a 2010 e90 automatic?

[sudo4re]

OK, so I have been looking to upgrade my CIC with iDrive and Harmon system and I think I'm just about convinced to go with one of these units but what is throwing me off is my car has the DCT transmission so it is short of like an auto shifting manual so should I pick the auto or the manual transmission option? What is the difference between the auto version vs the manual transmission unit?

[Captain Buumer]

Originally Posted by sudo4re

OK, so I have been looking to upgrade my CIC with iDrive and Harmon system and I think I'm just about convinced to go with one of these units but what is throwing me off is my car has the DCT transmission so it is short of like an auto shifting manual so should I pick the auto or the manual transmission option? What is the difference between the auto version vs the manual transmission unit?

Is there any difference apart from software configuration? There should be one wire from the unit that senses reversing +12V.

Much appreciated probably going to get this soon. Do you think I will have issues with the harness in a 2010 e90 automatic?

Don't think so. Harness has enough length to connect everything. In my case harness was pushing unit slightly upwards where it wouldn't sit flush with the lower panel. That eyesore didn't look good and asked for solution.

Another neat little trick i discovered is that we can use OBD WiFi dongle and stream data into the android unit! Really awesome!!!


We can also use BMW specific PIDs in torque app to display more sensors (in attachment). Will try this soon.
File was uploaded by FaRKle! to another forum - credits to him/her.

[cannyjock]

This looks like another unit which uses the optical connection for sound, instead of Aux

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...719e9daevIsqwc

[MrForgetful]

I've just finished installing a unit I bought through AliExpress. Android 9.0 4G version. Seemed to be the highest spec one I could get.

First had trouble with sound not coming through, but there was a AUX cable that came from the Screen, and I just plugged that into the AUX input that comes from the new wiring harness and it all works fine. Great upgrade from CCC I had. Works fine with Logic7 and I couldn't be happier. I use my phone to hotspot a wireless connection. Only issue I have is that Spotify never starts from where I left off, either on a specific track or Podcast I'm listening to.

[BIGFATONE]

Hi fellow Beemers ! I purchased Avin USA 10.25 head unit with CarPlay and the back camera. At first, I had the sound issue that most people talk about but it got way better. First, on the I-drive side the volume can not exceed the middle value (just leave everything at factory settings even treble and bass). Secondly, you need to play with the head unit audio settings until the sound cleans up. At this point, my sound was just like the stock sound profile but not loud enough. What I did made the sound a lot louder and clearer. I had a problem with the I drive showing that I needed an oil change when I didn’t so I had to reset the engine oil Service message in I-drive. Weirdly, that fixed the sound for me. Ever since that reset, the sound is crisp and loud. Just wanted to share my experience.

[bin01123]

Very interesting. I may purchase for the wife's E90

[washere]

Originally Posted by cannyjock

This looks like another unit which uses the optical connection for sound, instead of Aux

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...719e9daevIsqwc

I think it is actually using BT (or the CIC does). The Aux doesn't work in anything with a Combox since the aux on the back o the CIC isn't used. It is the one in the combox instead. I am working on some other theories on how to resolve that. (i.e. tapping into the aux cables right under the plug instead of the plug itself that would get rid of the sound killing caps and resistors in the Aux.

[f82_spooly]

Sound is the most important to me I know audio concerns have been brought up. I'd like to purchase the 10.25 inch version if there is any issue with the sound can anyone here chime in how we can ENHANCE this using something in addition?

Like a DSP processor or something and how would it work? Was wondering if anyone had that knowledge because I'd love to purchase this and if i have to buy something else in order to get amazing sound I would.

[Inland Surfer]

A few days ago, I installed this unit (Android 9, 4G quad core Snapdragon version):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...42c14c4d5xQ68g

Of course it didn't come with any instructions. Most of the guides out there are for the older units and the menus are different. I already had a rear (truck handle) camera integrated into my stock CCC setup with an interface box; that was easy to get going. I've had to do a bunch of messing around with this to get the clock to actually be right, screen to look right, fixed the crackling sound, etc. Issues I haven't resolved:

- Bluetooth will not stay connected. I have my phone setup to turn the hotspot on as soon as I get it, so wireless is always connected. This isn't a big deal as I can use the factory bluetooth for calls

- Some of the manuals reference using the talk button on the steering wheel to interface with the Android unit. How? Mine still wants to do the factory (dated) interface.

- The forward/reverse track buttons on the steering wheel are reversed. Not sure if they are reverse on the headunit itself as I've never tried it

- I'm an Android user but this thing is locked the hell down with custom stuff. Any way to do a bit on unlocking? I'd like to tweak a few additional items, like removing some of the stuff from the menu, adding widgets to the app screen, rearranging apps (and placing stuff in folders), etc.

Anyone have any good splash screens so I can get rid of the stocker? I wish it would boot a bit quicker but I'm sure everything else is slower so I can't complain too much. I haven't tried Android Auto with it as I don't see the purpose with how I have it set up currently.

I also had to use my Aux port. The harness has the 3.5mm plug jumpered over in it, but I had to unhook and run the cable to my Aux port. Also, my unit came with this flat piece that looks like a weight GPS antenna (but screws into the back of the screen). It isn't the GPS as that's a separate port and I used a splitter from the factory harness for that. The microphone hears me so that's not it. It also had a speaker hooked up to the harness that I disconnected and didn't install as I couldn't see the point in it.

[LandoT]

I had the CCC version but sold the car. Just got the CIC Snapdragon unit in today. The aux in 3.5mm jack had an aux out cable plugged in to it from the main harness. Can't seem to get any sound. I unplugged the cables and ran a 3.5mm to the center console aux port and still wasn't getting anything. Waiting on a response from Avin. The sound from the CIC unit still works fine on radio, etc.

Just an update: my sound issue was due to the MOST connection on the back of the CIC unit being pushed inside the unit due to my error. I talked about it in a thread I posted in this sub-forum. I was able to reposition the connector and everything is working fine now. I did have to unplug the aux cables on the main harness and run a cable to the center console still. One thing of note is the sound on the snapdragon unit seems to be night and day better than what I was getting from the CCC unit in my last car. Not completely sure if that is due to my aftermarket speakers/amp (using drop in Rockford fosgate speakers for the fronts, RF coaxials in the back, and a JL 700/5 with harness for the amp) or just the unit being much better. But I didn't really have to tweak settings to get it to sound decent.

[jdl577]

My idrive screen went blank the other day, no radio either. Will this unit work with my idrive possibly not working?

[ky0u]

Originally Posted by Inland Surfer

- I'm an Android user but this thing is locked the hell down with custom stuff. Any way to do a bit on unlocking? I'd like to tweak a few additional items, like removing some of the stuff from the menu, adding widgets to the app screen, rearranging apps (and placing stuff in folders), etc.

There's a thread on XDA for these units, rooting and such. I'm not sure if it's applicable for this current version, but worth a look through

[whitewidow]

Originally Posted by Captain Buumer

Hi

Been reading this thread for quite some time not really sure to buy it or not. The sound quality really concerned me as it's the heart of any headunit.

Decided to pull the plug anyway as the CCC is really nothing more than radio with a almost fancy ultra low resolution screen.

Opted for this one:
Aliexpress link

Chose 4G model with 4GB ram and 64GB storage (9.0-4G-64G-CCC-Cam).
This one has Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor with Hexagon™ 546 DSP which to me seemed quite big improvement over the previous generation models.

It came from Spain so inside EU don't need to pay additional toll fees which was bonus.

They did provide instructions on how to install: Instructions here

At first glance everything seemed to work like a bliss when trying out fitment.


However for my E90 model atleast the supplied main cable was too short and screen would not go all the way back where the upper two screw holes would align. If you press it really hard it does align up but looks like it was yanked up from bottom align plastic extensions and didn't look good. Also i was worried it might bend the back connector over time due to natural vibrating environment in car.

So i cut the cable in half and extended it by about ~15cm:

Lots of soldering and took around 3 hours from beginning to finish making sure the solder is decent quality and connected joins are spread out. Also measured with multimeter making sure any shorts didn't come.

Here is the final result where red part is roughly the length i added:


It had 2 coaxial cables too. There i extended the main signal wires. Then added shrinking tube around it creating isolating layer and just wrapped stripped copper around it connecting both grounds. Not perfect but didn't produce any noise.

Routing the cable was quite a HASSLE that gave me huge headache in the end.

Had to guide the white connector of the main harness into the tiny hole to the left (behind DVD/CD module) where it ends up on top of pedals.

From there i had to position myself so that head is where pedals are and feet are to the roof (while all the blood is flowing to my head) to actually see where i am pushing the white connector.

In this position i used one hand to guide the white connector upwards inside the dashboard. It does 90 degree bend at one point and exits where the original connectors all join together behind the screen.

From there had to use another hand to catch the white connector (from the upper screen hole)
It was not easy to give 90 degrees bend while using feet to try lift myself up to give that little boost so other hand fingers can touch white connector from the center dashboard inside tiny hole and guide it out.

This was very difficult and nowhere mentioned! Really difficult for E90 model but doable. Not sure about the E92 or if there is better way to route cables. However the cabling this way is very neat and i liked it.

For GPS i used splitter cable. This one from aliexpress Yet again had to solder to use supplied L bend connector that will go into the new screen. I didn't connect GPS into the original DVD/CD module as it just wouldn't fit and in the end turns out it isn't even necessary. Original GPS is really fast and good, forget the supplied black box.

In the process of putting everything back the center console long piece, where door locks button and DTC button connectors attach were quite troublesome to get back in. Take extreme caution not to scratch AC module plastic trim (i did little but thankfully noticed before further damage was done).

Finally 3 days have passed, everything is assembled, very stock looking and time to play with the module itself.

First impressions:

• The screen is really gorgeous, plays movies very well.
• Red theme fits with the car (in the image experimented with different interface types).
• It automatically connected with car audio and don't need to use AUX plug at all.
• Easy to use with iDrive controller. Some android apps also support steering wheel buttons. For example when listening to youtube you can switch to next song.
• Waze as default navigation.
• It's really fast switching from menus. Booting from cold is ~12 seconds.
• Sound quality is actually really good, much better when comparing to CCC FM radio and AUX from phone.
• For giggles did try phone 3.0mm -> USB 2.0 based DAC which gave amazing sound. I believe this overrides Snapdragon DAC:
  
  Never heard these (Base) speakers play this kind of quality.
  When i used just phone -> AUX (without DAC amplifier and using Business unit processor) sound was really bad. I can't believe i have listened to this muddy mess for so long. Felt like bit rate dropped in half.
  Same song in android internal memory was quite close to USB DAC quality.
  However when used the same setup (USB DAC-> 3.0mm car aux input) the sound was very quiet. Created some sort of loop? Don't know what i was expecting as they both are inputs.
  Safe to totally ignore business unit 3.0mm input.
• Can switch from CCC / Android side with steering wheel buttons.
• Play Store endless apps in a car.

What i didn't like:

• Bluetooth calling quality is bad with the internal microphone, lots of noise. Possibly OEM or any other external microphone makes it usable.
• Bluetooth and Wifi at the same time are not stable. One or the other drops out occasionally since they use same frequency.
• MicroSD card reading is not stable. Sometimes it interrupts reading and only solution is to copy contents into internal memory or use USB stick (with second usb connector) which i don't know yet if can be used to read external memory. If it works then can plug some cheap 128GB SSD and put whole library there.

What i have not tried out:

• Backup camera that was also in the box.
• There are 2 USB cables. One cable i routed into the storage but apparently it only seems to accept USB OTG devices expecting phone connection. Wondering if other USB can accept regular USB sticks.
• I did try out Android WIFI which was awesome but the connection was not stable over Wifi when i tried it. Possibly better with cable.
• Wifi / Bluetooth not stable when both used (solved if using 4G sim card?).
• Test the sound quality with Spotify

Also image of the PCB which has decent quality solders. Class 1 at most - consumer level.


In the end it's huge improvement over stock CCC and i really enjoy using it. Integrates with car well and if anyone still wonders if it's worth then definitely it is.
I even burried the idea to upgrade speakers as the improvement was so immense.

Looks like Android 10 was released and I belive will work for the 8,8" units as well. Read over this thread.
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1#post25906951

[bmwill]

Originally Posted by Captain Buumer

For GPS i used splitter cable. This one from aliexpress Yet again had to solder to use supplied L bend connector that will go into the new screen. I didn't connect GPS into the original DVD/CD module as it just wouldn't fit and in the end turns out it isn't even necessary. Original GPS is really fast and good, forget the supplied black box.

Thanks for the great write-up, really helpful. About this part, are you saying if we do not want to continue supplying GPS signal to the ccc, we don't have to buy the adapter? Or is this needed in any case?

Thanks