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Un-branded Chinesee Dual DIN 7" Touch screen radio install
I've just ordered one of those Dual DIN 7" Touch screen radios to install and will document it here.
Features: Price: $239 including shipping from California Touch screen controls AM/FM Radio CD Music DVD Music and Video for TV TV Tuner Ipod/Iphone connection via cable USB flashdrive/memory device connection via cable on the front panel Backup Camera Included for display on screen. GPS Naviagation (Sygic Navigation with voice direction + Maps for US/Canada) SD card slot (For music, movies, software etc) WinCE 6.0 Operating system (You can load other software as you might have on a PDA such as spreadsheets, calculator, word Processing, etc also I suspect that with your phone connected you may even get an internet connection so you can use a web browser online) When it arrives I'll start documenting the install with lots of pictures and video. I chose this China manufactured unit after looking at my local BestBuy at models with similar features for between $600-$1200 dollars. Since those brand name units are also manufactured in China I figure I'm just lining some guys pockets with the extra dough so I may as well get the units that avoids the $600 pricetag for a "Kenwood" logo slapped on a China unit. Support and warranty? I'll take my chances as I can buy 4-5 of these units to the 1 brand name unit. Chances are I'll replace it with the next latest greatest thing in 5+ years anyway. |
Feeling envious! I need to update my HU. Its a nice Sony, but starting to show some wear and it does not look right in the car.
Thought about the double din, but it would be nice to just get another Sony and swap it out in 5 min...now I'm not so sure. GPS and bluetooth would be awesome! Wow! That is sportin some serious specs for the price! Definitely give it a good all around work out and let us know how it holds up. :) Would be nice if there were more room on the face...wanted to do something with a Porsche key fob crest to tie in the aftermarket stereo. |
When powered on the Radio will have a configurable home screen background that can look like this:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6...00/porsche.jpg I think that will tie it in nicely. Can even arrange all the Feature Buttons to occupy the white space either side of the crest so that its always visible. This unit with its WINCE 6 operating system is basically like PC/PDA with all sorts of software that can be loaded up. It would be a nice place to put a Track Timer to clock your laps if you go to the track,Chronogps Software or perhaps your Todo/shopping list etc. Possibilities are endless. http://www.pda-archives.com/wince/9.htm http://www.hpc.net/ http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/1509/topic.html http://www.cnet.com/topic-software/microsoft-windows-ce.html |
Very cool! I may just take the plunge, but I'll try to wait for your write up. :)
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Consider me watching this thread closely as well! I am all for trying out cheap Chinese products. :p
Though it says motorized? That mean the face tucks away? Or moves up and out? Any idea? When you get it installed. Can you take a video going through the various screens and such? Would love to see what kind of lag the unit has, as well as what the various screens look like. It seems a lot of name-brand units have terrible looking screens... |
Nice find, lets us know how it works out..
I'm kind of curious of the depth of the the radio cavity. The radio spec states 160 mm or 6.3 inches, does anybody know the depth of the Boxster radio cavity? You also might want to check out this 2 DIN installation kit.. |
Installing one of these is my plan too. But I do not have that section between the center console and the current (stock) radio.
Any ideas on what that piece is called so I can try to find one? |
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Here's my double din installation. It's a Pioneer Avic 930BT, bluetooth, satnav, reversing camera etc etc. Well worth the pain, functionality and sound are a huge improvement.
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Very curious about the quality of the display, as most of the images in the ebay listing are photoshopped and not actual screen captures. My main concern would fall into the "too good to be true" category. Looking forward to hearing about your experience with it!
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Does anyone know the depth of the radio cavity?
I looked at the specs on the HQ and it states depth is 160 mm or 6.3 inches.. |
Does anyone here know if a oem PCM1 headunit will work in my 2004 boxster s? I understand the wiring changed to the optic system for the 2003 models
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First task is to move my Air Conditioning Unit to the bottom slot and remove the old radio. My digital equalizer is taking a slot and is connected to the Amp in the Frunk so from what I have read you can not just remove it, but it must be incorporated into the new system. Guess I'll find out soon if this is true, maybe something to do with the amplifier its matched with? More to come starting tommorow. yes, complete with pictures, comentary, movies, cursing, skinning my knuckles, all the bloody details. Resolution is 800x480 which is excellent. I have a Navigator HP Ipaq 310 that is 5" and I use it to navigate in my airplane and it is crystal clear at that resolution. should be just as nice at 7" for the car unit. I plan to explore all the units capabilities and as you will note from the links to WinCE software I already found a neat little track timer that will be useful to some folks. I should also be able to hook it up to the autonomous drone that will do recon and follow at altitude above the car to warn of popo and other undesirable activity around the car, but I digress. A Swarm of Nano Quadrotors - YouTube |
Here is the starting point for me:
AC in the top slot moves the the bottom slot. Radio will be removed. Shelf stays where it is if possible. Equalizer is removed or placed behind the dash after being set to a neutral setting. Amplifier in Frunk will still be used if possible. 6 CD Changer in Frunk is obsolete and will be removed if possible https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H...460/2DIN_1.JPG |
I can't wait to watch your progress!
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Here is todays work with the project:
Pic 1, Pulled out the shelf...literally just yank is straight back and out it comes. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o...2/CIMG3401.JPG Disconnect the battery lead or else you might short something and the radio anti theft alarm will sound when the radio is removed. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s...0/CIMG3402.JPG Pulled the bezel plates from around the AC unit and the Equalizer. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y...0/CIMG3403.JPG Made my own radio removal tools out of some thin aluminum I had laying around the shop, and cut them to this shape because I remembered the one you buy where that shape. You need 2 https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g...0/CIMG3404.JPG Here is the little springy catch that you use the above tool on to to bend the catch inwards towards the radio. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-V...0/CIMG3405.JPG There it is pushed inward to release the catch. You do both at the same time and the radio comes out. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b...0/CIMG3407.JPG There are little slots for the tools near the bottom corners. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1...0/CIMG3411.JPG Radio slides out, the upper AC unit and its rails come out with just 2 screws. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A...2/CIMG3412.JPG Equalizer also comes out with 2 screws. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t...2/CIMG3414.JPG This is the radio theft alarm. The Brown/Red wire to be grounded, (One person said it should NOT be grounded so test it out yourself) so unplug it and connect it to ground before conecting your car battery again or else the alrm will sound. I was able to leave it in place as the new radio made contact with it as it was with the original radio. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0...0/CIMG3415.JPG |
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All the panels on the console just pull off and I needed the carpeted side to come off so I could fish the AC wires down to the bottome slot where the Equalizer was. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p...0/CIMG3416.JPG Everything is out, plus I needed to remove the bottom cover with "Boxster" on it to get the AC in properly. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0...0/CIMG3417.JPG A few more minutes and the AC and shelf are done. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y...2/CIMG3419.JPG Just about half way through the UPS guy arrived with the new radio/gps unit...perfect timing. Here is what I got for $230 A night vision backup camera, Radio unit assorted cables including USB, and ipod/iphone cables, remote some mounting hardware etc. all well packed and in good condition. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w...0/CIMG3422.JPG I had to hook it up to a 12v battery and try it out inside first to see that it all works. The GPS software on an SD card is under the yellow sticker preinstalled in the unit. I removed the ugly yellow sticker. Everything works perfectly https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T...0/CIMG3423.JPG Some GPS menus https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U...0/CIMG3424.JPG Main Menu https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h...0/CIMG3425.JPG Playing with the SD chip https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1...0/CIMG3426.JPG More tommorow. |
Very exciting, can't wait for tomorrow's update.
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How is the lag between screens? That is one of the negative things I read about these units. I like the menu style better than most of the major brands out there.
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Easiest way to run the camera cable is under the carpet on the rear shelf and the black foam water channel with the roof in the service position. Take the carpet out in the rear trunk and look at the bulkhead you will see a perfect sized hole to run the cable through. I drilled a hole near the license plate, put the spoiler up, fed a piece of string through the hole I just drilled and hooked it from the spoiler with a piece of wire and pulled up the camera cable. There is a grommet you can use to get the wire into the trunk which is accessed inside the trunk. One thing, the trunk floor does get pretty hot where I fed the cables so put your RCA connector somewhere cool as I had trouble with mine. The positive wire to the reversing light is permanently live which was good (if not a bit confusing).
Mine is the 2003 model with the lousy MOST system, I removed the lot and got a good price on fleabay. Front and rear speakers I connected to the head unit speaker connections and an RCA plugged into the subwoofer output and out into the battery bay just above the pedals. This runs to an Alpine amp where the Porsche amplifier and multi-changer were, this then feeds back the the subs in the doors. I had alternator whine at first but this configuration got rid of it. Good luck. |
Come on, man! You're killing me...
Oh, wait; you probably have to do that whole "work" thing. Screw it! Call in! This is clearly more important. :D |
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Continuing my install in a few minutes. |
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I was going to go flying on a 400 mile fly-in trip but weather killed the trip so I ordered the unit on Monday this week so that I could spend thursday on installing it. Timed perfectly. |
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Much appreciated....thanks OK, now I'm going back out to continue the job. |
... anxiety is killing me!
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24 hours? Could have installed it 5 times by now, lol!!! :D
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This looks like something I can and will do as well. Thanks for the details
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Sorry I have not posted more plus a video I took but I got busy with other stuff.
I took a few minutes this morning and tested all the wires in the radio Harness and discovered where they need to go. Everything is working and I discovered that since I had the Amp and 6 CD changer in the frunk I had to wire the speaker wires to the yellow connector block in the car and it will not work without my Equalizer plugged in. I will try without the CD Changer conected, only the Amp and see if that works. The good news is that I think I will be able to simply push the connected Equalizer panel into the tray slot and with slight modification push the tray in the slot with the EQ panel behind it. Next thing now that the wiring is sorted out, is to make a tray or bracket to hold the radio securely in place. I'll see about posting my progress and video from Friday in the morning. |
If I were you, I would remove the equaliser and wire up the speakers direct to the unit and the subs via an amplifier. The front speakers are straightforward enough to just rewire as they are already on the dash. The rear speakers go around the back of the stereo anyway. Do you have subs in the doors or in the rear? Sure there will be a wiring diagram somewhere to show how the equaliser is wired and where to pick up any speaker cables you cant find.
If it's not doing anything useful, take it out and sell it. |
The Double-Din install has been documented several times on this board, one of our members (trieullionaire) has even created a DD installation kit/wiring harness and has it listed on eBay.
:cheers: |
For this particular unit?
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I wonder that myself. Seems like the Ebay kits for are for the Pioneers, Kenwoods, etc. I wonder if they fit these generic, Chinese units. |
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Well to install a DD unit into the Boxster you will need all the parts in the kit, only variable would be the wiring harness. On the AVIC I installed and used the kit with measurments of: Width = 177.8mm Depth = 155.575 Height = 98.425 The kit also comes with step by step instructions with photo's stepping you through the various steps like triming the plastic center suround to install the DD unit. Not trying to rain on anyones post, just pointing out what was posted in the past and maybe the OP could take information from it to assist him with his, he can search AVIC on this site as everyone at the time was installing the AVIC DD models at the time. :cheers: |
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I think U R missing a point of this post I can install a toaster in this spot if I want to and don't need the DIY for it We R all interested in this specific, generic unit at third of the price of Avicenna etc. It is nice to see if it is worth the cash they want 4 it At least that's why I'm subscribed to this one Happy speeding |
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I do not think I am the one missing the point, it appears you are my friend as the title of the post is "Dual DIN 7" Touch screen radio install" the OP is talking of creating a DIY for the Install of the unit and others are talking about the install and routing of wires. Appears you were lurking to find out not if but when the China knock off head unit causes a dash electrical fire in his car. I am sure in some fashion you can place a toaster in that spot and would not need a DIY to do it, my question would be why you would want to? Again sure you can buy knock-off brake pads, rotors, motor mounts. electrical and other such parts from China off of eBay for a fraction of the cost with inferior ratings but why would you put those in a Porsche? Just my opinion, it is your ride and do so as makes you happy :cheers: |
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Also there is no reason why a generic stereo can't be as good as the name brands in 2012. It's just a touchscreen that plays music and DVDs, you don't need 8 core processors and 32gb ram for that. Besides kenwood and pioneer and sony are all made in china anyway, this could be the same unit just without the Name attached to it I do not care about Gps in a stereo, nothing can be as good as my iphone that gives me real time traffic and police speed trap locations |
Please post a video when you can. As someone mentioned the biggest problem with generic stereos is te speed at which they change functions so I'm very curious to see how well it changes from radio to sd card music to DVD to gps to etc
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OK folks the much anticipated videos are here:
Menus 7" dual din Radio navigator etc Chinese No-label Brand - YouTube Some Music CIMG3440 - YouTube My Impressions so far: -Everything works fine although I have not started customizing menus and such to see the extent of its hackability to enhance and customize it. -I noticed the USB menu when playing songs lists the Artists name but not the song name. In the quick list there is some Chinese text in the view so the menu software needs an update perhaps (Not sure if that is possible, but its a minor nuisance). -No menu lag and the resolution is great, no complaints. -Multitasking Navigation and music/video etc is great with PIP as well -All the option to hookup electronics either through BlueTooth or wires is great. I have not figured out if the speaker connections need to go to the seperate speaker wires or the Audio Line In phono jacks. I have tried the speaker wires and I pick up some alternator whine that you can hear when the music is off, so I will switch to the shielded Audio Line In phono plugs. I have yet to figure out a mount rack but have some ideas, for now I wedged in some towels to hold things in place so I can drive around with it. I found that the system will NOT work without my Equalizer so I just preset it and it fits behind the shelf tray if you make a slight mod on the back of the tray; It is easy to pull the tray and change the setting this way if they need a change. Saw out a little triangle of plastic on both sides of the shelf and the Equalizer will fit behind it. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w...0/CIMG3438.JPG PS: The 6 CD Changer can be unplugged and everything still works, but do remember to remove your CD's before removing it.....oooops. ;) |
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For those without an amp, there is supposedly a Brown connector to connect direct to the speakers, but I could not find that plug on mine to try it. Also the sound going through the Equalizer can be customized to your taste if you have it (I mean EQ not Taste) may as well use it. Where might that brown plug be hiding on a factory Amp install, hope they did not have a special wiring harness that omits it. I also discovered that I apparently have 6 speakers, 2 dash, 2 door and 2 behind the seats. Seems like perhaps the Dash/Door are treated like a single Front and the rear behind the seat is the Rear speaker. Also since I had the battery disconnected numerous times during the process things started working, like my car key locker flashes the tail lights twice as usual and gives the horn a short toot (Did not toot before) |
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What is this EQ you keep talking about? Was that an option with our cars? All I have is the cdr210 and the little black amp in the frunk. Apparently my cdr210 can't play burnt cdrs so I've been stuck with radio only :( I've considered a radio transmitter and iPod or something but that seems... too ghetto, for a Porsche So far everything sounds good, I'll check the videos later |
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