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Widescreen 12.3” Android Radio Mod

94K views 558 replies 58 participants last post by  bgmeeks123  
#1 ·
Trim:
S
Year:
2015-16
This is my latest experiment…. This one will be uninstalled and returned as I got another one that seems to have better integration and much cleaner look with better trim details…. I was able to secure digital quality audio end to end and the sound is as good as PCM3.1 digital. No loss of audio quality…

Trims are not all the way in, as I’m going to be swapping all this next week, but I wrapped one of them in brushed aluminum to match the rest of my trims which were already wrapped.

Overall impressions are good. I lost intersection light (which I was expecting and not a big deal), and map/audio screens in MFD which I just unselected and now they don’t even show up (I never used that). Other than that, good integration.

Steering wheel controls worked with android radio, but only volume, mute and “call hang up” works for CarPlay, which is the exact same behavior of OEM CarPlay in my 718.

I’m pleasantly surprised at how good this looks in person.

Installation and details video coming soon in my channel (https://youtube.com/@porscheDIY?sub_confirmation=1), after I receive the other unit.

If you have seen my videos on PCM3.1 CarPlay upgrade, you know that I started with Joye CP module, then moved to Isudar, then to Mr12Volt. Mr12Volt audio quality and connection reliability were the best, but fall short with video quality. This is yet the latest adventure with my head unit.

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#537 ·
I suppose those are just EQ presets. And if that's the case, with a bit of tinkering, you could replicate the settings with the Android units.

Otherwise, for as long as you're able to feed a digital signal to the Burmester amp, I suspect you should be good.
 
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#538 ·
Hi all,
really discovering this amazing forum. I'm owner of Macan S 2017 and since 2 weeks I decided to install the 12.3 screen as you can see in the attached picture (really no idea on the brand as its managed directly and installed in a garage). However, I'm facing some issues : 1/ the magic button cant manage media when CarPlay is used (change the track for example) 2/ the second big issue is when Carplay is used, connexion is lost suddenly and I'm facing this at least 5 times per day. 3/ the last issue is the option to display traffic recognition is lost and no more available since installation of this new screen. So I want please your feedback if there is any solutions for these issues and big thanks to this Community
 

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#544 ·
Digital out from this 12.3" unit should sound the same as digital out from PCM 3.1 or Mr12Volt. It's just ones and zeroes if it stays fully digital until it gest to the Bose (or whatever) amp. The key is getting an optical to MOST converter box instead of the analog to MOST converter that's included with most of the Android units.
 
#547 ·
Audison Bit, same as Helix SDMI 25, are devices that will convert MOST25 to SPDIF so that you can install an aftermarket amplifier.

For an Android unit, you need either an analog to MOST25 or SPDIF to MOST25 converter box like @draw stated. All these Android units come with these boxes, albeit, many are very bad quality.

Mr12Volt has a direct connection to MOST25.
 
#549 ·
Oh, so you plan on replacing OEM amplifier. Thats good. I missed that. Then, you can go from Android unit directly to amplifier using SPDIF. I routed a long SPDIF wire from the unit to my aftermarket amplifier, bypassing MOST altogether.

But if you don’t want to do that, then you need a SPDIF or Analog to MOST converter in the unit, and then the Audison bit on the amplifier side.

Good luck!
 
#554 ·
Has anyone tried one of The Fitting Bay units out of AUS? They say they stock LHD models, and even though they’re more expensive than the AliExpress models - if they’ve sorted the software/hardware to not lose functionality (gps antenna connector, steering wheels controls, etc - or are those issues that are only still present on the dual screen models?) - I might be game. Now if they’ve just slapped a fitting bay sticker on… nope, not at that price.
 
#555 ·
All these Android units are the same. The fitting bay seems to be a reseller, but these are all manufactured in China, probably by same manufacturer. So, unless the fitting bay has a programmer making custom software/firmware for both the unit and canbus decoder, my guess is that you will be getting the same unit that are sold in Ali… with all same defects, quirks and functionality.
 
#558 ·
I know to many this mod is cool. I get it. But living in the Houston area, frankly I don’t have the luxury of taking my eyes off the road and checking everything being displayed. And too many drivers with too many distractions.