VXR8 head unit - how to enable input?

[FoxdieUK]

Hi folks,

I'd like to implement the rear aux on my 57-plate (LS2) VXR8, there's a fairly comprehensive guide on VXRonline courtesy of Dazerc, however this references the "Video In Motion" flash module which is still retailing for about

The links on the above how-to guide are a couple of years out of date with the cost somewhere between £300-400. I'd like to know if there's an easier method (maybe someone with a dongle can activate it for me for a decent price?).

Also, has someone pre-made AV input cables to sell?

Thanks

[FoxdieUK]

Gary H 2008 said:

What are you trying to connect to it?

Peaked your interest?

Initially, just my phone so I can run cables behind the dash and not have them visible. After that, I'd like to build something with a Raspberry Pi and it's RCA output. Make something geeky cool, perhaps even run NavIt (which is available for Android) and build a half-decent Sat Nav system

I'm already ordering enough connectors to mass-build rear aux / video in kits. It's just the firmware update I need more information on / solution for.

[FoxdieUK]

Ah-ha! Thanks, will do so now!

[FoxdieUK]

gsd2000 said:

Found the place then foxdieuk, going off topic when's the car booked in for a new exhaust?

Ooh you cheeky git Thought my V8 sounded the nads until I heard your 'ro at CD2012

I'm now thinking switchable exhaust cutout valves but that's another days discussion (probably inclusive of turbos for MOAR POWAH!)

Getting back on topic, I had indeed previously read Garys MY VXR8 STEREO UPGRADE but that outlines using aftermarket parts and doesn't outline how he solved the VIM problem, I'd like to know if a better / cheaper / renewable solution had come along since then

[FoxdieUK]

Gary H 2008 said:

In terms of VIM , you've still only got two options at the moment - JHP in Australia or a guy in the States

If you really want to go all out, Alpine Australia now do a complete central trim panel replacement that allows you to fit any standard Double DIN stereo with rear video camera input (to display HVAC) and has it's own heating controls built in along the bottom.

Le bugger. Yeah I saw the Alpine solution earlier today which is what got me thinking and made me start this thread to begin with.

There's absolutely no other way of doing it? No reflashing equipment that can enable it? I don't mind spending a few £££'s on a decent kit if it can be reused for t'other 'R8 and 'Ro members for petrol and beer money

(did spend £300+ on ECU reflashing equipment for Galant's, Legnum's, Evo's, Impreza's and Legacy's)

[FoxdieUK]

Gary H 2008 said:

Legnums...You weren't on Club VR4 were you? How far back?


I had the VIM disabled as part of the Quasi Media Hub upgrade, but sent it all back because I wasn't happy with the sound quality.
The spin-off is that I now have it disabled so am in the process of getting a rear Aux-in set up made. If the sound quality isn't acceptable, I'll be going for the double din solution - although I'm still not convinced by the HVAC
controls; despite all the after market parts, my install still has to look stock.

Issue is the audio side of these cars really hasn't been pushed - we probably know more about the stereo systems now than most people

I've been a member of Club VR-4 for over 4 years now and contributed a lot to the community, it's my hope to do that with this and the VXRO communities too, but gotta start someplace

Is the Quasi Media Hub upgrade a one-shot flash or do you know if I could keep plugging that unit into other VXR8's to "unlock" VIM? At that point, it seems like better value for money.

Yeah, I have to admit, those "industrial-look" buttons that come with the Alpine / Quasi Technologies solution really don't do it for me, I'm also reluctant to give up rear parking sensors after this is the first car I've ever had them on

I realise that some folk here may think "why do you need a decent car audio install when you've got a throbbing V8 under the bonnet to listen to?", for the most part I agree, but when you're using your car to commute every day (because, you know, insuring multiple cars is effing expensive when you're under 30) sometimes you need a good sound system for a "change of aural scenery".

Thats where I thought the Raspberry Pi would come in, I could add new features to the system (but alas, no touchscreen, although I think I could do that too!), wifi for Internet access, bluetooth for hands-free / bluetooth stereo features etc etc, possibilities are endless

[FoxdieUK]

+2

[FoxdieUK]

Well, I appear to have lost my wallet... because enough connectors turned up to build 20 rear aux in / video in connectors for our cars



Anyone interested?

Also tempted to put together a bluetooth stereo audio solution for the rear aux in, all hidden behind the dash etc.

[FoxdieUK]

Aldor said:

thought i would see you on here Jas,and also another ex leggy owner too i see,anyway having had the odd bit of work done by Foxdie i can vouch for it..... but please J stop temptin me to spend money

Hah, you must spend ALL OF THE MONEY

Glad to see there's a little interest. I'll start up a new thread for it.

[FoxdieUK]

Okay, an update at where I am with this;

Firstly, I've got enough connectors to build a few sets up, £10 per set (audio and video) sound a fair price?

Secondly, it's taken a lot of headaches, but I've finally got the building blocks together for a pleasant solution for wireless audio in the car. I present my work in progress, the Audible Pi;



It's a Raspberry Pi running a slimmed down linux install booting up in 30 seconds. Here's what it currently does;

* Stereo Bluetooth Audio support (pairing code 0000)
* Airtunes support for iOS devices (as pictured above)
* Provides a wifi network that any wifi-enabled device can connect to (for game / file sharing etc)
* Optional hotspot functionality by adding either a USB 3G dongle or ethernet connection

Can be powered by most USB chargers, to use with our cars it'll need a line-in kit as above, a simple RCA (phono) to 3.5mm jack adapter and a 12V cigarette USB charger capable of delivering 1 amp.

I haven't fiddled around much behind the dash, I'm wondering if I could build a power supply that tied into the wiring somehow (would also provide a good opportunity to implement a power cleaning circuit, filter out that nasty alternator noise/interference).

Edited by FoxdieUK on Friday 5th October 15:42

[FoxdieUK]

Gary H 2008 said:

Does your AV input have a red/white/yellow input?

Have you tried the Raspberry in the car yet? I'm guessing as you've not heard the system noise, you haven't

I'm aware of that god awful engine noise yes

Have I tried it in the car yet?

[FoxdieUK]

It's clear this needs more work;

Airtunes playback is very good, very minor issues of delay when starting up (3-5 seconds before music starts coming through), otherwise works reliably.

Bluetooth however, seems to disconnect after a few minutes, you can reconnect up again however this will occasionally cause the Pi (Raspberry Pi) to kernel panic (think of this as Windows blue screen of death), at which point the Pi reboots. This results in having to wait another 30 seconds or so before you can reconnect your phone to it. Doing this whilst driving is obviously a no-no.

Could be because I went for the cheapest USB bluetooth adapter I could find

I do have an older bluetooth dongle I'll try stability testing with. Right now it's connected to my living room surround sound and I'm streaming some Dio to it...


♫ HOLY DIVER~, YOU'VE BEEN DOWN TOO LONG IN THE MIDNIGHT SEA... ♫

[FoxdieUK]

Gary H 2008 said:

Good stuff. Looks like I'll have a spare AV in for a Pi...
Did you get my paypal payment?

Yes mate, sorry

Also, you've enabled ViM haven't you? We're getting a lot of business in the Melbourne area (where JHP are based), there's a small chance some work colleagues are flying out there for a week in a fortnight, they may be able to bring us back some small items, save on postage, what would be required for ViM? Can one "core" be reused multiple times?

(Someone else may need to answer this)

[FoxdieUK]

Gary H 2008 said:

however I don't think weight-wise it'll be something your colleagues can bring back

Really? I thought it was this thing?

[FoxdieUK]

One thing I'd like to do is find out if it's possible to emulate the satnav unit and re-add that functionality. If GM used to fit an optional satnav unit in the glovebox, what's to say it couldn't be replaced / substituted for a Car PC?

Galaxy S2's can make use of a "MHL" adapter, it basically outputs the screen to HDMI (so you can plug it into your TV etc), the problem is that the fascia screen isn't HD, and even worse so, the video input is low quality composite input. I'd estimate the screen resolution (after all the conversion to PAL and back) would be around 320 x 240 pixels. That's 286 / 386 computing days resolution.

Can the head unit be replaced with just an amp and a bluetooth receiver? Yes but it'll be ugly as sin. If you're looking for a cheap solution, Aldi are selling some cheap and nasty single din bluetooth head units for about £50 that support Bluetooth Stereo.

Although this is a bit extreme, personally in that situation I'd hack Bluetooth support into the Monaro head unit, buy something like the Connects2 BTAV01 and install it inside the head unit, stealing power from it and outputting its audio directly to the CD player signal output (this will require a bit of circuit tracing and soldering) if you're not using the CD player.