14 ms·

Enhancing the AVIC-5000NEX

76 points by drjohnson 12y ago

mikestew 12y ago
(For those that have no idea without reading the article, the AVICs are a series of car stereo made by Pioneer.) Granted, most of this is probably driven by "can I do it?", but that's a lot of effort and expense to get rid of a nag screen. Though I find the nag screen annoying enough on my AVIC-6000 to have read to the end of the article...only to find out that he hasn't cracked that nut yet. :-( But if you have one of the NEX series, you can watch DVDs as you drive down the road: http://avic411.com/index.php?/topic/38589-official-avic-nex-bypass-avic-units-only/ http://avic411.com/index.php?/topic/38589-official-avic-nex-.... For diagnostic purposes only, of course. Or, if you're like me, you just wanted to get rid of the "OMG, the parking brake wire isn't hooked up correctly!" message because you just grounded that wire instead of actually connecting it to the parking brake switch. Now if I could just get it to stop whining about the speed sensor wire.
Moto7451 12y ago
Stuff like this is why I muse about building a RPi based head unit. The biggest thing for me is I enjoy HD Radio (LA has a great 80s Rock HD2 station) but there's no chip readily available (for hobbyists) I'm aware of that implements the HD Radio spec (AM/FM being A-OK). All I really want in a head unit is: - AM/FM/HD Radio - iPod/iPhone compatibility with preferences for how and when it will turn itself on - Simple to use Nav with easily, cheaply (or free), upgraded maps - No bloat or bizarre features I'll never need - Backup (and perhaps curb clearance) camera support - A touch UI designed for actual use in a car that's moving i.e. big pancake buttons and nobs for tactile control - A quality Amp with actual EQ settings - Carplay and/or Native App support of some kind - An oscillator/vibrator in the screen to give some tactile feedback (road quality allowing) A RPi with a peripheral/support board running some combination of XBMC and an App switcher would probably handle that. Most of these features, save for the UI and Bloat-less experience are available on the AVIC and other aftermarket head units... Just not always in the same unit (HD radio seems to be either not listed on spec sheets or not as common as I'd hope). I have MyLink in my Camaro, which mostly works fine, save for lacking HD radio and its tendency to default to XM when I unplug my phone. My car didn't come with a backup camera which means I may or may not need to get the radio reprogrammed (Via a USB cable and GM software) to use one ($200 or so depending on the dealer). A lot of the on screen controls aren't available via physical buttons and the buttons are too small to blindly tap at. Stuff like that is just frustrating since a lot of other consumer electronics (i.e. Phones) have improved so much UI/UX wise. A lot of open source projects aren't known for good UI/UX but I feel like an OSS solution would go a long way to fixing these issues.
- sounds 12y ago
  You should check OpenStreetMap.org's quality in your area. (iPhones use it, last I heard.) Los Angeles should be pretty good. The other option, Google Maps over a cell data connection, might be workable but that's competing with just getting an Android tablet and mounting it on the dash with cables to connect it to your existing audio head unit. HD Radio in an RPi-accessible format is an interesting one I hadn't thought of before. A quick google gives me a few decent hits: 1. Silicon Labs Si477x series, 476x series, 468x series. Example: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/SI4777-A20-GM/336-2266-ND/3164513 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/SI4777-A20-GM/336-2... 2. st.com STA680 http://www.st.com/web/en/resource/technical/document/datasheet/CD00203228.pdf http://www.st.com/web/en/resource/technical/document/datashe... 3. NXP TEF665x series http://www.nxp.com/documents/short_data_sheet/TEF665X_SDS.pdf http://www.nxp.com/documents/short_data_sheet/TEF665X_SDS.pd...
  - Moto7451 12y ago
    I've found these chips but a lot (all?) of them require a large purchase order and an NDA. I presume because of the encoding or something silly. I believe the HD Radio tech is obnoxiously patent encumbered. Meanwhile AM/FM chips are dirt cheap. C'est la vie.
- silasb 12y ago
  What about a RTL-SDR? My plan is to use that for my Car Computer when I get around to building it.
  - adestefan 12y ago
    The problem is the complete lack of front end filtering. They're easily overpowered by a strong station. You're better off building you own with real filters.
gjmulhol 12y ago
This takes me back to undergrad. I love this project.
nemasu 12y ago
Awesome read, wish I knew more about hardware. -_-
hueving 12y ago
He mentions Pioneer violated the GPL by not making the source code available. Is that the case with selling embedded hardware? I thought that rule applies only if you are selling the software. For example, many wireless access points use Linux, but you never see the source for those.
- nitrogen 12y ago
  Yes, the GPL applies to all distribution of GPL software.
- The_Fox 12y ago
  I've seen the GPL accompanying a TP-Link wifi device, with a link to http://www.tp-link.com/en/support/gpl/ http://www.tp-link.com/en/support/gpl/. This seems to be Pioneer's GPL source code site: http://www.oss-pioneer.com/car/navi/files/ http://www.oss-pioneer.com/car/navi/files/ . I don't see AVIC-5000NEX there, but a variety of other AVIC devices are listed.
  - mikestew 12y ago
    Most of those links just lead to a zipped version of the 7-zip source code. There's some kind of browser as well. Nothing you can't get elsewhere.
- 0x0 12y ago
  Wouldn't that be nice, if you could circumvent the GPL by bundling a $1 cpu with your package? ;)
- SoftwareMaven 12y ago
  The GPL mandates the code be made freely available, it doesn't say how. It may require a written request sent to corporate headquarters. I don't think there is enough info in the post to say they are ignoring the license terms, but they certainly aren't living up to its spirit.
  - Nursie 12y ago
0x0 12y ago
SSL fails on iOS 7.1.1 Edit: probably a missing intermediate chain cert not sent by the server: https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=fail0verflow.com https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=fail0verflow....
legulere 12y ago
Why not let the bootloader unlock the sd card and then disconnect the SD card without disconnecting power to it? Something similar has been done with SSDs: http://media.ccc.de/browse/congress/2012/29c3-5091-de-en-unsicherheit_hardwarebasierter_festplattenverschluesselung_h264.html http://media.ccc.de/browse/congress/2012/29c3-5091-de-en-uns... (link in german)
- jmpe 12y ago
  That would work, but it's more elegant to dig into the bootloader. As long as you don't have the pw you'd have to repeat this approach. Suppose you manage to put your own system on the SD, the bootloader would still have the lock. Edit, even simpler: hook up a logic analyser and the password should be among the first captures.
DanBC 12y ago
Talking of "surprising internal SD cards" - the Kobo eReaders use an internal MicroSD card. This makes hacking and tinkering really easy. They bizarre and frustrating Kobo set up procedure (connect the Kobo to a computer; connect the computer and the Kobo to the Internet; download software update for the Kobo and software for the PC; set up accounts) can be avoided with a simple bit of SQL. This and other tinkering is mentioned here: http://uscoffings.net/clc/tech/embedded/kobo-touch/ http://uscoffings.net/clc/tech/embedded/kobo-touch/

76 points by drjohnson 12y ago

(For those that have no idea without reading the article, the AVICs are a series of car stereo made by Pioneer.) Granted, most of this is probably driven by "can I do it?", but that's a lot of effort and expense to get rid of a nag screen. Though I find the nag screen annoying enough on my AVIC-6000 to have read to the end of the article...only to find out that he hasn't cracked that nut yet. :-( But if you have one of the NEX series, you can watch DVDs as you drive down the road: http://avic411.com/index.php?/topic/38589-official-avic-nex-bypass-avic-units-only/ http://avic411.com/index.php?/topic/38589-official-avic-nex-.... For diagnostic purposes only, of course. Or, if you're like me, you just wanted to get rid of the "OMG, the parking brake wire isn't hooked up correctly!" message because you just grounded that wire instead of actually connecting it to the parking brake switch. Now if I could just get it to stop whining about the speed sensor wire.

Moto7451 12y ago

Stuff like this is why I muse about building a RPi based head unit. The biggest thing for me is I enjoy HD Radio (LA has a great 80s Rock HD2 station) but there's no chip readily available (for hobbyists) I'm aware of that implements the HD Radio spec (AM/FM being A-OK). All I really want in a head unit is: - AM/FM/HD Radio - iPod/iPhone compatibility with preferences for how and when it will turn itself on - Simple to use Nav with easily, cheaply (or free), upgraded maps - No bloat or bizarre features I'll never need - Backup (and perhaps curb clearance) camera support - A touch UI designed for actual use in a car that's moving i.e. big pancake buttons and nobs for tactile control - A quality Amp with actual EQ settings - Carplay and/or Native App support of some kind - An oscillator/vibrator in the screen to give some tactile feedback (road quality allowing) A RPi with a peripheral/support board running some combination of XBMC and an App switcher would probably handle that. Most of these features, save for the UI and Bloat-less experience are available on the AVIC and other aftermarket head units... Just not always in the same unit (HD radio seems to be either not listed on spec sheets or not as common as I'd hope). I have MyLink in my Camaro, which mostly works fine, save for lacking HD radio and its tendency to default to XM when I unplug my phone. My car didn't come with a backup camera which means I may or may not need to get the radio reprogrammed (Via a USB cable and GM software) to use one ($200 or so depending on the dealer). A lot of the on screen controls aren't available via physical buttons and the buttons are too small to blindly tap at. Stuff like that is just frustrating since a lot of other consumer electronics (i.e. Phones) have improved so much UI/UX wise. A lot of open source projects aren't known for good UI/UX but I feel like an OSS solution would go a long way to fixing these issues.

sounds 12y ago
You should check OpenStreetMap.org's quality in your area. (iPhones use it, last I heard.) Los Angeles should be pretty good. The other option, Google Maps over a cell data connection, might be workable but that's competing with just getting an Android tablet and mounting it on the dash with cables to connect it to your existing audio head unit. HD Radio in an RPi-accessible format is an interesting one I hadn't thought of before. A quick google gives me a few decent hits: 1. Silicon Labs Si477x series, 476x series, 468x series. Example: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/SI4777-A20-GM/336-2266-ND/3164513 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/SI4777-A20-GM/336-2... 2. st.com STA680 http://www.st.com/web/en/resource/technical/document/datasheet/CD00203228.pdf http://www.st.com/web/en/resource/technical/document/datashe... 3. NXP TEF665x series http://www.nxp.com/documents/short_data_sheet/TEF665X_SDS.pdf http://www.nxp.com/documents/short_data_sheet/TEF665X_SDS.pd...
- Moto7451 12y ago
  I've found these chips but a lot (all?) of them require a large purchase order and an NDA. I presume because of the encoding or something silly. I believe the HD Radio tech is obnoxiously patent encumbered. Meanwhile AM/FM chips are dirt cheap. C'est la vie.
silasb 12y ago
What about a RTL-SDR? My plan is to use that for my Car Computer when I get around to building it.
- adestefan 12y ago
  The problem is the complete lack of front end filtering. They're easily overpowered by a strong station. You're better off building you own with real filters.

gjmulhol 12y ago

This takes me back to undergrad. I love this project.

nemasu 12y ago

Awesome read, wish I knew more about hardware. -_-

hueving 12y ago

He mentions Pioneer violated the GPL by not making the source code available. Is that the case with selling embedded hardware? I thought that rule applies only if you are selling the software. For example, many wireless access points use Linux, but you never see the source for those.

nitrogen 12y ago
Yes, the GPL applies to all distribution of GPL software.
The_Fox 12y ago
I've seen the GPL accompanying a TP-Link wifi device, with a link to http://www.tp-link.com/en/support/gpl/ http://www.tp-link.com/en/support/gpl/. This seems to be Pioneer's GPL source code site: http://www.oss-pioneer.com/car/navi/files/ http://www.oss-pioneer.com/car/navi/files/ . I don't see AVIC-5000NEX there, but a variety of other AVIC devices are listed.
- mikestew 12y ago
  Most of those links just lead to a zipped version of the 7-zip source code. There's some kind of browser as well. Nothing you can't get elsewhere.
0x0 12y ago
Wouldn't that be nice, if you could circumvent the GPL by bundling a $1 cpu with your package? ;)
SoftwareMaven 12y ago
The GPL mandates the code be made freely available, it doesn't say how. It may require a written request sent to corporate headquarters. I don't think there is enough info in the post to say they are ignoring the license terms, but they certainly aren't living up to its spirit.
- Nursie 12y ago

0x0 12y ago

SSL fails on iOS 7.1.1 Edit: probably a missing intermediate chain cert not sent by the server: https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=fail0verflow.com https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=fail0verflow....

legulere 12y ago

Why not let the bootloader unlock the sd card and then disconnect the SD card without disconnecting power to it? Something similar has been done with SSDs: http://media.ccc.de/browse/congress/2012/29c3-5091-de-en-unsicherheit_hardwarebasierter_festplattenverschluesselung_h264.html http://media.ccc.de/browse/congress/2012/29c3-5091-de-en-uns... (link in german)

jmpe 12y ago
That would work, but it's more elegant to dig into the bootloader. As long as you don't have the pw you'd have to repeat this approach. Suppose you manage to put your own system on the SD, the bootloader would still have the lock. Edit, even simpler: hook up a logic analyser and the password should be among the first captures.

DanBC 12y ago

Talking of "surprising internal SD cards" - the Kobo eReaders use an internal MicroSD card. This makes hacking and tinkering really easy. They bizarre and frustrating Kobo set up procedure (connect the Kobo to a computer; connect the computer and the Kobo to the Internet; download software update for the Kobo and software for the PC; set up accounts) can be avoided with a simple bit of SQL. This and other tinkering is mentioned here: http://uscoffings.net/clc/tech/embedded/kobo-touch/ http://uscoffings.net/clc/tech/embedded/kobo-touch/