Day-to-day living with the ES777A and other ramblings

Well this is a bit embarassing. I originally thought I would be updating this blog often with new fixes and other things for the ES777A, but as it turns out - it's been a pretty easy experience. The thing just pretty much works.

I will be doing more posts on other things like the chip installation, OBD2 plug etc later. Right now I'm pretty busy at work but I will keep answering your comments every day. I've had thousands of visits and dozens of comments on a small blog which I thought maybe only a few interested people would read. So thanks to all readers for that!

But I'd like to address a couple of usage issues as I've now been using the ES777A for almost three months on a daily basis. The way that you use it matters quite much. It seems that you will be experiencing the least amount of problems if you follow these basic rules:

1. Always let the system do a "full cycle" with the power. What I mean by this is that you should leave the pad connected to main unit when you turn off the power on your car. This will initiate a controlled shut down on the pad and it will be in sync with the main unit's power cycle.

2. Either let the unit start up before connecting the pad OR connect the pad (in shut down mode) while the main unit is turned off. This will allow the pad to be turned on by the main unit in a controlled manner. If you have the pad already on (even with the screen turned off), chances are that it will reboot when you connect it to the main unit.

3. For best sound quality results use the main unit's player software. The sound quality in the main unit is very good, there's very little noise and distortion. On the pad the story is a little different, the noise level is worse and the sound in general is not quite as good. This is not to say that it's unusable or even very bad. Just that given the option I at least will choose the better sound quality of the main unit over the better usability of the Android media player softwares on the pad.

Finally, for absolute the best results in everything - just leave the pad connected to the main unit. When you turn off the car the pad will shut down properly and when you start again the pad will turn on too. Of course this might not suit everyone, i.e. if you are afraid of burglars stealing your stuff (I park my car in a locked car park building at home and in a private garage at work), but if this applies to you I recommend it.

Erisin ES777A walkthrough video and comments!

Here I'm using some of the basic features of the Erisin ES777A. The video is in 720p HD if you go and watch it on Youtube (or full screen). The list of programs and settings I have can be found in my earlier post Erisin ES777A configuration and software.

The feature I get most questions about is the so called Dual Zone (all of the Chinese manufacturers call it that on their car stereos), which basically means that you can have sound playing from another input - like the radio - while using the navigation app. Yes, this unit has that even though the manufacturer told me it doesn't.


I have unfortunately found a couple of bugs. The other one shows up on the video, in essence the Android tab/pad sometimes reboots when it's disconnected from the main unit while it's on. I believe this might have something to do with the acc power of the car or some faulty connection. Luckily this happens very rarely and when you disconnect the pad, most likely you are leaving the car anyways so it's not that big of an issue.
The other bug is that even more rarely (this has only happened to me twice in all of my time using the unit) the pad has some sort of connection issue with the screen and displays only a white screen. The problem occures only with the main unit - so the radio, DVD and other features accessible from the main menu give a white screen, but the Android has a normal picture. This problem goes away by rebooting the unit.

I'll try dismantling the unit sometime and see if there are some faulty or loose connections that could be causing this.

Otherwise it's pretty great and I'm quite anxious to try out the rest of the performance features once my other "club sporting" parts arrive :)

Here once again are the specs for the device from the manufacturer's website (complete with typos and such):



Key Features:
- ISO 2 Din Size , 7 Inch (16:9) wide screen Monitor
- HD Digital LCD Screen, Resolution: 800*RGB*480
- Super Sensitive Touch Screen Control
- Detachable Panel, after separation, one is Car Audio Player, one is Car PAD 
- Google Android 2.3 Operation System 
- 1GHz CPU, 512M RAM, very fast response
- Built-in 3000mA Battery, it can support longer work time 
- Support WIFI & 3G Internet, you can connect a 3G USB dongle to fit 3G Card 
- Support OTG Function, directly play HD Movie or transfer Data from USB Device, Hard Disk etc. 
- Support HDMI Screen Output to HDTV 
- 3.5mm Earphone Jack, Micro SD Slot, USB 2.0
- Host 1.1 Port can be connected with Mouse and Keyboard 
- Built-in 3MP Camera, DV Recorder 
- Support Google Maps online Navigating 
- Support Android Maps Navigation, Free Map SD Card included as gift 
- The PAD supports external memory card up to 32 GB
- 4GB ROM Flash, Could download more than 20,000 excellent software via Android E-market 
- 3D Games, Support HD Video Formats 
- Built-in Speaker and MIC 
- Support HD Videos up to 1920*1080 pixels, Photo up to 4096*4096 pixels 
- Change Wallpapers, support live image 
- Portable, we provide one black leather Case as gift
- 4 x 50w Surround Stereo Output
- 3D Effect While change the mode
- Compatible with MP4 AVI WMA DVD VCD MP3 JPG… - 2 Button LED Light Color: Orange and Blue
- 10 Open Unit Logos for your Choice
- One Button for Blank Screen on main menu 
- Support A2DP Bluetooth Function, can play stereo music through Bluetooth
- Radio Tuner, 30 Preset Radio Stations, with RDS function
- Built in VHF/UHF TV Tuner, 100 Preset TV Stations
- USB Port and SD Slot, Support USB Stick and SD Card up to 8 GB
- Touch Music Title to play directly, Select Title with small Keypad 
- Support Steering Wheel Control, support Subwoofer Audio Output 
- Support Rear-view Camera Video Input, support iPod Audio input
- Built-in Microphone, Electronic Anti-Shock
- Back Sight Control, Hand Brake Control, Remote Control


Description of Detachable Panel -- Car PAD/MID


General
-Operation System: Google Android 2.3
-CPU: Telechips TTC8803, 1GHz
-RAM: DDR III 512M
-ROM FLASH: 4GB 
-LCD: 800*RGB*480 HD Screen
-Extended memory card: Up to 32GB SD/TF card
-G-SENSOR: 3 axis acceleration sensor and 3D IC hardware acceleration, could realize dynamic 3D game and 3D interface
-WiFi: Built-in High performance, low power consumption, WiFi:802.11 b/g
-3G: 3G Universal Drive Support external USB Dongle: WCDMA,EVDO,TD-SCDMA
-Camera: Built-in 3MP Camera, DV Recorder
-Speaker: 1pc 1W,80hm
-Battery: 3000mA / 3.7V Li-Battery
-Microphone: High sensitivity input, right&left channel
-Size: 170*103*15mm
-Weight: 415g
-Languages: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Polish, Czech and more customer-made languages


Slot 
-HDMI: Standard, Mini Port, Support DMI1.3; Support screen output
-OTG: Directly play HD movie in Hard disk, digital camera, mobile phone, U Disk and Card reader; Transfer data freely, connect with Printer and other OTG functions
-USB: USB2.0 High Speed
-HOST: HOST 1.1, could connect with mouse, keyboard, U Disk and other peripheral equipment
-SD/TF: Support multimedia Card or Maps Card
-Earphone: 3.5mm Earphone Jack+CVBS output
-Charge: Small charger slot, DC 9V input


Audio
-Format: MP3, WMA, MP2.OGG.AAC.M4A.MA4.FLAC.APE.3GP.WAV etc.
-Record: Format: MP3.WMA
-Other: LRC synchronized display; ID3 search; Search by files; Album pictures; User-defined audio effect
-Audio IC: Top Global Cirrus IC, independent audio decoding
-SNR: Noise ration: ≥90dB


Video
-Format: Support AVI(H.264.DIVX.DIVX.XVID).rm.rmvb.MKV(H.264.DIVX.DIVX.XVID).WMV.MOV.MP4(H.264.MPEG.DIVX.XVID).DAT(VCD format).VOB(DVD format).PMP.MPEG..MPG..FLV(H.263.H.264).ASF.TS.TP.3GP.MPG etc, ≥30 formats, playing internet video directly (while downloading)
-Play: Up to 1920*1080 pixels. 30Mb. Fluent play without light spot
-Video output: HDMI 720P to 1080P, full HD output and common video output (AV)


Description of Car Multimedia System


General
Power Supply: DC 12V (Allowable range: 10.8-14.5)
Max Current: 10A
Install Size: 180mm*160mm*10mm
Package Size: 310mm*310mm*170mm
Gross Weight: 4.0kg
Net Weight: 3.5kg


Display
-Screen type:   7 inch touch screen
-Resolution:     800 * RGB * 480
-Built-In LC Clock Display Function: Yes
-Built-in Accelerator:  Yes, very fast response 
-Touch one button to display black: Yes
-Digital or Analog:   Digital Touchscreen, very vivid


Setup
-Camera Setup: Normal/Mirror
-Bell Setup: Button Voice on/off
-Button Light choice: Red/Blue
-Menu Language Setup:  English/Chinese
-TV Setup: PAL: I/DK/BG,NTSC:PAL M/PAL N, SECAM;DK/BG
-Steering wheel Control Setup:  Yes
-Touch screen calibration:    Yes
-Radio Setup: Europe/America 1/America 2/Japan/Russia
-RDS Setup: on/off 
-Time Setup: Yes


Panel
-Viewing Angle adjustable: No
-Detachable control Panel:  Yes, after separated, one is PAD, one is Car Audio Player
-Fluorescent Button:   Yes, red or blue LED Light


DVD
-Compatible Format:  MP4, AVI, DIVX, DVD, VCD, MP3, CD, WMA, JPEG
-OSD/Audio/Subtitle Language:  English/Italian/French/Spanish/Portuguese/German/Latin
-Position of Disc Slot: Behind the detachable Panel
-Auto-Save Function: Yes, expediently watch all kinds of disc continuously


Bluetooth
-Version:  V2.0
-A2DP (Bluetooth Stereo Music):  Yes, can play stereo music through Bluetooth
-Built-in microphone:  Yes
-Call Records:  Dialed Call, Received Call, Missed Call
-Bluetooth Music control: Yes, play/pause/previous/next


TV
-Digital or Analog: Analog TV Tuner
-TV System: SECAM/NTSC/PAL
-Preset Stations: 100
-TV Antenna Jack: Yes, on the back


Radio
-AM Frequency Range:  522-1620KHz
-AM Increment: 9KHz
-FM Tuning Range:  87.5-108MHz
-FM Increment:  0.05MHz
-RDS:  Yes
-Preset Stations: 30 (FM 3*6, AM 2*6)


USB
-Position: On the Back 
-Capacity:  8GB
-Select Title with small Keypad: Yes
-Touch music title to play directly: Yes


SD
-Position: Behind the detachable Panel
-Capacity:  8GB Micro SD/TF Card
-Select Title with small Keypad:  Yes
-Touch music title to play directly:  Yes


Input
-AUX Video In: One
-Rear-Camera Video In :   One
-Ipod Audio In:  One
-AUX Audio In: R/L
-TV Antenna Input:  One
-Radio Antenna Input:  One
-GPS Antenna Input:  One


Output
-Video Out: Two
-Audio Out:  FR/FL/RR/RL
-Surround Stereo Output: 4 x 50w
-Subwoofer Out:  One


Control
-Remote Control:  Yes
-Back Sight Control: Yes
-Auto Antenna Control:  Yes
-Hand brake Control: Yes
-Steering Wheel Control:  Yes
-iPod Control:  Yes
-Headlight Control:  Yes
-Auto Mute Control:  Yes


Description of Both


Accessories
-User's Manual in English:  Two
-Remote Controller (Battery excluded):  One
-Power Cable: One
-USB Cable: Two 
-USB OTG Cable: One
-IPOD Cable:   One
-TV Antenna Adapter Cable: One
-Steering Wheel Key Extension Cable:  One
-RCA Cable:   Two
-Wall Charger for PAD: one
-Leather bag for PAD: One
-GPS Antenna:  One
-4GB Micro SD Card:  One
-Touch Pen:  One
-Install Fittings: One

Erisin ES777A configuration and software

I've been fiddling around with the PAD part of the ES777A for a few days now and have the basic configuration pretty well in hand now, so I thought I'd give an update about the things I'll be using in it before I'll do a larger post about the installation and testing. Hopefully the unit will be operational in the car after this weekend, friday is a national holliday in Finland so I'll have a 3 day weekend to work on this!

Basics:
The first thing to do here is install the most crucial usability stuff. Here is the list of software / configurations that I believe make this unit far more usable than it is out of the box. There is also an explanation about each item and what they bring to the table.

GO Launcher Ex
This launcher provides much more customization options compared to the stock one. You can define the amount of screens, transitions between them, status bar options and much more. A free software and works extremely well with the landscape mode of the PAD. Free.


MultiPicture Live Wallpaper
One of the problems with using Android 2.3 on a tablet is that it is not designed for continuous landscape mode. This creates a few problems, one of which is that you cannot normally use a 800x480 pixel full screen wallpaper. The wallpaper you choose is stretched among the home screens and gets pixelated and ugly no matter what you do. This app removes that problem and lets you set a full resolution picture as the wallpaper and even select different images for each screen if you like. This is what I chose as my wallpaper:

Also a free app.


PowerAmp music player
There are a lot of options for a good music player for the android. I chose this one because of the really good 4x2/large widget player. This means I can have the player on one home screen with my normal wallpaper image and keep the look of the unit consistant. Free trial, full version 3,5€
I don't use this anymore, I switched over to Google Music. Free.


Adobe Flash player and Adobe reader
Basic usability stuff, nothing interesting here. Free.


RockPlayer Lite
Again, several options here such as MoboPlayer but I use this on my phone and like it because of its small size and good support for almost any video format. Free.


aDyno and aLaptimer
A pretty well featured performance monitor and logging software. Support for OBD2 data, GPS and accelerometer data. Can do lap profiles based on GPS data, performance runs to test modifications and a lot more. Free trial, 3,38€ for the full version.


ClockWork Auto Logger
A companion to the previous. Mainly for data logging and real time G-force measurement.


Better Keyboard
Like the name says. A better keyboard with the Finnish keyboard layout (lots of layouts available) and size adjustable so it makes the typing a lot easier when using the unit in the car. 2,5€.


Barcode Scanner
For QR code scanning. Makes software installing and other web related things simpler.


Spotify
I use spotify on my home computer and have the 9€ per month premium subscription which allows for offline caching of tracks. This means I can create playlists on the computer and then make them available on the PAD offline to allow listening in the car without an Internet connection. Free.


EDIT:
Forgot this important bit:
DSP Manager
A global DSP manager that controls the sound output of all programs. Pretty handy to have around and eliminates at least some need for an external equalizer for the car. Several others with more and better customization available, but this one is from Google themselves and free. Installs with no rooting neccessary to the ES777A, just download the APK and install.


Google Car Home
Google's official car home screen app. Big icons and a clean look. Free, needs root.

Erisin ES777A Unboxing

So the man from DHL rang my doorbell today and the ES777A arrived. I can't say "finally" since the delivery only took a couple of days - excellent work on that side then and a good start!

The box looks nice and there's even a Porsche on the cover :)

Everything was packed well. There are two separate user manuals - one for the Android PAD part and one for the actual car stereo part. The Android manual shows the basic functions of the 2.3 Android OS, such as connecting to a Wifi hot spot and the like. However you should really familiarize yourself with the OS in some other way if you are not using it your mobile phone since this is just a really short quick start guide.

The other manual appears to cover the functions of the car stereo part pretty well, but I'll get more into that when I install it into the car.

On the left is the actual car stereo part. There are two screws in place (presumably holding the DVD mechanism in place during shipping) that need to be taken out before installation. The wiring came in a large bag and is quite comprehensive. There is a standard ISO connector set, pre-outs for all four channels + a subwoofer, antenna adaptor, a custom steering wheel control wireset (this is going to be interesting! There are only a few leads and you could probably wire them up pretty easily to a few buttons) which can be customized in the car stereo OS to control different functions and finally a connecting cable for an iPod.
The smaller bag in the picture below the wiring bag contains the wall charger for the unit. I ordered this from the UK so there would be no customs taxes (Finland and UK both belong to the EU so no customs tax...) but the wall charger is the standard Euro type, what a nice surprise!
The PAD comes packaged inside the leather sleeve/pouch and there is a box with the gps antenna + lead and the IR remote control.

The pouch is feels like a quality product and fits the PAD perfectly. The PAD is quite heavy compared to some other (name brand) Android tablets. The battery is a 3000mAh unit so that most likely is the reason for the weight. There is a protective plastic on the touchscreen.

This is how the unit looks like when the PAD part is off and on.

The PAD was charged from the factory and turned on just like a brand new mobile phone with Android. So far everything seems pretty good and this feels to me like more of a quality product than some other "no brand" Chinese Android tablets that I have tested.
I'll install my normal Android "survival kit" to this and do the usual basic configuring and setup and come back with a new post about the PAD as a tablet next time.