Six months after, thoughts and answers to frequently asked questions

So it's been a little over six months since I installed the ES777 in my car. There have been a bunch of questions and comments on this blog on several issues and I thought to make things easier for the readers, I'd round them up here as well as give an honest "re-review" of the device.

First things first; everything still works the same as it did in the beginning. The unit has had no new problems or other issues for me in during the time that I've had it, so I would rate the build quality as good.

Now for the negative and so-so stuff. I would not recommend this to anyone just wanting a good head unit. Configuring (rooting the pad, removing stuff and reinstalling other stuff, hacking the mph/kph settings etc.) requires time, effort and patience. You really need to do this if you want it to work properly. Out of the box experience is NOT good on the Android side. Same thing with the day-to-day usage, you really need to know how to use it properly or it will seem to be broken or behave strangely.
I have found a logical explanation for everything it does and can now predict accurately how everything works, but it has taken some time.
I mentioned already in my other posts that the user interface of the head unit's music player is pretty bad. And that statement stands. It really is difficult to use and is for me the main reason I wouldn't really recommend this device for anyone just needing a nice new head unit.
The pad is pretty useless as a standalone tablet as well, the touch screen works like something from the 90's as it is capacitive.

That being said, there are a lot of good things as well. The sound quality is really good and if you can get past the user interface the device has a lot going for it. The usb/cd/dvd/sd availability is great, whatever form you happen to have your music in (even mp3:s burned onto a dvd) this can play them. The ipod connectivity also works great and the cables are included so there's that too. The navigation works great (assuming you configured the android pad properly in the beginning) as do all of the cool other apps available for your car on the android market. I've tried a bunch of lap timer, g-meter, lap profile mapper and performance measuring apps and they all work great. If that is what you are mainly looking for in the unit then this is definetly your only choice on the market.

Then again - the novelty of those ran out really fast for me. After maybe a week of playing around with those,  I have only used mine for the daily music/radio listening on the way to work and as a navigation device when going on longer trips. If that's the only thing you need, I'd definetly recommend picking up something else - Erisin's build quality seems to be good so I'd select some non-android device from their line-up.

I'm going to be selling my car and the Erisin along with it in a little while and getting something newer and more powerful. Maybe if the OEM head unit in the new car is not up to what I want, I'll get a non-android Erisin device and do a write-up/review of that one as well.

so now for the FAQ:

1. can I use BT on the pad?
- No.

2. can I use GPS on the main unit?
- No.

3. can I access cd/dvd/sd/usb/ipod connected to the main unit on the pad side?
- No. Everything is completely separate, the pad has it's own sd and usb but no way of connecting the ipod.

4. can I use xx as my navi software / do I need internet connectivity with my navi software?
- Same as with your phone. You can use anything available on the android and if the app (like Google maps) needs internet connectivity, you will need it here too. The pad comes preinstalled with iGo and it works fine and does not need internet.

5. does this have dual-zone?
- Yes. You can have the main unit's audio source playing while using the pad.

6. Can you change the car logos on the main unit?
- No. There is no way to access the main unit's OS directly to change the logos. You are stuck with what is there.

7. Why the rebooting/strange behavior when connecting the pad, shutting down the car, starting, etc?
- The pad seems to get the turn on/shut down signal from the head unit with a little lag. Also, if the main unit tries to shut the pad down when it is already shut down, it will start. Your best bet is to always have the pad connected even when the car is shut off. The other way to go is to always disconnect and reconnect the pad only when the car is running and the head unit is on. This way you will have the least amount or even zero problems.

8. I have no experience with Android nor do I want to do extensive internet searches for obscure open source apps or code that is needed to get everything up and running properly. Should I still get this and just let a car audio shop do the install?
- In a word: NO. The install is the easy part, everything is standard connectors and so on. The configuration part is really where you need to be able to do things yourself. Car audio shops will not have the know how to work with no-brand one off products like this, especially when the manual will not tell them what to do.

9. I DO have experience with rom hacking on my Android phone, can and want to do hacking on the pad, can and want to experiment with different apps and settings and am not expecting everything to work immediately like it would on a name-brand player. Should I get this?
- Maybe. Like mentioned, the quality is good, sound is excellent etc. Those things you do not need to worry about. If messing around with Shenzen type devices sounds interesting then go ahead and get this thing. You will most likely be pleasantly surprised after all of my negative comments ;)

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 installation and first tests

Today I finally had some time to get to the actual installation part of the project. The talk around the interwebs is that the 944 is not double din compatible, or at least that even with some cutting and grinding the double din units will not fit properly.
This did not discourage me.

This was what I started with. Under the radio is a non-original storage bin that is roughly din sized so I figured I'd be able to make it fit somehow.

First I took out the radio and removed the trim piece around the radio and some other interior bits that were in the way.

There is a divider between the radio and the storage bin. The actual divider is a metal plate and there is a plastic piece on top of it. I used a Dremel to cut the plastic and a hand saw to cut the metallic plate under it.

I then removed the entire center console to gain more access and wired the iPod connector and the usb cable under it. I cut a small hole for the wires under the armrest and pulled the wires inside it. Now the wires are cleanly hidden when not used and when the iPod or usb stick are connected they can be stored inside the armrest storage compartment.

I wired the GPS antenna on top of the dashboard, in the middle where it would look the most like an original installation.

Testing the unit. I fitted the wires and powered it on. Works without any problems. The screen is quite dirty and the flash makes it look glossy, in normal use it looks a lot better.

All done. Working nicely and fits perfectly. I still need to fabricate some bezel around it to cover the small openings now visible around the unit. Fitment is snug since I modified the original inner radio installation bracket so that it grips a 2din unit properly. Now if I want to swap over any other 2din unit in the future it will fit perfectly too.

G-meter testing. Works perfectly.

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.