How to add CarPlay to old car?

CarPlay is a system released by Apple Inc. It integrates iOS devices, iOS using experience, and the car infotainment system seamlessly, which makes it runs smoothly and intelligent. Using the voice assistant Siri makes drivers more focused on driving, many users love it. Similarly, Google has a similar smartphone connection platform called Android Auto. Most of the hundreds of car models that currently support CarPlay also support Android Auto, but there are also a few brands support only one of them. For example, BMW currently only supports CarPlay. So when we talk about CarPlay, we also included Android Auto.

The main functions of CarPlay include Navigation, Phone, Message, Music, etc. It’s very convenient and efficient to complete various operations by factory buttons, touch screen and intelligent voice assistant Siri (The voice assistant on Android Auto is Google Assistant). Some people might ask “Can CarPlay/Android Auto watch videos? “ The answer is NO! For driving safety, CarPlay/Android Auto doesn’t allow users to use apps that require excessive distraction to watch the screen, such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter…but message app like WhatsApp is allowed, but functions are not as complete as on the Phone, after all, driving safety is first.

OK, after a brief introduction of the CarPlay, do you want to install it for your car?

Some of the new models released in the last two or three years on the market have been equipped with CarPlay/Android Auto functions, those without this function can be obtained through the following ways:

1. CarPlay Integration for OE infotainment

These CarPlay integration interfaces can add the CarPlay functionality while maintaining the car original infotainment system, and it will not damage any original functionality of the car, nor will it affect the car warranty policy. It’s a system independent of the OEM multimedia system that switched by the central control or steering wheel buttons. In addition to all the functions of the CarPlay, it also integrates Android Auto, Smartphone Mirroring, USB stick HD multimedia playback, and RCA interface for connecting front/rear view cameras, DVR, etc. More importantly, this system also supports PAS (Parking Assist System) functionality providing dynamic guidelines and parking distance control, which makes it easier for users to reverse.

Cartizan CarPlay integration

Now our CarPlay integration modules are compatible with many car models, including Mercedes-Benz NTG 4.5/4.7/5.0/5.1 (Comand Online & Audio 20), Audi MMI/2G/3G/3G+, Audi Symphony & Concert, BMW NBT (High-CIC), NBT-EVO, VW MIB2, etc.

2. CarPlay USB Dongle + Aftermarket Android/WinCE Car Stereo

If your car model does not appear in the CarPlay Interface compatibility list, you can also use this way to get CarPlay, but you must replace the original car entertainment system (It would be the best if you had installed an Android aftermarket car radio). Nowadays, there are various brands of Android car stereos available on the market, you only need to purchase one to install in your car, install the APK software, and then connect the CarPlay USB dongle. No need for complicated wiring. Then you can use the CarPlay feature. Like our CarPlay video interface module, this USB dongle is also multifunctional, including CarPlay, Android Auto, Mirroring and more.

Cartizan CarPlay USB dongle

This product is now compatible with 90% of the Android stereos on the market, it’s very popular. Maybe you will ask if it works for Wince head units. Yes, it works. But currently, the compatible solutions are limited and it needs to be improved.

3. Pioneer/Kenwood/Sony Car Head Unit

As we know, Pioneer/Kenwood/JVC/Alpine/Sony/Clarion are very well known in the automotive field. In recent years, they have also released some aftermarket car stereos that support CarPlay. Of course, it is not the Android system mentioned above. These stereos have built-in CarPlay/Android Auto features, no need to connect additional devices. Of course, the premise is that the factory radio needs to be replaced. Moreover, these built-in CarPlay stereos prices are not cheap.

Head Unit with CarPlay

Well, after introducing above 3 CarPlay retrofit ways, which one to choose?

If you don't want to replace the original car infotainment system and consider the vehicle warranty and other issues, it is best to use the CarPlay integration interface, non-destructive installation, and functions are powerful.

If you think that it doesn't matter to replace the original car multimedia system, then you can consider option 2 or option 3. But, if you already have an installed Android stereo in your car, then option 2 is the most convenient. Otherwise, consider your wallet. : D

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When do you need a navigation box in vehicle?

I believe you may clearly recognize the video interface if you read my previous article.

http://www.icartizan.com/blog/what-bring-in-your-car-for-video-interface_b16

Hereby, I will introduce you another product: navigation box.

From a certain perspective way, "navigation box" is called simple version of video interface.

Product Applications Scenarios

As we all know that video interface achieve the various functions, firstly need to be compatible with ECU of Auto. Considering to numerous car models in the market and the unique compatibility, video interfaces for all car models can not come out at the same time.

If you can not find the right video interface, and you want to achieve the navigation function, what are you supposed to do?

Cartizan provide a kind of product to solve the problem, that is, "add-on navigation box". It can be used to achieve the navigation function if the brands of your car head unit are Pioneer、Kenwood, JVC,Alpine, SONY, etc or your car multimedia system owns RCA input connector.

Navigation box manufacturer

We have two kinds of car navigation module: universal GPS navi box and dedicated GPS navi box.

For universal navigation box, its signal is transmitted by RCA connector.

Dedicated navigation are used for the head unit of pioneer, Kenwood, JVC brand etc. These dedicated navigation boxes owns specific RGB connector for its relative DVD system(like the below picture showing)

Compatibility

The head unit which can be compatible with our navigation box are showing as below:

Pioneer: AVH-X1800DVD, AVH-X2800BT, AVH-X4800DVD, AVH-X5800BT,  AVH-X6800BT, AVH-X7800BT, AVH-X1850DVD, AVH-X2850BT, AVH-X4850DVD, AVH-X5850BT,  AVH-X5850BT, AVH-X7850BT, AVH-X1750DVD, AVH-X2750BT, AVH-X2700BT, X3700DAB, X7700BT, AVH-XL4750DVD, AVH-XL4750DVD, AVH-XL5750BT, AVH-X5750, AVH-X6750DVD, AVH-X7750BT, AVH-X8750BT AVH-X4000NEX, AVH-X5600BHS, AVH-X4600BT, AVH-X3600BHS, AVH-X2600BT, AVH-X1550BHS, AVH-X2550BT, AVH-X2550DVD, AVH-X4550BT, AVH-X5550BT, AVH-X6550, AVH-X7550, AVH-X8550, AVH-X4650, AVH-X5650BT, AVH-X6650BT, AVH-X7650BT, AVH-X8650BT, AVH-X8500BHS, AVH-X7500BT, AVH-X6500DVD, AVH-X5500BHS, AVH-X4500BT, AVH-X3500BHS, AVH-X2500BT, AVH-X1500DVD, AVH-P5750 1DIN, AVH-P4250, AVH-P4350, AVH-P4200, AVH-P3200, AVH-P3300, AVH-P3350 1DIN, AVH-P6850, AVH-P1450, AVH-P4450, AVH-P3450, AVH-P8450, AVH-1400BT, AVH-2400BT, AVH-8400BT

Kenwood：KW-DDX6036, KW-DDX5360, KVT-536, KVT-725, KVT 512, KW-DDX5036, KW-DDX4028, DDX4025BT, DDX316, DDX4031BTM, DDX4033BTM, KW-DDX4038, KW-DDX7036, KW-DDX8036, KW-DDX630BT, DDX630WBTM, DDX6033BTM, DDX 7015, DDX 6015, DDX 316, KW-DDX5032, KW-DDX7039

JVC: KW-AVX626/625/624, KW-AVX726/725/724, KW-AVX900(626 cable), KW-AVX836/835,  KW-736/735, KW-AVX646, JVC KW-V40BT, V21BT, V31BT, V41BT, V51BT

Alpine: IVA-W502E, IVA-W202E, IVA-W407E, IVA-W520C, TME-S 370, IVA-W520R, ICS-X8, IVE-W530EBT, DVA 9861, IVE-535BT

SONY: XAV-701BT, XAV-601BT, XAV-60,XAV-70, XAV-62, XAV-72, XAV-64, XAV-74

Features

The function and the operating method for dedicated car navigation boxes are the same. They are controlled by touching the original screen( no need to connect a additional touch panel). The only difference is the connectors. The various connectors connect to different head unit.

The signal for universal navigation box is transmitted by RCA connectors, theoretically, it can be used in DVD player which owns RAC input connectors. However, considering to the RCA connectors unable to transmit the protocol signal, while you are installing navigation box, you need a 4 pin fpc cable to connect to a touch screen panel, and adhere this touch panel to the screen, finally achieve touch screen control. 

Sometimes even though you have installed the video interface, navigation box is also required. For these video interfaces( such as made in Korea) do not include built-in navigation module. Under this circumstances, if you want to achieve navigation function, you will need to add a navigation box as well. Our Cartizan video interfaces are all including built-in navigation module, they needn't connect to an external GPS box.

Navigation box on Wince and Android

Nowadays, there are two kinds of operating system for car navigation box: Wince and Android

Wince car navigation box supports worldwide maps, such as iGo, Polnav, Ndrive, etc.

Android car navigation box owns more function, it is totally like a smartphone. If it is connected to WiFi, you can download the map from google, Bing, ect and install the various APK software.

The car GPS box( no matter that is Wince system or Android System ), besides added navigation function, it supports pictures, MP3, MP4 multimedia playback. Enjoy more fun while you are driving.

As per the above introduction, I believe you fully know the navi box.

NOTE! Cartizan is the original author, welcome to share and reprint, but reproduced please indicate the source with link.

What bring in your car for Video interface?

For example:

You bought a new car, and driving experience is perfect, the original car monitor display clear bright, audio like sounds of nature, you are like it very much.However it's the only one imperfection thing is have not navigation and rear view camera in original multimedia system. So it’s bad driving experience when you traveling.

In this case you really want to change the whole equipped infotainment, and install an aftermarket DVD player. But as same time you also don't want to remove the original car DVD that expensive, well-made. After all, the original is the best. But glad to let you know at this moment only need installed video interface to solve your troubles.

Video interface function:

After installing video interface customer can get extra functions on their OEM monitor that were not equipped in the original multimedia system. Customer can gain extra functions like Navigation, touch screen, digital TV, DVR, mirror link, DVD playback, reversing camera and parking sensors. It will keeping original car UI and function, so it’s unnecessary trouble for remove the original car monitor.

In brief, the video interface provide two main functions in your original infotainment is navigation system and backup camera parking system.

Other function just like AV or video in functions allow you to connect more audio and video play device like MirrorLink adapter, TV tuner, DVD receiver, USB/SD card multimedia playback/ Bluetooth/ Wi-Fi/ Touch screen, etc.

Features：

Video interface have agreement with original car ECU, is limited to car year, model, and system version, like BMW cic idrive system, AUDI mmi system, Mercedes-Benz NTG, etc. Our video interface with CAN bus, could be compatible with original car multimedia system perfectly,also provide multiple ways for switching operation. Just like steering wheel control, knob control, touch screen control in OEM monitor. What’s more IPAS provide dynamic parking guideline, which assists drivers in parking their car.

Installation：

The installation for video interface is plug and play solution, cable are marked with their respective functions, that greatly reducing the workload of the installer,to be frank, it’s very easy for installation.

 

Cartizan is the original author, welcome to share and reprint, but reproduced please indicate the source with link. http://www.icartizan.com/blog/what-bring-in-your-car-for-video-interface_b16

Why we named Cartizan?

Artisan spirit, refers to crafted for their products by craftsmen, the spirit of excelsior concept. Craftsmen like to keeping carve own products, and continuously improve own technology, enjoying the good feeling that products become more and more perfect 

Cartizan (Cartisan), car-artisan, Artisans of car electronics age.
This represents cartizan have excelsior and constantly improving attitude toward car electronics products.
We are advocate makes car audio products improve from 99% to 99.99% , with advanced technology, conform to the design of the car operational , The quality of withstand time hone foothold in the market .
All the time, we are devote to car installed electronics market, which include: GPS navigation system, MirrorLink box, Car digital TV receiver, Car DVD receiver, Car front and rear view camera, Car multimedia accessories, etc. The specialist for car audio accessories, it is not only our unshakable conception, but also advocate the spirit of each cartizan work attitude , At same time is in our strictly positioning for the whole car electronic market. We are aiming to bring every customer for professional, honest, excellent quality and good service cooperation experience
With the pursuit of better car electronics products, please follow us and starting here.