Discovery 3 Tablet Satnav PIPO X8

[rangeyrover]

Hi All,
Early days, but this little windows/android hybrid touch screen PIPO X8 (http://www.pipo.cn/En/index.php'm=Product&a=show1&type=2&id=387) fits in the SatNav cubby. IT FITS!
Plan is for it to be a carPC and SatNav too.
Further updates to follow when I get it looking right.
I suspect part of it is going to have to come out of the body.
I prefer android for the google maps, buit the windows version seems pretty good too.
Some immediate drawbacks, doesnt have built in GPS or 4G, both can be fixed by USB, but I'll use wifi and Bluetooth GPS from the phone at first.
More to come...
RR

[Tombie]

Not sure how long the cable is on the floor in the 3rd image. But it could be a limitation [emoji41][emoji48][emoji13]

Plenty of people here will be following this!

[rangeyrover]

Yeah the long lead is the first thing to fix!
DC 12V, 2.4A so considering if I need to regulate the car supply.
I will probably get a DC-DC converter , so I get isolation from Battery as well.
RR

[rangeyrover]

Hi All,
Little vid to show the progress made.
This is good enough to get inside my car soon.
RR

https://youtu.be/kxdTsiyq_Bo

[BeeJ]

This looks great mate!

Keen to see more pics and info I'm considering doing the same.

Do you know if there's a way to use external USB gps antenna?

I'd like to get this with hema maps but that won't work when out of coverage via a phone wifi tether

[Tombie]

Suggestion. Delete that video. The GPS gives away your house location.

[rangeyrover]

Suggestion. Delete that video. The GPS gives away your house location.
Thanks Tombie.
Missed that last night. Vid removed.
RR

[rangeyrover]

This looks great mate!

Keen to see more pics and info I'm considering doing the same.

Do you know if there's a way to use external USB gps antenna?

I'd like to get this with hema maps but that won't work when out of coverage via a phone wifi tether

I think the HEMA maps will work offline, its the HERE maps from them that wont. USB GPS is certainly possible on Android, bit of guessing to find one that works. the app you are here (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.agbooth.usbgps) recomends some USB GPS antenna
Here is a video of the current SW build. It's time to get it inside the car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfHYPeD7lPo

[~Rich~]

TwoNav Premium is my Android mapping choice if you have the maps but it's not really turn by turn navigation,if you don't have maps then OSMand which has free map downloads and it has turn by turn even off-road but has less detail on off-road areas. Both work offline.

[BeeJ]

I think the HEMA maps will work offline, its the HERE maps from them that wont. USB GPS is certainly possible on Android, bit of guessing to find one that works. the app you are here (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.agbooth.usbgps) recomends some USB GPS antenna
Here is a video of the current SW build. It's time to get it inside the car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfHYPeD7lPo

Oh ok wow didnt know android would work with some USB GPS
Hema definitely works offline thats the main benefit.

[BeeJ]

Hey RangeyRover would you mind sharing your software build/setup?
I have just ordered one the same as yours and want to run that setup

I will also have a play with mine once it arrives, if I figure out some cool stuff I will also share :)

[rangeyrover]

Hi, Just a couple of pics of the empty case trimmed to fit in the gap.
This is going to look the part I reckon.

[rangeyrover]

Hey RangeyRover would you mind sharing your software build/setup?
I have just ordered one the same as yours and want to run that setup

I will also have a play with mine once it arrives, if I figure out some cool stuff I will also share :)

No Problem,
The basic setup is all standard android Apps:
AutoMate (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bitspice.automate)
Nova Launcher (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher)
Pandora (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pandora.android)

Warning! Next Bit use only if fully grown nerd, this can brick the device if done incorrectly!

Use these instructions (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=67778531&postcount=20) to get Xposed working on PIPOX8

Much braver is to tweak the apps so they think they are on a smaller screen using the Xposed framework (http://repo.xposed.info/module/de.robv.android.xposed.installer) and app settings (http://repo.xposed.info/module/de.robv.android.xposed.mods.appsettings).
I tweak all 3 of the above apps to 340 dpi.

Use Gravity Box (http://repo.xposed.info/module/com.ceco.kitkat.gravitybox) to tweak the notifications bar at the bottom of the screen.

! Wont boot if you upload a rubbish one! Mine Works.
Use boot animations (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrummy.apps.boot.animations) to change the startup to land rover.
Land Rover Android Boot Animation (https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwVqHLI8HB6aY2Jhd3Raa0hldlk)
Thats about it for the moment.:cool:

[BeeJ]

Wicked thanks mines on its way, will definitely need tweak I want that land boot logo! :)

Few more Qs
How do you plan to wire the unit? Are you gonna wire to accessories so when you turn off car the unit also turns off? There's no issue with that setup on android I don't think?

Sound from the unit
Are you going to wire to aux or utilise Bluetooth to an aftermarket deck? I have read that some pipo x8 have noisy analogue outs. I'm putting this in a pretty high end audio setup with amps smart double din so can use either option ideally analogue as I can still have me phone via bluetooth

Doing some reading I think I'll be using mostly in Android is there any advantage to the windows of in the car?
Seems there are limited navigation options and also don't know how happy it would be with sudden power off in Windows

[rangeyrover]

Wicked thanks mines on its way, will definitely need tweak I want that land boot logo! :)

Few more Qs
How do you plan to wire the unit? Are you gonna wire to accessories so when you turn off car the unit also turns off? There's no issue with that setup on android I don't think?

Sound from the unit
Are you going to wire to aux or utilise Bluetooth to an aftermarket deck? I have read that some pipo x8 have noisy analogue outs. I'm putting this in a pretty high end audio setup with amps smart double din so can use either option ideally analogue as I can still have me phone via bluetooth

Doing some reading I think I'll be using mostly in Android is there any advantage to the windows of in the car?
Seems there are limited navigation options and also don't know how happy it would be with sudden power off in Windows

I know in later versions of android you can use a USB DAC. (http://apcmag.com/the-ins-and-outs-of-android-usb-audio.htm/)
I'm probably going to use Bluetooth to my parrot setup to factory stereo.
I have the alternative of line out from PIPO.
If you have the coin you can get a Amazon.com: FiiO Kunlun E18 Portable DAC and Headphone Amplifier (Black): Electronics with USB out.
To cut down generated noise I will be using a DC-DC converter for the PIPO supply.
I have also been able to get rid of the PIPO logo on Boot. We could have a Land Rover Logo, but during boot, it changes from Portrait to Landscape. I have changed it to black for now. This is another geek fest tho, to change.

[BeeJ]

Hey mate I just got my pipo x8 but I think it only has windows 8 on it
It didnt have the wintoand app but I found one on the net and downloaded it.

I then tried to reboot to android but it went straight back to windows.

Do I have to install android? If so how and where do I get the right version?

Thanks in advance

[BeeJ]

Hi Rangeyrover, did you ever finish this project?

[rangeyrover]

Still on the back burner.
I have 3 in bits on my desk next to me.
I have it working to my satisfaction. I need to bite the bullet and get it in the car.
Changed jobs and started my own company so a bit pushed for time right now...

[mickchip]

I know in later versions of android you can use a USB DAC. (http://apcmag.com/the-ins-and-outs-of-android-usb-audio.htm/)
I'm probably going to use Bluetooth to my parrot setup to factory stereo.
I have the alternative of line out from PIPO.
If you have the coin you can get a Amazon.com: FiiO Kunlun E18 Portable DAC and Headphone Amplifier (Black): Electronics with USB out.
To cut down generated noise I will be using a DC-DC converter for the PIPO supply.
I have also been able to get rid of the PIPO logo on Boot. We could have a Land Rover Logo, but during boot, it changes from Portrait to Landscape. I have changed it to black for now. This is another geek fest tho, to change.

Is there any chance you could let me know how you got rid of the PIPO logo on boot, I am also using the X8 in an Audi TT.
Mine is ready to go in the car.

[rangeyrover]

Is there any chance you could let me know how you got rid of the PIPO logo on boot, I am also using the X8 in an Audi TT.
Mine is ready to go in the car.

Hi Mick,
This is probably a bit beyond the realms of this forum!
I note you have found me on the forum where I discussed the issue (http://www.win-raid.com/t2095f16-PIPOX-Aptio-Can-t-flash-Modified-ROM.html#msg40157), cool, i'm glad the writeup helped others.
Try here (http://www.johndball.com/modding-american-megatrends-aptiov-bios-for-custom-logo/) for comprehensive instructions and links.
If you are struggling to get what you need PM me and I'll upload somewhere.
RR

[mickchip]

Hi Mick,
This is probably a bit beyond the realms of this forum!
I note you have found me on the forum where I discussed the issue (http://www.win-raid.com/t2095f16-PIPOX-Aptio-Can-t-flash-Modified-ROM.html#msg40157), cool, i'm glad the writeup helped others.
Try here (http://www.johndball.com/modding-american-megatrends-aptiov-bios-for-custom-logo/) for comprehensive instructions and links.
If you are struggling to get what you need PM me and I'll upload somewhere.
RR

Thanks for that but I have already changed the bios boot logo from PIPO to the AUDI logo.
If I boot to windows 10 all I see is the AUDI logo, if I boot to ANDROID I see the AUDI logo for a second and then the PIPO logo for a few seconds and then my bootanimation starts.
I think there must be another logo in the ANDROID bootloader on one of the disk partitions.
By the way if you want to use your Discovery logo on boot, load into a picture editor and rotate it 90 degrees clockwise then save it.
That is how I did mine, I used photoshop.

[rangeyrover]

Ah cool!
You are already over the hard bit.
Please post if you have a reliable method for auto on in the car
I used boot animation factory. (https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php't=1678540)
Loads of tutorials how to change android boot logo
Regards
RR