Group Buy / EOI new generation DNS head units (RNS-510 alternative)

[thedriver]

Q's

Thanks DkN. You answered most of my queries, and I've done some more research now too. I have a few more if you have the answers:

What kind of specs are you after?

The two I mentioned would be good - screen resolution and sound/amp output?
CODEC support?
External connections / inputs? e.g. ... (1* CANBUS, 2* USB, 1* FAKRA antenna, 1* RGB, etc, etc)...

drive supports CD and DVD

Is this a stacker or does it only accept one disc at a time?

I have to test FLAC myself, but being the most common lossless codec I would think it is supported

This is really the must have for me. I rip all my CDs to FLAC and converting them to MP3 is just a waste of time. Would like to know for sure if possible? See above.

BT Mic quality is average

Would you say it is worse than the factory RCD510? Is there anyway of improving this later, e.g. an add on mic or replacement mic?

I don't recommend the OEM camera.

I like the reversing lines of the OEM camera. Do any of the Audiosources cameras offer that?

the Audiosources cameras have, the quality is already pretty good

Do you know what the resolution are for the different Audiosources camera models?
I assume I can use another brand camera?

Can maps be updated by the user?
Are the maps Sygic or iGo? You mentioned both in you OP.

Will it connect to the inbuilt MDI interface?

Any DAB+ support? Or planned optional module?

How many additional modules will it accept?

surpassing its competitors as well as even the OEM RNS-510

Are you able to give me an idea of why this is better compared to a factory RNS510 / 810?
I don't know the features well enough yet, so I guess I need a bit of a sales pitch as to why this outshines the OEM RNS product. What does it have the RNS doesn't?

Thanks.

[Tobes_WIR35]

A lot of your questions will be answered throughout this thread and on the demo video

[thedriver]

A lot of your questions will be answered throughout this thread and on the demo video

It's not very easy having to trawl through 750+ posts though. I have watched the demo videos already and if they'd answered my questions I wouldn't have asked. I ave also been through a lot of the pages (not all), but haven't found the answers.

I note some dissatisfaction with the previous ANS series. That product looks like it had potential and the new DNS series looks like it has a lot of potential too. I know I have come into this late, but I am concerned though, like others seem to be, the bugs may never be ironed out and the promises not delivered upon.

PS. Anyone know if I can fit a DNS810 in a MY12 Passat? If not, anyone know which sizes can I use?

[raymondtrudeau]

I have a Focal BUS25 which is an underseat 10" sub and amp combo. Goes pretty well considering the compact size of it.

Ok I was thinking. Of the bazooka BTA8100. Is this a good match. thanks

[Tobes_WIR35]

It's not very easy having to trawl through 750+ posts though.

Agreed, but there has been some good discussion take place and probably worth the read if you're considering buying this unit. You'll also find answers to about half of your questions. Think of it as an exercise to keep the analytical and researching part of your brain active and healthy

[moda]

FWIW when we start receiving our early units, i'll do a rundown video in full HD for those interested. Probably get to it after Oct 25 (when final year engg design is done haha) or whenever I get the unit :p

PS. Anyone know if I can fit a DNS810 in a MY12 Passat? If not, anyone know which sizes can I use?

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/lead10-2012-volkswagen-passat-fd.jpg

Interior looks like that? If so it's the standard VW headunit, so you'll be able to use any of the DNS510/610/810.

[raymondtrudeau]

Any word sandy when audiosource will finish making the first batch for the people who ordered first?
Is there a way off asking them: please?
Thanks

[kwalsh24]

crossing fingers for the original 17 of October completion date

[DkN]

Thanks DkN. You answered most of my queries, and I've done some more research now too. I have a few more if you have the answers:

The two I mentioned would be good - screen resolution and sound/amp output? CODEC support?

800x480, 65W built-in amp, 2V line-level audio output. Codec support is much better here, I don't have all the specs with me as I am still overseas, but FLAC and APE are confirmed, plus the usual mp3, wma, m4a etc. For video it supports up to 1080p with AVI, MP4, MKV, WMV, MPG etc.

External connections / inputs? e.g. ... (1* CANBUS, 2* USB, 1* FAKRA antenna, 1* RGB, etc, etc)...

Harness functions from left to right below

Outputs incl. line level front & rear L + R AND sub; video out 1 + 2
iPod cable
RVC input
USB cable
Aux video and audio L + R input
GPS antenna

Is this a stacker or does it only accept one disc at a time?

Only one disc at a time, there is no stacker.

Would you say the mic is worse than the factory RCD510? Is there anyway of improving this later, e.g. an add on mic or replacement mic?

I haven't used the factory mic personally, so I can't be sure. The mic cannot be replaced unless you want to open up the unit and do some soldering. But as I said, it will just sound like you are on speaker, I haven't had anyone complain that they can't hear or understand me.

I like the reversing lines of the OEM camera. Do any of the Audiosources cameras offer that?

The DNS unit overlays its own dynamic reversing path over any RVC image.

Do you know what the resolution are for the different Audiosources camera models?
I assume I can use another brand camera?

Audiosources's camera specs can be found here:

Car dvd /Car gps/VW GPS/BMW GPS Professional manufacturer-Audiosources Electronic Technology (Shenzhen) Limited

Pretty standard for a CCD RVC these days. You can use any camera that has an RCA input, but you won't find anything that's much better in quality - maybe some cheaper similar spec ones on eBay but that's about it.

Can maps be updated by the user?
Are the maps Sygic or iGo? You mentioned both in you OP.

Yes they can. The maps provided is iGo. Only international (non AU) customers have to find their own maps, and if they want to buy legitimate pre-loaded SD cards, the only option is Sygic.

Will it connect to the inbuilt MDI interface?

Any DAB+ support? Or planned optional module?

How many additional modules will it accept?

MDI is redundant with the DNS unit. DAB+ is a planned optional module, there is no ETA right now though. The unit can take up to 3 add-on modules I believe, I would have to confirm.

Are you able to give me an idea of why this is better compared to a factory RNS510 / 810?
I don't know the features well enough yet, so I guess I need a bit of a sales pitch as to why this outshines the OEM RNS product. What does it have the RNS doesn't?

Just off the top of my head, the built-in audio quality surpasses the OEM unit, there is line-level output for direct connection with aftermarket sound systems, the GPS (iGo) is much better and more up to date than the VW supplied map, media codec support is much better, DNS is also faster, with support coming for trip recorder, OBD2 display and mirrorlinking, no coding is required on install, etc. The disadvantage right now is in the MFD, it currently only shows 1 line of info instead of 3, and does not have MFD phonebook and MFD navigation directions, but all this is being worked on.

[moda]

Any updates on the build Sandy? I know you're overseas, and getting info out of audiosources is probably asking too much haha.

Pretty much, give me the DNS, with 3 line MFD/Phone book/MFD Directions, the minor iPod/SD/USB playback issues fixed, and you've got a perfect unit, imo :p

[Henry]

Hi Sandy

A couple of questions:

How good is AM radio quality ? - hopefully at least as good as the OEM unit, because I listen mainly to AM.

Also, the GPS map interface in your video looks very "cartoonlike" - I assume that is how iGo is meant to look, but I wonder if it is possible to make it look more "conventional" (like Tomtom, Navman, etc.), or if that's not an option, can the DNS units run other GPS systems from the SD card ?

[moda]

Hi Sandy

A couple of questions:

How good is AM radio quality ? - hopefully at least as good as the OEM unit, because I listen mainly to AM.

Also, the GPS map interface in your video looks very "cartoonlike" - I assume that is how iGo is meant to look, but I wonder if it is possible to make it look more "conventional" (like Tomtom, Navman, etc.), or if that's not an option, can the DNS units run other GPS systems from the SD card ?

iGo Primo is very customizable. There are a stack of skins for it to make it look however you want, but also customizable within the app itself. Of course being a WinCE based unit you can install whatever you want on it, there are tomtom/etcs apps, but iGo and Sygic are the best. Sygic doesn't have readily available updated maps, though.

[Tobes_WIR35]

Hi Sandy

A couple of questions:

How good is AM radio quality ? - hopefully at least as good as the OEM unit, because I listen mainly to AM.

How quaint of you Henry

Although I am surprised someone is asking about the quality of AM radio. No matter what you use to listen to AM, the quality is going to be rubbish lol

[Henry]

Quaintish, I agree, but actually Sydney's 2nd highest rating radio station is AM

[Tobes_WIR35]

Quaintish, I agree, but actually Sydney's 2nd highest rating radio station is AM

Don't tell me you listen to those crazy goons on 2GB? That's the equivalent of letting a bunch of orangutans loose with a microphone isn't it? lol

Sorry, there's me being fecetious again...