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

[raymondtrudeau]

About the android mirroring..I'm confused. ..will the dns be able to mirror the screen of the galaxy s4 e.g internet

[master phi]

About the android mirroring..I'm confused. ..will the dns be able to mirror the screen of the galaxy s4 e.g internet

As I understand, originally the DNS was supposed to have an android mirror service where you use the phone by using the touch screen via the DNS unit effectively giving you access to your phone UI and apps\internet\maps etc. Compared to just displaying what your phone does since in NSW we aren't allowed to touch our phones whilst driving unless its mounted which is stupid and we will need to the phone which is also stupid.

This is what originally interested me in the unit too. As with Sandy too I bet since we were looking for something new and original from the ANS series. At the moment it does seem a bit like a hardware beefed up version only Feels a bit like going from a iphone4 to an iphone4S

[DkN]

How does the original RNS510 the ID3Tag function? I think that the problem is that AS doesn't want to just load the ID3Tag from every file once it's playing (like RNS510), you want to have a library like an iPod, right? It would be awesome. Other than manual updating, the unit could check in the USB/SD every time if there are new files (saving the most recent filedate) and if so rebuild the library (or some other method faster than that). What about the iPod function?

... ...

One more question, you say the audio quality is better than OEM. I had 2 chinese units and the audio is worse than the original in both of them. They even have some noise. Is it clean audio with the DNS?

Does the Bluetooth has to rebuild the contacts library every time or something like that?

Thanks DkN!

Yes, one of the features currently being developed is a full music library function like your Smartphone or iPod. This full music library will include iPod music too when it is implemented.

The audio is clean and better than OEM, especially after tweaking the equaliser - even with the older ANS series people were reporting at least equal if not better quality than OEM.

The BT saves the phonebook after it is downloaded so you don't have to load it every time.

For those who have paid the deposit, when would full payment be required to be made if we choose to get in on the early batch? How about the final batch?

And any rough idea of the additonal cost if we want Android mirroring, DAB support, etc?

Just need to plan my finances!

The full payment needs to be made before I ship the unit out to you, so for the first batch by about 17 October, and the later batch probably about three weeks after that. The deposit on the other hand needs to be made before I place an order with the supplier. Until I do so, all deposits are also refundable.

I will get a price on the mirroring module as soon as I can, though for DAB it is further away so I don't know if there has been a set price yet.

1) Has the hardware been finalised? IE, if I decide to go in for the prerelease version, there will be *no* difference in hardware compared to the final mass production run, correct?

2) is iPod functionality complete? That's really the only important thing for me, I don't listen to anything on a USB/SD (although that may change if you say it now supports lossless codecs? That's mighty impressive!) or the Radio, only via iPod/iPhone.

3) RE the question from a few days ago, you say the unit is A2DP, not AVRCP, is that something that can be changed in software, or a function of the bluetooth module? My understanding is AVRCP is a subset of the A2DP profile, but i'm not sure if it's hardware or not.

1) I have been told the hardware is finalised, and I will triple check this and only go ahead with the early batch if this is confirmed.

2) iPod function is largely identical to ANS, I haven't been able to thoroughly test it yet (I don't own an iPhone). It can find all songs and also browse by artist, album etc, but it is missing the shuffle function. If you have something with iOS 5 (I think it was this version) or above you can choose to still let your iPhone control playback instead of getting locked into accessory mode, this way you would keep shuffle etc settings on your iPhone.

3) That was a slight confusion on my part, AVRCP is a separate profile which was originally designed to just control music, and this is what AVRCP 1.0 does and what the DNS supports. AVRCP 1.3+ has song info transmission in addition to commands. I'm fairly certain this is a software issue, but I can't say if it's at the OS (WinCE 6.0) level or firmware level. If it's at the OS level I don't think it can be upgraded on the DNS, but if it's at the firmware level it can.

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Regarding comments on price reduction due to mirroring, I have explained before that this is not possible. I would do this even without Audiosources's support normally, but the group buy price is already at $700, $680 for those who have been waiting longer. This is at AUD whereas the retail price is $800USD, and the group buy price is including shipping to boot. I can only pass on the mirroring module at cost price when it becomes available and offer free shipping to those in the group buy, I really can't do more. Even without mirroring, consider the value of this unit compared to the alternatives and the discount that is already on offer and I'm sure you will agree it is still great value. And again, I have mentioned that if this mirroring issue is a deal breaker for you I am happy to let you cancel the order and offer a full refund. I am trying to keep everyone fully informed and not give you nasty surprises after it's too late, as some of you seem to be comparing this to.

I am happy to offer what Hotbmwm3 suggested regarding the software bugs however. I will consult with Audiosources and give you an exact date though I think 1 December is reasonable. By the determined date if you are unhappy with unresolved bugs in the software I will accept a return and refund less a $100 restocking fee, provided the unit is undamaged and returned with all originally supplied accessories in original packaging.

[DkN]

still waiting to hear about us touareg owners.

I'm sorry I really do not have any further news for the Touareg unit. I only know they will work on this after the current units are ready.

[kwalsh24]

thanks for all the updates and explanations Sandy, I'm still on board with the groupbuy, and will gladly be a testdummy haha

[whiskywallah]

2) iPod function is largely identical to ANS

Which is to say it is thoroughly useless ..... Sorry DkN but that's the truth.
I've had the ANS for over a year and it still can't shuffle from the touchscreen, still insists on auto playing the first alphabetical track every time you start the unit and still can't show the correct playing track if you put the iPhone itself into shuffle.

And as for promises/speculation that Audiosources will fix the bugs.....

[matiasg85]

I do have one question about the music player as it is right now.

1) Will it start playing from the track you left the last time you used it?
2) Will it go to the next folder automatically after playing the last song on a folder?

This is how my RCD510 behaves, if it is just like it, it's more than enough for me.

Thanks!

[Sharkie]

What is the current price on an ANS510 and what is availability like? Not keen on waiting too long for a DNS510 so if available at short notice then I couldn't care less what the DNS does extra.

[MountainBikeMike]

I do have one question about the music player as it is right now.

1) Will it start playing from the track you left the last time you used it?
2) Will it go to the next folder automatically after playing the last song on a folder?

This is how my RCD510 behaves, if it is just like it, it's more than enough for me.

Thanks!

Good point and agreed

[enigma32]

I've had the ANS for over a year and it still can't shuffle from the touchscreen, still insists on auto playing the first alphabetical track every time you start the unit and still can't show the correct playing track if you put the iPhone itself into shuffle.

I must agree with whiskywallah on the ipod/iphone limitations - if there is one single thing that I would change on my ANS810, it is the ability to remember the last track that was playing on the ipod when the unit turns on (or switch from phone to ipod) instead of playing the first alphabetical track every time. Very frustrating. (sorry two things - not displaying correct track name and details is a pain too)
I have been watching this DNS thread very closely to consider a potential upgrade, but to be honest the more time passes, the less worthwhile it seems to be getting.

I like the ANS, and have learned to work around or live with most of the bugs, but I hope fixing this Ipod issue is still given some priority in firmware updates both for DNS and ANS units as it does let these units down.
Cheers