Android Auto via AUX input (1 Viewer)

[ac4000]

I've been reading (probably way too much) about various options to add Android Auto, but what about this?

• add AV input via AUX using something like a Beat-Sonic AVC38 (component input to HU) (would be preferable to use digital; see Q1 below)
• "install" an Android TV box (like the TiVo unit) with Android Auto software (like Emulator HUR)
• convert the HDMI output to component and feed it to the adapter

[Android TV] --> [HDMI to component converter] --> [AVC38] --> [HU]

In principle, this should work, but I have a couple of questions someone here might be able to answer:

1. How do the Beat-Sonic/Grom/AliExpress units send their AV to the HU normally? Is it digital? Or are they converting to analog first?
2. What additional features, if any, do the Beat-Sonic/Grom/AliExpress units add (e.g., I/O specific to the car)?

This solution seems simple enough, more cost-effective, and more modular, but perhaps I'm missing something?

 

[tbisaacs]

lol, seems simple.

My grom works great, retains all OEM functions all for < $500 but you should totally try it and let us know what you learn.

 

[ac4000]

Yup, and I'm definitely happy to try it. Just want to make sure there isn't something obvious I'm missing. Ideally, there's some way to feed a digital signal to the HU.

 

[ac4000]

Looks like the Grom C-GVMF (and other similar cables) are DisplayPort to whatever Toyota has as an input on the back of the HU (possibly DisplayPort with a different connector--there doesn't appear to be any processing in that cable).

Seems like this would work, using the DisplayPort output of an Android TV device. Volume control on the steering wheel should still work, but obviously nothing would intercept the other buttons, and the touch commands on the screen would only work if DisplayPort carries those signals.

Since the Grom VL2 comes with that cable, I might order it and test the above theory, just as a proof of concept, but for the actual installation, I'll probably just stick with the extra features of the VL2.