Hi all,
First contribution to the forum, I thought some might find it useful if I shared how I got Android TV working in my PFL 8v RS3.
For those not aware, Android TV is a version of Android designed for TV's, but it runs the same base underlying operating system, which means you can install & run almost any android application (called APKs) that you can on an Android phone. So... Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, TED, Spotify, GAMES, AirPlay Mirroring/Chromecast, Google Assistant etc etc. I even tried getting OBDEleven running (semi-successfully, am still working on this). All in it cost me less than £100.
I'd like to start with a few points:
- The solution in this thread is for people who want to access Android TV when STATIONARY
- I am not supporting any people looking for video in motion
- I accept no responsibility if you are foolish enough to watch TV whilst driving
- I appreciate the greatness that is the RS3 to drive and only created this TV solution for my family and when I am parked up waiting for my family members to take advantage of my 5 cylinder quattro taxi service
Ok, with that out of the way, here's what you need:
- My RS3 8v has the MMI Plus / Tech Pack with Audi Connect so I have the bigger screen and the USB power port & Audi Media Interface in the armrest. All of this is required.
- I also have a simcard in my glove box with the car's wireless hotspot enabled, you could probably get away with a hotspot from your mobile, but the in car hotspot works well (the cars router supports airplay from mobile to android TV as long as both are connected to the cars hotspot)
- Android TV Box - I played with a lot of options here including Raspberry Pi's. I found that most boxes are quite power hungry when using bluetooth and Wifi and the USB port in the armrest only supplies around 1200 mA. Almost all the devices I tested had power issues apart from one - the MECOOL M8S Pro L. Pretty good spec, and has analogue TV output but it's Chineese so if you're a trump fan you might want to search for something else! You could also install a transformer to increase the supply, but I couldn't be bothered with all that.
- 3.5mm TRRS jack to RCA adapter - to connect the M8S Android box to the below adapter. Little tip on this one, the jack connector is quite bulky so I had to trim some of the soft plastic off with a stanley blade - nothing major, took 2> minutes
- Audi MMI to Analogue Adapter - to connect the above adapter to the MMI port in the car
- USB power cable for the MECOOL box, as the box only comes with a 240v AC adapter
Note: I could have used a HDMI converter instead of Analogue cables, but again it's extra complication for little value. Analogue doesn't provide the best picture quality but I find it perfectly acceptable for the small size screen.
All you have to do is connect the cables (they are colour coded so you shouldn't go wrong) then select 'External Input' from the Media Source list.
I've currently got all of the kit stored in the armrest for now - I want to ensure it runs hassle free for at least 4-6 weeks before I start to hide it under the trim. Oh and the remote for the MECOOL Android TV box is bluetooth, which is important as you don't need line of sight between the remote and the box.
Voila!
Possibly some bit's I've forgetting so ask away if you have any questions.
Edited by MattRS, 23 January 2020 - 10:36 PM.