Firm ware upgrade for Rx8 Audio Head Units and OEM NAV Systems
09-30-2004, 06:55 PM
#1
Thews8
Thread Starter
Firm ware upgrade for Rx8 Audio Head Units and OEM NAV Systems
If you have an older Head Unit that is not running Firmware ver 9.67 We can upgrade it for you. This will allow the P.I.E. Maz/PC-ALP Aux input to work with out shutting down your HU every 20 seconds.
We can also upgrade the oem DVD unit to Ver U9.139 2004.1 . Also an upgraded ROM IC. This will give you the new Mazda startup screen with smaller fonts and better Nav system user input.
See this thread for more info on the DVD system changes https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=29229&highlight=dvd+upgrade
The Price for this service is very low. To upgrade one unit $50.00
to do 2 units (HU and DVD) 75.00 .
You pay for shipping both ways, Make up a UPS Return Lable and enclose it in the box. Make sure yo do not leave you Map DVD in you DVD drive when sending us those.. And please do not send your entire Dash, Face plate, CD player, We only want your Head Unit!!!
This price for Rx8club members only. The service will take 1 day after receipt of the units.
To check your head unit's software code: Power the radio on, then press and hold the text and preset 1 buttons at the same time (you might need to start pressing the text button slightly before the preset 1 button). The Software version should be in the display. '04 vers. 9.40/9.50/9.53/9.55, and '05 ver. 9.67 (poss. SAT compatible).
"EX-1" will still blink, even though the aux input is working.
==============================================
We can also upgrade the oem DVD unit to Ver U9.139 2004.1 . Also an upgraded ROM IC. This will give you the new Mazda startup screen with smaller fonts and better Nav system user input.
See this thread for more info on the DVD system changes https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=29229&highlight=dvd+upgrade
The Price for this service is very low. To upgrade one unit $50.00
to do 2 units (HU and DVD) 75.00 .
You pay for shipping both ways, Make up a UPS Return Lable and enclose it in the box. Make sure yo do not leave you Map DVD in you DVD drive when sending us those.. And please do not send your entire Dash, Face plate, CD player, We only want your Head Unit!!!
This price for Rx8club members only. The service will take 1 day after receipt of the units.
To check your head unit's software code: Power the radio on, then press and hold the text and preset 1 buttons at the same time (you might need to start pressing the text button slightly before the preset 1 button). The Software version should be in the display. '04 vers. 9.40/9.50/9.53/9.55, and '05 ver. 9.67 (poss. SAT compatible).
"EX-1" will still blink, even though the aux input is working.
==============================================
Last edited by thew; 10-14-2018 at 08:36 AM.
09-30-2004, 07:20 PM
#2
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This is very interesting. I have found DIY information on how to remove the head unit. Do you know if there is a DIY for the Nav DVD?
Is there any risk of damaging the units, or making them incompatibel with future releases from the makers?
Has anyone had this service performed yet?
Thank you. c8
Is there any risk of damaging the units, or making them incompatibel with future releases from the makers?
Has anyone had this service performed yet?
Thank you. c8
Last edited by thew; 10-12-2004 at 02:32 AM.
09-30-2004, 07:24 PM
#3
Thews8
Thread Starter
yes i have done it for several members.
its very easy to remove the DVD unit. you just have to pop out the rear armwrest.
As long as is packaged well then there is no risk. And this firmware upgrade will insure it is compatible with future Map releases.. Keep in mid this is not a new map for the DVD . It is the Firmware that makes it work. I love the new changes.
its very easy to remove the DVD unit. you just have to pop out the rear armwrest.
As long as is packaged well then there is no risk. And this firmware upgrade will insure it is compatible with future Map releases.. Keep in mid this is not a new map for the DVD . It is the Firmware that makes it work. I love the new changes.
Last edited by thew; 09-30-2004 at 07:32 PM.
09-30-2004, 07:42 PM
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OK, the price is very reasonable.
I looked at the pictures in the link. My 2-month-old RX8 has all the same images, like the close-ups of intersections. Is there a way to find out a version number for the software in the DVD unit?
If I can see the close-ups, is there any reason to change its firmware? I saw a user making a "carputer" that looks cool, is this firmware better for doing a project like that?
I looked at the pictures in the link. My 2-month-old RX8 has all the same images, like the close-ups of intersections. Is there a way to find out a version number for the software in the DVD unit?
If I can see the close-ups, is there any reason to change its firmware? I saw a user making a "carputer" that looks cool, is this firmware better for doing a project like that?
09-30-2004, 09:10 PM
#5
Thews8
Thread Starter
Yes. just go into the setup for the DVD Nav system. it will tell you the version there.
the changes are Higher Res fonts. a better input screen for address and names. Also you can turn the voice off. IT has the split screen on some locations and the voice will announce the Freeway names and such. Over all its a better operating system. It is possible that your 8 came with the newest firmware. Just go into the setup section and check the firmware. if yours is below ver U9.139 2004.1 then you could use the upgrade.
as for carputer. this wont really change anything there. it will only change how the OEM dvd Map system works.
Thanks for you intrest
Thew
the changes are Higher Res fonts. a better input screen for address and names. Also you can turn the voice off. IT has the split screen on some locations and the voice will announce the Freeway names and such. Over all its a better operating system. It is possible that your 8 came with the newest firmware. Just go into the setup section and check the firmware. if yours is below ver U9.139 2004.1 then you could use the upgrade.
as for carputer. this wont really change anything there. it will only change how the OEM dvd Map system works.
Thanks for you intrest
Thew
Last edited by thew; 09-30-2004 at 09:16 PM.
09-30-2004, 09:39 PM
#6
My 8 was on the second ship to the US so I have a May 2003 build...with HU version 9.53 
I was about a week away from soldering an RCA cable straight onto the head unit (VOIDING my warranty) since the PIE adapter doesn't work with version 9.53. Fortuntately someone told me that my HU could be upgraded to the latest version through one of the guys on this forum...I was excited but apprehensive.
I spoke with thew several times about it and I decided to take the plunge and have him upgrade my HU...I am so happy I decided to do it!
the upgraded HU arrived just the other day
...before putting the HU back in I hooked up the Maz/Alp PIE adaptor and the RCA cables...I hooked everything back up (reconnected the battery too) and hooked up my MP3 player using a mini plug to RCA adapter. I turned on the car and pressed the mode button on the steering wheel till EX1 showed up on the display..and the audio piped through CRYSTAL CLEAR...I am extremely pleased since I can carry around 5 gigs of music now and hook it up to the car.
Plus the quality was just as good as a CD in the in the HU!
I'm planing on getting the Denison Alpine connector to hookup to my NOW working PIE adapter and be able to control an IPOD from the steering wheel!
thanks thew!
I was about a week away from soldering an RCA cable straight onto the head unit (VOIDING my warranty) since the PIE adapter doesn't work with version 9.53. Fortuntately someone told me that my HU could be upgraded to the latest version through one of the guys on this forum...I was excited but apprehensive.I spoke with thew several times about it and I decided to take the plunge and have him upgrade my HU...I am so happy I decided to do it!
the upgraded HU arrived just the other day
...before putting the HU back in I hooked up the Maz/Alp PIE adaptor and the RCA cables...I hooked everything back up (reconnected the battery too) and hooked up my MP3 player using a mini plug to RCA adapter. I turned on the car and pressed the mode button on the steering wheel till EX1 showed up on the display..and the audio piped through CRYSTAL CLEAR...I am extremely pleased since I can carry around 5 gigs of music now and hook it up to the car.
Plus the quality was just as good as a CD in the in the HU!
I'm planing on getting the Denison Alpine connector to hookup to my NOW working PIE adapter and be able to control an IPOD from the steering wheel!
thanks thew!
Last edited by truemagellen; 09-30-2004 at 09:44 PM.
10-01-2004, 05:21 PM
#19
Thews8
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by pmacwill
can you offer more explaination on what exactly we have to pull and ship to you?
or do you want the Updated Nav dvd Firmware.
Both are easy to remove.
10-01-2004, 05:26 PM
#20
Thews8
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Thommino
DVD of maps?Navteq. I already call them and they tell to ask to Madza Italia
The DVD-ROM Unit Panasonic!
The DVD-ROM Unit Panasonic!
.. Like here it seems that the new units are built with the updates so you could buy a new OEM dvd if you really wanted it.. But thats a bit much .
10-01-2004, 06:03 PM
#21
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I want Split DVD screan.
Ok I check now my version:
Area DVD:Seamless Western Europe
Version DVD: 12.30.20.3
Software Version: M9.99 2003.2
Can an European user help me and send me the cd-rom to upgrade?
Thanks
Ok I check now my version:
Area DVD:Seamless Western Europe
Version DVD: 12.30.20.3
Software Version: M9.99 2003.2
Can an European user help me and send me the cd-rom to upgrade?
Thanks
Last edited by Thommino; 10-02-2004 at 09:00 AM.
10-01-2004, 08:24 PM
#22
Thews8
Thread Starter
I wish i could help you.. but the Non U.S. Spec DVD unit can not be upgraded by me
I dont belive anyone in the U.S. can do it. IT would have to happen over there ...
IF you want the new screens so bad just get you dealer to order you a new dvd unit.
Good luck
I dont belive anyone in the U.S. can do it. IT would have to happen over there ...
IF you want the new screens so bad just get you dealer to order you a new dvd unit.
Good luck
