Replacing PCM3.1 with Erisin Android head unit DIY

11027 Views 225 Replies 21 Participants Last post by bob_5045, a moment ago

T-Design

(EDIT: basic installation instructions and short review: Outstanding Tech Contribution! - Replacing PCM3.1 with... )

I have an absolutely useless PCM3.1 in my 981S, and it was depressing from the get go. Every winter during my Boxster's hibernation I wanted to throw that pathetic POS PCM into the trash and replace with something nice, but every time I checked there were no units that would tick every box in my virtual checklist for ideal unit.

Well, when I checked this year - it looks like there is finally a unit, that on paper does absolutely everything I wanted. The biggest requirements

Navigation and music library without phone
wireless Android auto
wifi internet + movies
mechanical knobs
perfect fit with matching bezel

So no matter how busy I am, I decided it's time to stop being lazy, and bring my otherwise perfect Boxster into modern times.
Here's the link in case somebody want to follow... or to lead

Erisin ES8559C 7" IPS Android 11.0 Car Multimedia Wireless CarPlay Android Auto Radio For Porsche Cayman/Boxster/718/911/981/997 GPS DSP 4G SIM Card

Octa Core, 2*A75+6*A55 64-bit 1820MHz CPU, 4G+64G, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, TDA7851L with DSP Amplifier, IPS, 4G Module for Internet, Split Screen

www.erisin.com

I did not see manual, and have absolutely no idea how hard it will be to install, but how hard can it be, right?
DIY to follow

Output device Communication Device Font Gesture Gadget

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deilenberger

· #221 · 7 d ago

bob_5045 said:
This is the fiber optic cable on my 2016 cayman with cdr31 and bose, i cannot make it work with the erisin fiber optic decoder... doesnt fit. This cable will plug perfectly into back of the erisin headunit, but that isnt supposed to work, and doesnt produce sound

Umm... Bob,

I'm not certain what "This is.." is - no photo was in the posting. I think photos of the optical fiber in question, the input connector on the fiber-optic decoder, and the plug on the back of the erisin headunit might help answer or at least address the issue you're experiencing.

"Better questions get better answers.." (Me)

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bob_5045

· #222 · 7 d ago

deilenberger said:
Umm... Bob,

I'm not certain what "This is.." is - no photo was in the posting. I think photos of the optical fiber in question, the input connector on the fiber-optic decoder, and the plug on the back of the erisin headunit might help answer or at least address the issue you're experiencing.

"Better questions get better answers.." (Me)

I was editing this, then got sidetracked. I was doing a real dumbass move (Ill add to that , i did this dumbass move multiple times)

. I got it working fine. Just trying to figure out the settings some. would like to make the knobs,controls less bright. But not finding that yet. But it hasnt been up long.

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deilenberger

· #223 · 7 d ago

bob_5045 said:
I was editing this, then got sidetracked. I was doing a real dumbass move (Ill add to that , i did this dumbass move multiple times) . I got it working fine. Just trying to figure out the settings some. would like to make the knobs,controls less bright. But not finding that yet. But it hasnt been up long.

Welcome to the Dumbass Move Club, I think I qualify as a senior member of it.. (just look at some of the cars I bought, then look at the ones I sold and look at old results on BAT..) They were dumbass moves for sure.

I hadn't noticed an intro message from you. Consider this a gentle nudge to visit New Member Introductions and perhaps introduce yourself (member of the DAM Club) and perhaps some nice pictures of your Porsche. We love pictures..

Glad to hear it working. On the Chinese unnamed one I'm writing up over on the 987 electronics forum, there is a settings menu that includes a tool allowing you to set the color and brightness of the button lettering and the knobs. I managed to get a decent match to the HVAC control right under it, so I'm happy.

Please DO keep us up to date on your experience with the unit, I think this will be a very popular mod for the 981 series.

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bob_5045

· #224 · 6 d ago

deilenberger said:
Welcome to the Dumbass Move Club, I think I qualify as a senior member of it.. (just look at some of the cars I bought, then look at the ones I sold and look at old results on BAT..) They were dumbass moves for sure.

I hadn't noticed an intro message from you. Consider this a gentle nudge to visit New Member Introductions and perhaps introduce yourself (member of the DAM Club) and perhaps some nice pictures of your Porsche. We love pictures..

Glad to hear it working. On the Chinese unnamed one I'm writing up over on the 987 electronics forum, there is a settings menu that includes a tool allowing you to set the color and brightness of the button lettering and the knobs. I managed to get a decent match to the HVAC control right under it, so I'm happy.

Please DO keep us up to date on your experience with the unit, I think this will be a very popular mod for the 981 series.

I just did the intro, Ive followed your posts about it. Basically have it all working well. The internal mic was unusable for calls, I popped the external one on (its literally 2" from the internal), but works well. Going to take awhile tweaking the sound settings to get where I was with oem. Overall I think this is a much better option then messing with the add-on mods unless someone just wants to keep the oem. Oh, but I just went for a drive, I definately need a matte screen protector, the glare was pretty bad.

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Cayman Ed

· #225 · 2 d ago

Been tuning my audio lately and this setting seems to be a good balance without distortion at 75% volume (#30). Erisin SUB out to Alpine external mono amplifier (Gain @ 11 o'clock, Bass Boost @ 0, Low Pass Filter @ 65 Hz). Amp RMS watts & RMS subwoofer speakers matched @ 250W rms, 2 Ohms. I did not use oscilloscope or volt meter but just listening by ear for distortion.

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bob_5045

· #226 · a moment ago

I just put this screen protector on, fits fairly well, doe not cover the row of buttons (power,etc). Which btw, that damn power button, Dont know how many times ive hit it adjusting volume. But this protector seems to help with glare pretty good, does zero for finger smudges. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HGSJQV3?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

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