AVIN AVANT 4 from hell!! Any insight is greatly appreciated!

[10013289]

Yo!

I recently grabbed the AVIN AVANT 4 unit for my 2002 x5 (without navigation) and it has been kicking my ass.

*sorry in advance for lots of words and poor grammar- I take pictures, words are hard, haha!*

I was nervous to attempt this install due to my lack of patience for anything electrical- so I brought the car to my local sound place with a good reputation. A few hundred dollars later the unit is in and looks great, but the sound cuts off after 30 seconds, and they forgot to install the CarPlay dongle. Thankfully I didnt leave before checking and we were able to schedule a time to come back for revision.

When I got home I popped the unit out and noticed no IBUS module- AVIN forgot to include one in the order. I hopped on with support and had a new one in 4-5 days.

Fast forward to round 2 at the install shop- this time im sticking around to aid with any Q's that can be searched through the AVIN support database. We got the IBUS in, app installed, checked all wiring, and eventually threw in the towel after coming up short again and again. We also pulled the IBUS module due to the misalignment of the settings that made the lights flash all crazy and the windows roll down when I locked the car, that was wild! This was solved eventually after digging and re-selecting the car type in the factory settings tab.

Also- we were unable to install CarPlay again due to AVIN forgetting to include the 3-USB harness.

After several hours digging and back/forth with AVIN support- they're going to send a new power harness, as well as the usb harness. We'll see how that goes when they arrive. *fingers crossed*

I noticed in several tutorials that there was a DSP button on the lower left of the IBUS app- mine didn't have that. After contacting IBUS directly, and a re-activation of my license I now have the DSP button, but the sound still cuts out, only this time I can get more sound by pressing the DSP button. Each press allows for about 30 seconds of sound.

One interesting note is that when the unit first powers on the sound quality is great and loud! But when I hit the DSP button and it kicks back on it's at about half the volume- I imagine this has something to do with the DSP controls or the EQ?

Also- there seems to be a "digital clicking" noise coming from the rear where the subwoofer is- the sound works when this clicking happens, but I imagine when everything is working properly that clicking won't be happening all the time? Admittedly I don't know much about this kinda stuff and I'd usually leave it to the pros, but unfortunately I can't find any that know about this specific system- the shop I take the car to said they don't do this kind of thing, and recommended me to the sound place that had never seen this unit before. (womp)

I've been trying to dig and find something similar to this but can't seem to find anything out there with a non-nav unit. According to AVIN I don't need the long cable that connects to the rear of the car. If anyone has any insight that would be greatly appreciated!

I'm really looking forward to getting this thing working- that first 30 second sample sounds great!

ALSO- here's a 3.5 minute video for complete context if anyone is interested: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DiF1AfSGPqVKgKhFtBqGCF1XDwnGdPi1/view?usp=share_link

WHEW!

-TRAVIS

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by 10013289

I noticed in several tutorials that there was a DSP button on the lower left of the IBUS app- mine didn't have that. After contacting IBUS directly, and a re-activation of my license I now have the DSP button, but the sound still cuts out, only this time I can get more sound by pressing the DSP button. Each press allows for about 30 seconds of sound.

I have read countless threads about this being an issue with the DSP amp specifically cutting out. If it is a software issue, this happens before the IBUS license is applied to the purchase of the IBUS app/interface. Confirm your license with IBUS and be certain that the DSP option is listed as being part of your purchase. It is an additional charge. DSP and non-nav head units are not mutually exclusive. I have had 2 non-nav E53's with DSP.

Understanding what the DSP amp wants to remain powered or needs wired physically in pair with the IBUS application may help to diagnose the issue.

Before the app and the IBUS harness, people would wire up a spare radio from E38's, E39's, E53's, etc. It only needs the three wires, power, gnd, and IBUS comm. This hardware workaround tells the DSP amp that there is a radio in the loop and allows the DSP amp to stay on rather than cut out.

Excepting an incorrect Riesler interface install, remove and reinstall the IBUS app and be sure it launches on startup with the radio. The app will send the signal to the DSP amp along the IBUS that tells it there is a 'DSP' radio in the loop. This command provides the same information as a physical radio above that is looped into the bus.

The key for either the app or adding an old radio is the physical connection to the amp. The new USB harness *may* address this, but I would confirm that the shop correctly installed the Reisler USB plug into the factory harness. Since mine was not AVIN .plug and play', I had to splice 3 of the cables from the Reisler interface into the IBUS while connected to the USB dongle. But without that correct physical connection, the bus will not get a signal from the IBUS amp- provided it's licensed and being sent in the 1st place.

Originally Posted by 10013289

One interesting note is that when the unit first powers on the sound quality is great and loud! But when I hit the DSP button and it kicks back on it's at about half the volume- I imagine this has something to do with the DSP controls or the EQ?

I have understood that this is a function of the interface that prevents over-powering (and killing) the DSP amp.

[Salty B.]

This thing sounds like a nightmare. Even on sale it's almost $900 with all the required options (I have nav + DSP). Think I'll stick with the $15 Bluetooth cassette adapter...

[10013289]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

I have read countless threads about this being an issue with the DSP amp specifically cutting out. If it is a software issue, this happens before the IBUS license is applied to the purchase of the IBUS app/interface. Confirm your license with IBUS and be certain that the DSP option is listed as being part of your purchase. It is an additional charge. DSP and non-nav head units are not mutually exclusive. I have had 2 non-nav E53's with DSP.

Understanding what the DSP amp wants to remain powered or needs wired physically in pair with the IBUS application may help to diagnose the issue.

Before the app and the IBUS harness, people would wire up a spare radio from E38's, E39's, E53's, etc. It only needs the three wires, power, gnd, and IBUS comm. This hardware workaround tells the DSP amp that there is a radio in the loop and allows the DSP amp to stay on rather than cut out.

Excepting an incorrect Riesler interface install, remove and reinstall the IBUS app and be sure it launches on startup with the radio. The app will send the signal to the DSP amp along the IBUS that tells it there is a 'DSP' radio in the loop. This command provides the same information as a physical radio above that is looped into the bus.

The key for either the app or adding an old radio is the physical connection to the amp. The new USB harness *may* address this, but I would confirm that the shop correctly installed the Reisler USB plug into the factory harness. Since mine was not AVIN .plug and play', I had to splice 3 of the cables from the Reisler interface into the IBUS while connected to the USB dongle. But without that correct physical connection, the bus will not get a signal from the IBUS amp- provided it's licensed and being sent in the 1st place. I have understood that this is a function of the interface that prevents over-powering (and killing) the DSP amp.

Whew- lots of good info here- thank you mate! Will get in there and goof about and report the findings!

[10013289]

Originally Posted by Salty B.

This thing sounds like a nightmare. Even on sale it's almost $900 with all the required options (I have nav + DSP). Think I'll stick with the $15 Bluetooth cassette adapter...

this sounds better and better the more I dig into this hole- but the system seems like it'll be pretty awesome if/when it ever works, haha!

[Blademan007]

I had a terrible experience with Avin support (surprise, it's offshore, only via email, and not in USA timezone), and am still fighting with them and credit card to accept the nearly $1000 all in charge. Got an Xtrons, works perfect, and they were super helpful. I'll take the slightly less OEM look for better support and operation.

[Salty B.]

This looks like a decent alternative if you have a bluetooth adapter (whether a cheap cassette thing or the BlueBus unit): https://www.carpodgo.com/products/ca...d-android-auto

It looks like I can mount it on the swivel of the Rennline magsafe bracket I just installed. The screen on my head unit is dead so as long as it's on tape of FM I can still take advantage of the DSP, which BTW sounds pretty damn good.

[10013289]

UPDATE- After getting some instructions from IBUS to change some coding on the module- we have sound! I had to do the process a couple of times but it eventually worked, whew! However I still have the digital clicking noise constantly- sent some messages into support and will report back on this.

Fix here: https://wiki.ibus-app.de/index.php?t...g_my_DSP%3F%3F

ALSO- They sent the new USB harness and I've been trying to get everything working for a little under an hour- so far only the IBUS module is being read and the CarPlay module is not being read. Sent more messages to support and will report back ASAP!

I like the unit and love that I can add things like comfortblink, auto locking doors at 10mph, unlocking when turning ignition off, etc. but man this is a total nightmare to deal with.

[Homerlovesbeer]

Originally Posted by 10013289

UPDATE-
I like the unit and love that I can add things like comfortblink, auto locking doors at 10mph, unlocking when turning ignition off, etc. but man this is a total nightmare to deal with.

My Xtrons unit with the IBUS USB adaptor can do all this as well. The IBUS is great. The only thing I can't work out is how to get it to start automatically upon powering up when not on the IBUS screen (IT does connect automatically when the app is open on starting).

My XTRONS unit now working nicely, just some little quirks.

[10013289]

Originally Posted by Homerlovesbeer

My Xtrons unit with the IBUS USB adaptor can do all this as well. The IBUS is great. The only thing I can't work out is how to get it to start automatically upon powering up when not on the IBUS screen (IT does connect automatically when the app is open on starting).

My XTRONS unit now working nicely, just some little quirks.

This is good information to have just in case I end up punting this thing into the river, haha!