So it looks like the CTHome T9 head unit is out, waiting for reviews.

[firefighter931]

The T9 has SPDIF audio out. None of those name brand ones do that I can find. That plus CarPlay is all I need for a perfect head unit. I know very few of us have a desire for SPDIF, but I just wanted to reiterate for manufacturers that it is HUGE for some of us.

Who uses SPDIF audio out in a vehicle? I mean honestly you use that for hi fidelity audio in a home theater or surround sound system not in car audio. If it is true fiber it is easily breakable when routing and if it is the plastic style fiber they get brittle and can crack pretty fast in vehicle applications as there is not protection from heat/cold cycles. If RCA is shielded properly and ran right it has the same audio fidelity as SPDIF. CAT6 is another way to go and would be a better route than SPDIF as well.

As an aside you can add makeup to the pig doesn't change the fact it is a pig. Adding SPDIF to the T9 doesn't change the fact it is a Chinese knock off that has no QA/QC or anything standing behind it like Alpine or Pioneer. If the processor they use can't drive it then it doesn't matter that they added it.

 

[firefighter931]

Also big named manufacturers don't need gimicky crap to sell their systems because they test properly and have standards for install to go by for best results.

 

[CITYRNR]

Who uses SPDIF audio out in a vehicle? I mean honestly you use that for hi fidelity audio in a home theater or surround sound system not in car audio. If it is true fiber it is easily breakable when routing and if it is the plastic style fiber they get brittle and can crack pretty fast in vehicle applications as there is not protection from heat/cold cycles. If RCA is shielded properly and ran right it has the same audio fidelity as SPDIF. CAT6 is another way to go and would be a better route than SPDIF as well.



As an aside you can add makeup to the pig doesn't change the fact it is a pig. Adding SPDIF to the T9 doesn't change the fact it is a Chinese knock off that has no QA/QC or anything standing behind it like Alpine or Pioneer. If the processor they use can't drive it then it doesn't matter that they added it.

RCA is analog and SPDIF is digital. It’s a matter of being converted from analog to digital multiple times vs once by a high quality processor. I’ve tested SPDIF vs RCA to my Helix DSP and the sound quality difference is very notable, the noise floor is at least 5-10db lower.

Adding SPDIF to an Android head unit lets you bypass any crap Bluetooth or DAC it comes with, making it a game changer. I think you should do some research into DSPs and DAC/ADC conversions because comparing RCA to SPDIF like you did makes zero sense.

 

[Jesse1983]

any guinea pigs get this unit yet?

 

[Jbellah]

This almost looks just like the new unit that’s going in the 2020 model.

 

[Heavy_GD]

It's a Chinese unit for sure, but what is it a knock off of? Is there a namebrand product that fits these trucks that I'm not aware of?

This almost looks just like the new unit that’s going in the 2020 model.

Sounds like someone borrowed the 2020 specs haha...

 

[carbond]

Very tempting but waiting to see additional reviews on this updated version!

 

[Toda R]

Just was on the Cartrim site and it looks like they made a radio for the Nissan X-Trail and it got Android OS9, but the T9 for our 4Runners still comes with OS8.1

Wonder if you can update the OS on the new T9.....

Free Shipping 10" Android 9 T9 4+64G Car Multimedia Stereo Radio Audio DVD GPS Navigation Sat Nav Head Unit For Nissan X-Trail T32 2014-2019

 

[jhguth]

they've said before you can't update

 

[tomb_rnr]

T9 looks promising.

 

[gainman]

I just got a shipping update that my t9 unit arrived at the house. I'll be back in town tomorrow night to Check it out

 

[Compromised4Runner]

they've said before you can't update

That is a silly statement by their review shill. It can be updated like any other android tablet. Only depends on the manufacturer releasing the updated rom to flash.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

That is a silly statement by their review shill. It can be updated like any other android tablet. Only depends on the manufacturer releasing the updated rom to flash.

They don't release updates

 

[Compromised4Runner]

They don't release updates

But they could.... Mentioned earlier here or on the other forum site is that the nissan t9 was just released. Looks to be the exact same unit, minus different harness/software for nissan. It is listed as having an updated OS. They could, and should release it to the customers.

 

[jhguth]

The Sevag guy who has been the main connection for these said no updates. Someone here who claimed to be connected also said no updates.

You can't update all android devices, you need manufacturer support to get an update

 

[Compromised4Runner]

The Sevag guy who has been the main connection for these said no updates. Someone here who claimed to be connected also said no updates.

You can't update all android devices, you need manufacturer support to get an update

Assuming there isn't a locked bootloader, it could be done by the community. Also, the nissan has an updated version of the software on the same unit. Been awhile since I was into the whole rom scene, but I recall if an update is done to a device, source code must be released within a set amount of time per android eula. For instance, here is the repository that samsung has for their releases/updates Samsung Opensource Release Center

 

[Jngtt]

In Amazon, there is the t9 deck that comes with 9.0. don't know if this is true or not.

YUZHONGTIAN 4+64G Radio GPS Android 9.0 Stereo Car DVD Player Head Units GPS Navigation Kit for Toyota 4Runner T9 2014-2019 (Grey)

 

[57HotrodVW]

I was told by a CarTrimHome contact that the T9 is running Android 9.0. If this is correct, it jives with the product description which states that the unit supports Android Auto, and not just screen mirroring like the T8 did.

Perhaps the description for the T9 has not been fully updated?

 

[Compromised4Runner]

I was told by a CarTrimHome contact that the T9 is running Android 9.0. If this is correct, it jives with the product description which states that the unit supports Android Auto, and not just screen mirroring like the T8 did.

Perhaps the description for the T9 has not been fully updated?

A reviewer confirmed it is 8.1. Looking forward to running that 3 year old OS on a new product!

 

[gainman]

I just received mine. I'll open it and install tomorrow