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      06-10-2019, 11:35 AM   #375
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Originally Posted by lemonchicken View Post
it's a VERY long press of '7' and that should do it. you can also VERY long press '5' to get the current firmware versions you are on. the latest firmware did indeed improve the brightness/contrast settings, but unfortunately there is a black stripe at the top of the display now.
also, their support is very hit and miss. I was getting emails, not the only way they reply is via the website.

Edit: some buttons stopped working but after the car went to sleep for the night, the buttons are all working now. Most stable release I’ve had for my unichip. They sent me some janky betas riddles with problems.
Cheers, that did it. Thanks again.
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      06-12-2019, 07:54 AM   #376
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Hi, I would like to order such a box for my car but I do not know if I have nbt or cic. Maps in navi have BMW Road Map Europe Move. Vin of my car D768424. Is anyone able to say whether it is nbt or cic?
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      06-12-2019, 08:00 AM   #377
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Originally Posted by kris1973 View Post
Hi, I would like to order such a box for my car but I do not know if I have nbt or cic. Maps in navi have BMW Road Map Europe Move. Vin of my car D768424. Is anyone able to say whether it is nbt or cic?
Looks like CIC. Use one of the many online VIN decoders to be sure.
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      06-12-2019, 08:39 AM   #378
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As I check the Bimmercode application and enter the headunit shows HU_CICHB.
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      06-16-2019, 09:52 PM   #379
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Just discovered that unichip automatically switches to CarPlay when you plug the phone in. Previously I had to push “8” to get to unichip then plug in. Or at least that’s what they told me. Anybody have feedback? Makes me think that I don’t need to buy a wireless interface now. I know. I’m lazy.
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      06-18-2019, 12:10 PM   #380
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Originally Posted by lemonchicken View Post
Just discovered that unichip automatically switches to CarPlay when you plug the phone in. Previously I had to push “8” to get to unichip then plug in. Or at least that’s what they told me. Anybody have feedback? Makes me think that I don’t need to buy a wireless interface now. I know. I’m lazy.
Mine doesn't autoswitch when I connect the iPhone. Do you have a new software update from Unichip that you've applied??? If so, I'm thinking we should start making these available to forum members somewhere since Unichip don't have a download area for these things.

On a side note, has anyone installed IOS13 on their iPhone? I put it on mine and CarPlay is super-sweet now! IOS13 beta2 has finally brought album art to the media interface (something BMW has had natively for a long time). But CarPlay generally is just getting better and better. You now have a dashboard with embedded map, media controls on the same screen, it's great! And it all just worked on the Unichip without any compatibility problems.
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      06-18-2019, 03:06 PM   #381
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrsimes View Post
Mine doesn't autoswitch when I connect the iPhone. Do you have a new software update from Unichip that you've applied??? If so, I'm thinking we should start making these available to forum members somewhere since Unichip don't have a download area for these things.
I had to request a firmware update, which I just received last week, to resolve some other problems I was having. I believe this must be a recent change, and interestingly was something I requested of them several months ago.

Last edited by lemonchicken; 06-18-2019 at 03:06 PM.. Reason: clarified when I updated
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      06-21-2019, 10:18 PM   #382
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OK folks...
So UniChip or Unique or Joye?

I have been reading for days and I am leaning UniChip...

I don't need wireless either I will connect my phone to charge most of the time anyway. Maybe wireless and a charging pad?

Thoughts?
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      06-22-2019, 07:00 AM   #383
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aloyouis View Post
OK folks...
So UniChip or Unique or Joye?

I have been reading for days and I am leaning UniChip...

I don't need wireless either I will connect my phone to charge most of the time anyway. Maybe wireless and a charging pad?

Thoughts?
Since audio in these MMI is not reaching the satisfactory level to most of the users on here, I believe the wireless solution is the way for Carplay display only and OEM USB (or OEM Bluetooth) to play audio content.

If you are using USB, then this should take care of charging as well.

Wireless charging is also good to have.
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      06-22-2019, 01:50 PM   #384
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I am going to go UniChip wired. I am installing it in an E70 (2012 4.4).

Thanks all!
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      06-25-2019, 11:27 AM   #385
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... I believe the wireless solution is the way for Carplay display only and OEM USB (or OEM Bluetooth) to play audio content.
sorry, not using carplay yet - does it work in this way? doesn't carplay automatically hijack the audio output? I guess you can maybe switch to the desired output from the phone's settings, but I really don't want to do that every time I start carplay.
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      06-25-2019, 02:53 PM   #386
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Quote:
Originally Posted by born2lose View Post
sorry, not using carplay yet - does it work in this way? doesn't carplay automatically hijack the audio output? I guess you can maybe switch to the desired output from the phone's settings, but I really don't want to do that every time I start carplay.
I cannot confirm myself as I don't have Carplay yet.

But the discussion in different posts was about the AUX quality (which is what MMI only output use) being degraded.

Some users were using Bluetooth to play audio and use wireless Carplay to display the interface on the screen.

Using OEM USB will be possible if you are using wireless Carplay since wired version requires USB cable connected to the MMI box.
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      06-25-2019, 05:15 PM   #387
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aloyouis View Post
OK folks...
So UniChip or Unique or Joye?

I have been reading for days and I am leaning UniChip...

I don't need wireless either I will connect my phone to charge most of the time anyway. Maybe wireless and a charging pad?

Thoughts?
Try Carlinkit - I have a previous version but the new one seems better, basically does not need an additional mic. The new version is full wide screen Unique does not stock these anymore so you would have to go directly via Aliexpress

Last edited by x-m4n; 06-26-2019 at 09:12 AM..
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      06-26-2019, 03:25 AM   #388
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aloyouis View Post
OK folks...
So UniChip or Unique or Joye?

I have been reading for days and I am leaning UniChip...

I don't need wireless either I will connect my phone to charge most of the time anyway. Maybe wireless and a charging pad?

Thoughts?
I have the Unique-AD unit and I can say that I'm really happy with it. I would definitely advise you to go the wireless route as you then have the option to actually use it wirelessly or wired. While if you go wired, you will be stuck with just that. I personally am always using it wireless as my battery is still really great. And if I need to charge it I can charge it with the CarPlay units USB or the BMW built-in USB. In my opinion that's the best of both worlds.


Quote:
Originally Posted by born2lose View Post
sorry, not using carplay yet - does it work in this way? doesn't carplay automatically hijack the audio output? I guess you can maybe switch to the desired output from the phone's settings, but I really don't want to do that every time I start carplay.
If you use CarPlay wirelessly, you can choose to use the BMW iDrive Bluetooth for audio instead. In that way you can see on screen the CarPlay interface with Phone, Messages, Google Maps, Spotify, etc. while using all the sound output via BMW iDrive Bluetooth for phone calls and media. Obviously you wouldn't hear the directions from Google Maps or other CarPlay related alerts, but that's a choice. I used it that way from the beginning, but eventually went all-in on CarPlay. The audio quality is a bit lower, but after tweaking both equalisers I am happy with it.

You can also connect your phone to the BMW USB port while using CarPlay wirelessly. In that case it will continue to use the CarPlay interface on screen, but audio will go over iDrive if I remember correctly.

That's why I always recommend to go for the wireless version as you have multiple choices that fit your needs.
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      07-02-2019, 08:53 PM   #389
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Unique AD notified me today that they now have a CarPlay version for CIC. It is both wireless and wired.
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      07-04-2019, 10:31 PM   #390
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Hi

I have a 2010 e61 wagon with Logic 7 sound

I’d like to get a CarPlay unit and would like to know which unit people find best.
I’m ok with adding extra mic if that makes a “better” setup. Looking for best quality sound a solid / simple unit.

Benefits vs wireless - sound? ( I’m ok plugging in)

Do I loose benefits of Logic 7 sound ?

Do any units support Sirius or can I use Sirius App on CarPlay?

Do any units allow install of back up camera ?


Thanks

Last edited by CTe61; 07-04-2019 at 10:46 PM.. Reason: Added
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      07-05-2019, 06:55 AM   #391
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CTe61 View Post
Hi

I have a 2010 e61 wagon with Logic 7 sound

I’d like to get a CarPlay unit and would like to know which unit people find best.
I’m ok with adding extra mic if that makes a “better” setup. Looking for best quality sound a solid / simple unit.

Benefits vs wireless - sound? ( I’m ok plugging in)

Do I loose benefits of Logic 7 sound ?

Do any units support Sirius or can I use Sirius App on CarPlay?

Do any units allow install of back up camera ?


Thanks
With regards to audio quality, if you are using MMI chip to play music or radio, you are probably going to lose any sort of optimization.

What seems to work is to get wireless Carplay and plug the phone to OEM USB to which is direct connection without passing through AUX chip on the Carplay.
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      07-06-2019, 11:07 AM   #392
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Thanks - when you say MMI I’m assuming you are talking about the CarPlay unit. I’d like to. Use it for SiriusXM App and Google Maps / AudioBooks. So might have to live with audio quality and adjust as best I can.
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      07-15-2019, 04:56 PM   #393
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Can someone send me the latest firmware for the wired Unichip CarPlay box? I've been trying to get it from Unichip but to no success. They just tell me there is none!

My box is the version for the "HU ENTRY" with the aux cord to the armrest and 6-pin screen cable.

Thanks!
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      07-15-2019, 10:31 PM   #394
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Where is the best place to buy the unichip ?

I’m in the US

Thanks
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      07-16-2019, 08:57 AM   #395
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Where is the best place to buy the unichip ?

I’m in the US

Thanks
You'd be better off with another brand
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      07-16-2019, 09:15 AM   #396
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You'd be better off with another brand
For wired CarPlay, unichip is tough to beat for price to performance
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