[Type952]

How to: Infotainment updates

Remark: Updated version , date 08 August 2023 New UK translated support file added for latest 1st gen systems, thanks to member contribution, Text modified here and there Information on updating maps and software for Giulia/stelvio infotainment system Note that systems and software...

www.alfaowner.com

@jwq2 posted this above. There is a link to download the 085.xxx.xxx firmware for the ETM. Question is, how hard would it be for someone to unpack this firmware and figure out what code to change to let AA have the full widescreen? Once the file modded, then can be repackage for ETM update via USB. should be a simple 1 line change maybe for someone in the know? Maybe can look at the code for Apple Car Play screen aspect ratio/resolution and use it for AA?

 

[beaups]

How to: Infotainment updates

Remark: Updated version , date 08 August 2023 New UK translated support file added for latest 1st gen systems, thanks to member contribution, Text modified here and there Information on updating maps and software for Giulia/stelvio infotainment system Note that systems and software...

www.alfaowner.com

@jwq2 posted this above. There is a link to download the 085.xxx.xxx firmware for the ETM. Question is, how hard would it be for someone to unpack this firmware and figure out what code to change to let AA have the full widescreen? Once the file modded, then can be repackage for ETM update via USB. should be a simple 1 line change maybe for someone in the know? Maybe can look at the code for Apple Car Play screen aspect ratio/resolution and use it for AA?

Its not a "simple 1 line change" to anything. The AA executable would need some rewriting and all that is in the ETM FW is a compiled binary. Besides this, each segment of the ETM software is signed and the signatures are verified before anything is flashed. There are certainly some bugs, but this would not be a simple project.

 

[Type952]

Its not a "simple 1 line change" to anything. The AA executable would need some rewriting and all that is in the ETM FW is a compiled binary. Besides this, each segment of the ETM software is signed and the signatures are verified before anything is flashed. There are certainly some bugs, but this would not be a simple project.

Thanks for the insight. bummer.

 

[Zoph]

Hello,

Here, Giulia MY19 with AA 5.0.500224-release on an OnePlus6. Same problem here with widescreen.
If I understand well it was an Alfa issue on the AA module. Since last post did someone get any update/news from Alfa?

And did someone also try this third part (a module provide by KAP Trader)?
Video Link of AA/Carplay with this module embedded on a Giulia:

Thanks for your reply.
Sebastien

 

[Chipshot]

All irrelevant to 2020 MY cars?

 

[Zoph]

All irrelevant to 2020 MY cars?

Hi, never see a MY20 but it seems the AA of this model is not concerned like showed in this video:

 

[JeFizz]

Yeah, it's up to the Infotainment system to report what resolution it supports to the Android Auto system. That video clearly shows it is doing widescreen, so that's good.

 

[lockem]

Yeah, it's up to the Infotainment system to report what resolution it supports to the Android Auto system. That video clearly shows it is doing widescreen, so that's good.

It is not resolution (pixels/mm) but dimensions (in pixels) that needs to be reported. It might be easier to hack AA to ignore what the infotainment system tells it.

However, there is something very strange going on--what module is drawing that AA logo on the right? If it was the infotainment system, shouldn't it be able to put split screen there? It will not do so on my system. However, if I unplug my phone while AA is displayed the left side of the screen immediately goes blank while the logo-right side persists--telling me that the right side is probably drawn by the infotainment system.

Thoughts?

 

[Zoph]

It is not resolution (pixels/mm) but dimensions (in pixels) that needs to be reported. It might be easier to hack AA to ignore what the infotainment system tells it.

However, there is something very strange going on--what module is drawing that AA logo on the right? If it was the infotainment system, shouldn't it be able to put split screen there? It will not do so on my system. However, if I unplug my phone while AA is displayed the left side of the screen immediately goes blank while the logo-right side persists--telling me that the right side is probably drawn by the infotainment system.

Thoughts?

I think that the part with AA logo is the same than infotainment splitted screen (without AA activated).
I suppose that, at the beginning of the Giulia, wide-screen was not supported by AA, so Alfa applied the splitted screen method as a workaround. And since, I supposed, they still did not change this for AA mode on the infotainment system.

 

[614]

Hi, never see a MY20 but it seems the AA of this model is not concerned like showed in this video:

Thanks for sharing. I couldn't care less about the touch screen, I'd love to have that wide AA, however

 

[Zoph]

Thanks for sharing. I couldn't care less about the touch screen, I'd love to have that wide AA, however

Yeah rotary pad is enough also for me. Tactile I think is good for passenger.

 

[lockem]

I think that the part with AA logo is the same than infotainment splitted screen (without AA activated).
I suppose that, at the beginning of the Giulia, wide-screen was not supported by AA, so Alfa applied the splitted screen method as a workaround. And since, I supposed, they still did not change this for AA mode on the infotainment system.

But then when I have the radio and media set to split screen, why don't I get said display to the right of AA? It seems silly for that to not work. I've got one of the first AA enabled Giulia, maybe split screen AA does work for later versions?

Even in cars with widescreen AA, I think you only get a split screen within AA, rather than a wide map. That is what I see in the widescreen AA demo in the modified Giulia.

 

[614]

But then when I have the radio and media set to split screen, why don't I get said display to the right of AA? It seems silly for that to not work. I've got one of the first AA enabled Giulia, maybe split screen AA does work for later versions?

Even in cars with widescreen AA, I think you only get a split screen within AA, rather than a wide map. That is what I see in the widescreen AA demo in the modified Giulia.

From what I understand with a bit of research, the AA logo is built in by the manufacturer. Prior to AA supporting widescreen, developers weren't given many options for the 4:3(ish) aspect ratio. A software update from Alfa would be the only thing that could address this issue. Other auto manufacturers were faced with similar problems and did the same (adding the logo) and have not addressed it either (even the 2020 Telluride). I don't suspect <=19s will ever get an update, unfortunately.

 

[lockem]

Just for the record, the standard AA screen on Giulia is already around 16:9 and "widescreen" on Giulia is much wider than any video format including "widescreen" (Giulia's screen is 1280x480 -> 8:3 I think).

Of course it is no where near the 1920x1080 pixels associated with HD, much less QHD. I'm not sure that such would improve the display since the display is already pretty small.

 

[nellobnn]

Hello buzzi & irod,

After investigating this further with Alfa it was determined that the current interface is working and showing as designed. We do appreciate your feed back and we will ensure that the appropriate parties are aware of the current sentiment. Please feel to check back with us a later date for potential updates.

Lamar
Alfa Romeo Social Care Specialist

Are there any updates? The last SW MV 090.000.061 released 07/19 does not solve the widescreen problem (I have that version).
I hope that Alfa does not abandon old customers with the release of the new 2020 version

 

[nellobnn]

Are there any updates? The last SW MV 090.000.061 released 07/19 does not solve the widescreen problem (I have that version).
I hope that Alfa does not abandon old customers with the release of the new 2020 version

Firma la petizione

Customer loyalty with Giulia / Stelvio Infotainment

www.change.org

 

[GottWhat]

I signed the petition.

 

[Twissle]

Signed up and put a link onto UK forum.?

 

[marcellen]

Dears, I'm new to this forum.. I joined as I have same issue..
I created this petition on change.org, however if they solved the issue in 2020 model (with a new hardware), it's difficult that they will make a new software for 2019 cars (&2020 existing ones).
But let's give a try !

Sign the Petition
Alfa Romeo to improve Android Auto screen size on Giulia and Stelvio

chng.it

Here some useful info, about AA developement.
Alfa Romeo Giulia widescreen - Android Auto Community

 

[Martin]

Signed