Chromecast install in JDM GT86

[Futaba]

So this will be somewhat of an ongoing install/mod project over the next two weeks.

I've recently purchased a GT86 here in Japan which comes with a carrozzeria (pioneer) head unit, listed here as SPH-DA09, sold elsewhere in the world as a standard Pioneer SPH-DA210, featuring a HDMI input that can be selected by choosing "Android" link mode and dismissing the warning that appears (the HDMI port is usually used to connect a mobile or tablet through a MHL connection, something my S6 edge and i suspect, a large number of other peoples devices does not support.

I wanted to leave the stock head unit in and find a low cost solution to getting english language, nice looking maps on the head unit that didn't involve buying a satnav or a phone holder of some sort.

In the end I purchased a chromecast stick, which comes with it's own short HDMI extension cable which works out perfect for a car install.

What's needed:
Chromecast stick
Android device that supports wifi tethering
Laptop/PC/Second android device

Getting started
* First thing we need to do is install the chromecast stick to your tv as normal and connect it to your home wifi connection, this will allow it to update itself.
* Once the update is installed, allow it to restart
* Navigate to the settings (easiest if you install chromecast on your android mobile device, connect to your home wifi then access the settings there).
* Once in, enable the option to allow guest connections, and that's the home-setup bit done.

Preparing for the car
* What we now need to do is configure chromecast to connect to your mobiles wifi tether, the easiest way i've found is to turn off your home internet then attempt to run the setup process again.
* Turn on wifi tethering on mobile.
* Connect chromecast to your mobile.
* On your mobile slide open the options panel for the chromecast app and press screen mirroring, if everythings done right it should connect your display to the TV and display your phone on the screen.

Installing to the car
Connect the hdmi cable extension to your head unit, plug the chromecast stick in to the extension.
Run a 5V line to the Micro-USB power connector on the chromecast stick, easiest option would be to tap the back wires to the usb port that the car provides, cleaner option would be a 12V stepdown to 5v from the white/green wire on stereo harness.

What now?
Simply enable tethering when you get in your car and select hdmi source (in this stereos case, you click Android link then dismiss the connection warning).

Notes:
When connecting in this way, chromecast is simply mirroring your phones content via wifi to the head unit, locally stored music will not use up any of your cell plan allowance, however unless you have an unlimited data plan I strongly suggest disabling satellite mode in google maps.
A very nice alternative to google maps is an application called Waze.
You can install an automation app to automatically enable wifi tethering and screen mirroring for various actions such as NFC tag placed in your car, or when a bluetooth connection is made (with the head unit) just to streamline things too.

Since the chromecast is setup to allow guest connections too, anyone else in the car with a handset or tablet compatible with chromecast can connect to the chromecast stick and stream their own content to the head unit.


Will update with pictures of the install process soon, as well as some additional modifications.

[theanswer3]

Just so you know, he galaxy s6 and s6 edge do use mhl, but you need a special one that is samsung specific. Samsung went to 11 pins instead of 7.

[Chimera]

neat.
if you owned a mobile hotspot you could make this probably a little cleaner.. I really like the idea.