PCCM Plus Classic

I am very interested in the Porsche Classic PCCM Plus unit. BUT I cannot find any info as to whether it will take a reverse camera or not! Does anyone know? Would be a deal breaker for me as I love having it in my 996 ​​​​ https://www.porsche.com/internationa...ghlights/pccm/ __________________

There is no backup camera functionality in PCCM+. It has wired Carplay which some find to be a negative especially given price.

Kinda odd that they left out both of these functionalities! Especially since ALL new cars come with backup cameras. Can't imagine that adds much expense to these units. Sometimes Porsches thinking seems very odd. This alone would push me to a Kenwood unit.

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Odd? What do you mean? But seriously, yeah, they do some weird stuff now and then. I'm thinking of saving my pennies for one, backup camera or no.

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I've done the same...going to have one installed on May 4th. I'm having the installers (Car Audio Innovations - CAI) duplicate incorporating the aux box into the console 'batwing' as was shown in one of the other PCCM+ threads. I'll post some pics with my thoughts once done.

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No, there is no ability to have a camera. I've looked into it with a few places. However, since it is an Android based unit, it may be possible to hack into it and use one of the USB plugs to use as an input for a camera. Unfortunately, no one is interested in doing work to figure it out as there is no money to be made - so I'm told.

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Odd indeed. The 996 platform is old enough to grab a beer. Why try to attribute modern tech to it ? Seems silly, this head unit is already a great improvement over what was available.

Dumb question, but did I read somewhere that the buttons on the PCCM+ don't light up at night??

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The buttons do illuminate in either white or orange

Another important factoid - you have to buy the GPS Map micro SD card separately, it's about $175.

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It's not odd. It boils down to liability with Porsche since factory backup camera systems are safety devices that work in tangent with parking sensors and steering angle. It was not an oversight for Porsche to leave out this feature.

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It's actually $135. https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/skupccmplus.html Though still not cheap...and redundant for those who would prefer to use Waze on Carplay.

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Agreed that it was a conscious decision on their part, but if it is a liability issue, then why do most other aftermarket head units offer the ability to hook up a camera? The car is still 20 years old and is not required to have sensors integrated with a camera, otherwise every aftermarket head unit installed would have to integrate sensors too - but that is not the case.

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Most aftermarket head units offer backup camera capability? Are you sure about that? IMHO, the weight of liability is heavier for a large automotive manufacturer than an electronics company like Pioneer, Kenwood, etc. I'm sure when all the Porsche executives met around the table with their lawyers and engineers, they considered other issues beyond just liability associated with a safety device, but again, my gut feeling is liability is the main reason along with the added complexity of installation with a car that didn't have backup camera capability originally. The 996/986 generation did have a rear parking sensors option, but they were rare especially for US cars. Can you imagine the dealership book time for labor if the PCCM+ was installed with a camera as well as steering angle and parking sensors? We still haven't gotten a clear answer why they didn't allow line-level pre-amp output via the YELLOW C1 plug to feed analog HAES or Nokia amplifiers like what was found on the CDR-220. Anyway.... moving on.

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Every one I've looked at on Crutchfield has the video in jack for a backup camera.

If it's an Android based unit I think it's possible. but I don't see anyone risking a $1300 unit just to find out and possibly brick it

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single DIN?

I "think" only double DIN with the bigger screen has backup camera capability built-in by Kenwood etc. I have a Kenwood in my 996 with a backup camera and it works great! Installed myself. I would like to put one in the Turbo but like to keep it stock hence the question about rearview for the PCM unit.

My pioneer has camera capability as well. As I said, most aftermarket infotainment/navs have this capability. As long as they have AV inputs. I have yet to see a unit that doesn't have it, which is why I'm surprised this one doesn't have AV inputs since everything else does ... But it is possible to hack into this one, must don't thinkthat ayone with the ability would consider it worth his/her while. It is just an android system made in China ...

The PCCM+ unit is more about giving the car a clean OEM look while providing the latest CarPlay/Android features. I�d have loved a backup camera option but I�m still very happy with the ability to do Siri voice commands and use Waze to get places and avoid cops!! What else do you need? I don�t need that Kenwood noise up in my dash.

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Crutchfield, one of the largest retailers for aftermarket automotive sound systems currently (as of 4/23/21) sells 224 different aftermarket radios. Among those 224, only 109 have a backup camera input. That's more than I thought would exist, but still not the majority. I agree, having the capability would have been nice for those that want the added feature and convenience, but I'm pretty sure we're not going to see it in the 996 or 986. Since backup cameras were introduced in the 997/987 generation it's highly likely you'll have the capability if the car was delivered from the factory with those options pre-installed. But whos know... time will tell. We'll have to wait and see.

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The PCCM+ does blend in nicely with the interior. Seeing this has me looking forward to having PCCM+ installed. I'm in Sacramento so taking advantage that I live near CAI and having Rod and his team do the install. I've asked them to duplicate work done by another installer to blend in the media box into the batwing to give it even more of an OEM look. I have an 03' (Bose, MOST, CDR23) that I'm hoping will be straightforward install (bought all parts per Porsche instructions) and doesn't suffer from the 'stuck in motion' error. I'll post pictures after install.

I have to say that everything about it looks great - except that archaic looking USB / SiM plug in unit. Honestly looks like something out of a Radio Shack store from 1979! They could have done better with that IMHO.

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totally agree! I would try and mount all that stuff down there near the shifter.

Just completed the PCCM+ installation into my 2003 996 Turbo that had a CDR 23 / Bose / MOST configuration (no CD changer). For this configuration, it was very plug-and-play and came on with no issues regarding sound amplification, buzzing / hissing, or the unit thinking the car was in motion while sitting still. I guess I caught a good break compared to others on the forum who have or are experiencing these issues and I certainly learned a lot from the various threads that made it pretty easy. A few comments: 1. Since this unit is specifically designed for 986 / 996, it astounds me that Porsche makes the microphone and GPS antenna cables so unnecessarily long. You need to get a bit creative where you want to bundle up and secure the excess length and not have the bundle of excess wire become a source of rattling. 2. At the other end of the spectrum, the cable for the media box is unnecessarily too damn short. Another 2-3 inches would have made a world of difference in being able to plug in the connectors to the back of the PCCM+. 3. I bought a Sirius SVX3000 satellite receiver from Crutchfield which installed nicely on the tray where the MOST box sits. Sirius has an even longer antenna cable than the Porsche GPS antenna, but I can understand this because it is generic for every possible vehicle out there. 4. I mounted the antennas under the black cowl panel in front of the windshield next to the cabin air filter and routed the cables through the larger rubber grommet to the lower right behind the battery (when looking at the battery from the front of the car) where another Rennlister placed them. The round rubber grommet (about 2.5 inches in diameter) is above the brake pedal on the firewall and has thick felt insulation adhered to it on the interior cabin side. 5. I looked into mounting the GPS and Sirius antennas on the dashboard under the plastic trim piece where the security light pod sits, but there wasn't enough space under that trim piece to fit both antennas and I didn't want the antennas sitting out in the open on the dashboard. 6. I mounted the microphone on the steering column. Others have routed it to the factory microphone port on the left side of the instrument cluster.

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This just adds further proof that MOST-based Porsche 986/996 cars are best suited for the PCCM+ over analog cars especially ones with the analog I/O (amp in the frunk) configuration. I'm still hoping Porsche will release a more official method or workaround for those that are having a problem connecting the PCCM+ to analog amps where Hi GAIN output is a problem. As it stands, the PCCM+'s speaker level output has to be attenuated to line-level output using aftermarket conversion cables to properly feed the analog amplifiers with improper signal levels. You would think when you go into the hidden setup menu, that selecting "AMP" would adjust the output of the PCCM+ to proper pre-amp levels, but apparently, it doesn't from the many reports from users online. There is a slight chance that there is a TSB in the Porsche dealership system that has not been released to DiYers. Also, the dreaded "Safety Warning" (thinking the car is in motion) for some PCCM+ owners. Question for Porsche... Can this annoying message be disabled? If not, how is the PCCM+ determining the car is in motion or not? CANBUS, GPS, or what???

Just curious if anyone has mounted the Aux input block somewhere other than the slot below the PCCM+. It looks like the cable is short but wondering if it can reach to the glove box or somewhere else out if sight?

The scant instructions from Porsche that are floating around do indicate it can be mounted in the glovebox.

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The media box can be installed in the glovebox, as well in the batwing

If you are comfortable removing interior panels and cutting, you could make a custom mount and put it anywhere. The batwing is a great spot, or I like inside the centre console. You coud also make use of the blank out switches, like I did here. I made mine so it illumintes:

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Ahh, neat idea. I like that.

Anyone interested in selling their CDR-23? Please PM me.

Hopefully someone - or Porsche - eventually issues a response to the "safety warning" alert experienced by some owners. Spoke with several dealers - and Porsche - no solution/advice. I have located 4 people with the issue so far - no resolution or workaround (yet). It's currently installed in a 996TT with MOST (stereo/setup was 100% OEM/stock). Everything works except the alert/warning when trying to use settings (or if you attempt to input something in the native Maps/GPS app). Someone out there has to know the secret pattern to unlock the core settings (and possibly disable the sensor/warning).

I probably alread know the answer to this but i would assume that since I see everyones phone plugged in, this is not a wireless carplay option?

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nope!

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Very true. It took me over a year to get backup and front camera and parking sensor working seamlessly without using reverse light wire, and another18 months to collect all data for all variations of 997.2 to make steering angle work with backup camera in my SmartAuto4 product. And after all these work, we can only cover PCM 3.1 and 3.0. I can see why Porsche did not include it. I testify that it is very hard work, first hand.

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Exactly the same here, I have the Kenwood system in my Carrera (with front and rear cameras) and would love the same in my Turbo, but want to keep it as original as possible. How can Porsche build (have built) a unit like this and not instal a port (or ports) for camera in puts (I would also instal a dashcam). I intend to wait at this time and see if Porsche come to their senses (or catch up with the 21st century) and update teh PCCM Plus to include camera ports. Come on Porsche, deliver what your customer want.

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I would like to see it long enough to be able to mount it in the centre console. (That is where I have it with my Kenwood system in my Carrera, but would like the PCCM Plus for my Turbo)

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I don't have any experience with any of these products yet, but ... https://www.autoevolution.com/news/a...ss-179234.html " Ottocast -- Unlike AAWireless, Ottocast promises to support both Android Auto and CarPlay, so you can get rid of the cables no matter if your device is running Android or iOS." I'd be interested to hear if anyone has tried it with a PCCM+ unit, but if they work reliably in general it would be a surprise if they didn't work with the PCCM+ unit. Compared to the PCCM+ itself they're dirt cheap, and seem to get decent reviews.

this is only partially correct. Backup cameras are indeed regulatory on NEW vehicles sold after 2018 (or thereabouts) and their activation and an image needs to be displayed within 2 seconds of engaging reverse but there is no requirement to display steering trajectories or have parking sensors, although sensors are usually included as convenience. but the bigger issue is that Porsche would have to have reverse gear sensing (tie into transmission module or the DME) and that is prohibitively expensive and unnecessary since this is an aftermarket add on. I feel the Porsche unit is ungodly expensive and not that great of a unit and there are better aftermarket units out there that provide WIRELESS Apple CarPlay and camera integration.

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The only thing needed to activate the camera when backing up is tapping into the back-up lights wire, which is simple to find. There is no hacking into any modules. As stated before, most aftermarket infotainment units have back-up camera capability, or even multi camera capability. But I do agree that it is very expensive for what it is, and has much less capability than cheaper units out there.

I've had PCCM+ installed in my MOST based Targa for nearly a year and have zero regrets. You can see in the attached pic that CAI did a great job on integrating the USB hub into the batwing. Having a short cable attached to my phone while it's resting in the cubby is a nothing burger. It's a Porsche Classic part that looks like it belongs. In my humble opinion, while many (not all) aftermarket radios can outperform the PCCM+ in certain ways, even with skilled installation, they just can't quite get there in presentation to look like they belong. This was #1 priority for me...but it's not for everyone, and I totally get and respect that. You are paying Porsche pricing, and if that's not a deterrent at the outset, and you go in understanding the PCCM+ feature limitations (no back-up camera or wireless carplay/android auto) and determine they aren't limitations for you and/or deal breakers, than I'd expect very few would regret the decision.

Oh don't get me wrong, I love the look! And I would go for it, if I didn't already have an infotainment unit that had carplay, android auto, back-up camera etc ... .

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Could you please clarify if the trim piece where the USB is integrated was modified or if this is a factory part number? Thank you in advance!

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That is a modified piece.

agree, every (quality) aftermarket unit out there has the option for a reversing camera and it is is very easy to instal (I have a Kenwood DDX9016) installed in my 2001 Carrera with both a forward and reversing camera and it looks and works great, but I would love the PCCM Plus unit for my Porsche Turbo, to keep the factory look, so don't accept any of the liability comments as an excuse for Porsche not including these options.

I'd like to install a single DIN PCCM into my 996 as I have the console delete and don't want to go back. I have an early build car without a CD player. I imagine it's not impossible to do. Are the normal installation instructions or a wiring schematic available for the single DIN units? I'd like to review them before buying one. Thanks.

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Do you still need to buy the GPS Map Micro SD Card if you use your iPhone maps?

You don't have to buy the maps if you plan on just using built in nav apps via Carplay or Android auto.

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That would have made it a substantially harder install job. This thing is meant to be sold as more of a service than anything else. You drive into your dealership, they charge you $3,000, and they spend 2 hours pulling cables around in your dashboard before giving you the car back. Something like a reversing camera would mean you have to run a cable from the inside of the car near the head unit all of the way out to the back (I'd assume near the license plate lights). The correct way to run a cable like that is probably along the inside of the sill where the engine compartment release cable runs on the cable pull cars. So that means taking the center console, driver's side sill, carpet, and whole parcel shelf out, and probably the rear bumper cover to actually mount the camera. And then they would probably have to design a new license plate light piece that integrates the camera. All of that would get you an off-center reversing camera displayed on a rather small, glossy screen. Bottom line is that's a lot more hassle from an installation perspective, and since this thing is marketed primarily through dealers who don't want to spend time doing that, they didn't bother. As for wireless car play, you can just blame that on the system itself being essentially lifted from the 991.2 The OS is very similar (both their own fork of Linux for ARM, but unique builds), and I'm willing to bet the hardware inside is just the same head unit repackaged to fit a standard double-DIN slot while leaving some stuff as external modules.

The unit is basically plug and play for MOST units. Like a 1/2 hour install. Running a camera wire through the CENTER console under the rear seat carpet and through the grommet to the engine compartment takes another 1/2 hour. Rearview camera can be installed through a small hole just above the license plate OR attached with screws right to the license plate holder. I have done this 3 times and it doesn't take me 1 hour!

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Porsche won't run the cable like that though. Have you seen the PCCM install guide and how they want you to route the microphone cable? I completely agree that it should be that easy, but Porsche Classic seems to have a knack for overcomplicating everything.

I love the look of the PCCM, but lack of a back up camera option at that price point kills it for me. They should've at least had the capability built into the unit so ppl could install if they wanted. Wireless carplay/android is more of the moment tech. Not a deal breaker for me. But no backup camera? For a $1k head unit upgrade? In the 2020s? That's ridiculous. I'll stick w Alpine/Sony/Pioneer/etc.

PCCM+ has a built in microphone. The external one is superfluous. Don't bother.

has anyone seen or considered this unit. It�s a bit shady being a random AliExpress manufacturer, but it looks almost as good as the OEM unit, costs ~10% as much, and (I think) has backup cam option. really tempting� https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256805560176127.html