Look here: something good about BMW encoding & coding
Part 1: Definition in text: Coding vs Encoding
In the modern context, encoding is almost always done by a piece of software, which was coded by a programmer.
Encoding pertains largely to encryption and compression techniques. You can take readable text and encode it, thus preserving the information, but the information is not readable until the encoding process is reversed (decoded). Or as with compression, the information — text, photo, audio, video — is encoded to maintain the necessary information, but is represented in a manner that requires less digital storage or transmission bandwidth (takes up less hard drive space).
Coding, on the other hand, is the act of writing computer code (computer programming). Simply put, computer code is a language (a programming language) created for humans to give instructions to computers. When a human writes code there must be software on the computer capable of converting the human-readable code into machine-readable instructions. We call these kinds of software a compiler or an interpreter, depending on the programming language. A computer can only follow instructions written as Zeroes and Ones (0 & 1).
Part 2: BMW coding vs encoding
What is BMW coding:
BMW special coding is a process used by BMW that groups specific system operating requirements (or data) together. Once the data is grouped together, a code or label is assigned to each group. These groups of data are pre-loaded into specific “codable” control modules.
In these groups, there are several types of operating requirements. These include: emissions controls, Manual or Auto transmission, 02 sensors, and fuel type.
When assigning one specific group that has been labeled to one of the aforementioned operating programs of a certain control module/component, this is called “coding”. Basically, coding allows you to select a specific data set that is already present in the control module.
A control module that is “codable” is installed with a very basic operating program. This operating program comes with several different variations of operating data. This coding process allows for a set of operating data to be assigned to the operating program of that specific module or component.
Coding can be easily performed for certain systems and components through ISTA/P or an older generation DIS/Plus/GT1/SSS device. By inputting a variant through the device, selecting customer operational settings from a set of features that are available. This can also happen automatically by simply selecting a specific coding process.
From the help of coding changes can be made to your vehicle, such as changing the chimes to your car. For example, you can also set exactly how many times the one-touch signal flickers when you use it. With the help of coding, your car can have an easier time remembering setting for starting and stopping systems. In addition to these things, coding can activate fog lights in cornering headlights, quite some buzzing sounds, and enable several functions of the comfort module.
Remember, the things that can be achieved through coding depend on every different car model. If your vehicle doesn’t have many features, there likely isn’t much that can be changed based on its configuration. You should instead find out what can be done to your car, and what would you like modified within those parameters.
Whenever you have questions about coding your BMW give us a call, drive on into our shop or conveniently schedule an appointment online.
What is BMW encoding:
Encoding is to modify or overwrite the software of the car. As a result, hidden options appear, of which you did not even know that your BMW or Mini had these. Here you have several computer programs.
You use the BMW INPA program for this. This is an official BMW program and is used for encoding various modules. It is also easy with BMW INPA software to read error codes that have been saved.
In order to properly encode your car, we check BMW-Encoding.Tech always, first, whether the car’s battery has sufficient voltage (volt) before the equipment is connected. This is necessary for good and safe encoding.
Read error codes
Then we are going to look for error codes in your ECU (Electronic Control Unit is English for internal combustion engine management system). The reason for this is that your BMW or Mini will display error codes over time.
This may seem very innocent, but there may also be significant failures, such as the ignition of the cylinders that are not working properly. Actually, only the garage where your car is in service can read this data and not the BMW or the Mini-driver himself.
With our special equipment we can read these error codes for you and indicate what the error code exactly means. It is also possible to report here so that you can read it readily.
Back-up
It is important to always back-up the current software before any new software comes on your BMW or Mini. This has the advantage that we can always restore the original software if a coding has not been successful.
We therefore always do this for you.
Hidden options
Alarm beep when opening / closing the car (an acoustic signal sounds)
US lights (keep on flashing lights like US cars)
Fog lamps on the back of welcome lights with the remote control
Fog lamps for welcome lights with the remote control Xenon goes on leaving home lights with the remote control
Digital speed on your dashboard Digital cruise control speed on your dashboard
The windscreen wiper breaks down and does not stay in the middle of the window
Windows can be operated after some time after the key has been removed
Alarm beep when opening / closing the car (an acoustic signal sounds)
US lights (keep on flashing lights like US cars)
Fog lamps on the back of welcome lights with the remote control
Fog lamps for welcome lights with the remote control Xenon goes on leaving home lights with the remote control
Digital speed on your dashboard Digital cruise control speed on your dashboard
The windscreen wiper breaks down and does not stay in the middle of the window
Windows can be operated after some time after the key has been removed
…..
Part 3: Buying guide: BMW diagnostics vs coding vs programming
It depends on your purpose (diagnostic or coding or programming) and model (Exx or Fxx or others).
For Coding, you need different Tools, NCS Expert / SP-Daten for E-Series and E-Sys / PSdZData for F-Series.
All Diagnosis and Coding can be done with cheap DCAN Cable for E-Series and cheap ENET Cable for F-Series.
For Programming (Flashing ECU’s with new Firmware), then you need ISTA/P for for both E-Series and F-Series cars, or you can use WinKFP for E-Series and E-Sys for F-Series. For E-Series Programming, you will need an ICOM, but for F-Series Programming, you can use ENET Cable.
For Exx- Series:
Interface = K+DCAN Cable (OBDII to USB) or ICOM
ECU Data Files = SP-Daten
NCS Expert = Coding Software
WinKFP = Programming (Flashing) Software
EDIABAS = Low-Level ECU Communication Software used by NCS Expert & WinKFP
For Fxx- / Ixx- / Gxx-Series, Mini, & Rolls-Royce:
Interface = ENET Cable (OBDII to RJ45 Ethernet) or ICOM
ECU Data Files = PSdZData
E-Sys = Coding Software
E-Sys = Programming (Flashing) Software
About: BMW ICOM
ICOM A (also ICOM A2, ICOM A3, ICOM Next): main interface
ICOM B: adapter for programming multimedia in E series
ICOM C: adapter for old BMW with round 20 pin diagnostic plug
ICOM D: adapter for motorcycles
ISTA+ (AKA Rheingold or ISTA-D)
DIAGNOSTICS for All Vehicles
PROGRAMMING for F/I/G/RR & MINI, but requires an ICOM
ISTA-P
PROGRAMMING traditionally for all chassis, but is being phased out by August 2017, except for legacy E-series.
Replacement ECU’s must be NEW
YOU HAVE TO KNOW before you buy ICOM A2 or ICOM A3 or ICOM Next:
ICOM A vs ICOM A2 vs ICOM A3
Modified ICOM A2 for vehicles with OBD access receives a significantly more powerful processor and more storage capacity. And robust aluminium case will help to avoid damage when using in harsh environments. It works better in cooling, runs faster and works more stable, not easier broken than older ICOM A.
ICOM A3 can program all units for all BMW series expect media system, and work more stable and has stronger compatibility than ICOM A2, A1.
ICOM NEXT vs the old ICOM
-> much faster in BMW F and G series ..
-> supports gigabit Ethernet too to be future proof, there currently is not gigabit Ethernet protocol defined yet for autos. Also it has USB3.0 instead of USB2.0 and a better wifi card.
Reply 1: Both of these have the same hardware. None of them are clones of anything also. A3 is fully china version of ICOM, there is no original version looking like this crap. NEXT is just looking as genuine NEXT, but with old A1/A2 hardware inside, like A3.
Reply 2: I recommend buying an original Icom next. It is priced roughly at 500 euro. Take in consideration that you will probably work on cars that are worth 30-40k euro or maybe more and if your chinese icom fails you even once, you will be spending a lot of money on a bricked ecu.
Reply 3: You can have a Icom Next HQ clone if you don’t have much budget of it. This tool handles multiprogramming and coding quite nicely, much faster in BMW F and G series and if flashing the complete vehicle. It supports gigabit Ethernet too to be future proof, there currently is not gigabit Ethernet protocol defined yet for autos. will be compatibility for future cars. Also, it has a better wifi card and USB3.0 instead of USB2.0 (USB 3.0 is theoretically more than ten times faster than USB 2.0. We need usb 2.0 or usb 3.0 flash drive formatted with FAT32.)
ICOM NEXT A vs ICOM A2
ICOM Next wins in price!!!
ICOM Next A+B+C price: €326
ICOM A2+B+C price: €208
ICOM Next A wins in performance!!
->handles multiprogramming and coding quite nicely
BMW ICOM Next wins in speed!!
->faster startup and standard wifi
->much faster in BMW F and G series ..
->much faster if flashing the complete vehicle
(Flashing of NBT is not faster with icom next its same like icom A and A2)
Next wins in future cars!
->will be compatibility for future cars
-> supports gigabit Ethernet too to be future proof, there currently is not gigabit Ethernet protocol defined yet for autos.
ICOM Next wins in connection!
-> has a better wifi card
->has USB3.0 instead of USB2.0
note: USB 3.0 vs. USB 2.0
The USB 2.0 standard offers a theoretical maximum signaling rate of 480 megabits per second, while USB 3.0 defines a maximum rate of 5 gigabits per second. In other words, USB 3.0 is theoretically more than ten times faster than USB 2.0
We need usb 2.0 or usb 3.0 flash drive formatted with FAT32.
ICOM Next wins in PCB design
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