Develop Bugs

Thought About the Laptop Dock

I was thinking about this yesterday and I don't see why this wouldn't be possible.
According to Motorola all the Laptop Dock is, is a screen keyboard and mouse. In the interest of saving money, why not just take an old netbook, take out the internals and convert it? I'm not exactly skilled with electronics but I don't see why this wouldn't be possible, you would need to either keep the DC board (if it is separate) or remove it from the motherboard itself. Then it would just be a matter of converting the LCD to HDMI Input and linking the USB's to the Atrix. At which point you just plug your phone via 2 cables and voila, it would work. Granted you would clearly need to change the connectors for the Keyboard and trackpad, but strip down an HDMI Multimedia dock and I could easily see this being done and saving money. (easily being subjective)

That might be challenging. Adding an HDMI input to a screen that wasn't designed with it is very difficult and potentially expensive. Most netbooks are using analog inputs and HDMI is digital.
The main way to go from analog to digital is a video capture device that encodes the analog signal. Those tend to have a fair bit of latency and are neither small nor cheap.
If you started with a display that supported HDMI input you could build a home brew laptop from that. Power might be an issue at that point though.
From what I have seen the Webtop is merely a feature of pluggin in the HDMI cable and selecting the appliction. The HDMI dock is not going to add much value other than be a convient and nice form factor.
I have considered doing somthing like you are suggesting but I am struggling with the HDMI issue. Currently the only option seems to be taking a display that supports HDMI and converting it into a homebrew laptop. At this time I can't find a digital display that is smaller that 20". An 11-15 inch screen that supports HDMI doesn't seem to exist.

I have thought of the same thing. The sticking point in my mind is the HDMI connection to the screen. The keyboard and mouse are likely just regular usb devices.
The next problem is that my Frankenstein device may cost $100+ to create and will likely look like crap.
The next problem is that the webtop appears to be locked down unless you have a tethering plan.
My conclusion from all of this is that it is cheaper and cleaner to buy a netbook and either add tethering only when necessary or root the device and add barnacle wifi.

If I'm not mistaken though, a netbook with an 11.6 inch display probably isn't only analog. I have a Toshiba T215-S1150 as well as an Asus EeePC that I'm looking into doing such with.
Granted off the top of my head a Pixel Qi display may accomplish such but I'm not sure if that is a Digital Input display.
I could be wrong though but I thought that in the end it's an LCD panel, the inputs are sodered on as to how you want to allow a Video Input.

You say the laptop dock is locked down without a tethering plan, one thing I did notice is you can buy the HDMI dock and it doesn't require it. You can use it with webtop also, I don't see how AT&T can determine if you are using Webtop on a Laptop or on a Desktop. Especially since from what I can tell, plugging in an HDMI cable will bring up the option for webtop also.
I don't see how the Frankenstein device is going to look bad especially since you will be removing most of the internals, you just remove a VGA port or plug an HDMI cable into the HDMI out. Then you use the USB as it was intended to connect the device to the rest of the internals. I know I'm not an electrical engineer or anything, but I know enough of the basics to see how this could work.
krkeegan said:
I have thought of the same thing. The sticking point in my mind is the HDMI connection to the screen. The keyboard and mouse are likely just regular usb devices.
The next problem is that my Frankenstein device may cost $100+ to create and will likely look like crap.
The next problem is that the webtop appears to be locked down unless you have a tethering plan.
My conclusion from all of this is that it is cheaper and cleaner to buy a netbook and either add tethering only when necessary or root the device and add barnacle wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

In regards to the tethering plan:
As I understand it the only requirement to have the tethering plan is to get the subsidy on the Laptop dock.
If you purchase the laptop dock outside a subsidized bundle then there is no need for a tethering plan.
As naturefreak85 said. The dock will allow webtop to launch as will a basic HDMI cable.
There is a video on you tube of a guy doing a demo where he plugs in an HDMI cable and webtop gives an option to launch.
AT&T is merely foisting the tethering plan on people who get the laptop dock on the $500 bundle. If you want to drop $500 on teh dock seperatly there is no requirement.
Mod's and Homebrew can look good. Thats up to the artist. For me its not about circumventing the $500 dock. Its about building somthing cool.
In regards to the HDMI/netbook thing... I did a little more thinking on how that works.
The motherboard has an LCD controller on it which sits between the video adapter on the MB and the LCD.
It goes:
Motherboard->Video Adapter (on silicon)->LCD controller->ribbon cable->LCD
There is also a LCD backlight and inverter involved.
If you just try to plug into the ribbon cable you loose the controller (and backlight inverter)
The contorller is the missing link and they are difficult to purchase on their own in any cost effective manner.
That is where canabalizing a monitor would workas it has a controller with it. The netbook/laptop has thecontroller embeded or loosely couple with the MB.
The hunt goes on.

I'll have to do some research on the schematics of my 1000HA and see the connection the display has to the motherboard. I figure it could be done in terms of converting the display to HDMI, just a matter of figuring out the right pinout and still supplying the right amount of power.
I would love to bring this to fruition because I've never done too much modding, but always been interested in such. I envision the ability to lift up the keyboard and plug the phone in, then lay the keyboard right back down. To the average viewer, it's a laptop but you are keeping your phone nicely protected/connected in it especially nice on an airplane. Much harder to leave a laptop behind vs a phone.

emoose said:
As I understand it the only requirement to have the tethering plan is to get the subsidy on the Laptop dock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We will likely found out the answer to this on Monday, but the ATT page seems to say that tethering is required for use of firefox in the webtop mode.
The Atrix page on ATT's website states:
Code:
Full Firefox® browser use with AT&T Mobile Broadband requires DataPro 4GB Personal plan.
** Although, on second thought, that may be an "ATT Requirement" but it doesn't necessarily mean that the browser won't work.

Right as I read that it means, in order to use Webtop on 3G you need the tethering plan, but at the same time, I'm not sure how they can differentiate between desktop firefox if you change the ID tag of it. Plus they don't restrict it if used on WiFi.
krkeegan said:
We will likely found out the answer to this on Monday, but the ATT page seems to say that tethering is required for use of firefox in the webtop mode.
The Atrix page on ATT's website states:
Code:
Full Firefox® browser use with AT&T Mobile Broadband requires DataPro 4GB Personal plan.
** Although, on second thought, that may be an "ATT Requirement" but it doesn't necessarily mean that the browser won't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

naturefreak85 said:
I'll have to do some research on the schematics of my 1000HA and see the connection the display has to the motherboard. I figure it could be done in terms of converting the display to HDMI, just a matter of figuring out the right pinout and still supplying the right amount of power.
I would love to bring this to fruition because I've never done too much modding, but always been interested in such. I envision the ability to lift up the keyboard and plug the phone in, then lay the keyboard right back down. To the average viewer, it's a laptop but you are keeping your phone nicely protected/connected in it especially nice on an airplane. Much harder to leave a laptop behind vs a phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue is laptop displays typically use LVDS, which is very incompatible with DVI/HDMI signals. You basically need a DVI>LVDS board, which will run into the hundreds of dollars to buy like that.
Unless your laptop uses DisplayPort for it's display connection (unlikely on a netbook,) in which case it would basically be a matter of including a 'cheap' DVI>Displayport converter then pin-matching it to the screen.
I'm actively working on a way to achieve it, too, though (with my Asus Eee 1215T.)

Sjael said:
The issue is laptop displays typically use LVDS, which is very incompatible with DVI/HDMI signals. You basically need a DVI>LVDS board, which will run into the hundreds of dollars to buy like that.
Unless your laptop uses DisplayPort for it's display connection (unlikely on a netbook,) in which case it would basically be a matter of including a 'cheap' DVI>Displayport converter then pin-matching it to the screen.
I'm actively working on a way to achieve it, too, though (with my Asus Eee 1215T.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doing a little bit more research and we have a possible solution, it may require splicing out the HDMI cable to get audio off the connector but this could work.....and it's $29
http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCAQ8wIwAA#

naturefreak85 said:
Doing a little bit more research and we have a possible solution, it may require splicing out the HDMI cable to get audio off the connector but this could work.....and it's $29
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a board designed for a specific miniITX motherboard - it takes whatever the mobo puts out and turns it into DVI and LVDS. If you could figure out what signals you need to provide to that board, then make those out of an HDMI signal, you might have a way in. Not sure just what functions that board actually provides, and it would be a rather extensive project to find out. I'm guessing that since it has a fair bit of circuitry behind the DVI port, it's not a natively DVI/HDMI-compatible signal.
That means a bit of reverse-engineering though, which I'm not *too* keen on doing. My current line of thought involves using some form of portable media player with a decent screen, since they typically accept some form of video input, haxxed into a case with a USB keyboard and (maybe) touchpad. The hard part is finding a usable screen that is actually better than the one on the Atrix.
That, or find a broken (not the screen! ) modern, high-end laptop that uses Displayport for it's display..

FS - Motorola Atrix Accessories

ALL ITEMS NOW SOLD
***Work & Play kit sold to Chimpdaddy***
***Ruggedized case sold to PatriotXT92***
Hi there,
I have a brand new Motorola Atrix Work & Play kit for sale.
The kit consists of:
Wireless Keyboard
Enjoy a super thin, full-sized keyboard designed specifically to enhance your productivity. Quickly access Android apps with shortcut keys.
Wireless mouse
Keep tangle-free with the Bluetooth wireless mouse
Remote control
Stay in control of your music and movies from the comfort of your sofa
18W Wall charger
Charge your phone directly or through the HD Multimedia Dock using the included rapid rate power supply.
HD Multimedia Dock
Dock your device and immediately have access to the webtop appilcation to interact with your favourite movies, music, games and websites plus browse and launch web apps or access your files stored in the clount. Just connect the Standard HDMI cable (not included in this pack but should have been supplied with your phone) to the back of your dock along with other USB accessories and use your Motorola Atrix as if it is a PC.
The work and play kit is for sale at £50 which is a bargain as in the shops it costs £129.99
http://www.orangeaccessories.co.uk/a...it_.html?npc=6
I also have a brand new Atrix ruggedized case imported for sale - £10
I am UK based therfore would prefer a UK buyer but if a international buyer is happy to pay for the shipping then I am willing to sell internationally.
Ron

I have now sold the Work & Play kit to Chimpdaddy.
Many thanks for the swift payment Chimpdaddy.
Item will be dispatched in next 1-3 days.
Thanks again and enjoy the kit, I've used one before and they do add another dimension the already good Atrix

Thanks Ronak, look forward to using it. Aready loving the phone, and the docks another dimension again like you say -even better with the full ubuntu hack.

atrix hdmi cable to vga/rca
for those who have the old pc monitors & tv's that dont have hdmi yet, is there a way we can convert the atrix hdmi cable to connect to these older tv & monitors. TNX

bravogee said:
for those who have the old pc monitors & tv's that dont have hdmi yet, is there a way we can convert the atrix hdmi cable to connect to these older tv & monitors. TNX
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Almost cheaper to buy a new monitor, and I'm not 100% sure it will work.
Linky thingy.

barry99705 said:
Almost cheaper to buy a new monitor, and I'm not 100% sure it will work.
Linky thingy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn that's expensive!

He posted some weird crap.
Not only can my 42" HDTV work well via hack, my other monitors without hdmi work great too
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App

man......dude you have a markplace for this....don't spamming this thread

EclipseX said:
man......dude you have a markplace for this....don't spamming this thread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not spamming this thread, chimpdaddy hasn't posted enough posts to respond to my market thread therefore I posted here so he can post.
May I suggest in future you don't assume!

EclipseX said:
man......dude you have a markplace for this....don't spamming this thread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What marketplace are you referring to, on XDA?

trogdan said:
What marketplace are you referring to, on XDA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to have a minimum of 10 posts before you will be able to see it, it's in the general section.

Ruggedized case now sold sold to PatriotXT92

Item received! Kit is in excellent condition still all wrapped up as new for my unboxing pleasure Also included were some screen protectors and a case, above and beyond, very chuffed, thanks again Ronak.
Re usage, you can get vga converters for about £50
amazon.co.uk/HDfury-1080P-HDMI-Converter-Transcoder/dp/B000SOPWS8
This is dvi to vga but you can get a dvi to hdmi connector for a couple of quid. But yeh a hdmi enabled monitor is about £75 now, and whether a converter would even work or not i dont know. Would be great to have a way for sneaky full screen web browsing on my vga monitor at work...

Bell.ca has Atrix 4G Vehicle Dock and HD Multimedia Dock on clearnce!

Bell.ca has Atrix 4G accessorizes on sale, Vehicle Dock $9.95 and HD Multimedia Dock $14.97! I forgot, free shipping as well even if your not a bell customer unlike AT&T.

Canadian orders only
US need not even look. Thought we had a North American market.

nunjabusiness said:
US need not even look. Thought we had a North American market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T wont sell to Canadians so don't feel bad.

True.
BTW, I found a vehicle dock on Amazon for $30 delivered. Not too bad.

The HD Multimedia dock does everything the Standard dock is capable of and them some right? For instance if I don't hook up the HDMI cables to the HD dock it will act like the standard one and display clock+alarm right?

AnguishedEnd said:
The HD Multimedia dock does everything the Standard dock is capable of and them some right? For instance if I don't hook up the HDMI cables to the HD dock it will act like the standard one and display clock+alarm right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, I have a MM dock and when it's not plugged into my pico projector, it displays an option to run the "Widget clock". The included (cheaply made IMHO) IR remote can start/ stop media as well as a few other things. BTW, if you didn't know, HDMI is backwards compatible with DVI, so a passive, inline adapter can connect the MM dock to any modern display. There is an 3.5mm audio output from the MM dock as well.

Thank you! Just one more thing question.
wingmanjd said:
BTW, if you didn't know, HDMI is backwards compatible with DVI, so a passive, inline adapter can connect the MM dock to any modern display.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I understand correctly I can buy some sort of adapter or cable like this:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=98_102&item_id=008244
and it will work?

More along the lines of this.

I like the cable ones as they don't put much stress on the sockets
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium

Typically, the DVI display connections i use are vertical, so I don't have stress on mine. However, I see your point. Note that you'll need an adapter on the other side of your wire to connect to the phone, though.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

Thank you - thank you - thank you!! I have just ordered one myself I don't know how I'm going to manage to wait the 3-5 days for delivery, even though I went without a dock for MONTHS already. Thanks again.

Be wary if you think you're going to get in on this deal - I received a Standard Dock instead of the Multimedia Dock. Needless to say it's being sent back as item not as described. Gonna hit up a store to grab this, since their warehouse had no idea what they were doing.

I had the same thing happen. Turns out they call the Standard Dock the Multimedia Dock, and the Multimedia Dock is known as the HD Multimedia Dock. If you noticed, this thread says the HD MM dock was $15, but the one you bought was only $10.

I buy three of each and I get my three standard docks. I call bell and they say they want to ship my hd docks this week.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

I cant seem to find the car dock on the bell site, anyone mind posting the link?

Multimedia Dock

So due to recent events, I don't have a computer. And the odds of me getting one soon are very slim. So to help this problem, I want to buy a multimedia dock for my Atrix 4g. My plan is to get the dock, place it in front of my tv, plug my phone in, plug in a wireless keyboard and mouse to the back, and attach an HDMI chord to the back of it, so my tv works as my display. Before I buy the dock, can I get some opinions on this idea? think it will work well?

FoxMarsden said:
So due to recent events, I don't have a computer. And the odds of me getting one soon are very slim. So to help this problem, I want to buy a multimedia dock for my Atrix 4g. My plan is to get the dock, place it in front of my tv, plug my phone in, plug in a wireless keyboard and mouse to the back, and attach an HDMI chord to the back of it, so my tv works as my display. Before I buy the dock, can I get some opinions on this idea? think it will work well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works awesome, I loved mine. But then my 1st gen atrix touchscreen started to act up and I did the insurance on it and they sent me an atrix 2 because atrix 1 is not made anymore, now I have atrix 1 lapdock and multimedia dock that I can't use since moto cleverly changes the hdmi and usb Ports so the two devices accessories would not be interchangeable.
Make an offer on the accessories and I might sell them to you!
Sent from my MB865 using xda app-developers app

Glad to know its a working set up. Things never really seem to work the way I expect them to when it comes to things like this. But I only need a multimedia dock. I found one on amazon for $6.49 marked as new. Thanks for the offer though

http://www.xda-developers.com/announcements/xda-makes-swappa-its-official-marketplace/
No selling here.
Thread closed.

[Q] AV output?

I need to find a way to output video to AV input so i can connect my note 2, to my stereo in my car any clue how i can do this?

Just use a Left Right channel to 3.5mm wire...
EDIT: Oh... For video I think we only support HDMI but there might be a dongle you could buy..
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

You'll need to output hdmi via mhl, then use a hdmi > AV adapter to connect to the radio.
☆SoA: Son's of Android™☆
I like to break stuff!

What Evil said ^^^^
Sent from my SPH-L900

Thanks for the help all the hdmi > AV adapters i cant find have to be powered anyone know of any that dont need power or i can power from a usb maybe? thanks.

vwgti18 said:
Thanks for the help all the hdmi > AV adapters i cant find have to be powered anyone know of any that dont need power or i can power from a usb maybe? thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best thing to do is buy an AC> DC power inverter for your vehicle. I use one to charge my note 2. They turn the 12v cigg lighter into a 120v wall outlet.
☆SoA: Son's of Android™☆
I like to break stuff!

This is one thing that sucks on newer devices. I remember on my HTC Touch Pro and TP2 you could just plug into your deck using the rca inputs. It was nice to be able to play stuff off your phone directly to the monitor.
Plus because I kept the cables in my car, it was easy to take in a house and plug in and play videos and pictures. I did this all the time for my Grams, to show her my little ones. She was never into newer HD tv's lol. Oh well, I'm sure HDMI connections will be really available on decks before you know it.
Sent from my Mackafied Sprint Galaxy Note II using XDA Premium.

KB112 said:
This is one thing that sucks on newer devices. I remember on my HTC Touch Pro and TP2 you could just plug into your deck using the rca inputs. It was nice to be able to play stuff off your phone directly to the monitor.
Plus because I kept the cables in my car, it was easy to take in a house and plug in and play videos and pictures. I did this all the time for my Grams, to show her my little ones. She was never into newer HD tv's lol. Oh well, I'm sure HDMI connections will be really available on decks before you know it.
Sent from my Mackafied Sprint Galaxy Note II using XDA Premium.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot of the new decks already have hdmi pigtails in the back or hdmi ports in the front.
☆SoA: Son's of Android™☆
I like to break stuff!

-EViL-KoNCEPTz- said:
A lot of the new decks already have hdmi pigtails in the back or hdmi ports in the front.
☆SoA: Son's of Android™☆
I like to break stuff!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I have seen some, but I mean it's not quite mainstream yet. At least not enough for me to switch out decks! Lol
Sent from my Mackafied Sprint Galaxy Note II using XDA Premium.

vwgti18 said:
I need to find a way to output video to AV input so i can connect my note 2, to my stereo in my car any clue how i can do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can find plenty of HDMI to RCA adapters on the internet. The problem is that HDMI is a digital signal, and RCA is analog. And from your picture, your device is looking for an analog signal. Hence, you need to get something to convert the HDMI signal into an Analog one. They exist, but are not cheap. The cheap ones, not used, are $200. Require a power source. And we haven't even touched is the phone's video output going to be accepted by the stereo's video input. If the video output doesn't match--resolution and refresh rate--you're not going to have a picture. On PCs, you can these settings in the video control center or use special applications. For Android, I don't think they exists because the TVs with HDMI are new enough that a designed to accept the video phones are putting out; the phone are also designed to output video HDTV will accept.
Never mind you'll still need some kind of car charger to power the HML adapter. In my experience, using your phone and HML, will drain your battery, although slower because it doesn't need all the 2.0mha the charger puts out, but doesn't give the phone enough power to maintain it's current charge status.
The other issue, it's hard to find converters for HDMI to composite RCA. Not many people are in demand for them since a lot of the old TVs that only had those inputs are gone. They exists though.
That all said, my question would be exactly what applicaitons or tasks are you trying to don on your GN2 though your car deck? If it's just play music or audio into it, If so, then just get a 3.5mm to RCA cable. They can be purchased for a couple dollars. Here's a link for Monoprice.com: http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218. Just make sure you get a male to male version. There are options as well, depending your car deck. If it has a casette deck, you can get 3.5mm caasette adapter. If you want more robust, you can get a 3.5mm FM car cigarette transmitter such as Coby CA 745; the problem is you need to have a clear FM station, which can change depending on your geographical location. I like that model because you can change FM to be used, and has cigarette charge port. The benefit, you're not dependent on the car having any kind of audio output ports, or cassette player.
If you're wanting to play video, ie use the mirroring function of the phone, I'm thinking you be much better served with a newer car deck that can support HDMI video in. Heck, depending on the screensize of you deck, it may be better just to get a car dock for the GN2 and just send the audio through your car stereo. Another alternative, use the Wifi hotspot function of the GN2 and use a tablet. I'm not saying I've ever used the GN2 to use Google Navigation and my 10" tablet to have NHL Center Ice going while driving to a meeting an hour away, but you can see how it can be done:
I've seen some pretty creative mounting methods use with the Nexus 7.
Hopefully this was helpful

lovekeiiy said:
You can find plenty of HDMI to RCA adapters on the internet. The problem is that HDMI is a digital signal, and RCA is analog. And from your picture, your device is looking for an analog signal. Hence, you need to get something to convert the HDMI signal into an Analog one. They exist, but are not cheap. The cheap ones, not used, are $200. Require a power source. And we haven't even touched is the phone's video output going to be accepted by the stereo's video input. If the video output doesn't match--resolution and refresh rate--you're not going to have a picture. On PCs, you can these settings in the video control center or use special applications. For Android, I don't think they exists because the TVs with HDMI are new enough that a designed to accept the video phones are putting out; the phone are also designed to output video HDTV will accept.
Never mind you'll still need some kind of car charger to power the HML adapter. In my experience, using your phone and HML, will drain your battery, although slower because it doesn't need all the 2.0mha the charger puts out, but doesn't give the phone enough power to maintain it's current charge status.
The other issue, it's hard to find converters for HDMI to composite RCA. Not many people are in demand for them since a lot of the old TVs that only had those inputs are gone. They exists though.
That all said, my question would be exactly what applicaitons or tasks are you trying to don on your GN2 though your car deck? If it's just play music or audio into it, If so, then just get a 3.5mm to RCA cable. They can be purchased for a couple dollars. Here's a link for Monoprice.com: http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218. Just make sure you get a male to male version. There are options as well, depending your car deck. If it has a casette deck, you can get 3.5mm caasette adapter. If you want more robust, you can get a 3.5mm FM car cigarette transmitter such as Coby CA 745; the problem is you need to have a clear FM station, which can change depending on your geographical location. I like that model because you can change FM to be used, and has cigarette charge port. The benefit, you're not dependent on the car having any kind of audio output ports, or cassette player.
If you're wanting to play video, ie use the mirroring function of the phone, I'm thinking you be much better served with a newer car deck that can support HDMI video in. Heck, depending on the screensize of you deck, it may be better just to get a car dock for the GN2 and just send the audio through your car stereo. Another alternative, use the Wifi hotspot function of the GN2 and use a tablet. I'm not saying I've ever used the GN2 to use Google Navigation and my 10" tablet to have NHL Center Ice going while driving to a meeting an hour away, but you can see how it can be done:
I've seen some pretty creative mounting methods use with the Nexus 7.
Hopefully this was helpful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea thanks for your input. I was just about to order this http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...l?ie=UTF8&colid=&coliid=&me=&qid=&seller=&sr=
and this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A9H30LU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and see if i can get it to work but after u said all that idk if i really want to risk spending the $50 what do u think?
As for buying a new deck thats out of the question i just got the new late 2012 model JVC.
I already do music. I wanted video so i can play movies and play youtube but mostly wanted my google maps to show on the big screen so i could just tuck my phone away.

The HML cable is a decent price. You may it to be useful for showing off pictures or videos at home or at friends' on the TV rather than the phone. I see the cable still being useful if what your propose doesn't work out.
I can't so for certain if it's going work. It looks promising. I like the Eleckcity has 60 positive reviews (4 or 5 stars) out of 78. Fifty dollars isn't a bad cost. I would just check the return the policy. I would write Eleckcity and ask about returns if they product doesn't work or as expected. Also, there is a review who used it in a similar manner that you're trying to do. I would definity write that person to find out more details on the headunit and so forth.
The only thing I would be weary about is powering the Eleckcity. Since it doesn't have it's own powersouce, it's going to draw it's power from the USB. I don't know for certain, but I don't believe the USB power on the GN2 sends out power. If it does, I don't think it's much. It's only used the OTG USB cable with items that had their power. And the MHL has as power supply. If it doesn't power it, I think a simple USB powerhub could do the trick. I'm sure there is probably some kind of cigarette car adapter usb hub that could found or the like.
I understand the goal. I don't know how much effect and cost is worth it for you to how often you would use the maps and video features on your deck's screen. In looking at some of the JVC multimedia head units, screen size isn't very larger since they range 6.1" to 7". So I put eh screen size as negligible factor, by my standards. Obviously, use the headunit's screen would be more elegant look, espically compared to having three windowshield/dashboard car docks, a 150W USB cigarette car power inverter, and cables hanging in from of the dash; one is the for the satellite radio. Then again, I only need that stuff about once every six months. So, maybe a simple dock such as iOttie or Clingo may work well with a car charger for phone if you only plan to use it say, once a month or less. T
The last paragraph is just proposed plan B and C, and so forth.