Related
(Apologies if this has been asked before or if it's mind-bogglingly retarded.)
What we have with the SGS2 is remarkable - it's as powerful as a netbook, with video-out and USB host functionality.
It seems to me that carrying such a super-phone alongside a netbook would be a waste of money and effort, when the processor in the SGS2 is more than up to scratch.
So what would be the obstacles in making a "shell" that provided a laptop-like keyboard, mouse and screen, with an SGS2 where the processor, RAM and so on would normally be housed? (The SGS2 would be removable, of course.)
These are the ones I can think of:
USB/Bluetooth keyboard support - may have to be Bluetooth keyboard.
Touch input? (May have to be Bluetooth mouse, but mouse input is possible in Android)
Connecting a monitor and USB device through the same USB port (not necessary if keyboard/mouse are Bluetooth)
Battery life - just make the shell house a fat battery!
So let's say we could piece all that together - a keyboard, mouse, battery and screen in one shell. It could come out considerably cheaper and lighter than a netbook, with all the SGS2's media playback abilities, internet without having to tether, and no need to change apps when going from netbook to phone.
There's probably something I haven't thought of, but I couldn't resist posting.
Thoughts?
I would love to see something like this happen. The SGS2 will be my first Android phone, coming from WinMo, so I've no idea what is available or is possible with the OS. One reason I bought this phone was because I wanted to connect a Bluetooth keyboard (and mouse?) to it and keep it mounted on a dock or stand right below my two monitors at work, serving as an internet/chat/email computer, instead of taking my phone AND laptop to work every day.
Now I may be mistaken, but MHL doesn't support simultaneous USB and HDMI out, so if you wanted to connect input devices AND have monitor out, I'd guess the keyboard and mouse would have to be Bluetooth, as you've mentioned. One thing that interests me is something the Wiki entry mentions:
"The HDTV remote will control the connected device with guaranteed mixed manufacturer interoperability."
So perhaps one day we might see some SGS2 "lapdock" like the Atrix?
Check out what the guy says at 8:50 in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtwTcnR0hqA
He says, basically, that he can connect the device to a tv through MHL, connect a BT keyboard and mouse, then sit back on his couch and use his device like a living room PC.
Bump...
Any news?
I put it in the top lid of my logitech dinovo mini with some rubber bands.
Looks like sh*t, but works really well!
//Gunnar
You won't be able to do a full netbook, because the microUSB connector on the SGS2 can be used either as microUSB or MHL (HDMI video out + charger input); the two functions of the connector are mutually exclusive. So, if you're piping the SGS2's video out to the shell's display, you have no USB, and if you're using the USB, there's no external video.
You might be able to use some kind of remoting software to work around this & use the USB functionality of the SGS2; the shell would have something like a VNC client installed, then connect to server software on the SGS2 (over WiFi or BT networking).
Hm, are you 100% sure about them being mutually exclusive?
GunnarKarlsson said:
I put it in the top lid of my logitech dinovo mini with some rubber bands.
Looks like sh*t, but works really well!
//Gunnar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, but I would still prefer a full size keyboard.
How is it connected? USB? BT?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
3waygeek said:
You might be able to use some kind of remoting software to work around this & use the USB functionality of the SGS2; the shell would have something like a VNC client installed, then connect to server software on the SGS2 (over WiFi or BT networking).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea how this can be realized. Afaik, there is a VNC client installed, but no server.
Guess it is easier to try what is mentioned above :
Use NHL to get the monitor working and BT for the keyboard. Would be good to have some profile, which enables the BT keyboard when NHL is plugged, maybe through locale or so.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
I know this thread is kinda old now, but some recent tech news brought this idea back to memory for me. ICE Computer showed a docking tablet they call Trinity at Computex 2011, which apparently can be made to dock with nearly any phone or even a PC module. I didn't find too much info that wasn't regurgitated between sites, but it sounds like they won't be selling it themselves, rather they'll sell it to other companies who want one for their device.
My hope is they'll sell some kind of universal version that takes different phones and maybe just requires a different-shaped module for different phones. Here's a link to the Engadget post, but there are other pages that describe what it does and when it should be available.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/ice-computer-shows-off-trinity-modular-tablet-concept-aims-for/
Add a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, perhaps a stand, and voila!
Need a solution like this
1) MHL output to a tv/ monitor
2) Bluetooth keyboard and mouse work over HID profile
3) Remote Desktop software that allows use of external keyboard and mouse and which can output native resolution rather than just mirroring the screen.
Since Honeycomb provides support for various game controllers, I thought I'd give my Xbox 360 controllers a try. Neither the wired or wireless (via MS USB/wireless adapter) devices are recognised by my Xoom 2 ME.
I am using a USB OTG cable that works perfectly with a flash drive and a mouse.
Logcat shows no entries at all when the Xbox controllers are plugged in, which perhaps suggests that the stock firmware doesn't support them.
Has anyone else been able to get USB joypads or other game controllers to work with the Xoom 2 natively? I'm avoiding IME hacks and suchlike as I would like something that will work with the new controller APIs.
I know there's only about three people in the world (other than me) who actually bought the Xoom 2 ME, but surely one of you has a joypad you can test out?
I spotted a cheap-ish controller (£17) when out shopping and decided to give it a try.
I got the Power-A Air-Flo PS3 controller, which actually has an overall layout similar to an Xbox 360 controller (which is what I'm used to).
This was recognised by the X2ME straight away and I was able to have a quick game of Cordy with it. As a bonus, and since it's a standard HID controller, it works on my Ubuntu laptop as well.
So perhaps the X2ME is a bit fussier about its controllers than some other tablets, or perhaps there's additional tweaking needed to get the Xbox controllers working.
My ultimate aim is to be able to plug this tablet into a TV in a hotel room via HDMI and use it as a portable games console. Currently I'm having trouble with the Micro-HDMI to HDMI connection and I'm not sure if it's a problem with the cable, the socket on the X2ME, or some software issue. So far I have been able to get a picture to appear on the TV only intermittently and haven't yet had both the game controller and the HDMI output working at the same time.
Edit: Have just managed to get the HDMI out running for long enough to test with the controller and it worked really well. Once I have figured out the reason for the intermittent HDMI output, it'll be time to find games available for the X2ME that support an external controller
I realise I'm pretty much just talking to myself on this thread, so here's a picture to liven things up ;-)
Sent from my Android phone
i just tried two usb controllers
logitect rumblePad 2(normal pc game controller) that's works perfectly and a logitect chillstream (windows recognize it as an xbox360 controller) that's is not working (although powerup and tablet recognized it )
Thanks for the info. It is starting to look like there may be an issue recognising Xbox-type controllers, though it's based on a rather small sample at this stage
Sent from my Android phone
Very cool. Thanks for the info! I may try and get my Classic Controller + WiiMote to do the same thing via Bluetooth, which I've done before on my old G2.
Sent from my XOOM 2 ME using XDA
Hi Everybody!
I've been looking on forum for a thread similar but i couln't find one, so i'll try to explain what i'm trying to do with my phone and let's see if someone already got it.
Well, since i got the SGS3 on my hands for the fist time, i could feel how much hardware it does have and thinking about how much it's portable and easy to take, so i start to thinking if is posible to make some kind of "DeskDock" with some accesories.
I have a Logitech Unifying keyboard and a mouse wich means that with only one dongle i can connect both devices to it. Last week i brought a OTG cable and i tryed to connect it on my phone and it worked almost perfectly (some issues with keyboard layout, but nothing else), i got impressed that all functions keys from my keyboard was working.
Ok, got this point i was thinking how could i connect my OTG cable and also a MHL cable, so i can have HDMI-OUT and my keyboard and mouse working.
If this work i can have a totally functional desktop with 24 inches screen. I know that maybe people wont see any sense making it, but in my case i don't have a Netbook (i don't even like) and if i could get this working, i was thinking about run linux on my phone and get a full desktop experience.
Is anybody there who tried it?
I was thinking about some kind of USB HUB, but i have no idea if my phone would support it...
topfreitas said:
Hi Everybody!
I've been looking on forum for a thread similar but i couln't find one, so i'll try to explain what i'm trying to do with my phone and let's see if someone already got it.
Well, since i got the SGS3 on my hands for the fist time, i could feel how much hardware it does have and thinking about how much it's portable and easy to take, so i start to thinking if is posible to make some kind of "DeskDock" with some accesories.
I have a Logitech Unifying keyboard and a mouse wich means that with only one dongle i can connect both devices to it. Last week i brought a OTG cable and i tryed to connect it on my phone and it worked almost perfectly (some issues with keyboard layout, but nothing else), i got impressed that all functions keys from my keyboard was working.
Ok, got this point i was thinking how could i connect my OTG cable and also a MHL cable, so i can have HDMI-OUT and my keyboard and mouse working.
If this work i can have a totally functional desktop with 24 inches screen. I know that maybe people wont see any sense making it, but in my case i don't have a Netbook (i don't even like) and if i could get this working, i was thinking about run linux on my phone and get a full desktop experience.
Is anybody there who tried it?
I was thinking about some kind of USB HUB, but i have no idea if my phone would support it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are many OTHER threads already with people working on this
:
ATM not possible.. yet.
scarrmrcc said:
there are many OTHER threads already with people working on this
:
ATM not possible.. yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks (Y) BTW i didn't find any other thread related with accessories. I only saw a couple of people talking about run linux without using VNC :cyclops:
I'll keeping looking on internet to see if i can get something new :victory:
topfreitas said:
Ok thanks (Y) BTW i didn't find any other thread related with accessories. I only saw a couple of people talking about run linux without using VNC :cyclops:
I'll keeping looking on internet to see if i can get something new :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just look on this subforum for MHL and OTG.
Why not just by an "android PC" or the android TV box. It is basically a powerful tablet computer in a 3 inch square box with HDMI, two or three usb ports, wireless wifi and and SD card port. Cost less than $75 or you can spend more and even get a dual core . I have one on both of my big screen tv's with a wireless mouse (but for pc application you just use a combo keyboard mouse. Much easier and much more simple.
insight3fl said:
Why not just by an "android PC" or the android TV box. It is basically a powerful tablet computer in a 3 inch square box with HDMI, two or three usb ports, wireless wifi and and SD card port. Cost less than $75 or you can spend more and even get a dual core . I have one on both of my big screen tv's with a wireless mouse (but for pc application you just use a combo keyboard mouse. Much easier and much more simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For most of us, it is the ability to take our "PC" with us, as a working tablet. For others, it is that when we get home, we want to just plug in our phone, and have larger everything.. but still use all the apps, and bookmarks etc that are the on the phone. For the rest.. it is about the cool factor.
I've been searching and I'm not finding any real answers which leads me to believe that it won't be possible without a digital converter box. I'm looking for some type of analog out adapter for my S3. I would like to hook it up to my car's in-dash head unit which does not support HDMI. Now a days a regular micro usb port on these phones seem to be used for every purpose. I do want video. Has anyone had any luck?
EDIT: This post started with 6 adapters and has dwindled down to just 3. I'm surprised to find the S3 VGA adapter but this is the digital to analog converter I need. The total cost is about $30. I pulled the trigger and will update you guys in a few weeks once it arrives.
Samsung Galaxy S3 S III i9300 MHL Micro USB 11p to VGA
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sam-sung-Ga...372122?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item3a7a349f1a
VGA to Composite
http://ebay.com/itm/PC-VGA-to-TV-S-...=US_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item337c25cbe6
3.5mm to Composite
http://ebay.com/itm/3-5MM-Male-Audi...=US_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item45faa58acf
Edit: Wow I feel dumb... You can't convert from VGA to Composite without a converter box. What a waste. I was focusing on the conversion from digital to analog and didn't consider the encoding is different... The VGA out does however work with my HDTV. It's not great though. The output is fixed at the 720p resolution which means it uses about 1/3th of my 1080p screen. The screen flickers occasionally too. Sometimes it won't even work without a minute of messing with the cables. The screen is just staticy until I get it right. It has however gotten better so maybe it needed to break in or something. Either way, I guess I'm going to buy an HDMI to Composite converter box instead.
Moved to first post.
Heck, a raspberry pi is cheaper than these converter boxes and it's a full computer.
Moved to first post.
I'd be I interested in one of these too. For the same reason
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Anyone ever used one of these? I'm curious if the micro usb port will both charge my phone and power the converter.
Use this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271014996085?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Got good reviews on amazon, im planing to buy one soon
0mega007 said:
Use this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271014996085?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Got good reviews on amazon, im planing to buy one soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems nice! Waiting for feedback...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0080KN18K/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1
Here are the reviews on amazon
0mega007 said:
Use this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271014996085?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Got good reviews on amazon, im planing to buy one soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the guy I was looking at first but you have to buy a 5 to 11 pin adapter, an MHL HDMI cable, and then the converter. That's around $50. The VGA adapter will only run you $30.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sam-sung-Ga...jectors-Adapter-/251158372122?#ht_5213wt_1163
Wow I feel dumb... You can't convert from VGA to Composite without a converter box. What a waste. I was focusing on the conversion from digital to analog and didn't consider the encoding is different... The VGA out does however work with my HDTV. It's not great though. The output is fixed at the 720p resolution which means it uses about 1/3th of my 1080p screen. The screen flickers occasionally too. Sometimes it won't even work without a minute of messing with the cables. The screen is just staticy until I get it right. It has however gotten better so maybe it needed to break in or something. Either way, I guess I'm going to buy an HDMI to Composite converter box instead.
Raspberry Pi
Hopefully people are still reading this... Someone had mentioned a Raspberry Pi... How would I go about using that to connect my phone to my car system to get video? any ideas anyone?
What car system do you have? What kind of input methods are available? What are you trying to achieve?
shamez23 said:
What car system do you have? What kind of input methods are available? What are you trying to achieve?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an Avic Z1 in my car. The video inputs are just RCA/Component cables... no high-def. I essentially just want to be able to play movies off my phone onto my screen/sound system in my car. I have a Raspberry Pi sitting around; I've never used it though, so no idea what to do with it. I'm hoping I can use that so I don't have to buy anything else. Any ideas?
Well, the Pi does have RCA output. So you could connect it to your Z1. The Pi is a little computer on its own. You could just use it instead of your phone and put your movies on a sd card or a thump drive. It is possible to use the Pi as a dlna device and your phone as a dlna server that transmits movies to the Pi which in turn outputs the video to your Z1. That however isn't the easiest of feats. It takes a lot more effort than a plug and play solution like a hdmi to RCA converter box would.
The Pi is linux based and I don't use Linux. So I don't know if Linux can work with the MPA or whatever that standard is named, that the S3 uses instead of the standard older phones are using which makes them appear on a computer like a harddrive when connected via USB. If Linux can work with the S3 you could just connect it and use it as a Harddrive, using the computer system of the Pi to navigate content on your phone. Would be a lot easier than streaming.
Anyway, there are a couple of ways you could use the Pi but none of them are easy out of the box solutions. The Pi is more of a developer device at least when you want to do more than what the Linux distributions that are available can offer. There are some that offer that DLNA feature I was talking about. Look for XBMC, there are Videos on Youtube. All those solutions aren't plug and play. If you like playing with computers and figuring out stuff, make it work, this should be fun for you. If not, you better think of something else to do with your time.
Edit:
Looked it up. It's called MHL, not MPA.
Plug and Play would be to use one of those:
http://www.amazon.com/Sanoxy-HDMI-Composite-S-Video-Converter/dp/B0047PDBP0
You'd also need a MHL Cable that turns your Micro USB out to a HDMI out, Plug it into the converter and said converter into your Z1. Once you've set that up with all the cables needed (quite a lot of cables going on there), it will be plug and play in the future.
Not cheap, so it depends on how often you are going to use it, if it's a worthwhile endeavor.
shamez23 said:
Well, the Pi does have RCA output. So you could connect it to your Z1. The Pi is a little computer on its own. You could just use it instead of your phone and put your movies on a sd card or a thump drive. It is possible to use the Pi as a dlna device and your phone as a dlna server that transmits movies to the Pi which in turn outputs the video to your Z1. That however isn't the easiest of feats. It takes a lot more effort than a plug and play solution like a hdmi to RCA converter box would.
The Pi is linux based and I don't use Linux. So I don't know if Linux can work with the MPA or whatever that standard is named, that the S3 uses instead of the standard older phones are using which makes them appear on a computer like a harddrive when connected via USB. If Linux can work with the S3 you could just connect it and use it as a Harddrive, using the computer system of the Pi to navigate content on your phone. Would be a lot easier than streaming.
Anyway, there are a couple of ways you could use the Pi but none of them are easy out of the box solutions. The Pi is more of a developer device at least when you want to do more than what the Linux distributions that are available can offer. There are some that offer that DLNA feature I was talking about. Look for XBMC, there are Videos on Youtube. All those solutions aren't plug and play. If you like playing with computers and figuring out stuff, make it work, this should be fun for you. If not, you better think of something else to do with your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting... I'll have to look into all that.. My only concern is then I'd have to keep a mouse and keyboard in my car at all times, correct? I was hoping I could just play something on my phone and it would appear on my car screen. I'll youtube the stuff you mentioned and see what works. Thanks a lot!
I was hoping I could just play something on my phone and it would appear on my car screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the converter box would do that.
With the Pi being a real computer however, some kind of input device will be necessary. Using the Pi is kind of a long shot anyway. It's possible but it's not what the Pi is intended for. It usually is easier and more user-friendly using a dedicated system instead of something cobbled together.
shamez23 said:
Well, the converter box would do that.
With the Pi being a real computer however, some kind of input device will be necessary. Using the Pi is kind of a long shot anyway. It's possible but it's not what the Pi is intended for. It usually is easier and more user-friendly using a dedicated system instead of something cobbled together.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha.. that's what I figured. Thanks a lot!
I have the old tvout cable from s1....is it good?
But I can't find the tvout settings in the phone...
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-i9300 using TapaTalk2
No. The S3 has it's own cable and it's different than the ones from the S1 or S2. There is an adapter available but that one usually costs nearly as much as a new cable from ebay.
Also, depending on your ROM, TV-out may not work at all. There is no TV-out on Cyanogenmod ROMs for example.
I will be getting Android mini-PC (Android TV) stick, waiting for this one: http://dx.com/p/cozyswan-mk809-ii-a...b-ram-8gb-rom-wi-fi-tf-bluetooth-black-185736 . The purpose was to see how I can convert my older TV into multimedia station for internet and streaming from laptop, etc.. While I'm waiting, I started to think if there are any advantages of connecting it to Note 2? I don't know much about these android-on-a-stick devices to even think how it could be used. I assume it will be a host, so if I connect Note 2 with usb cable (non-OTG) it will be accepted as peripheral device so I can stream pictures, movies, etc. through android-on-a-stick on tv? That does sound kind of redundant since I can probably do the same thing from a stick itself, but I'm also thinking even with Android 4.1 the stick will not have access to Play store and I'm not sure if I will be able to root it.
I just don't know what to expect. I know it should work connecting directly to tv hdmi port (of my cable box hdmi port?), but I want to come up with something cool where I can connect Note 2 to is as well. Probably on the go I can tether this stick to my Note 2 4G connection, and have it as stand-alone mini PC. But if I want to connect it to Note 2 (as a display), would it work if I get HDMI (female) to micro-usb cable?
Anyway, any ideas or thoughts - let me know, even if you think its a stupid idea to begin with. Either way, once I have it and play around with it, I will do some kind of a write up with pictures
quad core
vectron said:
I will be getting Android mini-PC (Android TV) stick, waiting for this one: http://dx.com/p/cozyswan-mk809-ii-a...b-ram-8gb-rom-wi-fi-tf-bluetooth-black-185736 . The purpose was to see how I can convert my older TV into multimedia station for internet and streaming from laptop, etc.. While I'm waiting, I started to think if there are any advantages of connecting it to Note 2? I don't know much about these android-on-a-stick devices to even think how it could be used. I assume it will be a host, so if I connect Note 2 with usb cable (non-OTG) it will be accepted as peripheral device so I can stream pictures, movies, etc. through android-on-a-stick on tv? That does sound kind of redundant since I can probably do the same thing from a stick itself, but I'm also thinking even with Android 4.1 the stick will not have access to Play store and I'm not sure if I will be able to root it.
I just don't know what to expect. I know it should work connecting directly to tv hdmi port (of my cable box hdmi port?), but I want to come up with something cool where I can connect Note 2 to is as well. Probably on the go I can tether this stick to my Note 2 4G connection, and have it as stand-alone mini PC. But if I want to connect it to Note 2 (as a display), would it work if I get HDMI (female) to micro-usb cable?
Anyway, any ideas or thoughts - let me know, even if you think its a stupid idea to begin with. Either way, once I have it and play around with it, I will do some kind of a write up with pictures
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, if you're planning on buying an android stick, why invest in a dual core one when the quad core sticks are out, check the link below
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Tron...188-2G-DDR3-Wifi-Bluetooth-TV-BOX-314524.html
i am not sure about new ways to connect it to the Note 2, but the traditional ways is to puch pictures/videos/music via DLNA
it would be interesting to know whether you can mirror the Note 2 screen to the android stick similar to apple TV
The CozySwan is basically an android device. Think of it like a tablet without a screen. So basically you'll just need to attach it to your tv (via hdmi) and you're ready to go (Well, it might need a mouse or keyboard to operate it). So attaching it to the Note 2 would be redundant. You can use the Note 2 just like the CozySwan. Attach it to your tv (via hdmi) and use either a bluetooth mouse or keyboard. If you get the smart dock then there are more possibilities.
Check out this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nh2NSLgaII&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I like this video of the smart dock as it explains a lot of what it can do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hy3wETf5o0
as well as this video of the OTG, MHL, and other accessories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46IiRyigUH0
Thanks guys! I guess no other special trick with that stick other than what I have already expected. In theory this $48 android stick can replace functionality of $99 smart dock and add more stuff to it (wireless kbd/mouse instead of bt), etc. I guess will play around with it once I get it.
I didnt even check to see who was the op.... you dabble in these things so maybe you can show us whats up when you get it...
Review of MK809-II Android TV with lots of pics!!!
Since I already started this topic and didn't know where it will take me, I wanted to post an update since I actually got that Android TV dongle and found it to be pretty cool. Maybe I will try to figure out how to make it work with Note 2, because for $48 it's cheaper then Samsung multimedia dock and offers way too many other options
So, this is a Review of MR809-II Android TV dongle: http://dx.com/p/cozyswan-mk809-ii-a...b-ram-8gb-rom-wi-fi-tf-bluetooth-black-185736
After reviewing numerous accessories for N2/N7/S4, I'm switching my gears and decided to do a project of converting my tv into "smart tv". If you think about, that's what the whole Google TV is about - taking your regular old TV and bringing it up to a new level with an enhanced option of Android and the same benefits you get from your Smart phone or tablet. I didn't want to buy any old gen stuff with overheating problems and those old AC adapters with round connector, or something that will cripple my use by not allowing access to Google Play, etc.
The unit I received came packaged very nicely with a lot of bonus connections. The main Android dongle measures about 110mm x 40mm x 10mm and weights about 34g. In addition to that, you get HDMI extension cable just in case if you don't have easy access to plug the stick into the back/side of your TV. It also came with OTG adapter with micro-usb to full USB connection which can turn the spare micro-usb port on the stick into another "host" to allow connection of other peripheral devices without a need for a hub. And you also get a quality AC adapter with a full 2A output to use usb to micro-usb cable to power up the device. I noticed older generation device were using round plug wall adapter which always a drag to carry around. This device, you can use ANY of your smart phone ac charging adapters, as long as it 2A (like the one which came with Note 2).
Now, about the spec of the device. This one uses RK3066 CPU, dual core Cortex-A9 with clock speed up to 1.6GHz; 1GB of DDR3 memory, and 8GB of internal memory which can be expanded further with micro-sd card (from a built in slot). The built quality seems to be decent, not flimsy at all; it looks like a big usb stick with a cap over HDMI port. Also, I noticed the back has vents for additional cooling. While using it, I haven't noticed too much overheating. The device supports WiFi and Bluetooth, and I had no issues with it's connections. I have my router on the first floor while I was testing it with a tv in our bedroom on the second floor, pretty far away. For interface, I was using Anker mini keyboard (candy bar type of BT keyboard with a touch pad). At first to initialize it I had wired mouse plugged into USB host port (no need for OTG adapter, goes right into full size USB port labeled "host" on the stick) to pair up with BT device. Once I did it the first time, afterwards mouse was unplugged and I was using mini BT keyboard to control it.
The stick came preloaded with Android 4.1.1 and full access to Google Play!!! I was very pleased with that since I know a lot of cheap tablets don't have access to Google Play and you have to side load your apps. Not with this device. I signed in with my Google account, and was able to get to Play right away. Also, with its file manager, I was able to connect to other devices shared on my wifi, such as network hard drive. I have seen some people complaining about wifi connection with their MK809-II, but let me reassure you the one I got worked perfectly. It also supports every possible audio, video, music, and picture format under the sun.
Overall, setup was very easy where within minutes I was running full tablet interface on my TV. This is my first Android TV experience and I was very pleased with the results.
Here are some pictures to ago along with my review:
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i have the imeto one i have xbmc i it awesome setup
Just out of curiosity.. Do you think the App TabletRemote will work with this? It'll be cool to use your phone as the remote. I haven't tried the app myself so I don't even know how it works.
Double0EK said:
Just out of curiosity.. Do you think the App TabletRemote will work with this? It'll be cool to use your phone as the remote. I haven't tried the app myself so I don't even know how it works.
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Never heard of it, gotta try it out!
Double0EK said:
Just out of curiosity.. Do you think the App TabletRemote will work with this? It'll be cool to use your phone as the remote. I haven't tried the app myself so I don't even know how it works.
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yes. there are several wifi remotes that work
Tmart mini HDMI 2 AV converter
I decided to take my setup one step further to see how I can convert my dinosaur TV into smart TV. I still have to try out that app to use Note 2 as a tablet remote controller, but in this review I would like to talk about taking my previous setup of Android on a stick and turning an old tube tv into a smart tv with a help of this little gadget: http://www.tmart.com/MINI-HDMI-to-AV-CVBS-to-RCA-Converter_p163569.html
It's hard to believe TVs without HDMI input ever existed lol!!! But if you have one in your house which has lasted your for 10+ years and still working great, you are stuck with AV inputs as the only mean of connecting any peripheral devices. So if you got yourself a shiny new smart phone with HDMI dock or have Android-on-a-stick device to turn your tv into a big screen tablet - there is NOTHING you can do without converting HDMI into Analog audio/video. This kind of converter box becoming extinct, just like all those TVs, so its really hard to find one for a reasonable price. The one I got is the cheapest I found for about $40 shipped in US or internationally from Tmart.com. If you are in US, make sure to select "us warehouse" shipping from location, that one ships from NJ. Otherwise, you gonna end up waiting for awhile if it ships from HK.
I was a little nervous with this one because I saw an output with a typical red/white audio and yellow for video but video said "CVBS". But it worked flawlessly. First of all, it's a tiny little box I weighted to be 40g (1.4 oz) and about 60mm x 55mm x 20mm. You get full size HDMI input, AV RCA connector output, and PAL/NTSC switch for your video signal (so you are covered for both US and EU), and mini-usb input for power. It comes with mini-usb to USB cable in case if you don't have one considering everything switched to micro-usb, and also instruction booklet. As you can see, plugged in my Android stick, hook up wires going to TV, switched to NTSC and thats ALL! You DO NOT even need to power it up with external cable!!!!!!! I can only guess it gets its power from HDMI pins of Android stick since those are powered up. Of course, we are talking about HD widescreen output intended for a tablet going to 4:3 ancient tv so the image is squeezed on the sides. But it has nothing to do with a conversion, but rather with different "display resolution".
I know in this day'n'age of HD TVs it's hard to believe there is TV without HDMI input. But if you still have an old TV without HDMI input and don't want to throw it away, you can breath in a new life for $40 Remember, you can just plugin your Note 2 or any other smart phone with usb to hdmi adapter or from your multimedia cradle.
Here are the pics:
Those boxes are handy, especially connecting an older projector into a ps3. How is the performance of the stick? Give it a few benchmark runs. Thinking about getting one of these myself.
xartic12 said:
Those boxes are handy, especially connecting an older projector into a ps3. How is the performance of the stick? Give it a few benchmark runs. Thinking about getting one of these myself.
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Which benchmark app do you want me to run?
Yes, the box definitely comes handy. I seen also another one, I believe on Tmart.com as well where you convert AV back to HDMI. This way you can connect old WII console to a new tv. I was very pleased that no external power was required to this box, and it stayed cool (no overheating).
Still need to get around to try using Note 2 as a remote tablet controller. That would be ultimate!!!
3d mark and antutu would be appreciated.
vectron said:
Still need to get around to try using Note 2 as a remote tablet controller. That would be ultimate!!!
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Been using the Minix G4 version of what you bought. Its been the best thing for my smart(less) plasma since hooking it up! Rooted and running a custom jellybean rom and havnt looked back since!
I credit Sony PS3 DRM for forcing me to put an Android box on my plasma. I have never been happier since. Thanks Sony!
As for using the Note as a remote, grab yourelf a copy of Droidmote - both (client and server).
I looked Droidmore app and it seems that Client side app is free while Server side app is paid. Not a problem, but Server side requires a root which I wasn't planning to do. So, I went to TabletRemote and it DID the trick!!!! It took a bit to configure. Need to install the same app on your Note 2 and Android stick connected to tv. Both have to be on wifi. Then, in Connection need to make Android stick to be Discoverable while on Note 2 scan for devices. Once they will auto-discover each other and display a pop-up with a matching code - click on pair up and you are done. The app on the phone is arranged as a remote in portrait or a game-pad controller in landscape. As a remote you have 4-direction arrow control with Enter - this will enable you to step through icons, folders, screens on a system hosted by Android stick. You also get menu, return, and home buttons, as well as search and keyboard (for typing) buttons. Plus you get full multimedia control with play/pause, forward, back, and volume control.
Very impressive and it's free!
That's good to know. Thanks for updating.
I have the latest quad core stick and these things are great. Vectron have you rooted or updated your firmware to 4.2?
Not sure about vectrons model but apparently these sticks supports phone mirroring now if you are running the latest firmware on your phone. All the sticks mk##, QC## are the same.
To anyone who wants the official remote app you can find it here:
http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.ph...-rockchip-base-android-tv-stick/#.UZuVIqIQayg
Firmware upgrades and root can be found here:
http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/firmware-download/
And if you are interested in an air mouse/keyboard this one works great. I must say this remote works much better than my lg and Samsung remote which came with my smart TV.
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Mele...Android-smart-TV-HD-Computer-HTPC-306590.html
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda premium
Hey I just bought this naughty little gadget and very excited to use it. Quick question though, will I need to purchase a wireless/wired mouse to set it up or..? I wanted to install droidmote and use my Note 2 as a wireless mouse, but then I realized that I will need something to navigate to playstore and install DM app. I just never had to use Android Tv's so pardon me folks.