Develop Bugs

ExtUSB 3-in-1 Power/LineOut/LineIn

I'm after an adapter to work with my WinMo device which allows me to connect up my own Mic.
The one that almost fits the bill is this ExtUSB 3-in-1 Adaptor but the problem is with the Mic!
I have my own Mic already wired in and a fair way from where the adapter is going to be located. Ideally, I just need a 3.5mm jack for the Mic to go into, just like the 3.5mm jack for the audio out.
The final result being I have a handsfree solution in the car, connected up through the car stereo speakers and a handsfree mic.
Can anyone see any issues with this setup? Does anyone know where I can obtain such an adapter?

1) I tried that adapter with my Touch PRO and it messed up somehow the audio managment so after plugging it in once - after receiving a call I could speak but the device become totally unresponsive only reset worked until a next call... so I hard reseted device and bought the HTC original one.
2) You might get a ground loop when using audio together with charging. I have had it with different cars, devices (laptops/handhelds). The ground loop will give you loud unwanted digital noise while charging. There are workarounds but might not be easy to reach. Basically you need to get the power from the SAME WIRE as the amplifier does.

I have this exact setup in my car and it does work, no feedback problems. I also have the same problem of microphone placement. I have been unable to find an adaptor or a microphone with a long enough wire to do what I wanted, so I had to modify my microphone placement(put it on the dash as oppossed to my sun visor where I wanted it). Other than that issue, it does work great, sounds great over the stereo(both phone calls and music), and charges up at the same time. If you do find either an adaptor or a stupid mini usb microphone with about a 4 foot wire, let me know.

bsell1 said:
I have this exact setup in my car and it does work, no feedback problems. I also have the same problem of microphone placement. I have been unable to find an adaptor or a microphone with a long enough wire to do what I wanted, so I had to modify my microphone placement(put it on the dash as oppossed to my sun visor where I wanted it). Other than that issue, it does work great, sounds great over the stereo(both phone calls and music), and charges up at the same time. If you do find either an adaptor or a stupid mini usb microphone with about a 4 foot wire, let me know.
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How about the charging?... Is there any change in the audio when plugging in? Try lowering the vol of device as low as possible and maximize the vol of amp.

not at all. The way I have it set up, it is charging or powered the whole time. Of the 3 inputs on the adaptor, one goes to the aux in on my car stereo, one goes to a car power adaptor I installed under the dash, and the 3rd goes to the microphone. I have bluetooth on, so it works with the gps reciever I have(I have an older model without built in gps) and I programed 1 of the buttons to turn on the gps program. Another button is programed to turn on the audio player(I think it is pocket player), which feeds audio to the car stereo anytime I have the aux button pressed on the car stereo. When a phone call comes in, the song pauses and all I have to do is hit the little green answer button on the phone to use it as a speakerphone. Audio is great. I have all the wires snake into one of those little pockets on the dash so there are not a lot of wires going everywhere. Takes about 5-10 seconds to set it up when I get in the car, and about 3 seconds to disconnect when I leave.

Official Car Dock technical details

Hello, I'm looking to mod a car dock that does two of the primary functions of the official Samsung Galaxy Note car dock:
1.) It should take audio from the Note's USB port and play it through a car stereo system's AUX-in port
2.) It should put the car into driving mode
Does anybody know the pinouts for connecting audio to the micro-USB plug, and what resistors to use to make the Note detect it's in a car dock?
Thanks!

From what i´ve found the following should work on our Galaxy Note:
- Car-Dock is "detected" if you have a 619kOhm resistor between pins 4 and 5
- if Car-Dock is detected D+ and D- (pins 2 and 3) become your audio aux output

Thanks! I'll try that out once I've got all the materials.

Off topic - The only downside to any Samsung dock is that calls won't be directed through usb audio.
Galaxy Note @ mobile

I do find that weird. You have to either pick up the phone or use the phone loudspeaker to answer a docked call. How does it work while docked and connected to Bluetooth at the same time, though?

When docked and Bluetooth is connected (native/official car manufactures' Bluetooth connection to CAR Audio System) i have my fully functional hands-free-set operation, voice over car-speaker and car internal micro to Note.
The audio connection is seperate from this hands-free mode, at least with my car.

If connected to blue tooth the sound will come through the bluetooth
I was talking about a situation where u just use the card dock and the car dock audio is connected to the car speaker.
Galaxy Note @ mobile

I know this is a month old - it took that long for the materials to come in! - but I just wanted to update that putting a 619k between p4&5 does indeed work to make the Note detect Car Mode. I'm all set to continue modding a broken OtterBox defender holster into a usable car dock! Will post pics once that's done.
BTW the thread I followed step-by-step to get this done is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321491

jp.esteban said:
but I just wanted to update that putting a 619k between p4&5 does indeed work to make the Note detect Car Mode
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But 619k doesn't work with the Note 2!

[Q] Interesting iBolt Conundrum

I apologize if this is the wrong forum for this-it seemed like the best option for me. I know that it pertains to a GSIII accessory, but the problem I'm detailing could pertain to other car docks as well.
Up until recently, I've been using a tape deck adapter to connect my Android phone to my car stereo to listen to music, make calls, etc. I recently received an iBolt car dock for my phone for Christmas. It uses a microUSB connection to charge the phone and stream audio to the stereo. Normally, the audio would stream to an auxiliary plug in the stereo, but my car doesn't have such a plug.
My thinking was that I would get a 3.5mm stereo coupler to connect my tape deck adapter to the dock, and then to my phone through the microUSB connection. However, this doesn't seem to be working. With this setup, any music I play comes out of my phone's speaker, rather than the car stereo. What's odd is that when I connect my phone to the dock, I can hear the car stereo speakers pop a bit, indicating an audio connection.
I have confirmed that the coupler works properly with a different setup. (I connected my earbuds to my phone using an auxiliary cable as a bridge) Am I doing something wrong, or is this type of connection simply impossible for some reason? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'll provide some hardware information below, if that helps.
I'm also aware that I could just keep using the tape deck adapter for sound directly, but it would be nice to eliminate that extra step in hooking my phone up.
Phone: Samsung Galaxy S III (Cyanogenmod 10, Poweramp for music)
Car Dock: http://www.amazon.com/iBOLT-Hands-free-Vehicle-Charging-Samsung/dp/B008TYXABU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1357237098&sr=1-1&keywords=ibolt+galaxy+s3
Coupler: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003N3G7PS/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M3T1_ST1_dp_2
Car: The car is a 2000 Ford Focus, I don't really know much about the stereo. It has no auxiliary plug, just a 3.5mm adapter connected to the tape deck.

Rixanu said:
I apologize if this is the wrong forum for this-it seemed like the best option for me. I know that it pertains to a GSIII accessory, but the problem I'm detailing could pertain to other car docks as well.
Up until recently, I've been using a tape deck adapter to connect my Android phone to my car stereo to listen to music, make calls, etc. I recently received an iBolt car dock for my phone for Christmas. It uses a microUSB connection to charge the phone and stream audio to the stereo. Normally, the audio would stream to an auxiliary plug in the stereo, but my car doesn't have such a plug.
My thinking was that I would get a 3.5mm stereo coupler to connect my tape deck adapter to the dock, and then to my phone through the microUSB connection. However, this doesn't seem to be working. With this setup, any music I play comes out of my phone's speaker, rather than the car stereo. What's odd is that when I connect my phone to the dock, I can hear the car stereo speakers pop a bit, indicating an audio connection.
I have confirmed that the coupler works properly with a different setup. (I connected my earbuds to my phone using an auxiliary cable as a bridge) Am I doing something wrong, or is this type of connection simply impossible for some reason? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'll provide some hardware information below, if that helps.
I'm also aware that I could just keep using the tape deck adapter for sound directly, but it would be nice to eliminate that extra step in hooking my phone up.
Phone: Samsung Galaxy S III (Cyanogenmod 10, Poweramp for music)
Car Dock: http://www.amazon.com/iBOLT-Hands-free-Vehicle-Charging-Samsung/dp/B008TYXABU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1357237098&sr=1-1&keywords=ibolt+galaxy+s3
Coupler: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003N3G7PS/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M3T1_ST1_dp_2
Car: The car is a 2000 Ford Focus, I don't really know much about the stereo. It has no auxiliary plug, just a 3.5mm adapter connected to the tape deck.
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Click to collapse
Hi there, first of all you must make sure under "Settings - Accessory - Audio output" that this is selected when having the iBOLT Dock connected to your car 3.5 mm "cassette in" solution. It should work fine for playing music but Samsung does not transfer phone calls to an external speaker, only sounds from applications. Hope this helps?

MikaelPe said:
Hi there, first of all you must make sure under "Settings - Accessory - Audio output" that this is selected when having the iBOLT Dock connected to your car 3.5 mm "cassette in" solution. It should work fine for playing music but Samsung does not transfer phone calls to an external speaker, only sounds from applications. Hope this helps?
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I couldn't find the setting that you were talking about, though I found a different one that has solved the issue...sort of. I couldn't find any "accessory" menu under settings, but I did find a setting: "Settings - Advanced - Sound - Use USB Dock Audio" This lets the phone stream audio to the stereo with my convoluted little setup.
The new issue is that the sound coming out of the stereo is of terrible quality compared to simply plugging the tape deck adapter directly into the phone. I also hear a static-y, squeaky noise coming out of the speakers when nothing is playing. Is this simply due to the odd nature of the connection, or is there something I can do about it?

[Q] confused with bluetooth and audio

I have a standard att galaxy note 2, not rooted.
Typically I use my bt headset to talk on the phone. Recently I learned my car has an aux line in so I can also listen to music.
I used a 3.5mm jack for a while with respecrive rca adapter to my phone. This was nice, and added bonus if my bt headset battery died, the phone conversation would play over the car's speakers and the phone's mic picks up my voice.
The cables were irritating, so I purchased a miccus bt rx thing. Small, slides right on the side of my center console, out of the way.
Music plays fine, but cannot figure out for the life of me how to get the phone conversation onto the car speakers. Instead, the phone shifts to speakerphone. Why won't this work like the wired adapter?
Is this possible?
Thank you for your time, sorry for the silly question.

Are you sure that the phone audio option is selected in the BT settings?
zakerny said:
I have a standard att galaxy note 2, not rooted.
Typically I use my bt headset to talk on the phone. Recently I learned my car has an aux line in so I can also listen to music.
I used a 3.5mm jack for a while with respecrive rca adapter to my phone. This was nice, and added bonus if my bt headset battery died, the phone conversation would play over the car's speakers and the phone's mic picks up my voice.
The cables were irritating, so I purchased a miccus bt rx thing. Small, slides right on the side of my center console, out of the way.
Music plays fine, but cannot figure out for the life of me how to get the phone conversation onto the car speakers. Instead, the phone shifts to speakerphone. Why won't this work like the wired adapter?
Is this possible?
Thank you for your time, sorry for the silly question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

zakerny said:
the phone shifts to speakerphone. Why won't this work like the wired adapter?
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Click to collapse
Simply put, the problem is with the 3.5mm male plug that goes into the headset port. Does this new cable have 3 or 4 pins? If it has 4 pins (the regular 3 pins plus the one for the microphone) then if the resistance (measured in OHMs) isn't correct, then the phone should switch over to SpeakerPhone (as set in the firmware).
So in effect, there isn't a problem with your phone, its just that you may have a cable with the 4 pins, but since your radio-adapter isn't doing anything with the microphone portion, then the phone switches over as it is supposed to.
Edit: Ignore the above, I didn't realize you were doing this with a bluetooth connection. Your Bluetooth receiver may be outdated and not support the "handsfree" profile.

Auxiliary Output Issues

I connect my LG G4 to the auxiliary jack in my car stereo (stock stereo in a 2007 Saab 9-3) with a standard 3.5 mm male to male audio cable. The process to get the audio to come through my speakers is rather cumbersome.
I have to follow this procedure:
1. Unplug the audio cable from the aux jack in the car stereo
2. Plug other end of the audio cable into the phone
3. Open Google Music and press play on the music I want to listen to
4. Plug audio cable back into the aux jack on stereo
5. Change stereo from Radio/band to Aux
I have to do this every single time, and if my music happens to reach the end of the album or playlist to where it is no longer playing anything, I have to repeat the above steps. When I had an HTC One M7 and M8 I didn't have to do any of this. I could just connect my phone and press play...no problems.
I really hate having to do this for two reasons. First, if while driving, I decide to listen to music on my phone rather than the radio, it really distracting and unsafe to mess with while driving. Second, I'm afraid with all the plugging/unplugging on my car stereo is going to wear out the aux jack and degrade the audio quality.
Anyone else having this issue with their G4? Any suggestions? I know someone with a G3 and they don't have any issues like this when plugging into their car stereo, although they have a different car, but I don't think it would really matter.

Kevin82485 said:
I connect my LG G4 to the auxiliary jack in my car stereo (stock stereo in a 2007 Saab 9-3) with a standard 3.5 mm male to male audio cable. The process to get the audio to come through my speakers is rather cumbersome.
I have to follow this procedure:
1. Unplug the audio cable from the aux jack in the car stereo
2. Plug other end of the audio cable into the phone
3. Open Google Music and press play on the music I want to listen to
4. Plug audio cable back into the aux jack on stereo
5. Change stereo from Radio/band to Aux
I have to do this every single time, and if my music happens to reach the end of the album or playlist to where it is no longer playing anything, I have to repeat the above steps. When I had an HTC One M7 and M8 I didn't have to do any of this. I could just connect my phone and press play...no problems.
I really hate having to do this for two reasons. First, if while driving, I decide to listen to music on my phone rather than the radio, it really distracting and unsafe to mess with while driving. Second, I'm afraid with all the plugging/unplugging on my car stereo is going to wear out the aux jack and degrade the audio quality.
Anyone else having this issue with their G4? Any suggestions? I know someone with a G3 and they don't have any issues like this when plugging into their car stereo, although they have a different car, but I don't think it would really matter.
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I do car electronics install for a living... I'm not familiar with how Saab does aux (I don't see many saabs), but in most vehicles there is a 'sense' wire in the aux plug. You will know if it has one because without a cable plugged in, you won't be able to select the aux source. In your case, the residual connection from your phone's fm radio (uses headphone cable as antenna) might be interfering with the 'sense' wire in the aux plug. I would suggest trying a different aux cable, like one with 4 bands instead of 3. They are typically used to carry audio as well as video. If that doesn't work, amazon has these universal Bluetooth receivers that plug into the aux port, which for sure will do what you need it to.
Example of 4 band cable-
http://www.amazon.com/Screen-Screen-3-5mm-Philips-Player/dp/B00D3SXPGC
The Bluetooth reciever would be my choice though-
http://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Bluetooth-Integrated-multi-point-technology/dp/B008AGQMQC

esmenikmatixx said:
I do car electronics install for a living... I'm not familiar with how Saab does aux (I don't see many saabs), but in most vehicles there is a 'sense' wire in the aux plug. You will know if it has one because without a cable plugged in, you won't be able to select the aux source. In your case, the residual connection from your phone's fm radio (uses headphone cable as antenna) might be interfering with the 'sense' wire in the aux plug. I would suggest trying a different aux cable, like one with 4 bands instead of 3. They are typically used to carry audio as well as video. If that doesn't work, amazon has these universal Bluetooth receivers that plug into the aux port, which for sure will do what you need it to.
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Click to collapse
The stereo in the model year range of my Saab is basically the same that GM put in Pontiacs and other makes in the 2007 year range. GM owned Saab at the time. I know someone with a Ponitac G6 (I think that is model, it is definitely a Pontiac) and I remember remarking that he had the same stereo as me. The buttons and interface look nearly identical. If I have the aux cable plugged into the stereo I can select the Aux source, even if I don't have anything else connected. If no cable is plugged into the stereo, I cannot select the Aux source.
What I don't understand is why it worked fine with no weird issues with the HTC One M8, but it doesn't work with the G4. Sounds like a software bug to me.
As far as I know Verizon disables the FM receiver in the G4 just like they did in the HTC One M8 and basically all of their phones. It's still in physically in the phone, so maybe it can still interfere in some way, but if it worked on the M8 I don't understand why the G4 is different in this respect.
I'll try a different cable and/or a 4 band cable though and see if it makes a difference.

I used my G4 in my car (2009 RAV4) without issues. I didn't do anything special, just plugged it in then started playing the podcast app. I don't recall if the sequence mattered at all. I typically plug the cable into the phone first, then start playing the audio.
I believe I have a "sense wire" that esmenikmatixx referred to, as I believe my car will not let me select Aux if nothing is plugged into the car. I have an audio cable that I always leave plugged into the car's port, to reduce wear on the jack.
I didn't try the music app in the car, unfortunately. FWIW, Google Music was fine for me with headphones, no weird issues. I have Verizon, but I have since returned my G4, so I can't check anything else for you, sorry.

So I decided to get a bluetooth adapter that plugs into the Aux input on my car stereo and it works great with the exception that the audio volume is ridiculously low. I max out the bluetooth volume on my phone as well as the separate volume on the bluetooth adapter and it is really quiet. Turn up my car stereo you say, but ah, I have to turn my car stereo up to near maximum as well to get a decent volume that could be heard while driving. When I turn the car stereo volume up this loud the speakers become overrun with static and it makes it sound like I'm listening on an FM channel that barely comes in.
I've noticed lower volume over bluetooth on my LG Tone bluetooth earbuds as well. I used these the LG Tone's with my HTC One and had no problems with volume levels. The first time I connected my LG Tones to my LG G4, I had to nearly max out the volume on the Tones (despite having the LG G4 bluetooth volume maxed as well) to hear audio at the same level that I previously did on my HTC One.
So bluetooth is not going to be an answer, the quality is too poor. I dug around on the Play Store and found an app called "Soundabout". The app will allow you to force your audio out through whatever source you want even when the output device is not connected. I set it to force audio through wired headset and it works for the most part. I don't have to do any weird unplugging and re-plugging of audio cable just plug and play. The only thing is that sometimes when I connect the phone and press play on a song you can tell that Soundabout is fighting with the crap software on the phone to force the audio to the wired headset (wired speakers) because the audio will cut in and out and then stop. After pressing play enough times that it wins out, it will finally go through the wired connection. The one downside is that if I'm out of my car and want to listen to something through the speaker on the phone I have to go back into the Soundabout app and change the output to "let the app decide".
So, I'm 100% sure it is something with the software on the phone. There is little doubt. I have no problems with any other phone connected to my car stereo. It's not like I have some aftermarket stereo. This stereo is as stock and basic as you can get. When they designed the audio controls and functionality on this phone they didn't put a lot of thought into it. It's frustrating because otherwise this is a great phone I just hate messing with this stupid audio issue. All I can do is hope it's patched. There are no built-in options on the phone to tweak audio settings.
I can't imagine I'm the only one having problems like this.

LG Customer Support has been predictably unhelpful. I may just return this and get a different phone if I still can.

RedOCtobyr said:
I used my G4 in my car (2009 RAV4) without issues. I didn't do anything special, just plugged it in then started playing the podcast app.
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Same for me. Works fine in my 2008 Subaru. I've run everything from local mp3 files to Audible to iHeartRadio and Pandora through it without a problem. Even the Smart Settings for auto-starting Audible actually work.

Makster said:
Same for me. Works fine in my 2008 Subaru. I've run everything from local mp3 files to Audible to iHeartRadio and Pandora through it without a problem. Even the Smart Settings for auto-starting Audible actually work.
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I plugged it in with an audio cable to my girlfriend's Mazda and it works fine. Guess I'm S.O.L. Highly unlikely LG would patch this if it's software due to being so isolated. Would be interested to hear from those with a mid to late 2000's GM vehicle since they all have basically the same stereo as Saab. Maybe it is an issue with my stereo, but I don't understand then why other phones work just fine.
Frustrating because there is nothing I can do to fix it other than spend a bunch of money to replace my stereo which I can't afford, or spend an equal amount of a bunch of money to pay off the G4 so that I can get a different phone to then make more payments on, and Verizon absolutely, no exceptions, refuses to exchange it for something like a Galaxy, Note 4, anything different than a G4 because I'm 5 days past the 14 day return period. Guess I only have myself to kick in the ass for not doing sooner, but I wish someone at Verizon was kindhearted enough to make an exception.
Sorry for venting.

Sorry to hear about the issues. Did you try the 4 band cable idea?

RedOCtobyr said:
Sorry to hear about the issues. Did you try the 4 band cable idea?
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Not yet, but I will. I've been reading on another website that the G3, last year's model, had this exact same problem. There's a thread with tons of people reporting the same problem. Some used a cable like this one which was suggested earlier and it solved their issue. Suppose I should have tried that to begin with. I'm going to try this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K36XWG0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00
I'll report back if it worked or not at least so that if others come across this they have a starting point.

I got the 4 pole to 3 pole audio cable today and it doesn't work. I tried flipping the cable around and it still didn't work. I don't know what else to try, anyone have suggestions?

Kevin 82485, late on this thread but I just purchased a 2007 Saab 9-3 and I'm having the same issues with my LG G4. I just downloaded the soundabout app you mentioned, but have you found a better solution than that?

2007 saab 9-5 and LG Aristo on Metro PCS. Same issue as OP. Its definitely a LG issue, wifes Galaxy works without issues, no fiddling with the cable and audio pausing and plugging unplugging plugging and trying to play audio. Good phone, garbage audio coding.