Develop Bugs

[Q] A Music Dock for Evo?

Is there a music dock for the Evo anywhere?
I'm NOT talkin about a car dock, or a charging/syncing dock or just external speakers that plug into the headphone port...
I mean a dock like the millions of them that are available for the iPhone that is an actual stereo where the phone docks into it and charges/plays music at the same time..
I have looked everywhere and cant find one.. seems like the only thing that the iPhone has that my Evo doesnt that I actually want
Any ideas?
Oh, and something that you "rigged" up that does the same thing might be interesting to see also..

You're not going to find anything made specifically for the EVO. The best bet is to find a universal one that has USB charging capabilities. I can't recall one off the top of my head but I'm sure they are out there.

Yeah, I really wasnt expecting to find an "EVO specific" one but I cant even find a universal one that's not a complete piece of crap that is so inconvenient to use that it's not worth it...
Am I the only one that wants one of these or what? There has to be a bir market for a really good universal one that non-iPhone users can buy... Maybe I'm missing something

YES, YES, a million times YES on someone making this!
I would buy it in a heartbeat!!!

blakjak220 said:
Is there a music dock for the Evo anywhere?
I'm NOT talkin about a car dock, or a charging/syncing dock or just external speakers that plug into the headphone port...
I mean a dock like the millions of them that are available for the iPhone that is an actual stereo where the phone docks into it and charges/plays music at the same time..
I have looked everywhere and cant find one.. seems like the only thing that the iPhone has that my Evo doesnt that I actually want
Any ideas?
Oh, and something that you "rigged" up that does the same thing might be interesting to see also..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want one of these. I am actually in the process of making one out of wood. I am thinking of shaping it like a regular dock, and using a good acoustical wood. Got the idea from here.
I am thinking this would work great. Maybe take a charger and run it up so that you can plug it in, and use the acoustics of the wood to amplify the sound. Just a thought.

So there are no MicroUSB docks anywhere??
I figured someone would have made one
I've been thinking about one, and it would be cool
I guess even a dock with a USB port so one could connect the cable to it would be fine
sigh

thacounty said:
I want one of these. I am actually in the process of making one out of wood. I am thinking of shaping it like a regular dock, and using a good acoustical wood. Got the idea from here.
I am thinking this would work great. Maybe take a charger and run it up so that you can plug it in, and use the acoustics of the wood to amplify the sound. Just a thought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not a bad idea,,, I can build pretty much anything so I'll be looking into this, thanks
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

I would think your best option would be to just get a bluetooth speaker set or one designed for the ipod and use a ipod>bluetooth adapter like this one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190398627547&rvr_id=213403115911&mfe=sidebar

jobryan26 said:
I would think your best option would be to just get a bluetooth speaker set or one designed for the ipod and use a ipod>bluetooth adapter like this one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190398627547&rvr_id=213403115911&mfe=sidebar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had seen one of these back a while ago but I guess I just forgot about it... That does seem like the best option. I've never used bluetooth to stream music but I assume it works well and will play with music on my SDcard as well as Slacker and the like?

blakjak220 said:
I had seen one of these back a while ago but I guess I just forgot about it... That does seem like the best option. I've never used bluetooth to stream music but I assume it works well and will play with music on my SDcard as well as Slacker and the like?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. I have a set of bluetooth headphones that are really sweet and i use them with pandora, music app, audiogalaxy etc...

My wife was asking this just the other day. She hates plugging in to the ear phone jack. I might try that bluetooth receiver idea.
Sent from my Evo CM7 RC1

I used the FIPO for quite a while (till I lost it) I think there was a guy on there that was selling them for cheap (around $10 IIRC), but it worked flawlessly every time and the sound quality was not bad at all....

dcmtnbkr said:
Absolutely. I have a set of bluetooth headphones that are really sweet and i use them with pandora, music app, audiogalaxy etc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What kind of bluetooth headphones you have?.. I take it you're pretty happy with them..

Nice!
jobryan26 said:
I would think your best option would be to just get a bluetooth speaker set or one designed for the ipod and use a ipod>bluetooth adapter like this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great idea, thanks man!

The problem is the HDMI out: there is no "dock" connector, just USB (which IS host capable, somewhere on that chip) and the HDMI connector.
HDMI encodes the audio into blank space of the video stream, so you need signal processing to seperate the two: that's too close to the DO NOT CROSS line for manufacturers. There aren't many products that do that (right now), and I don't know if there will be. However I found this one in my travels:
http://hinen.gmc.globalmarket.com/p...switcher-4-port-with-audio-output-165992.html
Is the only thing I can find that comes close to an audio extractor for HDMI. And it has an extra 3 inputs!
So you could get the HDMI dock, the HDMI adapter cable, this doodad, a receiver (or a digital audio to analog converter and THEN to a receiver), and then go out to your speakers. Of course that assumes the software/firmware on the EVO can just play audio out that end: because it is HDMI you would have to have a video signal of some kind going down the wire to activate the link. I suspect that last part would be the easiest part. Though, as developers would probably love something like this too.
Yet another case of DRM being a pain in the ass. in this case, we can thank Intel for being able and willing to sue companies into the ground for not following the HDMI rules.
One final note: if there is HDMI plugged in, all other audio stops (ie bluetooth, headphone jack and builtin speaker). I have not tested this, but this is what HTC said on their tech support forum when I asked.
*EDIT*
Just noticed it has stereo out, but the description is in some funny Engrish, so there is no telling if it is actually available.
*EDIT 2*
http://www.octavainc.com/HDMI switch 4port_toslink.htm
Appears to have been around for ~3 years, but almost $300 too!
*EDIT 3*
http://www.ambery.com/hdautorcasts.html
c/o
http://www.cepro.com/article/atlona_hdmi_13_audio_de_embedder_supports_lossless_audio/
Does not seem to be vaporware, and on the first link, is $128, which is a steal coming from the pro A/V market. Kinda high for us regular consumers, but for that market it's almost free.

3.5 Audio Jack Issues

Searched but didn't see my issue dealing with the EVO, so here it goes.
Bought a 3.5 audio jack adapter for my EVO to work with my new vehicle. First time owning a vehicle with this type of adapter so I thought I'd give it a try, since I have Rhapsody and can listen to any song/album/artist I want at any time.
However, when I use it, there is a ton of "feedback" so to speak. A high pitched noise that gets higher the faster I go for example.
So, I tried to figure it out. I tried my wife's EVO, same thing. Well, I thought it was a cheap adapter or maybe the hardware in my Terrain was really not compatible.
Turns out, my brother sits in the back seat, pulls out his IPod to test it out, and it works perfectly! No background noises, no hissing, or anything. Just pure great sounding audio.
So, I guess my question would be to those who are hardware literate about the EVO.
Did they skimp majorly on their audio out/3.5 audio jack?
Both phones are running 2.3.3 GB, but it did the same thing on 2.2.
Any thoughts, answers, or suggestions?
Also, could it have something to do with using 3G or streaming the audio through the adapter since his IPod was basically just a straight feed?

My guess is the line noise is caused by poor shielding in either the cable or the device. If you're saying plugging the adapter into the iPod made the noise go away, then I'd blame the Evo for picking up EMI from the engine, or it's possible you have a ground loop.
Either way, not much you can do about it except find a way to ground your adapter (don't just go splicing wires, you could fry something) or find a new adapter. Was the adapter made for Apple products, generic, other? Sometimes the TRRS setup of the audio jack can be switched in different devices, so maybe it lines up correctly on the iPod but not your Evo and that could be the source.

It was generic. Bought it from a K-Mart. It may very well have been made for an IPod though.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

However, when I use it, there is a ton of "feedback" so to speak. A high pitched noise that gets higher the faster I go for example.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With a DC electrical system (like in your car), that's a tell-tale sign of interference or a bad ground. Try a new cable, if that doesnt help, then your radio isn't properly grounded.

[Q] Hook Up an External Mic to the Kindle Fire?

So I read on the Amazon Forums that you can use a iPod headset(with mic included) on the KFire like a microphone. So basically it's like a headphone and a microphone in one jack. Would this work?
Here is are some examples:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003KW12HU/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cd_asin_lnk
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=i...eadphones+with+microphone&sprefix=iphone+head
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

That could well be - the plug on those headsets have an extra conductor to handle the mic + stereo. Anyone try them?

I was wondering this also. Has anybody tried this? I would like to know before I buy the headset.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

So no-one has tried this? I'd try it myself but I don't have an iPod headset. I have a gaming headset but it has two separate jacks for microphone/headphone.

I have a pair of those somewhere, but unfortunately no Kindle Fire just yet.

I see. Man if only someone could try and see if this works.

Wait a sec, would a 3.5 mm jack splitter (the one that makes 2 things plug into 1 port) work for this? That could help those that have separate mic and headphones possibly anyways. I mean obviously it's not the best method but that should let us check proof of concept.

MichaelVash7886 said:
Wait a sec, would a 3.5 mm jack splitter (the one that makes 2 things plug into 1 port) work for this? That could help those that have separate mic and headphones possibly anyways. I mean obviously it's not the best method but that should let us check proof of concept.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I was referring to. The iPod headsets and some other brands have that feature. I do not have a pair and wanted someone to test it before buying.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

A splitter wouldn't help. I'm looking at one now, and it has a 3-conductor plug (called a TRS), just like a plug for stereo headphones. The plug on a mic/headphones combo is a TRRS, and has 4 conductors. I thought I had one laying around, but the plug size is 2.5mm, from an old Blackberry I had.
I'm gonna go and look in the trunk of my car. I'm sure I have one...

grvthang said:
A splitter wouldn't help. I'm looking at one now, and it has a 3-conductor plug (called a TRS), just like a plug for stereo headphones. The plug on a mic/headphones combo is a TRRS, and has 4 conductors. I thought I had one laying around, but the plug size is 2.5mm, from an old Blackberry I had.
I'm gonna go and look in the trunk of my car. I'm sure I have one...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See if you can find one to test. Download Google Voice and call yourself and see if the microphone works. Get someone to go to another room and see if you can talk to them.
If this works then we can use Skype and GVoice.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

I found a pair in my car - IT WORKS!!
I downloaded and installed an audio recording app, and made a 10-second recording. It picked up my voice very loud. The mind reels at the possibilities...

grvthang said:
I found a pair in my car - IT WORKS!!
I downloaded and installed an audio recording app, and made a 10-second recording. It picked up my voice very loud. The mind reels at the possibilities...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WooHoo it works! Someone should sticky this thread. Could you find me a good pair I can buy on Amazon?
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

Actually I don't remember where I got these; I think it came as part of a package when I bought a suction-cup car mount for my smartphone - it came with a dc charger and the mount. So, I can't recommend any kind in particular.

grvthang said:
Actually I don't remember where I got these; I think it came as part of a package when I bought a suction-cup car mount for my smartphone - it came with a dc charger and the mount. So, I can't recommend any kind in particular.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found a pair on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0049Y2PIS/ref=mp_s_a_7?qid=1322278595&sr=8-7
These are for the Samsung EHS60, but would these work with the Kindle Fire?
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

I'm sure they would work; as I said earlier, these headphone/mic combos have a 4-conductor plug (a TRRS), to accommodate two stereo channels for the headphones plus the mic (audio left, audio right, mic, and neutral). A normal stereo headset has a 3-conductor plug called a TRS (left, right, and neutral).
---------- Post added at 04:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:44 AM ----------
Somewhere around here I have a stereo microphone with a 3.5mm plug. What a kick it would be if it can actually record in stereo (I kind of doubt it, though). Let me go look for that now...

Thanks, I think I'll make a guide for this later
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

grvthang said:
I found a pair in my car - IT WORKS!!
I downloaded and installed an audio recording app, and made a 10-second recording. It picked up my voice very loud. The mind reels at the possibilities...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet. It's not a huge deal for me off the top of my head, but I can only guess as to what this could open up. Skype and what not would be a sweet thing to have on it just for when I don't feel like sitting at my desk.

Here are some good IEM's: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826735014
I use them with my Nexus S, works awesome! Any IEM should work with the Kindle, since the port is capable of accepting.

My only thing is they are all ear buds, most of the time they don't fit very well in my ears and can even cause my ears to hurt. Will have to try some stuff out once I get my Kindle in.

MichaelVash7886 said:
My only thing is they are all ear buds, most of the time they don't fit very well in my ears and can even cause my ears to hurt. Will have to try some stuff out once I get my Kindle in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My earbuds fit fine. I made an official guide on this topic so check it out.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

Video Signal Drop Problem

I have Fire TV going to Pioneer Receiver then on to TV via HDMI. When I try to watch Amazon or Netflix stuff, video starts for about a second or two then the video signal drops (sound is still there)... I tried MBC On demand app and it didn't happen...
Did anyone experience the same thing?

halmo20 said:
I have Fire TV going to Pioneer Receiver then on to TV via HDMI. When I try to watch Amazon or Netflix stuff, video starts for about a second or two then the video signal drops (sound is still there)... I tried MBC On demand app and it didn't happen...
Did anyone experience the same thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried going directly into the TV and it still happens? I had a similar audio issue going into a receiver then out to a sound bar the audio would drop then come back. I plugged into the TV directly and it stopped. make sure to use the same cable to eliminate it as a possible.

halmo20 said:
I have Fire TV going to Pioneer Receiver then on to TV via HDMI. When I try to watch Amazon or Netflix stuff, video starts for about a second or two then the video signal drops (sound is still there)... I tried MBC On demand app and it didn't happen...
Did anyone experience the same thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had this happen on occasion (once every 3-5 shows) with the Hulu app in the middle of an episode. More often than not it happens right after a commercial break. Interestingly, I also have a device between my Fire TV and TV. In my case, an HDMI splitter. Do you have any issue with the Fire TV directly connected?
---------- Post added at 02:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------
I would also check the cables. I've had problems in the past resolved by replacing low quality and/or internally frayed cables.

Update: Changed HDMI cable and video hasn't dropped after about 1 hour of watching stuff from Amazon/Netflix. Really odd since the cable before worked fine on another device. Will keep an eye on it...

halmo20 said:
Update: Changed HDMI cable and video hasn't dropped after about 1 hour of watching stuff from Amazon/Netflix. Really odd since the cable before worked fine on another device. Will keep an eye on it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HDMI cables are pretty much all the same. But not all devices are the same. I have spent a ton of time switching out cables one a picky device. The worst was a UG007B I had. Finally bought a set of Twisted Veins someone else mentioned working and they did. Who knows if it's minor imperfections in the cable or the device port on either end. I always keep a couple spare HDMI cables lying around now.

kairnage said:
HDMI cables are pretty much all the same. But not all devices are the same. I have spent a ton of time switching out cables one a picky device. The worst was a UG007B I had. Finally bought a set of Twisted Veins someone else mentioned working and they did. Who knows if it's minor imperfections in the cable or the device port on either end. I always keep a couple spare HDMI cables lying around now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One other thing to consider is that every additional "link-in-the-chain" can add loss, kind of like making a copy of a copy of copy. Any one device by itself may seem fine. I've experienced this in the past, sometimes resolved by replacing with shorter or better quality cables.

Nomedias said:
One other thing to consider is that every additional "link-in-the-chain" can add loss, kind of like making a copy of a copy of copy. Any one device by itself may seem fine. I've experienced this in the past, sometimes resolved by replacing with shorter or better quality cables.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I didn't mean to say there aren't better quality cables, it's just in the price range from cheap to average there isn't much difference.

Headphone audio quality

Hi.
The headphone audio is noisy on my Gemini. Lots of electronic noise and chirrups when typing etc. Sounds like a Raspberry Pi rather than a $500 device.
Seems to stop when actually playing audio, but quite annoying. I guess there's no output filter.
Anyone else getting this?
Pretty awesome device otherwise!

Yes. I have exactly the same issue
I'm beginning to be less and less impressed with this little gadget. I also have a screen protector that looks like it's been slapped on by a five year old. Possibly I'm lucky as I suspect earlier releases didn't come with a screen protector.
I appreciate that it's new and there are some quirks to be ironed out but something as basic as sound interference should have been resolved right at the start.

jez3652 said:
Yes. I have exactly the same issue
I also have a screen protector that looks like it's been slapped on by a five year old. Possibly I'm lucky as I suspect earlier releases didn't come with a screen protector.
I appreciate that it's new and there are some quirks to be ironed out but something as basic as sound interference should have been resolved right at the start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've suggested they come up with a firmware mod to mute the channel when it's not being used. It's very distracting when you've got headphones in without music or video playing.
I don't think the screen protector is supposed to be kept on. I would think it's just there as protection during shipping. I had a right job getting it off though - it should have a little tab.
I've other little niggles. Initially it wouldn't turn on reliably. I was advised to disassemble the ESC key (very easy) and when I did, I found a brown substance (most likely flux) gumming it up. Same with my E and A keys. QC does seem to be lacking. I absolutely detest on-screen keyboards, so the Gemini is the answer to my prayers on this front. So I'm glad my keyboard issues were easily sorted.
Planet's support has been good. Very fast responses so far. Although, I guess not many people have received theirs yet!
One other thing I'm finding is the poor landscape testing applied to Android apps. Even some well established apps misbehave quite badly in landscape mode. I've been quite shocked! Hopefully they'll get an Ubuntu port out soon so I can ditch Android.

You've raised some interesting points. I agree on build quality but am happy to give a fair amount of latitude to this as it's new and British and being a Brit I am walking that fine line between putting up with the quirks and disappointments of an otherwise excellent device or returning it and then probably having to do battle with the returns department for what is possibly relatively minor issues in the great scheme of things. But we do like our toys to be all shiny and new and perfect don't we.
On the screen protector front, I sent them an email at the end of last week not asking to return it but just for some more screen protectors so that I can replace the one that was slapped on. Got a reply essentially telling me to go forth and multiply but the reference did appear to be to a screen protector rather than packaging. But you're making me wonder now! Is it a packaging protector or something for longer term use. I tried to pick a corner of it off but just as you say it didn't want to shift so I left it.

I'm of the Sinclair era (just!), so very forgiving with British tech
I really want this to work and be a success. I've already had a number of admiring "Wow, cool. What the heck is that?" comments.

Oh yes! Remember those. Still got a ZX81 but cut my teeth on a BBC Micro. Now freshly retired I owe a huge debt of thanks to that machine. My Psions through the years were also excellent. But on that point it will be interesting to see how cable joining the screen and keyboard holds up after a year or two on our Geminis. My Psion 3 died with a busted cable (fatigue) after two years. I replaced it (cos my eyesight was up to it then ) and that one also lasted two years. I'm wondering how our Gemins will fare. As a phone as well as a PDA it's going to get a lot more use opening and shutting.
But with the help of a good pair of glasses I'll give it a go. Like you I really want this to succeed. Sure, I have selfish reasons. I can buy v2 when it comes out but wouldn't it be nice to see this tried and tested design come back. Maybe it's niche, maybe it's just for the techies among us (forgive me, making assumptions here ) but I voted with my wallet and I really hope it works out for them.

I've had a response from Planet:
"I am happy to hear you addressed the issue with keys, that's a rather strange one I've never observed before. As for the static noise from the audio jack, I will be escalating this to an engineer later today and I hope there will be a fix available soon."
Let's see what happens.

Just received my (WIFI only) device and the same problem.
Even left a message at Indiegogo.
Has there been any progress with this issue?

Has anybody tried a ground loop noise isolator to fix that issue?
I have ordered one from Amazon to try and see if it solves the problem.
Will report back when I get it.

matrix200200 said:
Has anybody tried a ground loop noise isolator to fix that issue?
I have ordered one from Amazon to try and see if it solves the problem.
Will report back when I get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fingers crossed, but I suspect it won't as (for me at any rate) the interference goes away completely when music is being played. No interference at all even in quiet bits. Also don't have a difference if the device is plugged in to charge or not. I'm hoping it will be a software fix. Worried it's a firmware issue...

Well, that didn't help at all.
I also tried two different usb c to 3.5mm adapters with disappointing results.
Tried db Magix ac3 (lots of crackling popping, caused Gemini to freeze and restart once, a cheap noname 10$ converter (no sound coming out of it at all).
I wonder whether there is such a thing as bluetooth device that acts as headphones, but instead just has 3.5 jack so I can plug headphones of my own.

Is anyone using this with good headphones? The noise is worrying. Does it completely disappear during playback? E.g. when playing a track of silence, can anyone detect any noise on sensitive heaphones?

Evidence is the headphone output is just poor, and noisy both when audio is playing and when it is not.
See https://github.com/evadne/gemini-notes
A combination of hardware (usb dac) and software alterations are needed to get acceptable audio on the Gemini PDA.
Unfortunate that they used a poor headphone output chip.

I have just tried listening to Amazon Music via two different headphones and when songs start or end quietly the hiss (and slight crackle) is not evident. As the song stops and before the next one starts the noise returns. This would indicate a fixable driver or software issue, it looks like the output does not output silence when no audio is playing, making the audio headphone amp "floating" and therefore noisy.