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I would like to build an Android car infotainment device to replace all my gadgets inside the car. One option would be a micro PC with USB touchscreen and a lot of devices connected via USB. The other one would be an Android gadget, either small tablet or TV box.
The biggest question I have is: what Android devices support 5.1 audio? This is a must, though I actually can use only 4 channels. What audio formats are supported for this?
The other question would be TMC - the FM kind, not online.
Are there any embedded platforms out there (except PC and Android) which support multi-channel audio?
Has anyone done this before? I might be reinventing the wheel.
No updates? Either nobody knows about Android 5.1 sound output or they are working under NDAs.
Are you planning on keeping a headunit to control volume, do you want am/fm radio, etc....
without a headunit you will need an amp where you can use the headphone to rca adapter and usually its the amp that would add front and rear to the left/right output of your android device so you would still get the 4 chan output effect. to go for the 5.1 chan you will need another device that actually controls the 5 speakers plus the subwoofer which might be tricky but I'm sure its not impossible.
the setup I was going to go with was a amp that I can mount its power controls (left right front back and volume) (or amp/eq combo) to where I can reach it and build a mount for a 7in (possibly diff size not sure depends on how it will look) and use the heaphone to rca adapter to power the audio and put the usb inside the dash possibly with a little hub if they make it (that way not only is it getting power from it, if it allows, the addition of say a thumb drive with added music/movies. some tablets/phones have fm radios built in as long as something is plugged into the headphone jack (my new phone doesn't seem to have it but thats a feature I will be looking for in a tablet)
4chan amp
eq that would allow 2 chan in and 4 chan out plus sub out (if you have a separate sub amp)
I just want to know if there are any android devices that are able to stream 5.1, I can take it from there. Same question about TMC support.
Some details:
My car is already fitted from the factory with 4 channel preamp and 12 speakers including subwoofer low-pass. It has low-level input for those channels, worst case I would buy a preamp.
FM is pretty much given on most Android devices, probably excluding some tablets, but I won't actually miss it if it's not there.
TMC would be nice since all Androids usually have a GPS sensor and sometimes compass.
Anyway, it was mostly a request for suggestions or even a rant - I'm surprised that something like this doesn't exist yet. With the exception of dedicated units going >$$$-$$$$, an alternative set-up would be a medium-range blueray player coupled with an Android tablet. Music control could be set up with DLNA, bluetooth streaming or mixing player and android audio would be a bit harder but not impossible.
hey friends
this is a nice thought and you are absolutely great.
this is wonderful thread
........................
Great Idea
Hi,
Currently I'm also thinking about installing an android tablet in my car to have music, navigation, movie player, speed camera warning, etc. But the biggest problem is the sound. I want to connect tablet with car audio using jack-jack cable. Everything is fine till the AUX source is selected in car audio device, but when I switch it to Tuner or CD - the sound from tablet is cutted off, so e.g. navigation announcement are not heard.
Any suggestions for this issue?
audio rom
its a shame that there are many many roms but none fur special purposes like this.
we need a car rom
[email protected] said:
Hi,
Currently I'm also thinking about installing an android tablet in my car to have music, navigation, movie player, speed camera warning, etc. But the biggest problem is the sound. I want to connect tablet with car audio using jack-jack cable. Everything is fine till the AUX source is selected in car audio device, but when I switch it to Tuner or CD - the sound from tablet is cutted off, so e.g. navigation announcement are not heard.
Any suggestions for this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only solution can see is to run the audio from the tablet alone. I.e. use the tablet to provide both radio tuner AND navigation. You will end up using the car system purely as an amplifier.
Cris123 said:
Only solution can see is to run the audio from the tablet alone. I.e. use the tablet to provide both radio tuner AND navigation. You will end up using the car system purely as an amplifier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be what I would do in this situation. Or just unplug the audio cable from the tablet when using other radio options so the navigation will come through the tablet's speakers.
I want to do something similar but rather than purchase a new device I want to use my Note2. No head unit at all. The Note2 would likely be dedicated to this use and I'd get a different phone to use as, well, a phone.
For sound I was hoping I could use USB OTG to connect a USB sound card with 5.1 output but I'm not sure if this would work. I want to use the sound card instead of audio direct out of the headphone jack because that reduces my connected cables to just one (easier) and should provide at least 4 channel output which eliminates the need for another device to control volume, fader, and balance.
For radio I was going to use SDR for AM/FM (and more) via a cheap USB TV tuner.
http://sdrtouch.com/
Where I'm stuck now is that I'd like to be able to connect an iProduct (iPhone/iPod) like you can to most car radios and control/stream music from the iProduct, via the Android Note2 using USB OTG again. I cannot find how to do this but the Parrot Asteroid Smart runs Android and it seems to be able to do it so it must be possible.
http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/asteroid-range/parrot-asteroid-smart/
Any info anyone can provide regarding the sound card and iPod integration would be highly appreciated.
You can go wireless and use some AirPlay receiver for Android.
I don't know about wired solutions, the classic iPod connector has ~30 pins and some of them are used for audio and some of them are used for serial-like playlist control plus current track information.
brainwash123 said:
You can go wireless and use some AirPlay receiver for Android.
I don't know about wired solutions, the classic iPod connector has ~30 pins and some of them are used for audio and some of them are used for serial-like playlist control plus current track information.
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Click to collapse
It's just a USB to iPod cable that they use for everything else... Parrot Asteroid Smart that I linked to has it as do most modern stock head units.
Did a little more googling and it seems several companies sell android head units that support iPod.
Why don't you use a USB DAC? There are a few out there that are surround sound capable.
Out from the DAC into an eq preamp and out to your existing amplifier. The eq preamp has main volume controls as well as sub control with dedicated output.
Also there are head units out there that are just "receivers" capable of accepting a digital inputs and outputting 5.1 signal via RCA.
I installed a nexus 7 2013 in my VW, currently using Bluetooth to connect to a receiver where it the outputs to an rca input on my deck that was relocated to my glovebox. I am planning on replacing the Bluetooth adaptor with a USB DAC in order to achieve a higher quality sound.
I am currently doing a similar install in a 2010 charger, a deck will not be used however as I will be using the DAC method with an eq and output to the factory amp. I considered going the android TV box route as I have a MINIX box, but there is some work involved in getting the touchscreen to function properly as it is not set up for this out of the box.
You can purchase a double din deck from eBay (I stumbled across it a few days ago but didn't write the link down) it has a dual os system. It uses android for the car audio function and windows for the car PC function. Not sure how well it works but it got reasonable reviews.
Edit: ...and once again I answer without reading the whole thread...:silly:
Is it somehow easier to get all the various apps on the phone to output audio to a DAC than a USB sound card?
unL33T said:
Is it somehow easier to get all the various apps on the phone to output audio to a DAC than a USB sound card?
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I believe when the device detects a DAC (must use an otg cable BTW) it automatically re routes all audio out the USB. You can disable automatic USB audio routing in developer settings.
k.s.deviate said:
I believe when the device detects a DAC (must use an otg cable BTW) it automatically re routes all audio out the USB. You can disable automatic USB audio routing in developer settings.
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Click to collapse
That sounds easier. Thanks for the tip.
Well I can't find any information regarding the iPod integration and I've found next to nothing for DVD video and audio CD playback and radio and backup camera functionality would also take some mucking about so it looks like I'd probably be better off buying something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-Android-4...621?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a31320af5
Which has it all sorted out already. So much for that fun idea. No idea what apps they use for all that stuff.
Which has it all sorted out already. So much for that fun idea. No idea what apps they use for all that stuff.[/QUOTE]
That unit looks slow at only dual-core. It will probably be sluggish when multi-tasking.
The main chip probably supports several I2S devices (aux in/adc, tuner/adc, DVD) and routing plus demuxing is done via linux hardware control.
The DVD player and tuner probably support the i2c or spi protocol to control seeking and other functions. This is again controllable via the linux devices.
Usually the consumer devices don't have these easily exposed and it's probably a non-trivial task to piggyback on existing hardware, assuming the needed connections are broken out on the board. As far as I can see the only Android devices with CD or DVD are the car players like above.
Another option would be to take the sound from the HDMI signal. A DVD player/tuner can be wired in parallel with an HDMI switcher. However controlling the tracks would not be easy, it would require emulating the remote with an IR transmitter.
I am using Kodi on my Fire TV and noticed that the movies are only playing in stereo mode. The Dolby settings on the Fire TV itself are set to automatic and trailers play in surround sound. Are there settings in Kodi that need to be modified? Any help is appreciated!
burowyako said:
I am using Kodi on my Fire TV and noticed that the movies are only playing in stereo mode. The Dolby settings on the Fire TV itself are set to automatic and trailers play in surround sound. Are there settings in Kodi that need to be modified? Any help is appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to the audio output settings in Kodi, and make sure you are on the expert level. Put the number of channels to 2.0, passthrough enabled, and select all the audio formats at the bottom.
Yes I'm struggling getting surround sound as well, have lived with it up until now as usually everything I'm watching says 2.0 stereo, but last night actually found something that said 5.1 and I wasn't getting any sound from that! lol
Have tried different settings (as above) but still no sound through my amp, have only just really started looking into it but nothing worked in all the different guides I tried.
Will hopefully get this sorted soon, there are quite a few settings in the expert mode so will hopefully get round to trying them all, it's just having to go back and forth after changing the set up that's the pain lol
wonneil said:
Yes I'm struggling getting surround sound as well, have lived with it up until now as usually everything I'm watching says 2.0 stereo, but last night actually found something that said 5.1 and I wasn't getting any sound from that! lol
Have tried different settings (as above) but still no sound through my amp, have only just really started looking into it but nothing worked in all the different guides I tried.
Will hopefully get this sorted soon, there are quite a few settings in the expert mode so will hopefully get round to trying them all, it's just having to go back and forth after changing the set up that's the pain lol
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What is your connection to the amp? Is it HDMI, or optical?
lennie paz said:
What is your connection to the amp? Is it HDMI, or optical?
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Click to collapse
I have an HDMI connection, when playing a 5.1 video I can see the front left/right speaker icons stuttering on my amp (usually it would show all 5 speakers) and no sound comes through. I suppose it could be the stream but think it's probably my settings...
Is the amp supposed to convert even when playing a 2.0 stream or does it have to be a 5.1? I have always assumed it has to start as 5.1 which is why I've left it until now
wonneil said:
I have an HDMI connection, when playing a 5.1 video I can see the front left/right speaker icons stuttering on my amp (usually it would show all 5 speakers) and no sound comes through. I suppose it could be the stream but think it's probably my settings...
Is the amp supposed to convert even when playing a 2.0 stream or does it have to be a 5.1? I have always assumed it has to start as 5.1 which is why I've left it until now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some amps will convert a 2.0 audio stream into a fake 5.1 stream, but it's an actual setting on the amp. Do you have DD audio set to On in the settings for the AFTV? What brand is the amp?
lennie paz said:
Some amps will convert a 2.0 audio stream into a fake 5.1 stream, but it's an actual setting on the amp. Do you have DD audio set to On in the settings for the AFTV? What brand is the amp?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I've set it to DD Plus via HDMI and have now pretty much tried all the settings in the audio options including 2.0, 5.1 and also (my setup) 7.1 but none seem to work, have also tried changing the Output config, Stereo upmix, Resample quality, Keep audio device alive but nothing is happening, still getting no sound when it displays 5.1 DD on the stream, even tried another episode and the same thing.
My amp is a Sony STR-DA3600ES which is DTS capable but like I say the speaker icons flicker when playing the stream so there's definitely something not quite right
I have never had problems with anything else so think I may have to just give up on this Kodi problem
wonneil said:
Yes I've set it to DD Plus via HDMI and have now pretty much tried all the settings in the audio options including 2.0, 5.1 and also (my setup) 7.1 but none seem to work, have also tried changing the Output config, Stereo upmix, Resample quality, Keep audio device alive but nothing is happening, still getting no sound when it displays 5.1 DD on the stream, even tried another episode and the same thing.
My amp is a Sony STR-DA3600ES which is DTS capable but like I say the speaker icons flicker when playing the stream so there's definitely something not quite right
I have never had problems with anything else so think I may have to just give up on this Kodi problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here are my exact settings, and 5.1 audio plays perfect. If these settings don't work for you, then it might be that the AFTV doesn't play well with your amp when connected with HDMI. I bought a Denon amp a few weeks ago, and no matter what the settings were, I couldn't get 5.1 audio to work. I returned the Denon, and bought a Yamaha, and 5.1 audio plays perfectly. Another thing you can try, is run an optical cable from the AFTV to the Sony, and see if that works. Make sure you go into the AFTV settings and change the audio output from HDMI, to optical. You may also want to try a new HDMI cable.
lennie paz said:
Here are my exact settings, and 5.1 audio plays perfect. If these settings don't work for you, then it might be that the AFTV doesn't play well with your amp when connected with HDMI. I bought a Denon amp a few weeks ago, and no matter what the settings were, I couldn't get 5.1 audio to work. I returned the Denon, and bought a Yamaha, and 5.1 audio plays perfectly. Another thing you can try, is run an optical cable from the AFTV to the Sony, and see if that works. Make sure you go into the AFTV settings and change the audio output from HDMI, to optical. You may also want to try a new HDMI cable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers Lennie, I thought about changing the HDMI cable so will definitely try that when I get home, if not will try optical as I didn't even think of that lol
Have tried your settings already (although didn't have the volume on downmix option) with no luck so the cable changes are the only thing left, will let you know how I get on... :good:
I managed to have a look at this last night (after searching various forums) and thought I would try XBMC to see if anything broke in Kodi 14.1, so installed the last Gotham built SPMC (13.4.0) but that had exactly the same results.
Pulled out all my equipment to change the HDMI cable over but that made no difference either, so plugged in an optical cable, changed the audio input on my amp and changed the AFTV to DD over optical and had 5.1 sound straight away :good:
So looks like there's something strange with Kodi/XBMC when trying to get 5.1 surround using HDMI on some amps...
wonneil said:
I managed to have a look at this last night (after searching various forums) and thought I would try XBMC to see if anything broke in Kodi 14.1, so installed the last Gotham built SPMC (13.4.0) but that had exactly the same results.
Pulled out all my equipment to change the HDMI cable over but that made no difference either, so plugged in an optical cable, changed the audio input on my amp and changed the AFTV to DD over optical and had 5.1 sound straight away :good:
So looks like there's something strange with Kodi/XBMC when trying to get 5.1 surround using HDMI on some amps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you got it sorted out. Like I said, I bought a new Pioneer a few weeks ago, and couldn't get the audio to work using HDMI. I returned it and bought a Yamaha, and it works perfectly. The only reason I figured it out, was when the audio wasn't working, I took the AFTV and hooked it up to my other home theater setup, and it worked fine with my Denon receiver. The audio was making a really high pitched static sound when using the Pioneer. My Xfinity box's audio worked fine with the Pioneer, so I know it was the AFTV, not the Pioneer, that was the issue.
lennie paz said:
Here are my exact settings, and 5.1 audio plays perfect. If these settings don't work for you, then it might be that the AFTV doesn't play well with your amp when connected with HDMI. I bought a Denon amp a few weeks ago, and no matter what the settings were, I couldn't get 5.1 audio to work. I returned the Denon, and bought a Yamaha, and 5.1 audio plays perfectly. Another thing you can try, is run an optical cable from the AFTV to the Sony, and see if that works. Make sure you go into the AFTV settings and change the audio output from HDMI, to optical. You may also want to try a new HDMI cable.
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Click to collapse
Know this is a old thread but hopefully you will reply. Using Kodt why do we have to select 2.0 to get 5.1 surround sound or am I not understanding what you are saying?
lartomar2002 said:
Know this is a old thread but hopefully you will reply. Using Kodt why do we have to select 2.0 to get 5.1 surround sound or am I not understanding what you are saying?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because Passthrough has been enabled, which means your receiver is doing the audio decoding.
Interesting. If I remember correctly I did not have to do that with SPMC Gotham 13.2, strange.
I know this is not the right spot but maybe someone could help me. I just got my shield console and it is sending multi channel audio to my receiver. I DO NOT want multi channel audio i want 2.0 audio. Does anyone know a way to NOT send multi channel audio?
Very helpful thread thanks!
Just a query though...
If I have 'Number of channels' set to 2.0 and have 'Stereo Upmix' on the reciever seems louder and high quality but with vocals coming out of all speakers which to me it should be centre speaker only. But if I have 'Stereo Upmix' off the centre channel is vocal only which to me is perfect but the quality is lower.
Is it just how it is or am I doing something wrong?
Running Fire tv stick (quad core version) running to Onkyo reciever.
Sent from my SM-G901F using Tapatalk
FYI, if you want to keep DTS Passthrough, don't upgrade KODI past 16.1 Jarvis. DTS passthrough is gone in Krypton on AFTV because that "Android" standards require API 23 (Marshmallow/Android 6.0) to "officially" support DTS and AFTV is still on API 22 (FireOS based on Android 5 Lollipop). I don' t see Amazon updating to a Marshmallow based image for FireOS anytime soon. It is a sad day.
Also if you want dts passthrough you can't enable "sync playback to display" otherwise it's going to passthrough as Dolby digital.
Can anyone confirm that USB audio output works? Either with a DAC or car head unit will do. Just want to make sure...
Also interested in this question, as I found that USB audio does not work on Nexus 5 and 9 after update to 6.0.
My setup: Nexus 5/9 > USB DAC/amp > headphones. Works fine with 5.1.1.
Actually, it only works on 6.0 with USB Audio Player Pro app, which uses its own driver. It doesn't work with other apps (e.g. Spotify)
Zebbub said:
Also interested in this question, as I found that USB audio does not work on Nexus 5 and 9 after update to 6.0.
My setup: Nexus 5/9 > USB DAC/amp > headphones. Works fine with 5.1.1.
Actually, it only works on 6.0 with USB Audio Player Pro app, which uses its own driver. It doesn't work with other apps (e.g. Spotify)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got my 5x and it works with both my car head unit (Kenwood in Android hand mode) and FiiO USB DAC. Audio from all apps (e.g. Spotify, Youtube) works.
smacksa said:
Got my 5x and it works with both my car head unit (Kenwood in Android hand mode) and FiiO USB DAC. Audio from all apps (e.g. Spotify, Youtube) works.
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Click to collapse
Good news! Does it work right out of the box, or does it require some settings?
I am trying to connect to my car via. iSimple Lightning connection to Aukey USB Type C (CB-A3). "The connection does Rapid Charge Nexus 5X"
How do I set the phone to send music from an app like: Amazon Music or Pandora, to the car though USB Type C port?
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Any one else have any experience with the 5X and any other available DACs? I was looking at the Cambridge Audio XS but I haven't been able to find any mention of it working with 6.0.1
So i have hifimediy dac with usb-c to micro usb, and i cant get it working. I have xiaomi's adapter and some random chinese cable so i dont know how to fix it.
Hello,
Not sure how much you guys experiment with external audio gear
Basically i have been trying to send sound through external audio interfaces (USB OTG compliant sound cards)
and not able to do so on the TAB S
I can see when device connected (OTG compliant device) , sound stops coming out of speakers and redirected to USB, no sound is actually coming out
only one very old very simple usb sound card stick that worked
It is not powered issue as all the one's i tested (Pioneer Wego 3 for example) have own power source
I tried with Kitkat 4.4 , stock rom 5.0.2 , CM 12.1 5.1.1, Marshmellow 6.0.1 nothing works
I would love some insight maybe suggesting different rom or kernel
Thanks
Hi,
My receiver has no hdmi, so I have audio put to it from tv. Sometimes I would like to listen to internet radio without having tv on, so direct connection to receiver would be great, even analog one. Do I need USB audio card or there are some other options? If yes, anyone uses something worth mentioning? Anyone tried USB cards on Shield?
Kajman said:
Hi,
My receiver has no hdmi, so I have audio put to it from tv. Sometimes I would like to listen to internet radio without having tv on, so direct connection to receiver would be great, even analog one. Do I need USB audio card or there are some other options? If yes, anyone uses something worth mentioning? Anyone tried USB cards on Shield?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use an external USB dac. Works out of the box and mutes the hdmi sound output too so you will not be able to have it connected all the time for when you want the hdmi to output sound.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
That's worse, but maybe I can live with it, maybe I find one with power switch, thanks
I am using a HDMI video / audio splitter. Works well.
Best part it doesn't need to be powered separately.
Does audio go through hdmi and separately? Analog audio or digital? Or maybe can you post name of the splitter?
I have mine setup to do this through bluetooth, where with a combination of apps i simply press and hold 2 on my third party remote, and my shield connects to my bluetooth a2dp reciever which in turn is connected to my stereo speakers, i simply disconnect the bluetooth connection when i want the sound to go through the tv......which i had setup through tasker to disconnect when i long press 2 again, but i think i broke this messing around with this particular task .....that reminds me, i gotta get round to fixing this
I can do this without even having to turn the tv on or even having bluetooth on, as the remote is a RF 2.4gh/IR remote
To take it a step further, i could potentially create a scenario where i press or long press my chosen button and have the shield wake up > unlock display > turn on bluetooth > connect to a2dp > open media app > emulate media play.......and have my music playing without having to turn on the tv.......the remote having media control and volume control as standard........assuming the app supports the media standards i.e. youtube app doesnt
Apps used
Xposed
Xposed additions (can map the remote/mouse/keyboard buttons to something else or have it initiate chosen tasker task i.e. long press 2 initiates "speakers on" task)
Tasker + plugins
Anyway, thats another avenue
I will buy this converter www.goo.gl/VqOvFB
MALOW said:
I will buy this converter www.goo.gl/VqOvFB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's what i've been using since my Chromecast to send audio to my speaker bar. I just swapped the hdmi when i got the Shield.
has anyone managed to get 5.1 audio out of the shield via USB soundcard? I bought one but it seems that its sampling down to a stereo sound. I have set in settings 5.1 sound for USB.
I also bought a 7.1 xonar u7 usb dac but no output on surround channel only in left and right. I aready set the USB to 5.1 surround and tried all the video applications. Maybe the shield only supports usb pass through and PSM stereo.
eacudilla said:
I also bought a 7.1 xonar u7 usb dac but no output on surround channel only in left and right. I aready set the USB to 5.1 surround and tried all the video applications. Maybe the shield only supports usb pass through and PSM stereo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
USB Auidio Works with class compilant devices only, but not entirely sure what that means in this case.
What apps did you try and what audio/video source files did you used for your tests?
eacudilla said:
I also bought a 7.1 xonar u7 usb dac but no output on surround channel only in left and right. I aready set the USB to 5.1 surround and tried all the video applications. Maybe the shield only supports usb pass through and PSM stereo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem here, any progress since September?
im currently using this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/LiNKFOR-Ex...8-1-spons&keywords=hdmi+audio+extractor&psc=1
I connect the toslink to my sound bar so i can chromecast my spotify from my google home and not have to have the tv on. the audio still passes through to the tv, there also is a 3.5mm jack you can switch to.
I use the Audioquest Dragonfly DAC and it sounds amazing. I combine it with the Jitterbug. It's a little pricey (90-100) but I'm running to studio monitors so it's easier to tell the difference in quality.