Develop Bugs

[Q] Play videos through DHD to car stereo over micro usb

Hi, i connect my DHD to my car stereo via the micro USB port at the DHD's bottom.
I subsequently get a prompt that asked me whether i want to have the USB behave as a charge only, SD card, HTC sync, Internet tether... I choose SD card.
Here is where the problem is. Audio works fine, i am able to get it streamed to my car stereo over USB. But when i try to play video files , the phone reports that the SD card is locked (since the car steroe is accessing the sd card for audio files i believe).
Are there any work around this? I would like to watch video and have the sound from the video audible through my car stereo speakers, all through the micro usb port.
I used to be able to do this using the iphone dock port.

This will never work unless your car stereo has a stereo/mini-stereo Aux in.

A way to separate in-call and music audio to different cables?

The problem is:
I need to have separate leads for in-call conversations (mono+mic) and general audio, like music player (stereo). Meaning that audio normally goes via one cable, but when the call is placed it's automatically diverted to a different cable. It might be possible to make an external active switch-box if only there was a way to tell that a call has been placed.
I can only think of adding a bluetooth handsfree, which would only work for phonecalls, while keeping the stereo plug connected for music. But is there any way to do it with just an audio port? Is there any communication going on via the audio port at all for some advanced accessories?
The phone is in question is HTC Android, with 4-pin audio plug.

USB External Microphone

I bought a Samson Meteor microphone to record some class lectures. I used SGSII 4-IN-1 connection kit to hook it up. I was able to record with it but the quality was quite low but on my Ubuntu box using Audacity it sounded great. Does anyone know if there is some way to connect an external mic and get good sound? The native voice recorder app on the S3 used the usb mic without a hitch. I installed another app that lets you select a mic but it only recognizes the built ins. Has anyone else tried the external mic thing?

Car Stereos with USB

Does anyone have a car stereo with a USB port? If so can you elaborate on what that is like to use? I am purchasing a new unit and that feature is one I do not truly understand. A few questions I have are listed below, but feel free to add anything else you think might be useful in making this decision.
1: Does the phone charge while connected to a USB port on a stereo?
2: Can you use the file system and player controls through your stereo or do you have to control the music and other audio through the phone itself?
3: Does the audio work from all sources with a USB connection(for example phone calls or turn by turn), or will it only play music player audio?
4: If you do have access to the file system from your stereo, will it display song titles and artist info etc? How cumbersome is it do control this way?

Landara said:
Does anyone have a car stereo with a USB port? If so can you elaborate on what that is like to use? I am purchasing a new unit and that feature is one I do not truly understand. A few questions I have are listed below, but feel free to add anything else you think might be useful in making this decision.
1: Does the phone charge while connected to a USB port on a stereo?
2: Can you use the file system and player controls through your stereo or do you have to control the music and other audio through the phone itself?
3: Does the audio work from all sources with a USB connection(for example phone calls or turn by turn), or will it only play music player audio?
4: If you do have access to the file system from your stereo, will it display song titles and artist info etc? How cumbersome is it do control this way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be helpful to know what actual head unit you're getting. But I will try to answer most of the questions as best I can since I have a fairly new Pioneer HU.
1. Yes, but it only charges on "USB" mode, not "AC".
2. Yes and no. The Pioneer HU that I have does NOT support MTP mode (which is what Jelly Bean, and I believe ICS) uses. Basically MTP is the protocol for storage on the Galaxy Nexus. If you can find a ROM or Kernel or any way to change the mode to "Mass Storage", then you'll be able to browse the file system.
3. Only music (or whatever else is inside your MP3 file). When you connect to your HU through USB, your phone basically turns into a flash drive. From there you have to navigate to your "Music" folder and tell it what to play. The only way to do calls, navigation and music at the same time is to use Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable with an inline mic.
4. It displays what is inside your ID3 tag inside the MP3 file. So basically, if you have all the info filled in, then yes, it will display it. As far as how cumbersome it is, it takes some getting used to, but not to bad (on Pioneer, I have no idea on any other brand).
Short answer: Unless your stereo support MTP or you can find a way to force "Mass Storage" (which I'm not familiar with a way how), your stereo will only charge your phone. It sucks, but that's the way it is.

Pioneer has the app radio which will control your phone and also allows you to use Pandora on the actual H/U. That said I have never used it nor do I plan on it as its a dual din and I am just happy using bluetooth.

I have a JVC unit that works great with my nexus running linaro aokp jelly bean. The unit is x50bt. It will not play through USB only charge. However it is Bluetooth enabled so it can play anything including you phone calls through your car stereo. I have it setup so that my phone auto connects and plays Pandora automatically. The head unit displays song title and artist and also allows u to thumb up or down using the remote conyrol. I also have playlists set up in power amp for my MP3s. The built in equalizer in power amp along with the equalizer in the head unit work well together. I have the USB cable in the rear USB port so it is hidden in my CRZ. The tiny Bluetooth adapter is in the front and does not look out of place.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

nastystang05 said:
I have a JVC unit that works great with my nexus running linaro aokp jelly bean. The unit is x50bt. It will not play through USB only charge. However it is Bluetooth enabled so it can play anything including you phone calls through your car stereo. I have it setup so that my phone auto connects and plays Pandora automatically. The head unit displays song title and artist and also allows u to thumb up or down using the remote conyrol. I also have playlists set up in power amp for my MP3s. The built in equalizer in power amp along with the equalizer in the head unit work well together. I have the USB cable in the rear USB port so it is hidden in my CRZ. The tiny Bluetooth adapter is in the front and does not look out of place.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Per your suggestion, I purchased the X50BT. I am not disappointed. As you said, it does not support MTP, however I have a tiny 32gb Flash Drive(about the size of the Bluetooth Dongle) inserted in the front and the audio quality is simply breathtaking. I have my phone set to auto-connect via Bluetooth, which it does seamlessly. It even connects for audio however the BT audio stream sounds terrible when compared to the USB audio from the flash drive. I don't know if that's a limitation of my phone, the technology or the unit but it hardly matters since I can fit all of my music on the USB drive anyway. I just have to use Bluetooth or the 3.5mm jack for Pandora. Thanks for the suggestion, I really love this head unit!

Landara said:
Per your suggestion, I purchased the X50BT. I am not disappointed. As you said, it does not support MTP, however I have a tiny 32gb Flash Drive(about the size of the Bluetooth Dongle) inserted in the front and the audio quality is simply breathtaking. I have my phone set to auto-connect via Bluetooth, which it does seamlessly. It even connects for audio however the BT audio stream sounds terrible when compared to the USB audio from the flash drive. I don't know if that's a limitation of my phone, the technology or the unit but it hardly matters since I can fit all of my music on the USB drive anyway. I just have to use Bluetooth or the 3.5mm jack for Pandora. Thanks for the suggestion, I really love this head unit!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're rooted, you have to tweak the Bluetooth sound profile using voodoo or DSP manager for example (which one your kernel allows).
You could add some "gain" amp or reduce the "Mids" and raise the "Bass"..
I have a different sound presets for the:
-Phone speaker (added some mids)
-Headphones (optimized for my Sony headset)
-Blueooth (lots of bass and "Rock" setting, sound is pretty good)

Possible Helpful Info on UMS & MTP
Landara said:
Does anyone have a car stereo with a USB port? If so can you elaborate on what that is like to use? I am purchasing a new unit and that feature is one I do not truly understand. A few questions I have are listed below, but feel free to add anything else you think might be useful in making this decision.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread might have some helpful info. (especially if the OP dev actually wrote the code for it).
(just tryin to help

danielsaenz said:
2. Yes and no. The Pioneer HU that I have does NOT support MTP mode (which is what Jelly Bean, and I believe ICS) uses. Basically MTP is the protocol for storage on the Galaxy Nexus. If you can find a ROM or Kernel or any way to change the mode to "Mass Storage", then you'll be able to browse the file system.
Short answer: Unless your stereo support MTP or you can find a way to force "Mass Storage" (which I'm not familiar with a way how), your stereo will only charge your phone. It sucks, but that's the way it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just wanted to point out that even if you found a way to force USB Mass Storage, it is unlikely that your radio would be able to read the filesystem. Most radios will only read FAT file systems, while the Nexus uses EXT3 (I think, could be 4). So Bluetooth/AUX are really your only options.

Gnex to HU
Landara said:
Does anyone have a car stereo with a USB port? If so can you elaborate on what that is like to use? I am purchasing a new unit and that feature is one I do not truly understand. A few questions I have are listed below, but feel free to add anything else you think might be useful in making this decision.
1: Does the phone charge while connected to a USB port on a stereo?
2: Can you use the file system and player controls through your stereo or do you have to control the music and other audio through the phone itself?
3: Does the audio work from all sources with a USB connection(for example phone calls or turn by turn), or will it only play music player audio?
4: If you do have access to the file system from your stereo, will it display song titles and artist info etc? How cumbersome is it do control this way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just installed an Alpine HU, It is also does not support MTP. I really like using the Bluetooth but have found that I have to reboot my Gnex and or restart my car to get the Bluetooth to sync correctly. USB does charge but it is slow. One thing to look for is Bluetooth Parrot.

gkaurin said:
I just installed an Alpine HU, It is also does not support MTP. I really like using the Bluetooth but have found that I have to reboot my Gnex and or restart my car to get the Bluetooth to sync correctly. USB does charge but it is slow. One thing to look for is Bluetooth Parrot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found if you just toggle the Bluetooth on and off on your phone it should sync.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I am finding that it is more of how my HU looks at my blue tooth. Thus restart car. I am wondering if it has something to do with Android BT. My gnex has worked this way with multiple roms and BT enabled HU.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I bought a cheap stereo from Wal-Mart a Dual stereo with Bluetooth, takes a SD card, front and back inputs and satellite compatible. It has the USB plug that charges but like the others, doesn't read the memory on the phone. I stream through Bluetooth all of the time with Spotify. My son's Galaxy SIII can connect too if I turn mine off without changing anything. It was a great investment. It is a convertible and the microphone works great at 70mph with the top down. For $118 I am very happy.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I don't believe the Galaxy Nexus will work with the USB of many head units since the Nexus uses MTP instead of UMS.
Hopefully someone can come up with a UMS for the Nexus.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

infazzdar said:
I don't believe the Galaxy Nexus will work with the USB of many head units since the Nexus uses MTP instead of UMS.
Hopefully someone can come up with a UMS for the Nexus.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the better way would for HU to be able to connect like they do to Apple products and have MTP support.

HU
I know that JVC / Ken-wood have apps for android. Looked more like a HU controller rather then playing from android. Never tested.

I think I figured why my USB isn't connecting from the AVH 4000 NEX to my galaxy note 3 SM-N900. It's possibly due to the MTP mode. I believe if the was a mass storage mode that will work, kinda like a USB stick. I don't think the firmware in my HU is properly picking up MTP, all it does is charge the phone. You need a kennel that has UMS enable for mass storage however the international note 3 SM-N900 currently does not have such kernels. There is only 3.... To my surprise. Maybe the last time I ever go with international models again. If anyone finds away around this let me know thanks.

My car does not have USB or card reader, but aux line!.
So I decided to go cheap and buy a Vieta FM Car Transmitter and BT Handsfree unit, and I does a decent job.
Perhaps in a future I'll go for a Parrot...

[Q] Car Stereo Unrecognized By S4 When Connecting Via USB

O-for-two...<grumble-grumble> :crying:
Upgraded my factory cassette car stereo to a new one with usb port (no bluetooth), thinking I could both stream the phone's audio and charge the battery via usb.
Well, the battery's levels actually decrease when plugged in, and more to the point, the phone isn't recognized in usb mode in the stereo and quickly goes to radio mode and the phone displays the following message (please see attached screenshot)...
...my phone is stock, not rooted. Stereo is not bluetooth-enabled, and I would prefer to stream via usb than the aux port.
-> Can anyone advise any tweaks or apps that would enable the phone's streaming audio to be played via the stereo's USB mode?
Thanks in advance!

What kind of car? I used to have problems in my Saab.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

mrbmg said:
What kind of car? I used to have problems in my Saab.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply.
It's a 4Runner.
Hoping to focus here on how to get the devices to recognize one another...

That's weird. Maybe a driver issue with the stereo? Does it have a hard drive? Never used stereo with usb port. I think my wife's suv has one.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 09:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:39 PM ----------
What stereo is it?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

mrbmg said:
That's weird. Maybe a driver issue with the stereo? Does it have a hard drive? Never used stereo with usb port. I think my wife's suv has one.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stereo is very basic, no hd.
Anyone know of any tweaks/downloads I can make to the phone in order to get the audio properly streamed via usb?

4umexdeeay said:
The stereo is very basic, no hd.
Anyone know of any tweaks/downloads I can make to the phone in order to get the audio properly streamed via usb?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a similiar radio. No bluetooth but a usb on the front and an audio input on the front. As I understand it the stereo itself can't access the phone this way. It doesn't have drivers to recognize the Samsung phone. Think about it. you plug your phone into your computer by usb but you have to download and install drivers for the two to work together. Mine from the looks of it has Iphone drivers built in but nothing for android. You can probably plug a thumb drive in loaded with music and it'll play. What I do is use a stereo cable from headphone output on the phone to the audio in on the stereo. If I need to charge it I have the standard car charger for that.

4umexdeeay said:
Upgraded my factory cassette car stereo to a new one with usb port (no bluetooth), thinking I could both stream the phone's audio and charge the battery via usb.
Well, the battery's levels actually decrease when plugged in, and more to the point, the phone isn't recognized in usb mode in the stereo and quickly goes to radio mode and the phone displays the following message (please see attached screenshot)... [/B]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Youre doing it wrong
The reason the battery is decreasing is the amount of current drawn from the device. Either the radio is not strong enough to supply the right current or the phone is recognizing it as a computer and limiting the draw to 500ma. My rough estimates show that the phone uses closer to 750ma while in use just to run. You can verify how much power it is drawing with this simple application https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abmantis.galaxychargingcurrent.free
You could try to install a kernel that allows you to override the amount of power drawn from the port. I was the first to request the feature and Ktoonsez was nice enough to implement it into his kernel. Now you can set the AC and Computer USB draw to any amount you like.
Secondly, why did you think you could play audio through USB in the first place? I guess it would be possible if the radio supports MTP but then the phone would be acting more like a USB stick and you would have to choose the files manually on the radio itself.
If you really don't want to use an Aux cable then I suggest buying a bluetooth dongle and connecting it to the rear AUX inputs on the radio. They are relatively cheap and you can install it inside the dash never to be seen again.

braschlosan said:
Youre doing it wrong
The reason the battery is decreasing is the amount of current drawn from the device. Either the radio is not strong enough to supply the right current or the phone is recognizing it as a computer and limiting the draw to 500ma. My rough estimates show that the phone uses closer to 750ma while in use just to run. You can verify how much power it is drawing with this simple application https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abmantis.galaxychargingcurrent.free
You could try to install a kernel that allows you to override the amount of power drawn from the port. I was the first to request the feature and Ktoonsez was nice enough to implement it into his kernel. Now you can set the AC and Computer USB draw to any amount you like.
Secondly, why did you think you could play audio through USB in the first place? I guess it would be possible if the radio supports MTP but then the phone would be acting more like a USB stick and you would have to choose the files manually on the radio itself.
If you really don't want to use an Aux cable then I suggest buying a bluetooth dongle and connecting it to the rear AUX inputs on the radio. They are relatively cheap and you can install it inside the dash never to be seen again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is all really helpful info, thanks
Yeah, not sure why I thought I could stream via usb either, must've been mixing up the functions of that and the aux cable.
-> So I'm familiar with a bluetooth dongle that connects via usb (...think that would work properly in a car stereo too?) - but you're recommending a dongle that connects internally? Know where I'd find that for sale?

1st, my assumption is you're rooted...?
If no=Boohoo... Root or buy stereo with Bluetooth.
If yes= install this app... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mohammadag.samsungusbmassstorageenabler
Open it, grant it root privileges, click the "mass usb" (I think its called), and profit!
*Music must be on external card.
<-- my thank you is over there

Do you have an auxillary input option on the stereo? 3.5mm jack...
The advantage is that it's guarenteed to work.
The disadvantage is that you can't control the song selection from the stereo. You have to do it from the phone.
Also, could it be there you store the music? If it's on an external SD card I can see where that would fail. Maybe if it was on the internal memory? Remember the car stereo probably isn't real bright. If it doesn't find what it's looking for where it expects to find it, it won't keep looking.
You might have to have it stored in a specificly named directory on the phone too.

4umexdeeay said:
So I'm familiar with a bluetooth dongle that connects via usb (...think that would work properly in a car stereo too?) - but you're recommending a dongle that connects internally? Know where I'd find that for sale?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Internally" meaning it goes inside the dash, behind the radio. Its just a bluetooth receiver with an audio output (either a headphone jack or RCA cables)
If you want listen to music over "USB" you can get certain touch screen radios that will mirror your phones display

4umexdeeay said:
O-for-two...<grumble-grumble> :crying:
Upgraded my factory cassette car stereo to a new one with usb port (no bluetooth), thinking I could both stream the phone's audio and charge the battery via usb.
Well, the battery's levels actually decrease when plugged in, and more to the point, the phone isn't recognized in usb mode in the stereo and quickly goes to radio mode and the phone displays the following message (please see attached screenshot)...
...my phone is stock, not rooted. Stereo is not bluetooth-enabled, and I would prefer to stream via usb than the aux port.
On the bench after testing all the functions and ready to install....
[/URL[/IMG]
-> Can anyone advise any tweaks or apps that would enable the phone's streaming audio to be played via the stereo's USB mode?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a mod that allows your phone to emulate a usb storage device that would allow you to play music stored on the phone through the stereo you installed, however there would be no controlling any of the sounds, etc via the phone. All the controlling has to come from the stereo itself. Volume, tone, selection, etc. You also need to check the format that the stereo "expects" to see in order for it to be able to function.... Such as Folder size, (files within the folder - how many) How deep the folders are allowed to be set as like in subfolders, etc. What the storage media format is able to be accessed, etc. It gets a little technical and the results are a bit disappointing in the end...
The best I can recommend is a display screen unit that supports using the phone in the USB input. I just installed a Pioneer AVH-X4600BT that works with my (GS4 rooted 4.2.2 Stock ) in my Wife's Subaru Outback. We can plug the phone's USB cable into the stereo (via a Mirrorlink add-on) and run the PHONE using the touch screen of the stereo. You'd be able to run Pandora, answer/make calls, answer/create e-mail and Texting, listen to the music on the phone, watch video that is stored on the phone or DVD's, and most important, NAVIGATION on a 7 inch screen!. All of that though, is dependent on the phone you have. As of yet, the Mirrorlink supports the iPhone, GS3, GS5, and with a hacked app in the phone, it also supports GS4. There is a free app on the market that is called Drivelink which interfaces your phone and the stereo.
You might want to research other stereo devices that have the Mirrorlink application support. I believe Sony has some, but I didn't go past the Pioneer unit. Bottom line, BE SURE TO DO THOROUGH INVESTIGATION ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AND THE CONNECTABILITY OF YOUR DEVICES. I know you just bought the unit recently so you just might be having to live with your setup for a while. That's o.k. though, next time you purchase something like that, you will be armed to the gills with knowledge and get something you'll really enjoy.
On my test bench after testing, and was ready to be installed....
Good Luck, and Aloha!

4umexdeeay said:
O-for-two...<grumble-grumble> :crying:
Upgraded my factory cassette car stereo to a new one with usb port (no bluetooth), thinking I could both stream the phone's audio and charge the battery via usb.
Well, the battery's levels actually decrease when plugged in, and more to the point, the phone isn't recognized in usb mode in the stereo and quickly goes to radio mode and the phone displays the following message (please see attached screenshot)...
...my phone is stock, not rooted. Stereo is not bluetooth-enabled, and I would prefer to stream via usb than the aux port.
-> Can anyone advise any tweaks or apps that would enable the phone's streaming audio to be played via the stereo's USB mode?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's doing that because your phone uses MTP as the Media Transfer Protocol. Basically, it kind of mounts like an MP3 player or camera and the new DIN you installed doesn't know what to do with it. The real trick is to get your phone into UMS, USB Mass Storage mode. There's a UMS app in the play store, BUT you have to be rooted to use it. It basically mounts your phone like a regular old thumb drive. Do that and your new DIN will see it no problem. Only thing is, like a USB drive you'll have to navigate into your folders to play your music. This was what I threw in my car and it's been awesome!
http://www.amazon.com/VicTsing-Blue...=UTF8&qid=1397676105&sr=1-1&keywords=victsing
---------- Post added at 04:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:22 PM ----------
4umexdeeay said:
This is all really helpful info, thanks
Yeah, not sure why I thought I could stream via usb either, must've been mixing up the functions of that and the aux cable.
-> So I'm familiar with a bluetooth dongle that connects via usb (...think that would work properly in a car stereo too?) - but you're recommending a dongle that connects internally? Know where I'd find that for sale?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bet I know why you thought you could play audio through USB. It's because Apple products can do it. One of the things that drives me nuts is that most cars with USB ports have audio playback support for Apple devices because of Apple's dock interface that let's the docking component control and navigate the audio. Unfortunately (and it drives me crazy) Google hasn't created a similar interface for Android so there are no Android Docks. Android devices like the S4 in your car rely on on AUX to send audio. It really sucks and Google has committed to addressing it this year in the car but I don't know if they're fixing the underlying problem of a uniform audio interface in android; meaning one where you plug in a dock and it recognizes your phone and how to access your music and playlists. Again, Take a look at this if you need a quick fix. I know you were hoping your new stereo would do it, but you could easily hide this:
http://www.amazon.com/VicTsing-Blue...=UTF8&qid=1397676105&sr=1-1&keywords=victsing

abovenbeyond said:
1st, my assumption is you're rooted...?
If no=Boohoo... Root or buy stereo with Bluetooth.
If yes= install this app... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mohammadag.samsungusbmassstorageenabler
Open it, grant it root privileges, click the "mass usb" (I think its called), and profit!
*Music must be on external card.
<-- my thank you is over there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand, am I missing the post where u said u did this and it didn't work?
This is what u need to do... period. If this app won't work with your rom, find an app or place in the settings to enable "mass storage". The above linked app works for me and many others.