Develop Bugs

[Q] Car infotainment device

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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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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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.

Dragonfly red USB-DAC loudness issue / 5x / Stock ROM

Hey guys,
I just bought a nice USB-OTG DAC for Hi-Fi sound, the Audioquest Dragonfly Red. I really like the augmented sound it delivers - although I noticed a major drawback:
The maximum sound is strongly limited due to a false recognition of the true max volume by the phone. Loudness is controlled by the phone digitally, there're no buttons on the device itself.
According to my research, it is a known issue that the device is always started with level 22 of possible 64 levels of volume. This is intended to prevent harm to one's ears. But Android phones mistake level 22 as the total maximum and don't allow to go any louder. The manufacturer says that this can only be corrected over the ROM. There IS a workaround by using 'USB audio player pro', because this app directly controls the sound output. BUT, I want to listen to Spotify and Tidal, and these apps do NOT allow sound output control.
Any ideas?

I think the problem can be fixed by disabling safe headphone volume (can be done via GravityBox, not sure if there is another method) or redictering audio using SoundAbout app.
Both methods require root privileges and in my opinion this isn't a solution you're looking for.
Just sharing my ideas.

Yeah, redirecting sound output is about what I would have guessed. I just wanted to check if there's already a working solution for non-rooted devices before rooting mine.
The thing is, that I tried a couple of USB-OTG DACs, and only the Dragonfly red is having this issue. Unfortunately it's also the best sounding one...

you can find poll on reddit.

Alright, it's working with USB audio player pro. But - one major drawback:
Although Tidal is supported, this workaround does not allow for playback of offline Tidal tracks... So still no solution that'll work in everyday life...

I spent last few hours to look for options for making the Dragonfly Red work with my Z3C. This post on Pixel 2 https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2-xl/themes/pixel-2-usb-audio-control-t3704024 works perfectly to significantly increase the Red's volume, however, its interface doesn't fit properly on smaller screens (HD on Z3C).

HTC Max 320 Earphones on the HTC 10

Hey, guys! I've recently purchased the HTC Hi-Res Adaptive Sound 2.0 Headset (Max 320). I've tried to use those on the 10 but had no luck. These headphones which use the Type-C input should technically work on the 10 as it supports the "Hi-Res Audio", but all I get when I plug in the Headset is "Accessory not supported". Could this be a hardware issue or a firmware issue? So I wanted to ask if any of you guys have it and if you do, how did you get it to work? I've also attached a screenshot of the message.

ravish_919 said:
Hey, guys! I've recently purchased the HTC Hi-Res Adaptive Sound 2.0 Headset (Max 320). I've tried to use those on the 10 but had no luck. These headphones which use the Type-C input should technically work on the 10 as it supports the "Hi-Res Audio", but all I get when I plug in the Headset is "Accessory not supported". Could this be a hardware issue or a firmware issue? So I wanted to ask if any of you guys have it and if you do, how did you get it to work? I've also attached a screenshot of the message.
Click to expand...
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I'd try going under the developer options of your phone and checking the USB input and changing it to see if that gets you anywhere. It'd be pretty weird if the headphones are phone specific. I have a different pair of USB C headphones that have active noise cancellation that work on my other headsets. As a last attempt, try downloading the free trial of USB Audio Player and see if the headphones work with that app.

mnguyen127 said:
I'd try going under the developer options of your phone and checking the USB input and changing it to see if that gets you anywhere. It'd be pretty weird if the headphones are phone specific. I have a different pair of USB C headphones that have active noise cancellation that work on my other headsets. As a last attempt, try downloading the free trial of USB Audio Player and see if the headphones work with that app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey @mnguyen127! I've tried what you told me to do, by changing the input type but it didn't work. I've tried all the options in the developer settings but it didn't work out. Do you have any other ideas?

ravish_919 said:
Hey @mnguyen127! I've tried what you told me to do, by changing the input type but it didn't work. I've tried all the options in the developer settings but it didn't work out. Do you have any other ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried the USB audio player app? That thing has worked wonders for me when it comes to finicky USB C

I'm in a similar situation, and nothing I've tried worked. Now, I saw someone mention something about firmware on another similar thread, so we might just have to wait for when HTC finally decides to update the 10

I have a pair of JBL Reflect Aware C which are USB-C active noise cancelling headphones, but I've noticed that after a certain update, my headphones won't work without the USB Audio Player app. Same thing happened on my Google Pixel which makes me think that if you roll back the update on your phone, you'll probably get audio out of USB-C.

the high-res certified has nothing to do with the headphone Support. the suppor for those headphones are disabled so deep in System stuff, that me and other couldn't get it to work, even with Sound stuff from u Ultra and u11. you can't use them unless HTC supports them on the 10
I still have those from the Bolt when I tested the device. but can't use them. so either HTC Needs to fix it in their Firmware or they don't want it or so. maybe the cables inside are different from other usb c Audio devices so that might be a Problem too

DeeZZ_NuuZZ said:
the high-res certified has nothing to do with the headphone Support. the suppor for those headphones are disabled so deep in System stuff, that me and other couldn't get it to work, even with Sound stuff from u Ultra and u11. you can't use them unless HTC supports them on the 10
I still have those from the Bolt when I tested the device. but can't use them. so either HTC Needs to fix it in their Firmware or they don't want it or so. maybe the cables inside are different from other usb c Audio devices so that might be a Problem too
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Thanks for explaining it !!!
I guess I'll just hold on to my Brand New HTC U Sonic headphones. What is going on with HTC!!!!!!!

Usb port its not for headphones only for charging go for adapter

Android P Beta DP 4: Bluetooth Latency

Has anyone noticed any latency with Bluetooth headphones on DP4? I was on Oreo and previous DP3 and had no issues with my truly wireless headphones. Using Sol Republic Amps Air and Samsung IconX 2018 and they both now have Bluetooth latency with video, was not like that before. I tried changing the codec in dev ops, but for some reason, it keeps reverting to the same codec. Possibly an issue with the headphones not supporting every codec. But my challenge is this was not an issue before.
Looking to see if anyone is reporting similar issues or if I need to do some more internal investigation on my hardware.

Very strange that headphones that worked without latency, now have it with the latest DP. With my Bluetooth headphones and car system (which have never had latency) I haven't gained any issues with any of the DPs.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Bluetooth audio quality question

Hello. I change phones alot and have noticed that some phones(all android) have better bluetooth playback than others.
I had a oneplus 7 pro before this phone and the bluetooth quality to my truck was great and had no issues but with this phone the highs sounds scratchy or like if the speaker is bad. But if i connect it with a wire connection it sounds great. Everything with the 2 phones is the same. On both i was using the galaxy watch and pretty much the same apps. On a previous phone the note 8 i had the same issue but it was a different car. Seems like its the way samsung handles bluetooth.
Has anyone had this issue? If so was there a fix?
Thanks

make sure not on mic
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

jemfalor said:
make sure not on mic
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean?

The only two things I think about is the codec used that may be different across devices, and the Bluetooth settings that sync the phones volume with the headset (the differences are noticeable).
Since no DAC is used in Bluetooth, I don't think it can comes from them, for a same headset.

On Samsung phones you should run the adapt sound process. Try this.

I tried with the sync volume off too and no improvement.
I looked for the adapt sound and my phone doesn't have that setting. Or is it something different?

It's in Sounds and Vibration 》 Advanced Sound settings 》Sound Quality and effects 》 Adapt sound
You have to do this in a quiet place and ensure to answer honestly. If you can't hear the beeping press no.
After doing this the sound quality is night and day difference.

Ok found it. Ill play with it a bit. Thanks

I've had issues sometimes with audio being piped through the "Calls" Bluetooth channel versus the "Audio" channel so worth checking as the quality is obviously night and day.
I also like enabling Dolby Atmos on my Note 10+ for music so worth playing with too. Additionally, I recently found Samsung's Sound Assistant app which let's you customize a bunch of sound settings so worth checking out as well:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.android.soundassistant

sansnil said:
I've had issues sometimes with audio being piped through the "Calls" Bluetooth channel versus the "Audio" channel so worth checking as the quality is obviously night and day.
I also like enabling Dolby Atmos on my Note 10+ for music so worth playing with too. Additionally, I recently found Samsung's Sound Assistant app which let's you customize a bunch of sound settings so worth checking out as well:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.android.soundassistant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there an easy way to tell if the audio is going through the call channel?

ErickF said:
Is there an easy way to tell if the audio is going through the call channel?
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Click to collapse
Easiest is probably just uncheck calls in your phones BT settings for your truck (and make sure audio is enabled). If the sound is still not great then this isn't the issue.

Sorry to respond to an old thread, but I was wondering if any of this fixed the OP's problem. I followed all the recommendations here and on other threads but have not been able to solve my recent Bluetooth audio problem. The sound has been terrible lately.

Same issue here on my s10+. When playing any audio in my car via BT i hear the distortion/hissing noise especially when the song has a higher treble frequency.
I have just about tried all fixes i could find on Google, and no luck.
When connecting to my ear buds (Jabra Elite 65t) it disappears and checked in developer mode that it supports to AAC for BT Codecs.
But when connecting to the car it reverts to SBC.
The issue clearly lies on Samsungs side, as my brother has a Huawei p30 Pro, also has bluetooth 5 and plays amazingly well in all aspects (Bass-Mids-Treble).
I know I'm posting this almost a year later, but i am desperately looking for a fix.
SN. I have recently updated my phone to Android 10, despite all the complaints to Samsung from many users... Sadly this issue has not being fixed on my side.
From what i see online, people have given up on Samsung and opted for Rooting their Samsungs and installing Viper4Andriod.
Has any one done this and can confirm that it fixed the issue?