Adding a Hard Disk to XDA2 for music! - General Topics

Hello everyone - my first post here.
It occured to me that if we could make the XDA2 talk to a hard disk we could fit a big drive in the car and then use the power connector to create communication between the pda and the drive.
Is this possible?
We'd need a new skin for the windows media player with huge simple, finger sized buttons to press to access the different folders and tracks. We would also need a pair of phono outs to go into the car hifi audio input.
Also it would be nice to have a hardware button which would fire everything up so the sequence would be : get in car, clip xda into holder and hit a button. Then you've got 120gb worth of music at your fingertips and if you've got wifi card in there you can take data from your house pc wirelessly and store it on the car's hdd!!! Just awesome.
Any ideas how hard this would be. I would be prepared to pay for development because as a car audio shop owner (www.audiolectrics.co.uk if you are interested!) I reckon we could sell these systems as PDA's like XDA are just phenomenal units - I have had mine now for a week or so and am just bowled over by it!!

the skins in the windows media website are huge enough to use it with your fingers.
or you can try the latest PocketMusic which rocks

Good stuff but how could I add a hard disc drive to it using only the pin outs for usb in the lower charging connector?

Actually I have a sneaky suspicion that the XDA2 won't function as a usb host which is a big problem.
Any ideas? Its' odd because obviously it works 2 way comms when active sync-ing.

HD in the XDA II
The festesting way to adding a HD in the XDA II.
http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,27981

Yes but this is not convenient since you've got to keep taking the xda out of its case.
No, what I need is a wireless hard drive the xda can talk to or a way of making the xda a usb2 host.
Nobody got any ideas?

AHA!!!!
Had a sneaky idea.
What if I buy a backpack and insert a RATOC Compact flash USB host adaptor and plug this into a huuuuuuge USB drive.
Then, make up a cable that connects the xda2 to the BACKPACK which will be hidden out of sight in the car - I presume the XDA talks to the backpack via only the ordinary connectors.
I presume it isn't possible to make a lead up that would connect to a compact flash usb host WITHOUT the backpack - ie that the backpack contains some circuitry?

OK This will work for sure.
I just need someone to photograph the backpack connector where it joins the unit so I can get an idea of the engineering needed.

And one more thing - can I get proper sound output from the main connector of the unit rather than the headphone jack?

it would work if the drivers work ok i suppose
about the audio then all you should need is the connector pin out of xda2 somebody gave them once try search

Seems like there are few individuals actively pursuing this idea. See thread below :
http://softwareforums.intel.com/ids/board/message?board.id=43&message.id=84

There is also at least one Bluetooth harddisk solution
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=HOPBIT
I recently saw an announcement for a similar product using Wifi instead of Bluetooth. This could be an easier option. Simpply bring the XDAII to your car with the SDIO WiFi card in it and pull the files via WiFi from the Storage Server (err... harddisk)...

OK!
Asus are just about to release their wireless Hard Disk drive! This will have an ftp style interface that will allow password encryption etc so this job looks simple with one of these!
Can anyone help with getting the windows media player sound out on the main connector?

hd
i recently baught a usb 2.0 laptop hard drive case its 2.5 inches small enough to try and convert it to use on the xda2 see link
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/cablesonline/usb2025inlah.html

Yup. Managed to find a reference to this WiFi disc enclosure. Sounds like this will do the job nicely!!!
http://www.asus.com/news/2004/20040311.htm

So Mr Hobbit - we've still got to get XDA2 to talk to the USB though without the backpack for car useage.
This is where the WIFI disk comes in. Chuck it under a seat and feed it juice and hay preso 10000 songs accessible from your XDA control panel.
I love it.
Still need the audio pin outs on the main connector though?
Anyone?

after a quick search in the forum
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=3929&highlight=bluetooth+mp3

thanks for that - must admit i don't fully understand what the definitive pin outs are! Could you translate into english for me!! Much appreciated in advance......(!)

I have another Suggestion for the Connection of a Hard Drive to your XDA.
How about connecting up an Ethernet Harddisk such as the one below to a WIFI Access unit or router ( these usually have a 4 port Ethernet Hub built in ) which will be installed permanently in the car ( wired through 12v/240inverter )
http://www.softjam.co.uk/products/index.php?prodref=CU-XIMMNE1040&timestmp=1085611877282
This should enable you to access this harddisk over WIFI with the XDA+SD Wifi card?
You`ll then also be able to upload music to your cars Hardisk jukebox whilst its parked on your driveway.
This is what I plan to try anyway ( except I`ll probably add the Backpack so that I can Stream Divx movies from the HardDisk over the Wifi through the XDA2 through the backpage out the VGA Out into my Alpine 7" motorised display ) Fingers Crossed Tomtom will display on the screen also??? we shall see.
I still have to come up with a solution for the sound though as the mini jack is just too arkward.

personal wifi ap
Hi Guys
The network hard drive looks like a great idea..... combined with one of these http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=112376 youve got as much portable storage as you could want.

Related

External USB HDD

Hi, i have been reading about this, and i am getting conflicting information, and no real answer.
I have a 2.5" USB hard drive, and was wondering is there any way to plug this into the Magician, and then for the magician to see it as storage. I dont want to use it all the time, just when in the car, and plugged into the Car Stereo.
if its just a case of a lead convertion, then i think it would be simple, but if not.... hmmm.
So if anyone can help i'd be grateful
Thanks
Dahquim
This has been answered several times before, and should be possible to find by SEARCHING..
How ever, because I'm in a good mood, I shall answer..
Yes, it is THEORETICALLY possible.
To acheive this, you must gain USB host on your Magician.
This can be done in two ways: Backpack + CF card with host support or a SDIO card with host support.
This can be bought from several suppliers.
Then, it's the driver issue.
A USB disk should be usable on the WM200x OS, but I do not know the size limit.
It might be about 2GB or it could be lots more.
So in real life; NO you can't use a USB HDD with your Magician.
This MIGHT be possible with the new Universal, but we haven't got confirmation that it has USB host support yet.
---- Edit ----
You might be able to do it if you can get a device that has host support.
Kinda like those gadgets that connects digital cameras to HDDs..
It just occurred to me..
How ever, It might be hard to use the magician to controle the data flow..
You'll probably need two connections to the device.
One for telling the device what to send, and one to receive..
Maybe, but unlikely...
chack out this things:
http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/acrobat_download/applicationnotes/AN10034_2.pdf
..this is a pseudo-host controller for PDA but i don't know were can find such a thing...
http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/markets/connectivity/wired/usb/products/otg/overview/#what
http://www.heisei.com.tw/products/2_5-inch_otg_hdd_enclosure/
http://www.cooldrives.com/usbotgshcou2.html
The PXA27x processor inside the magician does support USB-on-the-go...
If you look at the USB connector in the magician, you will see that it is actually a MiniAB connector...
So, from the pure hardware point of view, the magician should actually be able to operate in host mode and, for example, control an external hard drive/pendrive, or even a keyboard...
The point is, that most likely, there's no usb-on-the-go driver provided with the operating system...
IMHO, I think it be a waste. These devices we have are not meant to host power hungry device like a 2.5' HDD. It be a waste to what our devices would be known as "mobile." I think better stick to SD technology but that is also another issue. As the cards get larger and larger, the more processing time and power is required to fetch data and back.
there could be a way ....
After reading this thread, I think there is a possible way of actually having certain types of storages connect to the xdaii. I've seen some bluetooth 40gb hardadrives that connect to the pc. They connect using two methods. The first method connects the harddrive as a wireless storage device and the other method connects the hard drive as a bluetooth network storage. Now as for the second method, it's actually supported in broadcom's and widcomm's pda drivers. So in theory, your device should detect the harddrive as a local computer on your bluetooth network. But now, the main question is, can the bluetooth data transfer speed be sufficient to allow mp3 playback without lagging and frame drops ?? Well that's one questions I'd sure like to know the answer for. Anyways, just liked to share this info with u, it could be useful to u or for others on this forum. Good luck.
can we use this thing for i-mate jam with sdio wi-fi card:
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=119929&partner=register
http://www.hardavenue.com/reviews/asuswlhdd2.shtml

infra-red connector for modern HTC phones

Hi,
I am using an application on my HTC Prophet, to connect via IRDA to a bike computer, to download information on rides, routes etc.
Now, I'm looking to update my phone to a Touch Pro or SE X1, but it seems that modern phones no longer have an IRDA port...
Do you know of a way to create an IR connection from the phone, say using the mini-USB port??
For example, for modern laptops that no longer have an IR port, you can buy a USB IR.
Thanks
Paul
Nope. No native IrDA and no USB host functionality, so you can't use the external adapter. With X1 microSD SDIO IrDA adapter can be an option, but I've neer seen one available for sale.
See
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=337641
for a similar discussion.
Thanks Stepw for your comments. It seems a complex topic (some phones - like the X1 don't even have a USB host connection via the mini-usb port). I was in contact with VidaOne to see if they had any ideas (they have a WM software that connects to Polar exercise devices via IR).
Since "nothing" can be done via adding hardware - given the variety of terminals -, they are looking at syncing the exercise files that are downloaded onto the PC from teh exercise device . Not quite as immediate as device -> phone, but a good second best.

Possible reuse of a broken Tornado

Hello, I have a Qtek 8300 (SP5m Tornado), which has its earpiece broken, so it is not useful anymore as a phone. However, the camera, processor, USB port and wifi are OK.
I was thinking on a possible reuse of it as a wireless IP Camera: just a USB power supply, and the phone transmits via wifi to the wifi router, the images from the camera. I was looking for a software to do this, and the closest is Ateksoft Webcamera plus, but it is not what I need, because it needs a PC with a client software.
Any ideas on how to do this ?
Or any ideas on how to reuse my Tornado for a different application ?
Thank you!
Yes, its possible. I'll try to power up my SDAII and I'll tell you the software you need. They have a limited trial but works cool. I'll post back as soon as I can get mine working. I believe last time I powered it up I had a white screen.
How can you break the earpiece?!
I guess it is just dirt on the connector between PBA and earpiece - open it up and get that cleaned
Regarding the WebCam: the only tool is "WebCamPlus" by Ateksoft:
http://www.ateksoft.com/webcamplus.html
You cannot do it without a PC driver as a webcam.
Still you can use the camera to take photos, but quality is so poor - would not do that.
Other use of the device:
load a WM6+ ROM with SDHC card support and use it as music player, it has a really good audio quality - PocketPlayer preferred!
use it as GPS logger with a BT mouse, it will log a whole day (8 hours) and only eat < 20% battery capacity

HDMI and USB at same time

Hi,
Saturday I had some time to open the HDMI dock (for Galaxy Tab 7) and mod it to have alternative power input.
After that I was able to use the HDMI output and USB host at same time. The setup is:
- HDMI out for Samsung TV
- wireless USB keyboard
- external HDD connected with a powered HUB
In this setup I was able to use the keyboard and video files from external HDD while watching on TV screen.
The only problem is that the "MTP Application" notification is still there and the tablet is not full powered from external power supply, it discharges slowly the battery.
After some investigation I've seen that on the original charger there seems to be some resistors between USB lines and Vusb and GND. If I connect the original charger (not inserted on power outlet) the tablet is full powered and the MTP Application is not displayed (when I put the tablet in dock). After that if I remove the cable and insert the USB host cable everything is OK and tablet is full powered with USB host and HDMI working.
The docking is powered with 5V/2A PDA DC adapter.
When I'll open the dock again I will make some picture.
Your are welcome for questions and suggestions.
Emil
HOW MUCH?
Cant believe this is my first post on any message board EVER but what better reason! First i would like to know how much would u charge to make the modification for me? I would provide the dock and any other materials that u need of course. Secondly, since the dock works with ALL tab variants(PERSONALLY ONLY TESTED WITH P1000, P7100, P6200, P6210 BUT 99% CERTAIN), u might want to post your development in every other versions forum. I believe this would generate a LOT more interest in this project because there actually has already been a few threads created in which several attempts were made but no one could find the magic combo(plus it could mean a few extra bucks in your billfold!). I waited to post in hopes that u would update with pictures and/or a tutorial but still would rather you perform the actual surgery. Congratulations on accomplishing what samsung should have done from the start...a TRUE multimedia dock! I guess the only suggestion i could offer is if it were possible to actually add a few usb ports into the base of the hdmi dock itself, which is how i feel samsung should have made it originally...definitely not a priority.
Here are a few reference threads if interested & i've already provided a link in each one pointing to your original post for those interested (hope u dont mind!)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1610832
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1155065
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1149442
Sorry, but I can't do this for you.... It's complicated.
Now I work to found a solution to put an USB connector on the dock and to put a power connector to.
The big problem is that the tab enters on MTP mod when powered this way. As described on other threads there is a way with USB lines to activate full external power.
When I'll have a full modification dock I'll put some pictures and instruction for that.
waiting for pics and further info please...
Galaxy Tab Dock modified
Now I have a full functional dock, modified.
So, after receiving the Galaxy Tab Plus media dock from ebay I've found that I can change the tab fixing part with the one on the old Galaxy Tab Dock.
So, now I have old Galaxy Tab multimedia dock full compatible with my Galaxy Tab Plus.
Then I modified the dock to include standard power jack and standard miniusb connector for OTG.
The USB Host is powered from the external power supply, this helps to not discharge the battery when using tab and slow charging.
I made some pictures with details for connections and modification.
You can view at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/buzdumil/sets/72157630734690786
There was some work to do...is not very easy. The best thing that can be done is to make a PCB. That PCB, at in my pictures, could be fixed near metal weight. Also there the clips of the case need to be cut, but there is no problem because at same position exist screws for fixing.
The problem with MTP application started when power connected or tab inserted on dock remains. But now is easier to use external HDD, usb keyboard & mouse and television to watch movies.
That's amazing, Emil! That's the dock accessory Samsung should have sold in the first place. After looking over your pictures, I'm ready to go order a soldering iron and get to work!
Hi emil b just letting you know i was playing around with my dock and found how to get rid of the red x from when power is applyd.
First connect power and get red x....
Then disconect the earth and re connect it again..
This forces AC Charge mode...
No resisters or shorting data lines are needed..
So good for being in host mode...
All you need to do is put a on/off switch inline on the earth
Where you supplied power to the dock.
Doesnt need to be inside the dock..
Give it a try and let me know...
Just have to play with it and hit switch a couple of times...
Im looking at all options concerning the modification of this dock. One question that comes to mind is: If I only use the red and blackwires to send power to the USB connector, will I still be able to use the OEM 30 power connector??
OP, I am going to attempt to make this modification myself. Would you be able to provide any additional instructions/suggestions to the pictures up on Flickr?
Thanks,
cypher
mr_esmit said:
Im looking at all options concerning the modification of this dock. One question that comes to mind is: If I only use the red and blackwires to send power to the USB connector, will I still be able to use the OEM 30 power connector??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No because the origonal charger has the resisters on the data lines...
you are better to add just power to pin 7(9) and earth to pin (1)30..
then add a otg dongle..

Chinese WinCE 6.0 car stereo switching between USB functions

Hello everyone!
I hope there isn't a topic already for this, but I searched and didn't find anything, mostly also because it's kind of difficult to describe my problem.
To begin with. I have one of those chinese car stereos that run WinCE 6 in my car. It's not the first one, I actually went through quite few of them to finally find one that suits me. I thought I did, and mostly it's true, but there is still one feature that bugs me a bit.
My stereo has two USB ports. One, mini-USB on front - for music/videos/pics, second, full size USB on the back - for 3G/WiFi adaptor. This is as described by the manufacturer/seller.
Now, obviously, many of us would think, that since it's "universal serial bus", it shouldn't matter what I put in which port. So the rear port should accept music on USB flash drive and front port should work with 3G modem. Right? Right? Wrooong!!!
For whatever reason, my stereo only accepts music in the front port, with annoying little cable that is to convert the mini-USB to full size, just bumping up and down as I drive. Also, since I have a built-in USB port, which I would like to use for this and plug it's connection to rear port on the stereo, bugs me a lot.
But no, the rear port only works with the 3G modem and seems to completely ignore any flash drive connected to it.
What's funny though is, that the front port actually works with the 3G modem too! So the front is a "2in1", but the rear is only designated for 3G/WiFi.
Since I don't want to let this just go and get used to it (+ my OCD is fighting heavilly with me on this, lol ), I started to look around to figure out what might cause this. I loaded Total Commander on the unit and plugged two flash drives to the stereo. Both with music files, both formatted the same. In totalcmd it showed them as USB (front) and USB1 (rear) (or something similar, the key part is the "1"). It always added the "1" to the rear one, even though it was connected alone, without the front one.
Now, this is where I believe the problem is. I think/hope/wish that the music application on the stereo only works when pointed to the "USB" (front) device. Since there is probably no way to decrypt and re-program the music app, I was thinking about renaming the USB connections, or, basically switching them for each other.
So to get (finally) to the bottom of my question, is there a way to switch the description/name/purpose of the USB ports in WinCE 6.0 platform, preferably of course in a way that it would stay like that even after restart?
Many many thanks for any help or pointing me to the right direction! Also please let me know if there is some detail that might help identifying the problem.
Today I installed an app called USB Device Info from the play store. What it shows is that it cannot connect because of SeLinux.. CLUE?? So I went ahead and looked on how to connect via USB with Linux. I downloaded Terminus from Play Store and was able to read the files. Previously, I read it's a 'read only' connection. I'm researching how to change the 'read only' to 'read and write', and also extract and find these files. I'm currently looking for my "extracted files".

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