How to enable HDMI out, if we could just find a freak'n connector - G Tablet General

I found an app in /system/bin/ that lets you control your displays :-D
Now we just need to figure out the pin-out of the connector If somebody can find me a plug that fit the docking port correctly I could probably figure out the pinout for us and post instructions.
Code:
# nvdmmultidisplay
*******************************************************
dmmultidisplay usage:
dmmultidisplay [disp_option] [case_option] <activity_option>
<disp_option> can be one of the following (default is '--lcd'):
--off: Turn off all displays
--lcd: Test LCD Display
--hdmi: Test HDMI with no display on LCD
--crt: Test CRT Display with no display on LCD
--tvout: Test TV-Out Display with no display on LCD
--lcd_hdmi OR --lcd_crt OR --lcd_tvout: Test for dual display at the same time
<case_option> can be one of the following (default is '--case1'):
--case1: Demonstrate case #1
--case2: Demonstrate case #2
<activity_option> can be one of the following:
--ui: Show only UI without playing video
--play: Play only video without displaying UI
--uiplay: Show UI together with playing video
--file <filename>: Video file to be played (including path)
--query_displays: Query some info about all displays
--query_active: Query more info about active displays
Command-line examples:
Turn on LCD and HDMI displays and play default video; use case 1:
dmmultidisplay --lcd_hdmi --play
Turn on LCD and HDMI displays and play default video and show UI; use case 2:
dmmultidisplay --lcd_hdmi --case2 --uiplay

KinkyMunkey said:
I found an app in /system/bin/ that lets you control your displays :-D
Now we just need to figure out the pin-out of the connector If somebody can find me a plug that fit the docking port correctly I could probably figure out the pinout for us and post instructions.
Code:
# nvdmmultidisplay
*******************************************************
dmmultidisplay usage:
dmmultidisplay [disp_option] [case_option] <activity_option>
<disp_option> can be one of the following (default is '--lcd'):
--off: Turn off all displays
--lcd: Test LCD Display
--hdmi: Test HDMI with no display on LCD
--crt: Test CRT Display with no display on LCD
--tvout: Test TV-Out Display with no display on LCD
--lcd_hdmi OR --lcd_crt OR --lcd_tvout: Test for dual display at the same time
<case_option> can be one of the following (default is '--case1'):
--case1: Demonstrate case #1
--case2: Demonstrate case #2
<activity_option> can be one of the following:
--ui: Show only UI without playing video
--play: Play only video without displaying UI
--uiplay: Show UI together with playing video
--file <filename>: Video file to be played (including path)
--query_displays: Query some info about all displays
--query_active: Query more info about active displays
Command-line examples:
Turn on LCD and HDMI displays and play default video; use case 1:
dmmultidisplay --lcd_hdmi --play
Turn on LCD and HDMI displays and play default video and show UI; use case 2:
dmmultidisplay --lcd_hdmi --case2 --uiplay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does anyone have a SandDisk Sansa device with the connector? I know you can buy breakouts of that connector (like the ipad) from Sparkfun. Maybe that one fits. It is similar to the ipad 30 pin connector

I do. The pins fit perfectly, but it's connector goes to USB. Not sure where to go from here

sledgie said:
I do. The pins fit perfectly, but it's connector goes to USB. Not sure where to go from here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow.. Ok then. I am going to order this. It is a sansa breakout plug that allows you to solder to the board. Once we get it working, we can make a cable with the plug they sell also.
http://www.kineteka.com/sansabreakout.aspx
... and see if we can figure out the pin outs!
Thanks for the update.

YOU ROCK! great find... I just ordered one too....
Does anybody know if it's safe to hook the HDMI directly into the connector? I am worried that the dock might have extra power filtering circuitry or protection we could be bypassing by hooking directly into it. (i have only heard plans for a dock, personally i would rather have an HDMI adapter, it would be AMAZING for presentations, opening up a google docs slideshows work great on this thing already)

Did you try plugging the Sansa USB cable in?

no, i just checked to see if it connected into the port. for gits and shiggles!
Yes, i did plug the USB into my computer. Nothing recognized while G Tab was running 2.04. When i reboot into CWM, i went into mounts and storage, mounted /sdcard. Computer didn't recognize. pulled USB from computer - viewsonic reset. Mounted storage in USB mode - same happened. Nothing showing up on the computer.

I know its not cost effective but wondering if something like this would do anything with the sansa usb connector attached?
http://sewelldirect.com/Sewell-HD-Deck-USB-to-HDMI.asp

KinkyMunkey said:
YOU ROCK! great find... I just ordered one too....
Does anybody know if it's safe to hook the HDMI directly into the connector? I am worried that the dock might have extra power filtering circuitry or protection we could be bypassing by hooking directly into it. (i have only heard plans for a dock, personally i would rather have an HDMI adapter, it would be AMAZING for presentations, opening up a google docs slideshows work great on this thing already)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is on its way. Tried to find a similar breakout for HDMI, but not found yet. I guess I will just cut the end off a cheap HDMI cable and wire it to the breakout. When we get it right, I will wire it to the regular plug. I bought one of those too.
Now, who is going to figure out the pinouts? I dont have a scope to read signals like these.. just a good multi meter

insight3fl said:
Mine is on its way. Tried to find a similar breakout for HDMI, but not found yet. I guess I will just cut the end off a cheap usb and wire it to the breakout. When we get it right, I will wire it to the regular plug. I bought one of those too.
Now, who is going to figure out the pinouts? I dont have an scope to read signals like these.. just a good muti meter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello guys, I am Mike from Kineteka. We noticed traffic coming from XDA and decided to investigate. We are very interested in your discovery and would like to work with you on developing an HDMI adapter.
Regards,
Mike
Kineteka Systems

Kineteka said:
Hello guys, I am Mike from Kineteka. We noticed traffic coming from XDA and decided to investigate. We are very interested in your discovery and would like to work with you on developing an HDMI adapter.
Regards,
Mike
Kineteka Systems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Mike! Welcome. We need help! no one has an hdmi cable for the viewsonic yet. As you see, someone believes the sansa cable fits our viewsonic dock... I and others have ordered on that chance. But we do not have the pinout on the dock connector...and as I mentioned, we need a pigtail HDMI cable to connect to the sansa breakout. Can you send me a private message and we can work on this.
thanks
Dennis

Ok... got my sansa connector breakout board/connector and a spare connetor. but, I have not a clue what to do next! The breakout board connector comes with the other parts to put around it such as the locking pins and plastic cover, but there is no way that fits over the breakout pc board, it is slotted for a cable like the parts on the regular cable connnetor I got. So I assume it does not work so I am clueless why it is included. That being said, there is very little contact with the connetor and the port on the tablet (absent the locking pins to hold it in). Now the big question is while I have it "sitting in there" (connected) how do we begin to test any signals coming out of the port??

Kinkymonkey,
Did you get your plug yet and have you had any luck with the pin out?
Mike from Kineteka, can you lend any insight on the pinout for us?
Thanks

So,, What can i supply about your development??
I have received your PM. and what information need i supply?

xjarl said:
I have received your PM. and what information need i supply?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We need the schematic for the connector
Thx

I just got it, but it won't fit the plug, it looks like the metal tabs under the connector are just a little bit closer together then slots on the plug - it fits in sideways but it won't go in straight because of those metal tabs :-( Did it actually fit in yours? (i have one of the first 1000....)
Ya- that black cover in the bag is wierd.. did you notice the big holes in the side too- i think those little tiny plastic clips are meant to cover them- man would that be a pain to put together. it must have come from whatever kit the sansa connector came from, They just bought a bunch of cheap connectors and soldered on the breakout board.
On a plus note, the box also contained a cool rubber ducky robot, a christmas card, and a multipage color sales guide for the archos tablet line (LOL! ironic) so it wasn't a total loss... just a really expensive rubber ducky...

oh, btw wrap a piece of electical tape around the pins coming out the back of the connector (instead of the black plastic cover), that way you don't have to worry about touching them when you are plugging in it (sending static electricity from your fingers into the HDMI connector would probably be a bad thing)
Wrap it from the thick part of the connector back down the pc board coming out the back.
I did that so i could get a better grip - but it still won't fit

KinkyMunkey said:
I just got it, but it won't fit the plug, it looks like the metal tabs under the connector are just a little bit closer together then slots on the plug - it fits in sideways but it won't go in straight because of those metal tabs :-( Did it actually fit in yours? (i have one of the first 1000....)
Ya- that black cover in the bag is wierd.. did you notice the big holes in the side too- i think those little tiny plastic clips are meant to cover them- man would that be a pain to put together. it must have come from whatever kit the sansa connector came from, They just bought a bunch of cheap connectors and soldered on the breakout board.
On a plus note, the box also contained a cool rubber ducky robot, a christmas card, and a multipage color sales guide for the archos tablet line (LOL! ironic) so it wasn't a total loss... just a really expensive rubber ducky...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not get any of those trinkets......but my plug engages but just not very deep. I wa assuming the metal hook piece ( when it would be assembled with the cover and the black plastic " buttons" for squeezing the pins) would hold it in. But the other poster said his plug fit.....so i dont know.
I wish Mike from the vendor would chime in again.

a bit confused
XDA is no longer worth my time.

I am briefly reserecting this old thread as I got my dock today. I was all set to pull it apart, cut the end off an HDMI cable and try and trace the pinout with my Sensa Breakout plugs I bought from Kinetica. Well, after seeing the connector on the dock, and knowing the Kinetica plug did not fit and I was going to have to modify and force it on someway, it is not even close to looking like the plug on the dock. I think the poster who plugged his Sansa cable in must have forced it or something or it is completely different from the cable that Kinetica sold us as a Sensa plug. It looks so much bigger in width and it the throat is much narrower ( I know the dock plug is made for the tablet to just "sit" on it and not stay pugged in, but even though it does not have the little clips on the sides that hold this type of plug engaged, the SAnsa cable is just not going to work. So, I will not be pulling the dock apart at this time until someone can spec the dock connector and find us one that is an exact fit.
I wasted $20 bucks on those two plugs unfortunately along with a few others here.

Related

Nexus One DIY Docks

There's a lot of discussion about docks for the Nexus One. Since budget is a big issue for a lot of us, why don't we resort to DIY solutions?
Please share your ideas in making a Nexus One DIY dock.
EDIT:
Neat DIY solutions we have here so far
Business Card Holder http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=5700465&postcount=41
Paper Cup http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=5779280&postcount=42
iPhone 2G Dock http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=5801510&postcount=47
Cassette Case Dock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mj3s4ONvLY
Paper Clip Dock http://www.deanying.com/PermaLink,guid,a99a1c06-b55b-4001-afeb-46a707055ecc.aspx
Dollar Bill Dock (works for other currencies too ) http://www.androidhackz.net/2010/02/docking-station-for-a-buck/
Tissue Roll Dock http://bobbyjason.co.uk/blog/2010/02/nexus-one-andrex-dock/
Dough Dock http://bobbyjason.co.uk/blog/2010/02/green-android-desk-stand/
Lego Dock from 3gdo http://3dgo.net/2010/01/15/nexus-one-lego-dock/
Before breaking out the duct tape you might want to have a look at the 3rd party cradles on ebay.
Another option is the one dollar docking station
Volker1 said:
Before breaking out the duct tape you might want to have a look at the 3rd party cradles on ebay.
Another option is the one dollar docking station
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah! That's what I'm talking about! Cool
Good thing the Clock app works on landscape
I think, the cradle mentioned here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=627552 would also work nicely. Good thing we have those in the Philippines. I just hope it's safe for the Nexus One.
Thanks for the ebay tip. Found a lot of options
oops. double post
I've been waiting for alternate docks too.
I don't need the bluetooth or RCA connectors, just a stand with pins to charge the n1. (via the pins, not micro usb)
can someone with a dock post some pictures of the dock pins, if they can volt-test the pins that would be great.
Not fancy enough to use pins or anything, but it does what I need. Legos FTW!
3dgo.net/2010/01/15/nexus-one-lego-dock/
Unfortunately I can't post links yet...
The ebay knockoffs use microUSB, just like the lego dock As far as I know there are no pin-utilizing ones apart from the official one. Too bad I already have bluetooth speakers
britoso said:
I've been waiting for alternate docks too.
I don't need the bluetooth or RCA connectors, just a stand with pins to charge the n1. (via the pins, not micro usb)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely agree. Sadly, I bet we won't ever see one. I'm guessing it's much cheaper just to mold a piece of plastic around a micro-usb plug than to actually match the pin setup. I'm guessing that's why we saw them appear so quickly after launch.
Hope I'm proven wrong, though. That Nexus dock is hella expensive, and apparently kind of buggy.
Here are two "innovative" docks I came across in the Android Forum
http://bobbyjason.co.uk/blog/2010/02/nexus-one-andrex-dock/
http://bobbyjason.co.uk/blog/2010/02/green-android-desk-stand/
^LOL...too much doh for my tastes But that TP one has potential backup use
Heres the one I made with a business card
http://kmobs.iq0.org/Nexusdock3.jpg
persiansown said:
Heres the one I made with a business card
http://kmobs.iq0.org/Nexusdock3.jpg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. Could you share with us how you did it?
persiansown said:
Heres the one I made with a business card
http://kmobs.iq0.org/Nexusdock3.jpg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
brilliant, please post how you cut/fold the card to make it strong enough.
britoso said:
...if they can volt-test the pins that would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that would be nice.
I have lots of plastic in different colors left.
Should not be too hard to build something.
Here are the pictures of the pins on the Desktop Dock from Google, I should be be able to get a voltage test tonight and let you know.
Hope this helps.
yfrog.com/ca20100205185942j
yfrog.com/1520100205185950j
NOTE: Since I'm a new member I cant embed the images, sorry. They are from imageshack.us
My favorite is the paperclip dock. Search youtube for iphone paperclip stand.
scgolfer7 said:
Here are the pictures of the pins on the Desktop Dock from Google, I should be be able to get a voltage test tonight and let you know.
Hope this helps.
yfrog.com/ca20100205185942j
yfrog.com/1520100205185950j
NOTE: Since I'm a new member I cant embed the images, sorry. They are from imageshack.us
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm thinking we can build one of these out of plastic/putty/clay/plaster of paris etc.
Cut up a usb cable and connect the +5v and GND to to simple pins/nails (blunted/filed) at the bottom. ( with a little soldering).
3bs said:
My favorite is the paperclip dock. Search youtube for iphone paperclip stand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most decent solution so far! Thanks a lot!
Here it is http://www.deanying.com/PermaLink,guid,a99a1c06-b55b-4001-afeb-46a707055ecc.aspx
love this thread .
i wod go for the Tissue Roll Dock http://bobbyjason.co.uk/blog/2010 02...e-andrex-dock/
about the 3 pins
if you see from the bottom you have 3 pins, 2 on the left, 1 on the right from the micro usb.
if you haven't attached the microusb you have the following:
pin 1 <-> pin 2: -2.5 volts
pin 2 <-> pin 3: +2.6 volts
pin 1 <-> pin 3: 0 volts
when you have attached the micro usb you get
pin 1 <-> pin 2: 2 volts
pin 2 <-> pin 3: 2.6 volts
pin 1 <-> pin 3: 4.6 volts (with the stock loader I get 5 volts)
so I assume the outer pins are for charching (5 volts = usb power).
Can someone with the stock docking verify this?
Does anyone know what the purpose for the other pin? It should detect the dock mode? There is no 4th pin for the car dock...

multi basys car kit from Carcomm

Hi All,
just got the second part of this car kit turn up today from totalpda
The kit does not come with a window mount so you will have to source one, but the fixings do have the standard "AMPS" pattern 4 hole screw mounting, so pretty much anything on the 'bay will "do"
There are 2 cables - one for 12/24v DC, terminated in two open wires , and an antenna cable with the usual ..er...FME(?) trailing plug attached to it . The base plate also comes with an in-line fuse holder to make things safer, but you have to provide your own scotch-loks or terminal strip ! theres no provision for connection to an external microphone or line in of the car stereo (Ive been *****ing to carcomm since the HTC TYTN for the latter) However,I have a bluetooh enabled stereo now so this no longer bothers me
The antenna coupler is (I assume) capacitively connected (via an air gap) to the radio antenna but produced a very useful 5dBm CPICH power improvement when wired up to a tri-band band glass mount antenna (verified in the Desires extended engineering hidden menu)
flaws? well just one major goof!
A few times I have used the rear facing camera on my phones, suitably cradled, to capture video of bad driving or other crimes committed in front of me .
no chance of doing that now! the antenna booster section obscures it totally!!
overall though - rather good - although I would have liked to have seen composite video out so i can feed the sat nav output into my flip up TV screen like I "jury rigged" my old htc raphael
hope that helps someone out there - any questions just ask and I will try to answer them
regards
Rob
--
MW0CQU
Photos would be good, thanks
Photos would be good, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a fair point, well made ;-)
ok lts see if this will work:
First pic - The empty cradle straight on
the two wires are DC power and antenna cable as described above
Second pic - A side view. odd angles due to door pillar and me being too lazy to unstick the mount. The antenna bulge is part of the "front" plate the back piece is thin and rectangular in section. the whole concept of the multi-basys is to have interchangable front pieces as you change phones over time.
Third pic - Phone fitted , showing a Map
Fourth pic - showing the flaw in that you can put the unit horizontal but you cant use it to video things happening in front of you as the antenna bulge obscures 50% of the view of the camera
hope that helps
Cheers
Rob
--
MW0CQU

[Q] 90Deg bend Micro USB Cable?

Just orderded my Sensation and wondered if anyone knew of a micro USB plug for the handset that had a 90 deg bend in it? THis would mean when in my car mount the charging cable did not stick out so far but run down alongside the handset.
I am keen not to use an adaptor but have a continuous cable to the car charger.
I know you said you did not want to use an adapter, but I ended up going with the following b/c it was cheap and works perfectly:
Motorola Micro USB Right Angle Adapter skn6258 from Cellfreeks.
It's small and clicks in nice and snugly and all the right angle cords I could find had the angle going the wrong direction with the cable running toward the top of the phone. Hope this helps
mollybc said:
I know you said you did not want to use an adapter, but I ended up going with the following b/c it was cheap and works perfectly:
Motorola Micro USB Right Angle Adapter skn6258 from Cellfreeks.
It's small and clicks in nice and snugly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had 2 of them I had for my BlackBerry a while ago. I kept them and now use them for the sensation. They're not the best, but they do work pretty well.
Thanks - I will order one of them and see how it goes. My preference is certainly for one long cable without the adapter to avoid bulk. In case any UK based people want one I found the mentioned Motorola adaptor here: http://www.fommy.co.uk/view-full-page.asp?tabletmake=LG&tabletmodel=LG+Optimus+Pad&skuno=82311 at £4.49
Regards
90Deg bend Micro USB Cable - Amazon
tony.wheeler said:
Just orderded my Sensation and wondered if anyone knew of a micro USB plug for the handset that had a 90 deg bend in it? THis would mean when in my car mount the charging cable did not stick out so far but run down alongside the handset.
I am keen not to use an adaptor but have a continuous cable to the car charger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tony - I know my reply is a little late, but I have purchased this type of Micro USB cable on Amazon. Search for Micro USB Angle and you will get plenty of hits. startech.com makes a good one in three different cable lengths, both right angle and left angle.
UUSBHAUB1RA - 1 Foot Right Angle
UUSBHAUB3RA - 3 Foot Right Angle
UUSBHAUB6RA - 6 Foot Right Angle
UUSBHAUB1LA - 1 Foot Left Angle
UUSBHAUB3LA - 3 Foot Left Angle
UUSBHAUB6LA - 6 Foot Left Angle
Thanks Vegasjoe, I ordered one of these from an E-bay seller. Should keep the cable alongside the hadset when mounted in the windscreen holder - that will look tidier than the current cable sticking out at 90deg to the handset.
Thanks, Vegasjoe for the right angle cable tip! I am ordering up a few for home, work and the car.
this might work for u.
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/universal-micro-mini-usb-data-charging-cable-for-nokia-moto-blackberry-htc-94cm-cable-70694

Bionic Dock DOES work.

So despite posts on here suggesting that our phone wouldn't work with the Standard Dock for the Bionic, I decided to take the plunge and snag one anyways ($10.99 w/free shipping on Amazon here if you're Prime). I figured I could eat the cost if it wouldn't work, and I also ordered a small micro usb 'extension cord' at the same time, to see if that would help.
The dock arrived today and I popped the phone on the dock - it doesn't sit flush in the cradle (as to be expected, the port is shifted to the left), but it does connect, the phone recognizes it's connected (and offers various dock modes), and it charges the device (when plugged in, of course).
I still may try and disassemble the device and shift the plug over to make it fit flush, but it does work as is.
Just figured I'd share in case anyone else just wanted a simple dock/charging station wasn't up to spending the $80+ that the A2 specific HD dock goes for.
chicknlil said:
So despite posts on here suggesting that our phone wouldn't work with the Standard Dock for the Bionic, I decided to take the plunge and snag one anyways ($10.99 w/free shipping on Amazon here if you're Prime). I figured I could eat the cost if it wouldn't work, and I also ordered a small micro usb 'extension cord' at the same time, to see if that would help.
The dock arrived today and I popped the phone on the dock - it doesn't sit flush in the cradle (as to be expected, the port is shifted to the left), but it does connect, the phone recognizes it's connected (and offers various dock modes), and it charges the device (when plugged in, of course).
I still may try and disassemble the device and shift the plug over to make it fit flush, but it does work as is.
Just figured I'd share in case anyone else just wanted a simple dock/charging station wasn't up to spending the $80+ that the A2 specific HD dock goes for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have time, would you mind posting a picture of it sitting in the cradle for me? I would love to get one, but I'm picky about dumb things. Just wanted to see what I would be looking at.
Thanks.
skearton said:
If you have time, would you mind posting a picture of it sitting in the cradle for me? I would love to get one, but I'm picky about dumb things. Just wanted to see what I would be looking at.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do once I find batteries for my 'real' camera. So used to using the phone as a camera these days.
But I can tell you it sticks up and out, and looks awkward as hell. So it's probably not going to be aesthetically pleasing to you.
That's what I was thinking.
Maybe I can take a dremel to it?
Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2
I have to apologize - I'm having a comedy of errors here when it comes to trying to get pictures (that aren't from the phone itself, at least). I can't find the main camera. I found an older camera but it's apparently dead (got a pretty purple grainy picture at my attempt). If I do happen to find that regular camera anytime soon, I'll snap some pictures.
In the meanwhile, I've linked to 2 pictures of the dock w/o the phone in it (taken by the phone, ofc) ... instead of sitting flush, the phone is over to the left about the length of my pinky. Please ignore my fat hands holding said dock.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8mauz9yfq72htoa/2013-04-12 13.02.10.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6xwo6w8t4fpbzsx/2013-04-12 13.01.47.jpg
So I took it apart (and probably destroyed it, but oh well) ... there's 2 rubber pads on the bottom, one on each side. Beneath each pad are two small phillips head screws. Pop those four out and the device should separate. I tried making my own hole next to where it comes by default (stretching the cabling, flipping the shield, etc), even marking the usb so that it was extended out far enough. No dice. Worked briefly as a dock again but I wasn't happy with how unsteady it was and fiddled with it more, and now it doesn't recognize it as dock.
If anyone else wants to hack at it and is willing to cover your own shipping costs, toss me a PM and I'll be happy to send in onward.

[Q] rewiring cam

This is probably a stupid question but I figured I'd throw it out there.
I have installed a Tab 2 into the dash of my car. It is integrated into the dashboard now and wired up to the stereo. I would like to have a dash cam. It would be nice to be able to use the cam already in the Tab 2, since it's just sitting there. But this would require me to remove the cam from the board and make it external. I've watched the disassembly videos and I see that the camera appears to be wired through a printed circuit. So I'm assuming it would be nearly impossible to remove this cam and make a longer lead for it so that I can mount it external to the Tab itself? If anyone knows of any easy way to do this, let me know. I'd like to avoid the expense of buying a dash cam. Also, I don't think I have the space available to plug one into the Tab.
Well, on the P3xxx the _backside_ camera is actually plugged into the motherboard (on the bottom side), though if you want to turn that camera into a "dashcam" that may require some skills on your behalf.
You would need to extend the flat-flex cable from the camera ... either by using a matching socket and plug (possibly hard to find, and you also need to solder leads/wires to the pins that are insanely close to each other) or by soldering leads/wires to the pins of the existing socket/plug or in place of the existing socket/plug (requires way above-average soldering skills as you need a low-temp iron and solder that melts at low temps so you don't burn the plastic of the flat flex). If your skills, and equipment, don't stand up to the task of soldering on a flat-flex (remember, the pins, meaning the pitch between them, are insanely close to each other) you're already out of luck.
However, even if you manage to extend the connection between the PCB and the camera and it does work, the question is: "How long can the "cable" be before the signal doesn't get through anymore". That's more like "trial-and-error" than "something that can be estimated".
Let us assume you manage to extend the interface long enough so you can sneak it through a hole in the dashboard you then need some enclosure for the camera to mount it to the surface of the dashboard ... that either requires you find something that is suitable, or you have a 3D printer to print yourself a custom enclosure.
Going by your post ... I think you shouldn't touch it or even try it - given you didn't even realize that the camera has a socketed connection to the main PCB. You may be better off buying a cheapo dashcam from your nearby supermarket or electronics retailer, that's the better option over possibly damaging the hardware of the tablet while trying your solder skills at it (unless you happen to be skilled in hacking about on hardware)
I did realize it was a socketed plug, as I stated in my post, I watched the disassembly videos and I've seen replacement cams for sale. So yes, I clearly knew that. That was the entire purpose of my post. I was hoping someone had a simple solution, possibly knowing of an extension cable with the socketed plug, but knew that was a pretty long shot, which I also stated in my post. But I was throwing it out there, just in case someone knew of a simple option. No, I do not want to mess around with soldering, at that point it's not worth it and easier to buy another external cam. Thanks anyway.

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