So I'm considering starting a new project, but before I dive in I was hoping to get a little input from some more experienced people as to whether or not I should even try. I would like to try to really integrate an android device with a car stereo, being able to control the head unit with the android device, and display info from the stereo unit on the android device. Sony has a bus called Unilink, Clarion's is called CeNet, which they use to communicate with external devices like cd changers and wired remotes with displays. Sony makes an accessory that plugs in to the stereo head unit and has a usb port. I was wondering how difficult do you think it would be to connect the android device to this usb port, or a bluetooth connection and decode the info, and be able to send commands? The actual decoding wouldn't be too bad, there is plenty of literature out there, just writing the software to display and send commands.
Another option would be the new Parrot Asteroid which runs android, so the software to control a head unit exists (atleast when the Asteroid is released it will), so possibly a connection to the Asteroid with another android device?
Any advice would be helpful. Ive written a little software before, I've always been better at the logic/semantic part than with the syntax, so I've help developers with things like that.
Related
Hi All,
Is there a way to make my Android phone (whatever it is) as an bluetooth headphone/headset?
I'll try to explain it in other words. I want for example route all my PC AUDIO STREAM (IN/OUT) to my Android via Bluetooth and manage it from Android.
So the end configuration would be an Android as an headset able to stream the audio from Android's Mic to my PC and to receive an audio from PC.
Same thing as between two Android Phones.
I mean, when i'm receiving a call, it would be nice to forward that call to another Android phone via bluetooth because the other Android phone will be like a Bluetooth headset.
I'll really appreciate all kind of suggestions.
Thanks
Francesco
i was actually thinking of the same idea last night..but i couldnt find any app that could stream audio from my pc to the phone..
may be i didnt searched enough?
I am also searching for something like this.
Did you find an app that could do it?
I did some searching both online and in the market myself and couldn't find anything related to these purposes. I would like an app for this so that I can lay in bed and watch a movie without disturbing others with the audio. I could just listen to headphones through my Droid X.
The most likely software developer to develop something like this, and has yet to make any smartphone appearances is Soundflower. I love Soundflower on my mac and it makes so much sense that they would develop an app for something like this.
i'm looking for app that will enable my phone to call(and make conversations) trough other phone via bluetooth.did anybody come across such app?
Hi, digging up, I was looking for this kind of feature to watch movies fullscreen VLC on my desktop computer from my bed, without having to buy meters of extra headphone cable or a wireless headphones.
I came accross Jamcast which uses wifi network instead, but it's much too complicated, laggy, and expensive shareware.
Bluetooth is the way to go, but we need to be able to use android as a bluetooth headset.
Anyone got news ?
I'm also interested with doing this. Found any app for this purpose?
I've searched for a while, and found none.
BUMP. this could save me from buying expensive headset which can't even last 1 day!!!
Someone custom-implemented the needed Bluetooth role
It looks like some Android device has custom implementations of both A2DP sink role and HFP hands free unit role. I can't post links yet. Google this:
AllGo Systems Demonstrates Android Based Automotive Infotainment Solutions with Fast Boot-up as a Critical Feature at SAE Convergence 2012 - Detroit, Michigan, USA
In a post on these forums I saw that there was a way to load android os to a netbook or laptop. I followed the instructions and it worked, which got me thinking. I love the green robot and it would be cool if I could create a custom car stereo with the android os running on it. The equipment is rather simple, was going to use my netbook which comes with usb, bluetooth, wifi, mic and audio out as the main device, then pick up a 3m touchscreen, and a gps module so that I could have touch control and google maps. Lastly for this all to work I am going to need a way to be able to control phone calls coming to my phone but with the car receiver. I am not sure how feasible this is or if I am overlooking something. The hardware and hookup I am sure I can do, I am only worried about the compatibility of all this hardware with an android os. and information hints or suggestions would greatly be appreciated.
I recently purchased a car that has a USB interface for the radio. My wife's Iphone fully integrates with it, of course, and via the radio's interface but the Samsung only mounts as a connected drive.
I have read other thread where people were able to force their Samsung into car dock mode by modifying a USB cable. Is there anyway to just do that in software?
you misunderstand what car mode is.
Good luck! I switched back to my iPhone for this reason alone. I listen to a lot of podcasts and I couldn't get this to work via the USB interface and I don't have bluetooth on my head unit. I can't seem to get the newest update to see if that works either. Would love to know if someone has a solution that doesn't require making your own cable.
yo sleze..what model car if i may ask?
i made my own auxiliary input for my car(i know its not a big feat) with an old dsl filter a soldering gun and some resistors and capacitors.. i might be interested in creating a usb interface for my car and then maybe i can give you some insight .. big maybe
well you will never get the headunit to command the phone, android simply doesn't support anything like that. but you can get audio over USB which is triggered by shorting a couple pins through a resistor. ill have to look up that thread but there may already be a dongle or cable out there to do this. it may not be say "android carmode" but if you find the name of the USB standard that they use to trigger it you can find the appropriate cable or dongle.
isnt there a usb headset available that can stop/start music and next track functionality ..if so you could (in theory) make a usb interface that would allow the head unit or in my case steering wheel control to work similarly?
no it wont command the phone. the framework and apps don't have an interface for that. plus the headunit would need special drivers if the phone had that capability. the issue with android is too many manufacturers do things different so unless google comes out with that on a nexus and tells maunfacturers the way it needs to be implimented I don't see any hope.
there might be a way to echo the commands through adb if you have a computer in your car. but I guess you'd have to know how the music app works for that.
we All know apple has the accessories market down pretty good. even though some older accessories don't work with the newest hardware. that's the one thing apple is good for, a wide accessory market.
now if you have a Bluetooth controler and it uses the right protocol to work with thw samaung bluetooth stack then you might be able to map keys to certain functions with an app or simple configuration file editing. but as far as USB goes I don't think android is designed to host USB input devices. there is limited otg usb support on certain special galaxy s and nexus 1 and nexus s kernels but nothing native.
maybe some 3rd party root app could eventually be developed but I haven't heard of one yet.
besides all that, who knows if the head unit will know to go into audio over USB mode in the first place, even if you get the phone in that mode, will the headunit be looking for USB storage and an iPhone interface only? was it designed to accept USB audio other than an iPod interface?
well with my car BMW mad a usb interface for ipod/iphone.. i hate mac so scratch that.. i also have a usb interface(i can control radio/nav functions via carputer) that is designed to work with I-BUS (intelligent input bus) which is what some BMW's used for audio/nav integration. some newer models actually come with a usb input that was designed to work with most media players..so i thought maybe with some time/frustration/rum..i might be able to make it work..
mejori said:
well with my car BMW mad a usb interface for ipod/iphone.. i hate mac so scratch that.. i also have a usb interface(i can control radio/nav functions via carputer) that is designed to work with I-BUS (intelligent input bus) which is what some BMW's used for audio/nav integration. some newer models actually come with a usb input that was designed to work with most media players..so i thought maybe with some time/frustration/rum..i might be able to make it work..
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It still to my understanding that on BMW iDrive system will have full integration with iOS. We had a 2010 5 series at home with all the bell and whistles on it, and even then it would only display song names. With my iPod we got full library options, podcast too. Android will only be able to be used as a mounted devices.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
I used to have an iPhone and installed this kit http://usaspec.com/product.php?ProductID=18. After switching to android I just use a 2.5mm to RCA cable to plug in to the same unit. Not worried too much about integrating with car controls - I also use a phone mount. Does your head unit have any AUX IN connectivity? Maybe on the rear? If so just play audio through the headphone jack. There's always the lighter socket RF adapter option too, but audio quality with those things can be lame.
Samsung-SGH-I997 Infused 2.3.3
yeah the headphone amp on the infuse has pretty good fidelity too. the headphone Jack might not be as convenient as a single USB that also charges the phone but I'd you want to use the playlists and 3rd party apps like Pandora or Google music its the best way. audio over USB needs the dock or special cable to trigger but I don't know which headunits will support that.
I know similar topics have been talked about before, but I still don't have the information I need to come to any sort of conclusion, so here is my situation.
I have a Nexus S 4G with unrooted, unlocked, stock Jelly Bean on it and I don't want to root my phone. I would like to purchase a head unit for my car and be able to plug my phone into said head unit in my car via usb in order to charge my phone and play music (i.e. Pandora) at the same time. It sounds like in order to accomplish this the head unit requires a certain protocol MSC or MTP maybe, I don't really know. So does anyone have any information on how I can possibly make this work or maybe some information to lead me in the right direction. Google makes this sound so easy, but apparently it is far from it.
Thanks,
Dave
On my older galaxy 3 i5800 i could just plug in USB on phone and in car stereo, it asks to mount(like on PC), and phone was charging, also car stereo recognized my music, it played. So i think it only depends on radio options.
Sent from SpeedMachine i9023
It sounds like in order to accomplish this the head unit requires a certain protocol MSC or MTP maybe, I don't really know
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sbdave, the head unit would need to support MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) which is a new MS protocol. The pre-ICS (android 4.0) version of the OS supported MSC (which made the phone look like a normal USB drive). Most car stereos with a USB jack should understand the old protocol. It seems very few support the new one. Very annoying to me. Google wants to say that MTP is a better solution since it allows simultaneous access to the files while syncing and "just" requires some additional drivers. But how do you add drivers to a head unit? Seems like short-sighted thinking to me. Hopefully we'll get a better answer via XDA or via Google in a future OS update. Seems like it should be an option to use one or the other (like they allow MTP and PTP now).
I've tried to use the SGS3 Easy UMS app for my car stereo (Infiniti G Sedan), but to no avail. Still looking for a solution.
phlepper
Hi,
I run a car audio firm, we have a PX5-based unit a client ordered.. The MCU version is "MTCD_WWW_V2.54b_2" .. Our goal is USB audio working proper, among a few other things (better interface if possible, better apps, better SQ stuff)
I haven't seen a "www" mcu anywhere? It's sold as an EONON GA7150A..
Anyone know anything about this MCU? If it's compatible with any others or anything like that? I definitely would like to root it, update the ROM to something better, get rid of the "Windows Mobile" part of it which was, IIRC, advertised as the ability to 'boot' between Android and Windows but is actually just a different interface theme from the home screen.. Also want to do whatever we can for sound quality and smooth experience.
I should note that, as a car audio company (in Canada), we are seriously considering producing our own Android units.. likely 'producing' would consist of getting units like a px5, branding them and primarily, having a SOLID software system built for automotive use. I think a lot of these units are a great start and are ALMOST there for a lot of things but..some of the interface stuff is rushed, not translated great, etc.
What I'd like to see is an Android unit, priced like these ones usually are, but with *really* good class A interfaces. The kind of experience you'd expect on a Samsung phone or a Pioneer headunit. I personally have been using my Samsung Tab S 8.4" in my car as my 'head unit' (paired with a Pioneer single din for a hardware volume knob and some easy control) for along time and I would not want to ever go back.
Here's a short video of the interface and version info..
My eventual goal is getting USB audio working decently. It does work for most Android apps but the volume control only controls the internal audio chip, and the radio app routes through the internal audio chip as well.. I assume perhaps other sources like DVD and line-in would as well, I haven't verified but I will pretty quick here. I plan on making another video showing what works/what doesn't/how it works.
I'm hoping for a software only solution but am happy to hack the hardware if needed. I'm using a Behringer UCA-222 as a "DAC" (same as 202 but red in color) but won't actually be using the DAC in it but only it's optical output into an Audison Bit 8.9 DSP/Amplifier.
There's the possibility of routing the px5's audio output RCA's to the Behringer's Input and 'monitoring' that input to the optical output via software but that doesn't solve the fact the volume control does nothing for apps when using the USB.. Eg, youtube plays through USB/optical fine but volume control doesn't change the volume..Radio plays through the px5's audio chip and volume control controls that, and shows on screen.. I could force everything to play thru the px5 audio chip and then monitor it to optical but that defeats the purpose of what I'm trying to do completely (full digital audio to the amplifier).
I'm willing to sacrifice some sources re-routed like that though, eg, the radio would be fine as it already sounds ****. Aux in also doesn't sound great usually and won't be used in this car anyway. DVD would be nice to have optical out as well but
I'm currently still searching for a schematic/block diagram for these devices, this would probably answer a lot of my questions like.. I'm curious whether audio from any of the other onboard devices (radio, dvd, aux in) go through Android at all or whether they're directly sourced to the output chip.
If it's the latter - that sucks - but I wouldn't be surprised. I have read the thread about the hardware hack to allow android control of the audio chip but I don't see this giving me the functionality I need. If it is wired like this, and I can get the other components (eg. radio chip) to output their audio to Android, digitally somehow and have Android push it to the USB audio device that'd be cool.
Is no one else using a USB dac on any of these units? I have many years experience coding, hacking, electronic engineering, tinkering, etc. including Android but I haven't done many of these Android Head Units.. A lot of times we use tablets instead! But this client wanted OEM look..so we thought we'd give it a shot.
The difference between the audio quality from the internal DAC and the USB audio device's optical routed directly to the DSP (digital to the power amp) is definitely noticeable, even with there being very little noise picked up in our interconnects.
Hi,
I can help you only with WWW MCU,
forbiddenera said:
Hi,
I run a car audio firm, we have a PX5-based unit a client ordered.. The MCU version is "MTCD_WWW_V2.54b_2" .. Our goal is USB audio working proper, among a few other things (better interface if possible, better apps, better SQ stuff)
I haven't seen a "www" mcu anywhere? It's sold as an EONON GA7150A..
Anyone know anything about this MCU? If it's compatible with any others or anything like that? I definitely would like to root it, update the ROM to something better, get rid of the "Windows Mobile" part of it which was, IIRC, advertised as the ability to 'boot' between Android and Windows but is actually just a different interface theme from the home screen.. Also want to do whatever we can for sound quality and smooth experience.
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tha same question (#1956) i read in this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...-head-unit-discussion-thread-t3573881/page196
it should be KLD (klyde), you can read the answer in post #1959
Thanks for the pointer.
Hi,
I uses the newsmy carpad since 2 yrs with android box with wince interface and same issue of radio, bt and dvd being analog while the android side of things is 100% digital output via the included hdmi.
I put aside my alpine pxa-h900 and installed the helix dsp pro with auto switching of input with priority on digital input and use internet radio apps, android bt apps and plugged in an usb portable drive for dvd/cd.
Cheers.
Richard
Singapore