Hey everyone. I just wanted to follow up with the several questions about using your G2x phone as a PC. Pretty simple really. Here are the required items (obviously)
Code:
G2x!
CM7 (tested on #70 but most should work)
Bluetooth Keyboard
Bluetooth Mouse
Micro HDMI Cable
Root Explorer
I am using a Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 v1.0 and a Mini Bluetooth Keyboard I bought off ebay for $7.
Go into [Settings>Wireless Settings>Bluetooth Settings] Turn on Bluetooth and Pair your devices according to their instructions. My Mouse paired using the passkey "0000" and my keyboard gave me fits and forced me to read the directions. It required you type in a passcode into Bluetooth Settings popup box, THEN enter the SAME password on the KEYBOARD + ENTER.
Anyway, after you pair up, both devices will say "Paired, but not connected". So tap on each one until they both connect. You should get a MOUSE CURSOR once the mouse connects.
Mouse Controls:
Left Click = Normal Select
Right Click = Back (Handy!)
Wheel Click = Menu (Genius)
Scroll Wheel = Scroll
You can also click and drag using the mouse.
The keyboard works as a normal keyboard. Mine has all kinds of FN key functions. Mine also lacks dedicated arrow buttons so I have to press FN+ to get to my Arrow Keys which these scroll in the OS.
At this point you could plug the phone into a HDMI Television or Monitor and use the mouse and keyboard to navigate around. Everything is kinda HUGE but works.
To fix the HUGE problem we need to edit the [u]/system/build.prop[/u] file and adjust the screen density. So use Root Explorer and go to "system" and tap on the "Mount R/W" button at the top. This enables Read/Write so we can save our changes. Next press and hold on the "build.prop" file and select "Open in Text Editor" from the pop up window.
Now viewing the contents of "build.prop" lets be very careful we don't change anything accept what we need. This could cause problems forcing you to reload the OS.
Scroll down several lines until you see [b]ro.sf.lcd_density=240[/b]. This is the only thing we want to change. Set this according to your preferences. "180" seems good. Others use "190".
Make your changes and hit the back button. Select the option to SAVE and exit. Now restart your phone.
Now everything appears smaller. Sync up your devices and have yourself an instant PC!
[UPDATE]
After a while the mouse really feels good. I can really scoot around with this setup. The G2x powerhouse keeps on chugging too. Also the stock apps don't really show off the larger screen. Probably need some tablet aware apps.
This is pretty cool but would you mind posting some pics of your setup. Id like to see what it looks like using the phone on a monitor.
Ha it looks like CM7 in landscape mode and bigger. 240 is too cramped this mode. Changing the density is a big help.
I don't have a decent camera other my phone but I have a camcorder that I could make a video to upload.
The mouse and keyboard work really well. I just need some better apps to show it off but this is mostly just a test for others since I had the Bluetooth equipment.
It would be perfect if you could change the density on the fly without a reboot or an app that would do it automatically when it detects the HDMI cable.
LG G2x - CM7.1 RC1 2.3.4
www.CincyAdmins.com
www.MiiWiiChat.com
Nice guide, we just need linux
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1151931
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
Thanks for sharing the info mate. Will surely try that mode.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
hey everyone. i got this to work this weekend as well. I used a logitech IPAD bt keyboard and an apple magic mouse. also paired with the apple bt keyboard in the store but they were out so i didnt grab one. for lcd density i just use the lcd density changer app in the market. works for me. I would not reccomend the apple magic mouse. while it is super smooth and great at navigating, there is no wheel so you loose out on the option to bring up the menu. having to reach and touch the menu button on the phone is a drag. also, the logitech keyboard was mapped for ipad. had the square ipad menu button, but that didnt work to bring me to my home screen or bring up my menu. so definitely if you are doing this make sure the keyboard you choose has buttons mapped to specific functions, i.e. "home" dont want to be in a browser and have to click back 30 times to get to your home screen. just my two sense. as far as HDMI out, my display's margins were cut off a bit which was kinda annoying. and everything looked a bit pixelated even with the LCD density switch although after the switch you will find much more home screen real estate which is bomb. well, let me know your thoughts on the hdmi margin cut. would love to get it super clear.
chillwill11 said:
Nice guide, we just need linux
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1151931
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
What is up with this linux stuff?! I actually just started running ubuntu on my netbook. Would love to do that on my android when im home just for the simple fact that it is more powerful than my asus aspire one from three years ago lol.
Hello XDA,
I tried many ways how run "true" car mode. I modified micro usb cable (619K ohm between 4 and 5 pin), I installed many ROMs (stock or custom), I flash many versions of google car home app. But only 619K ohm resistor able to activate "true" car mode. If I say true car mode then I think for example rotating Phone.apk (call screen in landscape) and auto loud call. Unfortunately, google car home activated car mode, I see on notify bar steering wheel, but without a resistor function as rotating phone.apk not work. I do not always use cable. For long travel no problem, but I ride short tracks then I must phone often insert and remove.
I tried google car home on girlfriend`s LG optimus black. If I run it, google car home activates true car mode, with rotating phone.apk and other.
My question is. Is any solution with google car home app for my samsung galaxy s2? I use android 4.0.3 (XXLPS), rooted.
Thanks for answer and sorry for my english.
Just thought I'd let you all know that the Nexus player does in fact support HDMI-CEC. This wasn't on any of the specs nor any reviews so I thought it was a feature I'd be losing from the chromecast... Glad it's there.
Great to know!
Are you sure?
aborrelli said:
Just thought I'd let you all know that the Nexus player does in fact support HDMI-CEC. This wasn't on any of the specs nor any reviews so I thought it was a feature I'd be losing from the chromecast... Glad it's there.
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My nexus player does not turn on TV when I cast to it , my chromecast does it on the same port , am not sure about the HDMI CEC on nexus because of this
Hmm... It absolutely does it on my TV which is a Samsung LED 55 inch. Maybe they have it working partly and that's why they don't list it as a feature?
Does it pass through remote commands such as navigating menus/play/pause etc? My Samsung Bluray player does this through my Sony TV's remote.
I can confirm at least partial functionality for HDMI-CEC on my LG 47LN5750. The TV remote is able to send dpad commands to the NP, but auto-on/input switching functionality does not appear to work as it did for the chromecast.
Edit: After changing from the chromecast to the NP in the same HDMI port, I had to reset some CEC settings on the TV and all is functioning normally.
Is the nexus player always on just like the Chromecast is when plugged into a wall outlet?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Yes, it is always on. It has a "sleep" mode where it shuts off the display, but the device isn't really OFF.
Is there a way to get the player to turn on the tv besides casting?
Since the player comes with a remote it would be nice if I could just push a dang button and it would turn on the tv if it was off.... I think the home button should send tv wake command each time. Or instead if the nexus player is in low power state it should send wake command when the player wakes.
feathers18 said:
Does it pass through remote commands such as navigating menus/play/pause etc? My Samsung Bluray player does this through my Sony TV's remote.
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Can someone answer this question? I'm afraid navigating menus with back / home and media commands like play / stop / pause / fast forward / etc won't work.
JosterNL said:
Can someone answer this question? I'm afraid navigating menus with back / home and media commands like play / stop / pause / fast forward / etc won't work.
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My new Sony tv does pass through the controls, back/home/arrows/select, its enough to work with.
Its sometimes a little challenging to wake up (hitting back usually works though)
jtenniswood said:
My new Sony tv does pass through the controls, back/home/arrows/select, its enough to work with.
Its sometimes a little challenging to wake up (hitting back usually works though)
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Nice to hear, I've also a new Sony tv
My old (7 years) Samsung TV also controls the Nexus Player just fine through HDMI-CEC.
Controlling NP with the TV remote does work over CEC on 2011 LG TV, but I find that it's substantially slower than using NP's remote a 2.4ghz remote/air mouse. YMMV.
Sorta
With my LG TV remote i seem to have to press the play or pause buttons twice to get a response. It isnt just slow, it only works the second time i press the button. The dpad functionality is even stranger. I press right it does nothing, then press left and it goes right, i press center and it goes left, i press up and it selects whatever is highlighted with the center. With each dpad press it does the last button I pressed, if only there were a way to fix this. I really just want a fancier bluetooth remote for the Nexus Player that could turn on my TV, control volume, and maybe even just be fully functional universal remote through CEC? Does CEC have the capability to function in both directions? That would be lovely but I wont hold my breath. The remote juggling that is necessary with this thing is my biggest complaint.
jtenniswood said:
My new Sony tv does pass through the controls, back/home/arrows/select, its enough to work with.
Its sometimes a little challenging to wake up (hitting back usually works though)
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What buttons did you use for home/back? I just got a new sony TV and programmed my Harmony and CEC is working great but I cant figure out which buttons do home/back.
I have an LG 55LA690 and before I used Chromecast. I have Sinplink enabled for it, so when I cast something to it, it switches the TV from antenna mode, to HDMI. Well, this is not available for Nexus Player. I do not see simpmlink being enabled for it and it does not switch to player when casting to it. Also, I have that awesome Magic Remote for LG and it does not work with the player. Such a shame, as the current nexus remote is quite limited.
Later edit: I managed to make LG's simplink to work with Nexus Player by changing the HDMI cable. It seems that my older cable was not CEC compatible.
I can confirm that The Nexus Player can receive CEC from my television, but can anyone confirm it can send signals to other devices (Volume Control, Input Switching, Power)? I haven't been able to find an Android app that provides this function.
I have a Sharp Aquos LC32D64U Television. The IR remote can provide the same functions as the remote included with the Nexus Player.
When I hit the googlecast control on my phone it switches/hijacks the input and switched the tv to the nexus player.
Side note, I now have a nexus player in the office too, on a w7 sony tv, which doesn't do the CEC control (even with the other cable that I know works), the w8 I have down stairs does work fine. Bloody sony and standards!
I have a Panasonic Viera TV. The CEC worked on the nexus player but I had to wipe it and start fresh but now the CEC doesn't work. Does anyone have any input?
I have a headset model to mw600 sony, and whenever I connect my iPhone headset is always time to display on the screen, but when I connect my s4 noting display.
now i need app for this problem. help me
Try these steps
Go to Settings and then select Accessories. It can be found under the My Device Tab. Click on the Accessories and tick on Desk Home Screen Display.
See if that helps.
Found a cool built-in function on my Nexus Player.
Try holding the circle (home) button on your Nexus remote while on any other input on your TV - it should switch to the NPlayer input right away!
PLEASE HIT THE THANKS BUTTON IF I HELPED YOU!
Huh. I've had my NP steal focus a couple times. Maybe the Home button got squeezed by accident.
By any chance do you know how to make a computer steal focus the same way? I have a Logitech K400 (awesome keyboard+mouse) by my chair, so it would be neat to be able to switch the focus like that.
Great find
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
dragontology said:
Huh. I've had my NP steal focus a couple times. Maybe the Home button got squeezed by accident.
By any chance do you know how to make a computer steal focus the same way? I have a Logitech K400 (awesome keyboard+mouse) by my chair, so it would be neat to be able to switch the focus like that.
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You'll need a HDMI CEC adaptor for your PC: https://www.pulse-eight.com/p/104/usb-hdmi-cec-adapter
They're not perfect but it should work.