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Updated findings: Bad audio out thru headphone jack to car fm transmitter

First off I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this and I also searched for the past few days and have had no luck finding anything much on this. Most stuff I come accross is talking about the phone having a built in fm transmitter that doesn't work - blah blah blah. So here goes, I'm now on Paul's Froyo ROM and for the first time decided to try using the phone for playing music in my car thru a wired fm transmitter and it was not good. I now have three fm transmitters (2 I bought and the final one my brother gave me his that he used to use in his car with no problems) all give me the same results which is it seems okay playing through parts of songs that don't have much bass but once bass starts to hit it gets all awful stattic sounding and the Stereo (ST) indicator on my radio blinks so somehow the sound quality goes all bad. I've narrowed it down to obviously being something with the phone somehow cause I've tried with iPhones and another MP3 player and they (FM transmitters) work perfectly. I've also tried it with IntersectRaven's and CM's kernels for Froyo to see if the kernels might make a difference and no luck. So my question is, is this a known issue with the N1 or is this an issue with Froyo and isn't the case with say CM 5.0.7.1, anyone with experience can shed some light? Was thinking to go back to CM but after seeing all the threads of the issues in doing so decided not to but if this is not the case with other ROMs then it would make me switch back until a official Cyanogenized Froyo is out. If this is the wrong forum then my apologies and Dev's plz move to correct forum.
Update: I've messed with it some more and have been able to get it to play fine with Pershoots kernel but I have to turn down the media volume to approximately 70%. So it seems to me that with the media volume up all the way it must be drawing too much power or something from the headphone jack to make the output all distorted. I haven't tried with IntersectRaven's kernel to say if I get the same result since I'm just happy the darn thing works now. I'll also do a post in the Develoment forum linking to this in case anyone there may want to investigate this issue.

Sounds to me like every experience I've ever had with every FM transmitter. They just don't transmit loudness or bass well. I don't think it's the phone, I think its the FM Transmitter technology.
edit: could just be the volume boost or something on the specific kernel (not even sure if the kernel's you are talking about have a volume boost) but that may increase the max volume out and cause the problem.

derfasaurus said:
Sounds to me like every experience I've ever had with every FM transmitter. They just don't transmit loudness or bass well. I don't think it's the phone, I think its the FM Transmitter technology.
edit: could just be the volume boost or something on the specific kernel (not even sure if the kernel's you are talking about have a volume boost) but that may increase the max volume out and cause the problem.
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yes exactly, try a vanilla kernel and see how that plays out... I am curious of your findings...

Kman Gymrat said:
First off I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this and I also searched for the past few days and have had no luck finding anything much on this. Most stuff I come accross is talking about the phone having a built in fm transmitter that doesn't work - blah blah blah. So here goes, I'm now on Paul's Froyo ROM and for the first time decided to try using the phone for playing music in my car thru a wired fm transmitter and it was not good. I now have three fm transmitters (2 I bought and the final one my brother gave me his that he used to use in his car with no problems) all give me the same results which is it seems okay playing through parts of songs that don't have much bass but once bass starts to hit it gets all awful stattic sounding and the Stereo (ST) indicator on my radio blinks so somehow the sound quality goes all bad. I've narrowed it down to obviously being something with the phone somehow cause I've tried with iPhones and another MP3 player and they (FM transmitters) work perfectly. I've also tried it with IntersectRaven's and CM's kernels for Froyo to see if the kernels might make a difference and no luck. So my question is, is this a known issue with the N1 or is this an issue with Froyo and isn't the case with say CM 5.0.7.1, anyone with experience can shed some light? Was thinking to go back to CM but after seeing all the threads of the issues in doing so decided not to but if this is not the case with other ROMs then it would make me switch back until a official Cyanogenized Froyo is out. If this is the wrong forum then my apologies and Dev's plz move to correct forum.
Update: I've messed with it some more and have been able to get it to play fine with Pershoots kernel but I have to turn down the media volume to approximately 70%. So it seems to me that with the media volume up all the way it must be drawing too much power or something from the headphone jack to make the output all distorted. I haven't tried with IntersectRaven's kernel to say if I get the same result since I'm just happy the darn thing works now. I'll also do a post in the Develoment forum linking to this in case anyone there may want to investigate this issue.
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what you are describing is quiet normal if you drive the input of the fm transmitter too hard. You even found out the solution; lower the volume.

Yeh, but the thing that was baffling me was that the iPhones I tried worked fine with volume blasted and so did a MP3 player and that was with 3 different FM transmitters. I originally thought it was the transmitter so that's why I ended up buying another one to try then asking my brother for his which I know he used to have running with no issues. But after thinking about it for a while and searching some more I found posts in the kernel threads about audio boost so that's what made me think to turn the volume on the phone down.
Would like to try a vanilla kernel if you can link me to where to find one that's compatible with Froyo.
And actually I think I'm using CM's Froyo kernel but from what I understand it has pretty much the same tweaks as Pershoot's. Also need to go back to IntersectRaven's and try again with the vol down a bit but I don't have enough battery life left to feel comfortable flashing it.

For the FM-transmitter that I use in my car it's actually stated in the manual that you should keep the volume at about 50% on the device as to not ruin the sound. So I guess this is quite normal and just means you have to adjust the volume on the car stereo a bit.

Kman Gymrat said:
Yeh, but the thing that was baffling me was that the iPhones I tried worked fine with volume blasted and so did a MP3 player and that was with 3 different FM transmitters. I originally thought it was the transmitter so that's why I ended up buying another one to try then asking my brother for his which I know he used to have running with no issues. But after thinking about it for a while and searching some more I found posts in the kernel threads about audio boost so that's what made me think to turn the volume on the phone down.
Would like to try a vanilla kernel if you can link me to where to find one that's compatible with Froyo.
And actually I think I'm using CM's Froyo kernel but from what I understand it has pretty much the same tweaks as Pershoot's. Also need to go back to IntersectRaven's and try again with the vol down a bit but I don't have enough battery life left to feel comfortable flashing it.
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All kernels are compatible with froyo, just go to the kernels thread and find a sock one

Asus Tranny Speakers

Hey guys...just got my Asus Tranny today.
I'm noticing sound only comes out of the right side of the tablet. It looks like there are speakers on both sides. Is everyone's like this, or is mine F'ed?

they're stereo speakers so you should hear sounds on both speakers.
on a separate note, i believe the common nickname for it is "TF"...let's not call them asus trannies (not that there's anything wrong with that)

TF...fair enough. I'm a car guy...its common to call the transmission "tranny"
So is anyone else here having this problem? Is there a setting somewhere I'm missing?

did you perform any updates yet. I could be an firmware/software issue. Give that a shot maybe it'll be fixed.

I searched for a software update but it says no update available. Is there a different way to update?

rehughe said:
I searched for a software update but it says no update available. Is there a different way to update?
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Asus website.

seshmaru said:
Asus website.
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To be more specific and not make you search the numerous threads about this... the TF had a black screen of death that came with the OTA update. I know I had mine pushed that way and had no problems. You can dl it directly from the asus website, and hopefully you dont have problems. As long as you are not hooked on screen locking, it seems like this update works like a charm.

A Naked Emo said:
To be more specific and not make you search the numerous threads about this... the TF had a black screen of death that came with the OTA update. I know I had mine pushed that way and had no problems. You can dl it directly from the asus website, and hopefully you dont have problems. As long as you are not hooked on screen locking, it seems like this update works like a charm.
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That in no way addresses the ops question though lol.
OP, that isn't normal. My sound plays out of both speakers. Tried plugging in wired headsets and then disconnecting? Software update may take care of it as well, though honestly it sounds more hardware.

I noticed my right side is louder than my left. When I noticed it I brought it up on #asus-transformer and a bunch of the guys tested their's and reported the same thing. I posted something on the Transformer FB page and someone said it's a known issue and it's not the hardware but something about the SRS config or something like that. I was told it would be fixed in a future update. But headphones sound fine. If it was software wouldnt it also affect the headphone sound?

I also have the same issue. Although the left speaker is working, the right speaker is so much louder that it appears to be the only one. I am hoping this is something that can be fixed by FOTA, but if not, then I will wait for supply to improve then swap it.

czm said:
I also have the same issue. Although the left speaker is working, the right speaker is so much louder that it appears to be the only one. I am hoping this is something that can be fixed by FOTA, but if not, then I will wait for supply to improve then swap it.
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Yeah I have the same exact issue. Like 5 other guys that checked after I mentioned it on IRC chat and they all said it the right side was louder as well. I was going to return it but god knows when I'll get another one. I'm hoping what I hear is true and it is a software issue, otherwise it's getting sent for a warranty replacement. I already sent an email to asus tech support

so i must be the only guy that though you had cross dressing speakers, lol...
it seems to be a common bug. i noticed it on my first test and saw on modaco forums that others have had the problem. hopefully it's software related.
i also hope we can tweak the sounds. there's just too much treble compared to the xoom, whose audio i really liked.

madsquabbles said:
so i must be the only guy that though you had cross dressing speakers, lol...
it seems to be a common bug. i noticed it on my first test and saw on modaco forums that others have had the problem. hopefully it's software related.
i also hope we can tweak the sounds. there's just too much treble compared to the xoom, whose audio i really liked.
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Same here. I expected a whole different topic... I didn't know plastic surgery could implement speakers as well..
But on topic, my TF (!) also has this problem. In the FOTA thread it was already listed as something that still needs to be fixed in coming updates.

madsquabbles said:
so i must be the only guy that though you had cross dressing speakers, lol...
it seems to be a common bug. i noticed it on my first test and saw on modaco forums that others have had the problem. hopefully it's software related.
i also hope we can tweak the sounds. there's just too much treble compared to the xoom, whose audio i really liked.
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I agree, I think the xoom's sound was better, not as tinny. BUT I have to say... I have a Dell Streak 7 and the sound/speaker placement is much better than on the xoom and the TF

I hadn't really had the speakers before, but now I th them on a BBC video, I notice this same thing... here's going for a software update soon...

czm said:
I also have the same issue. Although the left speaker is working, the right speaker is so much louder that it appears to be the only one. I am hoping this is something that can be fixed by FOTA, but if not, then I will wait for supply to improve then swap it.
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^this is my exact experience also. Seems like the pan setting got stuck on 90% right speaker and wasn't caught on the shipping build.

finalhit said:
they're stereo speakers so you should hear sounds on both speakers.
on a separate note, i believe the common nickname for it is "TF"...let's not call them asus trannies (not that there's anything wrong with that)
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How do you know his doesn't like to dress up as an Ipad every once in a while?

Man, the longer I wait for the TF to be available, the more issues keep popping up. I know that there are many of you with flawless, perfect, beautiful machines, but the number of those with issues, and the diversity of the issues, makes me question whether I should just hold off even longer until they get these quirks tweaked out.

and hey.. OP change the thread title.. haha It does sound like cross dressing speakers. lol

akarol said:
Man, the longer I wait for the TF to be available, the more issues keep popping up. I know that there are many of you with flawless, perfect, beautiful machines, but the number of those with issues, and the diversity of the issues, makes me question whether I should just hold off even longer until they get these quirks tweaked out.
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Click to collapse
Due to the nature of XDA and similar it encourages people to post if they have problems, no point in filling up the forums with topics/posts just saying "my new < shiny device> isn't broken".
Jump in with both feet, and pray yours is fine... then fix the inevitable issues
-Cyph

What is Asus' hardware solution for speaker balance problem?

Does anybody know what Asus does to fix the speaker balance problem?
They don't apply a software solution, or else the problem would be gone with all the updates we had.
And since I already established that it's a hardware problem (See here. Post 172), Asus must have a hardware solution.
Is it:
- New speakers (where the right speaker is weaker than the left to make up for the balance problem)?
- A metal plate between the speaker and the screen (the right speaker has metal between the speaker and the screen, so that sound travels better through the screen to the front. the left speaker doesn't have the metal and there is a small gap between the speaker and the screen, thus the right speaker is louder than the left)?
- Something else?
I would really like to know, 'cause this problem is the only reason I have rooted my TF101.
And with ICS almost working perfect, there is no reason to use another ROM...

No they didn't fix it on ICS AND that was my post just do that mod and you
will be fine
Sent from my Transformer TF101

JohnM109R said:
No they didn't fix it on ICS AND that was my post just do that mod and you
will be fine
Sent from my Transformer TF101
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I know they didn't fix it in ICS. That's what I said.
What was your post?
I did the srs_config file mod with adb (no root required. I think... 'cause I tried to root 9.2.1.17, but it didn't work. Root checker said I wasn't rooted. But I managed to push the srs_config file with adb) since three updates ago.

Snipes said:
I know they didn't fix it in ICS. That's what I said.
What was your post?
I did the srs_config file mod with adb (no root required. I think... 'cause I tried to root 9.2.1.17, but it didn't work. Root checker said I wasn't rooted. But I managed to push the srs_config file with adb) since three updates ago.
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I think the problem is that not all tf's have this problem. I also rooted mine just for this problem. The balance and loudness seem to be better with the latest ICS update but the left is still lower. If ASUS changes the settings in srs_processing.cfg file then people that don't have this problem will now have a problem. So we are stuck changing the settings or opening our tf's to try and fix the left speaker. This problem doesn't bother me too much as I use external bluetooth speakers or bluetooth stereo headphones most of the time, but it is unfortunate to have this problem with such a nice tablet. Cheers.

ckuke4 said:
I think the problem is that not all tf's have this problem. I also rooted mine just for this problem. The balance and loudness seem to be better with the latest ICS update but the left is still lower. If ASUS changes the settings in srs_processing.cfg file then people that don't have this problem will now have a problem. So we are stuck changing the settings or opening our tf's to try and fix the left speaker. This problem doesn't bother me too much as I use external bluetooth speakers or bluetooth stereo headphones most of the time, but it is unfortunate to have this problem with such a nice tablet. Cheers.
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Hmmm......I am wondering how Asus remains so popular even with the real crappy build problems.
I've had:
** Backlight leak from under screen.
** Loose volume rocker.
** Dust and crud UNDER the back camera lens .......even with case (yeah, I know the camera is still exposed).
I go the screen bleed fixed - they replaced my screen.
I am going to send it in for the camera dust.
This placement of the speaker is just unbelievable lack of common sense by Asus.
While I stay from Apple, this one area they have figured out........Yeah they also have problems,but build quality is darn good. Android people, including Samsung etc. need to really wake up to this. I mean, I had a Samsung Galaxy tab, I turned it in for my Asus. Could not see what the hype og Galaxy tab was about?
I really wish some Android device manuf would really deliver? My Skyrocket build quality also sucks, compared to my Samsung Captivate, where it seemed so much more solid. I mean they the Skyrocket has this extremely cheap THIN PLASTIC battery cover, it's laughable.
Anyways.........unless i make my own device !!!!!

[Q] Headset not fucntioning in call mode at all!!

Hi all,
I have successfully rooted and flashed Paranoid Android 2.54 onto my ATT HOX and it is a wonderful ROM for sure. I love the options that it provides and the silky smooth, almost stock interface. The only real issue that I have come across is when I try to use a headset for calls. I am defining a headset as a 3.5mm plug in set of earbuds with mic (Klipsch S4i to be exact). When I listen to music, be it on Pandora, Google Music or Apollo all is well. As soon as I try to use the phone, no sound comes through the earbuds and the mic does not function. In fact you can see a noticable slow down in the dialer app when the headset it even plugged in. If I make a call, then plug in the headset, everything goes silent and the other side can't hear me until I unplug the headset from the phone.
Here is the real kicker though! I have my car stereo modded with an aux 3.5mm plug for listening to music and if I plug the phone into that it works just fine in phone mode! Now, I do realize that the Klipsch is setup as a TRRS and the car aux is just TRS (so when using the car stereo I am effectively bypassing the mic portion of the 3.5mm plug and using the phone's mic), but I cannot for the life of me understand why the headset will not work.
I am hoping that someone can enlighten me or least tell me that they to are experiencing this same issue. I will gladly provide any more info that someone might need to help diagnose the issue, and thanks in advance!

Update so far...
So, up to this point here is what I've found. If I plug in a normal set of earphone (read buds only no mic inline) then I will get sound through them no matter what I am doing (youtube, music or phone). Also, in this configuration anyone I am talking to on the phone can hear me just fine as I am using the phone's mic. However, when I plug in an earbud/mic combo the phone will not function. I get silence and the other side cannot hear me speaking either. It's as if the software has somehow told the headphone jack to act differently than it used to with earbud/mic combos. I am stumped as to why the OS would not allow this type of use when it is so standard. Anyone have any thoughts?

I actually have the same headset and I started having problems with it on the stock rom before I even rooted and flashed a custom one. I honestly just thought it was because they're really made for apple phones. Sometimes I'll just unlplug and plug them back in for them to register. Other than that I haven't seen a fix for them.
P.S. Klipsch control from the play store seemed to make things worse for me

sourshin said:
I actually have the same headset and I started having problems with it on the stock rom before I even rooted and flashed a custom one. I honestly just thought it was because they're really made for apple phones. Sometimes I'll just unlplug and plug them back in for them to register. Other than that I haven't seen a fix for them.
P.S. Klipsch control from the play store seemed to make things worse for me
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the response! Yeah, I think I am going to try another ROM just to see if it will help, but I have the distinct feeling it might be a hardware issue. I just can't understand why this would all the sudden malfunction right after rooting for me. Maybe just a coincidence. I will definitely respond here though if flashing to a new ROM helps...

guitarman710 said:
Thanks for the response! Yeah, I think I am going to try another ROM just to see if it will help, but I have the distinct feeling it might be a hardware issue. I just can't understand why this would all the sudden malfunction right after rooting for me. Maybe just a coincidence. I will definitely respond here though if flashing to a new ROM helps...
Click to expand...
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I've never tried paranoid but King kang(which has paranoid elements) works fine for the most part. nocturnal'd dirty rom, miui, and cm10 have all worked for me tho. I'm currently on the unofficial cm10.1 4.2 and that's working for me as well, except when I have the headset plugged in while booting.

Final Update....And SUCCESS
So, it appears that it was some sort of ROM specific issue. I flashed CleanROM 5.1 to my phone and "wah-lah"! The headset works perfectly in all modes. I am not sure what it was about Paranoid Android 2.54 that would not allow the headset/mic combo to work with the phone, but I am free of it now I guess. I will miss the interface of PA, but boy does CleanROM run FAST!!! I am in awe of the speed and responsivness. I hope the battery life holds up like PA did for me and I also think that the quick settings on CleanROM basically RULE.

[Q] No sound on speakers.

Hi,
I have a major problem with my asus tf101 and i hope some one can help me.
Since i got my hands on this tablet ( a week ago, bought second handed) the sound does not work over the speakers. Sound over the headphone jack works fine. I've searched my ass of here on xda developers forum, but every story is about people's sound issues that can be fixed by a factory reset or a reboot. This does not help for me!!!
After flashing to different kernels, and different ROM'S i still have no sound on my tablet.
So i cracked open my tablet to watch if there is any cable disconnect, the complete soundboard is just fine and not even 1 cable was disconnected or lose. I tested both speakers with an old radio en they work!
Can somone help me fix my sound problems as I still believe its an software related issue? Or is it a hardware failure?
My specs ATM:
Build: EOS JDQ39 Nightly 99
Kernel: 2.6.39.4-kat95
android version: 4.2.2

Hardware failure I think ?

Thing O Doom said:
Hardware failure I think ?
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Gues so then :< some one know where to buy hardware parts for the tf101?

Try the left speaker fix and play with values. Maybe you have the problem on both speakers?