Dedicated MP3 / GPS HTC Incredible - Android General

I bought an HTC Incredible from a friend for 40 bucks with the express purpose of converting it to a dedicated GPS and MP3 player for the car.
While this seems a simple enough task, there were a few hurdles to jump through to make it happen.
Process steps:
1. Root the phone and install CyanogenMod 7.2 (instructions easily available elsewhere on XDA - unlock the bootloader at HTCDev first to make things easy)
2. Download CoPilot Live from the market - this gives you GPS capability without the need for a data connection, then download the US Map
3. Download PlayerPro from market - configure it the way you want.
4. Put the phone in Airplane Mode and enable GPS. Turn on Wi-Fi when required. If anyone knows of a good way to completely remove the phone without breaking it, I'm all ears - I tried renaming telephone_provider.apk and phone.apk, but that just caused an error loop that required a battery pull and reflash of the ROM to correct.
If you run into static or distortion in the playback (I did, and almost ditched the idea altogether because of it) try these steps:
1. Download and install CDex
2. Download and install MP3Gain
3. Copy contents of music folder to a desktop folder
4. Open MP3Gain and drag all of the music from the SDcard to your desktop folder. Delete music files from SDcard. (best to make another copy of folder so you can keep originals in case something goes wrong)
5. Delete all files from the PlayerPro folder except "Stats", ".nomedia" and "playerpro.pro"
6. Turn off USB connection and ON THE PHONE go to PlayerPro>menu button>Music Library>Refresh mediastore
7. Select All and pull all of the music from the folder into the MP3Gain window.
8. Select all in the window and choose analysis>track analysis from the menu bar.
9. You'll see that some of the files are highlighted red, these are clipped files. Leave the gain at default (89.0) and select all again (may not be required, but I did it anyway) then hit Modify Gain>apply track gain from the menu bar. You'll see that the "Y's" in the clipping column disappear, and the volume and track gain values drop to @89.0 and 0, respectively.
10. Close MP3Gain
Now...
1. Open CDex and go to Options>Settings:
a. General>Directories & Files:Set to somewhere easy to find.
b. Encoding>Encoders: Under Encoder options set Bitrate Min and Max to 128kbps
c. Encoding>Tags: if you're doing one album from the same artist, go ahead and fill all this in and set a picture. if not, skip it.
2. Drag all modified files into the window.
3. Choose "Encode" from the popup window
3. Reconnect phone re-enable USB connection
4. When files are finished, go to the output folder and copy over the MP3 Files to your music folder on device.
5. Disconnect USB and refresh playerpro mediastore again.
NOTE: If you have multiple artists and want to tag it all so it looks better, use MP3Tag to get all the information in quickly and easily. Good source for album art is Wikipedia... Just be sure to go to playerpro>menu>Look and Feel> and check "Prefer ID3 artwork" to use your own pictures.
You may have a quicker solution, but this went pretty fast and it got rid of all the static and hissing noises during playback in the car through the headphone port to stereo connection.
As mentioned before - if anyone has a tip for safely removing the phone functions, I'd appreciate it.

Putting the phone in airplane mode should be good enough, its not worth risking OS stability by trying to remove system apps unless you really need the space.
MP3Gain is great, I've been using it for years. I find 89 a little lower than average for newer music, (95-98 seems more average) but this could be because they are releasing music too loud these days, see "loudness war" on wikipedia.
If you are listening to music using headphones on Gingerbread or newer, I'd recommend Equalizer, a system wide EQ:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smartandroidapps.equalizer
If you are listening in the car its not worth using as car stereos have their own equalizers and powerful enough amplifiers.

I don't really need the space, it's just a "can it be done?" thing.
Ideally, I'd like remove everything related to the telephone with the exception of the contact list...

a guide you might like
mdwbeex said:
I don't really need the space, it's just a "can it be done?" thing.
Ideally, I'd like remove everything related to the telephone with the exception of the contact list...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a guide to do exactly what you are looking to do.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2644588

Related

How do I change the default ringtone to a custom one?

So I have an mp3 ringtone that is in the download folder on the internal memory. Where does it need to be placed so the device sees it and I can use it as a ringtone?
1. Open MyFiles
2. Browse to /sdcard/media/audio/. Create a folder in that folder called ringtones.
3. Move your MP3 to it. I think there may be a limit of 300kb for ringtones. I remember getting a warning when I was transferring the full song from my PC directly to that folder.
4. From the home screen press menu and go to Settings > Sound and display > Voice call ringtone. Your mp3 will show up as one of the choices on the menu.
Install the Astro file manager
Browse to the .mp3
Touch and hold on the .mp3
Select Music
Select Set as Ringtone
Tried the first method, and didn't see em showing up and stumbled into the one I posted fiddling around with trying to move the files around with Astro.
Better yet, put your ringtones, alarms, notifications into the following folders that way, only these certain sounds appear in those certain lists, so it doesn't clutter up the list:
\notifications\
\alarms\
\ringtones\
The above was actually written in the manual of the very first Android, the T-Mobile G1, and works on all Androids...
I used the ringdroid app to set a custom ringtone and text/email alert. I'll have to give the folder method a shot; it seems much simpler than opening an app and trimming the files from the phone every time you want a custom ringtone!
If you use the ringdroid/rings extended method, it will chop the song and copy it and make its own file, thus taking up space.
nxt said:
Better yet, put your ringtones, alarms, notifications into the following folders that way, only these certain sounds appear in those certain lists, so it doesn't clutter up the list:
\notifications\
\alarms\
\ringtones\
The above was actually written in the manual of the very first Android, the T-Mobile G1, and works on all Androids...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, just create these folders at the root level of the sdcard and they'll automatically show up in the correct lists of sounds?

[VZW][AUDIO/MOD] Power On/Off Sound Files

Sooooooo if you own the VZW G2...I KNOW YOU HATE THE POWER ON/OFF SOUNDS JUST AS MUCH AS I DO
Sooooooo I made a couple for my personal use but id thought id spread the wealth lol.
The PowerOn sound byte is the original PS1 system start up
Download: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mu627jjddxo7bz8/PowerOn.ogg
The PowerOff sound byte is from Streets of Rage 2 Round Clear
Download: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dx9iak6d016ctsc/PowerOff.ogg
Instructions
I use Root Explorer but any file browsing app should work for you and follow this path
system/media/audio/ui
Look for PowerOn.ogg and PowerOff.ogg
Rename name them to PowerOn.bak and PowerOff.bak
(To have and to hold till death do you part....orrrrr you just so happen to need them later on and rename them back to the original...you choice)
Take you newly downloaded files and Copy/Paste them into the folder and PROFIT!!!!!!!!
It works immediately so feel free to restart the phone and enjoy
THIS HAS BEEN TESTED ON THE VZW VARIANT
FEEL FREE TO TEST ON A DIFFERENT VARIANT IF YOU WANT BUT I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU NUKING YOUR PHONE​
Thanks. Worked for me.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk 4
Finally worked, had to copy + rename and copy again (so I have .bak and .ogg files there)
PS1 sound brings back memories
So in theory if we just rename those files we wont have any sound... right?
Zei said:
Take you newly downloaded files and Copy/Paste them into the folder and PROFIT!!!!!!!!
It works immediately so feel free to restart the phone and enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have any other sound files?
Ill try to add more to the OP. Ive been extra busy as of late so ill get to it when I can
Bump so I took OP's idea and expanded it to lock/unlock (the files are in the same location
system/media/audio/ui
Method involves Zedge to get MP3s (c/p to PC) then use VLC to convert to OGG files (c/p to the path above)
Best way to get audio track is to use Zedge, get whatever notification you want (get short one for unlock) then copy file(s) to PC and
open VLC ---> Media ---> Convert/Save ---> Add... (this should open popup) ---> Convert/Save (bottom right next to cancel); this opens new popup ---> under profile select 'Audio - Vorbis (OGG)' then select destination ----> ***MUST IMPORTANT PART*** Change the name to particle_lock or particle_unlock (if you use a different unlock animation then use that name respectively) ---> hit start then c/p to path above on your phone
I recommend changing the original sound files to file extension .bak (like OP recommended) so you can return to normal if something goes wrong etc. Oyeah, the lock sound lasts longer while the unlock is quite short so keep that in mind.
Sorry if I complicated simple thing but hope this helps someone, also all credit to Zei (OP) since this is just an extension of his wonderful MOD.

Tasker: Help With Task To Daily Download File

Hey Guys -
I hope I've got this in the correct category. If not, please let me know or move...
I love Tasker! I consider myself an intermediate user as I'm no expert, but have made many scripts to automate various tasks - many of them in great detail. There's one that I'm trying to create which I need your assistance with and/or suggestions for the best method, please...
I already have a Profile set up so that when I enter my car the following happens:
- Bluetooth is enabled
- My phone connects to my car's bluetooth
- My morning radio show starts to play in Poweramp
This is great, but I'm having to manually download and copy the MP3 to my phone daily. The functionality I want to add is:
- Every x hours / minutes, my phone connects to an FTP server
- It checks a specific folder for an MP3 file (See Note below)
- If it exists, it downloads & deletes it. If not there, it disconnects and stops the task
- Once downloaded, it moves it to a specified folder located off the root
- The next time I get in my car, I want it to start playing the new file instead of the last one played if possible. I don't care if Poweramp is used as long as it has resume support if there's no new file
Note
Here's a catch - I'll have to use wildcards for both the folder and file name as both have the date of broadcast in their name. Fortunatly, there are other parts of their name which do not change. One option is that I can use wildcards on my FTP server so that each day's folder (+ files) download to a specific folder on the FTP site. This way, I could have the task check for any folder + files to download and not have to be more specific. Also, the only reason I have the "delete" option in there is so that once it downloads, it doesn't try to download it again on the next run.
So what do you suggest? I just bought and downloaded the Tasker plugin "SSHFTPDownUploader," so am going to play with it. If you have any other ideas - even those which may not use Tasker, let me know.
Thanks!
bzowk said:
Hey Guys -
I hope I've got this in the correct category. If not, please let me know or move...
I love Tasker! I consider myself an intermediate user as I'm no expert, but have made many scripts to automate various tasks - many of them in great detail. There's one that I'm trying to create which I need your assistance with and/or suggestions for the best method, please...
I already have a Profile set up so that when I enter my car the following happens:
- Bluetooth is enabled
- My phone connects to my car's bluetooth
- My morning radio show starts to play in Poweramp
This is great, but I'm having to manually download and copy the MP3 to my phone daily. The functionality I want to add is:
- Every x hours / minutes, my phone connects to an FTP server
- It checks a specific folder for an MP3 file (See Note below)
- If it exists, it downloads & deletes it. If not there, it disconnects and stops the task
- Once downloaded, it moves it to a specified folder located off the root
- The next time I get in my car, I want it to start playing the new file instead of the last one played if possible. I don't care if Poweramp is used as long as it has resume support if there's no new file
Note
Here's a catch - I'll have to use wildcards for both the folder and file name as both have the date of broadcast in their name. Fortunatly, there are other parts of their name which do not change. One option is that I can use wildcards on my FTP server so that each day's folder (+ files) download to a specific folder on the FTP site. This way, I could have the task check for any folder + files to download and not have to be more specific. Also, the only reason I have the "delete" option in there is so that once it downloads, it doesn't try to download it again on the next run.
So what do you suggest? I just bought and downloaded the Tasker plugin "SSHFTPDownUploader," so am going to play with it. If you have any other ideas - even those which may not use Tasker, let me know.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does tasker know when you get info your car?
Sent from Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005

Simple question about transferring songs/media

I just got a gear S3 but am finding it pretty hard to transfer music to it. I have thousands of songs on my phone but they are organized in folders, for instance:
/reggae/*.mp3
/hardrock/*.mp3
etc. etc.
I also have a folder called /favorites that has my top songs - around 100 or so, this is the folder I want to copy to the watch. I can't seem to find a way to select only this folder. When I go into the Gear app I just see a list of thousands of songs grouped by Track/Album/Artist. I can't possibly scroll through the entire list and choose my top 100 songs that are in my favorites. Nor can I go through the time consuming process of searching each song manually.
The whole thing seems rather retarded. Now, I am thinking I need to create a new folder called /s3, then duplicate all my favorites into that folder, then add a "S3_" prefix to all the files there, then transfer those to my phone, choose all files with S3_ prefix, transfer them, then delete it off my phone so I don't have duplicates on my phone. There must be an easier way?
You only need to swype from right to left and you will find a folders list into your mobile phone.
Easy
thanks, that works. I can start playing on my phone first and then control it on my watch so this way I will not upload anything to my watch and use the source as my phone.
So, I am able to use the bezel as well as the arrows to control the previous/next song as well as play/pause the current track. However, it would be nice if I can navigate songs on my phone and choose a specific song by folder directly from my watch. Is there such an app?
Right now I am using Poweramp on my Pixel XL and the watch controls it without issues, I am assuming it just sends a generic play/pause/prev/next command via Bluetooth which any music app understands. I am assuming the ability to navigate a folder structure to a specific song needs to have compatible apps on the phone as well as the watch.

Question Transfer music over USB closes file explorer

I am trying to copy a large amout of music to the internal storage of my S22 Ultra with a USB-C to C 3.1 Gen 2 cable on Windows 11 (also tried another PC with 10). When I paste the files into the Music folder, the transfer starts like normal but then file explorer just closes and the computer makes a sound like the phone has been disconnected. I've managed to get it to work in the past by transfering much smaller amounts of files but I don't see why large volumes do this. Am I missing something? I takes so long to manually select these files I just want to do it all at once.
evertroy said:
I am trying to copy a large amout of music to the internal storage of my S22 Ultra with a USB-C to C 3.1 Gen 2 cable on Windows 11 (also tried another PC with 10). When I paste the files into the Music folder, the transfer starts like normal but then file explorer just closes and the computer makes a sound like the phone has been disconnected. I've managed to get it to work in the past by transfering much smaller amounts of files but I don't see why large volumes do this. Am I missing something? I takes so long to manually select these files I just want to do it all at once.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is most likely with the USB port on your laptop. Otherwise, try using another cable.
If you have power saving enabled for your USB ports on your laptop, try disabling it and see if that helps.
Try in safe mode using Samsung's My files.
If that works try in normal mode.
Try toggling Developer options temporarily off.
Bad cable or port.
Incorrect Windows driver.
Check Windows Event Viewer for error messages.
On my N10+'s I transfer 240+gb a shot with no issues... however if the PC 'hiccups' it will drop the transfer. Occasionally I see that happen.
Don't run other programs or use during transfers and mind the power settings/states of both devices, adjust as needed for transfers.
My OTG flashsticks generally do better.
Always verify data size and file number after transfer and... readability.
This isn't a device or laptop problem.
I had this many times on all my devices.
Check the file names.
For example my file transfer on any android phone crashes/stops with errors if the file name is something like
LitOldschoolHipHopMixtape .mp3 - Has space between name and file extension
or
LitMixtape '90s Style.mp3 - has ' in the name
or
⛥Dxrk ダーク - RAVE⛥.flac - emoji/text symbol
or
Ночной дрифт 藤原 car music collection.aiff - multi language name
Checking the file names would be the first step to do if you experience such issues.
If you are connected with PC/Laptop and Phone to same network, try with this app here
On Windows you go to file explorer (if on Windows 7 or earlier, use FileZilla), right click on This PC, add a network location, on the address bar type ftp:// and your ip address. For example ftp://127.0.0.1:8080
MichalPlays said:
This isn't a device or laptop problem.
I had this many times on all my devices.
Check the file names.
For example my file transfer on any android phone crashes/stops with errors if the file name is something like
LitOldschoolHipHopMixtape .mp3 - Has space between name and file extension
or
LitMixtape '90s Style.mp3 - has ' in the name
or
⛥Dxrk ダーク - RAVE⛥.flac - emoji/text symbol
or
Ночной дрифт 藤原 car music collection.aiff - multi language name
Checking the file names would be the first step to do if you experience such issues.
If you are connected with PC/Laptop and Phone to same network, try with this app here
On Windows you go to file explorer (if on Windows 7 or earlier, use FileZilla), right click on This PC, add a network location, on the address bar type ftp:// and your ip address. For example ftp://127.0.0.1:8080
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah... I never allow anything other than plain text in file or folder names.
If needed I edit them when they're downloaded.
The KISS principle applies here.
All media files especially downloads are always kept in their own separate folder if added to the database. That can provide an extra security layer that will stop some malicious scripts if they get into the main folder. One scripted jpeg will make a believer out of you
evertroy said:
I am trying to copy a large amout of music to the internal storage of my S22 Ultra with a USB-C to C 3.1 Gen 2 cable on Windows 11 (also tried another PC with 10). When I paste the files into the Music folder, the transfer starts like normal but then file explorer just closes and the computer makes a sound like the phone has been disconnected. I've managed to get it to work in the past by transfering much smaller amounts of files but I don't see why large volumes do this. Am I missing something? I takes so long to manually select these files I just want to do it all at once.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've run into this issue too when copying my music collection (about 180GB). I think it is because of the amount of data you are copying. I ended up copying smaller chunks at a time. Usually around 10 to 15 GB of data at a time.
I narrowed it down to specific files and changed the file names. Thanks @MichalPlays

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