[Q] Android TV Box CS918, T-R42 display is way too dark - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

Running on official 4.4.2 firmware.
I found that the screen display is way too dark, very unacceptable. This is very obvious for video playback from every software, e.g. youtube, mxplayer, xbmc, etc.
As I share same hdmi port on my tv with other 5 devices, it is not convenient to adjust tv display back and forth between other 5 devices and this dark-display tv box.
My box is rooted. Is there any way to adjust its gamma, black level, etc. Tried several brightness adjustment apps from store and did not help.

MiniX Forums had a thread covering this, without much of a complete solution. Since they changed their domain to minixforum, the thread either has a different URL or is lost, but google cache exists of the original - http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...reen-too-dark.3631/+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk
Short version is try changing HDMI range on your TV from limited to full. It may help other people to reply if you mention which Android apps you've tried to use (which presumably were adjusting backlight levels on a phone/tablet, rather than the video signal data being sent by your box. As an example, although advertised as only compatible for a couple of Nexus devices, have you tried https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teamkang.fauxdisplay&hl=en ? How about https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netmanslab.sa&hl=en ?

Thanks a lot for your comprehensive reply.
My LG TV don't have an option for Full-range RGB; however, it has several Picture modes for me to choose. I usually use one of the Picture mode (say, Standard Picture mode) which I already tweaked/calibrated for best display quality.
Some other picture mode on my TV allows me to choose Gamma (high, medium, low), brightness adjustment, and Dark Level (high, low). I tried adjusting those options in combination under another Picture mode and, though not perfect, it gave me a better result.
So when I view other sources (Dune, Appletv, digital tv, satellite tv), I choose the Standard Picture mode; when switching my hdmi selector to this Android box, I have to choose the other Picture mode on my TV. This is good enough for now.
The Screen Adjuster app won't help. I've not tried The Advanced Color&Gamma Control paid app.
Anyway, Android tV box should have gamma/brightness/contrast/sharpness control under its Setting.
Update: tried Advanced Color&Gamma Control app, it allows me to adjust rgb only, no gamma adjustment.

Related

[Q] external display resoluton

Is there any way (via app/driver) to increase the display resolution for a docked g-tablet?
It looks like the hardware can drive much higher resolutons: tegradeveloper.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/does-tegra-250-support-2-deferent-video-output-hdmi-and-vga-same-time
I see the Motorola Atrix has an app that does this trick when docked in their "laptop" dock. It would be real slick to do this with my docking unit - I would probably never go back to a laptop or desktop again, except for remote control from my tablet.
TIA
It wouldn't make sense for a device to push more pixels than the actual LCD is capable of.
I don't care about the display on the tablet when it is docked and hooked to an external monitor - that could be turned off. What matters is the external display and how crappy 1024x600 looks on a 19" 16:9 monitor made to display 1440x900.
Our HDMI out is 1080p. 1080x1920
What are you hooked up to when getting higher resolution? Does the tablet display just turn off and external takes over?
Everything I have hooked my dock up to (4:3 and 16:9 19" monitors and 720p TV) gets the same resolution as my tablet display. So the bigger the display the more jagged the experience.
Thanks
i havent tested my hdmi output (waiting for straight cable) but the specs are there.
since max resolution on the gtab is 1024x600, thats what youl see, but through the cord the (720p, 1080p) resolution should show on the HD TV.
Hi Resolution when you use the YouTube.apk
stumppc said:
Is there any way (via app/driver) to increase the display resolution for a docked g-tablet?
It looks like the hardware can drive much higher resolutons: tegradeveloper.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/does-tegra-250-support-2-deferent-video-output-hdmi-and-vga-same-time
I see the Motorola Atrix has an app that does this trick when docked in their "laptop" dock. It would be real slick to do this with my docking unit - I would probably never go back to a laptop or desktop again, except for remote control from my tablet.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to get HD (1080p) using the YouTube.APK by selecting HD mode in the application setting. Both the Tablet and the external screen played 1080p videos quite nicely. If you turned off the Tablet display, the external screen also went blank. When I quit out of the APK and set the Tablet to sleep, the HDMI setting appeared to stick in the main Tablet settings. There is no easy way to set the Gtablet resolution using the standard stock settings.
After a few days and trying different TV streaming APKs from the Market. The HDMI Out stopped working altogether. I did a reboot as well as Flash the ROM but the HDMI OUT still does not display. It does recognize the HDMI signal (the LCD shows 1080P) from the dock HDMI port. I am not sure what happened but some how one or more default settings are stuck in the user data configuration file. One of those settings makes my SHARP external display go blank (can't display the set mode). The GTablet continues to display in both 420P and HD (probably 720P) modes.
I will try a data wipe and Flash again to see if it clears the HDMI setting back to the default mode (I believe that is 420p).
If this is the case, then we need some type of HDMI.apk that allows one to set the screen mode to Tablet only, Tablet & External or External only AND set the resolution mode for each. When watching using the dock and an external LCD, I want the default to be 1080p.
So, far when tricking the Gtablet to display 1080p I have some how broken the dock and have not been able to reset back to factory settings.
Any suggestions and/or configuration apk's to resolve this problem?
EKS
Hi Resolution when you use the YouTube.apk
stumppc said:
Is there any way (via app/driver) to increase the display resolution for a docked g-tablet?
It looks like the hardware can drive much higher resolutons: tegradeveloper.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/does-tegra-250-support-2-deferent-video-output-hdmi-and-vga-same-time
I see the Motorola Atrix has an app that does this trick when docked in their "laptop" dock. It would be real slick to do this with my docking unit - I would probably never go back to a laptop or desktop again, except for remote control from my tablet.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to get HD (1080p) using the YouTube.APK by selecting HD mode in the application setting. Both the Tablet and the external screen played 1080p videos quite nicely. If you turned off the Tablet display, the external screen also went blank. When I quit out of the APK and set the Tablet to sleep, the HDMI setting appeared to stick in the main Tablet settings. There is no easy way to tell in the standard GTablet setting function.
After a few days and trying different TV streaming APKs from the Market. The HDMI Out stopped working. I did a reboot as well as Flash the ROM but the HDMI OUT still does not display. It does recognize the HDMI signal (the LCD shows 1080P) from the dock HDMI port. I am not sure what happened but some how one or more default settings are stick in the configuration file. I will try a data wipe and Flash again to see if it clears the HDMI setting back to the default mode (I believe that is 420p).
If this is the case, then we need some type of HDMI.apk that allows one to set the screen mode to Tablet only, Tablet & External or External only AND set the resolution mode for each. When watching using the dock and an external LCD, I want the default to be 1080p.
So, far when tricking the Gtablet to display 1080p I have some how broken the dock and have not been able to reset back to factory settings.
Any suggestions and/or configuration apk's to resolve this problem?
EDIT: Fixed the HDMI Display by using new cable. I get really nice HD output using the YouTube.APK with the settings set to HD.
EKS

[Q] Display no longer turns off with HDMI use after update

Stock TF700T, unrooted, etc., 4.2.1
Prior to the update, when I connected to TV via HDMI, to watch Netflix movies, the Tablet's display automatically turned off once the movie started playing. Required no action on my part.
Since the update, the display stays on, and I can't see or find any setting that will change this behavior.
The TV display looks great - no system bar at the bottom or anything - but it is obviously a waste of battery power to keep the display on, it puts unwanted light into a darkened room, etc.
Any way to restore the original behavior, which makes so much more sense?

Smart Dock users thread (tips and tricks)

Wethe Smart Dock on the S4 turns your phone into a desktop computer, it's pretty awesome, and Android has come a long way in supporting a desktop environment, but there are still many areas it needs help. this thread is all about getting the most out of your desktop machine; the Galaxy S4.
thread isn't too organized, but I'll try to update this post if other Smart Dock users are interested in a collaborative effort to get the most out their Smart Dock, with the smoothest experience possible. please share any tips or tricks you're using for your Smart Dock setup
some helpful tips I've found:
*attaching a USB keyboard turns the phone display off, and switches monitor to landscape.
*using External Keyboard Helper Pro lets you remap a few keys on the keyboard, as well as suppress on-screen keyboard. its SUPPOSED to activate automatically when docked, however doesn't work correctly.
*all Samsung apps intelligently work with a keyboard
flipping pages on the homescreen is difficult, and also any swiping/ scrolling features.. still finding a functional solution for this.
*changing dpi could probably make for a smoother expense
*also need to find a way to connect to dock with bulky case.. possible micro usb extender?
*suggested apps that work perfectly with external hardware:
Power Amp (auto plays in background even if not loaded when pressing play/pause/forward/back)
MX Video Player (all video controls)
Solid Explorer (reads flash drives/external hard drives )
FireFox (only browser I've found so far that suppresses the on-screen keyboard on its own)
*a great list by NZTechFreak that is regularly updated with compatible hardware can be found here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2252618
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Cool thread!
A few things I've learned in my time with the Smart Dock:
* Ultimate Rotation control is a good app for forcing landscape.
* Screen Standby #Root is a great app for Root users allowing the screen to be turned off while still mirroring the display, lots of cool options like ability to automatically turn on with certain apps or MHL connection etc.
* For Root users again: Paragon NTFS/HFS+ is a good app for allowing you to use NTFS drives with the Smart Dock.
* An externally powered USB hub is a good thing to have - the power output for the Dock is relatively limited and if you try to connect multiple things often times they will fail to be supplied sufficient power. A powered hub eliminates that problem, and also gives you MWOAR PORTS! Who doesn't love more ports?
* If you have troubles with sound on connecting to the TV make sure the HDMI cable is fully inserted, the port has a tight fit and it is relatively easy to not insert an HDMI cable fully. If still having problems try using a stereo sound output only (that option is greyed out in settings while you are docked, so change it while not docked if you need to).
I wish the S4 could somehow go into tablet UI when docked on the smart dock, and then open tablet versions of each supported app.
It's great that it outputs 1080p but when viewing content on a large 42" or larger HDTV, it's quite annoying to only see 4 or 5 lines of text because it's mirroring the phone's display.
delucz said:
I wish the S4 could somehow go into tablet UI when docked on the smart dock, and then open tablet versions of each supported app.
It's great that it outputs 1080p but when viewing content on a large 42" or larger HDTV, it's quite annoying to only see 4 or 5 lines of text because it's mirroring the phone's display.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah I agree, I think changing the Screen Density, or the DPI could be a very useful thing in this case.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

[APP][4.2+] SecondScreen - better screen mirroring for Android devices

SecondScreen is an application designed for power users that frequently connect their Android devices to external displays. It works with your existing screen mirroring solution to give you the best experience possible. With SecondScreen, you can change your device's resolution and density to fit your TV or monitor, enable always-on desktop mode in Chrome, and even turn your device's backlight off, among several other features.
PLEASE READ BEFORE DOWNLOADING:
• This app REQUIRES elevated permissions, granted via root access or adb shell commands. The app will do nothing if you do not have a rooted device or access to adb.
• This app is ONLY for devices with AOSP / Google experience ROMs. It is not guaranteed to function properly on devices with manufacturer-skinned ROMs.
• This app does not provide screen mirroring capabilities on its own. Screen mirroring may require either an MHL/SlimPort adapter or a wireless solution such as Miracast or Chromecast.
• A Bluetooth keyboard and mouse is strongly recommended as the app can make UI elements smaller and harder to press on the device itself.
Features:
• Easily change resolution and density (DPI) - take full advantage of the resolution of your external display, and show the Android tablet interface if you're using a phone
• Simple profile-based interface - easy to enable/disable different profiles for different types of displays
• Many configurable options, including:
 • Automatically enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi - quickly connect a keyboard, mouse, and/or game controller
 • Automatically enable Daydreams
 • Lock screen orientation to landscape
 • Show desktop sites in Chrome by default - browse the real Web, on your TV!
 • Overscan support for older TVs (Android 4.3+)
 • System-wide immersive mode (Android 5.0+)
 • Disable device backlight and vibration - save battery while your device is connected (not compatible with all devices)
• Full integration with Tasker
• Load profiles automatically when a display is connected
• Quick Actions - quickly and easily run SecondScreen features without creating or editing profiles
• Homescreen shortcuts - launch a profile with one tap, without entering the app
Download:
• Download SecondScreen on the Play Store
• Download SecondScreen on F-Droid
Explanation of permissions:
• root access required to change resolution/DPI, disable backlight/vibration, enable desktop-only mode in Chrome
• "connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi", "view Wi-Fi connections" - required for profiles to enable Wi-Fi
• "access Bluetooth settings", "pair with Bluetooth devices" - required for profiles to enable Bluetooth
• "close other apps" - required to refresh the user interface after a resolution/DPI change. Ensure all data is saved before launching a profile.
• "run at startup" - required to show SecondScreen profile notification after a (soft/hard) reboot
• "modify system settings" - required for profiles to lock rotation and set brightness
Feedback in this thread is welcomed and appreciated! Hope you guys enjoy the app!
 
XDA:DevDB Information
SecondScreen, App for the Android General
Contributors
farmerbb
Source Code: https://github.com/farmerbb/SecondScreen
Version Information
Status: Stable
Current Stable Version: 2.9.1
Stable Release Date: 2019-10-31
Created 2014-07-19
Last Updated 2019-11-02
Miscellaneous links
SecondScreen beta
SecondScreen group on Google+
Join SecondScreen beta
Source code
SecondScreen source code on GitHub
It sounds very good. I want to try it. Please send me a PM. Thanks.
I'm using Kindle HD 8.9.
Each function works well on it, except screen turn off.
But it has one problem.
I got an enlarged letter box when I change resolution.
My TV has 1920x1080 resolution and Kindle has 1920x1200;
so it has originally black letter box on left and right side.
But when i change Kindle resolution to 1920x1080 using this app,
the letter box is created even on upside and downside.
Is it natural or just my machine problem?
neilhae said:
I'm using Kindle HD 8.9.
Each function works well on it, except screen turn off.
But it has one problem.
I got an enlarged letter box when I change resolution.
My TV has 1920x1080 resolution and Kindle has 1920x1200;
so it has originally black letter box on left and right side.
But when i change Kindle resolution to 1920x1080 using this app,
the letter box is created even on upside and downside.
Is it natural or just my machine problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, switching the resolution to 1920x1080 is supposed to eliminate the pillarboxing on the left and right side. It sounds like a quirk with how the Kindle outputs it's image over HDMI.
What happens when you try a different resolution such as 1280x720? Does the letterboxing and pillarboxing get worse? Also, have you tried connecting your Kindle to a different TV?
Regarding the screen turn off - does it at least dim the backlight down low? Some device kernels have safeguards that prevent the backlight from turning all the way off.
farmerbb said:
No, switching the resolution to 1920x1080 is supposed to eliminate the pillarboxing on the left and right side. It sounds like a quirk with how the Kindle outputs it's image over HDMI.
What happens when you try a different resolution such as 1280x720? Does the letterboxing and pillarboxing get worse? Also, have you tried connecting your Kindle to a different TV?
Regarding the screen turn off - does it at least dim the backlight down low? Some device kernels have safeguards that prevent the backlight from turning all the way off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I try a different resolution such as 1280x720, the letterboxing and pillarboxing are exactly sams as 1920x1080 (??)
The screen turn off option isn't activated and I cannot check it.
Since I have 1 TV monitor, I didn't try connecting to a different TV.
I'll tell you the result whenever I try to a different one.
neilhae said:
When I try a different resolution such as 1280x720, the letterboxing and pillarboxing are exactly sams as 1920x1080 (??)
The screen turn off option isn't activated and I cannot check it.
Since I have 1 TV monitor, I didn't try connecting to a different TV.
I'll tell you the result whenever I try to a different one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, it sounds like it might be an issue with the TV then.
If the "Turn backlight off" option is grayed out, that means the kernel values needed to disable the backlight weren't found on your device. It looks like the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 uses a TI OMAP chipset and the app only recognizes the values for Snapdragon and Tegra.
I set a profile using all default settings. I have start on HDMI connection. I use Tasker to launch profile when my N5 connects to Pioneer AppRadio 3 using AppRadio Unchained to mirror phone. Works great, except that my Nova Launcher gets the expanded desktop toggled off by SecondScreen. My expanded desktop is a feature of GravityBox for Xposed Framework. I will provide a logcat my next connection session. Any other info needed to give development feedback?
lpasq said:
I set a profile using all default settings. I have start on HDMI connection. I use Tasker to launch profile when my N5 connects to Pioneer AppRadio 3 using AppRadio Unchained to mirror phone. Works great, except that my Nova Launcher gets the expanded desktop toggled off by SecondScreen. My expanded desktop is a feature of GravityBox for Xposed Framework. I will provide a logcat my next connection session. Any other info needed to give development feedback?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I'll have to install Xposed + GravityBox + Nova myself and take a look.
What do you mean by "all default settings"? Do you mind posting screenshots of the profile you're using? Expanded desktop could be toggled off if you have the UI refresh method set to "Restart SystemUI & kill background apps". This setting also restarts whatever launcher you are using.
EDIT: Okay, I installed Xposed, GravityBox and Nova Launcher and did some minimal testing. Expanded desktop stays on for me no matter what I try. What expanded desktop setting are you using in GravityBox?
This is probably specific to AppRadio Unchained and your app. I will logcat tomorrow then when next in car.
---------- Post added at 09:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:58 PM ----------
lpasq said:
This is probably specific to AppRadio Unchained and your app. I will logcat tomorrow then when next in car.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, a logcat would be helpful
Could you try one more thing as well? In your AppRadio profile try setting the "Screen rotation" option to "Force auto-rotate" and see if it fixes your issue, or does the same thing.
I just pushed an update that SHOULD fix any issues with the Pioneer AppRadio. The app was forcing a specific system dock state even if the default settings were used, and it's likely that Android switches to a different dock state when connected to the AppRadio. Let me know if the June 21st update fixes things.
farmerbb said:
I just pushed an update that SHOULD fix any issues with the Pioneer AppRadio. The app was forcing a specific system dock state even if the default settings were used, and it's likely that Android switches to a different dock state when connected to the AppRadio. Let me know if the June 21st update fixes things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will test today, and report accordingly, and copy post on ARU thread for the many users that might appreciate your work.
lpasq said:
I will test today, and report accordingly, and copy post on ARU thread for the many users that might appreciate your work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No luck... Logcat will be pm'd
update: issue likely related to nova or gravitybox... all works for me by simply toggling expand desktop tile in notifications tray once after secondscreen active
update 2: wow! thanks for the diligent bug hunt and fix!!!
lpasq said:
No luck... Logcat will be pm'd
update: issue likely related to nova or gravitybox... all works for me by simply toggling expand desktop tile in notifications tray once after secondscreen active
update 2: wow! thanks for the diligent bug hunt and fix!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just pushed version 1.2.5 to the Play Store, it fixes the issues @lpasq has described regarding GravityBox and expanded desktop.
I can test on S3 with ARU
Would anyone be interested in a built-in profile for the AppRadio? Using 800x480 as the resolution and maybe 213dpi for density. I don't own an AppRadio myself but is that a good combo? It wouldn't have backlight off checked by default as that is an option I want users to turn on manually.
farmerbb said:
Would anyone be interested in a built-in profile for the AppRadio? Using 800x480 as the resolution and maybe 213dpi for density. I don't own an AppRadio myself but is that a good combo? It wouldn't have backlight off checked by default as that is an option I want users to turn on manually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, but would changing the resolution and DPI have any negative results? I assume my AVH-8500BHS is down rez now, looks fine to me.
Oh, and I'm confirming my issue with backlight turning back is because I was switching to another app that have auto brightness level adjustment (car home ultra). You said you'll come out with a new version to fix this issue? I'd like to test it when it is available.
But other than that, your apk is working beautifully during my 1 hour commute this morning. Thanks!:good:
jdpdata said:
Yeah, but would changing the resolution and DPI have any negative results? I assume my AVH-8500BHS is down rez now, looks fine to me.
Oh, and I'm confirming my issue with backlight turning back is because I was switching to another app that have auto brightness level adjustment (car home ultra). You said you'll come out with a new version to fix this issue? I'd like to test it when it is available.
But other than that, your apk is working beautifully during my 1 hour commute this morning. Thanks!:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, changing the phone resolution to match the external screen's would eliminate issues such as letterboxing/pillarboxing, fuzzy text, etc. And it would give you a consistent screen output no matter what type of device you hook up (phone or tablet, etc.). It would also theoretically save CPU/GPU cycles and battery running at that resolution.
Negative results would be: home screen icons/widgets potentially disappearing, and the added wait time while your device changes its resolution and DPI. So, I dunno. Again I don't have the AppRadio so I'm not sure what the best user experience would be.
Yeah, Car Home Ultra would definitely mess with my app's backlight off feature. I should be pushing 1.2.6 later today, it will have an "experimental backlight off" option you'll want to try.
Can I please test v.1.2.6? I haven't purchase your apk yet.
Please email to me jdpdata at gmail dot com. I'm willing to test DPI and resolution changes too.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Android Mini pc display dimmer

Hello all,
Maybe one of you will know the answer, I do hope so haha.
If I connect an Android smart tv box (like the MK809IV smart tv stick) to a HDMI display, can I dim the display with the device, like I can dim a phone screen?
The purpose I have is this: Android device running Torque Pro (this app can show car data like revs, speed, turbo pressure, etc. on an Android device) connected to a display by HDMI. The screen will be used in a car, so I want to auto dim the brightness when the ambient light gets darker. I searched for a lot of options to do this with a custom build display with an ambient light sensor, but I thought Macrodroid can help me out too, with dimming the brightness at specific times. This works on my phone, but will it also work on an Android device that has no screen by itself, like a Android stick or Android mini pc?

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