Connecting an android phone to a car with a MOST optical audio system. Help needed! - General Questions and Answers

Hi all,
I have an interesting problem to pose to the techies amongst you.
I have just managed to get my dream car and now need to integrate my phone without paying the huge sums being asked for by the car manufacturers and some aftermarket electronic suppliers (car ICE specialists too). My phone is currently a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the car has MOST optical audio and satnav systems.
I'm after 3 distinct, yet simultaneous, solutions, which are : -
A/ power supply to the phone
B/ HDMI or RCA output to a dash mounted 5 inch lcd screen for satnav purposes
C/ audio output to link into the car's current MOST audio system (head unit in the dashboard, also running the car's hvac, and the amplifiers are in the boot)
My first thought was to open up the USB 3 cable and to run individual wires to 3 separate plugs for each of the 3 solutions listed above. At this point many of you may be laughing at my clearly very poor understanding of modern electronics, particularly USB, and I would not argue that at all - I'm a complete dimwit here! Obviously (I think...) the clear solution is in the fact that USB can run different objectives simultaneously.
So... I run my USB 3 CABLE from the phone to a (presumably powered?) USB 3 hub and have 3 appropriate cables plugged in and running respectively to A/ a USB cigarette lighter socket, B/ an hdmi (or RCA, or composite?) plug and C/ to a standard stereo headphone jack or socket.
I don't think A/ will work because I don't see power going from the socket back through the hub and into the phone. Suggestions welcomed as I can't see how to get power to the phone at the same time as having a USB cable supplying data out. Or is there power over USB through a hub available?
B/ seems straightforward enough.
C/ the audio then needs to go to an analog to digital / wired to optical adapter and then a 2 into 1 optical switch (so I can still have the existing output from the head unit) before plugging into the amplifiers. These 2 adapters are easily available through eBay, Amazon or Maplins as far as I can see. The issue I foresee here is will the head unit still be able to control volume, fade, etc of the signal coming from the phone? If the control of the amplifiers happens via the optical cables then presumably that won't happen if I've used a switch to change the source? Would taking the output from the phone's headphone socket be of any benefit? I doubt it as the output power from there may be quite a bit higher than from the USB port...
So you can see that I clearly need some knowledgeable direction here or I will be forever going round in ever decreasing circles!
Many thanks in advance for any help given. Cheers, Mark

Related

Simultaneous micro usb to 3.5 mm audio out while charging possible?

A similar question has been asked on modaco but I don't think a solution was found. Therefore I am going to ask if this would work here.
Is it possible to connect a micro usb (male) to mini usb (female) adapter up to this thing (HTC 4 in 1 adapter: I can't post link because I am a new user but just search it on youtube). This would connect to the tg01 micro usb and provide a 3.5 mm audio out in addition to a mini usb connection where one could potentially hook up a charger. I was thinking of testing this out as it would cost about 10-15 dollars but I do not want to damage my phone in the process. I have no electrical engineering knowledge but maybe someone else can explain if this would work before I order anything.
On a side note: I order samsung WEP870 bluetooth headphones on sale as an alternative to this. Note sure how sound quality is but I will try answer any questions you guys might have.
Any input is welcome.
mobius8 said:
Is it possible to connect a micro usb (male) to mini usb (female) adapter up to this thing (HTC 4 in 1 adapter: I can't post link because I am a new user but just search it on youtube). This would connect to the tg01 micro usb and provide a 3.5 mm audio out in addition to a mini usb connection where one could potentially hook up a charger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was heavily involved in the discussion running on MoDaCo you refered to; unfortunately there has been no breakthrough on this issue to date.
I did look into the the HTC adapter you mention, but it actually uses the proprietary HTC ExtUSB plug on the input end (connecting to the phone) and NOT a normal mini-USB. The ExtUSB has 11 pins which include a discrete audio output (being used to feed the 3.5mm jack socket) and also hard-wired power (used to accept the charger input).
In the case of the TG01 uUSB socket, it is too 'intelligent' for its own good. Every function, charging, audio out, USB data transfer, etc., is under procesor control. Different functions are triggered by the device 'seeing' a certain resistance across the sense pin and ground; depending on this the processor then configures the use of the socket pins accordingly.
I am after what you are trying to achieve also; there is a chip supposedly available which is intended to fulfil exactly this functionality, but I've been unable to find any devices on the market which use it and attempts to contact the manufacturer with a view to getting a few samples to try and build an interface have so far been unsuccessful.
I've attached a couple of documents which explain the uUSB Charger Adapter and also the chip spec sheet for reference.
View attachment MC34825.zip View attachment batt_charging_1_1.zip
If anyone else knows anything to help move this one forward, will be much appreciated !
Thanks for the nice explanation,
Hopefully one day there will be an adapter that can make this possible.

Solving usb port mistery

Hello everyone! My name is Patryk Andrzejewski (don't try to read my name if you're not polish), and this is my first thread on XDA.
I am studing electronics on university of technology so i'm pretty well with all kind of electronic stuff.
What i'm trying to do is "x-ray" the usb port in our TG01.
My basic targets is to find way to charge the device while using USB HUB or while listening music. If it's even possible to do.
Right now I know how to connect TG01 to amplifier by 3.5mm plug. Generaly most amplifiers have high impedance input while tg01 expect low impedance earphones to switch usb port to audio output. So what we need to do is take two resistors with the same resistance around 10k Ohm and connect them both between ground and both signal channels in male 3.5mm plug of the amplifier. This should do the trick. You can experiment with resistance but it should be as high as possible to not interfere in sound quality, but if it be to big output won't swich or sound would chop on high volume.
Basic usb cable have four wires plus ground. While micro usb plug have five pins. This extra pin is used to tell device what cable is connected, hub earphones charger or pc. It can be done by two ways, in each cable this extra pin is shorted to diferent other pins. Or it's connected by resistor to ground or Vcc.
What i need to do is determine how it is in our devices and if it would be done make a cable what will allow to charge while using usb to other purposes.
I can also help with porting microusb-3.5mm cables from other devices to TG01, just what i need is this cable, it's schematic, connection route with insides picture or small donation to buy it for tests.
Or eventualy I can make solution how to do it yourself.
Right now I waiting for a pack with new empty microusb male and female plugs to do some tests.
If someone have some experience with this please share.
Also it would be great if someone will port me on to usb switch driver.
Feel free to talk to me on priv.
Thread will be updated...
Hi @patryk,
Welcome to the TG01 Forum.... especially on this particular topic - if you can find a way to get multiple function via the uUSB port simultaneously, that will be great
There have been various attempts at this before, but in practice the only route seems to be using Bluetoth for audio while either charging or using the port in host mode.
I did a piece on Brighthand a while ago on connecting an external hard drive; there have also been discussions on MoDaCo and later on XDA (down the Accessories thread.... one is here and I think there may be some earlier than that). There is a link in the XDA post to a Freescale Smiconductor chip schematic. This is supposed to be able to (externally) support multi-function usage - ntended to be used by 3rd Party manufacturers in eg. a car kit, but as yet I am not aware of any such accessories having been released. If/when available would be suitable for any of the modern crop of uUSB based evices, though I think many car makers have opted for Bluetooth connectivity instead of the older style fixed car kits with cables.
Acording to pdf from your link I'm right, its all about one resistor. It's entire possibly to do this.
Tomorrow morning tests...
Thanks
oh I cant wait so:
rid_f: >220 kOhms
rid_a: 122-126 kOhms <-- this is what we're interest in
rid_b: 67-69 kOhms
rid_c: 36-37 kOhms
rid_g: 1 kOhm
These res val has small tolerance and ar not typical.
rid_a resistance is used to switch to charge device from charger and use usb for earphones or hub!
earphones - yes, but headset - not sure I must check first where mic is connected
here it is Dummy cable schematic:
Here are some related illustrations:
Schematic of the uUSB standard audio accessory control:
View attachment 505996
Picture of the supplied Toshiba earphone adaptor pcb:
View attachment 505997
The mic is connected to pins 1 and 2 (White and bare Cu)
I have made up several 3.5mm audio adapters using Neutrik 3.5mm jacks with 10k resistors fitted from D+ and D- to 0V common:
View attachment 506008
This ensures it will switch to audio out when connecting to external speakers with or without a ground-loop isolator transformer where typically the external device will have too low an impedance for the TG01 to recognise.
Shorting out D+ (Pin 2) and D- (Pin 3) causes the TG01 to go into Charging mode.
An R from ID (Pin 4) to 0V (Pin 5) causes the TG01 to go into Host mode.
I check all of these Rid's and it seems they don't work on Tg01. No matter how i try there is working only charging or earphones never both same time.
As you say device can be forced to charge when resistor < 200 ohm is connected between D+ and D- and they are floating.
There also must be other way to do this by the driver of usb charging becouse pc link charges only when TG is on.
In TG mic an switch of headset are connected to ID pin. So this first schematic of yours is about Toshiba accesory ?
Technicaly charging while using audio out is possible becouse VBUS pin is free in headset.
I'll do some other tests tomorrow..
Hi!
Any news since February?
I will find answers on many questions by reading this document
djtonka said:
I will find answer on many question by reading this document
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a good document, but iunfortunately leaves many questions unanswerable.
In Section 6.4 it shows a schematic of an Accessory Charger Adapter which is essentially what we need to achieve simultaneous charging and audio out (or other functions). It does not however give enough detail to implement. I have previously identified a Freescale chip which has been designe dto do this job, but hae been unable to identify any source from which to obtain one. In essence this is aimed at the peripheral manufacturers' -who might wish to design and market eg. a hands free car kit to which you could connect a microUSB On The Go spec device. However so far as I can discover there are no manufactureres who have as yet brought any related device to market. If anyone happens to have found anything somewhere across the globe - please shout !
Regards,
Kevin

[HELP] headphones jack output burned out

While I was trying my car radio mods for a jack input, I probably make for error a short citcuit to some cable at 12v with my phone jack output
My phone crashed and restarted itself. All seems ok, but now when I try to use my jack output (for example with normal headphones) I have a lot of background noise, and when I try to turn up the volume above a certain treshold, I get a lot of distortion and the music is not "listenable" (simply horrible, only strange sounds distorted and so on..).
I have another photon Q (FAIL sim mod but working) and I was trying to see the resistence values from the jack output to the components near the output, but I can't se any differences with my headphone-broken-board.
The music works well if I use the internal speaker, the problem is only with headphone, jack output.
Someone can help me? Someone have the circuit of the board near the jack out to understand what I have burned out?
I hope so
Try replacing the jack from your other only held in with double sided tape
Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk
You might want to use a bluetooth headset with a headphone jack in the future. Just to make sure that the actual expensive thing won't get hurt.
With such bluetooth headset you don't even need the jack at your Photon Q
I assume that some resistor or fuse has been blown up.
But I don't have experience in such things.
thanks for your replies!
bluetooth is good idea, I was considering also a microUSB to jack out, so I don't waste energy for bluetooth connection.. do you know if photon q can handle jack out from microUSB or microHDMI out?
I have replaced the back cover with the other one of the 'good working' phone, but the problem is here.. I think some resistors or capacitor is broken, it seems a filtering issue or a output impedance issue.
I could remove resistors from the other board and solder in my board, but I don't know what is broken and I don't know the circuit logic.
would love to repair circuit, otherwise I could solder a micro hdmi/usb to jack out in the phone to replace the standard jack out.. ahah! But is not so easy
Over microHDMI it can but only digital, not analog. Useless for a car radio.
Never tried over microUSB. But I think it's also digital.
The energy which is lost because of bluetooth is not really more than the analog sound over the headphone jack.
Listening music for about 6 hours (with sometimes texting/surfing for about 50 minutes) I get nearly 40% battery used.
Bluetooth is on, day and night. As long as it is not connected to anything, the energy usage is nearly zero.
Loader009 said:
Over microHDMI it can but only digital, not analog. Useless for a car radio.
Never tried over microUSB. But I think it's also digital.
The energy which is lost because of bluetooth is not really more than the analog sound over the headphone jack.
Listening music for about 6 hours (with sometimes texting/surfing for about 50 minutes) I get nearly 40% battery used.
Bluetooth is on, day and night. As long as it is not connected to anything, the energy usage is nearly zero.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for your info. I have never used bluetooth so much
But what about similar cables: http://it.aliexpress.com/item/Micro...er-For-Nokia-E52-E72-N900-8600/547805050.html
Perhaps some phone can handle analog output from microusb?
If photon q is able to do this, and if in that cable is not present some type of circuit, i can solder the correct cables from microusb to standard jack out. I could lose mic input, but I don't use it..
I'll try to find similar cables in my zone for testing, before buy it
edit: this thread is great http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321491
i think that soldering similar things in my phone I could never use my usb port for data again
for now I'll buy similar cable. I hope to find a way to repair my board anyway
If you have a microUSB cable, you could theoretically cut it and try it out.
But you need to know the correct colorcode for this cable, maybe wikipedia is useful.
Still, I think the audio over microUSB is only for the docking station.
(Never tried that, pure theory.)
This cable should do what you need: http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Audio-Power-SKN6394A-Bionic/dp/B00H8YATYI
It comes with the original Photon Q car dock and when it's connected, the phone switches to EMU audio output - analogue audio output on USB pins.
I've done the coding work so this cable is supported in CM 10.2/11 (changes to kernel, audio HAL and framework).
I haven't tried to figure out how it's actually wired and what resistor values are used between what pins so the connection of this cable is recognized by the phone as there was no need for me - the cable I have works just fine. I can try to measure it if you need it, but I unfortunately can't promise when I actually find the time for it - I would need to make some preparation with usb female connectors I don't have handy currently.
Your issue sounds like you've damaged some part of the headphone amplifier. I don't know the hardware details of how it's exactly wired in the case of Photon Q. I suppose it's using a separate Speaker amplifier TPA2015D1 (as used in Atrix HD), but the headphone output may be coming almost directly from the WCD9310 headphone output. Not sure.
kabaldan said:
This cable should do what you need: http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Audio-Power-SKN6394A-Bionic/dp/B00H8YATYI
It comes with the original Photon Q car dock and when it's connected, the phone switches to EMU audio output - analogue audio output on USB pins.
I've done the coding work so this cable is supported in CM 10.2/11 (changes to kernel, audio HAL and framework).
I haven't tried to figure out how it's actually wired and what resistor values are used between what pins so the connection of this cable is recognized by the phone as there was no need for me - the cable I have works just fine. I can try to measure it if you need it, but I unfortunately can't promise when I actually find the time for it - I would need to make some preparation with usb female connectors I don't have handy currently.
Your issue sounds like you've damaged some part of the headphone amplifier. I don't know the hardware details of how it's exactly wired in the case of Photon Q. I suppose it's using a separate Speaker amplifier TPA2015D1 (as used in Atrix HD), but the headphone output may be coming almost directly from the WCD9310 headphone output. Not sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help.
I'll buy one of these cable for now, but I would like to repair anyway my photon Q headphone output.
I could find this WCD9310 in the board: I have a rework station so I could swap that chip from my other photon Q hoping to solve the issue..
But the output signal in headphones seems disturbed, usually I know that the digital electronics either works or it does not work .. it seems a problem of analog electronics, filtering or output impedance. I'm wrong? Or maybe within the WCD9310 there is some analog circuit?
nagash91 said:
Thanks for your help.
I'll buy one of these cable for now, but I would like to repair anyway my photon Q headphone output.
I could find this WCD9310 in the board: I have a rework station so I could swap that chip from my other photon Q hoping to solve the issue..
But the output signal in headphones seems disturbed, usually I know that the digital electronics either works or it does not work .. it seems a problem of analog electronics, filtering or output impedance. I'm wrong? Or maybe within the WCD9310 there is some analog circuit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Qualcomm proprietary audio hub WCD9310 contains also integrated headphone amplifier.
See the MSM8960/PM8921/WCD9310 reference design schematics:
http://d-h.st/xJ9
Sheets 28 and 29.
You can see that there are only resistors and transient voltage suppressors between the headphone jack and WCD9310 HPH outputs.
kabaldan said:
The Qualcomm proprietary audio hub WCD9310 contains also integrated headphone amplifier.
See the MSM8960/PM8921/WCD9310 reference design schematics:
http://d-h.st/xJ9
Sheets 28 and 29.
You can see that there are only resistors and transient voltage suppressors between the headphone jack and WCD9310 HPH outputs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're giving me a great help, thank you.
Unfortunately I'm not so good with integrated circuit or similar.
What I can understand from the sheets:
- J6 JA13331-SW38-4F at top-right of sheet 29 is the jack output socket.
- Pin 1 and 4 are right and left headphone signals.
- As you said, the pin 1 and 4 goes to the WCD9310: HPH_LP pin 12, HPH_RM pin 17, and HPH_REF pin 18 (i think is the headset "gnd")
- As you said, between pin 1 and pin 4 of jack input and the WCD9310, there are only resistors, capacitors, and voltage suppressors.
So I understand: the problem are these voltage suppressors or capacitors or resistors or WCD9310 ! :laugh:
You said that probably is WCD9310.. you are more expert than me of coures, and I hope the only problem is the WCD9310 because is the easier component to locate and replace!
I could try to swap the WCD9310, but I don't know where is locate in photon Q, and all IC in the board are covered from metal cases.
I can remove all the metal covers from my 2nd photon Q until I find WCD9310.. but I'll destroy that board definitively.
It is possible that there is so little information on the photon q on the internet? I would like to find a circuit schematics, or at least an info about how the IC are placed in the board.
Good news!!!!!!
I have found WCD9310 in my broken board!!
I'll remove also the other two "capsule" and I'll make a detailed photo, it could be usefull for other problems :laugh:
back with SanDisk 8gb "ssd":

DAC Options for our new Type-C connector?

I'm hoping that with the new USB Type-C connector and Power Delivery 2.0, someone will finally make my ideal type of DAC for phone use in the car:
USB input for powering DAC from cigarette lighter adapter (2.1A)
USB input/output for connection to Type-C jack on phone - phone sends digital audio to DAC, and phone simultaneously charges at (relatively) high power thanks to Power Delivery 2.0
3.5mm audio line out - connect to car AUX input
Currently the DACs I find that come closest to meeting this are the FiiO E18 and the Creative Labs E5, but both add a lot of expense and complexity in trying to be everything to everyone (internal battery for portable use, headphone amp with volume control, etc.). Reviews also state that using them with a phone while also charging the phone can be very touchy.
Is anyone else looking for something like this, or have ideas about where it can already be found? I'm not averse to using a portable DAC in the car, but I want the phone charging to be pretty bulletproof. :good:
I use this with my Nexus 5 and a USB OTG Host cable. I have a Nexus 6P on the way, and I'm hoping it will still work with a just a micro-USB to USB-C adapter for the Nexus 6P. It works very well now, with the downside that the phone doesn't charge when used this way . I read that that was a hardware limitation in the Nexus 5. Maybe the Nexus 6P will charge while sending USB audio, I don't know.
DAC:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036VO4X4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
USB HOST CABLE:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C452XFO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
Techno Trousers said:
snip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know of a product that matches what you described. I have the OPPO HA-2, but in terms of inputs and functionality, it's much the same as the SoundBlaster and FIIO DACs. I don't see how you can charge your phone at the same time you USB output the audio to one of these devices. Using the analog jacks defeats the purpose.
While I think the setup you described would be good, I think we are probably a year or two away from anything like it. I've noticed a trend in the audiophile world of slow adoption of new things such as USB Type-C. If the market proves me wrong, I'm OK with that! I just don't have high expectations for something like this anytime soon.
Also, I think a better alternative would be an aftermarket deck for your car with a USB input for simultaneous charging / USB audio connectivity straight to the sound system. Skip the external DAC and analog headphone jacks all together. Maybe something with Android Auto on it. Again, adoption of Type-C is probably going to be very slow in this product category, but that would be something I'd like to see!
Besides, audio always seems to limited by the weakest link in the chain. Factory car speakers are just terrible, although I'll admit they've gotten better in the last 4 or 5 years. Why go through the pains of setting up an extravagant DAC setup when the speakers won't make it sound any better? Unless you DO have better speakers, in which case, never mind.
May I ask why the 3.5mm analog out from the phone is not sufficient if your car already has an analog input? What is this buying you?
I have an old 2005 Acura TL with a kickass stereo (DVD-A), but no external inputs. I just installed a Grom Audio AND2 that gives me USB stick, Android and a 3.5mm Analog capability. Mine is running in Satellite Radio Emulation mode to give me Song, Album and Artist info in the display.
As newbie, I can not be helpful and add a link but you can Google Grom Audio and click the compare kits link.
The holy grail for me is automotive systems that will take USB or SD cards and actually have as much functionality as a free app on the play store! Most automotive entertainment system developers are so clueless, they should have their balls crushed in a vice and then be fired! The whole naming audio files "01-Artist-Album-Title" came about because automotive systems won't read metadata tags and support playlists.
Techno Trousers said:
I'm hoping that with the new USB Type-C connector and Power Delivery 2.0, someone will finally make my ideal type of DAC for phone use in the car:
USB input for powering DAC from cigarette lighter adapter (2.1A)
USB input/output for connection to Type-C jack on phone - phone sends digital audio to DAC, and phone simultaneously charges at (relatively) high power thanks to Power Delivery 2.0
3.5mm audio line out - connect to car AUX input
Currently the DACs I find that come closest to meeting this are the FiiO E18 and the Creative Labs E5, but both add a lot of expense and complexity in trying to be everything to everyone (internal battery for portable use, headphone amp with volume control, etc.). Reviews also state that using them with a phone while also charging the phone can be very touchy.
Is anyone else looking for something like this, or have ideas about where it can already be found? I'm not averse to using a portable DAC in the car, but I want the phone charging to be pretty bulletproof. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dwswager said:
May I ask why the 3.5mm analog out from the phone is not sufficient if your car already has an analog input? What is this buying you?
I have an old 2005 Acura TL with a kickass stereo (DVD-A), but no external inputs. I just installed a Grom Audio AND2 that gives me USB stick, Android and a 3.5mm Analog capability. Mine is running in Satellite Radio Emulation mode to give me Song, Album and Artist info in the display.
As newbie, I can not be helpful and add a link but you can Google Grom Audio and click the compare kits link.
The holy grail for me is automotive systems that will take USB or SD cards and actually have as much functionality as a free app on the play store! Most automotive entertainment system developers are so clueless, they should have their balls crushed in a vice and then be fired! The whole naming audio files "01-Artist-Album-Title" came about because automotive systems won't read metadata tags and support playlists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a 05 TL in Blue with the tan interior and the GPS.
My dad got the 12 TL and the seats are not as comfortable
Sent from my Nexus 5
gwertheim said:
I have a 05 TL in Blue with the tan interior and the GPS.
My dad got the 12 TL and the seats are not as comfortable
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My 05 TL is also Navy Blue with British Tan leather. Now it has a Grom Audio and I am a fairly happy camper. I used to burn DVD-A discs with about 7 CDs on each and use the "Group" feature. So the 6 disc changer gave me about 42 CDs. BTW, I used Cirlinca DVD-Solo to make and burn DVD Audio Disks.
dwswager said:
My 05 TL is also Navy Blue with British Tan leather. Now it has a Grom Audio and I am a fairly happy camper. I used to burn DVD-A discs with about 7 CDs on each and use the "Group" feature. So the 6 disc changer gave me about 42 CDs. BTW, I used Cirlinca DVD-Solo to make and burn DVD Audio Disks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have the exact same car
Sent from my Nexus 5
Hi, everyone. Thanks so much for the responses, I really appreciate it. To answer some questions and hopefully clarify things:
Why do this? In my 2007 Honda Civic, I upgraded the speakers just after I bought the car (Boston Acoustics) but left the head unit alone, to get maximum sound quality bang for my buck. I currently have a Galaxy S4, and can take advantage of analog audio out via USB with a special iBolt cable (It operates very similarly to the old 30-pin iPod to analog out cables, if you can picture that).
Via experimentation, I've found that increasing order of sound quality is:
Connection from headphone output to AUX in
Connection from USB analog audio out to AUX in (via iBolt cable)
USB digital out over OTG cable to external DAC, DAC AUX out to car AUX in
Option 3 is far and away the best sound quality. It's a very noticeable difference--as good as playing a CD in the head unit. I will use this option with the Nexus 6P no matter what, but I'd like to be able to charge the phone at the same time, especially on long road trips while using navigation and playing audio. Both the USB Power Delivery specification 2.0 and Android Marshmallow make reference to being able to charge USB host devices, so the missing link is what the best DAC would be to achieve that. It may be that the phone itself will be able to decide whether to draw or output power, which would be ideal if the DAC recognizes and respects that choice.
As for the question about why not get a new head unit? This is an older car, and it's frankly not worth the expense and effort to do that at this time. I'll definitely be looking for Android Auto as a feature in any new car I consider down the road, however.
Techno Trousers said:
Connection from headphone output to AUX in
Connection from USB analog audio out to AUX in (via iBolt cable)
USB digital out over OTG cable to external DAC, DAC AUX out to car AUX in
Option 3 is far and away the best sound quality. It's a very noticeable difference--as good as playing a CD in the head unit. I will use this option with the Nexus 6P no matter what, but I'd like to be able to charge the phone at the same time, especially on long road trips while using navigation and playing audio. Both the USB Power Delivery specification 2.0 and Android Marshmallow make reference to being able to charge USB host devices, so the missing link is what the best DAC would be to achieve that. It may be that the phone itself will be able to decide whether to draw or output power, which would be ideal if the DAC recognizes and respects that choice.
As for the question about why not get a new head unit? This is an older car, and it's frankly not worth the expense and effort to do that at this time. I'll definitely be looking for Android Auto as a feature in any new car I consider down the road, however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GROM kit I bought allows me to play music from USB stick, connect the phone via USB and drive it from the car interface, and aux in. The USB3 kit allows you to add a Bluetooth. I prefer the music on the USB stick. Better connecting a $5 stick than a $500 phone.
The 6P is not USB-PD compliant in that it does not support the PD profiles. 15W (5V/3A) is not a PD spec. It is a Type C spec. Supposedly it uses the control channel in the type C cable/connector but no one knows how far it goes. Some suggest that it will allow reversing power flow. It should allow both data flow and power flow, but it is not a full implementation of USB-PD and is still only USB 2.0 compliant. It should allow charging while connected as long as the host it is plugged into will provide power. At what rate is the big question. Most assume it will drop to legacy 5V 1.5A.
Thanks, dwswager, that's good info. I have a Grom Audio unit in my wife's Mazda, which lacks an AUX in. I'm not 100% happy with it because it tends to lose the ability to get digital audio from the phone, and she needs to reload a config file from a USB stick to reenable that.
I do tend to think that all of this will get worked out in the end. I'm a bit of an edge case, I admit. I do have some good stopgaps now, at least for the non-charging case. That Turtle Beach mini DAC is quite intriguing at only $20. At that price it's worth taking a chance.
I hope we can keep this thread alive as we start to discover what works and what doesn't. November can't get here soon enough!
Techno Trousers said:
Thanks, dwswager, that's good info. I have a Grom Audio unit in my wife's Mazda, which lacks an AUX in. I'm not 100% happy with it because it tends to lose the ability to get digital audio from the phone, and she needs to reload a config file from a USB stick to reenable that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assume you have spoken to GROM. Also will assume you flashed the latest firmware update to your wife's unit. The downside on the AUX input is that it uses a proprietary DIN-4 connector and the cable they supply has a male 3.5mm end. So if you want to mount a female 3.5mm jack in the dash you have to use an extra F/F adapter because the jacks are all wired with 3.5mm male ends. They also make an aux cable with both 3.5 and USB female so you can charge and output analog audio at the same time. You also get standard 5V 1.5A via the USB port in the AND2, USB3 and the ipod only number.
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Techno Trousers said:
Thanks, dwswager, that's good info. I have a Grom Audio unit in my wife's Mazda, which lacks an AUX in. I'm not 100% happy with it because it tends to lose the ability to get digital audio from the phone, and she needs to reload a config file from a USB stick to reenable that.
I do tend to think that all of this will get worked out in the end. I'm a bit of an edge case, I admit. I do have some good stopgaps now, at least for the non-charging case. That Turtle Beach mini DAC is quite intriguing at only $20. At that price it's worth taking a chance.
I hope we can keep this thread alive as we start to discover what works and what doesn't. November can't get here soon enough!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In terms of audio quality, the Turtle Beach DAC is a serious improvement over just using the 1/8 in. out of the phone. I will say that the Bass response is HUGE coming out of the Turtle Beach, so I usually eq the bass down a couple notches on the car stereo. That said, it really is an amazing improvement in sound quality for very little investment. (I'm a musician, so I tend to fixate on these things.)
By the way, I bought this cable to extend the reach of my OTG / Host cable,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HAOKCE8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
It's interesting that the seller says USB OTG cables do not support charging.
"This cable is what is known as an OTG, or On-The-Go cable. USB On-The-Go is a specification that allows USB devices such as digital audio players or mobile phones to act as a host, allowing other USB devices like a USB flash drive, digital camera, mouse, or keyboard to be attached to them. These cables do not support charging or syncing of devices. "
bump.
Has anyone found a portable solution to charge phone and offload digital audio to a DAC?
I'm happy to say that the phone works great with my Sony UDA-1 dac/amp (both audio and charging), but it runs off of mains voltage.
I'd even be happy with any single cord solution for simultaneous charging and audio output.
Alright, lemme clear some stuff up here.
For most phones, yes a USB DAC provides better quality than what comes out of the headphone jack and also more volume (doubters can just live on in ignorant bliss :good
On my LG G2, at least, the OTG Y-cable linked earlied charged the phone (although it didn't actually seem to indicate it was charging) and worked with the DAC at the same time
The same cable, when converted from micro USB to USB C and used with the 6P, seems to only be providing charging, the DAC is not working
I will see if I can find anything in the logs or whether there's anything else I can do, maybe bypassing the Y-cable to see if the DAC works at all with the 6P.
Yeeesss yes please, if you or anyone else happens to get a DAC working with the Nexus 6P, please let us all know. I love my 6P, but I definitely miss my setup with my OnePlus One + USB DAC to car AUX...
Is anyone else noticing that audio is downsampled to mono when using Nexus 6p + USB DAC?
mcnoggin said:
Is anyone else noticing that audio is downsampled to mono when using Nexus 6p + USB DAC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, not at all.
There's also noticeably less noise through the DAC compared to my old Galaxy Note 3.
Which DAC are you using?
Bri81 said:
No, not at all.
There's also noticeably less noise through the DAC compared to my old Galaxy Note 3.
Which DAC are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this
http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Beach-Advantage-Digital-Adapter/dp/B0036VO4X4
it worked fine with my nexus 5.
what are you using?
---------- Post added at 06:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:27 PM ----------
Bri81 said:
No, not at all.
There's also noticeably less noise through the DAC compared to my old Galaxy Note 3.
Which DAC are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also, I installed the trial version of USB Audio Player Pro , and I was able to get stereo sound (though limited to the interface of that app and only local files). So there is something really weird happening software wise . . .
Well I tried a USB C to A converter, and my DAC is working fine with the 6P with that. But no charging at the same time, of course.
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Adapter-Chromebook-MacBook-Compatible/dp/B00WJSPWRM/
Zorloo is making their earbuds for type C soon. They have built in dacs.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

USB-C Charging + Audio cable

So I know that the Pixel XL doesn't suffer from the lack of an audio / headphone jack, but I was curious if anyone has tried to use any USB-C Charging + Audio adapters with their Pixel XL.
My wife has a 2005 FX35 which doesn't have bluetooth in the car, we've tried FM Transmitters in the past and those aren't great. However she has been using a 2.5mm headphone to cassette adapter in her car with her phone which she prefers. So I was thinking maybe there is a way to have her just be able to plug in the USB-C + Audio cable for just 1 cable to plug in vs a USB-C + a separate 2.5mm cable.
That car sounds old enough to be able to replace the CD player without much hassle.
Definitely upgrade the radio. You at least need a AUX input nowadays.
Since I can see you've had such gracious and helpful responses so far, I did some research and it seems that most phones that support USB-C charging+audio adapters don't have aux ports on them. For our phones, most of the adapters won't work unless because the wires usually routed to the aux port are running to the USB-C female port on the phone. While there are some USB-C peripherals that can take audio from our USB-C ports (USB DACs, docks, etc), none of the aux+USB-C adapters I've been able to find online are compatible with our phone and all of them were pretty shoddy.
Unfortunately, I think your wife is going to be stuck using the 2 cord method for a while longer.
My last car was a 2007 Accord without Bluetooth. I purchased a Bluetooth adapter that hooked in to the back of the stock radio. There are similar ones made for the 2003-2008 FX35 if you're willing to spend about $150.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GP5VPT4/
If you're handy with a screwdriver, it's a relatively easy install believe it or not.
It might be worth doing a bit of research because I guess there are different ones depending on if you've got gps or not.
That might be a better long term solution if you're planning on keeping the car for a while longer.

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