USB Audio Streaming? - General Questions and Answers

Hey,
I'm using a Lenovo Tab 3 in my car as a basis to play audio from as the standard interface of the car is terrible. I have it set up so that the tablet is plugged into the car radio USB for power, an app ensures it comes on / turns off (standby) in accordance with the power state. I like my audio quality to be as high as possible but find myself forced to use bluetooth or AUX at the moment because I cant figure out if there is a way to stream via the USB.
The car can read a song from the tablet when connected, but the navigation of files is via the car radio which is not what I'm after. Is there a way to use the USB almost as an AUX, where the music is selected via the tablet but not processed by the tablet and instead sent "pure" to the radio?
I'm getting a fair bit of distortion through the bluetooth so unfortunately it isn't really the solution here. The audio is also getting processed twice, by the tablet and the car which will reduce quality.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm not against rooting, although the tablet hasn't currently been.

crowdie said:
Hey,
I'm using a Lenovo Tab 3 in my car as a basis to play audio from as the standard interface of the car is terrible. I have it set up so that the tablet is plugged into the car radio USB for power, an app ensures it comes on / turns off (standby) in accordance with the power state. I like my audio quality to be as high as possible but find myself forced to use bluetooth or AUX at the moment because I cant figure out if there is a way to stream via the USB.
The car can read a song from the tablet when connected, but the navigation of files is via the car radio which is not what I'm after. Is there a way to use the USB almost as an AUX, where the music is selected via the tablet but not processed by the tablet and instead sent "pure" to the radio?
I'm getting a fair bit of distortion through the bluetooth so unfortunately it isn't really the solution here. The audio is also getting processed twice, by the tablet and the car which will reduce quality.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm not against rooting, although the tablet hasn't currently been.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To my knowledge, streaming audio via USB isn't possible, I could be wrong though. You can play music from USB as if your device were a USB flash drive.
Here's some info on android USB audio.
http://apcmag.com/the-ins-and-outs-of-android-usb-audio.htm/
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/pictures/usb-connecting-your-car-stereo-and-android-phone/5/
https://source.android.com/devices/audio/usb.html
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...-android-now-natively-supports-usb-audio-out/

Thanks for the reply,
I feared this may be the case. I think a DAC is going to have to be the way forward with this unfortunately!

Related

What is the best car head unit for use with the SGS i9000?

I am looking for a car stereo with the following features for use with my Samsung Galaxy S i9000 phone. Most of these via bluetooth of course.
- navigate through and select tunes, podcasts, and audiobooks
- stream audio
- Display caller id and allow me to answer the call or ignore it
- bluetooth hands free calling
- associate with my phone when I start the car so I don't have to pull it out of my pocket
- pause the audio when there is an incoming call or I place a call via the stereo
- be able to place calls using the address book in the phone
Can all of this be found in one unit? Am I hoping for too much?
D
mine is a bit old but it's amazing Clarion CZ509
http://www.clarion.com/us/en/produc.../cd/CZ509/us-en-product-pf_1172409026831.html
does all of the above and more
Have you tested this with an i9000 or at least similar?
How does it work with your audio library?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
using my deck, you can control the phone audio/video stream, and vice versa, as in you can also use your touch screen to control the audio/video as you would normally do, and the car plays the sound.
the remote control works as well, i barely use my remote control as i seat a arms/finger length distance of the deck controls
it uses the standard A2DP Bluetooth controls, it's very natural.
another ability of the deck i'm using in my car, it lets you choose USB, so you can actually hookup the usb/charger wire from the SGS i9000 to the car USB, and it will both play and charge your phone!
this will save your phone battery (bluetooth sucks up a lot of power) so you will only use the bluetooth to talk for incoming/outgoing calls
you just touch a button on the deck to start talking, you can also dial from the deck, but is faster to use the phone to dial.
when you have the phone connected via USB to the deck, you wont be able to use the bluetooh A2DP to control the playback, but you still have the deck controls and the remote control that comes with the deck.
go to the website and read the PDF manual for more details, all i can say is i'm extremely happy and sastified with this setup
you can also just use a regular USB stick to play audios from the deck.
I don't even carry CDs in my car anymore, I loaded my entire music library in a 32GB USB stick, or use my phone to play audio, my phone usually will have the latest song i download from the net, as i always forget to update my USB stick with the latest songs
This is what I am using, and I get full features from mine.
Music controls on handset or deck both work (and remote).
Caller ID/Missed Call/Call log scrollable menu on deck screen.
BT phone audio through speakers with included in car mic.
Full audio volume control.
Charging from USB port (with regular USB cable, some companies like Alpine you need their specific cable) and thumb drive play capability.
3.5 aux jack
http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL028626&pathId=142&page=1
Shoot. I was || this close to getting the Clarion CZ509 but I only found it at 2001 Audio/Video and I don't like those guys much. Instead, I just had the Sony MEX-BT3800U unit installed. I've only started playing with it but I understand it has the same capabilities of the Clarion and a great interface on the deck face.
FH-P8000BT; Voice Dial
Has someone tried the Pioneer FH-P8000BT? I uderstand it's a nice option but don't know if it works ok with Galaxy S's.
Also, is any of the head units mentioned above able to dial by voice? Is it functional?
Help with CZ509
Hi AllGamer,
I tried to send you a PM but I'm not sure if it worked as it's not sitting in my outbox (perhaps there's a post count limit before we can PM).
Anyway, I'm hoping you can help me out. Here's essentially what I said in the PM:
I noticed that you have gotten most everything to work with your clarion cz509 HU. I too have the same HU in my car but I can not get the functionalities to work properly. I used to have an LG voyager and while it did not do ANYTHING except bluetooth, it did do that well. It did not do phonebook or streaming audio but the BT would pair automatically every time I got into the car.
I now own a Samsung Fascinate (Verizon) and I can't even get the BT functionality to work properly. I can get it to pair (and once paired it works fine) but it does not seem to auto pair when I return to the car. I also can not seem to get any of the other functions to work. I realize it's a bit different than your handset but my questions to you are:
1. Is there something setting-wise that I need to change on the actual HU itself?
2. Is there anything to do with settings on the phone that I need to look into?
3. I can't even get it to do audio through USB. Is there something I need to do (on the phone end) to get this to work properly?
I would be satisified with JUST the bluetooth working and auto pairing when I get into the car. I don't need the phonebook or the streaming audio or even the music via USB (I can just use my iPod) but I would like the BT to work at least. The engrish manual that came with the CZ509 is less than helpful.
I'm hoping you may be able to provide some insight.
Thanks!

[Q] Best car audio deck with Android phone?

Hi
I'm trying to buy an after-market car audio deck/receiver. After having spent a few hours at a car stereo shop, nothing I saw there seemed to work 100% with my Android phone (Samsung Vibrant running 2.2 custom froyo).
My first pick was an Alpine IDA-X303 which is intended for iPhone/iPod but has USB input, so I tried with my Vibrant with no joy either in mass storage or media player mode. The deck doesn't support BT so moved onto the CDE-103BT. On that one, it pairs with BT but supports only phone function and no BT audio. It picked up the Vibrant over USB but reported back "no files" yet I had placed mp3s in root of both internal and external sd. So despite it having USB and BT, it would be down to mic jack. I looked at a few other Alpines and they seemed to all have some sort of brutal shortcoming like these when connected to my Android.
I tried a JVC and the USB worked as expected, although track information didnt get displayed on the deck. And I perused the Sony's but really, I was after an Alpine and ultimately I want BT audio with the USB option just to charge if needed. Nice to have is support for streaming apps eg Grooveshark and Subsonic.
So I thought I would ask fellow XDA'ers: Has anyone had success with their phone over BT audio (or even just USB) with a car deck and not suffered major shortcomings? Can anyone recommend a car deck, Alpine or not, that supports BT audio properly and whether it works for streaming apps or what solutions people have found for running this combo? Whats the best deck out there right now for supporting music on Android?
Thanks!!
I'm looking at these head units with some features in addition to Bluetooth version 5.0
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android-auto/android-head-units/looking-list-android-car-stereo-head-t3899651

nexus s and volvo c30 -> no audio via usb?

hi
i have a nexus s and a volvo c30 with the multimedia package which has a usb port. With my iphone, I could just plug in the iphone in the usb and i could navigate trough the music and listen to it on my iphone trough the car's stereo.
If i put in the nexus nothing happens, it keeps trying to read the disk.
if i put on usb storage mode, it says after a while that it can't read the disk.
is there any way i can make this work or is it just not possible?
I would check out the manual or Google it. I bet the Volvo stereo only supports FAT16 or FAT32 format (i.e. USB flash thumb drive). Just a guess. Hope it works out...
Also, does it support Bluetooth? If so, see if the stereo can accept audio over bluetooth. I've got a 5-6yr old Alpine head unit that can do it, so I'm betting there's a good chance yours can.
The manual says it indeed only supports usb2 and fat partitions...
Is there any way this can be done on the nexus?
I have bluetooth, but there is no mension about being able to play music over bluetooth, phone does work and addressbook syncs, so bluetooth works as it should
I'm honestly not sure about the formatting issue. I would assume that repartitioning the phone would be a tough job to do without messing something up.
As for Bluetooth, I don't really have any experience with audio-via-BT, but I would try atleast pairing it to the car to see if you can play around with it. Go to Settings > Wireless and Networks > Bluetooth Settings. Enable Bluetooth and turn Discoverable on. Then try using your car to pair with it, or vice versa. If you manage to get it connected, I don't really know what the next step would be, since I've never had a stereo that supported it without paying $200 for an adapter.
I would just play around with the bluetooth stuff and see if you can get it running. Since I'm not familiar with Volvo car stereo systems, I don't know if it really supports playback, or just phone calls. See if there's an input in the menu (ie CD, FM, AM, AUX, etc) called BT Audio, or something like that. 3rd party head units typically have this input if they support it, similar to the AUX input option. I'll see if I can find a generic guide for it in the meantime.
What year is your C30?
Good luck
So it looks like your car does NOT support the audio via Bluetooth protocol, known as A2DP. I found a great resource for your car that you should check out, called C30 World. From there I found a thread on this, where people say it doesn't support it, and that your best bet is to use the aux input jack in the center console. Unfortunately, it also looks like that jack is disabled if you have the Bluetooth package installed.
My advice is for you to post on the C30 World forums and ask for some help. I'm sure there's some very knowledgeable people over there that can help you.
thanks man
I think I will just put a usb splitter in there and use a thumb drive in the usb with my music and use the phone as a phone on bluetooth and still have the option to charge my phone
Try using the BT adapter that I use. Been using viseeousa 2000 plugged to my USB port. Flawlessly stream music wireless. Plug and play device and works with android for bluetooth streaming.

[Q] Using in my car?

With my iPhone I just had a kensington dock connector that charged + had an AUX out - so I got power + audio through the dock.
With Android it's clearly not nearly as easy
My car does not have native bluetooth but it WOULD be nice to take this opportunity (if it makes sense) to be able to effectively use my android phone for audio, gps nav (spoken directions) and handsfree calling (or at the very least, receiving calls)
What would be the best way to accomplish this? My AUX-in is in my center console, covered... so I could stick a bluetooth->3.5mm adapter there..
This SHOULD work for audio, GPS and hearing calls - but what about speaking on the phone? Phone might be in pocket - but even if in a holder mounted on windshield would mic be positioned properly to speak into it?
One thing i would really love is to be able to use GPS navigation while listening to radio, but I'm not sure this is possible. When using GPS I either have to ignore voice prompts or switch to AUX and be music-less or restricted to music from phone...
FYI I have a 2007 Accord - the AUX port was added in after
I have an aux port and I don't think you are going to be able to do all the things you want through the Aux port. I use the aux port with a HTC Stereo clip and that streams just music to the aux port from any bt device (I have a N7 as well). That is all the Aux port will do and all I want it to do. However saying that I also have a Parrot minikit neo which connects automatically when I have my llama profile to switch on bt when disconnecting from any wifi, which usually means home or work. Using the Parrot or anything like that, you will be able to use navi for voice prompts and answer calls at the same time.
No not ideal, but works for me. No it's not seamless, but it works bottom line. lol
If anyone else has a setup, please post up!
I don't think there's a seamless way to accomplish what you're trying to do. I've got a 2010 Accord and use a windshield mount and AUX for music/GPS. Works well for me. I don't think there's a way to listen to the radio and GPS nav unless you're just using the N4 speakers.
I've been using this in my car.
http://www.amazon.com/XtremeMac-InCharge-Auto-Bluetooth-iPhone/dp/B005UKLW0W/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_2_1
The mic is located on the huge male end of the 3.5mm plug and if placed or mounted properly(somewhere near the driver's mouth), you may be able to talk clearly as well.
I don't talk on the phone while I drive, so I disabled that function and have never used it.
This item was on sale a couple of weeks ago for $20 on one of those deal sites.
Also bought a 3.5mm extension cable to plug into the aux port on the stereo.
I haven't figured out how to have the radio and GPS directions come out the same speakers either.
I just got this yesterday:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Blueto...56633664&sr=1-1&keywords=belkin+bluetooth+car
It mounts on the dash and has a microphone built in. It is powered (and the power cable includes an extra USB port so you can charge your phone while this thing is plugged in). I am in love with this thing, it works beautifully. I paired it once and since then, when I get in my car and push the button on this device, it automatically connects to my phone. If I'm talking on the phone or listening to music, the audio is automatically redirected to my speakers (if you're on a call and don't want it on your speakers yet, just don't push the button on the bluetooth adapter yet).
It works to control the phone too, I can push twice to go to the next song (works in google music and pandora, haven't tested others), click once to pause, hold for 2 seconds and release to pull up voice dailer.
Sound actually seems a bit improved as well compared to the AUX out on the phone. I find the AUX out volume to be extremely low, and this seems to be a bit louder, although I haven't done any actual tests to confirm.
I built a custom dock that has a charging cable built in, so I get in my car, set it on the dock, hit the bluetooth button on the adapter, and I'm listening to music and making calls. No wires to plug in, no hassle. It's great.
A couple of things I still need to test though. I haven't tried GPS while listening to music yet, so I can't confirm that functionality. I also have not tried other voice functions from the voice dialer to see if I can have it play a certain song or other voice commands.
Kaitlyn2004 said:
With Android it's clearly not nearly as easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No... its not. But if you want easy... this is the way I recommend you go.
Unless your current in-dash stereo is an expensive aftermarket unit, just replace it with a new bluetooth enabled model. They are dirt cheap now-a-days and can be had for around $100-150.
While you may save "a little" money going with some crippled add on solution, a new unit will give you all that you are after plus a USB port for charging, all in a simple, single interface. Also, with add ons you may run into ground loops issues and other nonsense (which will take more money and time to address).
just my 2ยข... but I have considerable experience with a variety of add on bluetooth stuff, and if my head unit wasn't a $1500, double DIN, standalone GPS/DVD unit, I'd have yanked it and put in a cheap, new bluetooth capable unit in a heartbeat. I was talking to my brother on Christmas... he was in Starbucks getting his daily fix. Then walked out to his car where his new $150 Sony automatically picked up the conversation upon starting the engine, and I didn't miss a syllable.
Radiocore said:
I just got this yesterday:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Blueto...56633664&sr=1-1&keywords=belkin+bluetooth+car
It mounts on the dash and has a microphone built in. It is powered (and the power cable includes an extra USB port so you can charge your phone while this thing is plugged in). I am in love with this thing, it works beautifully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had one of these for a month or so. It works quite well, though I have some audio/volume issues due to my aux input being a soldered hack into my old Saab's radio. Not Belkin's fault. It works well for calls, pauses Spotify when Google Gnav is announcing turns, can pause or skip songs in Spotify, etc. $30 well spent.
Though after reading this thread, I'm thinking of changing out the car radio head unit for one that has integrated Bluetooth to do away with my hack. Found a well reviewed Pioneer on Crutchfield and Amazon for around $100.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Check out JVC as well. They have good support for Android, with Pandora, and a dedicated remote app too.
Yeah, I don't seem to have any of those volume issues, and I get now grounding feedback or anything.
A new headunit of course is the ideal solution, but I didn't want to give up my setup quite yet for that option, and right now the Belkin has treated me great.
I did test navigation while music is playing (google music app), it just lowers the volume of the music while she talks over it. Works just fine in my opinion.
Holding down the button on the Belkin brings up the voice caller, and it strictly only lets me do call commands. Anyone know how to change this so that holding the button on the bluetooth device will open a different app on my phone? Specifically, Google Now.
For those with the belkin, does it automatically connect when you get into your car?
Kaitlyn2004 said:
For those with the belkin, does it automatically connect when you get into your car?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using the Jabra freeway Bluetooth speaker. Works great with excellent battery life. Auto connects when you get in car.

Mirror phone to tablet w/ full control from tablet?

Is there a way to mirror your phone to a tablet and be able to control the phone via the tablets touchscreen?
Kind of like in the mirrorlink for the car stereos.
Like here
Specifically what i want is to be able to use Gmaps, youtube and netflix etc. on the tablet without using tethering.
I have unlimited data on the phone but they want to cap my tethering.
I am looking into this because i am trying to set up a car stereo with android.
I have found all the android head units that work easily with my car but the reviews of their sound quality are very bad and they do not have any audio control. I am kind of an audio snob. There are a couple with some better built-in amps but they want 300$ and they are still pretty crappy.
So my idea is just bypass a head unit and run a tablet directly to a good DSP (digital signal processor). Preferably one with an amp.
This is an explanation of a DSP
(long video but very good)
This will allow me to stream all the audio directly to amps with a sound quality and that you just cannot get from a head unit.
And be able to have full control of the sound from the tablet itself via an app ((example later in the video).
Plus I could just mount the tablet with magnets and have a cubby behind it where the stereo used to be.
Im sure this question has been answered before but i just could not find a video or thread that properly answers it.
Thanks.
Hopefully this is in the right forum
myphonesbetter said:
Is there a way to mirror your phone to a tablet and be able to control the phone via the tablets touchscreen?
Kind of like in the mirrorlink for the car stereos.
Like here
Specifically what i want is to be able to use Gmaps, youtube and netflix etc. on the tablet without using tethering.
I have unlimited data on the phone but they want to cap my tethering.
I am looking into this because i am trying to set up a car stereo with android.
I have found all the android head units that work easily with my car but the reviews of their sound quality are very bad and they do not have any audio control. I am kind of an audio snob. There are a couple with some better built-in amps but they want 300$ and they are still pretty crappy.
So my idea is just bypass a head unit and run a tablet directly to a good DSP (digital signal processor). Preferably one with an amp.
This is an explanation of a DSP
(long video but very good)
This will allow me to stream all the audio directly to amps with a sound quality and that you just cannot get from a head unit.
And be able to have full control of the sound from the tablet itself via an app ((example later in the video).
Plus I could just mount the tablet with magnets and have a cubby behind it where the stereo used to be.
Im sure this question has been answered before but i just could not find a video or thread that properly answers it.
Thanks.
Hopefully this is in the right forum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe, try the ScreenShare app, I think it can do this via Bluetooth but I don't know if it supports controlling the phones functions via the tablet.
I kinda doubt you'll find a way to do what you're looking for, but you might.
The only ways to do this are:
1) have both devices connected to the same WiFi network(this will not work when traveling unless you have some kind of mobile hotspot)
2) share your phone's network to the tablet which will count against your tethering limit.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

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