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Review: Nexus One and Pioneer FH-P8000BT

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FH-P8000BT with integrated Bluetooth/external microphone. No Bluetooth adapters to buy. Mine was $230.00 delivered, prices have gone up slightly since I purchased.
Amazon Link
I am posting this because I know there are lots of people having big trouble with certain Bluetooth devices and the Nexus One. While this setup isn't perfect, it's seems to be working better for me than many people are experiencing with factory car Bluetooth installations, particularly in Nissans.
I installed a new head unit in my car today. I didn't have any way to play MP3's in the car, and I wanted to remedy that, and figured why not get something with an integrated bluetooth solution for phone and audio as well while I'm at it.
I picked a double-din Pioneer FH-P8000BT (with built in Bluetooth, but with an external microphone). It's no high end unit, but it has a decent amount of features for the price, and gets good reviews.
Amazon had it for $230ish, delivered.
Pros:
Pioneer syncs bluetooth for both music and phone with Nexus one.
Once paired initially, the Bluetooth connects automatically when the vehicle is started.
Bluetooth audio quality is much better than I expected for Bluetooth.
GPS NAV voice directions work well over car speakers with Bluetooth connection. This is welcome, as the Nexus One's built in speakerphone is not the greatest.
Phone has priority - incoming call switches to phone mode automatically, muting whatever else is playing.
Pioneer microphone for hands free works reasonably well. Typical muffling of outgoing phone audio.
The PAC adapter for steering wheel controls works reasonably well.
It's rated at 50W RMS, which I am sure is bull, but it's still punchier than the stock radio.
Being able to place the external microphone is a real plus compared to having a microphone built into the head unit. It allows for better placement, and since the mic uses a standard mono mini audio plug, it would be a cinch to replace with another to try to improve the sound. But it's unnecessary because the supplied mic works acceptably.
Cons:
Edit: I was able to finally sync the address book - with lots of persistance. Once synced, it retains the info and you don't normally need to resync each time you connect. Syncs fail most of the time.
No Radio preset buttons. You can scan between presets, but nothing resembling an old fasioned push me and go directly to this channel button.
The menus are less than intuitive - for example you have to read the manual to figure out how to set the clock unless you venture a very lucky guess.
There doesn't appear to be a way to shut the radio completely off. Edit: There is, by pressing and holding a multifunction button. There is no dedicated on/off button that is illuminated, which was the source of my initial confusion.
No bluetooth or radio voice dial capability.
Sometimes playback control through the head unit is lost, even if streaming is still working. If I reconnect, it comes back most of the time.
As I said, this is a lower end unit, so maqny of the cons are really a lack of features because I cheaped out. My biggest beef is the address book not syncing reliably - that really should just work. Most of my other complaints are about lack of controls, but what's there works pretty well. I've gained a lot of good functionality, it sounds good and overall, I am happy to have it. Hands free phone and music with plenty of volume and no cords is very nice. I have a car charger in the event I need the NAV. Now all I need is a good bracket to car mount the phone, and it will be a pretty complete solution for travel.
Note: I am using cyanogenmod 5.0.5.3, and have tested with stock ROM. You're BT experience may vary, especially if you're running something else.

attn1 said:
[*]So far, I haven't figured out how to get the address book to sync to make outgoing calls from the radio. This means that although it's a great hands free setup, you're still fiddling with the phone for outgoing calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, on my car I have a pionner CD-BTB200 Bluetooth Adapter and I also had problems with the contacts. What I did was, create a vcard ( I think i did this vcard with microsoft outlook) with my top contacts, then I installed 2 programs in the nexus, the Astro file manager and the Bluetooth file manager.
Then with the astro I searched for my vcard and I send it to my car radio by bluetooth ( I had to put on the transfer mode on the radio first).
Now if someone calls me and if that person is on that list the name will apear on the radio, if not only the number.
Hope that can help you and sorry for my bad english.

VivendaLab said:
Hi, on my car I have a pionner CD-BTB200 Bluetooth Adapter and I also had problems with the contacts. What I did was, create a vcard ( I think i did this vcard with microsoft outlook) with my top contacts, then I installed 2 programs in the nexus, the Astro file manager and the Bluetooth file manager.
Then with the astro I searched for my vcard and I send it to my car radio by bluetooth ( I had to put on the transfer mode on the radio first).
Now if someone calls me and if that person is on that list the name will apear on the radio, if not only the number.
Hope that can help you and sorry for my bad english.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your english is fine for this purpose. Thanks for the tip. I'll give that a try.

Wel, I managed to sync my phonebook with it today, so now I can make calls without touching the phone. Sweet.

It's great to see that you got everything working properly. I have a Pionner headunit that's not too old, DEH-P710BT (last year's model) but I can't seem to get the a2dp audio working. It'll try to connect the audio and then fail. Phone works though. I figure it'd be pretty similar to your deck in terms of the bluetooth hardware and software that Pioneer uses. If you ever happen to go back to stock firmware on your N1, it'd be great if you could try again and let me know. I wonder if it's just a problem with my N1 using stock firmware. Just not sure if I want to root it yet and install cyanogenmod.

metical said:
It's great to see that you got everything working properly. I have a Pionner headunit that's not too old, DEH-P710BT (last year's model) but I can't seem to get the a2dp audio working. It'll try to connect the audio and then fail. Phone works though. I figure it'd be pretty similar to your deck in terms of the bluetooth hardware and software that Pioneer uses. If you ever happen to go back to stock firmware on your N1, it'd be great if you could try again and let me know. I wonder if it's just a problem with my N1 using stock firmware. Just not sure if I want to root it yet and install cyanogenmod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am back to stock firmware at the moment. It works fine for the most part. Getting the address book to sync took several attempts and sometimes I can't control a2dp playback properly from the head unit. Most of the time it works fine. I haven't really noticed any difference between the stock firmware and Cyanogen 5.0.5.3 that I can put my finger on with regard to interoperability of Bluetooth and this head unit.
Maybe there is a firmware update from Pioneer for your unit?

Thanks for the awesome review and adding it to the Nexus One radio compatability list
For those curious check it out HERE
-Charlie

Hi everyone. I'm new here. Great review attn1! I am very satisfied with it as well. I have this same exact head-unit and a2dp & phone calls worked perfectly. For example, I could be listening to a podcast on Google Listen, then a phone call would come in. I could then answer it, talk for a bit, hang up, then I Google Listen would resume.
Within the past few days however, I've been having some trouble. Not sure if you've experienced this or not. My BT connection would break. (It doesn't break with other phones) I can't determine what's causing the disconnect because I can't consistently get it to break. Sometimes it breaks in the middle of listening to some music. Sometimes it breaks just before I receive a call which bad because of the laws here in Cali.
The only thing that I did recently was install wifi fixer, but I later removed it. I felt like wifi fixer was messing with my bt... but I'm not completely sure.
On a side note, has anyone been able to get sound to stream over the BT connection? I'm not referring to having the head unit read and play music off the microsd, i can do that just fine. I'm interested if it can tap into the phone's main volume out so that I can hear everything (music, notifications, navigation directions). I could only get this to work a2dp but not through usb.
I'm running the stock 2.1 update 1 firmware.

No trouble with maintaining blue tooth connections on mine, and audio and NAV streaming works fine as well.

[LIST] Post your Nexus + Your car head unit

Hello everyone I just thought we should compile a list of car head units compatable with the nexus one via Bluetooth is peffered and how well it works.
The idea behind this project is to help people select a new car stereo should you be in the market for a new one or just need a new one to work with your Nexus.
My head unit (Bought 5 minutes ago) is the Pioneer AVH-P3200DVD + CD-BTB200 Bluetooth add on for A2DP/AVRCP from my Nexus which are both supported. The reason I did not get the AVH-P3200BT is because unfortunately A2DP/AVRCP are not supported on that unit... Go figure..
Price points
AVH-P3200DVD [$326.16 AMAZON]
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CD-BTB200 [$180 + $8.99 SHIPPING EBAY]
TOTAL=$515.16
I know mine is expensive but its what I love and with the amount of features how can you go wrong?
Use this format best as possible
-Model number
-picture
-place of purchase (price-although relative)
-Reviews and or install links
-Quick thoughts
Use as best as possible to keep this clean and informative
-Charlie

FH-P8000BT with integrated Bluetooth/external microphone. No Bluetooth adapters to buy. Mine was $230.00 delivered, prices have gone up slightly since I purchased.
Read my review here
Amazon Link
I like it.

aad4321 said:
wow, thats a big increase for just blutooth
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly why I decided I didn't really need a DVD player. Bluetooth and DVD is big bucks, but his choice is a good one if you really feel like DVD is important to you.

Yes I've always wanted to watch dvds on long trips in my car when I'm sitting shotgun. with this unit I can not only stream music from my nexus one but I also have the ability to stream video so all the movies on my 32GB card are easily watchable to to mention for maybe $100 I could have navigation added with internal maps should I lose my cell phone signal with maps navigation.
Lets just say I've wanted one since I was 16 and I am now 22 and decided with my phone of forever its time
-Charlie

dahui9 said:
.... to mention for maybe $100 I could have navigation added with internal maps should I lose my cell phone signal with maps navigation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never :ever: ride shotgun in my car, and my wife doesn't want to watch video in a car, so DVD is pretty much pointless for us. If she ever changes her mind (I am confident she won't), we have a choice of a few decent laptops with DC power capability for DVD playback in a pinch.
The NAV on the N1 caches maps needed to complete your trip when it calculates your route. As long as you have a signal when you start out, you're good. There is also a market app for GPS that includes maps. Since I rarely use GPS except to play with it, the stock NAV in my N1 is fine for me.

Great information... but maybe this should be in Accessories?
I'm really digging both of the headunits you guys put up... I am probably just going to cheapie route and adding an inline aux jack to my factory setup. 1998 Accord EX FTW!!!!11 (I'm a law student... I can afford a phone, but not a car. )
Edit: You guys should post some pics post install.

I picked up the Clarion CZ509 about a year back for use with BT - works great. ~ $230
Integrated BT, external mic, USB Dongle, AUX in
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020CZ509/Clarion-CZ509.html?tp=5684
BT Streaming and calls are great - external Mic is wired and run up to the visor (LOTS of cable to easily hidden when ran).

krohnjw said:
I picked up the Clarion CZ509 about a year back for use with BT - works great. ~ $230
Integrated BT, external mic, USB Dongle, AUX in
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020CZ509/Clarion-CZ509.html?tp=5684
BT Streaming and calls are great - external Mic is wired and run up to the visor (LOTS of cable to easily hidden when ran).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great with the Nexus One? If so, that looks like a great value. Amazon currently has it for $169.00.

attn1 said:
Great with the Nexus One? If so, that looks like a great value. Amazon currently has it for $169.00.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like it quite a bit. The controls on the head unit work without a hitch (for music and incoming calls).
The phone auto connects and it supports phone audio as well as media audio (so Music, Nav, phone all work very well).
The call clarity with the external mic is quite good from what other people tell me. I make quite a few calls on the road and never have a problem with the caller hearing me or clarity. You can answer/end from the head unit (no issues so far).
Music on the built in app works very well as well as slacker radio (the controls on the head unit work in both apps and music pauses on incoming calls).
The only downside to it is the address book integration could stand to be improved (navigating the address book). I set it up back when I had the Touch Pro but never really used it - it's easier to dial from the phone especially if it's docked than to scroll through a list.
If you transfer the contacts you get the incoming number/contact name on the display - if it's unknown it will show unknown and the number.
Let me know if you have any specific questions.
Hope that's helpful.

JVC KWAVX810 7" TOUCH SCREEN (USB, DETACHABLE FACEPLATE)
Works like a charm with my nexus one. It has a separate mic on the cord that I put on my steering wheel column, people can hear me loud and clear.
You can also pair it with audio tether option to tether music right from N1 to speakers, but I haven't tried that yet. This option never worked with my TouchPro2.

attn1 said:
The NAV on the N1 caches maps needed to complete your trip when it calculates your route. As long as you have a signal when you start out, you're good. There is also a market app for GPS that includes maps. Since I rarely use GPS except to play with it, the stock NAV in my N1 is fine for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This I did not know, but I do not know if the trip I'm making up to hellen GA from Miami FL will be all in one day or if we are stopping. But that is great info!
uansari1 said:
Great information... but maybe this should be in Accessories?
Edit: You guys should post some pics post install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will as soon I get mine in a week or so, I always make a diy for my car info for the www.vwvortex.com
krohnjw said:
I picked up the Clarion CZ509 about a year back for use with BT - works great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats Awesome if you could please inbed a picture into your post of the unit for others to quick reference that would be awesome
-Charlie

bump for being placed in the correct forum.

Some nice devices up there ^^
I have a car cassette adapter (<$3) + mount from ebay ($8)

britoso said:
Some nice devices up there ^^
I have a car cassette adapter (<$3) + mount from ebay ($8)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's a cassette? Is that an 8-track?

I bought this for $160AUD, No bluetooth but it has front USB/AUX and a set of RCA outs to feed my 10" Xplod woofer nicely. The front USB works with the N1, but is somewhat hard to navigate through folders and takes a while to display track info. I wouldn't go as cheap as I did if you're looking to get a great new headunit to go with your new phone.

I am looking at
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846
I usually avoid sony as they tend to be expensive for no reason, but this one is doing everyting that i need
AUX
BT (Headset and A2DP, AVRC)
USB
not bad for the price. $150 shipped

Those are some nice low budget unit in here :-D

Im still using my Pioneer D3 with Pioneer CD BTB200 Bluetooth since my G1 and its perfect...i can use Google Nav(for traffic and updated maps) and Stream Pandora with it no problem

Dual XHD6425 and bluetooth addon module
The head unit was purchased from Crutchfield for about $50 after rebates (HD radio promo) and the bluetooth addon was another $45 from Amazon. The unit has USB input (charges as well) and a 3.5 mm AUX jack. It also recieves HD radio as well. Has AVRCP support and controls the N1 really well.

I went with a JVC KD-R800 for my daily driver:
It can read the Nexus' phonebook, display received/dialed/missed calls, make and take calls on the car's speakers, stream Pandora, mp3's, heck, even system sounds play over the car's speakers. Google navigation pauses the music and talks, then resumes playing music. It auto connects when I get back in the car, and I just hit the silver dial to begin playing again. It can also skip ahead or back on mp3's and forward on Pandora.
It is capable of matching just about any OEM dash lighting, and does a great job of matching the ancient faded green in my 1990 Jetta at night. During the day I have it set to red.
Oh, and it's got a CD/mp3/wma player and radio. But I never use them!
All in all, lots of features, and I'm more than happy with it, especially for USD 155 from Amazon.

External Microphone

Anyone has tried something like theses:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230540680820&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110552766766&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
or
would something like this work or it would need an adapter first (4P connection to 3):
http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-ECM-DS70P-...976?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b2176438
http://cgi.ebay.com/MINI-ELECTRET-C...ting_MicrophonesPhones_RL&hash=item2c58091d28
EDIT: Everything was tested and works pretty good!
I found a nice adapter in a kit made for Philips' portable DVD adapter, just like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-DVDP01.../dp/B000HSCLBG
(bought it for 2.99$can at a local electronic superstore)
TV-Out with an adapter will do as the same, only not as "compact"
Result can be seen here:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0yzzC_PiWE = Internal mic
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-uC4Gn9AgY = Mic with handsfree
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id0_sG47aok = External mic (laptop) with adapter
This is most likely higher sound than most show, radio at vol. 10 is considered "loud", it's 5 or less for "normal use"
The microphone in the last test is a standard microphone for laptop, I will put a test with an High Quality microphone also just for references.
Conclusion:
"Video Out" for TV-Our is useable as Mic in when the TV-Out feature is disabled.
An adapter with a "better" microphone will give a massive difference when recording "high" volume environments
Better microphone Should give better result (yet to be tester)

Well, since no one realy answered, here's my idea
First, we need to seperate the three wires, one way is to either take a 4 conductor cable and strip it open and remake connections to either 1/8 or 1/4 to be able to plug a "standard" mono migrophone.
Or, the other way around:
Take a 1/8 to video (wich is 3 rca cable) like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/0-7M-3-5mm-Plug...950?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5b4736f6
Take the micro wire and put an adapter on it like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-5mm-Mono-Fema...120?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5dae9bd0
And then put the mono microphone you would like, something like (noise cancelling should help when recording events/shows) :
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-ME-52W-Noise-Canceling-Microphone/dp/B000MYPPPE

Did you find anything else out? I've taken some great video at shows...but the audio gets terribly muffled when its loud with base.

I'm waiting on receiving the TV-Out to test a high quality mic (sennheiser e845) to see if I can get something descent then I'll most likely order something like the sony condenser mic and make myself an adapter with a 4 conductor plug.
I'll update with a video once done!
Note: Live show is also a pretty specific environement. it's pretty hard even with descent microphone to get a good sound (I have a band and we like to record jams for references and stuff) so recording anything with a massive sound is a pain, the Sony thing seems to get good quality (see here, my friend has a HD video recorder with it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws79ML7KeqY )
I just hope we can get something like this!!

That sounds pretty damn good to me! (audio quality)
I've got Samsung Epic, so I think it's similar to your phone. Don't understand what you mean by "waiting for tv out?"
What kind of adapter do we need? This is kind of confusing. I read one article that said Android didn't even support external mic for recording video. Maybe that was old news?

akenis said:
That sounds pretty damn good to me! (audio quality)
I've got Samsung Epic, so I think it's similar to your phone. Don't understand what you mean by "waiting for tv out?"
What kind of adapter do we need? This is kind of confusing. I read one article that said Android didn't even support external mic for recording video. Maybe that was old news?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basicaly, what the TV-Out does is it takes the 3 conductor (plus the ground) and seperates them into 3 seperate signal: Left-right sound out and Video-Out
If you take the same plug, theorically, and leave the TV-Out fonction disable, the "Video-Out" should stay as the "mic-in" (wich is currently)
Then, all you need is to take the conductor and send the signal from an external microphone (Signal+Ground) to the right conductor.
I don't know about the external mic vs video tough... I'm gonna test this out this weekend (with the handsfree provided with the device)

UPDATE
I found a nice adapter in a kit made for Philips' portable DVD adapter, just like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-DVDP01-Video-audio-cable/dp/B000HSCLBG
(bought it for 2.99$can at a local electronic superstore)
On my first test, I can conclude that the Video Out from this adapter can be used to plug an external microphone! Yay!
I'm gonna upload some video tomorow and we can hear the difference! So, depending on the microphone used, you'll get pretty descent sound at concert and such!

btw t1 u said in the other post the galaxy has the same pin layout as the iphone, so theoretically the iphone chill pills would work on the galaxy as well right?

Looks like the ground/mic are inverted as per Pinouts.ru
iPhone:
http://pinouts.ru/HeadsetsHeadphones/iphone_headphone_pinout.shtml
SGS:
http://pinoutsguide.com/HeadsetsHeadphones/samsung_galaxy_headset_pinout.shtml
but then, from the same site, you can get the "standard" 4 conductor layout
http://pinoutsguide.com/HeadsetsHeadphones/blackberry_9700_headset_pinout.shtml
And the SGS is in the list, as well as iPhone 4
So, personnally, I would try with cheap imitation before speding the dough on cchill pill!

Results are in!
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0yzzC_PiWE = Internal mic
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-uC4Gn9AgY = Mic with handsfree
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id0_sG47aok = External mic (laptop) with adapter
This is most likely higher sound than most show, radio at vol. 10 is considered "loud", it's 5 or less for "normal use"
The microphone in the last test is a standard microphone for laptop, I will put a test with an High Quality microphone also just for references.
Conclusion:
"Video Out" for TV-Our is useable as Mic in when the TV-Out feature is disabled.
An adapter with a "better" microphone will give a massive difference when recording "high" volume environments
Better microphone Should give better result (yet to be tester)

t1mman said:
Results are in!
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0yzzC_PiWE = Internal mic
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-uC4Gn9AgY = Mic with handsfree
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id0_sG47aok = External mic (laptop) with adapter
This is most likely higher sound than most show, radio at vol. 10 is considered "loud", it's 5 or less for "normal use"
The microphone in the last test is a standard microphone for laptop, I will put a test with an High Quality microphone also just for references.
Conclusion:
"Video Out" for TV-Our is useable as Mic Out when the TV-Out feature is disabled.
An adapter with a "better" microphone will give a massive difference when recording "high" volume environments
Better microphone Should give better result (yet to be tester)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice findings..
Could this mini microphone work with SGS?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBBLBX4s_yg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeoM3fpFKJ8

t1mman said:
Results are in!
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0yzzC_PiWE = Internal mic
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-uC4Gn9AgY = Mic with handsfree
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id0_sG47aok = External mic (laptop) with adapter
This is most likely higher sound than most show, radio at vol. 10 is considered "loud", it's 5 or less for "normal use"
The microphone in the last test is a standard microphone for laptop, I will put a test with an High Quality microphone also just for references.
Conclusion:
"Video Out" for TV-Our is useable as Mic Out when the TV-Out feature is disabled.
An adapter with a "better" microphone will give a massive difference when recording "high" volume environments
Better microphone Should give better result (yet to be tester)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool!!
So, as your tests show, external microphone improve quality quite a lot
I'm gonna buy one and test my self
BTW, " "Video Out" for TV-Our is useable as Mic Out...", correction, MIC in

mdkboom said:
Nice findings..
Could this mini microphone work with SGS?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBBLBX4s_yg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeoM3fpFKJ8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure about if it would work or not, pinout should be "standard" in the iPhone and the SGS, they should work. But then, has they follow the standard??
You can see that pinouts from pinouts.ru are note "consistent" as posted in post #9
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=8922890&postcount=9
But then, the best would be to try it (they can be bought pretty cheap from eBay)
PS: it would improve for voice recording quality but probably would not in recording or live prestation or high volume.

I just bought this one http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20714
Will test and post results as soon as I receive it

do these results therefore then suggest that the general issue is the quality of the mic and not software?
great results with the adapter and external mic but it seems like a rather complicated process to get the adapter part

It looks like it's an hardware limitation. Most cell phones' mic don't have decent microphone, don't know exactly why, but still every time I tryed to record using original mic I got massive distortion!
As for the "complicated" part, well, it's like pluging in part A to Part B, can't be simpler...
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t1mman said:
Most cell phones' mic don't have decent microphone, don't know exactly why,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to the point that recording voice in a quiet room sounds like you recording someone yelling violently into the microphone hole.

nice findings t1!! btw, i kinda find it complicated too =p so ur saying just getting a normal external mic with a 3.5mm jack won't work? we also need an adaptor?

SexyIceCream said:
nice findings t1!! btw, i kinda find it complicated too =p so ur saying just getting a normal external mic with a 3.5mm jack won't work? we also need an adaptor?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, Standard mic won't work since the pinout (Tip, Ring1 ) are used for Sound Out (Audio L/R). Ring 2 and 3 are used for the Mic in. (and the ground). If they are "shorted" together, the mic is disabled and only serves as ground.
And, MikeyMike01, everytime I recoreded a video with either a camera (standard camera) or with a phone, audio was crap. Why do you think they make and sells things like "Chill Pills" and the likes?
Simple: Because even on the iPhone, when you record sound with standard mic, it sucks... Thoses external mic are intended to record exactly that: recording voices in classroom or having better quality with Skype.

t1mman said:
Well, since no one realy answered, here's my idea
First, we need to seperate the three wires, one way is to either take a 4 conductor cable and strip it open and remake connections to either 1/8 or 1/4 to be able to plug a "standard" mono migrophone.
Or, the other way around:
Take a 1/8 to video (wich is 3 rca cable) like this one:
Take the micro wire and put an adapter on it like this one:
And then put the mono microphone you would like, something like (noise cancelling should help when recording events/shows) :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is the bit i find complicated.
Also i accept what you say about phone mics etc but ive had two nokias previously and the sound quality from them is noticably different. its clear at least so there must be something they do different to make that function stand out whether it be different software or better mics.

Teclast M40 mic issue

Just received my brand new Teclast M40. However, the mic on it seems to be very low. So far I tried Zoom and the recording app that comes with the Android 10 that the tablet ships with. I also tried with headphones and without.
I contacted the seller, which may be Teclast themselves selling on Aliexpress and they sent me the file to reinstall the system that is on the Tablet. But I thought I would come here to get some advice.
I did some searching and noticed a lot of people complaining about the mic issue with Android 10.
TIA
Rudy

RudyGireyev said:
Just received my brand new Teclast M40. However, the mic on it seems to be very low. So far I tried Zoom and the recording app that comes with the Android 10 that the tablet ships with. I also tried with headphones and without.
I contacted the seller, which may be Teclast themselves selling on Aliexpress and they sent me the file to reinstall the system that is on the Tablet. But I thought I would come here to get some advice.
I did some searching and noticed a lot of people complaining about the mic issue with Android 10.
TIA
Rudy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have same issue like you. I hope to fix it next update.

onetech5 said:
I have same issue like you. I hope to fix it next update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have an update on my issue. That is that I only see it when I use wired headphones. When I use the mic on the tablet then it is OK. It's not as good as a mic on my laptop but it is about the same as a mic on my phone (ASUS Max). I have not tested it with bluetooth headphones.
Important: You need to make sure and grant permission to all of the apps that need to use the mic
Settings -> Apps & notifications -> Permission manager -> Microphone
As for updates. Does anyone here know if Teclast issues updates for their devices? I guess my understanding was that this is it. But I have no idea.

RudyGireyev said:
Just received my brand new Teclast M40. However, the mic on it seems to be very low. So far I tried Zoom and the recording app that comes with the Android 10 that the tablet ships with. I also tried with headphones and without.
I contacted the seller, which may be Teclast themselves selling on Aliexpress and they sent me the file to reinstall the system that is on the Tablet. But I thought I would come here to get some advice.
I did some searching and noticed a lot of people complaining about the mic issue with Android 10.
TIA
Rudy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had two problems with this device; low microphone volume and echo during calls.
If my troubleshooting is correct, there seem to be two microphones (front and back). For some reason, apps (Telegram, viber, etc.) pick the microphone at the back. I have had some success by installing the android app "Microphone Amplifier" and switching to the front microphone and (maybe) increasing audio gain. I do not get any complaints about low microphone volume any more but the echo problem is still there.
The weird bit is that echo is still present even when using headphones. So, its got to be a software thing. I'd hate to have to return this wonderful device back.
Anyway, give it a try...

Bar Foo said:
The weird bit is that echo is still present even when using headphones. So, its got to be a software thing. I'd hate to have to return this wonderful device back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For low microphone issues I assume you had already did the permission grants I posted earlier?
Can you post what kind of headphones you were using and getting the echo with. Like wired or wireless etc?
I found an app from Google called Sound Amplifier and in it there is Mic adjustment, however mine is always greyed out. Will need to figure out why. My guess is probably because Google Assistant is hogging it but I don't know.
Had a Zoom session with someone today without a mic and they said they could hear me well. Yay! In zoom there is an option to turn on what they call "original sound" which they explain as sound without noise suppression. when I did that the person on the other side began to complain about echo.
Anyway, am hoping to try a Zoom session with headphones tomorrow and see what happens. Lastly my Bluetooth headphones are on the way so would like to try those as well.
But overall I feel like the mic issue is much better at this point.
P.S. I did reflash the stock ROM on my device as per instructions from the seller. Using the windows based software that they sent me.

Verified again with Microphone Amplifier and it works. That is, you need to start it before you make the call for it to work.
Echo (people I talk to hear their own voice) is there with and without wired headphones. There is no echo when I use Bluetooth headphones.

I continue to have problems. The gain or call it what you want, the parameter to amplify the mic etc. it just doesn't work for me. The vowels are so low that I can hardly hear them with 100's of audio on the headphones of the desktop pc (from wp / tg desktop). Both me and the person on the other side. 100 on my pc headphones = I hear youtube with the door closed as if I had headphones ... to make you understand.
The great thing is that they look on the back, there is the microphone symbol but NO HOLES like in any phone (almost like the microphone is airtight inside).
I tried the "Microphone Amplifier" app and it ONLY works on the app. As soon as you quit the app (either by closing it or leaving it in the background) it doesn't hold the settings.
I also tried to use some guides via root with "tinymixer 31 27" commands but obviously the M40 parameter 31 is different (it does not correspond to the microphone gain).
Writing "tinymixer" brings up the list of all modifiable parameters but I don't understand which is the microphone (but write microphone instead of INLR? Which I assume is, IN> Input then microphone?)
The magisk module for the microphone doesn't work either.
To think that I had the exact same problem on the galaxy s5 (due to the custom rom LOS17) but with a flashable zip everything was solved (pity that I could not put TWRP on the M40 ... indeed it seems almost impossible and I do not find other custom recovery) .
So boh, at this point I have to put a different GSI and hope it works better than the stock.
I also tried with a bluetooth headset microphone and it feels worse (the proud thing is that the same mic in the headphones connected to the pc feels 4x better than the tablet ... )

PORCODIOO said:
To think that I had the exact same problem on the galaxy s5 (due to the custom rom LOS17) but with a flashable zip everything was solved (pity that I could not put TWRP on the M40 ... indeed it seems almost impossible and I do not find other custom recovery) .
So boh, at this point I have to put a different GSI and hope it works better than the stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first suggestion that the vendor I bought this from made was that I reinstall the STOCK ROM. They sent me the install program and the files for the stock ROM.
PORCODIOO said:
I continue to have problems. The gain or call it what you want, the parameter to amplify the mic etc. it just doesn't work for me. The vowels are so low that I can hardly hear them with 100's of audio on the headphones of the desktop pc (from wp / tg desktop). Both me and the person on the other side. 100 on my pc headphones = I hear youtube with the door closed as if I had headphones ... to make you understand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you granted MIC permissions to all of your apps as I outlined in one of my posts earlier?
Basically my issue is all but gone. It works well when I use the Bluetooth headphones and it works well when I don't use headphones at all. Meaning the mic that is in the tablet itself. Bear in mind I still need to be somewhat close to the tablet, just like a phone. Maybe 1 - 2 feet away. I mostly tested with the Zoom app.

RudyGireyev said:
Have you granted MIC permissions to all of your apps as I outlined in one of my posts earlier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously, you are asked the first time you start a recording (in that specific app). If there was no permission, the audio would not be recorded at all, otherwise the whole security / privacy apparatus would have a basic flaw.
If it registered anyway, even without my consent ... it would make no sense regardless (this security system).
RudyGireyev said:
The first suggestion that the vendor I bought this from made was that I reinstall the STOCK ROM. They sent me the install program and the files for the stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not change the gist of the matter ... Whether it is the stock or a custom rom, we are talking about flashing something in the system partition. If I really have to flash to solve a similar problem, then I might as well have a gsi rom that also makes me move the time from left to right (unacceptable to find that this thing is a function of the LOS rom and not of android stock 2020 ).
thanks anyway.
when I find the desire to flash, I will write if I have solved it or not (for now I was thinking of the gsi RRQ, Resurrection Remix Q GSI. It also includes things from
LOS).

Hey guys, I posted the following reply in another thread. Duplicating it here..
My Teclast M40 has the same problem as yours regarding volume of recorded sound from the built in microphone. Based on the icons painted on the back of the tablet it appears the microphone is located between the two speakers. However, you will notice there is no hole cut in the case where the microphone should be. I looked all over the tablet for another microphone hole and the only other holes are for the reset button and speakers. So I think this is a design defect that cannot be corrected in software. The only option you have is to open the device, locate the microphone and cut a hole in the case to allow sound in, OR use a headset. Hope this helps.

Anyone solved this? I have two tablets m40 and both have this echo problem and low mic volume. One solved the low mic with the sound amplifier app and the other one dont. But the echo problem is in both. When use Bluetooth headsets have no problem. But i wish i had a fully functional tablet. I think its the last time i bought anything from teclast...

filipejfsalgado said:
Anyone solved this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NO!
You just can't.
With tinymix you don't understand anything, I will have read the ENTIRE list 8 times and nothing that refers to the "gain" of the microphone.
Tried with bothtinymix -a and tinymix -t.
ALL the apps to amplify the microphone work only in the app itself and so here I got the doubt ... (blasphemy!) But it is to see that these apps (such as Microphone Amplifier) actually work but you have to register the audio from the app and then attach it to Telegram/Whatsapp ... WHAT A BULL****!!!
But the most absurd thing is the total absence IN 2021 of a command for Terminal or an official android UI to control all the parameters (like on any PC with Windows / Linux since 1990).
Then as usual, bad luck haunts me. Connected 3 headphones (3.5 4-pole jack, those with MIC in a nutshell) and NONE IS USED AS INPUT of the mic.
Both the MPOW H7 headphones and the 3 earphones / headphones.
I also tried a special bluetooth earphone (those to put in one ear, those as big as a remote control battery) and not even that.
I reset the android system with the rom found on the official teclast website (for the N9H1) nothing has changed.
I also tried that **** about the "Lesser AudioSwitch" app that doesn't do anything (because he doesn't impose the parameters but just tries to change them ... then it's up to android whether to accept the changes or not ... obviously android sends you to ****) .
Final report:
The internal microphone problem Can't be solved! It is not defined as solving: using a third-party app to record and then save the recording and send it wherever you want;
Neither the magisk module nor the .zip patch made for the galaxy s5 work (for the mic issue on LOS16 +);
Extra (off topic):
Mount a Mali G52 GPU that supports HEVC / AVC at 10bit ... and instead you dry up, because support for OS has not been programmed (in fact MPV with h264 10bit goes in black flickering).
Basic android uses software codecs while the hardware ones should be added by teclast during the customization of the android rom ... they have not added the codecs for the 10bit ... and since it is android you can't even say: oh well I install third party codecs that I add the support...
VLC that always made me ****, is now the only player that works decent. MXPlayer crashes, MPV every 3x1 flickering no matter what you touch from the settings and the built-in ExoPlayer sucks so much that ...
Because of this, Emby on this tablet uses ExoPlayer instead of MPV (MPV supported on both Galaxy s5 with LOS and nintendo Switch).
I have the engine of a Ferrari on a Panda 4x4 of the 80's ... It is useless.
If you want to take it as a tablet for your mother who does not understand anything about technology it is a great purchase for the rest it sucks more (for real) than the Galaxy S2 that you can put Android 11 on it and it runs even better.

Arrived yesterday (luckily from Amazon) and tested today.
I confirm both issues.
Useless.
I will send it back asap.

I have both issue. But I notice that the voice calls by the net 3g/2g (volte not supported for teclast in Polish Orange) (voice, not data) have any echo effects, voice is clear and loud..

steve.l said:
Hey guys, I posted the following reply in another thread. Duplicating it here..
My Teclast M40 has the same problem as yours regarding volume of recorded sound from the built in microphone. Based on the icons painted on the back of the tablet it appears the microphone is located between the two speakers. However, you will notice there is no hole cut in the case where the microphone should be. I looked all over the tablet for another microphone hole and the only other holes are for the reset button and speakers. So I think this is a design defect that cannot be corrected in software. The only option you have is to open the device, locate the microphone and cut a hole in the case to allow sound in, OR use a headset. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone else been able to verify this? Have the Teclast P20HD and the microphone seems really bad for whoever I call or during zoom meetings? Similar problems as the above. Tried all other suggestions and nothing works.

Has anyone tried using this M40 tablet with a bluetooth speaker during video calls?
Would it decrease the echo? Would the mic work properly when using a bluetooth speaker? Thanks!

Today teclast released an update. The problem is still is not solved.

jaroslaw93 said:
Today teclast released an update. The problem is still is not solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this OTA or you had to download and install?
Just tried the Teclast app on my tablet and it said no update available.

RudyGireyev said:
Is this OTA or you had to download and install?
Just tried the Teclast app on my tablet and it said no update available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that was ota
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I have just received my M40 and have the same issue. One thing I noticed on the subject of the missing microphone hole, is that there seems to be a small hole bottom left of the screen (in landscape, camera at the top) behind the free screen protector. I am planning to return this so reluctant to remove the protector so wondering if anyone else has done this and if it made any difference?

Question Microphone muffled/bassy sound

I just got the feedback from several people that they hear me very muffled/bassy via Telegram/WhatsApp Video Call. I used the recorder and took a sample to verify the issue. I think compared to my OnePlus 6 the microphone quality is very bad. I already had issues on my OnePlus 6 that used the wrong (rear) Microphone in Teams for conferences and I'm kind of disappointed there is an issue with the mic again. Did you test your mic and what is your experience so far?

You are the first one reporting that problem. Maybe you have a connected bluetooth device? My call audio quality has been nothing but excellent

No I don't have connected anything via bluetooth.

Did you check for any application which may have influence on your microphone? Maybe it got transferred from the OnePlus 6.

The only app that interacts with the Mic is Spectroid but it does not run as service. I don't think any software is causing it. Telegram, Whatsapp, Calling App also use the Mic of course. I reinstalled also Telegram.
A friend thinks that on whatsapp the sound is better than on telegram. But I don't know if it is subjective opinion.

Your losing the higher frequencies which need a direct audio pathway more than the lower ones.
A blocked or partially blocked mic port.