USB-c to HDMI Out - Google Pixel 4a Questions & Answers

I was under the impression that any phone using Snapdragon that has a USB 3.1 port should be able to support HDMI/DisplayPort. That's why I bought the 4a. Imagine my chagrin when I found out it doesn't work. After doing some digging around... it seems that this might be disabled at the Kernel level. Seeing as writing new kernels is kind of what people do here... I'm wondering if anyone here has sorted this out and enable the functionality? Or... failing that... if anyone is up to the challenge?

It's been attempted (not for the Pixel 4a, but for the 4) but nobody has been successful.

MishaalRahman said:
It's been attempted (not for the Pixel 4a, but for the 4) but nobody has been successful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see (I think you were also in the thread that I looked up on reddit...)
Did the 4 have USB 3.1? Also... Can you point me towards some of the attempts? I'm a problem-specific programmer and I may be able to figure something out...

updates?
any updates?
TeamRainless said:
I see (I think you were also in the thread that I looked up on reddit...)
Did the 4 have USB 3.1? Also... Can you point me towards some of the attempts? I'm a problem-specific programmer and I may be able to figure something out...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Would love to be able to do this on my Pixel 4a 5G
really ****ty of Google to disable this feature just to try to sell Chromecasts.

I guess nobody has bothered with this

would be nice to have to mirror my phone on my laptop would you be able to enable with adb or would i need to root or have a different kernal

F

I wonder why this vendor states this HDMI output product specifically works with the Pixel 4a?
USB-C to 4K HDMI Adapter PD Port HDTV Adapter Charger Port TV Video Hu
USB-C to HDMI Adapter Type-C PD Charger Port HDTV AV Converter. Plug and play, no extra driver is needed. 4K HDMI Port: This Type-C to HDMI adapter supports the video resolution up to 4K(3840X2160)@30HZ with the compatibility of most monitors, projectors, HDTVs and other devices with HDMI port...
odemobile.com

JohnC said:
I wonder why this vendor states this HDMI output product specifically works with the Pixel 4a?
USB-C to 4K HDMI Adapter PD Port HDTV Adapter Charger Port TV Video Hu
USB-C to HDMI Adapter Type-C PD Charger Port HDTV AV Converter. Plug and play, no extra driver is needed. 4K HDMI Port: This Type-C to HDMI adapter supports the video resolution up to 4K(3840X2160)@30HZ with the compatibility of most monitors, projectors, HDTVs and other devices with HDMI port...
odemobile.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cause they're lying lol

Bright09 said:
would be nice to have to mirror my phone on my laptop would you be able to enable with adb or would i need to root or have a different kernal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MyPhoneExplorer can mirror your device...

gentle_giant said:
MyPhoneExplorer can mirror your device...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please correct me if I am wrong, but it looks like with MyPhoneExplorer you can only "mirror" your device onto a computer - not a TV set or firestick or roku type devices - is this correct?

If I have this correct the Pixel 4A uses a Snapdragon 730G which this says that it supports DisplayPort:
https://www.qualcomm.com/content/da...dragon-730g-mobile-platform-product-brief.pdf
So it seems to me it must be the config options for how the kernel was built.
You can grep the kallsyms to see if there is any altmode in there. (This is from a different device.)
Code:
typec_altmode2port
typec_altmode_attention
typec_altmode_dev_type
typec_altmode_enter
typec_altmode_exit
typec_altmode_get_partner
typec_altmode_get_plug
typec_altmode_group
typec_altmode_notify
typec_altmode_put_plug
typec_altmode_register_notifier
typec_altmode_release
typec_altmode_unregister_driver
typec_altmode_unregister_notifier
typec_altmode_update_active
typec_altmode_vdm
typec_match_altmode
typec_partner_register_altmode
typec_plug_register_altmode
typec_port_register_altmode
typec_register_altmode
typec_unregister_altmode
Or you can look in /proc/config.gz to see if there is any likely option.

Renate said:
You can grep the kallsyms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you elaborate a bit more on how to do that (without root)?
which kallsyms -> <nothing>
/proc/kallsyms: inaccessible or not found
Renate said:
Or you can look in /proc/config.gz to see if there is any likely option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only relevant occurrences of .*alt.* in this file is the empty comment section:
Code:
#
# USB Type-C Alternate Mode drivers
#
# CONFIG_TYPEC_DP_ALTMODE is not set
#
# USB Type-C Alternate Mode drivers
#

@wireroot Thank you for the config.gz, that's what I was looking for (but didn't know what it was called).
It seems pretty clear that the drivers weren't built in.
It also shows what somebody could try for rebuilding the kernel.
Yes, /proc/kallsyms can be protected by permissions.
There's also /proc/sys/kernel/kptr_restrict set to 1 which prevents you from getting the addresses (which we don't care about for this).
Code:
# echo 0 > /proc/sys/kernel/kptr_restrict
# cat /proc/kallsyms
I see that my (unrooted) cheesy phone doesn't have permission for /proc/kallsyms either.
I usually just extract kallsyms directly from the payload in the kernel in the boot image.
It's easier and the best way if you don't own the device in question.

Renate said:
It seems pretty clear that the drivers weren't built in.
It also shows what somebody could try for rebuilding the kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So with the kernel as it is (default) we are out of luck ...
Do you have an idea how "realistic" it is for a/the LineageOS maintainer of the Pixel 4a (sunfish) to actually rebuild the kernel with the required drivers? I guess this question is hard/impossible to answer without knowing the developer and his knowledge, but out of curiosity I still try to ask this question
Anyway, how come that you stumble across this old, "deserted" thread even though you don't even have a Pixel 4a and still try to help us?

wireroot said:
Do you have an idea how "realistic" it is for a/the LineageOS maintainer of the Pixel 4a (sunfish) to actually rebuild the kernel with the required drivers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically, it shouldn't be that hard if they are already in a position to build a kernel anyway.
I never build anything from scratch but I do patch kernels for simple modifications (this is not that).
wireroot said:
Anyway, how come that you stumble across this old, "deserted" thread even though you don't even have a Pixel 4a and still try to help us?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was working on the more global problem of figuring out how to determine if some device supports some kind of video over USB Type C.
I may end up building a USB PD simulator to negotiate alt modes, but that's a bit of a deep dive.
Much easier is making a USB 2.0 Billboard class device but I'm not sure how universally that fallback is implemented.
If you give me a boot image I can give you the kallsyms.

Renate said:
If you give me a boot image I can give you the kallsyms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the offer ... but I don't have any clue what I, as an ordinary LineageOS/Android user (not a dev), could do with that?

Related

USB for HDMI?

Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'd like to know if it would ever be possible to use USB Cable as HDMI for a device without it?
Does that make any sense?
Also, if you guys have any apps or mods that can record a video of my phone screen at a decent framerate (to record gameplay)
Please let me know.
jacob66 said:
Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'd like to know if it would ever be possible to use USB Cable as HDMI for a device without it?
Does that make any sense?
Also, if you guys have any apps or mods that can record a video of my phone screen at a decent framerate (to record gameplay)
Please let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is certainpy possible with a pc. You could use a raspberry pi as a "converter" so you can output to your tv
jacob66 said:
Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'd like to know if it would ever be possible to use USB Cable as HDMI for a device without it?
Does that make any sense?
Also, if you guys have any apps or mods that can record a video of my phone screen at a decent framerate (to record gameplay)
Please let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your device has MHL (Like the HTC EVO 3D), you have HDMI out through the USB port.
You just need an MHL adapter. Other than that, if your phone does not support HDMI out, it won't have it.
USB to HDMI?
You mean hdmi to USB correct? I used this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007KI8IMW/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
to connect a monitor to my PC via USB 3.0 (has worked like a charm for weeks now.
They are designing a new one, or perhaps it's already out. Search ianker.com if you are looking for something similar.
#UP:
I use the same Very good conventer
jacob66 said:
Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'd like to know if it would ever be possible to use USB Cable as HDMI for a device without it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the generic sense, no. As noted above, some mobile devices have USB-style connectors that support MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link), which allow low-cost cables to support HDMI output and/or USB.
For PCs (Windows, Macs and Linux), there are video adapters that can be thought of as video cards that connect via USB (rather than PCI Express, for example). This kind of adapter could work on tablets, phones, etc. if there were a driver written for them, but this is a nontrivial task and the market is unproven, especially as MHL adoption grows.
Jonathan from Plugable
monoprice.com seach usb to hdmi
The only issue is if the device does not have mhl, then as of right now theres no way of gerting it to work in that sense. Even if you use say CM roms they cant take advantage of mhl even id your phone supports it. The devs have stated time and time again its proprietary and will basically never come. Regardless, im much more interested in miracast, simply put wireless hdmi connection to your tv. I have my nexus 7 using it via my ras pi. However its not polished yet and is a similar state to what Ive gotten using samsungs version with a dongle. Check it out if your interested google Android Transporter. Its on the raspberry pi website. They also got it working on the galaxy nexus and some other nexus device's.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Question thread moved to Question and Answer section

mhl/tvout/hdmi

As in topic, does asus zenfone 6 have ability to stream out video through usb to hdmi adapter?
After some time android q will come to this device and it will contain native desktop mode so i would like to use it.
I'd like to know the answer as well.
Is it USB 3+ that can do video over type C?
For example One+ 6 has only USB 2.0 over type C, and doesn't support video, while Samsung has USB 3.1 over type C as expected that supports video over type C.
Sure simple type C to HDMI adapter will be needed.
I wasn't able to find any specs for Zen6 type C at all.
any one knows?
mikek753 said:
I'd like to know the answer as well.
Is it USB 3+ that can do video over type C?
For example One+ 6 has only USB 2.0 over type C, and doesn't support video, while Samsung has USB 3.1 over type C as expected that supports video over type C.
Sure simple type C to HDMI adapter will be needed.
I wasn't able to find any specs for Zen6 type C at all.
any one knows?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to GSMarena it's 2.0.
I looked at the USB diagrams and it appears that alternate modes over USB-C use the same pins as SuperSpeed meaning that you can't have alternate mode without the other (but not vice versa).
Unless I'm missing something, there shouldn't be any display mode. However I'm not sure if the GSMarena data sheet is accurate.
I currently have sony xperia z3 compact which has usb 2.0 (micro usb, but this doesn't make change IIRC) and also support mhl (see gsmarena https://m.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z3_compact-6538.php). In my opinion it doesn't depend on version of usb which device is equiped with, at least it 's not the main reason for not supporting mhl. The question is, does mhl work on zenfone 6 with (potentially, because i couldn't find any information on asus website) usb 2.0 type c connector?
pawloland said:
I currently have sony xperia z3 compact which has usb 2.0 (micro usb, but this doesn't make change IIRC) and also support mhl (see gsmarena https://m.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z3_compact-6538.php). In my opinion it doesn't depend on version of usb which device is equiped with, at least it 's not the main reason for not supporting mhl. The question is, does mhl work on zenfone 6 with (potentially, because i couldn't find any information on asus website) usb 2.0 type c connector?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Display output via microusb worked differently as the regular port does not have the pins or bandwidth for it. I had an LG G2 which could also output a display signal. I think it's possible to do the same via USB-C but at the same time I think it's simpler to use alternate mode hence the conclusion I came up with. If I have the time I'll go digging around some more later.
I opened a ticket with ASUS support and they state none of the models they currently sell (including Zenfone 6) cand output HDMI over usb-C.
they might be stupid though, because ROG phone does.
apoklyps3 said:
I opened a ticket with ASUS support and they state none of the models they currently sell (including Zenfone 6) cand output HDMI over usb-C.
they might be stupid though, because ROG phone does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems we have to wait untill somebode actually try connecting it to tv to be sure that it doesn't support hdmi output.
pawloland said:
It seems we have to wait untill somebode actually try connecting it to tv to be sure that it doesn't support hdmi output.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked at a few things and I think I was correct in my first post. While I think it would be technically possible to implement MHL on USB-C like they did on MicroB (it would just piggyback off the necessary pins like it used to do), it doesn't seem like it would make sense to do that and I can't find an adapter/cable that would work in that scenario so you'd need 3.1 because they all require Alternate Mode support. However Alternate Mode is an optional spec so just because a device supports 3.1 doesn't mean it'll support display functionality.
I should also note that the ROG Phone has USB-C 3.1 according to GSMArena.
Another note is that it appears that MHL officially lists MHL as working on USB-C via Alternate Mode.
Meanwhile ASUS launching an external display that is advertised to support input from a mobile phone, but hey, no their latest flagship. they are so dumb they are launching devices that don't their other devices..
why would anyone cheap on using usb2.0 connector, when internally SD855 supports 3.1 and so does UFS2.1, is beyond me. It must save la 0.something to use 2.0 instead of 3.1
pawloland said:
It seems we have to wait untill somebode actually try connecting it to tv to be sure that it doesn't support hdmi output.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Test on LG 27uk850W, not working, just charging
Xtr3m3ro said:
Test on LG 27uk850W, not working, just charging
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you connected it to tv using usb-c/hdmi adaprer or just by usb cable?
No native HDMI output for my device using usb-c to hdmi cable.
However I think the Asus portable monitor thingy they announced at computex actually supports data over usb to transfer the image.. but I am not sure at all.
mikek753 said:
I'd like to know the answer as well.
Is it USB 3+ that can do video over type C?
For example One+ 6 has only USB 2.0 over type C, and doesn't support video, while Samsung has USB 3.1 over type C as expected that supports video over type C.
Sure simple type C to HDMI adapter will be needed.
I wasn't able to find any specs for Zen6 type C at all.
any one knows?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OnePlus 6 does support HDMI out with a DisplayLink adapter. It's not great though, as you can't charge it at the same time and it runs the battery down incredibly fast, less than two hours.
Thanks for confirming it, it's a real downer situation though, I was really expecting to have the possibility to output videos through HDMI and potentially do the same with emulators + bluetooth joysticks (since it can handle even gamecube/wii games thanks to the SD855)
hack.causality said:
The OnePlus 6 does support HDMI out with a DisplayLink adapter. It's not great though, as you can't charge it at the same time and it runs the battery down incredibly fast, less than two hours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IIRC video output via Displaylink adapter works on every device if it can install displaylink app. Displaylink support doesn't depend on mhl support on specific device. I'm just to clarifying for internet strangers.
gnrsenpai said:
Thanks for confirming it, it's a real downer situation though, I was really expecting to have the possibility to output videos through HDMI and potentially do the same with emulators + bluetooth joysticks (since it can handle even gamecube/wii games thanks to the SD855)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm right there with you buddy. I was so used to MHL that I never questioned whether newer phones would support it or the type-c equivalent. Trying to find a SD855 phone that charges while outputting video is hard enough, let alone one that's rootable with a headphone jack and a non-curved screen (my preference). I'm beginning to think we're going to have to wait until the holiday season when the ROG Phone 2 comes out. In the meantime I'm half-satisfied by using my tablet (shield) hooked to a monitor and keeping my emulator folders synced with my phone with Dropbox/SyncThing.
pawloland said:
Have you connected it to tv using usb-c/hdmi adaprer or just by usb cable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
usb-c cable, i use that cable for macbook to have second monitor, and charging
hack.causality said:
I'm right there with you buddy. I was so used to MHL that I never questioned whether newer phones would support it or the type-c equivalent. Trying to find a SD855 phone that charges while outputting video is hard enough, let alone one that's rootable with a headphone jack and a non-curved screen (my preference). I'm beginning to think we're going to have to wait until the holiday season when the ROG Phone 2 comes out. In the meantime I'm half-satisfied by using my tablet (shield) hooked to a monitor and keeping my emulator folders synced with my phone with Dropbox/SyncThing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please, let me know when you find such phone, which :
is rootable, unlocked bootloader
video output to HDMI, with charge if possible
headphone jack
mikek753 said:
please, let me know when you find such phone, which :
is rootable, unlocked bootloader
video output to HDMI, with charge if possible
headphone jack
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nubia red magic 3 is your best best. It doesn't support HDMI output yet but apparently they've said they may support it in a software update. It has USB c 3.1. Also 90hz screen, headphone jack, 5000ma battery, SD 855, it even has a CPU fan lol. It's newly out but I think you can install twrp and root it but customs ROMs might be few if any. It's the closest phone I've found to meeting my needs of 3.5mm, SD 855 and HDMI. Only thing it's missing is expandable really.
---------- Post added at 09:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------
mikek753 said:
please, let me know when you find such phone, which :
is rootable, unlocked bootloader
video output to HDMI, with charge if possible
headphone jack
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Specs
https://m.gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_red_magic_3-9692.php
Oh, and it's only £410.......
Hi, any news? Has anyone bought a displaylink product and used it working with the Zenphone 6?

How can I connect my phone to a Monitor with a HDMI port?

Can this be done? Looks like @prashantp01 brought "Samsung DeX support" with his kernel. Is my thinking correct? Can I play games?
using MHL cable / Anycast (wireless) will do
I have added the support in kernel, but i don't have anything to test them, so kindly test and let me know if it works
prashantp01 said:
I have added the support in kernel, but i don't have anything to test them, so kindly test and let me know if it works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DeX cables are USB C to HDMI so I am using a MHL Micro USB-B to HDMI cable. I hope this is okay. If I am using the wrong cable can you point me to the right one on Amazon?
It failed to work but I am on GSI Treble ROM. Should I try (quantum) stock? Is there any hope?
blazzer12 said:
DeX cables are USB C to HDMI so I am using a MHL Micro USB-B to HDMI cable. I hope this is okay. If I am using the wrong cable can you point me to the right one on Amazon?
It failed to work but I am on GSI Treble ROM. Should I try (quantum) stock? Is there any hope?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you get it to work using MHL? I have a phone with a broken screen (black and seemingly not responding to touch) and need to access it. Looking online tells me this phone might not support MHL.
This phone does not support MHL.So it's not possible.

Oneplus Nord wired video output, firmware blocked?

Hi all,
At present it seems impossible to output video with a cable on the Oneplus Nord (OOS11). In my research I found out:
_MHL does not work
_Slimport does not work
_USB 2.0 protocol instead of 3.1 ; it seems this choice was made to favour warp charging.
_Force desktop mode works well with keyboard and mouse on device screen.
So my understanding is that the hardware is there to make this work but firmware has MHL and slimport locked. I suppose the limitation is to push advance use towards more expensive models.
Q: Is it possible to unlock MHL or Slimport via a Magisk module or other tweak?
Thanks
Freesoup said:
Hi all,
At present it seems impossible to output video with a cable on the Oneplus Nord (OOS11). In my research I found out:
_MHL does not work
_Slimport does not work
_USB 2.0 protocol instead of 3.1 ; it seems this choice was made to favour warp charging.
_Force desktop mode works well with keyboard and mouse on device screen.
So my understanding is that the hardware is there to make this work but firmware has MHL and slimport locked. I suppose the limitation is to push advance use towards more expensive models.
Q: Is it possible to unlock MHL or Slimport via a Magisk module or other tweak?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to dig this thread on XDA that touched on this already https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/dev-wip-enabling-mhl-in-kernel.2262682/
It's a bit old though (latest post was 2013).
Since that time it looks like it got simpler. The chip can do it so it's probably an On-off command somewhere.
Anybody familiar with this?

Question Enable USB OTG & Charging Simultaneously?

Hey Guys, I tried searching here but couldn't find my specific answer. I just recently got a model XT2043-4 to use along with Octo4a to run my 3D printer remotely. The problem I am having is that I cannot use USB OTG and Charge the phone simultaneously with a Y splitter. I have been reading around and it seems like it is a Kernel issue with stock. Do any of you know if there is a Kernel that will enable this phone to charge while also using OTG? Or if this is even possible with this device?
Looks like your usb driver supports usb pd and pr_swap at first glance. Is your splitter supposed to be able to negotiate the role swap over the pd protocol or is it just a regular y-cable?
Hmm.. with it being a cheap Y splitter from amazon, I don't think it was supposed to negotiate the role swap. It advertised being able to, but did not specifically mention the Moto G stylus. Do you know of one that would allow and handle it?
For reference, this is the one I got: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y6VQN99?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Lil B Rules All said:
Hmm.. with it being a cheap Y splitter from amazon, I don't think it was supposed to negotiate the role swap. It advertised being able to, but did not specifically mention the Moto G stylus. Do you know of one that would allow and handle it?
For reference, this is the one I got: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y6VQN99?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like it should be able to do the job, if you have a multimeter check the pinouts
Lil B Rules All said:
For reference, this is the one I got: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y6VQN99?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That looks like it should work from the listing. It looks like your kernel config does build the nessery modules
Code:
CONFIG_USB_PD_POLICY=y
CONFIG_QPNP_USB_PDPHY=y
After you plug it into your phone, try running dmesg as root to see if there are any recent kernel messages involving PD.
maddog3030 said:
Looks like it should be able to do the job, if you have a multimeter check the pinouts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll give it a shot when I get home this weekend. Thanks for the path. It's a USB type C but I'll verify the pins.
fddm said:
That looks like it should work from the listing. It looks like your kernel config does build the nessery modules
Code:
CONFIG_USB_PD_POLICY=y
CONFIG_QPNP_USB_PDPHY=y
After you plug it into your phone, try running dmesg as root to see if there are any recent kernel messages involving PD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, for some reason when I have the splitter plugged in and OTG is connected and working fine, but I plug the power into the other side of the splitter and it drops the USB OTG connection and starts charging instead.
I'll attempt what you've suggested here when I get back to the house. Thanks for the tip.
I use this USB-c "Splitter" and it works perfectly. My primary use is with an external USB-C portable monitor from Asus. I plug in a USB-C PD power supply on one side and monitor on the other. Also have the other version with a 3.5mm headphone input with USB-C PD on the other, and you can additionally use a USB-C hub in tandem..
https://www.amazon.com/Headphone-Adapter-CableCreation-Charging-Splitter/dp/B07YD3BF4N/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3KM0TLMQPB2GB&keywords=cablecreation%2Busb-c%2Bsplitter&qid=1678723406&s=electronics&sprefix=cablecreation%2Busb-c%2Bsplitter%2Celectronics%2C125&sr=1-3&th=1
I am interested in making this work as well. I have a Moto G Pure and it drops the charging connection via software. I can watch this happen in connections with developer mode enabled.
I have actually gotten it to work by unplugging/plugging it in and changing it from connected device to this device in settings. Is there a dev that can modify the kernel to prevent it switching and leave it to charge the phone instead? I am pretty sure this is a kernel level issue but I am not a dev and cannot speak intelligently on this.

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