I recently got the BackBeat 903 as a replacement for my previous bt headset, and it works great for calls, however, when I tried listening to music the playback experience is not as good. The music plays just fine, but as soon as I move the phone, or if I turn the screen off the playback starts becoming choppy, as if the audio player (I tried several, and they all do the same) would loose CPU time and control to the G-Sensor or something, and then when I stop moving it around the playback resumes. Anybody had the same problem? Thanks for your help!
benitton said:
I recently got the BackBeat 903 as a replacement for my previous bt headset, and it works great for calls, however, when I tried listening to music the playback experience is not as good. The music plays just fine, but as soon as I move the phone, or if I turn the screen off the playback starts becoming choppy, as if the audio player (I tried several, and they all do the same) would loose CPU time and control to the G-Sensor or something, and then when I stop moving it around the playback resumes. Anybody had the same problem? Thanks for your help!
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Hey there benitton, I have the same headset, and experience the exact same issue...intermittent skipping, as if the handset was bogging down for different reasons.
However, I'm firmly of the opinion that the issue is with the phone and the sub-par bluetooth stack in it, not with the headset itself. I haven't tried other BT stereo headsets with this phone, but I've used the backbeats with other devices, and didn't have the same issue at all.
Unfortunately, I haven't yet found any source or method for replacing the BT stack in the TP2, we may just be stuck with this one for good
Have you used any other stereo BT headsets with your TP2? If so, did you notice the same symptoms at all? (<----- that's a question for anybody, not just the OP)
Unfortunately I have not found any other headset that I would like to use, and as you mention, it seems that no matter which one we could use we'll have the same problem. I am trying to see if there is any way we can run any audio player in exclusive mode, maybe that could help a little bit, but since the BT stack is part the system, I guess it will still have problems. I tried disabling the G-Sensor, but I was not able to fully disable it, so I still had problems with the audio, but not as much as when it is fully enabled. I will keep trying to find something, and any suggestions you might have would be wonderful. Thank you!
hey guys.. i was planning to buy this one.. seeing this post.. i just cancelled my order...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320508090475
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do you guys think same will happen with this one also??
depakjan said:
hey guys.. i was planning to buy this one.. seeing this post.. i just cancelled my order...
do you guys think same will happen with this one also??
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I honestly haven't tried any other BT stereo headsets with the TP2, so I can't say for sure...but honestly for $12 I might just pick up that motorola to give it a shot and see.
But...I'm sure there's others here who have used that same model, or even different ones, who could comment on whether they've seen the same issues...
I have the backbeat 906 (it's a 903 with the headphone jack adapter in the box) and haven't had stutter problems using a Touch Pro 2, T-Mobile version, with the stock 6.5 ROM and S2P/S2U2. The audio quality has been great and I use the thing while running so it's obviously moving constantly. What software are you running on your phone that might be eating CPU?
sithanas said:
I have the backbeat 906 (it's a 903 with the headphone jack adapter in the box) and haven't had stutter problems using a Touch Pro 2, T-Mobile version, with the stock 6.5 ROM and S2P/S2U2. The audio quality has been great and I use the thing while running so it's obviously moving constantly. What software are you running on your phone that might be eating CPU?
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Yeah I really should have bought the 906's instead...because now I can't find the adapter sold separately anywhere, and I already have a number of uses for it
Now when I have the issue, I usually have nothing running but the media player itself (I've had the issue with several different ones as well). However, after re-reading the OP's notes, they do bring up a good point...I've got my g-sensor set to work with manila too, so that might contribute to the issue, but it's intermittent enough that I can't tell yet whether turning the sensor off made any difference.
It also occured to me this morning that it might be related to the commonly-felt lag whenever the SMS module is engaged (like when receiving an SMS)...again, since not every SMS msg seems to affect the performance exactly the same, it'll be a little while 'till I can tell for sure.
While we wait for any other suggestions, those might be things for benniton to take a look at too
sirphunkee said:
Yeah I really should have bought the 906's instead...because now I can't find the adapter sold separately anywhere, and I already have a number of uses for it
Now when I have the issue, I usually have nothing running but the media player itself (I've had the issue with several different ones as well). However, after re-reading the OP's notes, they do bring up a good point...I've got my g-sensor set to work with manila too, so that might contribute to the issue, but it's intermittent enough that I can't tell yet whether turning the sensor off made any difference.
It also occured to me this morning that it might be related to the commonly-felt lag whenever the SMS module is engaged (like when receiving an SMS)...again, since not every SMS msg seems to affect the performance exactly the same, it'll be a little while 'till I can tell for sure.
While we wait for any other suggestions, those might be things for benniton to take a look at too
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Interesting. I'm not using the g sensor for pretty much anything - usually when I'm using the 906s it's while running so my handset's got Endomondo, S2P, S2U2, and sometimes pocket outlook open. I've noticed it breaks up a little if i have my phone in the opposite pocket from the left earphone (so right pocket) but it doesn't stutter exactly, just drops in quality. left pocket is fine though. it's always been fine in a belt case.
Before S2P had working AVRCP on the Pro2 I was using the Music tab built into Manila and didn't have any lag issues with that either. Though, I just thought of this - wifi interference? BT and wifi use the same frequency bands and watching youtube videos over wifi has definitely induced a headphone stutter for me in the past. I got around it by letting the video cache first and then playing.
Problem disconnecting calls
Hey fellas...
I got the Plantronics Backbeat 903 for my Touch Pro 2. I really like the headset but I'm having a problem with it not disconnecting a call when I click the phone button on it to hang up.
It will always pick up the call when I click the button to answer but it will only sucessfully hang up the call maybe 1 out of 5 or six times.
Are any of you experiencing the same issue?
I had a Sprint Touch and bluetooth worked great with S9 headset. Then I got a Diamond and headset was horrible, lots of cut-outs, tried all kinds of things to no avail. Also got a Jabra BT2010, same problem with Diamond. Now I have the Touch Pro 2, Sprint, WM6.1 and Jabra works great with S2P, Resco Radio, StreamCenter and Slacker radio. Haven't tried with S9 because it died, battery won't hold charge, before I got the TP2. Just thought I would share my experience.
Was the quality good streaming with the TP2 Bluetooth or using the adaptor?
Can I ask what case you use with the TP2 when running? I would like this set up but don't want to risk damage to the phone through swear or rain. Does the TP2 fit in a iPhone armband?
Edit: Just found this thread for anyone else after an armband:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=571536
sithanas said:
I have the backbeat 906 (it's a 903 with the headphone jack adapter in the box) and haven't had stutter problems using a Touch Pro 2, T-Mobile version, with the stock 6.5 ROM and S2P/S2U2. The audio quality has been great and I use the thing while running so it's obviously moving constantly. What software are you running on your phone that might be eating CPU?
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aerotec said:
Was the quality good streaming with the TP2 Bluetooth or using the adaptor?
Can I ask what case you use with the TP2 when running? I would like this set up but don't want to risk damage to the phone through swear or rain. Does the TP2 fit in a iPhone armband?
Edit: Just found this thread for anyone else after an armband:
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Good with both the TP2 and the adaptor. I use S2P on the phone for my music app along with S2U2. As far as cases go, I just run with the phone in my pocket - I've run races in the rain and the phone's been entirely unaffected. Very solid hardware.
I used the BackBeat 903 with my iPhone 3G and experienced the constant breakup of signal whenever I tried to move around. If I was completely motionless, it provided superb quality - but if I tried to slowly walk across the room - it would break up with a frequency that approximately matched every right step (the phone was in my right pocket).
I disabled the "shake to shuffle" feature, just to be sure.
I tried holding the phone right up by my shoulders while walking, yet the disruptions continued.
And now I have upgraded to an iPhone 4 - and the problem is worse, not better.
Are we sure this is an Apple problem and not a Plantronics problem? Either way, I can't use the 903 for its intended purpose - to listen while walking.
Very, very frustrated.
concord977 said:
I used the BackBeat 903 with my iPhone 3G and experienced the constant breakup of signal whenever I tried to move around. If I was completely motionless, it provided superb quality - but if I tried to slowly walk across the room - it would break up with a frequency that approximately matched every right step (the phone was in my right pocket).
I disabled the "shake to shuffle" feature, just to be sure.
I tried holding the phone right up by my shoulders while walking, yet the disruptions continued.
And now I have upgraded to an iPhone 4 - and the problem is worse, not better.
Are we sure this is an Apple problem and not a Plantronics problem? Either way, I can't use the 903 for its intended purpose - to listen while walking.
Very, very frustrated.
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I normally keep my phone in my left hand pocket when using the headphones - I believe the antenna is on the left side. I experienced poor performance with my phone on the right side of my body, but performance is typically good on the left. I've noticed that if I have a significant amount of metal between my head and the phone pocket (like, say, a handgun) the signal breaks up - my assumption is that whatever is in between the phone and the headset causes interference in the bluetooth connection. The best performance I've had has been my phone in the left side pocket of a pair of gym shorts, only wearing the shorts and a t-shirt. Also, for some reason my insulin pump doesn't seem to have enough metal in it to cause interference.
You have to make sure that your mobile phone is located on the left side of your body whole time, while you're using backbeat 903. It's in the manual hehehe. This will solve your problem. cheers.
Problem solved!!!
atleast for me ...I simply disabled the WIFI and poof the choppyness is gone and now plays without any distortion clear as a bell...hope this helps.
Of course I also used a registry editor to remove unwanted programs and clean out useless files.......... I think the problem lies with The 528MHz Qualcomm CPU with 288 megs of RAM.. I do not think it is sufficient enough to run all things at once...I would suggest to remove any and all unnecessary programs/files, then disable all which can be enabled when needed....good luck.
I've installed a Parrot Asteroid (digital media head unit with hands free calling) in my wife's VW Passat and think it might be one of the best purchases I've made this year. Install on the Passat (2001.5) was almost plug and play. The only change I had to make was switching Battery and ACC on harness. The antenna adapter (unpowered) is a standard item and was available from a local source.
With CM9 (nightly 0508 currently) USB and Bluetooth tethering work.
Contacts are shared with the Asteroid and voice dialing is accurate (the Parrot seems to grok what I am saying).
Music selection (media on SDHC card in Parrot) via voice is failrly accurate but I have noticed a few inaccurate responses.
Hands-free calling is crystal clear and the music quality is awesome.
Some have reported buggy or defective units, but I have had no trouble with it over the last week with my I777. We'll see what happens with my wife's iPhone...
I am considering same setup into my 2004 Passat. Thanks for posting the picture, that certainly clears my concerns about how does it look in the car as the console is same as yours.
How is sound compared to original VW radio you had before?
Do you mind if I ask you to share with us what components went into your install beside of course the Asteroid? Especially what adapter for the wiring harness you used.
I am using (primarily) Galaxy Nexus on CM9, so I'm pretty confident hooking the Asteroid to the phone shouldn't be a problem. Thanks in advance!
Edit: forgot to ask about button backlight - from what I see on the Internet it seems to be white, is it adjustable so it can be made to match the OEM backlight on the Passat (red)?
leobg said:
I am considering same setup into my 2004 Passat. Thanks for posting the picture, that certainly clears my concerns about how does it look in the car as the console is same as yours.
How is sound compared to original VW radio you had before?
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In my opinion (these things being subjective), the sound is excellent. Like most Android devices, the Asteroid has a built in equalizer and other sound tweaks. Much better than stock.
Do you mind if I ask you to share with us what components went into your install beside of course the Asteroid? Especially what adapter for the wiring harness you used.
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I believe all B5.5 Passats use a ISO connector for the stock stereo. The included Parrot wiring harness adapter works out of the box. I only had to flip Battery and Switched Power (ACC). The Parrot adapter is designed to allow quick changes to these leads and this is documented in the included instructions. The only thing I had to buy was the antenna adapter. I picked that up for about $15 US. I used the unpowered version.
I am using (primarily) Galaxy Nexus on CM9, so I'm pretty confident hooking the Asteroid to the phone shouldn't be a problem. Thanks in advance!
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CM9 works quite nicely with the Parrot with one caveat. Bluetooth audio was great (both music and hands free calling). No problems with pairing so far. I tried connecting my SGS2 USB storage to the Parrot but it is not recognizing the SGS2 mass storage (micro SD card). This is not a show stopper for me as I have a 32GB SDHC card installed in the Asteroid.
Edit: forgot to ask about button backlight - from what I see on the Internet it seems to be white, is it adjustable so it can be made to match the OEM backlight on the Passat (red)?
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No such luck from what I have seen. You have have a choice of white, white, or white. You can adjust the intensity of control backlight and LCD backlight for 'Day' and 'Night' modes. 'Day' and 'Night' modes are toggled by a long press on the 'Parrot' button.
The Asteroid is not perfect but it seems to be the only device of its kind at the moment. I am surprised that more car stereo companies are not leveraging Android into their equipment lineup. Both OEM and aftermarket vendors seem to be utterly clueless when it comes to emerging technologies. Who uses CD (or for that matter DVD's) anymore?
When we bought our Passat I was shocked and appalled that the head unit had a CASSETTE deck! There was a CD changer in the trunk but that meant pulling over to change CD's. Clueless, utterly clueless...
In any case, good luck. The install is pretty easy. Do some research on some of the issues some seem to experience with the Asteroid. I have not seen any major problems on firmware 1.5 as yet but your mileage may vary.
*Edit: One other thing -- the Asteroid does not fit flush with the dash like the stock head unit. It sticks out approximately 1/4 inch. Aside from doing major work to modify the dash, I could not think of any way to make the Parrot fit flush. It does not bother me, but it may pose aesthetic issues for you. I actually have grown to like it. It makes finding controls easy without taking my eyes off the road.
Oh -- and one last thing. This 38 second video is priceless for removing the stock head unit.
http://youtu.be/KNSYBSGzUuQ
One last edit -- here is the antenna adapter. $7 through Amazon.
http://goo.gl/39rIO
Thanks a bunch!! So your 2001.5 came with the singe DIN unit. B5.5's 2002 onward ship with double DIN unit, so I would need to find a tray to place in (and fill up the gap) which will be very handy as I could keep the phone (or other junk in there. I've heard Parrot is coming up with a double din unit with slightly extended functionality: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/parrot-asteroid-ck-asteroid-nav-asteroid-2din-infotainment-sys/. They mention late 2012 availability, wondering if I want to hold my horses for that one. Since it doesn't have physical buttons to require backlight, there won't be an issue with the look, but I like the buttons and especially the rotary ones, so this (for me) is as disadvantage as much as advantage. And probably the cost will double. Though integrated Google maps navigation would be terrific! Decisions, decisions...!
Yeah. The stock unit was single DIN. I believe you can buy the pocket if you have a double DIN OEM head unit and want to install a single DIN.
I like having physical controls -- perhaps I am getting old. The lack of apps does not particularly distress me.
I'd like to use the Parrot UNIKA steering controls interface but it does not look like B5.5 Passat is supported yet.
By the way, I'm listening to one of your (Canadian) exports today -- a band by the name of Elliott Brood from Toronto. Not bad for Canadian hacks. ;-)
http://www.elliottbrood.ca/
All the best,
Edward
Does anyone have any experience/recommendations for an Android-based car stereo head unit? My old stereo has just died, so I am interested in what people think of the currently available ones. I have a double din space.
eBay seems to have several available that are similar to this: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/ca-fi-is-an-aftermarket-android-car-stereo-that-wont-fit-in-you/
There are ones where the Android part is essentially a separate tablet (probably not what I'm after, judging by the videos) http://www.erisin.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=253
Parrot make this single-din stereo: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Parrot-Aste...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343930713&sr=1-24
There are no doubt many others too. Prices seem to be in the £200 - £280 range which is about my limit.
Nobody has any experience of these or opinions at all?
I think I'm leaning towards the Parrot as it's rootable, and the single-din size is more likely to fit whatever car I get after my current one.
Bump for this thread. I just recently thought about getting into one of these units too, my only concern is how "locked down" they would be in terms of getting rid of their default launchers and crap they have. I basically want a way to just have android by itself running on the car - I can get apps for just about everything else. Ideally I want a clone of my phone on the car that would sync with my phone. Or better yet, simply a way to have a "remote display" for my phone. That way, anything I'm doing on the car side of things would be the same on my phone, like a received email, new internet bookmark, or something like that.
~T.J.
I just picked up a "Road Cyberman" from China Jiaho (actually they call it something else, but it's the same as Chinavasion's Road Cyberman, except $100 cheaper).
It's running Gingerbread 2.3.5 and proving difficult to root. No adb on the usb (even with debug option), no google apps (although I found some apks that sort of work) and no adb wireless available.
The devices works fine, but I would like to have a little bit more control over it.
I've tried Gingerbreak and the other get root apks, but no luck so far.
Yeah, I have seen a lot of those units, but I kind of changed my mind. I have recently been looking into doing something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Q-UXDi3dm3U
I have been following that company for a while, and they just recently released that video and are taking pre-orders for the new board. My biggest hold up at this point is that I would like to use a single DIN stereo for the "amp" by running the audio from their device into the aux input of my existing stereo. I need to find room to mount both the double DIN screen and a custom spot for the single DIN stereo I already have. I would then have the choice of using the stereo without plugging in the phone if I didn't want to for whatever reason. Alternatively, if I can find a good FM tuner app for my phone and a good customizable dock mode, I could eliminate the stock stereo and just run the inputs into a standard automotive 4 channel amp. This of course means you get nothing for a car stereo unless you connect the phone though, unlike the other plan.
Of course, another thought I had was getting a used double DIN touch screen DVD player and using their interface board to convert it to run the Android screen through it, then run the audio straight into the aux input of the touch screen DVD player. That way you have the ability to use the system "as is" out of the box, OR run the Android device through the screen. I think this is the best option, but it also takes the most money since you have the expense of the used double DIN touch screen unit first. I also wonder about picture quality and touch screen sensitivity with the built in touch screens on those units.
Anyway, just food for thought!
~T.J.
EDIT: One of the other hold ups is the calling. I would like to use an external mic and have audio come through the car speakers, currently using that board you are still calling through the device, thus you would need a Bluetooth headset from my understanding. I would like to avoid that if possible also. This is another good reason to go with the double DIN stereo since some of those support Bluetooth calling already and you could probably make/receive calls that way completely hands free.
EDIT #2: If you were into car monitoring and such also, you could easily get a bluetooth OBD interface and run the software on the phone (such as torque) so you could display live data from your car on your dash also. Something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay-ZvTn3fLo&t=45s
I picked up one of these after my buddy sent me this thread. It's got the power, but needs a root bad. Wish I knew how to find root for an Android device.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17228
I know the hardware should be capable, and I feel like I'd be happy with it if it didn't have **** drivers, but what can I do about that?
I had a Galaxy S3 on Sprint, replaced it with an LG Optimus G. Had to get off Sprint's network so grabbed a pair of these on AT&T. I wasn't interested in waiting on the One.
I bought it because I needed a phone and it felt good in my hand. I was never sure who's hands they designed the S3 for... but that's neither here nor there... I never imagined the fastest Tegra3 would be slow, or that the audio would be so horrible.
Do I just have bad phones? We have two phones, and the slowness is not limited to mine.
All audio (bluetooth or 3.5mm, streaming or local file, beats on or off) suffers from random cutting out and skips.
The stuttering transitions and the split second delay between pushing a button and something happening is mostly noticeable when done beside my S3 or Optimus G; otherwise it just feels generally slow.
I only get cutting out/skips with audio when i'm running slacker radio and the screen is active. If the screen is asleep, I have no sound quality issues with slacker. With regular MP3s, I have zero audio quality issues other than A2DP which is a simple bitpool setting that will get fixed by ROMs, but AUX connection sounds fantastic.
I don't see any of the slow or stuttering issues you are describing.
I'm gonna update to the latest stock image, and play with mp3 off flash. I've had issues with Spotify, Pandora, and subsonic. Come to think of it, I rarely listen with my screen off; I'm always at my desk at work and leave it on for the cover art and controls.
What ROM do you use?
badtlc said:
I only get cutting out/skips with audio when i'm running slacker radio and the screen is active. If the screen is asleep, I have no sound quality issues with slacker. With regular MP3s, I have zero audio quality issues other than A2DP which is a simple bitpool setting that will get fixed by ROMs, but AUX connection sounds fantastic.
I don't see any of the slow or stuttering issues you are describing.
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I have used stock and elegancia. Both had the same music/sound issues. I think it is more of an app issue somehow.
I had the HOX before coming to the HOX+ i had some of these in playing music, but after a service it was fine. I think you have a bad phone. As far as the delay/stuttering it should be because of a rouge app which is slowing down the phone.
Im a bit lost as to what my best option is for a in car solution.
Im getting a car with a native double din slot. Which has started this all off for me again. As id quite like to have a double din that can work with my phone or something.
Ive got a Note 3. A Pioneer 80PRS, which sounds great, 3 pre outs, which i use all of. Its more of a sound quality unit, i generally listen to music on hard drive, or via my phone, which is usually podcasts, radio apps, soundcloud, mixcloud etc.
First thoughts were (ruled it out last time) something like AppRadio, but seems still very limited interfacing. ARLiberator seems to help, but has Knox issues? And then still leaves me weighing up sound quality, unless ARLiberator works on newer AVH-X8500BT or something with 3 pre outs.
Second thoughts, were a tablet in car. Which i know very little about. Seems you can either buy all the stuff to make that the actual headunit, like signal to amps etc.
Or have headunit behind, connected by bluetooth i assume? Which runs rest of system as usual ?
Is there anyway to have a tablet basically mirror my phone, just be a second screen if you like. Rather than having 2 devices, with obviously the ohone having everything i want to use on it, and worrying about trying to get it onto the tablet.
Whats my best option, to get maximum sound quality, using 3 rcas, 2 amps. Or should i stop worrying about that, and drop down to 2 rcas ? Seeing as bluetooth is lowering my quality. No idea how much vs 2 or 3 pre outs.
To also have maximum intergration and functionality.
Thanks