How guys! Been a while for me being on here.
Have been working hard and don't have time to actually play with my phones in the same way of used to
So I have a new project I'm about to start.
In a previous car I had an ipad mini dash install, so basically the ipad replaced the stereo and it usb'd into a stereo hidden away in the boot. So that all music functions were controlled via the ipad and volume was done with the oem steering controls which were operating the volume of the hidden stereo. This time round tho I don't have room for an ipad mini so was thinking of using an xperia z ultra in the dash, but in what way would I be able to connect this to a car stereo?
Any help appreciated guys
There are some methods. Not as tidy as with an ipad.
Easiest to setup is bluetooth via aptX. I know the z ultra supports this. But I have never used it. I stopped buying bluetooth headsets some years ago. Just buy a reciever with a good dac. Plug it in and supply it with a power source and play music. (Find one that allows charging and playing music at the same time. Some powers off when charger plugs in).
For hardwiring the z ultra to the car. You could use either the aux cable strait from the headset jack. Not ideally ..the z ultra has catastrophically bad sound.
Or buy a dac from http://hifimediy.com add a micro usb extension cord so you don't have the z ultra janking on the short cable to the dac. Then run the aux cable from the dac to the aux input.
I don't know what to do about power. The micro usb port is taken by the dac. Perhaps its possible to have a splitter. But I don't know if the dac is running in standard usb mode or via otg. The pinout on the cable is slightly different when you run in otg mode.
Anyways. A cable would look like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-USB-H...-Samsung-Galaxy-S6-6-Edge-5-4-3-/171837296881 Or use a magnetic dock with a car mount.
You could buy a chromecast audio.
It has a AK4430 dac. It looks promising on paper but google restricts the possibility to control the bitrate. Even if its capable of 192KHz. You're not allowed to stream audio in that bitrate.
Perhaps you can root it and change this?
Some good food for thought there.
I was thinking I could maybe charge with the magnetic port on the side of the device.
As I will be fabricating a mount built into the dashboard so the magnetic charger can just be in there ready to go as the phone is put in place and the dac unit in the USB port.
So the day u it would transfer all audio from the phone out of the auxiliary port on the stereo?
Related
Guys,
I bought a cradle from ebay (leeonline) because I cannot get a 4 in 1 adaptor from HTC. I tried using the vga-out (17 inch CRT Monitor), rca video out (our Television Set), Brandless USB hub, Generic/standard USB Keyboard and Generic/standard USB Mouse on it all at the same time. Everything works.
Now, I really no longer bring my laptop to work. My athena is all I need for Word Processing, Spreadsheets etc. There are quirks though. Sometimes, the mouse stops working or the athena hangs. (It may be the amount of programs installed.) Then again, It is still faster to boot than my laptop. The other downside is that even with the cradle plugged to the adaptor, It will still consume energy from the battery of the unit.
What I have done to my athena may not be new to most people but I would like to hear from other people what attachments or modifications they have done to make their athena more useful and powerful. In this way, we can all benefit from these ideas. Thanks!
Thanks!
yetdy said:
Guys,
I bought a cradle from ebay (leeonline) because I cannot get a 4 in 1 adaptor from HTC. I tried using the vga-out (17 inch CRT Monitor), rca video out (our Television Set), Brandless USB hub, Generic/standard USB Keyboard and Generic/standard USB Mouse on it all at the same time. Everything works.
Now, I really no longer bring my laptop to work. My athena is all I need for Word Processing, Spreadsheets etc. There are quirks though. Sometimes, the mouse stops working or the athena hangs. (It may be the amount of programs installed.) Then again, It is still faster to boot than my laptop. The other downside is that even with the cradle plugged to the adaptor, It will still consume energy from the battery of the unit.
What I have done to my athena may not be new to most people but I would like to hear from other people what attachments or modifications they have done to make their athena more useful and powerful. In this way, we can all benefit from these ideas. Thanks!
Thanks!
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Click to collapse
I used to do that, but the novelty wore off eventually. Now i just bring in a mini notebook. It's easier than carrying loads of bits about and connecting things to monitors (though that option is still there if necessary).
Pretty cool though if you like your gadgets.
Leoni is correct, however he can always leave the other stuff connected to the cradle and use it sorta like a docking station, but you would need a second cradle for the home TV. I'm glad this thread started because I myself was considering getting one for my TV. However, what should I do about the audio coming from my device (will I still be able to connect audio to my AV receiver)? As far as the 4 in 1 cable I would be able to get to the audio jack on the Athena however the down side is that not all USB flash drives would be supported with the 4 in 1 cable. Yetdy can you tell me how you work around getting audio streamed?
I think there are a few ways to stream audio.
#1 S-Video if I'm not mistaken is supposed to stream audio to your TV.
#2 Audio Jack to RCA Audio converters connected directly to the TV or amplifier would also help assumming you are using the 4-in 1 adaptor. Cradle cannot help you out with this option.
#3 Of course there is bluetooth connection which is what I am going to use. Got a bluetooth transmitter and receiver from ebay but is currently busted (bad seller). Another is to get a BT that has a changeable earphone/buds. Change the earphone to an audio jack to RCA Audio jack and follow #2.
Hope this helps.
yes and no
yetdy said:
I think there are a few ways to stream audio.
#1 S-Video if I'm not mistaken is supposed to stream audio to your TV.
****You are mistaken, S-video is video only (the pins are luminance, chroma, ground and something else I can't remember off the top of my head) ****
#2 Audio Jack to RCA Audio converters connected directly to the TV or amplifier would also help assumming you are using the 4-in 1 adaptor. Cradle cannot help you out with this option.
****if it is anything like the one I got from ebay then no, as it covers up the headphones out port from the athena but does not replicate it on the back ! the athena also carries audio out from the same USB connector that you charge it from (this is why the socket on the athena is an unusual/different shape compared to your plug on USB charger) if they had replicated this port propely on the dock then you could have got audio out that way, but the dock connector for that is also wrong (standard USB shaped socket, not the odd one from the athena) ****
#3 Of course there is bluetooth connection which is what I am going to use. Got a bluetooth transmitter and receiver from ebay but is currently busted (bad seller). Another is to get a BT that has a changeable earphone/buds. Change the earphone to an audio jack to RCA Audio jack and follow #2.
****it is feasible to have the athena transmit stereo bluetooth to a nearby device !****
Hope this helps.
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Click to collapse
just my 2 pence worth
If you want to play audio on your home theatre speaker, you could also consider the option of plugging an FM transmitterinto the headphone jack, then use your FM receiver to play through your theatre speaker.
That was how I used to play my music in the car, through the car's srereo speakers.
eaglesteve said:
If you want to play audio on your home theatre speaker, you could also consider the option of plugging an FM transmitterinto the headphone jack, then use your FM receiver to play through your theatre speaker.
That was how I used to play my music in the car, through the car's srereo speakers.
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Click to collapse
wont work if the Athena is in the ebay dock/cradle, as it covers up the audio out port, but does not replicate it.
Ice coffee,
Maybe you can share some other options here. You may have other ideas that may be useful to us. I just got my athena last month and cradle last week so I cannot really say with authority what it can and what it cannot do. If you can help us out in maximizing the athena with its cradle, many will appreciate it.
None of the video outputs from the 4-in-1 carry audio, the only options are BT a2dp or the headphones jack. Seems a bit long-winded to me though - I'm sure there are less fiddly mods out there. I just used to use the magnetic keyboard as a stand, slipped a BT keyboard over the top of it and the 4-in-1 for usb hub etc. This left a free audio jack to use as I wished. Seems like the docking station is more of a hindrance than a help.
HTC Advantage
Docking station
Keyboard
Mouse
Hifi Bluetooth A2DP adaptor
USB Hub....
I think my EEE pc is a more convenient device on the whole than the above setup would've been if i'd carried all that with me I wouldn't have had any space to fit my work stuff!
I came accross another docking station for $119.00 USD that has the audio option on the side along with 2 standard USB ports instead of 1. I think it's a bit too pricey, due to the fact that on flebay they do have a2dp stereo bluetooth adapters for like $50 USD. Besides with that and your bluetooth headsets it might still be possible to answer a incoming phone call on your bt headset without having to hear the audio coming from your A/V receiver (considering you left the phone on). Leoni, both options have their own drawback (no powering source with the 4 in 1 cable for all USB storage devices and the inaccessable headphone jack when using the docking station). But anyway I'm going to order the 4 in 1 cable too and see which one works best for me on a day to day use.
as I said the only simple option is to use bluetooth and as tootalk2000 pointed out you can get adaptors on ebay for £25 ish, I suppose the other more complicated option would be to, take your cradle apart and replace the USB connector into the phone with this,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2in1-Audio-US...oryZ3728QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
and then take the other end of this apart and make it fit in your cradle, it would actually be quite easy to do as there is a lot of space in the cradle.
ice_coffee said:
as I said the only simple option is to use bluetooth and as tootalk2000 pointed out you can get adaptors on ebay for £25 ish, I suppose the other more complicated option would be to, take your cradle apart and replace the USB connector into the phone with this,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2in1-Audio-US...oryZ3728QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
and then take the other end of this apart and make it fit in your cradle, it would actually be quite easy to do as there is a lot of space in the cradle.
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Click to collapse
Awwwww shux, someone just gave me some experimenting to go do. I'm ordering one of those jacks today, and hopefully it will come around the same time as cradle. I'll just super glue it to the back portion of the cradle and plug it in externally. Due to the fact that the USB port is still on there you would still be able to sync even when the ear phone jack is still in use.
tootallk2000 said:
Awwwww shux, someone just gave me some experimenting to go do. I'm ordering one of those jacks today, and hopefully it will come around the same time as cradle. I'll just super glue it to the back portion of the cradle and plug it in externally. Due to the fact that the USB port is still on there you would still be able to sync even when the ear phone jack is still in use.
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Click to collapse
lol my thoughts exactly.
I know its going to be the talk of the town for the Pixel 2 but I am wondering if if something that is possible with the original Pixel and if anyone has found a quality dongle for that purpose.
I have a car that doesn't do bluetooth audio but in my armrest I have a power port and aux port right by each other. I used to use it to power a bluetooth receiver but Google broke bluetooth audio to receivers with no volume controller in it with the "absolute volume" bug.
So now I am stuck having to use a cable, or two cables if I need to charge. Im wondering if there would be a way to use a dongle to merge that power and aux into a single USB-C cable to run out to the phone. Willing to pay for one with a decent DAC if one exists.
Hey all,
I'm looking to buy an tab S3 but I want to use it in a very specific use case where I need to use a USB-C to audio adapter (yes, I know it has a 3.5mm jack plug).
We have the tablet at work but because it's for a client I can't just tinker around with it.
I tried the USB-C adapter that came with the Google pixel 2 XL but that didn't work. The Tab S3 didn't play the sound over the speakers and paused when I plugged out the adapter as if it recognized it but I could hear anything. Does anyone have experience of a adapter that does work?
Also, does it work with the cheap passive adapters without a DAC? (USB-C audio can be analogue if the device supports it, other only do digital and require a DAC)
When travelling, I have used an audio y-splitter to hook up two headphones so that me and my girlfriend can listen to a movie at the same time. How can I accomplish this without a headphone jack? I have seen some 3.5mm + USB C dongles on Amazon that claim to charge the phone while hooked up to a headphone. However, nobody claims to be able to listen to audio from both ports. Is this possible at all?
use the USBC to 1/8 adapter that came with the box, then plug in your 1/8 y-adapter
That's what I wanted to avoid. It looks ridiculous with all these adapters. Any way to have Bluetooth and the USB C headphone going simultaneously?
Hello!
I recently picked up a pixel 6, very happy with it so far except for the fact that my car is too old for the bluetooth to carry music to the radio.
I was wondering if anybody has managed to find a type c to 3.5mm cable that works? I have tried a type c to 3.5mm adaptor and it doesn't work, I think I need a straight type c to 3.5mm cable instead of an adaptor?
Before anybody asks, I have an fm transmiter but not really enjoying the experience between static or the bluetooth getting confused with the car itself.
I don't see why a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter shouldn't work. Try finding one on amazon that specifically advertises use in cars. It could be possible that the one you have is incompatible, manufacturers tend to make adapters that only work in specific circumstances.
You need an active adapter with integrated DAC (digital to analogue converter). Passive ones will not work. You better get the google cable if available. Apple one works but is too quiet in android. In fact any active cable should work.
Thank you both.
I have seen this one on Amazon, this is what I need I guess?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/KOOPAO-Adapter-Headphone-Stereo-Compatible-Grey/dp/B07Z3TRJKS/ref=sr_1_4?crid=VG53YFREW7S7&keywords=Type+C+to+3.5mm+Stereo+Audio+Cable&qid=1641755818&sprefix=type+c+to+3.5mm+stereo+audio+cable%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-4
I use this one:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Y7YXHSB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
An alternative if you have 12v power in your car is using a USB Bluetooth to 3.5mm device like this one.
Hagibis Bluetooth Receiver Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter Hands-Free Bluetooth Car Kits AUX Audio 3.5mm Jack Stereo Music Wireless Receiver for Car Speaker Home Built-in Microphone (U3-Grey) : Amazon.com.au: Electronics
Hagibis Bluetooth Receiver Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter Hands-Free Bluetooth Car Kits AUX Audio 3.5mm Jack Stereo Music Wireless Receiver for Car Speaker Home Built-in Microphone (U3-Grey) : Amazon.com.au: Electronics
www.amazon.com.au
That way you can still be wireless and have Bluetooth in an older car, without having to deal with those hit or miss radio adaptors
I have this issue since using the Galaxy S21, the way I fixed it, start playing music on the phone speaker, then connect the cable, and it will start working, it happens all the time, that why I bought a cheap Bluetooth receiver from Walmart, best $8 I've spent in years.
cervantesjc said:
I have this issue since using the Galaxy S21, the way I fixed it, start playing music on the phone speaker, then connect the cable, and it will start working, it happens all the time, that why I bought a cheap Bluetooth receiver from Walmart, best $8 I've spent in years.
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I thought to do the same but the phone shows that the connected device is not supported
neptun2 said:
You need an active adapter with integrated DAC (digital to analogue converter). Passive ones will not work. You better get the google cable if available. Apple one works but is too quiet in android. In fact any active cable should work.
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Click to collapse
Just to clear up what that actually means for OP: a passive adapter will work only on USB-C ports that are able to route an *analog* signal. These are fairly uncommon -- most USB-C ports are digital only.
The nice thing about digital output is that you get to control the sound quality by selecting a USB-DAC of a quality that meets your needs, instead of being limited to whatever cheap thing they built in to the phone.
Physically, you can't even tell the difference any more. While USB-DAC's used to always involve a "big ugly box", the circuitry has shrunk these days to small enough to fit into the ends of the dongle.
The headphone adapter sold by Google is an example of this, its a USB-DAC, but shows no sign of containing any significant components besides the connectors.
I tried one that came with an old Motorola phone and it did not work, but Google sells one. They should be able to confirm if it works before you order it
https://store.google.com/product/usb_c_headphone_adapter?hl=en-US
I've personally tried 3 different ones that have worked for me, the first one was from an old Motorola phone, the second one, was one that I bought at an airport, I believe the brand is Moshi, and the third one was coming from a one plus phone. They all worked by playing on phone speaker and then plugging it.
cervantesjc said:
I've personally tried 3 different ones that have worked for me, the first one was from an old Motorola phone, the second one, was one that I bought at an airport, I believe the brand is Moshi, and the third one was coming from a one plus phone. They all worked by playing on phone speaker and then plugging it.
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Click to collapse
Which Moto phone? My Moto Z(2) Force one gives an error message that the audio device is not supported.
chaimav said:
Which Moto phone? My Moto Z(2) Force one gives an error message that the audio device is not supported.
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Click to collapse
It is the moto Z2 Force, I've used it a couple times, and I had no issues.
cervantesjc said:
It is the moto Z2 Force, I've used it a couple times, and I had no issues.
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Click to collapse
It works on your Pixel 6? Maybe mine is defective??
This discussion is very interesting. Generally pixel 6 (and previous pixels also) do not send analogue audio signal to the usb type c port hence passive converters from type c to 3.5 mm do not work. You need active converter with integrated DAC (digital to analogue converter) in it so that the digital audio from the usb type c port is transformed to analogue signal and sent to the headphones or whatever else. Every phone though has integrated DAC in the chipset because otherwise it would not be able to drive its own speakers with analogue signal. When i tried to connect my passive DAC adapter from oneplus 7 phone i got error on the pixel 6 that cable is not compatible. It is possible if you play something through the speakers analogue signal to also be copied towards the usb type c port and this way to trick passive adapters to also work but this need to be tested. I think that i still have the passive adapter somewhere and will test these days if i find it.
neptun2 said:
This discussion is very interesting. Generally pixel 6 (and previous pixels also) do not send analogue audio signal to the usb type c port hence passive converters from type c to 3.5 mm do not work. You need active converter with integrated DAC (digital to analogue converter) in it so that the digital audio from the usb type c port is transformed to analogue signal and sent to the headphones or whatever else. Every phone though has integrated DAC in the chipset because otherwise it would not be able to drive its own speakers with analogue signal. When i tried to connect my passive DAC adapter from oneplus 7 phone i got error on the pixel 6 that cable is not compatible. It is possible if you play something through the speakers analogue signal to also be copied towards the usb type c port and this way to trick passive adapters to also work but this need to be tested. I think that i still have the passive adapter somewhere and will test these days if i find it.
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Click to collapse
I tried an adapter from a Oneplus 6 (if memory serves) and I had the same problem, hence the thread
Given the one from Google looks just the same I am apprehensive to buy it until I am 100% certain
Today DAC circuits are so small that it is easy to integrate these into the usb type c part of the cable. There is no way to tell if cable is active or passive only by looking at it anymore. Google cable should work fine. Alternatively you can try the trick with first playing through the speakers and then connecting the old oneplus 6 cable and see if that will make it work. ne side note - don't buy the apple usb to 3.5 mm cable. It has very low volume on android (works properly on ios and windows). Tested it myself.
neptun2 said:
This discussion is very interesting. Generally pixel 6 (and previous pixels also) do not send analogue audio signal to the usb type c port hence passive converters from type c to 3.5 mm do not work. You need active converter with integrated DAC (digital to analogue converter) in it so that the digital audio from the usb type c port is transformed to analogue signal and sent to the headphones or whatever else. Every phone though has integrated DAC in the chipset because otherwise it would not be able to drive its own speakers with analogue signal. When i tried to connect my passive DAC adapter from oneplus 7 phone i got error on the pixel 6 that cable is not compatible. It is possible if you play something through the speakers analogue signal to also be copied towards the usb type c port and this way to trick passive adapters to also work but this need to be tested. I think that i still have the passive adapter somewhere and will test these days if i find it.
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Click to collapse
It would need to be physically wired together like that, which it is definitely not.
It would probably also need a second DAC built in, because there are only so many speakers you can drive with the built-in. That's why some phones are advertised as "dual DAC".
Got Pixel 6 usb-c to 3.5 mm one direct from Google...works great.
jelive said:
Got Pixel 6 usb-c to 3.5 mm one direct from Google...works great.
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Is this for a car aux port or for earphones you use it for?