New devices that match this beast? - LG V30 Questions & Answers

Probably the most asked question here, but the phone shop I just dropped my V30 at for an eazy Aux-port repair broke my phone and I am in need of a new one. Since I can't buy this phone again, are there any comparable phones on the market right now? N°1 feature was the headphone jack + HiFi DAC ofcourse...
Edit: can I delete this thread? Am stupid and just saw the other one.

You won't like Android 11/12... it's not a pretty sight.
I would say a new Note 10+ Snapdragon running on 10 but no 3.5mm jack. Otherwise get this work horse; build quality is excellent. They just run well with a gorgeous, probably the best 60hz display ever made. The Buds+ sound good with the SCC codec but nothing near the sound Q of your LG jack output. The C port audio adapter is awkward at best.
Maybe a midrange Samsung with headphone jack and a SD card slot. Samsung's UI takes the edge off of Android 10 so it runs almost like 9.
There's also HTC and Sony but there UI is inferior to Samsung's in my opinion. Get something with a SD card slot preferably running on Android 10 and do not upgrade it.
All newer 5G and variable refresh rate phones are having hardware issues it seems. Android 11 isn't helping things at all either.

Related

Line Level Output?

Hi there,
I'm looking for a line-level output for my Galaxy 7.7.
I can't seem to find anything that specifically mentions the 7.7 but have read that the 30 pin Samsung connector is compatible across all devices.
There are line level outputs on eBay (sorry, can't post links yet) that say they work with the galaxy tab P1000 and other galaxy tabs... Will these work with the 7.7?
What I would ideally like is something that will allow me to attach a USB DAC to the device to bypass the Galaxy DAC... but until we get ICS that's not going to happen (and I have my fingers crossed that ICS will actually allow for it)
Thanks,
Paul
NikonUser said:
Hi there,
I'm looking for a line-level output for my Galaxy 7.7.
I can't seem to find anything that specifically mentions the 7.7 but have read that the 30 pin Samsung connector is compatible across all devices.
There are line level outputs on eBay (sorry, can't post links yet) that say they work with the galaxy tab P1000 and other galaxy tabs... Will these work with the 7.7?
What I would ideally like is something that will allow me to attach a USB DAC to the device to bypass the Galaxy DAC... but until we get ICS that's not going to happen (and I have my fingers crossed that ICS will actually allow for it)
Thanks,
Paul
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as of ics 4.0.3 on sgs2 there is still no support for usb dac looking forward to seeing a usb dac working on adroid phones also
I bought something from amazon and got audio out. The video out does not work however. I will send it to you in a PM since this site won't let me post the link due to me having less than 8 posts.
I would absolutely LOVE a feature that bypasses the internal DAC. Is that kind of thing really available via ICS? If so ... I might have just made a mess in my pants
daigled said:
I bought something from amazon and got audio out. The video out does not work however. I will send it to you in a PM since this site won't let me post the link due to me having less than 8 posts.
I would absolutely LOVE a feature that bypasses the internal DAC. Is that kind of thing really available via ICS? If so ... I might have just made a mess in my pants
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link. I will check it out.
You can keep your pants mess free for now. After doing a bit of reading it appears that ICS didn't enable USB host mode for audio like everyone thought it would. It is very high on the list of official feature requests/bug reports on the google code site. If you can find it then go and vote for it. Maybe Google will listen and offer an update soon.
Fingers crossed.
Paul
Ok... you want to output sound from your tablet to other equipment, right? Start by turning the volume down in the tablet, connect the headphones output of the tablet to the input of the device you want, start raising the volume to a little bit under clipping level of your other device, or before you hear distorted sound. When you're done, just start recording or whatever you are trying to do.
Anyway, there's no point to have a digital or high quality audio output in a tablet because they're not designed for that, even if you do it before DAC, your files are compresed (MP3, etc) right? . Do you have an extremely high quality song in your device?, if you do, you're probably a sound engineer, a professional musician or an audiophile and if that's the case you'll transfer the media to a more professional device or a dedicated media player.
For example, those cellphones that have hdmi output, yes is a good idea to connect it to your TV right? now, do you think the video you are playing through it has a great sound quality? NO, specially if it's some internet video... Putting things more simple: the audio quality of the actual media that's coming out your tablet 98% of the time does not have the quality to merit a digital/high end connection.
Now, there's a brand called COWON that has the best sound quality in media players, (Yes, best sound quality by far over Aple, Samsung, Sony, you name it, this is not because I say so, do some research and you'll be surprised) they don't make Tabs sorry. So if you really are concerned about audio quality, you should convert your music to Flac instead of MP3 and go for a device like that, otherwise you are wasting your money in technology when your source doesn't have the quality to match it.
You see what I mean? a Tablet is a portable all in one device, for high end video and sound you need a more dedicated device
Do they have a cellphone or tablet with a hdmi output? what do they have in there? a Bluray movie? it would be soooo compressed that it loses the point of having a HDMI output.... why? because compression equals lower quality. So it's like having a Ferrari with bicycle wheels... Doesn't matter what the vendors tell you, to have a HDMI output in a cellphone it's just ridiculous, and whoever has it they probably use it a couple of times and they forgot about it because there's really no point on that. The only thing I can think of having a HDMI output in a tablet is maybe someone that needs to make a video presentation, maybe through a projector, something like that, and you don't need high end audio for that. The Tablet makers don't care if 1 person out of a million needs it, would you? And... Actually do they really need that? or it's more to impress their girlfriend or a neighbour? F*** That!! Right?
I'm not trying to offend anyone here, I'm just trying to help you understand that it really is pointless....
The technology will evolve eventually and we will have better audio hardware in our tablets.... and a lot more memory to have those HD files that we really can't right now...But by then,,,, are you going to enjoy that quality in a $14.99 headphones?
With all this I'm not saying be happy with the crappy sound your device could have. I actually returned a few days ago a Galaxy Player 4.0 because I didn't like it's sound quality, I'm buying (when it comes out) a Cowon Z2..... can't wait. (if I have the money by then)
Take care guys, I hope I helped a least a little...
Dusko75 said:
Ok... you want to output sound from your tablet to other equipment, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right.
Dusko75 said:
Start by turning the volume down in the tablet, connect the headphones output of the tablet to the input of the device you want, start raising the volume to a little bit under clipping level of your other device, or before you hear distorted sound. When you're done, just start recording or whatever you are trying to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The whole idea of getting a line-level output would be to bypass the internal (low quality) amp of the tablet and NOT have to play around with the volume trying to avoid clipping etc
Dusko75 said:
Anyway, there's no point to have a digital or high quality audio output in a tablet because they're not designed for that, even if you do it before DAC, your files are compresed (MP3, etc) right? .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eer, no. They are uncompressed FLAC files.
Maybe there is no point in YOUR tablet having a digital or high quality output... but that is NOT the case for me. Ideally I would like to hook the tablet up to an external DAC and/or Headphone amp (ideally a DAC and amp) and using it as a highly mobile, high quality source to listen to some high-end headphones for when I am away from home for a while.
Dusko75 said:
Do you have an extremely high quality song in your device?, if you do, you're probably a sound engineer, a professional musician or an audiophile and if that's the case you'll transfer the media to a more professional device or a dedicated media player.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I do, and no I am not a sound engineer or a pro musician. I wouldn't consider myself an audiophile either, but I do enjoy audio and would like to do so when I am away from my home setup.
Dusko75 said:
For example, those cellphones that have hdmi output, yes is a good idea to connect it to your TV right? now, do you think the video you are playing through it has a great sound quality? NO, specially if it's some internet video... Putting things more simple: the audio quality of the actual media that's coming out your tablet 98% of the time does not have the quality to merit a digital/high end connection.
Now, there's a brand called COWON that has the best sound quality in media players, (Yes, best sound quality by far over Aple, Samsung, Sony, you name it, this is not because I say so, do some research and you'll be surprised) they don't make Tabs sorry. So if you really are concerned about audio quality, you should convert your music to Flac instead of MP3 and go for a device like that, otherwise you are wasting your money in technology when your source doesn't have the quality to match it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK... I used to have a COWON D2. It was great. I now have a tablet and don't want to carry around heaps of devices and associated chargers if possible.
Dusko75 said:
You see what I mean? a Tablet is a portable all in one device, for high end
video and sound you need a more dedicated device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you don't. If Google would enable us to attach a USB DAC via a software update then you wouldn't need anything more than a tablet and good quality files. Failing that a line-out that bypasses the internal amp would suffice for most.
Dusko75 said:
Do they have a cellphone or tablet with a hdmi output? what do they have in there? a Bluray movie? it would be soooo compressed that it loses the point of having a HDMI output.... why? because compression equals lower quality. So it's like having a Ferrari with bicycle wheels... Doesn't matter what the vendors tell you, to have a HDMI output in a cellphone it's just ridiculous, and whoever has it they probably use it a couple of times and they forgot about it because there's really no point on that. The only thing I can think of having a HDMI output in a tablet is maybe someone that needs to make a video presentation, maybe through a projector, something like that, and you don't need high end audio for that. The Tablet makers don't care if 1 person out of a million needs it, would you? And... Actually do they really need that? or it's more to impress their girlfriend or a neighbour? F*** That!! Right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With high capacity storage cards it is very possible to fit a couple of uncompressed bluray movies on your phone... or even more if you compress them. You can get VERY high quality movies to fit in 5-10GB of space these days. Although I don't have a use for it, I can certainly see how people might want to hook up a phone to a big TV and watch a movie via HDMI in GREAT quality.
Dusko75 said:
I'm not trying to offend anyone here, I'm just trying to help you understand that it really is pointless....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Certainly no offence taken here, although I think you haven't really thought about all the possibilities that all the users of tablets and phones around the world might need.
Dusko75 said:
The technology will evolve eventually and we will have better audio hardware in our tablets.... and a lot more memory to have those HD files that we really can't right now...But by then,,,, are you going to enjoy that quality in a $14.99 headphones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With a digital output or bypassing the little internal amplifier the quality right now is just fine. You can fit plenty on a 64GB storage card.
My headphones cost more than 30x the price you quoted.
Dusko75 said:
With all this I'm not saying be happy with the crappy sound your device could have. I actually returned a few days ago a Galaxy Player 4.0 because I didn't like it's sound quality, I'm buying (when it comes out) a Cowon Z2..... can't wait. (if I have the money by then)
Take care guys, I hope I helped a least a little...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really, but thanks for taking the time to reply.
Paul
Eer, I did mention about FLAC files (yes uncompressed). mmmm.. If I'm going to to attach some other devices to extract and process the digital audio from my tab I rather use a good media player for that and wait till the audio Hardware of the (future) tabs gets to a decent level. (And yes, I know what you mean with extracting the digital signal before DAC).
I like to have different specific devices for different things. I hope that tomorrow they really get into making great sound quality hardware for this android devices (that goes to I-pod-pad too) like Cowon does, in the meantime I'm happy with other devices to get the job done. Probably that's why what you are trying to do doesn't make sense to me having so many other and better options. But as you said, that's ME.
Ironically Cowon already got into Android, but there has to be something in its hardware that makes it the best. (I don't know if its JetEffects is hardware/software or only software).
I think the big difference here is that I don't see myself doing that kind of thing with a tablet, I rather use something else. That doesn't mean I can't change my mind in the future with the (almost) everyday newer and newer technology....
Am I right and you are wrong? NO, we're both right with the way we want to do our stuff, as long as we are happy with our results.
Nice talking/discussing with you.
Someone posted this in another forum, that'll work for you if your other device supports HDMI.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005TLKR1C/ref=oh_o01_s00_i00_details

LG Quadbeat 2 (G3 bundled ) dont work on non-LG phones .. ?

Ok, so I got G3 from a contract and gave it to little sis and she still uses her Beats earbuds so I was all happy with new pair of earbuds for free - but I tried it on 2 phones and cant get the sound right.
My Xperia Z2 - wont work, only left is working
Old ZTE Blade 3 phone - distorted sound, could barely get both buds to work if I wiggle the jack a bit
As I have seen these earbuds are sold separately and as a stand-alone product, Im wondering is there a difference in audio jack for a bundled version and stand-alone version .. ?
pleaste if you have them, try them on a non-LG device and tell me. Cause Im planing on replacing the 3.5mm jack if that is the case.
I wanna know that too...
And also
I bought some stand alone Quadbeats 2 for me and it sounded very bad compared to the ones a friend of mine had which came with his G3...
I wonder do they (LG) put the same work and dedication for both, or they are not caring for their stand alone products? Or the ones that I bought was fake?
Thank You
LG's approach to headphone audio is different from universal. Wanted to give my sister Quadbeats on her S4 because I got much better earbuds but Quadbeats just dont work for her. I experience the issue only on other phones than LG's.
Since I use third-party earbuds (Sony ones which are much better and more expensive) I have to plug and unplug them (5-10 times) until the phone recognizes them as standard headphones. Otherwise it would go wild launching google voice search, changing tracks, changing volume and stopping music every 3 seconds.
Get a pair of Sennheiser CX3.00 or CX5.00. Get the G version. They work excellent with the LG G3 and the sound is so much better then the Quadbeat headphones.
So, even though no one answered exactly my question I get the point - Im slicing them up. Putting regular 3.5mm jack while connecting only ground and L/R and dont care for the rest of the wires/buttons. Ah man, I love soldering.

Analog or digital dongle?

probably too early to ask but does anybody know kind of dongle you need to access audio through headphones since oneplus is being dumb and doing away with the headphone jack? on a T version no less. i don't know if i will be buying this but asking anyways as i am sure there might be day i agonize over this.
no headphone jack 3.5, no deal !!
period, no need to debate it !!
The type c to 3.5mm dongle will be provided in the box and launch offers may also include the new type c earphones yet to be announced :good:
x111 said:
no headphone jack 3.5, no deal !!
period, no need to debate it !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you never plan on buying a phone again? They all will remove the jack. Even Samsung. Technology is advancing.
GloomySVT said:
So you never plan on buying a phone again? They all will remove the jack. Even Samsung. Technology is advancing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
removing normal audio connector is NOT an advance technology.
I'm pretty sure some companies will continue supply demand on keeping useful features.
Also, I regret that I got oneplus6 instead of note9.
in the end oneplus is a trash company with trash product.
cannot wait sams galaxy s10plus.
will see if sams will go retarded too.
another point, I'm paying high dollar and expect to get every possible feature in my phone !!
To get back on topic, does anyone know if the dongle is digital or analog?
Correction: better wording is active or passive.
I would say passive, but couldn't find the info
And there are type C black earphones with mic included too
pkadavid said:
To get back on topic, does anyone know if the dongle is digital or analog?
Correction: better wording is active or passive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Digital with a DAC built into the cable/connector.
FWIW,HTC's USonic USB-C earbuds work just fine with the OP6T:
https://www.htc.com/us/accessories-b/#!pid=htc-u12-plus&acc=htc-adaptive-earphones-type-c-htc-u11
They're available at Amazon/eBay,don't pay full retail if you're interested,just an inexpensive alternative to OP's buds.
https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Usonic-USB-Type-Headset/dp/B079NQLR9S
They're very basic,no in-line volume control,& none of the fine-tuning capabilities as when used w/an HTC phone,but,they get the job done.
To answer your question;
Analog (one without a built in DAC, aftermarket ones, you know, the adapters that don't work on Pixel's, HTC, Razer, Essential, Samsung, LG, ZTE) works fine, but you might see a loss in audio, maybe by like 10% (hard to hear, but I can kinda tell the difference between this aftermarket adapter and the DAC one.)
Digital (one with built in DAC) obviously works fine with the phone, and gives you the button options on the headphones, unlike the analog one. Might drain the battery faster though, because the DAC one did get a little warm.
Motorola and OnePlus are the only phones in my testing that actually work, regardless if it's an adapter without a DAC or not, which I think it pretty cool (but I mean you can go to Apple and buy a USB-C to 3.5mm [which probably has a built in DAC] for $9 USD plus tax.)

USB-C Adapter?

Which USB-C Adapter works with these phones? There are a few different kind I think so what is compatible with the Blu Vivo XI+?
USB Type C
You want to use the original - always the original cable is the best. (It was chosen by the company to suit the Vivo XI+ for a reason)
its a metal braided, clear plastic coated cable with a plastic/paper ** branded tag on the end to signify its an original Blu cable.
as far as I'm concerned it's also pretty good quality.
I've tried other cables with that phone (Samsung - LG - oppo - monster - and some other high quality generic cables) I've noticed at the best same results but mostly lesser performance.
Sorry about a late reply to your question.
(edit: just a possibility that your referring *reefer-ing* to the actual power adapter - same - Use The Original Blu Adapter).
Yeah well I have more than one phone with no 3.5 jack, so I am trying to find a good adapter that would work with the blu and also a pixel 2. I am trying to avoid buying 2, so I found one that seems to be pretty good on amazon check it out:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GX7SGR1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have not gotten it yet..when I do I will report back...the Pixel 2 is my daily driver, the blu phone is backup but I do like it except the camera, a little lacking in the color. I also have an htc 10 that is a good one for sound since it has the jack, but the battery doesn't last long on it. So I have different phones depending on what I am doing and where I am going. I like the dual sim on the blu vivo xi+.
I just figure there can't be too many differences, maybe there are 2 or 3 types and highly unlikely Blu has their own standard.
USB Type C - Auxiliary Audio Adapter
I see,. If your referring to the audio adapter then just about any high quality adapter will suffice.
As far as the one on Amazon , it looks good, just keep in mind that the DAC chip may work with most of your phones but not 1 or the other , example calling over the adaptor may not work for a phone that has a built in Auxiliary jack. (as far as making calls using a microphone headset because the main Aux won't be plugged in). In most cases if it supports microphone feature over TypeC then it most likely will work.
Vivo XI+ doesn't hava a Aux port so probably nothing to worry about there as far as compatibility. :good: .

How many others still using their G5 as a daily driver

How many others still using their G5 as a daily driver?
I am since 2016 (h850) and using the latest available Lineage 18.1 (Android 11)
Using Proshot & open camera apps, although the camera quality is far behind whats available now but it still works and get decent images.
My GPS hasn't worled for a long time.
My vibration motor doesn't work, but thats ok.
The touch sensor doesnt work, I think thats because of LOS.
I'm using a modded samsung battery
I'm on my second display (replacement is an original LG part)
LOS is laggy sometimes, especially when turning on Wifi after a while then all apps seem to want to download their data, the phone becomes unresponsive.
Takes a minute to be stable. Other than that, cba and can't afford a new phone so still using as a daily driver.
Any better camera apps or further recommended tweaks?
Hi i want use my LG G5 h850 but i have miss the date to unlock it.
so i cant use it while the bootloader ist lockt and the LG System is over and i lost my unlock key
I'm still using my LG G5 H830. I have LineageOS on it which does not support VoLTE, now required for use on T-Mobile;s network.
I bought a new H830 (v7.0.0) off eBay and my plan this week is to root it, install recovery, upgrade to stock v8.0 Android then migrate everything to this phone.
@davestuarts , I recommend you buy a new H850 off eBay and migrate everything like I'm doing.
davestuarts said:
How many others still using their G5 as a daily driver?
I am since 2016 (h850) and using the latest available Lineage 18.1 (Android 11)
Using Proshot & open camera apps, although the camera quality is far behind whats available now but it still works and get decent images.
My GPS hasn't worled for a long time.
My vibration motor doesn't work, but thats ok.
The touch sensor doesnt work, I think thats because of LOS.
I'm using a modded samsung battery
I'm on my second display (replacement is an original LG part)
LOS is laggy sometimes, especially when turning on Wifi after a while then all apps seem to want to download their data, the phone becomes unresponsive.
Takes a minute to be stable. Other than that, cba and can't afford a new phone so still using as a daily driver.
Any better camera apps or further recommended tweaks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I gave up some months ago using the G5 as the chin started to randomly fail and not let me charge the phone. While I was using it I replaced two batteries, repaired multiple times the fingerprint sensor connectors on the motherboard and replaced the camera glass. Vibration motor started to fail too (squeaking instead of vibrating, I think I killed it playing Hooked On: COTD on the EKA2L1 emulator), and of course GPS was, and always had been, just barely working.
Despite all this, it was a great phone, especially shooting photos in RAW format: if you want to spend a minute or two to improve the photos you take, Adobe Lightroom for Android is the best software to make any decent picture taken with the G5 look as good as if it was shot on an iPhone.
In my opinion, by the way, the stock LG camera app is better than the other third party cameras, with only Google Camera being better in some occasions, albeit a bit buggy on the G5: on Celso Azevedo's website you can find all the modded Google Camera versions, with precompiled settings for the G5 too.
The last month I used it I switched from the stock Oreo ROM to a LineageOS-based one (DotOS, if I recall correctly), and it became surprisingly faster, even tough that meant sacrificing the FM radio and the IR remote.
Now I'm considering to buy an HDMI adapter and use the G5 as an Android tv box, if the chin proves to be reliable enough to keep the phone charged while it is sitting behind the TV.
tremalnaik said:
Hi,
I gave up some months ago using the G5 as the chin started to randomly fail and not let me charge the phone. While I was using it I replaced two batteries, repaired multiple times the fingerprint sensor connectors on the motherboard and replaced the camera glass. Vibration motor started to fail too (squeaking instead of vibrating, I think I killed it playing Hooked On: COTD on the EKA2L1 emulator), and of course GPS was, and always had been, just barely working.
Despite all this, it was a great phone, especially shooting photos in RAW format: if you want to spend a minute or two to improve the photos you take, Adobe Lightroom for Android is the best software to make any decent picture taken with the G5 look as good as if it was shot on an iPhone.
In my opinion, by the way, the stock LG camera app is better than the other third party cameras, with only Google Camera being better in some occasions, albeit a bit buggy on the G5: on Celso Azevedo's website you can find all the modded Google Camera versions, with precompiled settings for the G5 too.
The last month I used it I switched from the stock Oreo ROM to a LineageOS-based one (DotOS, if I recall correctly), and it became surprisingly faster, even tough that meant sacrificing the FM radio and the IR remote.
Now I'm considering to buy an HDMI adapter and use the G5 as an Android tv box, if the chin proves to be reliable enough to keep the phone charged while it is sitting behind the TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, thanks for your input, very thorough, appreciate it. I'm pretty much in the same camp as you, although mine does charge though it's chin is a bit loose. I've got a back case on, which is tight and helps keep the phone together, kind of a cheat method.
I'm only using as I cannot currently afford to buy something new, and want something with a decent camera but with LOS support too or rootable. I have been looking at some used Pixel phones, but its about price.
Anyway, I was happy with proshot app, as I like photograpy and it gives great manual control and decent pics but seeing how newer phones are so much better, I have recently gone back to trying gcam (previously it would crash often), which you mentioned.
Playing around with v8.6 and it works suprisingly well and produces some really great photos better than proshot, although slow at times, especially the processing time.
v.8.7 worked but even slower with some features kept crashing it.
I'll have a go at lightroom, never thought about it before. Thanks.
Incidentally, what phone you got next? Also, great idea to repurpose G5 as android TV.
Have you got that running and if so, what rom is usable, especially to have HDMI out and does charging work at the same time?
After the G5 I got an Asus Zenfone 8: small, powerful processor, OLED screen, 3.5mm audio port and easily rootable. It's not a cheap phone, but I was lucky enough to find one used for 390€ (spending more than 400€ for a phone is unreasonable for what I use it for).
To repurpose the G5 as a media center, I will go back to the stock Oreo ROM, as DotOs (and I suppose all the LineageOs-based ROMs) doesn't support the HDMI out.
I've bought a Choetech xch-m180 4K Usb-C HDMI adapter, that "should" (I'll believe when I see it, but I've seen videos of it working as expected) be capable of 4K output and battery charging. I already have a USB-C to HDMI adapter, but without battery charging, and the phone lasts less than one hour, so permanent installation is impossible with that one.
Then I'll install a media center like Kodi (if it can be controlled using another phone via Bluetooth or WiFi) and Tasker to shut down the phone's screen without locking it.
The hardest part of the setup will probably be dealing with the restrictions that each app imposes on phones with root or HDMI output.
tremalnaik said:
After the G5 I got an Asus Zenfone 8: small, powerful processor, OLED screen, 3.5mm audio port and easily rootable. It's not a cheap phone, but I was lucky enough to find one used for 390€ (spending more than 400€ for a phone is unreasonable for what I use it for).
To repurpose the G5 as a media center, I will go back to the stock Oreo ROM, as DotOs (and I suppose all the LineageOs-based ROMs) doesn't support the HDMI out.
I've bought a Choetech xch-m180 4K Usb-C HDMI adapter, that "should" (I'll believe when I see it, but I've seen videos of it working as expected) be capable of 4K output and battery charging. I already have a USB-C to HDMI adapter, but without battery charging, and the phone lasts less than one hour, so permanent installation is impossible with that one.
Then I'll install a media center like Kodi (if it can be controlled using another phone via Bluetooth or WiFi) and Tasker to shut down the phone's screen without locking it.
The hardest part of the setup will probably be dealing with the restrictions that each app imposes on phones with root or HDMI output.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the update. That Zenfone seems great value for what it has, especially with an OLED and 3.5mm, which I need, you've got it at a great price. In the Uk it's much more £600/€680 and very hard to find it used/refurbished, I can get a Sony Xperia IV for less, refurbushed and 12 months warranty but still too much for me.
Thanks for the other info too. I'll be interested to know how your G5 android project works out.
@tremalnaik Well, I bit took the plunge and found a good deal on a Xperia 5IV.
Brings back memories of my xperia Z3 compact, which I still have, used as a shared media/internet with lineage 18.1.
This new Xperia 5IV wioth its long slab design is so different but very usable.
Superb cameras, especially with their camera styled apps.
I can even use Gcam for better night shots.
Plus the needed 3.5mm jack AND Sdcard slot.
Hopefully, in a few years lineage will be available on, but unlikely to be a popular device due to cost though a great device for them to port one over with all it's extras.
Now, need to repurpose the G5, after I've transfered everyhig over and my phonbe cover arrives. I dont know why companies make such expensive/slipper styled backs, as so mnay people put on covers. Or just make the back more durable.
davestuarts said:
@tremalnaik Well, I bit took the plunge and found a good deal on a Xperia 5IV.
Brings back memories of my xperia Z3 compact, which I still have, used as a shared media/internet with lineage 18.1.
This new Xperia 5IV wioth its long slab design is so different but very usable.
Superb cameras, especially with their camera styled apps.
I can even use Gcam for better night shots.
Plus the needed 3.5mm jack AND Sdcard slot.
Hopefully, in a few years lineage will be available on, but unlikely to be a popular device due to cost though a great device for them to port one over with all it's extras.
Now, need to repurpose the G5, after I've transfered everyhig over and my phonbe cover arrives. I dont know why companies make such expensive/slipper styled backs, as so mnay people put on covers. Or just make the back more durable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish I found a good deal for an Xperia phone as well: it was my first choice, but any Sony device is really expensive here in Italy.
3.5mm jack is a must for me too, especially when it's the only way to listen music on a 14 years old car.
I wouldn't put much hope on Lineage for future upgrades though: while the developers take an honourable effort in keeping old phones up to date, most of the times any extra hardware feature of the phone will be hard to implement. If you take the G5 as an example, in 7 years nobody found a way to make the IR blaster or the FM radio to work, and neither VoLTE, HDMI, etc. due to the lack of documentation on how these functions are integrated in Android.
Going back to your previous post, I finally received the HDMI adapter and it works like a charm. Here's what I had to do to make it work:
-Connect the adapter to the tv, to the phone, and to a suitable USB plug (for some reason if I connected the USB power plug to the USB port on the tv, the adapter glitched, so I had to connect it to the router's USB port)
-Change the DPI settings to make the phone think it's running on a large screen
-Dowload a tv launcher: I found Simple TV Launcher to be simple and reliable
-Download TV version of the apps you need: Aurora Store has a convenient spoofing feature so I chose to make the phone appear like it's a Sony Bravia TV to download TV apps
-Download an app to control the phone usimg another phone as a remote. "Bluetooth keyboard & mouse" would be the best, if only Bluetooth wasn't a totally unreliable technology (out of three phones I tried to use as remotes, 2 had terrible lags, and another one wasn't able to connect at all). So my next choice was Zank Remote: not as good for non-tv apps, but as it works through wi-fi, it actually works. It can even be used like a rudimental wiimote to point at the screen.
-as I don't want to see ads on Youtube and I'm too lazy to try to compile ReVanced Youtube, I went for NewPipe: it's definitely not optimised to work on TVs, but it works.
So far I've only tested it with RaiPlay (national TV's online platform) and it works really well. My phone is rooted and I don't have any other movie platform subscription, so I don't know if this setup could work with Amazon Prime or Netflix. By the way I could test it with AceStream (the primary reason I wanted to make this setup, so I don't have to turn on the pc and stream from VLC to the Blu-Ray player connected to my not-so-smart TV), and it works flawlessly.
The hardest part of the whole setup is to shut down the backlight of the G5's screen while HDMI is connected: I had to use a shell script and automate it with Tasker. Still I haven't found a way to stop the HDMI out if the phone is locked, to save energy: if I lock the phone, the adapter will actively output a black screen to the TV, so it's likely wasting energy for nothing.
tremalnaik said:
I wish I found a good deal for an Xperia phone as well: it was my first choice, but any Sony device is really expensive here in Italy.
3.5mm jack is a must for me too, especially when it's the only way to listen music on a 14 years old car.
I wouldn't put much hope on Lineage for future upgrades though: while the developers take an honourable effort in keeping old phones up to date, most of the times any extra hardware feature of the phone will be hard to implement. If you take the G5 as an example, in 7 years nobody found a way to make the IR blaster or the FM radio to work, and neither VoLTE, HDMI, etc. due to the lack of documentation on how these functions are integrated in Android.
Going back to your previous post, I finally received the HDMI adapter and it works like a charm. Here's what I had to do to make it work:
-Connect the adapter to the tv, to the phone, and to a suitable USB plug (for some reason if I connected the USB power plug to the USB port on the tv, the adapter glitched, so I had to connect it to the router's USB port)
-Change the DPI settings to make the phone think it's running on a large screen
-Dowload a tv launcher: I found Simple TV Launcher to be simple and reliable
-Download TV version of the apps you need: Aurora Store has a convenient spoofing feature so I chose to make the phone appear like it's a Sony Bravia TV to download TV apps
-Download an app to control the phone usimg another phone as a remote. "Bluetooth keyboard & mouse" would be the best, if only Bluetooth wasn't a totally unreliable technology (out of three phones I tried to use as remotes, 2 had terrible lags, and another one wasn't able to connect at all). So my next choice was Zank Remote: not as good for non-tv apps, but as it works through wi-fi, it actually works. It can even be used like a rudimental wiimote to point at the screen.
-as I don't want to see ads on Youtube and I'm too lazy to try to compile ReVanced Youtube, I went for NewPipe: it's definitely not optimised to work on TVs, but it works.
So far I've only tested it with RaiPlay (national TV's online platform) and it works really well. My phone is rooted and I don't have any other movie platform subscription, so I don't know if this setup could work with Amazon Prime or Netflix. By the way I could test it with AceStream (the primary reason I wanted to make this setup, so I don't have to turn on the pc and stream from VLC to the Blu-Ray player connected to my not-so-smart TV), and it works flawlessly.
The hardest part of the whole setup is to shut down the backlight of the G5's screen while HDMI is connected: I had to use a shell script and automate it with Tasker. Still I haven't found a way to stop the HDMI out if the phone is locked, to save energy: if I lock the phone, the adapter will actively output a black screen to the TV, so it's likely wasting energy for nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, thought I had replied to your last message. Yeah, got lucky with the Sony, they're expensive in UK too. Last few years with the corrupt goverment and brexit has caused all prices to jump, only rich or corrupt exist easily.
You're right about Lineage or other custom rom being available for the Sony, as you said, they never figured out the IR blaster for the G5, theres always hope tho ha.
I've been trying to use the G5 as a android box but my issue is the battery drain. Its the old battery and the HDMI dongle with the charging port cannot sustain the battery with screen on, so it dies and also it gets quite hot.
I've been looking at apps or scripts to turn off screen while using, but cannot find anything yet. Theres an app on my Sony phone thats for gaming, it allows the charger to be plugged in, but not charge the battery instead it simply powers the phone, so it dont get hot and you can game for longer. I need an app like that.
My other option now is to take appart the phone, connect a third party battery which is big, like 5000mah and just leave phone open. I could also attach a heatsink or something to the phone internals to help with heat. I'm not bothered with leaving phone open.

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