controlling HDMI - Droid X Android Development

As stated in the (www .blogtalkradio .com/motodev) Q&A session yesterday with Motorola about the Droid X, in answer to the question asked at the 29:00 mark,
"The only time that we are enabling the HDMI driver on the device is when you are in the gallery mode. [...] The HDMI driver is not active any time outside the gallery," where the "gallery mode" is their included photo/video viewer.
I'm wondering how true that is...
(www .pcmag .com/article2/0,2817,2365630,00.asp ) PCMag's review stated that the youtube player and blockbuster player were not able to use the hdmi out at all.
As seen in (forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=703111 ) this thread the evo 4g, which also has hdmi out, is capable of allowing any app that uses VideoView to utilize that output, but that's supported by the phone maker.
Will that usability be true on the droid x?
Could we figure out a way to bypass any limitations Motorola includes, and maybe even send (an upscaled version of) the main screen through the hdmi (not just video but anything we could put on the phone's screen)?

I was just at a motorola event and we were able to run nfl mobile through the hdmi.
Yes the tv was in an ice sculpture and yes it was connected to a droid x via the hdmi cable
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

That's great news, thanks for letting us know!
The more apps with handshakes to the hdmi-out we have, the better for us to get it working completely openly
The whole media-center-and-phone-in-my-pocket is just a great idea imho...
With the hdmi out we could:
put any videos and pictures from any source up on your home tv
connect it to the projector at work and give presentations
go with a few bluetooth controllers to your friend's house and play multiplayer (even online) games on their tv with minimal cords to deal with
maybe even video-chat would be possible if you set up the phone with the camera facing out in front of the tv
... ok, that last one sounds like a pretty lame way to get video-chat, but it would save on having to have a computer/monitor/webcam when you wanted to
Of course this is all far into the future stages of development on the phone, but I'd rather create buzz and excitement to build up a developer and user base

Talked to a moto rep, said it might have been a beta device as licensing is what will prevent this thing from being turned on when it hits consumers hands. At least we know it can be done.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

no fun, i'm not much of a C programmer, but if it's just enabling or disabling the driver, I guess it comes down to the security on the phone. If you go into root, I suppose we should be able to start the driver. The only thing I fear is if the driver is signed and only a signed application can access it, then I think we might be SOL

I'm not particularly worried... if we get access to enough apps that use the hdmi driver, we should be able to document enough of the method.
I believe while the hardware can reject unsigned versions of the OS (roms), most apps are self-signed (see developer. android. com/guide/publishing/app-signing.html) so that shouldn't be a problem. We just have to figure out which hoops to jump through (following the programs that use hdmi) to get it to work. They'd have to leave the hoops pretty wide open or else risk the need of updating the thing every time a new app is released that needs to get through.

This is a mixed bag here. The reason why Motorola limited the hdmi driver is likely so they didn't have to put a fps cap on the droid x like htc put on the evo.
This is pure speculation here but I would imagine the way that the evo devs are going to "truly" overcome the fps cap is to mimic the droid x behavior of toggling on and off the hdmi drivers so that the evo can access up to 60 fps.
You guys are on the other end of the boat where by default your fps won't be artificially capped, but you likely won't have full access to the hdmi drivers at first.
I think the sweet spot for both phones is finding a happy medium where we can toggle the hdmi drivers at will.

Any news on this? I would really like to get rockplayer and youtube working through hdmi. In fact, I would like to get the entire OS through HDMI and possibly a bluetooth keyboard and mouse working so I can use it as a little media center pc.

2 way control
I would lime to see this pushed to.the level of controlling the phone through an hdmi touchscreen.

I thought we would be able to see pandora and other apps through the hdmi...This sucks the way it is...also does anyone think the sound is terrible through the hdmi?

There is no point int he HDMi at all if you can only use it for your pictures and your videos from the phone's camera.
They need to make it show what you see on the phone, but on the screen
I remember there was a windows mobiel program that popped up a small window on your desktop that let you see your phone's screen and interact with it on your monitor when connected through usb
anything like this for android?

sp1kez said:
There is no point int he HDMi at all if you can only use it for your pictures and your videos from the phone's camera.
They need to make it show what you see on the phone, but on the screen
I remember there was a windows mobiel program that popped up a small window on your desktop that let you see your phone's screen and interact with it on your monitor when connected through usb
anything like this for android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NO, the hdmi dock is a half ass design. For the $, it should do everything. MOTO/VZ dropped the ball on this. Hopefully they will open this up with a sw update.

Update: "Real HDMI" in the market
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=769990&highlight=control+hdmi

Hi,
I'm pretty new to Android development. So my understanding after reading a couple threads here is that HDMI access on the stock Droid X is limited to the gallery only, is that right? And the point of the "Real HDMI" app is that it will automatically redirect all output to the phone's display through HDMI, right? So no API exists which gives programmatic control over the HDMI port? That's a shame if so.
Do any of the Android devices allow easier HDMI port control or do we need these kinds of work arounds for all of them?
Thank you very much for any information anyone can provide.

Sorry to be a pest, but can anybody answer my questions? Should I consider posting somehwere else?
Thanks again.

commie64 said:
Sorry to be a pest, but can anybody answer my questions? Should I consider posting somehwere else?
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe try posting in the Real HDMI thread over at DroidXForums.com because username GMAN (who made real hdmi) has a thread there. I'm sure his knowledge of the subject is pretty extensive.

Related

[TT] Peripherals possible?

While looking around my phone I came up with a couple of thoughts. First would it be possible to make devices that plugged into the miniusb port on the top of the phone and could it be plug and play? Heck maybe even make the driver if necessary built into flash memory on the new device. It seems like it just takes an kernel update to make something like this possible if it's not already.
The second thing I thought of is if the above isn't possible, why not create an attachable mirror that sits at the right angle to take advantage of the rear camera for video chat. You could project your image onto the mirror and the camera could catch that. The top idea is alot better, the bottom requires alot less knowledge. Either would get us video chat.
Interesting, i like the first idea.
I like the first idea, though for video chat I would rather someone figured out where to pick up the actual modual that goes inside the phone (there's a thread about how they left the mounting brakets in place for the front cam.)
However for other things, like maybe a gamepad+extended battery combo, or an IR blaster to operate my TV
q426669 said:
I like the first idea, though for video chat I would rather someone figured out where to pick up the actual modual that goes inside the phone (there's a thread about how they left the mounting brakets in place for the front cam.)
However for other things, like maybe a gamepad+extended battery combo, or an IR blaster to operate my TV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the thread you were talking about.
From what I understand about micro usb is that there are five wires/confections. The outside connections are ground and power. The two next to the ground are for data (one + and one -) and the last one next to power is a identification connection. If the wireis connected/has power then its a source device (i.e. computer). If its not, then its a peripheral (portable hard drive, out in our case, our phone). Its been a bit since I read up on that, so it might be vice versa.
Last time I tore the phone apart, I didn't look, but it may be a setting that is hard-wired (literally), or its a switch controlled by software. If it's the latter, then its possible, if its hard wired, then its not.
Adding things to the kernel or loading drivers isn't cut and paste. It takes available source code, which isn't always available, for both the phone and the device you want to use (that works with android), as well as understanding of how to make it work.
That last part I am not well versed on. But we have a couple devs trying to get the vibrant opened up. They are few, and the request list keeps getting larger.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I was just thinking today that it would be great to have a micro-usb device that could house a camera for video chat... I like your mirror idea...I'm prius owner and that's how the dashboard works. The usb is right there...really I think someone should incorporate a device in a mod of the back cover...i don't know anything about code but I could make the case.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Devices require a driver of some kind so the controller knows how to talk to device. For example, if I wanted to hook up my DSLR and control it, I would need a driver ported over and then the SDK for the camera would have to be ported over. An OS like Windows 7 has literally thousands of drivers built in and many other devices require you to install a driver. The only time "plug and play" actually works is either with the OS has the driver already installed or if the device is designed around a generic driver.
Incredible idea! I'm going to make the second idea. I have my own twist on the concept but it shouldn't be to difficult.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I like the first idea but I also had a similar idea and I'd like to see the attached camera come with led's and somehow acct as a flash for both cameras. It could be tiny, if the camera app could be figured out to trigger the flash on all galaxy s models, well at least the vibrant and captivate this could sell.
If a third party app was developed it could be added to any android phone in theory. If that third party app was as good as the galaxy s stock camera app then you'd really be in business.
If I was talking to my brother I'd have tried to convince him to help me develope something. Well I hope one of you talented devs has success with this idea. I'd also like to see success with the guy adding the extra camera internally, I'd be interested in performing the mod if the software end is figured out.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I can take or leave peripheral support, but I'm DYING for USB host mode!
cashless said:
I can take or leave peripheral support, but I'm DYING for USB host mode!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the thing, devices that support USB host generally don't use a mini/micro B port. They have specific ports for that. Of course, the USB controller in there may well be able to be a USB host, but we don't know how to enable that from what I have seen. IF the controller can be put into host mode, loads of options like this become possible. It would require kernel mods, but that's not a huge deal. However, as long as we are in USB client mode, the only things we can connect to the port are chargers and computers, as that's all the phone knows how to deal with.
ttabbal said:
That's the thing, devices that support USB host generally don't use a mini/micro B port. They have specific ports for that. Of course, the USB controller in there may well be able to be a USB host, but we don't know how to enable that from what I have seen. IF the controller can be put into host mode, loads of options like this become possible. It would require kernel mods, but that's not a huge deal. However, as long as we are in USB client mode, the only things we can connect to the port are chargers and computers, as that's all the phone knows how to deal with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly what I was trying to say earlier. You put it in better words. Thanks
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
almyz125 said:
This is the thread you were talking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhah, I couldn't find it to save my life last night lol! Thanks ^_^
Makes me wonder if you can still take power off of the port and communicate to the device via blue tooth. But I don't think it would come to that.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Dani897 said:
Makes me wonder if you can still take power off of the port and communicate to the device via blue tooth. But I don't think it would come to that.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
??
ttabbal said:
That's the thing, devices that support USB host generally don't use a mini/micro B port. They have specific ports for that. Of course, the USB controller in there may well be able to be a USB host, but we don't know how to enable that from what I have seen. IF the controller can be put into host mode, loads of options like this become possible. It would require kernel mods, but that's not a huge deal. However, as long as we are in USB client mode, the only things we can connect to the port are chargers and computers, as that's all the phone knows how to deal with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, it's host mode built in already. One of the major pluses that I weighed in on when buying the phone.
"Both the S5PC110 (smartphone chipset) and S5PV210 (its netbook alternative) are optimized to ensure long battery life for mobile devices, using a 45-nanometer (nm) Low Power fabrication process and low power architectures. With the 1GHz clock speed and 512KB L2 cache, these processors should also manage to provide performance unknown to the ARM world so far.
The two processors have built-in 3D graphics engine and support 1080p full HD video playback and recording at 30 fps. The final nice features of the new chipset include a wide variety of interfaces and peripherals, including HDMI 1.3and USB 2.0 host interface."
Hate to kinda go off topic with the USB Host mode stuff again, but it seems like since the interface is built into the chip, host mode should be enabled in the kernel.
Yes? No?
Has anyone tried to get an OTG cable in there to see what happens?
Just saying.
I've been curious about this since I saw it done (rather impressively) by sonic7406 (YouTube) on the Nexus One. Since then, I hear it's also been hacked on the Droid. From my research, I'm pretty confident this should be possible with the right drivers installed on the Galaxy S series. I've gathered together an (supposedly) OTG "compatible" cable (the Nokia CA-101 for Nokia 6600 Slide/N900/etc), an extra-beefy powered hub, and female-to-female USB-A adapter. I have yet to dive into the kernel to load any special drivers, try mounting drives, etc. I'm still unsure of the "OTG" cable and may still need to manually ground that fifth pin to kick it off. Though, as far as the cable is concerned, that is the only thing that makes it OTG on one end.
Host Mode Background Info: OTG Wiki
Here's a modoco thread that includes most of the relevant links I've seen.
Ideally, I'd like to find a microUSB to USB-B OTG cable that connects directly from my phone to the powered hub, but I couldn't find any. Let me know if anyone knows where we could find these.
It seems like we could create an entire new category of toys to attach to our devices if the micro USB port could be figured out. To me that's ultra exciting!
Let's go a few steps further, Being able to physically attach a printer or hdmi (Yes, I know about AllShare) to the tv could require a simple adapter that plugs into the micro USB port on the handset. We could also have a nice flash that has brackets that mount to the handset for support to get better pics in low lighting (instead of just saying "oh, I've got night mode", bugger that).
The capability to do this has to be written at the kernel level and then we need hardware manufactures willing to make the products. Therein lies the problem, how do we get that to work?
My neighbor is an electronics engineer and I'm a machinist, my friend is a tool and die maker.
My neighbor has an idea to make a device for surface mount soldering using an inert liquid with a boiling point equal to the soldering temp. This would be a cheap alternative to infrared soldering.
Other than that I might be able to come up with a housing.
I wouldn't want to commit myself untill the software works and we've tested the soldering machine.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

May I ask a non-nook Question?

I want to set up my PC as a TV and DVR, what's the best way to do this? I have a cable outlet right beside the PC, I know I could get a TV Tuner card but I know nothing about them at all and there are so many it's confusing. Hauppage(sp?) seems to be the most popular but are they any good? Are there any questions I should be asking myself before I chose? Any help would be much appreciated. Is there a better option altogether? I've searched the internet but it's basically an information overload, no good guides can be found for all the 5 year old junk
tuner you get depends on what software (dvr software) you want to run, what you want to do, and how fast your computer is.
things to know:
some with one tuner and some with 2
some with only OTA and some with QAM (unencrypted cable), some do both
hauppauge has pci/pci-e cards as well as usb
HDhomerun has several models, 2 tuner OTA/QAM, 4* tuner cable card, etc
Ceton has a 4, and a 6?, tuner card
some of these have hardware encoders, some dont (slower computers will need encoding otherwise it will be choppy, audio dropouts)
You should first figure out exactly what type of signal is coming in on that cable. Does your area still have analog cable service (my area does, but I think that's getting more scarce), or is it digital only? Are there any clear-QAM channels (which are usually just the local networks) or is it all encrypted? If it's only digital and encrypted channels that you're interested in, then you need something that can take a CableCARD.
After that, it's all about what software you want to run and how many tuners you require.
You may be better off just using a combo of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Instant Video and Bittorrent.
Otherwise you haven't given us any of your specs to be able you help you out. What type of PC do you have? Windows/Linux/Mac... Processor/RAM/HD, also like others have noted are you going for Over the Air signal, analog or Digital Cable, standard def or HD. Are you going to be using a set top box or going for a cable card(very expensive option). Give us as much detail as possible if you want competent answers.
As for using your PC as a TV and PVR, I'd recommend using XBMC to turn it into a Home Theater PC (HTPC). The site, LifeHacker, does an XBMC/HTPC guide every few months. You would still need to buy hardware like a TV tuner but XBMC does a lot on the software end.
Also, if you use XBMC, you can use your Nook Color (assuming you at least have rooted it and have access to the Andoid Market) to control the XBMC software via the XBMC remote app.
Here is a guide that lifehacker did. It's a little old but the basics are still relevant and correct. http*://lifehacker.*com/5536963/the-ultimate-start-to-finish-guide-to-your-xbmc-media-center (remove the asterisks)
What everyone else has said -- need more info on what you have, also what budget, and what cable setup.
I have an HTPC set up but it's for media streaming, not dvr recording.
One forum I found very helpful is the AVS forum (search in google), they have a sub-forum dedicated entirely to HTPCs.
Sorry for the lack on info didn't know that my PC specs mattered all that much. I am running:
Vista Home Premium, 64bit
Intel Core2 Quad CPU (Q9300 @2.5ghz)
4GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce GT240
Appx. 600gb ofhard-drive space plus a 500gb permanent external USB. I can add more HD space if it becomes a problem.
Not sure if there is any other system info you guys need.
As for my cable I dunno for sure what signal I have, I have COMCAST if that helps anyone. Mainly I want this for recording sports. I can't always watch them live and it'd be nice to DVR them for later. I'd also use it for shows, but those I can always watch online later. Can't really watch sports later though. And I'd also like to be able to just normally watch TV on my computer. I'd like to be able to do something on monitor one while the other plays live TV. Sports or whatever.
Also, to this:
Are you going to be using a set top box or going for a cable card(very expensive option).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure what you mean. I was thinking you get the TV Tuner, install it in your PCIE slot, and watch TV on the PC. Do you need another device?
Landara said:
I am not sure what you mean. I was thinking you get the TV Tuner, install it in your PCIE slot, and watch TV on the PC. Do you need another device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A basic TV tuner will only be able to pick up Over The Air signals and basic cable(very limited channel selection). If you want to be able to watch digital cable you'll need either a set top box or a cable card and cable card reader(like this one).
some nice basic tv tuners
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116028
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100049
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116015
I believe you have Windows Media Center included with your Windows version, it's probably going to be your best option for software.

HULU HDMI .apk solution (I think I have it)

Anyone near an HDMI cable and have a HULU Plus subscription that wants to test?
I think I managed to find the setting in the strings.csv fie that disables HDMI output from the .apk. I've re-signed the package, but I can't test it to see if it works. The file is found in the assets/ui folder:
Code:
Line 130: strings_ui.xml|ui_hdmi_output_disabled HDMI Output Disabled 1
Changed to 0. Please test and report back.
Hulu plus is giving a free month from geiko... saw it on Xbox.... so I guess I could try it for ya but I'm stock non-root (if that matters... sorry I have bad luck with phones don't want to risk it for insurance sake)... just let me know
Sent from my DROID4 using xda app-developers app
You don't need to be modified to install it, however, I finally tested it last night and it didn't work.
Yeah.. sorry you had posted this when i wont up... the good news is that your going to save me 8$ a month cuz turns out I've been paying for it And Netflix for some time now and didn't know thanks to you I can cancel Hulu... thank you kindly for you efforts
Sent from my DROID4 using xda app-developers app
Crap, I dont have a laptop with me to keep testing and I'm stuck in a hotel and I have to use the old version of hulu.
Tried this on my transformer tf300t tab. Installs fine but doesn't fix the HDMI output block.
yeah sorry to abandon the thread. i had to go back to the drawing board. the data file i found seems more like a tick-count than actual config info. i got side-tracked once i found this other app, that disables the display, but HULU still detects the HDMI.
what's needed here is to fool the APK into thinking the external display is the primary display, or to elminate the hardware reporting that HDMI has been enabled. once you remove HDMI, the video plays as normal. when you connect HDMI, you get a warning message and the video stops buffering.
based on HULU's earlier APKs, i know that at one point, you could get the warning message, but that the video would still display. they somehow fixed that, which is why it doesn't work. my conclusion is that once the hardware reports that HDMI has been enabled (new device found?), that HULU sends a command to stop receiving video feed/buffer.
if the APK were truly disabling the HDMI output, wouldn't the screen on the device work and you would see nothing on the HDMI device (TV)? somebody has done some band-aid type of programming to counter the issue, which should be easily adverted.
i need someone with more knowledge than me, to figure out how to make calls to the hardware layer, to detect external devices, in the manner described above. if there's some sort of permission that can be changed, or channel that can be closed, HULU can update its APK all it wants.
hangon wait, hulu blocks the use of hdmi?
iv never had hulu.

Ouya display output on Notebook

Hi there,
i was searching for a way i could stream the video output of my ouya on my Notebook. Without using the HDMI output.
The Idea came because i only have one HDMI TV and i am not livng alone, so for basic things the sreaming would be good for me.
Anyone some ideas?
Greetz
Jabbad
Jabbad said:
Hi there,
i was searching for a way i could stream the video output of my ouya on my Notebook. Without using the HDMI output.
The Idea came because i only have one HDMI TV and i am not livng alone, so for basic things the sreaming would be good for me.
Anyone some ideas?
Greetz
Jabbad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mods, please move this thread to the q&a section..
To kind of answer your question, look for something that shares the screen from a phone/tablet over tcp to a laptop and sideload it.
You can by ALIENWARE m18x laptop, it has separate both HDMI in and out.
So you can connect OUYA via hdmi cable to it.:silly:
Simonius007 said:
You can by ALIENWARE m18x laptop, it has separate both HDMI in and out.
So you can connect OUYA via hdmi cable to it.:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with that kinda of reply he is far better getting a new tv.
just get one of these
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=4088&seq=1&format=2
It seems like everything uses HDMI these days, from home theater equipment to your Android phone. With so many HDMI devices in use, most televisions quickly run out of available HDMI input ports. You don't want the hassle of plugging and unplugging cables whenever you want to watch or play something different and you don't want the expense of new TV. Just get this 4x1 Enhanced HDMI Switch from Monoprice!
What he is looking for is a alternative option to the TV he shares. I don't think many laptops have video in. You would need to get a USB device to do that. However those are capture devices and I believe the OUYA signal has DRM restrictions.
Sent from my GT-P3113 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Some USB capture devices have been known to work, you'll have to look that up, but there is a dev working on a way to do it over a network. Right now it's still in the concept phases, however, and I wouldn't expect to see it anytime soon.

Airtame - I'd like this from my Chromecast!

Airtame is a new HDMI dongle that promises to allow you to display anything from your devices...
Details here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/airtame-wireless-hdmi-for-everyone--2
I was one of the early Chromecast buyers, successfully able to root and now running a number of the utilities found in this forum. But I still want to be able to simply cast anything I see on my pc or android phone to my TV. This new crowd-sourced device promises to do that, and more. Take a look at the link to see all the cool things they've planned. They started out requesting $160k, but have raised nearly $1M. With each successive goal completion, they've added a stretch goal and have achieved nearly every one. I think the key to its success is the ability to display just about any content you want.
Is there a way to do the same with our Chromecasts? I see the only thing holding it back at the moment is content. The devs here have been doing wondrous work bringing in content and more will be made available. Can we make Chromecast open to all content?
Oh, and they won the Engadget award for the "Best Startup of CES 2014"!
Admins - Please feel free to move/delete if you feel this is inappropriate.
Android screen mirroring seems to be on the way but it will require either Google or an OEM (not third party developer) to implement it, probably because of security concerns (not to mention DRM/copyright concerns).
https://plus.google.com/110558071969009568835/posts/ch57ZKvqpYb
Meanwhile Koush is continuing to work on his own alternative for other targets.
Meh!
Only supports PC's etc. DOES NOT and by the sound of it WILL NOT support Android other than as a remote.
Miracast already does this and all this seems to do is remove the proprietary Miracast Wireless part of it...
CCast could do this already if someone just made an app for it and got it added to the whitelist.
I'm actually working on getting the Airtame software running on the Chromecast. The software, its library and the protocol will be open source, so don't worry so much about hardware support just yet. Just stick around and see what the community will come up with. Disclosure: I'm working at the same office as the Airtame team.
Right now my problem is getting the Chromecast to a hackable state. The ones I have are all updated past the fixed boot loader, so I need to find a new vector. Last night I tried to solder probes to the I/O pins of the NAND chip itself to dump the flash using an Arduino and its super slow serial connection -- better than nothing at least. I need to find some thinner wire though; the stuff I used was 20-something AWG. Will give it another go next weekend.
Looking forward to it jchillerup
jchillerup said:
I need to find some thinner wire though; the stuff I used was 20-something AWG. Will give it another go next weekend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wire-wrapping wire (Kynar, 30+AWG) is your friend, though that stuff will break if you sneeze. Forceps and magnifying glass are also your friend.
And if you haven't already, sign up to be a developer so you can get your Chromecast whitelisted. That's the "proper" way to do mainstream Chromecast development.
MadBob said:
Meh!
Only supports PC's etc. DOES NOT and by the sound of it WILL NOT support Android other than as a remote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you read the fundraising targets? It hit a million, so there will be android and iOS support.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
Sound awesome
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk
Looks interesting. But in the faq it states that the ability to stream from an Android or iOS device is technically possible but access to specialized hardware is restricted by the vendors, thereby needing root or jailbreak to work. Which they also say they will not support. That's their words, so it looks like the road map is only for a remote or possibly casting a screen to the mobile device.
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I like the way Airtame is heading but the price is overkill. Chromecast + Avia ($2.99)=$38 is already have and can do what airtame can except the optional ethernet port.
SPH-L720_!
ntajlis said:
I like the way Airtame is heading but the price is overkill. Chromecast + Avia ($2.99)=$38 is already have and can do what airtame can except the optional ethernet port.
SPH-L720_!
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Hard to get the price down to Chromecast level when you can't order millions at once, and there is not a big search engine with ad revenue backing the financial losses on a 35$ device....
siratfus said:
Did you read the fundraising targets? It hit a million, so there will be android and iOS support.
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Well they have raised the Funds now the hard part starts...Actually manufacturing them! LOL
atiti said:
Hard to get the price down to Chromecast level when you can't order millions at once, and there is not a big search engine with ad revenue backing the financial losses on a 35$ device....
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Google probably isn't even making a penny off the CCast sales either....
This device is all about the DIAL protocol whose patents are co-owned by Google and Netflix.
It is meant mostly as a way of expanding the customer base for their content products to those who do not have a Smart TV or other streambox connected to their TVs.
It is far simpler to create a standard method for streaming to remote devices and creating a device to do that than it is to get the 5-10 TV Manufacturers to adopt a protocol standard that has not already been established in the Market.
This device seems to be a hybrid CCast/Miracast. The Main difference is that it doesn't use Player Apps as much as it does Mirroring. WHich is good in cases where Mirroring is desirable but it depends on the streaming device to do most of the work (aka BATTERY KILLER!)
CCast should be able to do everything this device claims to do if only Google would open up the Whitelist or create the apps for Mirroring.
Mirroring makes sense in some situations but not all. And unless this device adds some of the DIAL capability Chromecast has to play content without requiring the initiating device to do most of the work this seems a bit like a Miracast killer but still won't be as useful as the Chromecast is, Knowing what we know it is capable of doing if only Google would let it!
Just to add I would describe the three methods like this...
Miracast - Mirror via Wireless Radio ONLY!
Airtame - MIrror via IP
Chromecast - Mirror via Wired or Wireless (such as the way GoogleCast works), PLUS the ability to play remote content without killing your battery.
All Google really needs to do to beat the other two contenders is to more fully support Mirroring on more Platforms than just the desktop or add the capability to add the CCast as a display device for PC, Tablets and Phone.
If it does that then the others will be forced to act more like Chromecasts to sell.
Asphyx said:
All Google really needs to do to beat the other two contenders is to more fully support Mirroring on more Platforms than just the desktop or add the capability to add the CCast as a display device for PC, Tablets and Phone.
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Now, I'm obviously biased but I just want to make one point clear: There is a difference between Airtame and the Chromecast in that one is completely open source and hackable while the other one isn't. Want root? You got it. Moreover, the Airtame protocol can be implemented by whoever wants to move imagery and metadata from one device to another with low latency.
The Airtame team acknowledges the fact that they're not just selling a commodity device; they're selling a tiny computer to people and they're encouraging the community to hack around with it. If we're just looking at differences in current offerings we're completely disregarding a (potential) community around this thing.
jchillerup said:
Now, I'm obviously biased but I just want to make one point clear: There is a difference between Airtame and the Chromecast in that one is completely open source and hackable while the other one isn't. Want root? You got it. Moreover, the Airtame protocol can be implemented by whoever wants to move imagery and metadata from one device to another with low latency.
The Airtame team acknowledges the fact that they're not just selling a commodity device; they're selling a tiny computer to people and they're encouraging the community to hack around with it. If we're just looking at differences in current offerings we're completely disregarding a (potential) community around this thing.
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I understand but the fact it can be rooted will not make it play content without requiring a device to stay connected to it.
If they add DIAL support so you can launch a content and then go play a game on the device that launched it they have a shot...
But from what I have seen and heard of from this device, it is merely a Mirroring Dongle that doesn't require some proprietary wireless protocol to do it's Mirroring like Miracast does!
So it will Mirror in a similar way that the CCast does, but not do the other stuff CCast does.
And if Mirroring is all you want it's much better than Miracast!
Not Knocking the product at all just pointing out it is a different beast that CCast and not even trying to do some of what the CCast can do...
This Airtame sounds just like Ouya when they promise the device to be hackable and rooted. Then it happens. Look what happens to the Ouya.
SPH-L720_!
What's annoying with all these devices is that they require your tablet or phone to use a certain OS number. Is the Airtame any different?
I've been searching for a mirroring device for the Sony Tablet S, and nothing is compatible with the OS version I currently have. The damn thing doesn't even allow micro usb to HDMI cables. Miracast, tronsmart, etc.. "S" stands for SUCK in Sony Tablet S. It has the latest updates too. So there is nothing more I can do other than wait for Sony, and I don't think they'll support this tablet anymore. It has a stupid "throwing" feature for DLNA, but I need to mirror streaming apps and sites.
siratfus said:
What's annoying with all these devices is that they require your tablet or phone to use a certain OS number. Is the Airtame any different?
I've been searching for a mirroring device for the Sony Tablet S, and nothing is compatible with the OS version I currently have. The damn thing doesn't even allow micro usb to HDMI cables. Miracast, tronsmart, etc.. "S" stands for SUCK in Sony Tablet S. It has the latest updates too. So there is nothing more I can do other than wait for Sony, and I don't think they'll support this tablet anymore. It has a stupid "throwing" feature for DLNA, but I need to mirror streaming apps and sites.
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Well it requires certain OS' because it requires a WiFi implementation that is relatively new and not supported by older OS'.
But for the Record I don't believe the Airtame suffers from that problem at all. I believe it works closer to the CCast in that it connects to the Wireless Router and you stream over IP which does not require any specialized WiFi support.
It is not making a direct Radio to Radio connection.
Miracast does.
My biggest desire is straight-up mirroring. Whatever I display on my PC to a tv/projector. I like the idea of CCast having competition. Maybe this will entice Google to open it up a bit more if people have alternatives.
For those that commented the cost was too high, just think about what you're getting: dual core cpu, b/g/n wireless, I/O, ram... and open. pretty sweet for the cost.
But it will not compare to the CCast as G is playing the long game - they'll know anything you're looking at/casting and target you with promotions and use your aggregated data. Now, couple that with what's going to happen with the Nest thermostat/smoke detector. They'll know when you're home, where you live, your daily home/away habits, when you rise, when you sleep... I want options that aren't tied into G. Just wait until they offer a Google 'Fridge that inventories what you purchase and makes a shopping list for you and a Google ODB-II dongle that plugs into your car and maps out your gas mileage, frequent trips, etc and projects it to your Android Phone, while they collect the data.
Yes, they are out to know everything... and it starts at home. Like I said, I want options.
So this still won't support Android? I think on the airtame website the lead mentioned this is because "we need Google or Apple to open up". But couldn't they support an airtime android app to use only rooted, and with CyanogenMod (or other aftermarket ROM)?
Also, plain mirroring is boring (though still useful), I'd prefer an app that lets me stream from my phone to TV a local video file, while letting me still use the phone for other things. I like movies, but get bored and would want to multitask like browse Reddit while watching said movie.

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