Database Users

Questions about the XDA2 from a novice

I'm about to buy one of these, but I've had trouble finding info about it. Everywhere just has the same basic list, so here's my questions:
1. Does it come with it's own cable/cradle, or other means of connectivity?
2. Does it come with a memory card? How big? And how much internal memory?
3. I am currently using a SonyEricsson P800, and the MP3 player is one of my favourite features. Can I play MP3s just as easily on this? And is it straight forward enough transferring them to the device?
4. Does it have MMS? If so, how functional is it? The P800's was excelent, allowing multiple pages, variable time per page, sound, multiple pictures, etc etc. But before that I had a Nokia 7650 which was limited to one picture with text, and no sound.
5. Flight mode?
6. Does bluetooth allow transfer of files to and from Symbian devices like the P800 and the Nokia 7650, 6600, etc?
7. Are any JAVA applications supported, or just the native Pocket PC format?
8. Anything else cool you wanna tell me?
9. Where can I find the full spec for this device? On here or another site?
Thanks in advance. I hope at least some of my questions can be answered

My answers..
1. Cradle, Ir and BT is included.
2. Mine comes with a dummy card, but try looking around for special offers. If i were you, I get a 256mb card. Why? When you do backing up, you are sure to use the Storage card memory to put it in. A 128MB SDcard is just not enough.
Internal RAM Size is 128Mbs, considered big for todays PDA standards.
3. MP3s? Simple to do it. But Infact, I dun download MP3s now to the XDAII cause the size is big. What i do is compress it to WMA (half the size) and still get good quality music. Just use your Desktop Windows Media Player to do it and even download it to the PDA from there.
4. MMS? Yes...but i'm not using MMS so can't really comment.
5. Flight mode? Yes. Just click on the Signal icon and select flight mode.
6. I really dunno. I use BT only for the Headset functions.
7. Depends on the ROM type. Mine does support Javas after downloading a software. But why Java? Pocket PC application and games are much more better...trust me.
8. Cool?..Yes, but wait for the XDAIII or even the new HP63XX?
Think that way.
If you still insist on the XDAII, I can say the screen, speed, memory and design is superb. The phone reception is comparable to any Nokia set.
9. You can try http://www.my-xda.com/ or look around in googles
I'm sure other members will help out.

Cheers Just remembered another one:
10. Does it come with a hand strap?

Nope, but it comes with a waist strap.
I think the XDA II is one of the fastest in it's class. 400mhz and the screen quality is great in comparison with other Pocket PC Phone. I was able to watch my 2 hour length movie just like I would with my iPaq.
It has fast bus, everything is much faster than my previous pocket pc. The great thing about this is that, which I just found out, if the OS crash, you can still use the phone function. Someone here said it's like 2 device, phone and pda.

Greetings fellow Nottinghamian!
Ex P800 and P900 user here, some points.
1. No, it doesn't come with a lanyard (hand strap) and I can't see anywhere to attach one. Looking back this would have been a good idea as I worry about the metal finish of the XDA2 slipping through my hands
2. It's slightly bigger than a P900, but the funtionality makes up for it. 400Mhz of raw power in your hand. Emulators, Games, flawless MP3/video playback and of course on the wonderful big screen.
3. The Px00 was a phone first, and a PDA second. The XDA2 is a PDA first, phone second. The phone side of the XDA2 is pretty good, especially when combined with a BT headset, but may lack features that you're used to, like T9 input.
4. SD memory is far cheaper and more available than Memory Stick DUO. Be sure to buy a fast SD card though, some people have reported problems with Sandisk cards. My cheapo Viking Interworks one from eBuyer works a treat!
5. Get a sync and charge cable or a second charger - the features on the XDA2 take their toll on the battery, but if you charge it nightly you'll be fine. I keep my cradle and charger at work and my sync & charge cable at home.
6. The camera on the XDA2 is still a VGA (640x480) camera like the Px00 but the CCD is far better and produces much nicer pictures. The camera also does a good job of taking video. There's no limit to video lengths either, unlike the stock P800.
7. There are several features in the pipeline for the XDA2. Windows Mobile 2003SE is a possible upgrade, featuring things like landscape mode and Blackberry support. Also, you can add a WiFi card to the XDA2 to access wireless hotspots (try the Broadway Cinema on Broad Street!).
I think that's it for now, but I'll post again if I remember anything.

Eeeeeehhhh!
What a coincidence. 2 P800-come-XDA2 users in the same city :lol:
Bit of an arse about the hand strap thing. I use mine ALL the time on my P800. You can't be too careful. Are you sure there's nowhere to attach one? Not even under the battery cover?

Ex-P800 user.
I used my P800 for 13 months before upgrading to an XDA2. Within hours of getting my XDA I felt like I'd just thrown my money away ever getting a P800 in the first place.
The XDA is FAR superior. The video and music capabilities as excellent.
As for T9 dialling, I have purchased PhonePlus II. It is superb and makes up for the only real weak part of the XDA 2 which was the phone functionality.
I also dropped my P800 a lot, 'cos I never used the shoulder strap. I haven't dropped my XDA2 yet but I'm sure the leather case will provide excellent protection. (Mine's insured anyway so I'll get a new one if I break it.)
Hope this helps...

Sounds good
I'm still going to look into attaching a wrist strap though. Coulda kept the one off my faulty digital camera, since the dumb ***** at argos never checked the box contents before she refunded me. I coulda kept the camera an' all :lol:

Have a look at the xda2 skin case here http://www.pdamods.com/proddetail.asp?prod=XDA2SCCS
I know it doesnt show it in the photos, but I think it has a tab for a wrist strap

Just ordered my XDA2!!!
I'll let you know how I get on

Wizard to Universal, opinions please?

There are 2 reasons why I sold my wizard.
1. Stylus holder mechanism broke, with no actual solution given by HTC.
and mainly...
2. The sound quality was terrible. I used to get complaints during calls that they cannot hear me well, no matter how I fiddled with sound settings in the registry. I read that quite a few fellow users have this prob with the wizard.
I know some of you have both, or have experience from both.
Is Universal's sound quality better than the wizards, so I can proceed with a purchase?
Thanks

I have had both. The wizard is a better phone as its more compact and there have been less problems with the bluetooth. However the universal is a far better PDA. The sound quality on the wizard should have been ok. The sound quality on the exec is OK, but you look silly holding it to your face
rgds

colonel said:
I have had both. The wizard is a better phone as its more compact and there have been less problems with the bluetooth. However the universal is a far better PDA. The sound quality on the wizard should have been ok. The sound quality on the exec is OK, but you look silly holding it to your face
rgds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmmm.. yes, I never thought of that.
Nevertheless, sound quality(especially microphone) is of main importance to me, since I talk a lot....

radio rom plays a great role in sound quality, and the wizard an duniversal have good radio version, depending on your operator and your test. Some might prefer one version or one other.
You should decide on other criteria:
-speed, vga, full keboard
or
-small, one handed

thaihugo said:
radio rom plays a great role in sound quality, and the wizard an duniversal have good radio version, depending on your operator and your test. Some might prefer one version or one other.
You should decide on other criteria:
-speed, vga, full keboard
or
-small, one handed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's why I chose the wizard in the first place. But the damn phone's quality was a mess. I've seen Universal's quality and it's OK.
The sound is what I am worried about. Had the latest ROM.
BTW, I have this connection for over 4 years. No phone sounded that bad. Even now that I checked with my Nokia, the connection is OK and sounds loud and clear. Even with my old 6150.
rgrds

Reasons I didn't like the Wizard
(1) Small screen.
(2) A2DP didn't work.
(3) Slow speed.
(4) Mini SD more expensive than SD
(5) Audio socket 2.5mm - most earphones 3.5mm.
(6) Fiddly keyboard.
But at least it was compact?
The Universal doesn't have any of the above problems and has better battery life But it's bigger and heavier.
Basically if you really need the phone function go for the Wizard.
If you really want 3G, Internet & PDA and only use the phone occassionally go for the universal..
Cheers
John

odyseus said:
Reasons I didn't like the Wizard
(1) Small screen.
(2) A2DP didn't work.
(3) Slow speed.
(4) Mini SD more expensive than SD
(5) Audio socket 2.5mm - most earphones 3.5mm.
(6) Fiddly keyboard.
But at least it was compact?
The Universal doesn't have any of the above problems and has better battery life But it's bigger and heavier.
Basically if you really need the phone function go for the Wizard.
If you really want 3G, Internet & PDA and only use the phone occassionally go for the universal..
Cheers
John
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How's the sound in the universal? Can they hear you talking? Compared with a normal mobile phone? I don't care about size....

gepol: maybe your's Wizard was with defekt.
have here 2 friends with wizard and one with universal, tested, sound in phone is comparable.

gepol said:
thaihugo said:
It's why I chose the wizard in the first place. But the damn phone's quality was a mess. I've seen Universal's quality and it's OK.
The sound is what I am worried about. Had the latest ROM.
BTW, I have this connection for over 4 years. No phone sounded that bad. Even now that I checked with my Nokia, the connection is OK and sounds loud and clear. Even with my old 6150.
rgrds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no WinMob phone on the market that sounds as clear as a standard feature phone from any of the top 4 manufacturers. The Treo 650 sounds pretty good but has an antique OS. Nokia Series 60 phones generally sound pretty good but have VERY limited PDA functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

The wizard is for me more suitable than the universal. It's true, it is much more slower, but who cares. For my opinion, the wizard is the best PDA htc ever made. Small, compact and powerfull for its size.

As a hold it to your ear phone it's fine, a few members (myself included) are having problems with the bluetooth audio on it (static). I'm getting used to pulling it out of a pocket, flipping the lid and picking up the call in <2s. For me it's invaluable - the following are examples of why:
1) Moved house - waiting for a cable modem to turn up, use Bluetooth to connect to PC and can send/receive email and surf the net
2) Server in the UK toppled over - remote desktop meant i could reboot it from a ferry
3) 3G is *so* much faster than GPRS that I can't imagine having to live without it, I can browse websites and download programs
4) Full-size keyboard & decent stylus let me take notes in meetings or sermon notes @ church quickly and unobtrusively
5) 3G and Internet, plus the usual obvious features working together (Calendar, Outlook), + WiFi let me run my office from anywhere, including the park down the road.
It's big, it's not amazingly heavy (still heavy though ) and it has all the features I need - if you need them too, get one now

ADVICE NEEDED: Tornado --> wizard

Hey all
I've got the following two devices:
HTC Tornado, and HTC Magician.
i LOVE pocketPC now that i've used one! i've got the chance to swap either the Magician for a Charmer (which is basically an m600 without wi-fi if im right) OR
My Tornado for a Wizard/Vario/XDA Mini S.
I'm wondering which one people think would be best to go for?
i hear theres WM6 for the wizard? true?
also, i'd like to know what video playback is like on the device, i.e does it HAVE to be overclocked in order to view an uncompressed 700mb AVI file using coreplayer?! also, people who have one currently, are you happy with it?!
thanx.

You have to play 320x240 videos on the Wizard as the processor can't cope with anything bigger. My old Alpine could play uncompressed DVD backups but the battery life was poor. The Wizard feels more responsive then my Alpine but is slower with some tasks.

Extrem System Slowdown Using A2DP

Hi
I am Using Schaps WinMob6 with an Motorola S9 over A2DP, as soon as I start streaming the system slows down so bad that it is almost impossible to use!
Is this normal? Anyone using A2DP experiencing the same Problem? What can I do to fix this?
Grüsse,
Chris

i have experienced the same thing no matter when ROM I use. theres not a lot of settings to change so they just sit in a drawer now collecting dust.

i have experienced the same thing no matter what ROM I use. theres not a lot of settings to change so they just sit in a drawer now collecting dust.

I'm experiencing this as well with Schaps ROM. If someone got it to work without problem, please let us know.

Hmm, I don't remember this problem when I was using Schaps ROM... what app are you using to stream. I pretty much solely used Coreplayer 1.1.1 for everything though.
Definitely not having this problem with K's rom which I'm testing now. It works sweet.

If I remember correctly I tried with both WMP and PP with the same result.

I believe A2DP takes a fair amount of CPU power - first the application needs to decode the mp3, then feeds it into the virtual sound device - bluetooth stereo - whose drivers then transcode the sound into something that can fit into Bluetooth's bandwidth. The transcoding has to be done in real-time so it probably has a high priority for CPU time. I don't think I've ever used a ROM where A2DP wouldn't slow down the device, and this includes an Axim x50v @ 624 MHz.

Hi Guys,
I have the feeling that things have gotten a bit better after installing Total Commander!?
Does this make sense?
Using TCPMP with You Tub plugin ( Vids Run great unless A2DP / )
Grüsse,
Chris

kltye said:
I believe A2DP takes a fair amount of CPU power - first the application needs to decode the mp3, then feeds it into the virtual sound device - bluetooth stereo - whose drivers then transcode the sound into something that can fit into Bluetooth's bandwidth. The transcoding has to be done in real-time so it probably has a high priority for CPU time. I don't think I've ever used a ROM where A2DP wouldn't slow down the device, and this includes an Axim x50v @ 624 MHz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It IS processor-intensive, particularly on Samsung CPU's, where it can easily eat 50% CPU time. This is why there's so bad a slowdown.
Read my related articles, they're all cross-posted to the Wiki here - I've elaborated a LOT on all these subjects.

mortplayer seems best for me, but yes there's always slowdown, the tcpmp thing; its the only program with which you can watch videos cleanly without skipping/slowdown via a2dp.

Darn
I just upgradet from a Magician in the hope that the Samsung would have more Power, but / On my Magician ther ist almost no Slowdown using A2DP.
Are there any aps where I can OC my Samsung?
Sadly My tcpmp skips vids using A2DP . I guess I will only be using my S9 when Joging or Biking.
Grüsse,
Chris

I'm having these probs on my 8525. No clue how to fix it. Theres a lot of storage and program memmory left on the darn phone. It used to work perfect, but suddenly had problems. The music stutters a lot with both wmp and tcpmp. I'm using the iphono minis with A2DP. These issues never existed with WM5 as far as I know, though the quality was of course lower. Perhaps the processes that up the quality of the [email protected] stream are causing a trade of in CPU/memory consumption. Maybe that means lowering the quality (maybe via a registry tweak) somewhat will alleviate the problem?

I'd recommend switching to a wired headset
I got the same issue with my A2DP headset. It's not an issue that can be fixed with tweaking. A2DP is simply CPU intensive (not memory intensive).
Lowering the bitrate would help, but not enough I'm afraid.

tweaks that help
Hey there,
I had a little trouble with helmi's wm6 (excellent rom) and the original wm5. The following link has some reg tweaks (http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=10668). It's still a little gappy, but much better. Also, the sound quality seems to be a lot better.

Any cure to the video playback problem?

Sorry for my English but I just cannot describe in words completely.
I have had an O2 mini, Asus P535 and a HTC P3600 (known as Dopod D810 here). They are all capable of playing MPEG1 videos okay, except P3600.
By not okay I mean it is smooth with adequate frame rates, however, there are times that the trace of colors of the previous frame is left to the current frame. It's very unnatural and strange since the very identical video plays well in all other machines, including the HTC Touch with less processing power.
The similar problems happen in MPEG4 videos as well, no matter what video player (WMP, TCPMP, CorePlayer) is used. Again, the same file is doing just fine in older machines.
I learn that new models use Qualcomm video chipset, does it matter at all?

trin speed
remember you need to optimize video before playing on a trinity, you might need to re/trans code your videos.

djfuego said:
remember you need to optimize video before playing on a trinity, you might need to re/trans code your videos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what do you mean by "re/trans code" your videos? I too am having the same problem. I convert a lot of flash videos into an AVI format and when I had an Atom Life I had no problems playing them with tcpmp, but with the trinity, there are botches here and there.
at3m, how do I get all those codecs that mentioned?
thanks!