I am working on a project that required that we use a video camera that is external to the phone. We are looking at USB cameras and I was wondering if anyone knew of any solution that would allow us to use the external USB connected camera instead of the build in cameras on most phones.
Thanks.
guess not, for the same reason as mentioned in the below tread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=400616
ledrocnoc said:
I am working on a project that required that we use a video camera that is external to the phone. We are looking at USB cameras and I was wondering if anyone knew of any solution that would allow us to use the external USB connected camera instead of the build in cameras on most phones.
Thanks.
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Are there SDIO cameras? Failing that, it might be possible to use a LAN based camera, and connect to it through WiFi...
Yep, there are some SDIO cameras available
http://images.google.pl/images?q=sd...pl:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi
Of course if the phone doesn't have a SD/MMC slot, only a miniSD one, it won't fit in. But i guess that wiring the camera to a miniSD-microSD adapter might work, since both these cards are essentially the same, and the only difference is the form factor.
There are also CF-based cameras, but i haven't seen a hone equipped with a CF slot for a while.
mr_deimos said:
Ye, there are some SDIO cameras available
http://images.google.pl/images?q=sd...pl:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi
There are also CF-based cameras, but i haven't seen a hone equied with a CF slot for a while.
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HTC Sedna has a CF slot as do many HP devices.
I thought some-one wrote a USB camera driver for windows mobile?
http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS7191593413.html
I expect you are going to need a certain amount of expertise to use it.
Surur
surur said:
I thought some-one wrote a USB camera driver for windows mobile?
http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS7191593413.html
I expect you are going to need a certain amount of expertise to use it.
Surur
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Windows CE 5.0 USB Webcam
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Click to collapse
Although WM and WinCE use the same basic code, WinCE has USB host functionality in most implementations, WM does not.
Thanks for the input.
Here are follow up questions:
- Are there any devices running WM5 or 6 that implement (in hardware) USB Host?
- Assuming that a WM5/6 device with the right HW can be found (see question above), how big of a job would it be to develop a driver for an external USB camera (assuming I might already have the code for a Windows 2000 / XP / Vista one)?
Txs
Most of the FSC Loox devices have an USB-Host.
I have a Loox 720 and a Loox N560 with this function.
Also the Toshiba G900 (and maybe also other Gx00 models) does have a host USB. But i have no idea about how hard would it be to get a webcam working on it.
ya i dont have any idea about it if we doo it better clint it like this
I wonder if the USB on the Nexus One allows me to connect an external hard drive. I'm only talking about data transmission with externally powered USB-devices. The N1 doesn't need to power USB-devices for me to be satisfied.
And if not: could the deficiency possibly be mended software-wise, or is it a limitation of the hardware itself?
Thanks beforehand!
no it cannot be the host. Read this on a google forum, someone posted the link as an answer to a similar question yesterday.
Thank you for your answer, britoso!
But oh, what a pitty!!!
Can't it possibly be fixed by booting with another software driver or something?
What's the point of removing this ability? It seems completely ridiculous. It gains nothing at all to "un-specify" USB host capability:
"Now, I have my files on this USB memory stick and here's the Nexus One. Oh, what's the use. Google didn't care at all about this kind of scenaria..."
Well, let's see what can be done with bulky wireless adapters and stuff like that then, to mend this unnecessary fail of the N1... I probably need to use a PC running Windows and a cable internet in order to have any use at all of the N1. Was this the purpose of this deliberate design "feature"?!?
this feature was not removed, but simply never implemented into the Android OS (afaik). if USB was host that means anything connected to it would have to draw power from the Nexus One's battery. Im sure HTC does not want this, because some things connected to USB can put incredible stress on a battery.
I thought the inability was due to a USB design that will allow charging, but doesn't allow hosting.
(at least that what I gathered about the n900 and why it couldn't act as a host.)
edit: nevermind nokia opted to skip on the go support to get the product out faster.
I don't know if there's a hardware limitation in place, but even if there isn't, the software does not support it.
There's an app for the n900 to add host support in the maemo repository. Don't know if it works though. I've always thought host support was due to the software.
Go here:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=738
Sign in with your google ID. Vote for the feature by clicking the star.
(While you are there, click on "Back to list" and browse for other issues/features you care about and "star" them too...)
Its been accomplished on the Droid... Host mode works, but as there are no drivers, anything that runs over usb will turn on / charge but not connect.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/10/droid-gets-a-usb-hack-allowing-it-to-control-printers-and-camera/
mikecyber said:
Its been accomplished on the Droid... Host mode works, but as there are no drivers, anything that runs over usb will turn on / charge but not connect.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/10/droid-gets-a-usb-hack-allowing-it-to-control-printers-and-camera/
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Click to collapse
Thanks for posting this as I saw this on another site and came here to raise awareness. I've heard that someone got a USB keyboard working over USB host. Could someone try this out on their N1?
One of the biggest features I'm looking for in either the EVO or Streak (still not sure which I'm going with, gotta wait another month for the Streak to come out) is to have the Android desktop/UI/home screen sent out via HDMI. What I would hope to do is:
- be using the phone
- dock it (with HDMI to display)
- have the display show up on the TV (preferably fitting the aspect ratio and resolution of the display, though not necessarily a requirement)
The thought then would be to use a mouse and keyboard via either Bluetooth or USB (in host mode, obviously), and use the phone on the larger display to function basically as a netbook replacement (web browsing, music/videos, light gaming, light office prod. stuff).
I've seen other people on here asking around if it was possible, which it looks like it ISN'T out of the box...but maybe a developer looking for something to do might pick up on this post. You'd make a lot of people very happy!
I am also very interested in this.
So basically something like this?
http://sven.killig.de/android/N1/2.2/usb_host/
I think a good example would be the functionality that matches the current Touch Pro/Fuze TV-Out functionality... Unlike the HDMI output restrictions that are currently on the Evo device, I am able to use the entire OS (Winmo) to select start, programs, play programs, games (Tony Hawk), etc. The TV acts a full clone to what is on the phone screen itself..
I am looking for similar functionality so I can play a movie, nav, on a HDMI connected slate while the Evo is out of site (examples - vehicle screens, portable screens ). Obviously there would no input commands from the screen attached device, but a bluetooth air mouse could help out with that.
Yeah... would be nice, imagine HID bluetooth devices(wii mote controller) hook the phone to a tv, and play some classic games...
RIGHT ON
techwerkz said:
So basically something like this?
http://sven.killig.de/android/N1/2.2/usb_host/
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Click to collapse
Yes, as far as input goes, but it would also need software (or a core OS update?) to push the display out via HDMI, at the same time.
I was really interested in this as a possibility, and certainly took notice of the nexus one with host USB capability. Bear in mind the Nexus One was not pushing the device's display out, it was running an X server, but still a neat idea.
I know that currently only the HTC software can push anything out of the HDMI port, but I expect it is simply a matter of applications knowing to take advantage of it, probably not even drivers.
A quick google of htc evo hdmi API gets you sprints android development site, which says the guide includes info on how your applications can take advantage of the HDMI port. I haven't messed with the android API much yet, but the only issue would be for someone to write an application that can grab the entire display, and then push it out to the port via the API.
http:// developer.sprint.com/site/global/develop/mobile_platforms/android/android.jsp
laydros said:
I was really interested in this as a possibility, and certainly took notice of the nexus one with host USB capability. Bear in mind the Nexus One was not pushing the device's display out, it was running an X server, but still a neat idea.
I know that currently only the HTC software can push anything out of the HDMI port, but I expect it is simply a matter of applications knowing to take advantage of it, probably not even drivers.
A quick google of htc evo hdmi API gets you sprints android development site, which says the guide includes info on how your applications can take advantage of the HDMI port. I haven't messed with the android API much yet, but the only issue would be for someone to write an application that can grab the entire display, and then push it out to the port via the API.
http:// developer.sprint.com/site/global/develop/mobile_platforms/android/android.jsp
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Only thing I'd worry about there is that it isn't actually "grabbing" the screen (as in screen captures, polling it for changes, etc) because that could absolutely kill performance. That's why I wonder if it wouldn't require driver access or update, in order to actually "push" the display out the HDMI port (note: I'm not a developer, so I can only do my best to keep up with what potential issues might be. )
Any update on this?
I noticed if you read further down on the USB Host Mode page, there's info on a USB TV driver (TV IN sadly), an X11 driver (not sure which way they mean), and also DisplayLink although I think that is some kind of device you need to buy. If I could X11 remote host my Android that would be PIMP but I doubt I'll get that lucky!
I desperately want to do this myself (TV OUT from Android), whether it be HDMI or USB or whatever. I need to output the OS and apps (for demo purposes).
i was thinking the same, somewhere along the lines of PdaReach for palm devices. but the monitor being an actual TV for entertainment purposes. ...trying to get my extra ten dollar fee to use. so if and when netflix decides to make a platform for android devices we could hence watch movies on our televisions via our phones streaming to the TV
hexydes said:
Only thing I'd worry about there is that it isn't actually "grabbing" the screen (as in screen captures, polling it for changes, etc) because that could absolutely kill performance. That's why I wonder if it wouldn't require driver access or update, in order to actually "push" the display out the HDMI port (note: I'm not a developer, so I can only do my best to keep up with what potential issues might be. )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The framebuffer is unprotected on stock Evo's & rooted Evo's alike, so if you just grabbed every frame as it went through the framebuffer and outputted it to the display, it could be done easily on any Evo. That is unless HTC plugged the unprotected framebuffer bug on a new update.
In any case, it wouldn't be that hard, it'd hurt performance a little, but I don't know for sure. An app wouldn't be that hard to make, think a high speed screenshot app, talk to the devs of ShootMe about how they grab from the framebuffer.
Geniusdog254 said:
The framebuffer is unprotected on stock Evo's & rooted Evo's alike, so if you just grabbed every frame as it went through the framebuffer and outputted it to the display, it could be done easily on any Evo. That is unless HTC plugged the unprotected framebuffer bug on a new update.
In any case, it wouldn't be that hard, it'd hurt performance a little, but I don't know for sure. An app wouldn't be that hard to make, think a high speed screenshot app, talk to the devs of ShootMe about how they grab from the framebuffer.
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That IS Genius!! Is anyone going to do this, or do I need to? (I have no Android programming skills sadly!)
I finally got a working HDMI cable from Sprint. My Amzer cable is bad apparently!
I'm happy now!
But still, ANYONE want to embark on this project??
jigglywiggly said:
Yeah... would be nice, imagine HID bluetooth devices(wii mote controller) hook the phone to a tv, and play some classic games...
RIGHT ON
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Now THAT would be awesome!
i hope someone figures this out because i really need HDMI out on slingplayer to work
I wonder if we can just find the piece of code that the stock Youtube & HTC Gallery uses to take advantage of the HDMI and then implement it as a system service? Or at least have HTC tell or post on their website how to implement the code in their app, especially for the slingplayer!
Ill buy someone an HDMI cable if they're willing to work on this lol
skewbasteve said:
I wonder if we can just find the piece of code that the stock Youtube & HTC Gallery uses to take advantage of the HDMI and then implement it as a system service? Or at least have HTC tell or post on their website how to implement the code in their app, especially for the slingplayer!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easy, it's all right here!
docs.google.com/ View?id=dhtsnvs6_57d2hpqtgr#4_HDMI_output_support_82321908
(I can't seem to post a link so you'll have to copy/paste this one)
skewbasteve said:
I wonder if we can just find the piece of code that the stock Youtube & HTC Gallery uses to take advantage of the HDMI and then implement it as a system service? Or at least have HTC tell or post on their website how to implement the code in their app, especially for the slingplayer!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That won't work. It's already in the Evo developer docs as posted by the person above me. All it does is take any VideoView object in any app and broadcast it over HDMI unless you specifically tell it not to in the application manifest.
There is no way to run that as a service. As of yet I've tried the following:
Copy frames via CLI from /dev/graphics/fb0 (the main screen framebuffer) to /dev/graphics/fb1 (the HDMI framebuffer) to see if it is possible to work it like that. It isn't.
Symlink the two framebuffers so in theory whatever happens to one, should happen to the other. It doesn't work either. It does do something since it breaks HDMI output, but it doesn't display the screen. This could be because the resolution doesn't match one of the TVs supported resolutions.
I'm still going to try a custom kernel once I get my build environment set up (hopefully tomorrow) with a few changes, but I can't promise anything. Anything more complicated than Java is a little over my head, but I can do a little.
I'll keep you posted.
Regards,
Jesse C.
I'm willing to put $10 towards the bounty.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Just got the new G2 and its a bit disappointing that it doesn't have a front facing camera on it. Now I am looking for a way to do video calling with the use of a Web Camera. It would involve connecting the two devices with a USB Female-Female Adapter and designing an app to use the camera. Does anyone have an idea where to start on something like that?
i guess you have to look into usb host driver, there was one guy doing this with a nexus one i think, just search on youtube there was a video
Once you make the special adapter to trigger your phone into USB host mode (if possible) you will still run into a problem of no driver support for your webcam and no applications capable of using a usb camera.
basically you're SOL for a good while
I want to be able to plug a standard usb webcam "type" device into my A500.
I bought off a usb microscope off Ebay. It is recognized under windows xp - 7 as a usb hid device. It did not even come with a driver disk, since everything recognized it automagically. I tried it last night under 3 different linux distro's and they detected it with no issue.
Does anyone know of a way? It would be so much easier to carry the tablet with me, vs a laptop, not to mention much better battery life so I can be in the field longer without a recharge.
I think the A500 needs root for it to go into host mode. Do you have it rooted? I don't think I have heard of any webcam device working on Android with a simple plug and play, but who knows.
[email protected] said:
I think the A500 needs root for it to go into host mode. Do you have it rooted? I don't think I have heard of any webcam device working on Android with a simple plug and play, but who knows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah I'm rooted, running a custom rom. I'm not scared to get my hands dirty either if someone knows of a solution
Hello, I'm looking also to find a solution for a webcam. But no lock so far.
Once I tried one on a older tablet running 1.6 and it worked but as it had the drivers build in loaded but I had to use a special camera apk.
So I think we need to have two things (maybe this is obvious for you)
1) the correct drivers loaded (we need to find them)
2) The correct app that let us choose the usb camera as I think they enumerate starting as 0... Or can create one
But to me the hardest part is finding the correct drivers.
Could you share the a link to that ebay microscope ? I might get one of the same so we can play with the same thing.
Thx