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I'm thinking about making a Droid Eris video out app...Need Help

Hi all. Bear with me as I'm new to the dev community for the Android OS.
Basically the story so far is I've got a Droid Eris. I saw that there is a cable available called the Act100 Video Cable by HTC. This cable plugs into the mini usb port of the phone and outputs a composite video and left and right audio signal, yellow red white cables. I have a TV in my car that accepts composite input.
Through some research I've found that the Eris does not support this video out function. A supported phone for example is listed as the HTC Touch Pro 2 on sites where you can buy the cable. I've read in forums where people have mailed HTC about eris video out compatibility and HTC said that it isn't in the software by default but to try and search for an app that enables it. Therefore, the hardware supports it but it simply isn't an option in the software. So I want to make an app that simply enables the feature on the Droid Eris.
This is where my questions start. I've had only limited C++ programming experience so I'm prepared for any learning curve. How difficult do you think it would be to make an app like this? I know of some begginer guides but beyond that where should I begin?

How do you find out that the hardware does, in fact, support this? I would think if this were possible it would have been made by now, but I'd love to be wrong.

I'm not 100% sure the hardware supports it. I just made a guess because in the post I read HTC support tells the guy to look for an app that enables it becuase it isn't in the software by default. It sounds like it might just have to be coded in. At leat I'm really hoping it can be.

Sounds fishy to me. Every portable device I've ever used with a TV out function required a hardware decoder specifically for a TV. This can be done in software I'm sure but the other issue I find is pushing it out over the USB jack. Analog video source pushed out through a USB chipset doesn't sound like it can be done. I'm not all that knowledgeable about the Eris' hardware specifics so don't quote me.
As far as a pure software app that will do it, that raises red flags as well. As far as I know apps on a stock ROM run in a Dalvik VM I believe. They're separated from the system itself, and it's the system that controls the hardware. It might be able to be done but I doubt it.
The Touch Pro 2 might have the ability to do it maybe through hardware, but as far as I know the Eris doesn't have any of that.
I'll let somebody with more hardware knowledge come in.

Thanks for the ideas so far. Well since the touch pro 2 can output video over usb it's obviously possible to push the signal over any other USB. It would just be a matter of, as you said, the Eris having the hardware. I guess I was under the impression that the hardwares were very similar. I'm really trying to investigate this as much as possible and no one even answered me on other forums. Please keep this thread alive!

I don't know for sure if this can work, but here are my thoughts. PDANet sends data over the USB port to enable wired tethering, so an app can send data over the USB port.
So since we know we can send/receive data over the USB port, we must address the issue of video output. I don't know if this will be easy because of the way USB->Composite converters probably work (read output of the USB pins into each of the Red, White, Yellow pins). What would potentially make this difficult would be that with Dalvik I don't know if we can control what pins we are outputting our data to.
If someone wants to post more information on how the video cable works it would be easier to determine if it is possible.

Check this out. The Droid Incredible does it over microUSB. I wonder if all we need is the right cable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJyt463AoOA

I would love to see you make an app for this if its possible. Is there an option on stock incredible for this or is it an app?

Nindoja: Yea I agree pin control is probably going to be important for something like this. I would prefer not to, but would rooting allow us to get around the Dalvik restriction you mentioned if it ends up being a problem?
ihtfp69 and conap: I did see that the incredible does the tv out over usb. I'm not sure wether it is an option or an app though... I also read that the incredible's files were leaked, including one called tvout.apk. I think I read that just trying to install it on the eris doesn't work but I'm really not sure. In the least having that file to work with might be a great start.
I haven't been able to find that file yet unfortunately. How similar are the Incredible and Eris hardware? If they are similar it could be good news for a software solution.
Thanks for the replys so far! Any other thoughts?

Has there been any development on this?

nope, none public at least

Bumpity bump bump. this needs to happen!
Sent from my Eris using XDA App

Theoretically couldnt One figure out what app and supporting files the incredible uses and then Just Port those files to the eris. Just like people have done with the gallery Candy genie apps?
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App

Izeltokatl said:
Theoretically couldnt One figure out what app and supporting files the incredible uses and then Just Port those files to the eris. Just like people have done with the gallery Candy genie apps?
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you read the thread at all? The problem isn't only software.... the apps the incredible (and other phones that have video out) use make extensive use of dedicated hardware to output the video stream.
We don't have that on the eris, so that would be really hard, and very slow, to emulate in software. That's assuming it could even be done over our USB port.

shouldnt be that hard, the same thing has been done for PSP...although its USB video out to PC.
its probably a step in the correct direction.
goto youtube.com and search for 'remotejoylite' one word, should be second video down, shows it in action via usb cable.

nindoja said:
That's assuming it could even be done over our USB port.
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Click to collapse
Am I missing something, but haven;t at least three comments made before this one confirmed, several phones have video out, via USB. I think the assuming iot is possible part is over. The real question that no one has answered is if the Eris has the hardware to support this option. I don't have an answer, but wanted to point out that the possibility of video over USB has been answered.

If you look on Google you can find the tvout.apk and tvout.odex from the Incredible dump. Might be able to do something with it.
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App

Here is TVout.apk and TVout.odex
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=319214&d=1272756479
I think with the right cable and the right software we can get this to work.
We might also need system/lib/libTVOUT.so
From what I can tell, on a stock ROM the TV out functionality is provided by system/app/TVOUT.apk and a system/lib/libTVOUT.so
here is a link to a forum about the MyTouch and the tvout.apk and cable:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=454333

mjgdroid said:
Here is TVout.apk and TVout.odex
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=319214&d=1272756479
I think with the right cable and the right software we can get this to work.
We might also need system/lib/libTVOUT.so
From what I can tell, on a stock ROM the TV out functionality is provided by system/app/TVOUT.apk and a system/lib/libTVOUT.so
here is a link to a forum about the MyTouch and the tvout.apk and cable:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=454333
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question.
Has anyone seen this work?
How do you make it work?
Do you select it from the launcher?
Is it in settings?
Because we would have to find a work around if it is.
Or just add it to the menu.
Ha.
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App

KHancock321 said:
the Incredible dump.
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my nonsensikal froyo using XDA App

[Q] ICS AOSP (from CM's source) for HTC Glacier help!!!

i cant use wifi or mount my phone to my computer via usb please help the rom is nice but this is really bothering me

BigJohn561 said:
i cant use wifi or mount my phone to my computer via usb please help the rom is nice but this is really bothering me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Come on man, read before you post, wifi and mass storage are some things currently not working on that rom

If you could read, you'd see it doesn't work yet....

BigJohn561 said:
i cant use wifi or mount my phone to my computer via usb please help the rom is nice but this is really bothering me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can't even read, then I don't see why you're even here...
Sent from my HTC Glacier Sense 3.5 using xda premium

^ Exactly what I was thinking!

BigJohn561 said:
i cant use wifi or mount my phone to my computer via usb please help the rom is nice but this is really bothering me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is working in recovery mode

Daily use
I'd love to be able to post in the dev sections of my experience on the beta ICS that everyone is testing...
Google Maps is very glitchy...
GPS is inaccurate...
1 Random reboot when opened the webbrowser..
FC on Google Music ICS version (seems to not wanna sych with my gmusic account)
When do i get to post in dev

tradeware said:
I'd love to be able to post in the dev sections of my experience on the beta ICS that everyone is testing...
Google Maps is very glitchy...
GPS is inaccurate...
1 Random reboot when opened the webbrowser..
FC on Google Music ICS version (seems to not wanna sych with my gmusic account)
When do i get to post in dev
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully never..... jk, i think after 10 posts or something like that
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G using xda premium

Remember, its BETA... Yes I used it for a while today, and thought it looks awesome, but right there in the 75 pages of posts, it says its still not working with wifi or usb. Hopefully beta 4 will come soon. I also had a lot of lockups and bluetooth calling worked but hung at the hang up and I had to drop the battery to reboot... but its really coming along nicely!

BigJohn561 said:
i cant use wifi or mount my phone to my computer via usb please help the rom is nice but this is really bothering me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like every one has said...its time to go through the thread like a big boy but for real I feel like if you want to port a rom look through at least the last 5-7 pages and see what the most current issues are, and read through the change logs that are conveniently in the description the ROM is in beta 3 and those things you said just simply don't work so from now go to the thread every so often and see what changed your questions shall be answered!
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium

mark manning said:
Hopefully never..... jk, i think after 10 posts or something like that
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am having the same problems as (tradeware) is having, but I do acknowledge that is being worked on.
By the way it is 10 post to gain access to the dev thread.

Jms122589 said:
Like every one has said...its time to go through the thread like a big boy but for real I feel like if you want to port a rom look through at least the last 5-7 pages and see what the most current issues are, and read through the change logs that are conveniently in the description the ROM is in beta 3 and those things you said just simply don't work so from now go to the thread every so often and see what changed your questions shall be answered!
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I kinda jumped the gun on downloading it then I couldn't flash cwm so I thought I was stuck but I changed it back the old fashioned way but anyhow thanks for responding without hatred or sarcasm like these other a holes

Im so waiting for this to be 100 percent im so excited

Just wanted to know if this rom included the newest accessibility features from android 4.0? It's called "explore by touch", its a screen reader for people who are blind or visually impaired which is much like Apples VoiceOver. This would be very useful to me because I'm legally blind and Android accessibility is horrible at this point in time....

Boot into recovery "Hold down button on the volume with the power buttom" go to advanced, mount and storage, and mount usb storage

[Q] USB OTG on HD2

I would like to know it the HD2 supports USB on the go, meaning can it act as an USB Host, I'd like to try out this DSLR Controler App which looks quite nice
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dslr.dashboard
If anyone has experience with it (or the ADK for that matter), let me know.
If it is a ROM thing maybe point me to one that supports it

Yes the HD2 supports USB Host, I used it when I put Ubuntu on my phone.
I don't know if the Android Roms support it, but I'm sure some do.. You would have to look around for that

USB Host is currently not working on android...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1459999&highlight=usb+host

derschnelle said:
USB Host is currently not working on android...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1459999&highlight=usb+host
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please update your info before posting in ics it is supported but we need a kernel and rick_1995 is working on it but it's a side project give him some time
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA

Thealshear said:
Please update your info before posting in ics it is supported but we need a kernel and rick_1995 is working on it but it's a side project give him some time
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh that's very nice to hear. But I only said, that it ain't working yet, I don't see something wrong about it!?

thanks for the quick info

is this already working in the meanwhile?

Any progress here?
Any progress here?

working...
Hi,
check out this thread posted earlier by 'derschnelle': http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1459999&highlight=usb+host
It is working now, for me atleast.
I tested it yesterday with Remote Release (USB) on my Canon EOS 7D and the HTC HD2/Leo (on CyanogenMOD9 nightlies) using a Y-USB-Cable (that came with my 2.5" external Harddisk).
However, there are two disadvantages:
1. you need a power source, like a pc, a socket with an adapter, ...
2. after applying the patch to android, the HD2 doesn't seem to charge while switched on. However, when it's switched off, it recharges. Kinda weird, will have to look into that.
cYa

[Q]Is changing the MAC possible on nexus 7?

Hello,
Its my first post (been watching the forum for a while), so i would like to say hello.
This month (as asus claims) the nexus 7 is arriving in my country. If it doesn't i'm willing to buy one in the UK.
Because of that i would like to ask a question to the owners of that device:
is changing the MAC address possible as stated in this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1385577
Would anyone be willing to check that?
Or is there any other method i don't know?
And confirm that when you change the mac it appears in the router settings (connects to the network with the changed one)?
I would like to know that because WiFi in my school is limited to two devices, checked by MAC. I have already registered a phone and a laptop.
Greetings,
mlawnikPL

You could change the Mac address.
If you work for the FBI
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

Clone perhaps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=diewland.changemac
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

That app is a front-end to the tutorial I gave in the op. But is anyone willing to actually TRY it and post results? That's what I'm asking for.
Sent from my LG-P350 using xda app-developers app

If you read through all the post on the topic you linked to you... you will notice that it is a Hit or Miss type of thing.
Meaning you might get it working, or you might not. Or you might get it working once, or the next time you try it will fail.
The method listed on that Topic is not a permanent solutions.. once your tablet/phone is reset/powered off the MAC will go back to the original.
Since its the hardware (the WiFi Card inside the device) that has the MAC address store in it.. and it clearly states in the that Topic you are "Spoofing" a MAC address.
Try something like Connectify ( http://www.connectify.me/ ) - you will need a Windows7 laptop/PC though.
Then you can connect all the devices you want..
Or un-register your phone, and register the tablet.. More than likely you will use the Table more often anyways, and your phone has a 3G/4G connection already.
Or wait and see if the 3G Nexus 7 hits your country... Or Order one from a US (or whatever country they are released to) and have it shipped to you.

KoolAidJunkie said:
If you read through all the post on the topic you linked to you... you will notice that it is a Hit or Miss type of thing.
Meaning you might get it working, or you might not. Or you might get it working once, or the next time you try it will fail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats why im asking if anyone will actually try it for me and other people that might want to know if that method works.
The method listed on that Topic is not a permanent solutions.. once your tablet/phone is reset/powered off the MAC will go back to the original.
Since its the hardware (the WiFi Card inside the device) that has the MAC address store in it.. and it clearly states in the that Topic you are "Spoofing" a MAC address.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get that, I've read it...
Try something like Connectify ( connectify.me ) - you will need a Windows7 laptop/PC though.
Then you can connect all the devices you want..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this doesn't quite work as I would expect it to be.
Or un-register your phone, and register the tablet.. More than likely you will use the Table more often anyways, and your phone has a 3G/4G connection already.
Yeah, but it's expensive(the connection).
Or wait and see if the 3G Nexus 7 hits your country... Or Order one from a US (or whatever country they are released to) and have it shipped to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do, as said in the OP.
Anyway, thanks for your answer. Anyone willing to help and try out that method for me?
Greetings,
mlawnikPL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

This is an interesting scenario and yes it works
Keep in mind that you can't have two devices with same MAC address on the same LAN
With the MAC filter policy, you could either clone your either of the devices you have or, use a Bluetooth connectivity between your android phone and nexus 7 or some form of tethering
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

heyodee said:
This is an interesting scenario and yes it works
Keep in mind that you can't have two devices with same MAC address on the same LAN
With the MAC filter policy, you could either clone your either of the devices you have or, use a Bluetooth connectivity between your android phone and nexus 7 or some form of tethering
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I forgot the Bluetooth option... connect to phone to your schools WiFi, the use a Bluetooth tether app to share connections...
Like hayodee said, spoofing a MAC won't allow you to connect all three device...
My question, why are you not trying this "spoofing" yourself..
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

I am not trying this method because I don't have my N7 yet.
And I would not connect all three devices at once but one day I might take just phone and the other a tablet and a laptop, so then I would spoof the phone Mac...
Sent from my LG-P350 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Any recent updates on OTG (with y-cable for power) support?

So the latest thread I could find regarding OTG support was a couple weeks old now and I figured I'd ask around in case there were any new developments on the subject.
Back in November when I bought the phone I thought it supported USB devices but now, according to some sources, it looks like google removed this feature from the ads back in early December. Needless to say I hadn't gone back and re-read the ads since I purchased the phone in November so I was completely unaware that this feature had been 'removed' since I bought my phone.
My problem is that I picked up a wired gameklip in anticipation of using it on a few flights that I have in January, but now with the lack of OTG/host mode support it looks like I won't be able to use the PS3 controller with the N4 unless I root and use a bluetooth connection, which could be problematic on a flight.
While I know that many people do use bluetooth devices on planes w/o any problems I'd prefer to use a wired connection if at all possible. I do have an external power source that could provide power via a y-cable, assuming that is required, but have there been any updates WRT enabling OTG/host mode on the N4 in the first place?

Here is a kernel for the n7,not sure if its compatable or not.If you want to try it make sure you do a nandroid backup first.
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/37755-timurs-kernel-robust-usb-host-power-management/page__st__40
Sent from my SGH-I927 using xda app-developers app

Thanks. I'll check that out a bit later. Though I am pretty new to rooting and loading kernels so I'll have to do a bit of research before I jump in and hit the ground running.

Kodiack99 said:
Here is a kernel for the n7,not sure if its compatable or not.If you want to try it make sure you do a nandroid backup first.
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/37755-timurs-kernel-robust-usb-host-power-management/page__st__40
Sent from my SGH-I927 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I WOULD NOT FLASH THAT IT IS FOR THE NEXUS 7 (all caps because i can already tell flashing that would be bad news)
shame on you for linking random stuff knowing that some person who is inexperienced would probably flash anything they see.

zephiK said:
I WOULD NOT FLASH THAT IT IS FOR THE NEXUS 7 (all caps because i can already tell flashing that would be bad news)
shame on you for linking random stuff knowing that some person who is inexperienced would probably flash anything they see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, this is why I'd be doing my research first. I had a feeling the N7 Kernel wouldn't play nice without some heavy modifications but figured I'd check around a bit and see if I was missing something... but thanks for pointing this out for others, it's obviously good info.
I'm new to rooting & ROMs with [recent] android devices but I've done plenty of stuff on old windows phone platforms (among others). Hell... I've written my own linux kernel before. Granted it was years ago in a school project and I probably couldn't do it again now if I tried... but I've done it :silly:

Agreed,I should have thought before posting the link.You can however post in the thread and see if the dev has plans for a specific n4 version of the kernel,he is a pretty goog guy.
My apologies
Sent from my SGH-I927 using xda app-developers app

intel8052 said:
Nah, this is why I'd be doing my research first. I had a feeling the N7 Kernel wouldn't play nice without some heavy modifications but figured I'd check around a bit and see if I was missing something... but thanks for pointing this out for others, it's obviously good info.
I'm new to rooting & ROMs with [recent] android devices but I've done plenty of stuff on old windows phone platforms (among others). Hell... I've written my own linux kernel before. Granted it was years ago in a school project and I probably couldn't do it again now if I tried... but I've done it :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good for you (no sarcasm intended), reading is imperative but I'm pretty sure someone sees a link and automatically says "OOOOH MUST FLASH." It does happen to people and then they wonder why their phone isn't booting up.
@Kodiack99: It's okay. I wasn't really angry at you or anything but was more of a "dont flash it!!!"