Headphone / inline media controls or buttons - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Does anyone know about headset controls with this phone? It doesn't come with headphones, so there is no guarantee there is any support. The Nexus 7, for instance, does not support headset controls or the headset inline mic. I have seen no reviews that mention this. It's kind of a big deal to me. I would also like to know if its like the S3 where the next/prev buttons are volume, or like HTC where next / prev is next song prev song.
So, anyone heard anything about this?

The inclusion of the FSA8008 chip indicates mic support and send/end support. Next prev or vol up/dn are more up in the air.

i'd love an answer for this if anyone knows

bump for people getting their devices soon

Related

Remote media control

Hi
I'm looking for a wired or wireless solution that would allow me to change tracks and volume while on riding on my motorbike and listening to mp3s from my kaiser. I'm using my own 3.5mm wired stereo headphones, and the Kaiser is in my jacket pocket (rain etc).
The ideal solution would be a device mounted to the handlebar, which would connect to the Kaiser via bluetooth and allow me to skip tracks, change volume etc. I've seen one in a brochure on the Cologne Intermot convention, but didn't manage to find it on google. Endless google searching for other similar devices also didn'treturn anything useful.
I know there's also a wired headset for HTC devices out there which has these functions, but as far as I could see from the pictures, the buttons are quite close to each other, which would make it difficult to use with thick gloves.
Any suggestions what could work here ?
I don't know if this is the one you already saw or not, http://www.expansys.com/htc/p_htc_item.aspx?i=140889
Hope this helps.
for me the jaber (Jabra BT3030)
I use a Jabra BT320s. It's not fancy but the buttons for pause and skip back/forward are located around the outside and pretty glove-friendly (summer gloves at least). The volume buttons on the front aren't too bad but it is easy to push the answer button in the middle and start Voice Commander when you really want a bit more volume.
Volume isn't the best on a 'bike so I suggest using in-ear noise suppressing earphones.
The good thing is that. if you can clip the unit somewhere close to your mouth and out of the wind and angle the microphone towards your mouth, you can actually carry on a proper phone conversation too.
http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/motorcyclekits/parrotsk4000
This gives you what you want in terms of steering control.

iPhone headset volume control

I have a pair of Sony headphones that have a controller designed to work with an iPhone/iPod. The middle (play/pause/forward/backward/end call button) work just like the original Nexus one headset, but the volume controls don't work. Is there a possibility of making an app, modified Music.apk or driver that would enable this volume control, or does one already exist? I've searched these forums, Google's forums and some other forums and found nothing.
There's an app called RemoteVol that allows you to adjust volume by long pressing on the previous track and next track buttons. It was designed for the default N1 headset, though I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work with third party headsets.
I'm guessing that HTC didn't think to include volume controls in the headset design, perhaps because there's already the volume rocker on the side of the phone.
earlyberd said:
There's an app called RemoteVol that allows you to adjust volume by long pressing on the previous track and next track buttons. It was designed for the default N1 headset, though I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work with third party headsets.
I'm guessing that HTC didn't think to include volume controls in the headset design, perhaps because there's already the volume rocker on the side of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that, the download link was dead and it wasn't on the market.
http://www.mediafire.com/?2mmmyfjjrnw
works well with my htc headset
I'd like to point out that the Nexus One headphones don't control volume.
Continuing on, as you said, the volume buttons do nothing (on other pair remotes I have)
Remote Vol doesn't work in this case- I'm using Sony headphones using the Apple button control design.
I guess your only option then is to use the stock headset that came with the phone, or just use the volume rocker.
If you or someone you know is handy with a soldering iron, you can perform a simple mod to the stock headset so that you can plug in third party headphones. You just have to cut off the stock ear buds above the remote, then solder the wires into a 3.5mm audio jack.

Headphones

Great news, my Etymotic hf2's work perfectly! Including the pause button.
It seems that the alternative config used on the SGS1 is history, hurrah.
oh snap dog this is great news, my MIE2 headset should work perfect then as well. glorious news
The seems to be the case because the original Galaxy S earphones don't work properly on the SGS II, they sound weird and with an echo. Looks like Samsung are learning.
This is good news. I was under the impression that sgs2 also had the weird 3.5mm jack layout.
But if this is true, then could any and all of you that has some play/pause buttoned headphones try this out?
iPhone bundle earphone works as well.
f15hh3ad said:
iPhone bundle earphone works as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Marvelous! Could you also specify the earphone type (those who don't have a clue what's bundled with iphone) and what functions actually work + the mic?
This should take care most of the other headphones then, because you can easily find info if it's iphone compatible
gvoima said:
Marvelous! Could you also specify the earphone type (those who don't have a clue what's bundled with iphone) and what functions actually work + the mic?
This should take care most of the other headphones then, because you can easily find info if it's iphone compatible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what type he has. friend told me it works well.
I have Triple.Fi 10vi, its iphone compatible. it works as well. play/stop and mic. all work perfect with SGS2.
Can I just check if the volume up and down from the inline are working too?
wait a minute i'm a bit confused now. i purchased the bose MIE2 mobile phone headset, with inline mic and single pause button. this headset also has an iphone compatible version right next to it in the store.
i bought the standard mobile phone version, which works fine with the nexus one, nexus s, and any other mobile phone that supports the standard with the single button.
but if you guys are saying the iphone headsets work, does that mean that my standard mobile version will NOT work, since ideally the iphone and standard mobile version are different, else there would not be two seperate versions in teh first place? now i'm confused.
would samsung use the iphone standard and NOT support the mobile phone standard that the rest of the industry uses?
With the release of iPhone 3GS, Apple did something new with their headphones. They expanded from the single button inline control to one with three buttons. The two extra buttons do volume up and down. In order to get this volume +/- thing working, iirc, manufacturers had to implement some new little chip into their headphones.
So Roger I think your headphones would work fine with the single button, but I'm more curious about the volume +/- functionality
Chiribo said:
Can I just check if the volume up and down from the inline are working too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My friend has Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic. he said Play/Stop/FF/REW and mic works. but volume up/down doesnt work with stock music player.
forgot to mention we have Korea model.
Chiribo said:
With the release of iPhone 3GS, Apple did something new with their headphones. They expanded from the single button inline control to one with three buttons. The two extra buttons do volume up and down. In order to get this volume +/- thing working, iirc, manufacturers had to implement some new little chip into their headphones.
So Roger I think your headphones would work fine with the single button, but I'm more curious about the volume +/- functionality
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks. i should have clarified that my headphones DO have the volume up/down in addition to the single inline pause button. i just forgot to consider those volumes into it. so should work then.
still i wonder why two seperate iphone and regular version exists for the MIE2. maybe it is for the OLD iphone before the 3Gs changes were made...
can anyone confirm that the volume controls work?
Guyz suggest some adapter which has use play,pause,Next song, previous song buttons. I have Shure SE 530 headphones. I just need an adapter which connects to the phone and can my headphones and contain all these buttons.

Static / buzzing from speakers at low volumes

I just started playing a few games on this Nexus 7, and I turned the volume down to the lowest setting because it is late at night and other people in my house are sleeping. I immediately noticed a soft but very audible static buzz coming from the speakers... about the same volume as the audio itself. I held my ear up to the hardware and confirmed it is both top and bottom speakers.
Anybody else experience this?
copyists sorpeno
I didn't notice at first. Noticed this morning with audio low as well.
I'd like to know if anyone else has this too. Kinda wanna know if its hardware since I purchased at best buy and only have 2 weeks to return.
Yup, I was going to report this too, but since it only occurs at minimal volume I didn't bother. I lost my good headphones so I can test the audio jack. Does it happen to you with them on too?
Btw- if this the trade off with the fantastic (for tablet speakers) surround sound I'll take it. Watch the test video on the Play Videos app.
Sent from my Nexus 7
I don't hear it. on mine. But My hearing is horked.
It's because the Nexus 7 uses a crappy digital volume control that simply reduces the volume of the digital waveform before it hits the DAC, instead of having a real analog volume control -an op-amp that adjusts the volume of the signal before it hits the headphone/speaker amplifier.
What you're hearing is quantization noise as at the lowest volume the audio uses only 2-4 bits of dynamic range instead of the full 16 (or 24, dunno what DAC is in this thing). It's the same as the bit-crushing effect you hear in some dubstep and other electronic music that degrades the audio into a robotic crunchy mess, only here it's not on purpose, it's just cheap design.
There is nothing you can do about it.
I've also noticed this (at first I was like, WTF? Is it raining in my game?). If what was said above is true, that makes me sad that nothing can be done about it.
siraltus said:
It's because the Nexus 7 uses a crappy digital volume control that simply reduces the volume of the digital waveform before it hits the DAC, instead of having a real analog volume control -an op-amp that adjusts the volume of the signal before it hits the headphone/speaker amplifier.
What you're hearing is quantization noise as at the lowest volume the audio uses only 2-4 bits of dynamic range instead of the full 16 (or 24, dunno what DAC is in this thing). It's the same as the bit-crushing effect you hear in some dubstep and other electronic music that degrades the audio into a robotic crunchy mess, only here it's not on purpose, it's just cheap design.
There is nothing you can do about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how you know that but if you're right I guess that means it would happen on all of them... which.. sucks.. Is there anyone that doesn't have this issue to disprove this?
smurfqq said:
I'm not sure how you know that but if you're right I guess that means it would happen on all of them... which.. sucks.. Is there anyone that doesn't have this issue to disprove this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a professional audio engineer, I know exactly how these things work. Most cheap devices do volume controls that way, because adding a dedicated op-amp for analog volume control increases costs of the device, and the Nexus 7 is a budget device.
It does happen on mine, too, in every app that plays sound.
I love when pros come in here and give the technical explanation haha hats off to you, sir!
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
siraltus said:
It's because the Nexus 7 uses a crappy digital volume control that simply reduces the volume of the digital waveform before it hits the DAC, instead of having a real analog volume control -an op-amp that adjusts the volume of the signal before it hits the headphone/speaker amplifier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As the others have said, thanks for the explanation. Nice to hear from somebody who understands it, and if the problem is present in all units that actually makes me feel better since I don't have to worry about returning my otherwise perfect unit.
Question though, how come I don't hear the static when using headphones, even on the lowest volume settings where I hear the static from the built-in speakers? That makes me think it's related to the speakers and not the audio hardware... but you obviously know more than me on this.
mrmartin86 said:
I've also noticed this (at first I was like, WTF? Is it raining in my game?). If what was said above is true, that makes me sad that nothing can be done about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, funny thing is the first game I played was Bad Piggies on some levels with an ocean tide moving back and forth at the bottom of the screen. I thought the static was the tide sounds... until I heard it in another game too.
tweaked said:
I don't hear it. on mine. But My hearing is horked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It only happens at the absolute lowest volume setting... i.e. one notch up from muted. It sort of happens at the next notch up too, but is most noticeable at the quietest setting, and you need to be in a quiet room. I only noticed because I was using the device in a small echoey mostly tile room (you can probably guess where) and because of the room having such acoustics I put the device on the lowest setting just above mute.
Had something like this on my original nexus 7
Except it happened regardless of the volume setting. Wasn't that audible- had to put my ear against the speaker to really hear it, but it did interfere with other devices, such as my radio, or keyboard with a head phone jack. It would make a sound like a quick DUH-DUH-DUH-DUH-DUH-DUH...DUH-DUH-DUH-DUH-DUH-DUH. My nexus 4 can sometimes cause static interference with other devices, too. Haven't gotten the new nexus 7 so I cannot say whether or not my new one has this issue
Well.. mine's not only happening at the lowest volume notch. If I put it to my ear (never actually going to do this for normal use) it's there at every volume level, just hard to hear once whatever I'm playing gets loud enough. The display unit at a local best buy does the same. I can hear it in a quiet room at the first couple notches (normal use), which is annoying. Also, since someone asked - No it doesn't happen through headphones.
The111 said:
As the others have said, thanks for the explanation. Nice to hear from somebody who understands it, and if the problem is present in all units that actually makes me feel better since I don't have to worry about returning my otherwise perfect unit.
Question though, how come I don't hear the static when using headphones, even on the lowest volume settings where I hear the static from the built-in speakers? That makes me think it's related to the speakers and not the audio hardware... but you obviously know more than me on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My pleasure! There's tons of FUD on XDA about many things, so I try to contribute on stuff I know well to reduce that.
Without looking at the schematics of the thing I can only guess:
The speaker amplifier is probably just a simple design that outputs 100% power all the time, so you have to control the volume of the signal that enters it, whereas the headphone amp probably has an integrated analog volume control.
A volume control is much easier (read: cheaper) to do in an integrated chip with low power signals (headphone out) than higher power (speaker out), and again, cheaper was the way to go with the Nexus 7.
Hence, there are two separate outputs from the audio chip - one that feeds the speaker amplifier and uses the bit-crushing digital volume control, the other outputs full-scale audio to the headphone amplifier which controls the volume in analog.
siraltus said:
My pleasure! There's tons of FUD on XDA about many things, so I try to contribute on stuff I know well to reduce that.
Without looking at the schematics of the thing I can only guess:
The speaker amplifier is probably just a simple design that outputs 100% power all the time, so you have to control the volume of the signal that enters it, whereas the headphone amp probably has an integrated analog volume control.
A volume control is much easier (read: cheaper) to do in an integrated chip with low power signals (headphone out) than higher power (speaker out), and again, cheaper was the way to go with the Nexus 7.
Hence, there are two separate outputs from the audio chip - one that feeds the speaker amplifier and uses the bit-crushing digital volume control, the other outputs full-scale audio to the headphone amplifier which controls the volume in analog.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes sense. Thanks again.
siraltus said:
My pleasure! There's tons of FUD on XDA about many things, so I try to contribute on stuff I know well to reduce that.
Without looking at the schematics of the thing I can only guess:
The speaker amplifier is probably just a simple design that outputs 100% power all the time, so you have to control the volume of the signal that enters it, whereas the headphone amp probably has an integrated analog volume control.
A volume control is much easier (read: cheaper) to do in an integrated chip with low power signals (headphone out) than higher power (speaker out), and again, cheaper was the way to go with the Nexus 7.
Hence, there are two separate outputs from the audio chip - one that feeds the speaker amplifier and uses the bit-crushing digital volume control, the other outputs full-scale audio to the headphone amplifier which controls the volume in analog.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this something they can fix (or at least mitigate) in a software update?
paxunix said:
Is this something they can fix (or at least mitigate) in a software update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, this is how the hardware is designed.
Noticed this too from the speakers regardless of volume, and regardless of what is playing audio. It's a high pitched squeal to my ears which I can't stand. I've thrown out computer power supplies and video cards that have made similar(obviously, louder) noises.
Was hoping it could be something improved in software, but I guess not. Time to sell this.
http://youtu.be/c9aQnuOrTY8
Recorded what it sounds like at lower volumes with a small condenser mic next to it. Let me know if that's similar to what you guys are hearing too.

Some headphones not working.

Hi,
I have a pair of xiami piston headphones and they work fine with my older phone (galaxy s3) but with my 6P they are not detected by the phone. I can't use them to listen to music or make calls.
I tried a pair of generic headphones and they do work. Is there some headphones that are simply incompatible with the device?
Yes I had the same experience. My samsung headphones from my galaxy s5 can't be used to make phone calls and if you try to use the volume adjustment buttons it pauses playback. Another pair of off-brand headphones I bought at duane reade work just fine for making calls. It is strange because w/ my galaxy I could use apple headphones or really any brand and they all worked fine. They should all work exactly the same.
I just hope this is a software compatibility issue with the in-line mic/controls and not a hardware issue. I have three pairs of pistons 2's that I used on a regular basis with my oneplus.
chowhoundb said:
I just hope this is a software compatibility issue with the in-line mic/controls and not a hardware issue. I have three pairs of pistons 2's that I used on a regular basis with my oneplus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found the same issue...hopefully software.
+1
My V-Moda Crossfade LP2s are unable to control anything on the 6P, where they worked just fine on the LG G4
I was able to get my Piston 2 working by holding the VOLUME DOWN button while pluging them. but the controls on the cable do not work. but I have sound at least.
clongetty said:
I was able to get my Piston 2 working by holding the VOLUME DOWN button while pluging them. but the controls on the cable do not work. but I have sound at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's odd that audio would completely fail.
I just tried another headphone pair I have. They are Klipsch Image S4i and the middle button works, even though these are iPhone specific headphones (hence the i in the name). The volume buttons on it don't do anything.
havanahjoe said:
That's odd that audio would completely fail.
I just tried another headphone pair I have. They are Klipsch Image S4i and the middle button works, even though these are iPhone specific headphones (hence the i in the name). The volume buttons on it don't do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't there an app that can remap the "input" it sees from the headphones?
I'm encountering issues across ALL headphones with inline buttons, including Sony, Beats, and the Project Fi headphones. I'm on my second device now (RMA'd the first to see if it was device-specific), and all exhibit the same issue: double-click to skip track fails when the device is locked after a certain number of presses, and recogntion of the inline button is generally sporadic when the device is locked.
HOWEVER! Everything is perfect when the device is unlocked! So this has to be a software issue, right?
i'm having issues where the headphones seem to be working, but the mute button is not muting the headphones (but they do mute the call). so i hear EVERYTHING in my ears. its like a weird loopback.
The_Middleman said:
I'm encountering issues across ALL headphones with inline buttons, including Sony, Beats, and the Project Fi headphones. I'm on my second device now (RMA'd the first to see if it was device-specific), and all exhibit the same issue: double-click to skip track fails when the device is locked after a certain number of presses, and recogntion of the inline button is generally sporadic when the device is locked.
HOWEVER! Everything is perfect when the device is unlocked! So this has to be a software issue, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was a thread about this, maybe it was you who posted it.
My S4i headphones can control music (pause/unpause) with the screen off. I have Smart Lock enabled with my Moto 360 though, so not sure if that makes a difference. I also finally updated to MDB08L this morning. I was stuck on MDA89D until I manually sideloaded the MDB08K OTA (then the MDB08L OTA was downloaded by the phone).
I just tried my V-Moda Crossfades and those still are not able to control anything with the screen lock or unlocked (last time I had used them was before the software update)
---------- Post added at 11:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 AM ----------
640k said:
i'm having issues where the headphones seem to be working, but the mute button is not muting the headphones (but they do mute the call). so i hear EVERYTHING in my ears. its like a weird loopback.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds like a feature I might like to enable sometimes at work, but it would be annoying when trying to isolate everything around me!
havanahjoe said:
That sounds like a feature I might like to enable sometimes at work, but it would be annoying when trying to isolate everything around me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it wasn't such a nice feature as i was walking from my car and the mic was rubbing on the zipper of my jacket and i could hear it and the wind in my ears. if i covered the mic with my hand, the sound went away, so it seems like there is definitely a software issue.
640k said:
it wasn't such a nice feature as i was walking from my car and the mic was rubbing on the zipper of my jacket and i could hear it and the wind in my ears. if i covered the mic with my hand, the sound went away, so it seems like there is definitely a software issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get that when using the Klipschs, but it's the vibration traveling through the wire and into my ears (since they are in-ear headphones), and it is annoying.
i use Apple EarPods. $29. love them.
My Xiaomi Pistons were the only set of headphones that didn't work at all (music played through front-facing speakers and not the headphones). All other headphones I own seem to have the same compatibility issues as all other Android headsets vs iPhone made headsets in regards to the in-line buttons working or not.
I hate in-ear/noise-cancelling/over-ear options since I use headphones while walking around the city and still prefer to still hear what's going on around me. Apple EarPods work but the in-line volume buttons don't work. Play/Pause/Answer/End button works fine though. My only other option that I've discovered is the Amazon Fire Headset. They are similar pods that don't isolate sound and all buttons on the headset work fine.
RG129 said:
My Xiaomi Pistons were the only set of headphones that didn't work at all (music played through front-facing speakers and not the headphones). All other headphones I own seem to have the same compatibility issues as all other Android headsets vs iPhone made headsets in regards to the in-line buttons working or not.
I hate in-ear/noise-cancelling/over-ear options since I use headphones while walking around the city and still prefer to still hear what's going on around me. Apple EarPods work but the in-line volume buttons don't work. Play/Pause/Answer/End button works fine though. My only other option that I've discovered is the Amazon Fire Headset. They are similar pods that don't isolate sound and all buttons on the headset work fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mine didn't work as well. however, my amazon ones worked and i could also use vol up and pause, but vol down wasn't working.
So now my headphones are working apparently, the inline mic controls, pause/play volume up and down now work.
Using the Sennheiser Mm30g.
The Bose QC25s work like a charm along with the inline controls.
But...you need to buy the "made for Android" version.
I also have the pistons and they no longer work
My jaybird bluebirds x work perfectly. Need to test in my Lexus, however, pairing went fine so expect it will be ok.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

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