I'm a music lover, and I've half deaf, so when I use earphones I can usually only hear one channel. This was a serious issue to me, so I set out to find a way to force mono downmixes on my HTC One m8. Surprisingly, from all the research I have done I could not find a single audio mod, rom, or kernel that supported this feature system wise. Sure, players like poweramp are able to do it, but I use Google Play Music and didn't want to sacrifice my unlimited streaming just to gain mono. The solution I found works on my HTC One M8 running santod's excellent NuSense 6 rom, but I suspect it will work stock and any other sense based rom as well.
1. You need to first adb into your phone and get the /system/etc/audio_policy.conf file.
2. Edit the file however you are most comfortable. You need to change every AUDIO_CHANNEL_OUT_STEREO to AUDIO_CHANNEL_OUT_MONO. Make sure to erase duplicates. Basically, every output line that says "channel masks" should only have AUDIO_CHANNEL_OUT_MONO.
3. Replace the file in your phone.
4. This only works if boomsound is turned on. I can't figure out how to make it work without boomsound.
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Looking to route the sound coming from video files through bluetooth, i have sound from music going through just fine, but i can have it playing music then open a video file in the same program and it'll stop playing through the headphones and play through the speaker, the program i use doesn't matter, does this for everything, i've searched the forums and just the internet in general on a way to get this working and all i can find it things on how to route music, does anyone know a way to get this working? thank you
Been awhile, does anyone have any ideas on this?
Just use TCPMP (freeware media player). I'm watching Red Dwarf with it and the audio's going right to my bluetooth headphones. You'll want to get the codec pack so it'll be able to play many more formats than it already can.
I had problems with skipping when watching videos in tcpmp while using a2dp. I tried coreplayer, and it worked perfectly - well worth splashing out for!
I'll give it a try tonight, not sure if i tried that one yet or not, thanks for the suggestion
Yeah same situation, i have no idea why why it refuses to run sound from video through bluetooth, when music will work fine
did you do anything special to get this working, or was it just working already?
I didnt do anything special. I'm using sony DR-BT30Q headphones, and I just paired them, press play on the headphones to activate the a2dp service, and the headphone symbol appears on the screen. Its all operational from that point.
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Nuts, what happens on mine is i'll set it up to play through the headphones, sometimes play a song or something to verify the sound is going through the headphones, then i'll load up a video, and there will be a click in my headphones and then sound starts coming through the phone speaker, and for everything until i pair them up again.
maybe i need to get some new headphones or something!
Is it possible its just a problem with my rom?
i use pdacorner version..6 i think due to my crazy battery drain problems with any newer ones than that, maybe i'll try swapping out a new rom and see if it helps at all, honestly have never tried it.
I have never had any problem on any rom, and have tried about 5 or 6 over the last year. At the moment I am very happy with crc's stable roms, and have no a2dp problems with it.
Hello All,
Just got the Sprint Touch yesterday and was surprised and saddened to find out that my faithful HTC Audio Manager was missing from the OEM ROM.
I knew it was on here, grabbed the Audio Manager and Audio Booster, installed them and low-and-behold, I can't seem to use check the Equalizer box in the Audio Booster; kinda ruining all my music.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!
Matt
I've tried the booster on other devices, really never saw a change in the sound, so personally I think it is a waste. I have yet to see anyone mention using it and working.
That's the crazy thing, man.
I was using it all the time on my S730; and it works, and works well.
However, when I install the duo on my Touch, it doesn't work. This is a massive disappointment.
I've tested the following players and am having some trouble finding one with an effective EQ that is as stable (no or minimal skipping):
MortPlayer (EQ is straight shait, UI {playlist, song management} is awful)
WMP (No EQ, skips probably every time I gain or lose coverage)
S2P (depends on the same API as WMP, no EQ)
In the case that audio manager + audio booster doesn't work:
1) Is there a ROM that actually contains the two that works?
2) Can someone recommend a player with good file management and an EQ?
Thanks!
Matt
I purchased the CorePlayer, and it has an awesome equalizer with it. TCPMP (the early build) has it too, but probably not as great. I purchased it direct for about $25. It's not the best audio player, as far as GUI, but it does support bluetooth functions. I use it for all my movies, tv shows, flash videos, and occasionally music.
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-srs-wow-hd-sound-driver.html
I use that, and it sounds great with S2P
So I've asked this before back when I had the Moment, but why can't I stream to BT on a non-A2DP device? No before answering the obvious, I experience the same things on the Epic that I did on the Moment where if I have music streaming, playing from the SD, etc and a call comes in, the music will automatically pause and I can take the call. Once I end the call, I the music will play for about a second or more through my BlueAnt Z9i BT and then it will revert back to the stock speaker on the phone itself. So what is preventing someone from taking advantage of that lapse of time where the music is coming through the BT and make it happen all the time? I'm sure there are COUNTLESS people who could use and benefit from this instead of buying a dedicated BT, I might be able to stream wireless from my phone to my car stereo (BT calls capable, but I cannot stream directly to it as an input), to my PC (which has BT), etc. Just throwing it out there since I've always wondered why we couldn't capitalize on the second or two and make it a normal operation. I tried to break this post into a couple of paragraphs, but the site wouldn't let me. Anyways, thanks all.
I would also be interested in this. I was able to do this with windows mobile so there's no doubt that it can be done on a non a2dp headset.
The fact that it happens, even for a second, tells me that something is delayed that is telling it to stop. Telling it to start might be in a whole different ballpark, but point is, it should be possible. I've got 3 different BT's floating around my house...one in the house sitting around on my desk, one that I always take with me in the car (gotta be safe, ya know ) and another I keep in the garage incase I get a call while I'm working on something and/or out mowing the lawn. I'd love to even be able to be following around the GF (shoot me now) while she's shopping...imaging how much better it would be to be able to play music or hear my games without people around me knowing the wiser. I don't want to have to buy and then wear a stereo headset.
App in the Marketplace called "BTSwitch" works on my devices. try out the lite version first theres a little audio flaw with the stereo music being converted to mono (i'm guessing) but then i'm an audiophile.
>MR.T said:
App in the Marketplace called "BTSwitch" works on my devices. try out the lite version first theres a little audio flaw with the stereo music being converted to mono (i'm guessing) but then i'm an audiophile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only bt switch i see on the market is a widget to turn bluetooth on and off. Could you have been referring to a different app?
>MR.T said:
App in the Marketplace called "BTSwitch" works on my devices. try out the lite version first theres a little audio flaw with the stereo music being converted to mono (i'm guessing) but then i'm an audiophile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm trying this as well at the very moment. I only see one app with that name and I don't see anything referencing a lite version. My BT doesn't even like to connect while this app is installed, causing the normal BT settings to not even allow it to pair up. I had to remove the app and reboot the phone to get the BT to connect through the normal Menu > Wireless & Networks > Bluetooth Settings before it would connect again.
I know this may not be the best timing to bump this w/ all the Froyo excitement, but I'm sure myself and others would like to see this happen. I've still got my fingers crossed that maybe someone on the sidelines could help.
It's called Super Mono BT.....They have a Froyo addition as well as a "free" edition...Free addition is just a 5 day trial, after that it's 2.99. It works fine but it's not in stereo so it sounds like AM radio, LMAO. Worth a shot though just to try.
I was able to install the app, but it doesn't work for me...yet. The problem is that is requires Cynanogen Mod and I don't have that since I've (as of yesterday) flashed my phone back to stock DI18 while waiting for Sprint to send me an OTA notice to update to Froyo. I was WAY too buddy via the download available here, so I guess I wait to use this BT app. Thanks for the reply though, I look forward to being able to use it.
I know that software can choose between speaker and headset even when the headset is plugged in (since the FM radio can do that). But is it possible to force audio out of both the headset and the phone speaker? I ask because I have an audio docking that I'm going to use in the car, and if this is impossible, I'll have to put up an extra speaker and amp for when I listen to the radio but want TomTom to warn mea bout those pesky speed cameras... So is it possible with a sneaky trick to choose both headset and speaker?
That can only be done over at the kernel's and the framework's side. The best bet is to customize the kernel. Detection of the headset plugging/unplugging is done by kernel’s switch driver and the event is sent to 'HeadsetObserver.java' which broadcasts the intent 'Intent.ACTION_HEADSET_PLUG' with information about state as plugged/unplugged. This is received by 'PhoneApps.java' and the audiomanagerr is informed to turn on/off the speaker which further passes the information to Libaudio.so (AudioHardware.cpp). These information is passed to the kernel to switch between the speakerphone and Headset. This might differ with Android 2.3, but forcing the kernel to play sound to both the headset and the speaker might be the only way. The first few actions are done by the framework itself. You can try or suggest this feature to the CM team. I know this is not what you want, but for the time being, you can perhaps use a dual audio jack splitter and connect your headset and a speaker. Alternatively, there a few apps in the market which enables live streaming on your PC over Wi-Fi. You can try streaming the media so that the audi is played by the PC and the connected speakers. At the same time, you can plug in your headset. This should work, but no guarantees...hope this helps, and i have to say that it will be an awesome feature if the devs can find a way to cook this feature into a stable android build!
Android? Yuck! Good on tablets, totally hopeless on phones! Was going to use my brother's Desire for on day, begged him to give me back something that actually worked efficiently after two hours! No, I'm talking about good old Windows Mobile 6.5 here. Didn't really think I'd have to specify that in a thread about general HD2...
While it might be possible, I doubt anyone will do it.
however, you can get audio through both headphones and external speakers using a special jack. it has a male part on one side and two female parts on the other.
of course. I've used the jack splitter on several things (I do a lot of work with custom installation of computers as whole house media servers). And that's what I meant in the first post when I wrote "if this is impossible, I'll have to put up an extra speaker and amp for when I listen to the radio but want TomTom to warn mea bout those pesky speed cameras."
But I have found sort of a solution: Start the HD2's FM radio, switch that to playback through the speaker (which is why I know this not only might be possible, but is possible with software, since the FM radio can play through the speaker even with a 3.5 mm jack plugged in) and mute the radio. Then all sound will come through the speaker. Kind of a pain in the ass to do it that way. I have found a Mort script that does it, with a few modifications, but I haven't had the time to check that out yet.
that's a weird workaround XD
I'll try it later.
Yeah, weird all right. Actually it's been used before. Found it on Google, with a reference to this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=444581 Another phone, same method.
EDIT: Tried a couple, none work - results in bluetooth instability and crashing.
I'd like to try a different bluetooth library. Essential has broken this one for well over a year and ignores my support/findings. SBC bluetooth is not routing audio correctly under certain circumstances.
I'd like to try an AOSP-based ROM's libbluetooth.so file to see if it's any different, but preferrably LineageOS 17's version. And for the hell of it, I'd like to see if a Pixel 2 or 3's will break the phone - I'm asking for Pixel because this phone closely resembles a Pixel 2, and Google can't replicate my findings per their official issue tracker. But it may break the phone since it's not built for the Essential.
File MUST come from an Android 10 ROM, but again, nothing built based on the Essential stock ROM.
-----------------------
Background
At least since Android 8, bluetooth audio using the SBC bluetooth codec won't properly route audio. Essential won't take this issue seriously, from my experience. This is dangerous as it affects being hands-free when I drive.
Steps to replicate:
1. Connect to Bluetooth device that defaults to SBC bluetooth. You can check what Bluetooth codec is being used in the developer settings -- it'll list the Bluetooth codec rather than saying "use default" or something similar. You can change the codec here, too, as long as the device supports other codecs.
2. Open Google Maps and enter any location, then start navigation
Results: No audio
3. Pause, stop, exit, etc. Navigation. Now Initiate Google Assistant -- say a command.
Results: No audio
4. Receive a text message
5. Ask Google Assistant to read your message(s)
Result: No audio
Now repeat the tests while playing music:
#2 Results: Navigation works as it should, presumably being routed over Media since music is using the Media audio channel.
Sadly, Google Assistant steps cause music to be paused, resulting in still no audio.
I have repeated these tests using every selectable audio codec for Bluetooth in the developer settings and EVERYTHING works as it should using any other codec. Once SBC is selected, the problem above exists.
Since Google can't replicate this problem, my assumption is Pixel devices don't exhibit this problem... or Google failed to test specifically using the SBC codec. Essential is ignoring this problem, so I'm stuck. Essential builds based on AOSP, I assume, so I'm skeptical an AOSP lib file will make a difference, but I can hope. It's unclear how much Essential modifies in the code. However, LineageOS has made significant changes to bluetooth, particularly enhancing SBC bluetooth for dual channel audio, increasing the bitrate significantly. So not only might this resolve the problem, but it would also improve audio quality.
EDIT: Tried a couple, none work - results in bluetooth instability and crashing.
gk1984 said:
I'd like to try a different bluetooth library. Essential has broken this one for well over a year and ignores my support/findings. SBC bluetooth is not routing audio correctly under certain circumstances.
I'd like to try an AOSP-based ROM's libbluetooth.so file to see if it's any different, but preferrably LineageOS 17's version. And for the hell of it, I'd like to see if a Pixel 2 or 3's will break the phone - I'm asking for Pixel because this phone closely resembles a Pixel 2, and Google can't replicate my findings per their official issue tracker. But it may break the phone since it's not built for the Essential.
File MUST come from an Android 10 ROM, but again, nothing built based on the Essential stock ROM.
-----------------------
Background
At least since Android 8, bluetooth audio using the SBC bluetooth codec won't properly route audio. Essential won't take this issue seriously, from my experience. This is dangerous as it affects being hands-free when I drive.
Steps to replicate:
1. Connect to Bluetooth device that defaults to SBC bluetooth. You can check what Bluetooth codec is being used in the developer settings -- it'll list the Bluetooth codec rather than saying "use default" or something similar. You can change the codec here, too, as long as the device supports other codecs.
2. Open Google Maps and enter any location, then start navigation
Results: No audio
3. Pause, stop, exit, etc. Navigation. Now Initiate Google Assistant -- say a command.
Results: No audio
4. Receive a text message
5. Ask Google Assistant to read your message(s)
Result: No audio
Now repeat the tests while playing music:
#2 Results: Navigation works as it should, presumably being routed over Media since music is using the Media audio channel.
Sadly, Google Assistant steps cause music to be paused, resulting in still no audio.
I have repeated these tests using every selectable audio codec for Bluetooth in the developer settings and EVERYTHING works as it should using any other codec. Once SBC is selected, the problem above exists.
Since Google can't replicate this problem, my assumption is Pixel devices don't exhibit this problem... or Google failed to test specifically using the SBC codec. Essential is ignoring this problem, so I'm stuck. Essential builds based on AOSP, I assume, so I'm skeptical an AOSP lib file will make a difference, but I can hope. It's unclear how much Essential modifies in the code. However, LineageOS has made significant changes to bluetooth, particularly enhancing SBC bluetooth for dual channel audio, increasing the bitrate significantly. So not only might this resolve the problem, but it would also improve audio quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First...
I use all of the features you describe as being an issue... Without issue... Are you using Viper?
Second...
Pixel2 is the one that would most likely work the best... If you grab the factory image... There is a tool... Probably in the forum somewhere... That'll let you break the image...
Third...
I wouldn't gamble on this working... Based on what I've seen with the Custom ROM scene... Bluetooth on this device is just funky
EDIT:
What Bluetooth version is your car audio doodad?
rignfool said:
First...
I use all of the features you describe as being an issue... Without issue... Are you using Viper?
Second...
Pixel2 is the one that would most likely work the best... If you grab the factory image... There is a tool... Probably in the forum somewhere... That'll let you break the image...
Third...
I wouldn't gamble on this working... Based on what I've seen with the Custom ROM scene... Bluetooth on this device is just funky
EDIT:
What Bluetooth version is your car audio doodad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you confirmed everything works with the SBC bluetooth codec? Not all cars/audio devices use the same codec. Everything works just fine on the other supported codecs on this phone. It's JUST the SBC codec that's problematic. I've replicated it with my car, a knock-off Chinese bluetooth speaker that only supports SBC audio, and Marshall Major bluetooth headphones by forcing the SBC codec. I've tried both with a factory reset and zero modifications as well as with Viper4Android and JamesDSP. Even fully stock, the problem exists.
Many people comment that there is no problem, but none confirm the codec they're using.