Audio output through USB

[oliverwinston]

I'd like to use my moto droid in my car using as few as cables as possible.

Does anyone know if there is way to connect just the USB cable so I can charge the droid and get analog audio too? I would like to connect one cable to the droid when I get in my car and not mess with the 3.5 audio connector or an fm modulator etc.

I was thinking there may be a cable that connects to the droids usb and can charge the droid and have a 3.5 auxillary audio output to plug into my stereo.

I read a few of the threads on the forum but couldn't locate the answer and it doesnt seem any of the similar 3-1 or 2-1 products I find list the moto Droid as an approved device. (HTC Multifunction Audio Adapter for CellularSouth HTC Hero / HTC Hero / Sprint Hero / T-Mobile myTouch 3G, myTouch 3G Fender / Verizon HTC Droid Eris - Phandroid Store)

Anyone?

Thanks in advance,


O

 

[Inphosys]

I'm chiming in because I would love to know if you find anything. I'm canceling XM radio this month. I'm just going to start using my droid and Pandora through the AUX input on my radio.

 

[mystereon]

Yes that is possible. I have done it many times.

 

[Inphosys]

Yes that is possible. I have done it many times.

Hey Mystereon ... Do you have any particular product that you've used to accomplish this? I think what oliverwinston is looking for is a single, microUSB plug to put in the side of the Droid that will let it take a charge from a power source and also provide audio out at the same time. Much like the link he provided in the OP that's made by HTC.

I was just resigning myself to provide power from the cigarette lighter and then using the headphone jack to pump audio out to my radio. But if I could accomplish everything from one plug, that would be awesome!! Less to unplug when I'm jumping out of the car.

Thanks for the info!

Best regards,
Brad

 

[mystereon]

I have a Pioneer CD deck that has a USB port (which I usually have connected to my aging iPod) but you can plug your charging cable into the USB port.

Remember, in order to use the audio on the Droid on through the USB interface on your car stereo, remember to mount the USB drive. Then you navigate the audio from the car stereo.

Currently I used a Seidio Car mount to charge my phone, and a audio cable to play music off of it, but all you need is the standard MicroUSB cable that came with your Droid and a car stereo that can accept a USB plug.

 

[shaidtan]

mystereon has it right. If you use the headphone out into an aux port it'll play just like plugging in speakers. Through USB if you play something on the Droid you won't hear it through your deck. If you mount the SD card and navigate the music like a USB stick you'll get sound through USB. Track names don't show up though.

If I didn't have the ipod setup I'd definitely rock the Droid through the Aux port with a car dock. The two cables (charger and audio) wouldn't be too much of an issue I don't think. Especially if you consider that Pandora on Android isn't hindered by the 40 hour a month rule.

 

[oliverwinston]

It seems from the replies that.

1. That usb audio output is not possible. Instead you are using the usb connection to access the droids memory card. It works great if you have a usb connection on your head unit but not if you just have an aux. audio input on your head unit.

2. Ideally I wanted to output droid audio from usb the same way the droid outputs audio through the headphone jack.

The droid headphone jack isn't reliable for me and the plugs don't seat properly in it for my fm modulator.

I guess my goal of having a one connection power/audio usb car droid dock isn't possible right now.

 

[takeshi]

That is correct. If you want to reduce cable clutter in your car you might want to check into bluetooth A2DP solutions.