Help TV-Out on the Droid

[Apeman]

Anyone find anything? Still haven't heard anything from Motodev so I think it is up to us.

 

[T0LLPHR33]

i haven't heard anything or found anything on my side...

this thread should be made into a sticky...

 

[T0LLPHR33]

Also take a look at Sixth Sense by MIT Media Lab
s i x t h s e n s e - a wearable gestural interface (MIT Media Lab)
Click on "videos" on the side and look at the one that is Youtube embedded.

that's bad ass bro...definitely interested in learning more about it...

 

[Apeman]

Yea Sixth Sense is awesome.

I am currently fiddling around in the SDK..... from what I have read Android should support TV-out out of the box, but we will need to root the Droid to find out if it is really hardware or software.

 

[T0LLPHR33]

Yea Sixth Sense is awesome.

I am currently fiddling around in the SDK..... from what I have read Android should support TV-out out of the box, but we will need to root the Droid to find out if it is really hardware or software.

from that diagram that you posted from TI it looks like it would be software cause the hardware side is already done...but its up to the company if they want to utilize the hardware for other things...

 

[Apeman]

I think Moto should be more open to this, and for the Droid and future devices from ALL manufacturers need to have their devices more open to the creation of software AND Hardware for their products. If the Droid was labeled as a "Sixth Sense and HMD device" they would have gotten a lot more interest and more people would have bought it.

 

[CRPercodani]

Not many people have any clue what SS is though so it might have actually confused many average users. For people who know about it though it would of been a major selling point, although I don't know if MIT and that guy who made it would have been keen on a company using a open source app they created as a "marketing tool" since they are doing it for free.

 

[Apeman]

I am saying in general. I don't see why all these companies think that they are more financially secure and better off by making their systems closed off to software and hardware developers. The Droid and Android in general is a huge step to open source software, but we also need an open hardware initiative. The reason I love the Beagle Board is because it allows easy customization on the hardware and software level, but it is not as well known and large because it is not a big consumer product.

 

[CRPercodani]

Because they have to offer support for these products, it is incredibly hard for them to do that when it has to much openness. Also they are a company who does this for money, not for the recognition of creating open hardware. I would love it too but it isn't likely to happen with a large company like Moto.

 

[drumcrazy]

I think Moto should be more open to this, and for the Droid and future devices from ALL manufacturers need to have their devices more open to the creation of software AND Hardware for their products. If the Droid was labeled as a "Sixth Sense and HMD device" they would have gotten a lot more interest and more people would have bought it.

Motorola is really wanting to incorporate their future devices with multimedia technology, especially in video. Like I said in a previous post, we have a phone in the works with an HDMI output on it (using Android)

 

[Apeman]

Well hopefully Motorola will continue with the plan of "opening" up their devices.

 

[JoeFresco]

androidscreencast - Project Hosting on Google Code

This indicates thatandroid is capable of sending video over micro USB. However, that software did not work on my Droid, and it requires the Droid be put into debugging mode.

 

[rwrife]

androidscreencast - Project Hosting on Google Code

This indicates thatandroid is capable of sending video over micro USB. However, that software did not work on my Droid, and it requires the Droid be put into debugging mode.

It's not sending video over the usb cable, it's basically doing a remote desktop from your desktop to your phone and using the USB port for the "network" connection.

 

[Mongor]

Hi, is it possible to check, what kind of 3,5mm connector Motorola installed on the Droid? 3 rings or only 2? maybe by inserting an 3 ring connector and checking if all are isolated. Unfortunately my Droid hasn't arrived yet.

 

[anuleif]

LOL! Your parents must be proud! Sorry for the off topic post, but when I started reading this thread and saw your pic (OP), I immediately thought of my son. He's not nearly your age yet, and not nearly as knowledgeable as you are yet, but he's always trying to... break stuff to make new stuff. He steals batteries out the remote controls while I'm sleeping, and has tried to do heaven only knows what with a couple of a/v cords... and some still missing computer parts. (He hides things very well.)

I couldn't help but wonder if you were as expensive as my kid is when you were younger, thanks to a very curious and inventive nature. Good luck on your quest!

 

[tallelf78]

Good luck on your quest!

I 2nd that!

 

[MayhemPlz]

Apeman I also applaud you. Most kids your age could care less about innovation, creativity and certainly NOT research. After 25 years in IT it is my experience that the Digital Generation loves technology but could care less how it works. Keep driving forward even if it doesn't work in the end (and I personally hope it does) it is the process of learning that's important.

I totally agree with you that this has numerous applications beyond pirated video and porn something some folks on this board seem to short sighted to see. If you were just looking to play video files (I get that you're not) on an external device the iPhone CAN do that now and the video looks great on my Plasma HD. I have both an iPhone and Droid and would love to go down to just one but use my iPhone as a DVR with a handheld DVD player on long trips. Sorry guys but it doesn't get more compact and convent than that on a 8 hr international flight. I would also like to shoot some video of my granddaughter (better video is one reason I got the droid) walk over to a TV plug in and play it back for all to see.

I am going to put one of my iPhone/Android developers on this and see what we can find out.

 

[cb2000a]

Motorola is really wanting to incorporate their future devices with multimedia technology, especially in video. Like I said in a previous post, we have a phone in the works with an HDMI output on it (using Android)

Rumored to be called the Sholes and it is coming soon (think of the DROID with no keyboard and HDMI output). And also maybe an 8 mp camera (720 resolution video camera).

 

[dmodert66]

Supposedly the 8 mp camera is debunked, but meh...

To the OP...Keep going! This is an awesome idea! I kinda wish I was a kid these days. Back in my day (yeah, I'm old), programming in basic on a Commodore Vic 20/then 64 was pretty wild. You are MUCH more advanced than I was at your age. Good luck and keep us updated. After all, if we find out there is video out available via USB (or if someone verifies that the 3.5mm has 3 rings), perhaps a 3rd party (or if you should decide to patent your idea and pursue it as a commercial product) will come out with video out devices for the Droid. This would make it REALLY handy for business centric customers for presentations and such (as stated above)...

 

[Apeman]

Hey guys! Thanks for responding and your interest in my project.

I have been doing a lot more modifications to the device itself, and have teamed up with another person to perfect the device to be a full wearable computer. Sadly, until the Droid is rooted, it does not look like it will work unless Motorola/Google wants to be nice and issue a update (If it is a software issue.) I am currently been going threw the process of searching and eventual hope to receive a patent, and have a perfected device as a commercial product for multiple devices (Droid , Crackberries, WinMo ((Eww)), and Iphone/Itouch (Already done for people have been jailbroken)

This has been a great project, and I am setting up a website and blog to keep people updated throughout the development process. Ill post some more pictures of the updated device here and on the new site, including some fun at MIT

 

[T0LLPHR33]

can't wait to read more about this apeman...

your doing an awesome job so far...keep it up bro...

 

[Apeman]

Thanks dude, site will hopefully be up today. Going to be having a naming contest so start thinking!

 

[spectrrr]

I love the concepts in SixthSense, and also in this one: TED Blog: The Buzz: Ramachandra Budihal augments reality
Really, I think the SS folks made a serious tactical mistake in basing their project off the projector. People are private, they don't want that information projected! Furthermore, if I want to pull up a webpage, why should I have to look for a "screenable" surface to project my browser on? Maybe I am outside in a field and there is none! But the gestural interface is GREAT!

I see the future as a combination of the two projects, with a healthy dose of local networking thrown in. Use a HUD style display affixed to glasses for information display. Use the camera to constantly evaluate the environment around you, and also your hand positions. Use gestural interface for anything that is needed. You could even use a camera pointed back at the eye with some eye tracking software to keep track of where the user is focusing their vision, and then of course integrate that into the UI.

Local networking comes into play for collaborating with nearby users. Think grand scale technology that is eventually miniaturized to be something that EVERYONE carries. Just like everyone has a cell phone, if you assume nearly everyone will have one of these devices, then you can assume integration with them. So I could "look" at a nearby person, make a gesture or give them "the eye" so to speak, and they would be instantly be allowed to see what I wanted them to see. So if I am looking at a map and trying to give them directions, that view would immediately be shared with them.

Here's a few examples of tasks and how they would be accomplished. Note that one drawback of my idea is that I think it would require a lot more video processing than the current systems, but not so much that its out of reach. When I talk about using a HUD display, I envision it monitoring the world around and formatting the information to display correctly on that. So things would not always be formatted in flat 2D as we are accustomed to seeing it, but rather in 3D, like they were being "projected" virtually onto nearby surfaces. This is the greatest benefits of the HUD system however, because for information that is better served in the traditional 2D environment, you can always go back to that, seamlessly switching between 2D/3D display of information, even doing both simultaneously for different sets of information being displayed at the same time.

1) Dialing your phone: simply look at your hand, arm, or any other surface and initiate the gesture (with eyes or fingers) that would begin that process. A virtual number pad would appear over your hand, just like in the SS video. /the only difference is that the pad would be displayed onto your eyeglass HUD display, so only you would see the number pad on your hand, no one else. Use your fingers to dial normally.

2) Look up ticket information: Simply look at the ticket. The information you need will be displayed on the HUD overlapping the ticket image, or next to it.

3) Shopping: pick up any item, focus your eyes on the barcode to "scan" it. Voila, information.

4) Books: same as in the SS demo, look at the book and its information will pop up. IF a cover search fails, you can always glance at the barcode on the back. Camera will keep track of the book, so further information can be displayed as you begin to read into it.

5) Newspapers: cool idea adding a video screen to a newspaper! BUT why add the screen when you're wearing it? a gesture around an article could have the PDA searching for video relating to that article and popping it up on the screen next to the article.

Just a few things off the top of my head, I think you see what I'm thinking......

 

[boone]

Check out what I found:
HTC Touch Pro Series Video Out Cable ACT100 - (OEM) Original - 73H00274-00M

Designed for video out, it's a cable that turns Mini-USB into into the audio and video (white, red, and yellow) RCA jacks. It's advertised as an HTC Touch Pro cable. At the bottom of the page, it lists compatible phones.

What caught my eye: its compatible with the HTC Droid Eris - an android phone! (Afaik, the other phones are Windows Mobile)

Thoughts:
- This shows that an Android phone is capable of outputting video through Mini-USB.
- Could the Eris driver work with the Droid? I highly doubt it, as the phones have different processors. Could they possibly share video cards?
- Barring that, someone could write a driver for the Droid.

Maybe I should just buy an Eris/Touch Pro 2.

Edit: Here's another one!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Y1KSMS...e=380333&creativeASIN=B002Y1KSMS&linkCode=asn

 

[Apeman]

You sir, are amazing. Sadly the second amazon link is the other way (Video goes into it, to the mini USB..... probably that's why its so cheap )

Well, that first link is great. Going to try buying one and hope it works with the Droid.... if not I may try to get an Eris

Update on my site: Im trying to host it from my house..... having some issues. Hopefully will get it up soon.