Boy Genius Report answers 19 Questions about the Epic 4G

[pjy9394]

The Boy Genius Report just posted a thread like 20 minutes ago, answering lots of questions. A lot of the questions, you already know, but there are few that are quite informative.

Your EPIC 4G questions answered Boy Genius Report

And here is the "first impressions", with the full report to come later.

Sprint EPIC 4G: First Impressions Boy Genius Report

 

[iwillfearnoevil]

it'd be nice to have a review thread where they are all stickied lol instead of one thread per review. thanks for posting though.

 

[vertcobra99]

I am kinda pissed that there is no FM radio on this phone or HDMI out... I use that function all the time.

I may have to consider another phone... its a shame because I was really looking to get this phone.

 

[mattism78]

I am kinda pissed that there is no FM radio on this phone or HDMI out... I use that function all the time.

I may have to consider another phone... its a shame because I was really looking to get this phone.

I have a feeling the hardware for the FM radio might be in the phone. Perhaps the software isn't. The HDMI on the other hand is a bit disappointing. However streaming with a PS3, and Xbox 360 will be possible due to DLNA technology which is a blessing IMHO.

 

[vertcobra99]

I have a feeling the hardware for the FM radio might be in the phone. Perhaps the software isn't. The HDMI on the other hand is a bit disappointing. However streaming with a PS3, and Xbox 360 will be possible due to DLNA technology which is a blessing IMHO.

If the hardware is there... are their programs out there on the android market that would enable the FM radio to be used?

 

[kristv]

I have a feeling the hardware for the FM radio might be in the phone. Perhaps the software isn't. The HDMI on the other hand is a bit disappointing. However streaming with a PS3, and Xbox 360 will be possible due to DLNA technology which is a blessing IMHO.

Yeah, I was kind of bummed out about the lack of HDMI out as well, but then realized that I would be able to use my 360 or PS3 for this so I guess I'm okay with that oversight by Samsung. Of course, that doesn't necessarily help other folks who don't have these options. In good news, a lot of newer LCD/LED/Plasma tv's have this functionality too. Samsung's 650 series (which I have) has the ability to stream but you have to buy a wireless adapator to do so (unless you have an ethernet cable running to it). The 750 series and higher don't need the adapter because they are already wireless.

 

[kristv]

Huh....just stumbled across this. If this is true, then there is no need for a HDMI-out port!

Galaxy S Can Do HDMI Out Via Micro USB Port

Very cool...

 

[pjy9394]

Huh....just stumbled across this. If this is true, then there is no need for a HDMI-out port!

Galaxy S Can Do HDMI Out Via Micro USB Port

Very cool...

Well, the cable is shown at Samsung.com, so being able to HDMI-out sounds legit to me.

And I bet you can find a cheaper micro-usb to HDMI cable somewhere for like $10, if there's nothing special about the one the Samsung is selling on their site.

Edit: never mind. apparently, this cable is "specially engineered" by samsung. That makes sense because it doesn't sound right for a USB cable to carry HD signals.

 

[kristv]

Well, the cable is now on sale at Samsung.com, so being able to HDMI-out sounds legit to me.

And I bet you can find a cheaper micro-usb to HDMI cable somewhere for like $10, if there's nothing special about the one the Samsung is selling on their site.

I bet you're right...I'm gonna check out monoprice.com. If they don't have a cheaper option, they will eventually! I buy all of my audio/video cables and adaptors there. Quality stuff!

The problem will be finding a cable that's capable of 5.1 sound (if you plan to watch movies with this option from the device). I'm sure they will be available, but they probably won't be very cheap.

 

[Eazail70x7]

"
15. So I’m dying to know, does the EPIC actually do any kind of video out? [Link]
Yes, via the headphone jack. Only RCA-out though. No HDMI for you! If you have a DLNA enabled device you can output wirelessly to that device that way. Edit: a micro-USB to HMDI cable may get you wired HDMI after all. Waiting for confirmation from Samsung…"

 

[nuttzy]

I got this working and is amazing! I actually prefer the DLNA to the HDMI because going through the xbox means I'm getting HD *and* the sound is coming through my surround sound system (not TV speakers). You do have to have a networked Windows computer as a go between with this method. There's a lot of steps to setup, but then it is dead simple once you have it going. I found this page after lots of random google searches so here's what I did:

1) make sure you are connected to xbox live b/c you'll need to grab some updates (they happen automatically)
2) from the 360 dashboard you want the "My Xbox" top-level menu item (which is the default)
3) scroll past things like "game library" and "video library until you get to "Windows Media Center" option.
4) Fire that up... I think microsoft provides a means for this to work even you don't have an official Windows Media PC. Not sure b/c my laptop with Windows 7 supported it out of the box
5) go through the setup on both the xbox and your computer (I just did the default express installs)
6) When that is done, now go to your phone
7) Your phone needs to be connected via WiFi presumably on the same network as your PC
8) Fire up the "All Share" app that came with your Epic 4G.
9) Select the top option "Play file from my phone on another player"
10) Select "My device" as the device with media clips and then select a video or picture for the play list (Add it)
11) For the "device to play media clip on", you should be able to select "xbox 360 media center"
12) wait a few seconds, and your playlist starts playing!

To be clear, you definitely do need a PC to interface between the phone and xbox. After setup use these steps:
1) Computer does not need to have the Window Media Center user interface running (though I imagine some process is)
2) fireup your xbox and the Windows Media Center option (you don't need to be logged into xbox live)
3) Run the All Share steps and enjoy!