Spirit is a real, tuned, over-the-air FM radio app for Android. It does not require Internet access.
I NEED to take some time off, so please help yourself to all the info in the first 3 posts of this thread, and links to FAQs and trouble-shooting tips and other info : http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...3#post41055663
I NEED to take some time off, so please help yourself to all the info in the first 3 posts of this thread, and links to FAQs and trouble-shooting tips and other info : http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...3#post41055663
March 23, 2013: See end of post for digital audio solution. Digital audio is normally an Unlocked exclusive feature, but on Galaxy S it is available for Free users.
There is a risk of speaker damage on Galaxy S GT-i9000 when running custom ICS or JB ROMs.
If you've been running Spirit for at least 10-40 hours with no problem, your risk is minimal. I think this is hardware related and about 1-5 % are susceptible. I get about 1 report every 3 weeks now.
Avoiding use of the speaker or keeping volume low does not help. Risk may increase when using USB cables to PCs or chargers or external amplifiers.
If you are worried about Galaxy S speaker damage, then DO NOT use Spirit, unless on CM7 or a stock derived ROM. Use GB ROMs with proven safe FM, get a new phone, or just live without FM.
Unless you are familar with ALSA programming, Ioctls and low level Linux/Android kernel stuff, as well as DC servos in amplifiers, please do not think you have useful technical advice to give about what I should study. I've spent at least 400 hours on this problem, with no analog solution.
Have Damage ?:
If you've had GalaxyS speaker damage, and are a BRAVE do it yourselfer, here are some Ebay links for speakers and instructions on replacing them: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...postcount=2355 All responsibility for any problems doing this is yours.
Ringer/Buzzer Speakers are available on Ebay new for $6 shipped, or $8 refurbished shipped from the US to the US.
I'm very sorry for any problems. I had no idea this problem would happen or go on this long. It's rare that software causes hardware damage.
If you're angry, or think my dev skills are sub-par, please refer me to the secret documents for FM audio via Galaxy S ALSA controls. There is none. I've read the code for various audio libraries, and the ALSA drivers, many times, and though the March 4th, 2012 attempt seemed a virtual duplicate of the CM7 audio lib, the problem continued.
Using digital audio mode likely reduces or eliminates the risk. As of March 23, 2013, it's too early to tell.
On first Spirit startup, or after clearing app data, you are presented with a choice of "Digital" or "Danger". Choose "Digital". If running Unlocked, restart Spirit to enable Visualizations and a record button.
You can also set Menu-> Settings-> Audio-> Method to "Digital Auto" or "Digital GS1", both near the end of the list.
If you hear interrupted high frequency "chipmunk" sounds, rebooting may help, at least until the microphone is used (but phone calls OK ?).
If a reboot doesn't help, you can disable Digital-> Stereo and do Pause / Play. Audio is now mono of course, so you might as well set Audio-> Output Mode (or Channels next release) to "Mono Force".
Battery consumption may be a bit higher using digital. Unlocked uses substantially more CPU & battery when visualization is on screen, and when equalizers, effects and Bluetooth are in use.
Why every custom radio app turns on BT? HTC FM radio doesn't do that? I know that there is some explanation about BT and FM sharing the same chip, but it's weird to me that HTC radio doesn't turn BT on...
Btw, I have tried this on HTC Desire, but I was unable to scan via "scan" button - I get "FM operation failed. If problem persists, please turn off FM and turn it back on." One more thing - I did a quick comparison with MIUI FM (which is the default radio in Oxygen ROM), and it seems it's not that good with picking up FM signal.
Why every custom radio app turns on BT? HTC FM radio doesn't do that? I know that there is some explanation about BT and FM sharing the same chip, but it's weird to me that HTC radio doesn't turn BT on...
Btw, I have tried this on HTC Desire, but I was unable to scan via "scan" button - I get "FM operation failed. If problem persists, please turn off FM and turn it back on." One more thing - I did a quick comparison with MIUI FM (which is the default radio in Oxygen ROM), and it seems it's not that good with picking up FM signal.
I like that signal strength indicator, btw.
Thanks for your report ! BT is needed to control FM. Most FM "chips" are combination devices with WiFi and Bluetooth, and in some cases GPS. In theory, the manufacturers could enable a separate FM access mechanism, but in most known cases, FM control rides piggyback on Bluetooth HCI commands. Also in theory, if Bluetooth wasn't needed, control could likely be obtained directly from the serial port interface. But that doesn't make sense from a software architecture point of view.
I think the HTC app may be hiding the fact that it's using BT. Eg. if you run "bttest enable" from command line, Linux and hcitool and my app can use BT, but Android doesn't recognize BT is on, because the higher level Android stuff hasn't been started.
The HTC app takes about 6 seconds to start if BT is off. If BT is on I think it's much faster. It's no co-incidence that BT startup takes that time also.
On TI FM chips, it IS possible to turn BT back off when no FM control or data access is needed, just so long as WiFi or something else using that chip is still on. (Otherwise the Android power manager turns it off.) I will look into that further if needed, but I've seen my phones running 8-12+ hours with BT on and FM playing on a single charge.
Yes, the "Scan" function is not functional at this time. Long pressing the arrows for "Seek" should work though, albeit not well on Broadcom devices such as the Desire.
I need "time off" so please refer yourself to ALL the info linked to post #1 below. Compatibility list, FAQ, info links...
__________________________________________________
Spirit FM: Digital Audio, RDS, Media Controls+Much More http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?p=13379669
It launches fine on my Inspire 4G running CM7, but I can't pick up many channels where I am. My location isn't your fault though.
Wonderful ! Thanks for your report.
Standing on a roof with the antenna/headset cable extended the right way may help. Probably not safe enough to recommend though, unless you accept all risk.
Longer wires don't help at FM frequencies in my experience, but something directional like a VHF TV antenna might be good.
Switching to "Mono" mode can help clear up the audio with weak signals, with the resultant loss of one channel of course.
I need "time off" so please refer yourself to ALL the info linked to post #1 below. Compatibility list, FAQ, info links...
__________________________________________________
Spirit FM: Digital Audio, RDS, Media Controls+Much More http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?p=13379669
I would prefer that installations be done from the Market now. You can select Automatic updates among other things.
I bumped the version number to 2.0.3 to reflect the disabling by default of the SuperUser ("su") request. If anyone had an older CM ROM that needed this workaround, it can be re-enabled by creating a file named fm_su on the SD Card.
# Eg.: "adb shell touch /sdcard/fm_su"
This command could be tried if you are not getting audio.
# To remove: "adb shell rm /sdcard/fm_su"
I need "time off" so please refer yourself to ALL the info linked to post #1 below. Compatibility list, FAQ, info links...
__________________________________________________
Spirit FM: Digital Audio, RDS, Media Controls+Much More http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?p=13379669
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Greek translation
Linear Mode
