Nexus 7 car dash install + OTG charge + DVB-T + DAC + OBD + Webcam

PHiL_G4 · Jan 16, 2013

Hi guys!

I have a Nexus 7 3G!
I would like to put it in my car where it should replace my radio.
My goal is to gather as much information as i can before getting started.
I will keep this thread up to date.
So here is a possible combination of parts, software I am going to use and helpful hints for the Nexus7 in a car.

It is more or less a help for myself
If I can do better, maybe I get some feedback here.

Thank you!
Phil

10.04.2013
DroidTV is working!
details below

06.04.2013[/SIZE]
new dc converter
new acryl-glass mount
added new pics

07.03.2013[/SIZE]
my dc-converter crashed
I dont really know what append!?

03.03.2013
Nexus7 installed in my car!
Will update pics & part list

21.01.2013
OTG-CHARGE works!
TIMURs Kernel - fixed install

20.01.2013
flashed Timurs kernel (fixed installation)
ordered another charger (ebay) with USB output

18.01.2013
tested Poweramp
tested Tasker (airplane mode requires Secure Settings plugin)
tested auto power-on when usb power is plugged in (see fastboot command under tricks)

17.01.2013
ordered most parts from the list tonight except usb dac
I would be excited if all is working as expected

MY CAR
Smart ForTwo 451 2009

MY CAR AUDIO from fortissimo-net.de
~~Alpine IVA-W502R~~
~~KCE-400BT~~
Alpine PDX5
Hertz Space 6KL
Hubcar Subwoofer Chassis
JL 8W3v3

PARTS
my choice:
Nexus7 of course :laugh:
12V to 5V (3A) converter (USB) bricked
DC to DC Buck Converter High Power 14A proved
otg cable angled proved
delock usb hub proved
Fiio E10 usb dac proved
Cinch Volume Control produced too much noise!
double din frame for my "car" proved
silicon case proved, but not needed anymore
obd bt adapter proved
~~RTL2832U / 820T DVB-T Stick~~
slim bluetooth keyboard proved
delock y-power-cable proved
micro-b usb angled 20cm OTG does not work!
TerraTec Cinergy T Stick RC
Ground Loop Converter? proved

KERNEL / ROM
for charging through otg cable & more
- Timur's Kernel / USB ROM 4.2.x proved

Code:
TRICKS & INFO
use Fiio E10 usb dac:
link (out of the box with Timur's Kernel)

auto power-on:
if usb charger connected, even if battery is empty and device is off link proved

Code:

fastboot oem off-mode-charge 0

==> sets device to auto power on instead of charging

Code:

fastboot oem off-mode-charge 1

==> sets device back to original setting

charger:
Nexus 7 charger/cable issues
The Only Car Charger You Need for the Nexus 7

dvb-t usb stick:
DVB-T dongle running on Nexus 7
SDR Touch - Live radio on your Android device
RTL2832U can be used as a cheap SDR

I compiled a RTL2832U driver for the USB-ROM / Kernel '3.1.10-gfcf72bf-dirty' with Timurs help.
download: dvb-usb-rtl2832u.ko

my working startscript:

Code:

echo "starting DVB support" insmod dvb-core.ko insmod dvb-pll.ko insmod rc-core.ko insmod dvb-usb.ko insmod dvb-usb-rtl2832u.ko echo "Waiting for device" sleep 5 cd / mkdir /dev/dvb chmod 777 /dev/dvb mkdir /dev/dvb/adapter0 chmod 777 /dev/adapter0 cd /dev/dvb/adapter0 ln -s /dev/dvb0.frontend0 frontend0 ln -s /dev/dvb0.demux0 demux0 ln -s /dev/dvb0.dvr0 dvr0 ln -s /dev/dvb0.dvr0 dvr0.ts chmod -R 777 /dev/dvb* echo "DONE!"

webcam:
webcam as fully functional rear cam!
I played a little bit with mjpg-streamer and motion on my raspberry pi with a Logitech C525 (720p, autofocus).
A rear cam is not necessary for my car, but a (motion detecting) recording front cam would be nice

otg cable:
- if you want to make your own OTG usb cable you have to short pin 4 (ID) and pin 5 (GND) on micro usb side link
(this is usb standard, some sources tell to take a 100k resistor instead of short circuit for charging through otg cable)
- i think you will be able to cut the uplink cable from a usb hub and solder a micro b usb plug, short pin 4+5 for otg and solder a power supply simultaneously to pin 1 (VCC) and pin 5 (GND)

FUTURE PLANS
- an arduino micro (clone) acting as a usb keyboard to send volume control und power button function instead of this Joycon device..
links:
arduino micro clone $16.99
key layout
android shortcuts
update arduino unos firmware for USB HID Keyboard Support

SOFTWARE
- Tasker (ignition on = wake up + play music, set wifi+gps on; ignition off = airplane mode, deep sleep) proved
- Poweramp proved
- Torque (OBD) proved
- Navigon proved
- Audio Glow Music Visualizer thx to Kookie_Monster
- SDR Touch - Live radio via USB + RTL2832U driver (xda-thread)

SIMILAR PROJECTS
Kookie_Monster
Kuchar09
Shinare
dB Zac
curseddagger
naiku
ahavens17
TweakMyDevice
DatTugrut
djsun
yellowfinii
mr_bridger

PHiL_G4 · Jan 16, 2013

pics

rotating time to time..

Miami_Son · Jan 17, 2013

By the time you're done you'll have spent more than what the Smart car is worth.

PHiL_G4 · Jan 17, 2013

haha

cndctrdj · Jan 17, 2013

Love it. This is my plan for my nexus7 as well. How is it working for you

Sent from my HTC Ruby using xda premium

PHiL_G4 · Jan 17, 2013

Hi!

I have ordered most of the parts yesterday.
The most difficult thing will be the mounting, though it is much easier than in other cars I think.

I dont know which usb dac to take. But at the beginning i am going to use the 3,5mm audio output.
I also have no idea which kernel is the best to use in car for fixed installation.

But this I will test when the cable arrives

I will update the list then.

phil

Letitride · Jan 18, 2013

Interesting, indeed - love to see its progress. Do you plan to leave the N7 mounted in the dash or will you take it indoors with you (i.e. home, shopping & at work, etc.) because in America, it would become a target for break-ins ? Perhaps, not an issue or problem in Germany, per your signature details.

With the N7 mounted fairly low on the center console/dash opening, GPS receiver might not work that good - in picking up a solid signal, assuming that you plan to use Maps/Nav as many of the features are tied to running location-based apps.

I can imagine that in a year or two, that factory-adaptors and pre-fabricated/universal mounting kits will be available via Amazon for us to simply slide or drop our devices in the "slot" & remove it afterward, making it a truely mobile & portable device that will go everywhere - a combination of bluetooth & NFC. Wishful thinking or pipe dreams, perhaps - then, again - maybe not.

PHiL_G4 · Jan 18, 2013

Hi!

No, I am planning a fixed install.
The device is behind the double din frame, only the display will be visible.
In Germany this a Problem, too.
But I think it is no higher risk than now with my Alpine Headunit.

I also thought about GPS problems because antenna is on the back.
Then I was looking for the antenna and considered to solder an external one or take an usb mouse etc.
But a few tests inside the building etc let me hope reflections and the little plastic around will be enough signal!?
I will post some screenshots from GPS Test Plus after install.

Same thing with power and volume buttons. First I want to solder ext. buttons.
Today I bought Tasker and played a little while with it.
I will switch to airplane mode on ignition off.
When ignition is on: airplane mode goes off and poweramp starts and play music.
For airplane mode tasker requires a plugin named Secure Settings (+Busybox +Helper Actions inside App) since 4.2.
If my Nexus is completely off, then it starts with the auto-power-on trick (see above) when usb power is connected. works fine!

Yes you are right, first mounting kits are available:
http://shop.soundmanca.com

phil

kazemitsui · Jan 18, 2013

which usb otg cable are you using to charge the tablet. the one from ebay doesnt allow charging to the phone/tablet. and the one you linked on amazon doesnt seem to be able to charge. or is it using the regular usb to charge?

PHiL_G4 · Jan 18, 2013

AW: Nexus 7 car dash install + OTG charge + DVB-T + DAC + OBD + Webcam

you need a kernel from above which allow charging when otg cable is connected!

Gesendet von meinem Nexus 7 mit Tapatalk 2

kazemitsui · Jan 18, 2013

PHiL_G4 said:
you need a kernel from above which allow charging when otg cable is connected!

Gesendet von meinem Nexus 7 mit Tapatalk 2

Yea thanks I know that part. But the cable from ebay states this "There is Micro USB female power connector, Can charge the extral USB device , like usb flash disk, usb hard disk.(cannot charge the phone)"

And the one you linked on amazon doesnt seem to charge?

PHiL_G4 · Jan 18, 2013

AW: Nexus 7 car dash install + OTG charge + DVB-T + DAC + OBD + Webcam

hm okay, the ebay cable should work 100℅, see other threads from timurs kernel etc.
the one from amazon i will receive hopefully today (friday).

i will post the results of all ordered parts

phil

Gesendet von meinem Nexus 7 mit Tapatalk 2

kazemitsui · Jan 18, 2013

well its only 6usd and free shipping... i might bite and see what happens haha

mrazndead · Jan 18, 2013

Nice keep up the good work

yevgenydev · Jan 19, 2013

How are you planning on handling the charging? For me my Wifi Nexus only charges in "USB" Mode - but from what I understand for the Nexus there is no diff between AV Charging and USB Charging modes.

Some of us on the NASIOC forums have installed a nexus 7 into our 08+ Imprezas. However the 12v to 5v 3a converter that we wired in for power doesn't charge as much as it could.

Many of us only see ~500ma charging under medium usage. I get as low as ~100ma charging when playing music and using GPS.

I would image you will have some interesting problems charging the device with so many usb connections running off the microusb slot.

Here is how it looks in my car, can't wait to see how well it looks in a Smart car.

bmakk2055 · Jan 20, 2013

Nice job

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

PHiL_G4 · Jan 20, 2013

AW: Nexus 7 car dash install + OTG charge + DVB-T + DAC + OBD + Webcam

yevgenydev said:
How are you planning on handling the charging?
...
Here is how it looks in my car, can't wait to see how well it looks in a Smart car.

hi! looks very nice in your car! do you have some details?
i hope y-cable will arrive tomorrow, then a can test charging with timurs kernel with otg connectet.
btw: are data wires bridged in original asus 2A charger?

cant wait!

i didnt get it with the dvb-t stick and droidtv...
what a pitty

i am going to tell you tomorrow!

regards, phil

Gesendet von meinem Nexus 7 mit Tapatalk 2

black13n · Jan 20, 2013

So your connecting it straight to your amp via those usb adaptors? Don't you need some sound mixing done via your deck?

I have a single deck and thinking I hook it up via Aux input or Bluetooth for audio and still use the deck for volume control as it would be too much hassle to control volume via the nexus.

And can the nexus handle more than one USB at a time? so it is possible to get a usb hub and charge while getting audio from it?

PHiL_G4 · Jan 21, 2013

black13n said:
So your connecting it straight to your amp via those usb adaptors? Don't you need some sound mixing done via your deck?

I have a single deck and thinking I hook it up via Aux input or Bluetooth for audio and still use the deck for volume control as it would be too much hassle to control volume via the nexus.

And can the nexus handle more than one USB at a time? so it is possible to get a usb hub and charge while getting audio from it?

Hi!
yes thats right. I have an usb hub 4port passive. Inter alia, i am going to have an usb dac which is directly connected to my Alpine Amp.
I dont have an usb dac right now because I dont know which one is the best to control Volume without a Headunit!
So it is indeed a quite interesting question!
The Headunit is no longer possible, because I want i fix installed Nexus7 in my "car".
And both is not possible at the same time in my Smart.

With the TIMUR Kernel (1st post) you can charge the Nexus7 an all connected devices simultaneously!
Nexus7 == OTG y-cable == --PSU; --USB hub (usb dac, dvbt, etc..).

If you dont need an extra dac you can use the 3,5mm audio output and a rca volume control like Shinare!
Have a look to his thread (bottom of my 1st post).

sorry for my bad english, its my school english only...

phil

//EDIT:

otg charge works!
see pics, 2nd post

Kookie_Monster · Jan 22, 2013

Very nice thread.

I've been wanting to create a thread like this one myself... but just didn't find the time yet.

Keep it up! :good:

Edit: if you're keen on visualization effects while music is playing, you should try this app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cyphercove.audioglowfs

It's free and adds a nice effect to the N7.

Nexus 7 car dash install + OTG charge + DVB-T + DAC + OBD + Webcam

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