Boot image in landscape mode

Fleximaster

New member
Dec 11, 2016
3
0
0
I've seen the method on the Tab S forum of XDA developers for amending the boot image but nothing yet for the Tab S2 8.0 (SM-T7130. Is anyone working on this?

My objective is to use my Tab S2 as a 'head unit' in my car and have it boot up in landscape mode. I've already changed the bootsamsung.qmg and bootsamsungloop.qmg with my own files and they are working fine in landscape. However, I don't know how to amend the boot image. The instructions for the Tab S don't appear to work for this model. Well, they didn't for me.

I'd much appreciate a pointer in the right direction.
 

checksum123

Senior Member
Jan 27, 2012
218
32
48
Well, I am in the design phase right now, just ordered the tablet.
Getting the boot logo in landscape mode is the least of my concern, I am more concern about everything else, specially how the tablet integrate with the rest of the hardware
 

Fleximaster

New member
Dec 11, 2016
3
0
0
Well, I am in the design phase right now, just ordered the tablet.
Getting the boot logo in landscape mode is the least of my concern, I am more concern about everything else, specially how the tablet integrate with the rest of the hardware
I can help with other stuff (than the boot logo 'problem') as I've set my TabS2 to provide a sort of Driver Information System (DIS) for my campervan.

Some of the changes I've made are as follows:
1. Auxiliary output from vehicle radio to 3.5mm jack on TabS2 so it can use the vehicle's excellent speakers. Bought the connector on the internet but some modern vehicles come with a connector fitted.
2. Fused electrical connection from 12V Cigar Lighter feed through 12V-to-USB (5V) mini-connector (also bought on internet) to TabS2.
3. Wifi reversing camera (GoVue RVS-020813) connected to reversing light 12V power feed. (Wifi because I didn't want to hardwire through the vehicle).
4. Created a slide-in frame on dashboard using plastic name holders, with draught-excluder tape behind to hold TabS2 off vibrating stuff.
5. Rooted the TabS2.
6. System/bin/lpm file moved sideways and replaced with one that contains
#!/system/bin/sh
su
/system/bin/reboot
which forces the TabS2 to boot when power is applied (via mini-USB connector). ie. when the vehicle is switched on and power then goes to the 12V cigar-lighter circuit and also the spur connection via the 12V-to-USB connector to the TabS2.
7. Replaced the boot animation (not boot logo) with my own animation in landscape. For which I used Samsung Theme Designer (look on Youtube for how to do this).
8. Enforced landscape mode (for post-boot animation) using the 'Set Orientation' app for those applications I have that are otherwise restricted to portrait mode (the inbuilt portrait/landscape setting doesn't work for these).
9. Bought/installed 'Sygic for Truck' navigation app.
10. Installed 'Govue' app to use with reversing camera.
11. Using 'Cronoid' app got it to fire up Sygic on boot.
12. Using 'Automagic' (premium) created flow to check for reversing camera (ie. when actually reversing vehicle, reversing camera gets power and Govue wifi pops up. This daemon checks for it). When it is detected the Govue app fires up to display the picture. This flow also checks for when vehicle stops reversing (forward gear or neutral selected); it then kills the Govue app and displays Sygic navigation.
13. To ensure everything could be controlled via the screen (a bit difficult getting to the buttons on the edges when you're driving along), I downloaded one-touch 'ScreenOff' and 'Power Off Click' icon apps for sleep and power-off, respectively. The 'Handy Soft Keys' app allows a touch at the top of the screen which will display icons to avoid using the physical buttons. The volume is easily controlled with swipe down from the top and moving the displayed slider as needed. (Note that the power cannot be switched off while there is power via the mini-USB connector, which also means that when it is being charged it will always be booted up).

The Tab S2 is a very good bit of kit. The reason for the sliding method of attachment is because it is far too useful to devote entirely to 'Head unit' duties. I use it as my everyday slate (it also means it isn't on show to potential thieves when I park up).

Was all the above necessary. It's a moot point. I enjoyed doing it. At that time I was able to spend the hours researching the techniques on the internet.

Hope this gives you some ideas.
 

checksum123

Senior Member
Jan 27, 2012
218
32
48
Nice!!!
Looks like you got everything figure out, thank you for all the tips, will sure come in handy when I start the install.

I went to Best Buy to get the S2, but saw the Tab A right next to it. I finally decided to get the Tab A 10.1 inches (2016 version) which has an octacore cpu and 2gb ram/16gb rom. Unlike you I plan to use this solely in my car, so I am planning a permanent install. My dash has a big opening, so the 10.1 inch will fit nicely, I am planning to fabricate a custom bezel to mold the tab case into a metra stock bezel, might be a tight fit, but I want it to look factory when done. I have a 2015 nissan murano.

As far as the sound, I was planning on using a usb dac, since now marshmallow support usb sound, but now that you mention it, I might just use the 3.5mm jack to feed my clarion eqs755 which is then connected to my kenwood amp. This will save me from buying a DAC.
How is the sound from the 3.5mm jack compared to the usb sound with a DAC?

What are you using for bluetooth?

The wireless backup camera is a good idea, will do the same. I thought that the camera will open the app once it detects power (by you shifting to reverse), no additional app is required?

I did not want to root mine, but looks like I need to, since that is the only way to be able to use the usb port for data and charge the tablet at the same time.
I also plan to use my steering wheel connectors to control the tablet (vol+/vol-, ok google, switching between app, etc...)
Will let you know as I progress...
Would be nice to see some pics of your install.

Here are the components I bought so far:
These will allow me to tab into my existing speakers, since I added a amp:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009B8EJYU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Clarion eq, connects to my amp and sub:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S7G1TW2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Galaxy Tab A case to fabricate into my dash:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LX4TJY1/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

12V to 5V power adapter to charge the tablet and usb hub
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OHHT7ZG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

OTG cable:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NSBVNCM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Right angle connector for the sound:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...e_11?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A04372963GF4ZZEA1VT47

To connect tablet to eq:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DI89NPE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_10?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AQJ30SX0INWVM

I plan to use this for the bluetooth, will connect it to my eq using an rca splitter, for hands free call and bluetooth streaming from phone:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0168GBMC...TF8&colid=218K2YEKLKIR3&coliid=I3IWHA254QICIF

I installed Tablet Talk to get my calls and text messages forwarded to the tablet. When I get a call I can answer from the tablet, but the sound will use my Bluetooth.
I wanted to use samsung own SideSync app, since I also have a samsung note 4 phone, for hands free calls, but it only works when connected to the same WIFI network. Tablet Talk works with WIFI/Hotspot and bluetooth.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0168GBMC...TF8&colid=218K2YEKLKIR3&coliid=I3IWHA254QICIF

For my steering wheel control:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0168GBMC...TF8&colid=218K2YEKLKIR3&coliid=I3IWHA254QICIF
 

DestryLP

New member
Jul 25, 2017
3
0
0
I can help with other stuff (than the boot logo 'problem') as I've set my TabS2 to provide a sort of Driver Information System (DIS) for my campervan.

Some of the changes I've made are as follows:
1. Auxiliary output from vehicle radio to 3.5mm jack on TabS2 so it can use the vehicle's excellent speakers. Bought the connector on the internet but some modern vehicles come with a connector fitted.
2. Fused electrical connection from 12V Cigar Lighter feed through 12V-to-USB (5V) mini-connector (also bought on internet) to TabS2.
3. Wifi reversing camera (GoVue RVS-020813) connected to reversing light 12V power feed. (Wifi because I didn't want to hardwire through the vehicle).
4. Created a slide-in frame on dashboard using plastic name holders, with draught-excluder tape behind to hold TabS2 off vibrating stuff.
5. Rooted the TabS2.
6. System/bin/lpm file moved sideways and replaced with one that contains
#!/system/bin/sh
su
/system/bin/reboot
which forces the TabS2 to boot when power is applied (via mini-USB connector). ie. when the vehicle is switched on and power then goes to the 12V cigar-lighter circuit and also the spur connection via the 12V-to-USB connector to the TabS2.
7. Replaced the boot animation (not boot logo) with my own animation in landscape. For which I used Samsung Theme Designer (look on Youtube for how to do this).
8. Enforced landscape mode (for post-boot animation) using the 'Set Orientation' app for those applications I have that are otherwise restricted to portrait mode (the inbuilt portrait/landscape setting doesn't work for these).
9. Bought/installed 'Sygic for Truck' navigation app.
10. Installed 'Govue' app to use with reversing camera.
11. Using 'Cronoid' app got it to fire up Sygic on boot.
12. Using 'Automagic' (premium) created flow to check for reversing camera (ie. when actually reversing vehicle, reversing camera gets power and Govue wifi pops up. This daemon checks for it). When it is detected the Govue app fires up to display the picture. This flow also checks for when vehicle stops reversing (forward gear or neutral selected); it then kills the Govue app and displays Sygic navigation.
13. To ensure everything could be controlled via the screen (a bit difficult getting to the buttons on the edges when you're driving along), I downloaded one-touch 'ScreenOff' and 'Power Off Click' icon apps for sleep and power-off, respectively. The 'Handy Soft Keys' app allows a touch at the top of the screen which will display icons to avoid using the physical buttons. The volume is easily controlled with swipe down from the top and moving the displayed slider as needed. (Note that the power cannot be switched off while there is power via the mini-USB connector, which also means that when it is being charged it will always be booted up).

The Tab S2 is a very good bit of kit. The reason for the sliding method of attachment is because it is far too useful to devote entirely to 'Head unit' duties. I use it as my everyday slate (it also means it isn't on show to potential thieves when I park up).

Was all the above necessary. It's a moot point. I enjoyed doing it. At that time I was able to spend the hours researching the techniques on the internet.

Hope this gives you some ideas.
How did you get the Tab S2 to boot on power EXACTLY? I've been trying for DAYS and i can't seem to get it to work. It's rooted and everything, tried altering the lpm file and it just shows the grey battery icon each time.
 
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