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Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 20th, 2012 2:37 pm
by alanbrenton
I was wondering if anyone has successful set this up at home in lieu of an android stick.

Galaxy Nexus > OTG USB cable > powered USB hub > MHL adapter (to TV via HDMI) + USB ethernet (to read from a file server) or USB drive

Will this work or will the OTG USB cable only allow for me to attach a USB drive?

Found a few blogs on this setup. Definitely no gaming for me, possible activities include watching youtube videos, bluray mkv playbacks, listening to tune in radio.

http://androidhardwares.com/usb-otg/how ... onetablet/
http://usbtips.com/usb-otg-adapter-conn ... id-device/

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 21st, 2012 5:02 pm
by ippon
alanbrenton wrote: I was wondering if anyone has successful set this up at home in lieu of an android stick.

Galaxy Nexus > OTG USB cable > powered USB hub > MHL adapter (to TV via HDMI) + USB ethernet (to read from a file server) or USB drive

Will this work or will the OTG USB cable only allow for me to attach a USB drive?

Found a few blogs on this setup. Definitely no gaming for me, possible activities include watching youtube videos, bluray mkv playbacks, listening to tune in radio.

http://androidhardwares.com/usb-otg/how ... onetablet/
http://usbtips.com/usb-otg-adapter-conn ... id-device/
i thought about this as well. i was hoping that i could use my galaxy s captivate to do this, but alas, it doesn't support MHL.

i am not 100% certain, but i thought that you couldn't connect MHL adapter to a hub.
i think you need an MHL adapter that has an usb port, and hook up a hub to that.
http://dx.com/p/micro-usb-to-1080p-hdmi ... ack-156900
http://dx.com/p/micro-usb-5-pin-male-to ... ack-144247

and add this, if you want to hardwire to the network;
http://dx.com/p/micro-usb-male-to-rj45- ... ite-142016

can't believe how cheap that is. i ordered one, just for heck of it, in case i needed it for the netbook at home. just ordered a micro USB female to USB male with it.

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 21st, 2012 5:26 pm
by alanbrenton
Thanks Ippon. That is a dirt cheap USB ethernet device.

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 21st, 2012 6:00 pm
by ippon
alanbrenton wrote: Thanks Ippon. That is a dirt cheap USB ethernet device.
i am almost afraid that i will receive just a dummy shell, because it's so cheap.
RJ45 with standard A USB connector is much more than that, so even after buying the micro usb female to USB A, it was still cheaper even from DX.

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 22nd, 2012 1:24 pm
by alanbrenton
You were right. I forgot that the mhl adapter from mono price only came with two micro usb male and female ports and one hdmi port. It works as it is but the screen on my phone has to be on.

I will try if that female usb port can be plugged to a usb hub using a regular Mico usb to usb adapter.

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 22nd, 2012 2:11 pm
by Amourek
alanbrenton wrote: It works as it is but the screen on my phone has to be on.
If you're rooted, you can use Screen Standby to keep it going with the screen off.

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 22nd, 2012 5:16 pm
by alanbrenton
Thanks for the tip Amourek.

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 22nd, 2012 5:25 pm
by djemzine
Good luck with it draining battery (might?)

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 22nd, 2012 11:00 pm
by ippon
let's keep an eye out on this thread;

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthr ... ?t=1423943

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 22nd, 2012 11:17 pm
by djemzine
Thing is, if one were able to hook up the MHL adapter to a powered USB hub via an adapter it will be great. I.e. since the MHL is micro USB. And to charge the phone of course. Hopefully doing all won't drain the battery...

Cuz how do you hook up micro USB devices to a regular USB hub?

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 23rd, 2012 12:00 am
by alanbrenton
LOL, that's what I just figured out. I don't have a cable to do just that.

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 23rd, 2012 12:07 am
by djemzine
alanbrenton wrote: LOL, that's what I just figured out. I don't have a cable to do just that.
Ya we need to find two adapters/cables to convert the MHL adapter and charger to actually function lol. I did hook up a USB self powered hub plus a flash drive and a USB light to my GNexus :razz:

Edit: Found this: http://dx.com/p/3-port-usb-2-0-hub-with ... ack-135479

So with that you can hook up the micro USB part to the phone and the USB end to charge the phone I think. Then you can hook up regular USB devices to it, but still no MHL for HDMI :( . Ugh lol. People need to make a hub with micro USB ports :razz:

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 23rd, 2012 12:21 am
by alanbrenton
Can MHL real pass HD audio signals?

I only tried streaming youtube today.

Not going to do TV hook ups frequently at home but it will come handy at hotels / friends' places (those who know nothing about DLNA streaming and what not, which I just got around to playing last night). Maybe I should have pounced on the BB Playbook fast charger as a colleague of mind suggested it actually charged her GNex faster, though I thought the device would only draw current that it can make use of.

That app that Amourek suggested will come handy because a huge part of the drain can be attributed to the display being left on.

djemzine wrote: Ya we need to find two adapters/cables to convert the MHL adapter and charger to actually function lol. I did hook up a USB self hub plus a flash drive and a USB light to my GNexus :razz:

Edit: Found this: http://dx.com/p/3-port-usb-2-0-hub-with ... ack-135479

So with that you can hook up the micro USB part to the phone and the USB end to charge the phone I think. Then you can hook up regular USB devices to it, but still no MHL for HDMI :( . Ugh lol. People need to make a hub with micro USB ports :razz:

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 23rd, 2012 12:26 am
by djemzine
If by passing HD audio signals on the TV, then yes. I hooked up my GN to my TV to play a blu ray rip of Star War Ep VI 720P and it did play the HD Audio. So I assume yes? I could be wrong. The only drain it will have on the phone is if you hook up a BT device. Otherwise having a MHL that has a micro USB port for power actually charges the phone. So no need to worry about it. I have a spare battery so its not an issue.
alanbrenton wrote: Can MHL real pass HD audio signals?

I only tried streaming youtube today.

Not going to do TV hook ups frequently at home but it will come handy at hotels / friends' places (those who know nothing about DLNA streaming and what not, which I just got around to playing last night). Maybe I should have pounced on the BB Playbook fast charger as a colleague of mind suggested it actually charged her GNex faster, though I thought the device would only draw current that it can make use of.

That app that Amourek suggested will come handy because a huge part of the drain can be attributed to the display being left on.

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 23rd, 2012 10:09 am
by alanbrenton
Nice. What Android app did you use to play HD content? I tried looking this morning in the Play Store but couldn't find any app when I put the word "bitstream". I currently have MX player and I read that BS player is good too.

Keyword search should have been hd audio player:
https://play.google.com/store/search?q= ... yer&c=apps

I'm hoping HD Audio = Multi-audio streams, which is used to describe a couple of highly rated players.

My MHL has the micro USB port for charging, when you mentioned battery drain, I though that playback was going to consume battery even while being charged. I have spare batteries too but Anker doesn't make one for Galaxy Nexus i9250 model.

For the S3, it was $20 for two Anker batteries and one charger on amazon.com.
djemzine wrote: If by passing HD audio signals on the TV, then yes. I hooked up my GN to my TV to play a blu ray rip of Star War Ep VI 720P and it did play the HD Audio. So I assume yes? I could be wrong. The only drain it will have on the phone is if you hook up a BT device. Otherwise having a MHL that has a micro USB port for power actually charges the phone. So no need to worry about it. I have a spare battery so its not an issue.

Re: Can I make my Galaxy Nexus function like an Android stick?

Posted: Dec 23rd, 2012 12:57 pm
by djemzine
alanbrenton wrote: Nice. What Android app did you use to play HD content? I tried looking this morning in the Play Store but couldn't find any app when I put the word "bitstream". I currently have MX player and I read that BS player is good too.

Keyword search should have been hd audio player:
https://play.google.com/store/search?q= ... yer&c=apps

I'm hoping HD Audio = Multi-audio streams, which is used to describe a couple of highly rated players.

My MHL has the micro USB port for charging, when you mentioned battery drain, I though that playback was going to consume battery even while being charged. I have spare batteries too but Anker doesn't make one for Galaxy Nexus i9250 model.

For the S3, it was $20 for two Anker batteries and one charger on amazon.com.
It depends on the MHL adapter. Mine does not drain the battery slowly. It charges it. If you hook up BT devices to it, then its a different story. It then drains the battery slowly. I.e. BT keyboard/mouse.

Actually you do get Anker for the GNexus minus NFC: http://www.amazon.ca/2200mAh-Batteries- ... 383&sr=8-1