[Q] Is The Magnetic Port Just For Charging? - Xperia Z2 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So I've been thinking that when I get my Z2 I will be using it for gaming on the big screen in my lounge, especially as it supports the PS3 controller out of the box.
I was wondering if the magnetic port can also be used for Data/MHL? It's just that a magnetic dock would be a more elegant solution than having to fiddle with a flap and connect a USB/MHL cable to the device.
Is this just a pipe dream or do you think Sony might make one?

bombdog said:
So I've been thinking that when I get my Z2 I will be using it for gaming on the big screen in my lounge, especially as it supports the PS3 controller out of the box.
I was wondering if the magnetic port can also be used for Data/MHL? It's just that a magnetic dock would be a more elegant solution than having to fiddle with a flap and connect a USB/MHL cable to the device.
Is this just a pipe dream or do you think Sony might make one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it's for charging only, you could always attempt screen mirroring though if you have a smart TV (I've yet to get it to work on our Samsung TV though).

I also have a Samsung TV. It's not smart (it is when turn on my Imito MX1 Android stick), but it does have a RJ45 connector on the back, might try connecting it up and see what happens It's a shame that the magnetic port is so limited.

it's not a shame ... it's just for charging and sony never wanted it to be more ... there are just two contacts ... so think yourself
it's a shame that every user / customer wants something special out of a really great and special device ... best camera, water resistance, full metal frame, nice design, really good headset with noise cancellation out of the box is not enough for you guys?! now sony have to put data connection into docking port and mybe a RJ45 Adapter for it so you can connect it to your oldschool TV ?! maybe sony will even write an alternative firmware for your samsung TV to detect the sony device?!
i'll give you an overview how your problem is supposed to be solved:
connect your Z2 with the docking station, connect your DualShock Controller wirelessly to your mobile ... and connect your mobile WIRELESSLY to your TV ... no need for any wire (exept charging) ... finished ...
and THIS is why sony will not have dataconnection on docking port .. because you can do everything without it ...

There are lots of apps for wirelessly accessing your phone storage, too, such as AirDroid.

I'm not complaining, I'm sure I will find a way to connect my Z2 to the television in a way that is satisfactory be that via Screen Mirroring, MHL 3.0 cable etc. (However playing games via mirroring over Wifi.. isn't there going to be some lag?).
Also if I want to output 4K to my new 4K TV (when I buy it) that would be impossible using Wifi.
I was only looking for an elegant solution and the magnetic docks would fit that. Hopefully Sony will make an MHL 3.0 dock that allows the Z2 to be placed in front of my TV (albeit after opening the port.. with the SIM card sticking out..)

Related

Sony Branded PS3 Controller works wirelessly without root!

NOTE: If you have an OFF BRAND Controller ALL BETS ARE OFF. THIS WORKS, BUT ONLY WITH THE SONY BRANDED CONTROLLER
Is this weird, or has support for it crept in in the last few ICS Builds and I missed it? I am not much of a gamer, not by any standard, but I was impressed when I saw video of Games like Riptide and Shadowgun with a PS3 controller.
Only limitation was, they had it cabled and not wireless, but then everything I read while researching said I would need to be rooted and use Sixaxis from the Market if I wanted to pair it wirelessly. I took that at face value and moved on. THEN...
Tried my sones wired Xbox 360 controller, and it worked, mostly... Wanted a better experience and my own controller so tried 3 different off branded controllers, one was a Madcatz (Xbox360) and that worked a little, but not great, then tried 2 others one was a Power A or something like that, forget what the other was. Neither worked at all, Nothing...
So I gave in and got a nice, Bluer, Sony Branded DualShock 3 controller. Used a USB to Mini-USB cable I had laying around, and hooked 'er up. Played Riptide. Wee. Tried Shadowgun.. cool for about 90 seconds... Then I got frustrated when it wasn't easy enough for a 5 year old to play... like I said, not much for gaming. I like racing games quite a bit, and tried Need For Speed Hot Pursuit.. WHEE EE EE!!! kay, enough of that... Then I grabbed an N64 Emulator (actually a few, N64oid, SNESDroid and SuperGNES. Loaded up some old favorites. DiddyKong Racing. Super Smash Bros. etc.
Then I saw it, I was on the .13 build for the last few weeks, no major issues, just generally crappy battery life. But when I was testing some router settings for better throughput, when I went to turn on Bluetooth... whoa... Why does it show PLAYSTATION(R) 3 Controller among my BT devices? Figured it was a tease, no way I had a wireless connection without root.
But no, I went an got the controller, and as soon as I pressed the center button, like a SPLIT SECOND later, that entry went straight to the top of the list, and showed... CONNECTED. ???
Go to a game, and it was soon obvious. It just works. And works amazingly well. I suggest ANYONE that has a Sony Branded PS3 controller, and has not tried it repeat my steps... Just so we can prove this is not a fluke... Oh, and I flashed .14 today, and it still works... I don't care what changed, I am thrilled.
I may even become a serious Gamer! anyone for a real Gamers Hard Core game.. like, uh... what Angry Birds or somethin'?
Thanks. I can't wait to try this when I get home.
skygunner27 said:
Thanks. I can't wait to try this when I get home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. I hope it works as well for yo as it did for me.. Just cable it and play for a while first... The weirdest part? I never attempted to attch it via Bluetooth. Never even tried!
Heres another guy saying it works, but claims it works even with Bluetooth off (It doesn't - I HAD to try that, knhowing it was BS, but flipped BT back on an all good )
You can use a wireless Xbox controller with almost anything if you have the USB wireless microsoft receiver. I tried it today with SNESoid & N64oid. I am also not rooted and it works without any special app.
I thought it was common knowledge that you could connect a PS3 controller wirelessly without root if you had the dock, I'm pretty sure you can do it with the original TF too.
Moothead2 said:
I thought it was common knowledge that you could connect a PS3 controller wirelessly without root if you had the dock, I'm pretty sure you can do it with the original TF too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
News to me. I had the TF101. And you needed it cabled to use a controller - Also, why on earth would you need the DOCK to connect WIRELESSLY? The only thing it ADDS is a USB port (And SD card which is meaningless) For that matter you can get the USB adapter that goes in the charging port to cable the controller to the Prime, if you can find one - I have one from my TF101 - Here is THE video used to demonstrate the PS3 Controller in use with Prime:
You sir are a genius...awesome!
@smarta$sphone. i may be wrong and sorry off i am but how did you have a USB to mini USB on the prime? where would the USB go? and the mini end would not fit either only micro but still confused because ps3 controller does not take USB takes that odd shaped crimped port... please advice?
And whoever said the controller will work wirelessly with dock? don't that defeat the purpose of wireless or is it to connect dock first to device to be able to use the controller wirelessly? sorry don't understand thanks
or you talking about plugging USB into the dock to begin with?
I know it works wireless (the controller) with the Sony Tablet S.
iletone2 said:
@smarta$sphone. i may be wrong and sorry off i am but how did you have a USB to mini USB on the prime? where would the USB go? and the mini end would not fit either only micro but still confused because ps3 controller does not take USB takes that odd shaped crimped port... please advice?
And whoever said the controller will work wirelessly with dock? don't that defeat the purpose of wireless or is it to connect dock first to device to be able to use the controller wirelessly? sorry don't understand thanks
or you talking about plugging USB into the dock to begin with?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That "crimped port" is one of the most common smaller charge/data ports for older mobile tech and other things...
It's miniUSB. Just uses any ol' miniUSB to USB cable, and the dock has a USB port which is needed to sync the controller to the Prime...
I don't understand your mini/micro USB comment there, so no real comment on it...
*EDIT:
Right! I should have said it more clearly. Like the next poster says, you have to have the dock (or that adapter) to have a USB port on the Prime; all the tablet has is its proprietary charge/data port.
thanks
gotcha, lol didn't know that the crimped style was USB... so if i got that connection to a mini USB it will plug directly into the tablet or would i need mini to micro USB? worth four all the questions thanks btw
does the tablet have a mini or micro USB port?
You need either Asus Adapter or dock for USB
iletone2 said:
@smarta$sphone. i may be wrong and sorry off i am but how did you have a USB to mini USB on the prime? where would the USB go? and the mini end would not fit either only micro but still confused because ps3 controller does not take USB takes that odd shaped crimped port... please advice?
And whoever said the controller will work wirelessly with dock? don't that defeat the purpose of wireless or is it to connect dock first to device to be able to use the controller wirelessly? sorry don't understand thanks
or you talking about plugging USB into the dock to begin with?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, sorry for any confusion. I initially plugged the Dualshock 3 into the dock via a standard USB to Mini-USB cable. I also have the USB adapter that fits in the Tablets charging port, but I rarely use it - Once as an experiment I plugged the adapter into the charging port on the dock, hoping it would provide a second USB port. Logically it could have worked, but that was not the case.
You asked who said the controller would work wirelessly with the dock? Uhmmm Post #5 in THIS THREAD, the one directly before my comment, that I QUOTED in the comment?
And what ARE YOU talking about? No offense, but that "Odd shaped Crimped Port" is a MINI USB... Very common, and was used on more devices, phones, cheap cameras tablets etc, for a while until Micro USB took it's place for thinness. Look up "Mini-USB" in Google, then hit "Images" Very common...
iletone2 said:
gotcha, lol didn't know that the crimped style was USB... so if i got that connection to a mini USB it will plug directly into the tablet or would i need mini to micro USB? worth four all the questions thanks btw
does the tablet have a mini or micro USB port?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Tablet has NEITHER... The tablet ONLY has a proprietary charging port, but you can add THIS ADAPTER if you do not have the Dock. The adapter and the dock provide full sized USB, so you cable wood be USB (Full sized) to Mini (For the controller) Obviously you do not have a Prime, so why ask all of this?
Adapter here:
http://www.excaliberpc.com/607966/asus-external-usb-adapter-for.html
huh
don't have a prime because i don't understand the ports? lol so anyways what is the port under the volume? i bought mine at office depot February 11 i got it in the mail
iletone2 said:
don't have a prime because i don't understand the ports? lol so anyways what is the port under the volume? i bought mine at office depot February 11 i got it in the mail
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Click to collapse
Doesn't it ship with a booklet? Bought it and haven't checked out the official site or any specs?
It's your microHDMI port to have audio/video out to HDTV's and receivers.
sorry that was a typo..i meant micro HDMI not micro USB my bad... sorry for confusion and when i said something about post 5 i know who wrote it but was just talking about it in same thread was not directed directly at you but in general..
so aside from my confusing posts what i wanted to know is if they make mini usb to micro hdmi.. but i will Google it since i seem to be bothering folks.
iletone2 said:
sorry that was a typo..i meant micro HDMI not micro USB my bad... sorry for confusion and when i said something about post 5 i know who wrote it but was just talking about it in same thread was not directed directly at you but in general..
so aside from my confusing posts what i wanted to know is if they make mini usb to micro hdmi.. but i will Google it since i seem to be bothering folks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if they did make that cable it would be quite useless with the prime. The tablet itself has no USB controller onboard. The adapter and the dock both have a USB host controller which allows the tablet to communicate with USB devices. HDMI is High Definition Media Interface, its not for hooking up I/O peripherals other than a monitor of some type.
iletone2 said:
sorry that was a typo..i meant micro HDMI not micro USB my bad... sorry for confusion and when i said something about post 5 i know who wrote it but was just talking about it in same thread was not directed directly at you but in general..
so aside from my confusing posts what i wanted to know is if they make mini usb to micro hdmi.. but i will Google it since i seem to be bothering folks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not bothering me lol It's hard to convey certain tones over the web I suppose.
rand4ll said:
Even if they did make that cable it would be quite useless with the prime. The tablet itself has no USB controller onboard. The adapter and the dock both have a USB host controller which allows the tablet to communicate with USB devices. HDMI is High Definition Media Interface, its not for hooking up I/O peripherals other than a monitor of some type.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right!
Your (micro)HDMI is just audio/video, like more compact (and digital) old RCA cables.
The only way to transfer data over a hard line with the Prime (just the tablet, no keyboard dock) is through it's 40-pin proprietary port: be that through it's charging cable to a computer, or the linked adapter to some other USB device.
Keyboard dock needed?
Sorry I'm an idiot, but do you have to have a keyboard dock to user PS3 wireless controller?
Have someone tried connecting two PS3 controllers at the same time? One with bluetooth and the other one trough the USB connector. Would have been nice if you can play co-op games on the SNES. (Contra!)

hdmi support

Do you guys think if I hook a microusb to hdmi adaptar it would connect to the tv. Think it would show a picture?also along those lines....whatabout a microusb to usb adapter for wireless 360 controller? think it would work?
Wired 360 controller works. Wireless does not.
thanks! i wondered about that. i know sony tablet doesnt have hdmi support. i just want my tablet to show up on my tv. anyone know a way to do it. and i dont mean dnla. i want to run my emulators on the tablet through the tv
I'm pretty certain that this is not possible. The HDMI-out used in microUSB adapters requires hardware in the device. As far as I am aware, the Sony doesn't include this capability. The USb port would need to be wired to the display output which the Sony doesn't have. Sony doesn't include a hardware display output since Sony's plan for their mobile devices (the same thing that lead to quite a few of the Sony's unique features) includes more support for future technologies like DLNA.
Have you seen the vscreens app? Am pretty sure that if you had an android powered tv device (a google tv box perhaps), you might be able to see the tablet on the tv by pairing the 2 screens. Though I dont have a google box, so cant test this theory!
For replacement of the HDMI port I am waiting for a stick called "Xbounds".
Just use Google and you will find some very interesting videos. The developer dreamchip is on a fair end of April, maybe there he will offer some news
To have output video from the micro usb the port must be a MHL port, and the Tablet S port isn't. So I think it's impossible to have video out with this tablet.

[Q] MHL Cable

Hi,
I understand that the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet is one of the first to have MHL 3.0 (Along with the Z2 Phone) however is there any adapter out at the moment to put this onto to your TV yet?
Is this something that a universal adapter will sort? Is it something I need to wait for Sony to release?
Cheers.
James
Lynchie1987 said:
Hi,
I understand that the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet is one of the first to have MHL 3.0 (Along with the Z2 Phone) however is there any adapter out at the moment to put this onto to your TV yet?
Is this something that a universal adapter will sort? Is it something I need to wait for Sony to release?
Cheers.
James
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, the Samsung MHL does Not Work physically. A third party Adapter From HAMA does Not Work on the Sony, but on the SGS4
I'm Waiting for the Sony MHL to become available now...
I bought this one and it works with my z2 tablet: http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/prod...o-mhl-adapter-rf-g1171-rf-g1171/10214468.aspx
Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk
So, seeing I get my Z2 tomorrow, also ask if anybody has tried the MHL to HDMI adapters. Seems a limited choice here where I live, so asking for some additional input.
Seems I can get the official Sony IM750 MHL Adapter, however it doesn't mention the Tablet compatibility, only phones.
I bought a cheap mhl v1 cable that works fine. It just crops the bottom of the screen off on the TV http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281294982152
It has to have a micro usb to power it, but most tvs or dvd players have a spare usb port to power the adapter.
SANGER_A2 said:
I bought a cheap mhl v1 cable that works fine. It just crops the bottom of the screen off on the TV http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281294982152
It has to have a micro usb to power it, but most tvs or dvd players have a spare usb port to power the adapter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link. I suppose it would come down to whether the TV USB would transmit power via USB, but in the worst case, one could carry a USB charger (seeings I have several of those laying around )
All usb ports supply 5v at 0.3amps min as long as the TV etc is on. Even if it's a diagnostic only usb port it's still enough current.

Problems mirroring Z2 Tablet to projector/TV

Having a few problems with mirroring my Z2 tablet to a TV/projector. Just wondered if anyone could shed any light on some of the issues I am having as I seem to have reached a dead end.
I connect my xperia Z2 tablet to a none MHL projector using the Sony IM750 MHL adapter to present course slides at work and use it to connect to a none MHL TV at home. The picture is good but the adapter uses the power source and this drains the battery slowly from the tablet. I think the reason for this is that the IM750 is MHL 1.1. The tablet supports upto MHL 3.0 but as yet there does not seem to be any compatible adapters that are will work with the z2 tablet above MHL 1. If there was I am assuming that this would allow more current to get to the tablet and less or none at all would be drained from the tablet battery? Samsung currently sell an MHL 2.0 adapter but this will not work with the z2 tablet as it is has a 11 pin fitting rather than a 5 pin. I wish that someone out there would make a 5pin MHL 2.0 or even better MHL3.0 adapter that would work with the tablet, I have spent many hours on the internet but cannot find one.
I have also tried miracast to connect my tablet to my LG TV but there is noticeable lag and the screen can be glitchy at times. Does anyone know whether this would be the case if I used the netgear PTV3000? would it be better than the TV and is it worth a punt from amazon I suppose I could always return it if it does not work as well as I like.
Any ideas anyone it just doesn't seem at the moment that there is a reliable solution to connect the Z2 tablet to a projector or TV or has anyone found anything better?
If you don't need screen mirroring (do you need it? Really???), then other possibilities to bring video or photo to a screen are MUCH better / more problem-free and widely recommended than MHL or Miracast.
- Chromecast
- Android TV sticks / boxes which can receive content via DLNA
- Raspberry Pi with XBMC
- Other mini computer (like Intel NUC) with XBMC, Plex or something like that.
Stop bothering with MHL or Miracast, it will save your nerves.
Yes tell me about it it's a real pain. I have quite specific needs so I think I probably do need to mirror. I work as a trainer giving presentations all over the place so I need something that is not dependant on having a wifi signal as it tends to be poor at best at places that I work, so mhl and miracast do seem like my only options as they don't require connection to a router. As far as I am aware there doesn't seem to be a perfect option for none Samsung android tablets which is disappointing as I am big fan of my z2. I might have to go back to my win 8 laptop which I don't really want to do. I can't understand why there is not a 5 pin mhl 2.0 adapter.
hasenbein1966 said:
If you don't need screen mirroring (do you need it? Really???), then other possibilities to bring video or photo to a screen are MUCH better / more problem-free and widely recommended than MHL or Miracast.
- Chromecast
- Android TV sticks / boxes which can receive content via DLNA
- Raspberry Pi with XBMC
- Other mini computer (like Intel NUC) with XBMC, Plex or something like that.
Stop bothering with MHL or Miracast, it will save your nerves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the issue, is Chromecast requires the user to be part of a Wifi Network to connect?If you're in a location where there is no Wifi available, well........

[solved-ish] Fan firmware screwed up HDMI output?

Hi!
Background:
I'm an esport producer and after some nightmare productions I'm really excited about the rog phone as it seams to be the only phone that have the features needed to make it into a good esports phone (e.g. Having 8-10 players competing in from of an audience), mainly: Hdmi output, ethernet capabilities and usb-c ports on the side..
Problem: After first successfully testing out Hdmi + ethernet connection I wanted to try if I could use the fan accessory and still be able to get the Hdmi signal from it.. When I connected the fan it told me to update the fan firmware so I did, but after that I'm not able to get Hdmi signal either with or without the fan accessory.. For instance, when I plug in my portable asus laptop monitor (power and signal from usb-c) the monitor starts to boot up and then dies.. Then tries again and dies and so on.. On my Samsung s8 it works fine.. So I'm guessing the firmware limits the power that the phone can output on the usb-c port.
Question, has anyone else experienced this issue? Is there a way to uninstall the fan firmware update (that obviously did not only affect the fan but the phone as well). The Hdmi adapter I used was something very similar to the professional dock but is actually an usb-c dock ment for laptops..
Tl:dr; hdmi doesn't work after "fan firmware update", plez halp.
Best regards
Ludvig Fjell
Qruxel E-sports Studio
Just a small update,
I was able to get it to work if I disconnect the power cable from the USB-C dongle and then connect it again.. and sometimes it also requires me to disconnect the HDMI + reconnecting that as well.. so I'm not sure if this actually was due to the fan firmware or just a result of a... weird bug(?) when it comes to the OTG features of the phone.. because connecting the dongle with both HDMI + power already plugged in does not work.
Anyway, just wanted you guys to know that it does work, just need to randomly connect/disconnect cables from the dongle first =)
Best regards,
Which USB-C to HDMI adapter were you using? I am looking for one that works with this device, aside from the fairly costly pro dock.

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