I am late to the Dell Venue 8 7840 party as I just bought mine three days ago. What a beautiful tablet and absolutely gorgeous display. However, I think that the text is just a little too small for my likings so I wanted to do something about it. Well, you first have to root your device which is kind of a nightmare if you ask me (after updating to Lollipop 5.1).
My first attempt at changing the resolution was through editing the build.prop and adding a value of "ro.sf.lcd_density=360" since the default density is 320. Anyways, every time you reboot it just is completely ignored.
I take no blame for anything that goes wrong with this.
So here's how you change the DPI:
1) Get root by following this most recent root tutorial. You will need to install "Busy-Box" as mentioned in that tutorial.
2) Install a terminal emulator such as "Terminal Emulator" or "Termux" from the Play Store
3) Start the terminal program
4) Type "su" and press enter. NOTE: You will need to grant your terminal emulator root access after you press enter.
5) Type "wm density" and press enter. You will see the default density of "320".
6) Type "wm density xxx" where xxx is the density you want to switch to such as 360. Basically anything above 320 is larger, anything below 320 is smaller.
Once you type the command such as "wm density 360" it instantly applies it. It also survives a reboot so please be careful to type the command exactly as it is supposed to be typed and do not use too small or too large of a change. If you change the density to 390 and utilize Google Now you will see that it changes format from a dual column to a single column. I prefer this look and feel plus tabs in Chrome are more normal sized to myself. Some DPI's cause text to shift off the sides of the display so it's just a matter of trying to increment or decrement by one until you reach the sweet spot.
If you want to reset it back to normal you can simply type "wm density reset".
Good luck and hopefully this helps someone.
Awesome. Looks a tad bigger but still sharp. So that's a plus.
Quick question. Do you know how to swap the menu and back soft keys? I tried switching with the..kl files and no luck.
joeminati said:
Awesome. Looks a tad bigger but still sharp. So that's a plus.
Quick question. Do you know how to swap the menu and back soft keys? I tried switching with the..kl files and no luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't looked into this myself and couldn't be of any help. I'm use to the positioning and never tried to swap them on my own.
With other high-res tablets such as the Samsung Tab Pro it is much easier to do this with one of the many apps available on the Play Store. However Texdroider and some of the others do not work; the change is not applied on reboots. By trial and error I stumbled upon Easy DPI changer, which works perfectly. It is probably applying the same change "automatically" that the op applied manually.
Related
I'm using LCD density changer and have ticked the save as system density-box. Despite this, the correct density doesn't load on boot. Any ideas on what might be the problem? Using 200 as saved value.
Rooted KE2 kernel with GINGERBREAD.XWKE1 build.
Sent from my disappointing GT - I9100
load lcD density, click bottom left menu to see settings page, choose "default density" and set it in there, then apply this same density in the main page, it should now keep it.
I stopped using this though as it causes camera problems and dialler and other progs dont fit on screen properly, I am hoping this is going to fixed in a cooked ROM, I'd leave it until then dude.
Thanks for the reply but selecting default density only fills in 240 in the number box. It's not a new menu or anything. I've tried reapplying the density several times and even Superuser says the app is granted access and then I get a window that says it's saved and will automatically load on boot.
Still, it doesn't work.
Sent from my disappointing GT - I9100
Probably worth asking the developer of the APP.
I've found some apps that set LCD density to be a little flaky too.
I just use Root Explorer now and manually edit the build.prop file, which is very simple. If you want to know how to do that then let us know.
Nitrality
Use Nitrality, it is working great! I also recommand a 200 dpi value.
I know it seems an odd thing to want (maybe), but is it possible to have a windows style GUI on Android? (And NOT windows mobile, ick blegh yuk)
The reason I ask is that with screens getting bigger, and densities lower, (I use my S2 at 160, and have used it down at 120 without too much trouble - 120 is half the size of the default density so why couldn't it be used to display twice as much?) there is not reason we couldn't HAVE two useable 'windows' open at once, for example, a webpage and the dialer for typing contact numbers over without losing your temper with the annoying copy/paste function that alternates between selecting half a number or the entire webpage.
A network diagnostic tool and terminal emulator open at once side by side.
Those apps that clear the input fields when you tab away from them to double check what you are trying to type in...
And if nothing else, because it would be kinda cool. Well, I think it would be.
Hum interessing idea !
If I understand, like this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cYWha8YFi8&feature=player_embedded
But on Android , yep ?
That. OMFG yes that.
Is there ANYTHING like that for Android?
The backstory first:
I have a Nexus 10. I like to plug it into my TV via HDMI and watch videos or play games, or what have you. Since the aspect ratio doesn't match the TV I get black bars on the sides. In a command line, one can type
Code:
am display-size 2560x1440
to change the resolution of the screen and get rid of the black bars on the TV completely (at the cost of adding black bars on the top and bottom of the tablet.)
Code:
am display-size reset
Sets it back to normal.
Rather than typing this into a terminal /every time/ I want to do this, is there a simple widget or app that will let me set up a shortcut on the homescreen that I can just click on to toggle instead?
There isn't a utility that does that, but i made one in dos for you. too lazy to upload, will give you the code.
Make a batch file by making a new file in notepad and saving it as a .bat extension for eg. filename.bat
inside the file, copy-paste this code :
Code:
@echo off
ECHO Please enter x for screen resolution of 2560x1440 and enter y to get back to default resolution
SET /P res=Please enter x or y:
IF "%res%"=="x" (
adb shell am display-size 2560x1440 ) ELSE (
adb shell am display-size reset )
ECHO Done!
Hit save!
if you want to set your resolution to 2560x1440 , type x and hit enter. if you want it set to normal hit y.
save this file and adb in the same folder.
I haven't tested it, so test it and tell me if it worked :good:
Lazz said:
The backstory first:
I have a Nexus 10. I like to plug it into my TV via HDMI and watch videos or play games, or what have you. Since the aspect ratio doesn't match the TV I get black bars on the sides. In a command line, one can type
Code:
am display-size 2560x1440
to change the resolution of the screen and get rid of the black bars on the TV completely (at the cost of adding black bars on the top and bottom of the tablet.)
Code:
am display-size reset
Sets it back to normal.
Rather than typing this into a terminal /every time/ I want to do this, is there a simple widget or app that will let me set up a shortcut on the homescreen that I can just click on to toggle instead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For these kind of things:
Script Manager can create widgets from scripts.
TechMasta said:
There isn't a utility that does that, but i made one in dos for you. too lazy to upload, will give you the code.
Make a batch file by making a new file in notepad and saving it as a .bat extension for eg. filename.bat
I haven't tested it, so test it and tell me if it worked :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never thought of using a batch file on a computer to do this. I have one hooked up near my TV, I could just plug the tablet in and set the batch file to a hotkey and it would be just as good as running from the tablet itself.
It seems "am" needs root permissions for some reason
It throws:
Code:
java.lang.SecurityException: Neither user 2000 nor current process has android.permission.WAKE_LOCK.
I tried to modify the code to get root access but then it gets stuck in adb shell. perhaps there is a way to run more than one shell command per line?
"am" does work from adb shell when it has root permission. This is strange since I don't need root permission from the terminal emulator on the tablet itself. Maybe there is something corny going on with my tablet.
Zatta said:
For these kind of things:
<URL> can create widgets from scripts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This looks like it would work as well, except for some reason the Play Store says it isn't compatible. Perhaps I can download it on my phone, and then copy it to the Nexus 10.
Thank you both for your assistance!
We'll get this going somehow!
Hi folks,
after long searchs, compares, thoughts and headaches, my decision went for a brand new Xperia Z5c. It is my first ever just-touch phone.
I am on Android 6.0 Marshmallow now.
I guess most of you have gained some experience already, so I would be glad if someone could give me some advices on my issues:
1. I would like to have more grids on home screen, smaller icons, spaces and texts, as well as applied to all apps. Just would like to "increase" the "resolution". that "small" from settings is not small enough for me. I can reduce the icon sizes by using the Holo launcher though, but still the apps are in big sizes, like calendary, emails, status bar, settings etc.
2. I was told by the seller that I should better avoid using the quick charger, but he seemed for me like not sure. If sony offers that, why should it be bad? Is that true?
3. When I start the radio it does not end, even I try to close it through the right app button (where all the running apps are listed), it closes there but still runs in background. when I put off the ear plugs, and plug it in again, it still continues with radio. Only restarting the phone helps. What can I do that I can run it normally and close whenever I want? Or what could be the reason for that problem?
4. What simple music player can you suggest for me?
5. is it possible to record a video with HD (ready) instead of FullHD with 60Hz ? How?
Thank you in advance!
1. You can try change the dpi. If adb is installed on your computer, then connect phone to pc. Make sure USB debugging is turned on in Developer Options. Open a command window in the adb folder, and type "adb devices". If you see a device listed, you are good to go.
Then type adb shell
Then type wm density 260 or any value less than 320 (which is the default dpi). The lower, the smaller everything becomes. Then restart. You can always revert back to 320 dpi through the same process.
2. Use the quick charger
3. There is a switch off button in radio and that must be used
4. Phonograph
5. Swipe up in camera till you get to "Video". Then tap the gear icon at the bottom right. Select any resolution you want
Sent from my E5803 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Sadman Khan said:
1. You can try change the dpi. If adb is installed on your computer, then connect phone to pc. Make sure USB debugging is turned on in Developer Options. Open a command window in the adb folder, and type "adb devices". If you see a device listed, you are good to go.
Then type adb shell
Then type wm density 260 or any value less than 320 (which is the default dpi). The lower, the smaller everything becomes. Then restart. You can always revert back to 320 dpi through the same process.
2. Use the quick charger
3. There is a switch off button in radio and that must be used
4. Phonograph
5. Swipe up in camera till you get to "Video". Then tap the gear icon at the bottom right. Select any resolution you want
Sent from my E5803 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadman Khan! Thank you ALOT for the help, and quick and direct reply!
For these 2 points:
1. dpi is ok now, worked like a charm, icons and texts on apps got smaller as I wished. so simple! Since I can not set grid size and reduce the spaces between the icons with Xperia Launcher, is it ok that I am using Holo Launcher (which is probably old? I am careful in installing apps to avoid high memory usages and slow down) just because of that? (I admittedly do not know other way, and I don't know whether it is normal. just pity that the weather widget is not so beautiful anymore, but is still ok.)
5. I didn't write correct, excuses. I mean: I can use 60 frames per second only on FullHD, I wished I could use for normal HD also 60. On the camera app it is just for FullHD available. What app can you suggest me to make use of it on a one lower resolution if there is no way with the current app? (I prefer more frames to resolution, in order to save a bit from file sizes.)
Any ideas?
I have "smallest width" in Developer Options set to 500. Tinkering with ADB, I have found that this is equivalent to 345dpi. You can actually change the "smallest width" in real time by changing DPI in ADB and they have an inverse relationship - as dpi goes up, smallest width goes down.
There is no way to make either change persist on reboot on an unrooted device.
However it seems to me that since there is no root required to set "smallest width" there should be some way to run a script or do something to change the smallest width setting in developer options on each boot up. It doesn't matter if it happens late in the booting process.
I would just about have my device exactly how I want it if I didn't have to go into developer options and reset the dpi on each reboot!
Any suggestions?
I'm not rooted and the setting stay for me in developer options. My android TV is the same. I changed the dpi setting of that, and that stay after a reboot and that's not rooted either. Although the the TV settings were changed via adb rather than in developer options.
Thanks... well, I wish I knew why the setting change won't stick on my phone. It's not the biggest deal in the world and I don't reboot much (except lately to test hosts files and finally get spotify working properly with ad blocking.)
Since you said it works for you, I have had another few goes at it, and it definitely doesn't stick on my Mate Pro 10.
I have done it two ways - via ADB with:
Code:
adb shell wm density 345 && adb reboot
and in Developer Options, setting Smallest Width to 500.
Also tried different values for both. It never survives a reboot. Oh well.
anthropoidape said:
Thanks... well, I wish I knew why the setting change won't stick on my phone. It's not the biggest deal in the world and I don't reboot much (except lately to test hosts files and finally get spotify working properly with ad blocking.)
Since you said it works for you, I have had another few goes at it, and it definitely doesn't stick on my Mate Pro 10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not stick on my Mate 10 either...
is there any solution? Maybe an app to restore the setting on each reboot?