Develop Bugs

[Q] Use Xperia Play as a PC USB Controller?

Hey guys, I posted this in the general section but I think it would be better to post it here. Could the Xperia Play controls be used with PC games? Even with Xpadder or something similar? What would we need to make this happen?

As I already said, you need new kernel or kernel module to enable sharing of phone's PS controls via USB.

Why via USB and not bluetooth or Wifi?
Blagus said:
As I already said, you need new kernel or kernel module to enable sharing of phone's PS controls via USB.
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And what that does mean? xD

Miles Wolf said:
Why via USB and not bluetooth or Wifi?
And what that does mean? xD
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I think the original poster wanted to do this via USB to have it function as a standard gamepad, like a HID compliant device. This would require new kernel modules and thereby a new kernel to use on the device (and probably an app as well).
If you wanted to generate gamepad HID codes via communications over BT or WiFi (or over USB Debug channels) data streams, you could likely do so, but would need computer side drivers and programs, as well as the program to use on the device.
This is totally do-able. However the want for doing so is up to the individual. I personally don't have much want of it, as I already have good controllers for my PC.

I think it would be possible to make such app as well, which would log keypresses and send them via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. But additional software would be needed on PC side too. But that's an option too, which isn't bad at all. Actually, USB HID method would be, IMO, more advanced...

I've used software that lets me use my phone as a touchpad, mouse, and media playback controller for my pc. So i dont' see why it couldn't be done. that software used wifi.

ace518 said:
I've used software that lets me use my phone as a touchpad, mouse, and media playback controller for my pc. So i dont' see why it couldn't be done. that software used wifi.
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There are a few reasons off the start. A game controller would require nearly instantaneous reaction time to work properly. Secondly, people would expect it to work nearly flawlessly with next to no work or reading on their part.
Yes, it is _TOTALLY_ do-able. However, doing it just to do it, I don't see the benefit, as I personally wouldn't use it, and I certainly wouldn't receive pay nor even praise from the community. So it fails all the tests for me to engage myself in a project. The "Benefits Me", "Benefits the larger community", and "Benefits my ego" issues. If it benefitted the larger community, maybe. However it seems the consensus is that most people have dedicated controllers already that are low cost. I don't intend to use my phone as a PC controller, as I have several game controllers (from a 360 pad, to flightsticks, to a nostromo speedpad) for my PC. I also don't currently have a need to learn the Bluetooth or WiFi stacks so this wouldn't benefit me. Lastly, any product I were to produce would have limited market, and most of the market it would be presented to would be more likely to bash it than to even click a button to say 'Thanks' for it as they download.
If somebody is interested in doing this, go for it! It would be a nice little experiment project to learn the coding requirements for using the BT stack as a HID device or forwarder, or the WiFi stack and how to coordinate with a client side device driver and program as well. Just personally I won't be doing this.

i remember on my old sony ericsson phone w810i i could control my mouse on my pc with my fone via bluetooth with a built in app called desktop remote
so now wouldnt it be better to have the control pad on the play, use BT
to play pc games etc?

ace518 said:
I've used software that lets me use my phone as a touchpad, mouse, and media playback controller for my pc. So i dont' see why it couldn't be done. that software used wifi.
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I believe GRemote does something similar. you can use your phone as a wifi mouse and keyboard or joystick or media controller. unfortunately, its fairly expensive so not really worth it. no way i'm paying $5.00 for it.

It would be cool to see this working.

crispyduckling said:
i remember on my old sony ericsson phone w810i i could control my mouse on my pc with my fone via bluetooth with a built in app called desktop remote
so now wouldnt it be better to have the control pad on the play, use BT
to play pc games etc?
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I remember that, haha. Unfortunately it wouldn't work very well as a gamepad, there was like a half second delay between each button press.

I doubt BT or Wi-Fi would be good, because of the mentioned delay. SE kernel sources do have USB HID driver but I don't know is it used for USB OTG or to be used as HID on PC.

Another question.
Is any App out there where i can use the Xperia Play Gamepad for another Android Devices like my HTC Flyer?
->
Start an Emulator in my Flyer and use the Xperia Play Gamepad over Bluetooth or wifi to play the Games on the Flyer.
For iOS with Jailbreak i can use a SNES Emulator on ipad and a iPhone or iPod Touch as Gamepad/Controller.
Thanks for help and answer!

Waqas said:
I believe GRemote does something similar. you can use your phone as a wifi mouse and keyboard or joystick or media controller. unfortunately, its fairly expensive so not really worth it. no way i'm paying $5.00 for it.
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gPad does this and there is a free version which I haven't been able to discern much difference between it and the paid version.

German-Guy said:
Another question.
Is any App out there where i can use the Xperia Play Gamepad for another Android Devices like my HTC Flyer?
->
Start an Emulator in my Flyer and use the Xperia Play Gamepad over Bluetooth or wifi to play the Games on the Flyer.
For iOS with Jailbreak i can use a SNES Emulator on ipad and a iPhone or iPod Touch as Gamepad/Controller.
Thanks for help and answer!
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yes that is what I'm wondering as well really hope it is possible.

Blagus said:
I doubt BT or Wi-Fi would be good, because of the mentioned delay. SE kernel sources do have USB HID driver but I don't know is it used for USB OTG or to be used as HID on PC.
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The PS3 and Wii controllers use Bluetooth.

benoitb85 said:
The PS3 and Wii controllers use Bluetooth.
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Way to necro a thread.
_YES_ they use WiFi, but they aren't multi-purpose processing devices that have other priorities and background processes. They also are dedicated to doing such actions, and are engineered with that in mind.
To get it to work on the Play, as a BT controller (or WiFi, which would be even laggier), would require a kernel module to be created and installed (meaning new ROM/Kernel and likely an app as well). Then you would need a machine that has the proper HID profile enabled via BT, or a separate app to mimic a HID USB controller via WiFi.
As said before, since this thing tends to have other priorities than _JUST_ its gamepad (data synch, OS/VM GC, memory mgmt, etc), there are times when it will lag out even with a high priority on the module and associated game-controller app.
This _IS_ possible, just nobody is as excited by the idea who would be willing to code it. Honestly, if you wanted to do it as a starter coding project for via WiFi, it would be interesting to see your take on it. If you want to get your hands dirty with coding a kernel module to offer a HID profile via BT, that would be an even more elegant solution. However, it would require a bit more advanced knowledge. I haven't written any kernel modules by hand, ever. I've only adapted existing ones and patched a few on my own machines, so I'm certainly not a candidate to go after this myself.
We are not saying it isn't possible. It is. Via WiFi it just isn't a good idea (lag), and via BT would require some more involved and in-depth modifications and coding. Getting coding to set it up as a USB attached controller would probably be a bit easier and possibly even easier to code than the BT HID stack inclusions. I encourage those who think this is a good idea to try coding it themselves. I'm sure others would be interested in it (based upon this thread).

https://play.google.com/store/apps/...rch_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImFwcC5wY29uIl0.
I did not try it yet.

benoitb85 said:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...rch_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImFwcC5wY29uIl0.
I did not try it yet.
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Darn it. Missed this thread before making my own. Now I feel kinda dumb. But if anybody tried this app and got it working, could you please upload the devs windows drivers/programs. Because the devs site is unavailable in my country.
Sent from my PLAYSTATION PHONE using tapatalk

Dilemina said:
Darn it. Missed this thread before making my own. Now I feel kinda dumb. But if anybody tried this app and got it working, could you please upload the devs windows drivers/programs. Because the devs site is unavailable in my country.
Sent from my PLAYSTATION PHONE using tapatalk
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This app is amazing. But the only problems are that the X button does not work properly (you have to hold it) and the buttons can't be mapped to some keys for example SHIFT. Otherwise It helped me finish Sonic Generations

SNES gamepad mod for bluetooth

I just ordered one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Wireless-Keyboard-Android-Smartphone/dp/B0043862N4
Assuming it links with my phone properly, I'm going to try to fit the circuit into a SNES gamepad and connect the buttons to the appropriate keys for the default keymapping for some of the emulators.
There are a few Youtube videos showing similar projects, so I know I'm not alone. I could put together a tutorial while I'm doing it if it seems useful to anyone else.

I like your idea. did you succeed?

I am interested too in hearing how the project went and if it was successful or not? Also how is the little Bluetooth keyboard been looking for a good one just don't want to spend a whole lot.

I think he made it. Or maybe someone else. I found this instructablehttp://m.instructables.com/id/Bluetooth-SNES-controllergamepad/?ALLSTEPS
Not the finest work and I would like to see if it would essentially be necessary to leave the whole thing on the back. Maybe someone could retry to make it. one should use from the beginning rhe number keys and at the end the enter button should be the only thing sticking out. Maybe one could hide it inside the controller after it had been paired.
But i have seen much nicer things like a cross between wiimote and snes controller. But my question is does rhe wiimote have as many buttons as the snes controller?

Gmote

Just started using this and I think it is awesome. You can use you're phone as a mouse and keyboard what is really cool is on the glide the hardware keyboard works well. You just have to instal a software on you're computer then gmote from google play. For a media center PC this rocks!
Sent from my SGH-I927 using xda app-developers app

Unified remote (pro). Does everything gmote does along with support for dragging and it keeps the connection alive in the status bar. Also it as like a billion other remotes included (notably file manager and vlc remote).

gmote allows for dragging simply press the mouse button top right then drag. Guess their are many of these out there. First 1 I try that I like is gmote but I am sure others are just as good.

Oh right. Forgot about that button. Don't get me wrong, gmotes decent. I used it for the better part of two years. I just got sick of having to reconnect to the server all the time, especially when switching from phone to tablet and back.

Good to know. I'll give it a try with my xbmc box. Sometimes I do need to go back into windows for some stuff. Otherwise I'm happy with the xbmc remote on android .
Sent from my SGH-I927

Phone My PC and Advanced TouchPad are good as well.
They auto connect to the ip address given, and the both have mouse and keyboard. Plus Phone My PC let's you see the desktop from anywhere in your home(good for keeping an eye on your kids).

Unified Remote (free) - no remotes to try, gmote - no bluetooth. Other favs?
Tyfighter said:
Unified remote (pro). Does everything gmote does along with support for dragging and it keeps the connection alive in the status bar. Also it as like a billion other remotes included (notably file manager and vlc remote).
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Tried Unified Remote based on this recommendation, but despite showing many free remotes to try in the description, no remotes are present except for buy now.
Looked at gmote, but no bluetooth.
From what I see in the description, Phone My PC doesn't do bluetooth.
Advanced TouchPad also doesn't appear to be bluetooth, and really does appear to be touchpad focused, with only a few very plain looking keys beside it. Which is fine, just not what I'm looking for.
(First driving reason for search - Impress remote. And if one is going to go down the 'remote' path, it may as well be as flexible / capable as whatever is out there. i.e. Given the other similar apps out there, no point going for something that only does Impress.)
UPDATE CORRECTION: Free remotes are present. But if portable version loaded from a network drive, Windows won't load the .dll's - which appears to the Android user as though no remote controls are present. [Serves me right for remote controlling a machine via VNC - missed the quick .dll load failed message!]

Tried unified remote and I like it.I have infrared on my computer from a uirt and am thinking of getting the pros to control my surround sound.anyone tested that? I read it was supposed to support it but I could not find the app to learn the it codes.
Sent from my SGH-I927 using xda app-developers app

dudejb said:
Tried unified remote and I like it.I have infrared on my computer from a uirt and am thinking of getting the pros to control my surround sound.anyone tested that? I read it was supposed to support it but I could not find the app to learn the it codes.
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Its play link is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Relmtech.Remote and contains a support pointer to http://www.unifiedremote.com/.
On their page is a Hardware link along the top, going to http://www.unifiedremote.com/hardware, at the bottom of which they show a USB-UIRT and more information. $50 + $8 S/H.
So, it would seem to be confirmed that it supports it. It talks about a forum being at http://65.36.202.170/phpBB2/. And also points to http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=26 and http://www.avsforum.com/ for additional information.
'UIRT' - Universal Infrared Receiver Transmitter, so there must be an emitter in the works. The page talks about Girder (http://www.promixis.com/), $50 / $100 / $150, Standard / Pro / WHT - all Windows only.
I would guess you use Unified Remote to tell the pc to emit the codes to your equipment. I'll bet it will take time to train yourself to pick up the glide and not the remote. (Or hide them on yourself. Not sure this would help with a problem I have - perpetually picking up the wrong remote and wondering why it's not working. Only to get blasted by the radio station when I thought I was changing channels!) :laugh:
HTH.

NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Box Review Or: How I learned to dislike the Shield TV

I’d like to start off by saying some of these views are totally personal to me, and how I use these kind of boxes day to day. I have been looking at the NVIDIA Shield TV 16gb model, with the controller and remote.
The Shield TV is right at the top of list of Android TV boxes, it has the spec and the features to make it a future proof Android TV box. The Tegra X1 makes it incredibly fast and snappy. I found myself clicking around with ease, without a single stutter.
The initial setup was easy, once turned on, I did a couple of updates and was logged straight into the Shield TV home screen. This leanback launcher can only be controlled with the “dpad” on either the controller or the remote. There are various rows, including suggestions, Nvidia apps and your own downloaded apps. The suggestion row is bizarre, as I have no idea what the recommendations are based on. I can alter what sources are used (Youtube, Google TV/Movies etc), but the recommendation engine isn’t very good.
Installing apps is easy, but this may be due to the lack of apps you can download. I found very little of my daily driver apps to download, and had to resort to second or even third rate alternatives. This isn’t really NVIDIA’s fault, as this is more an issue with Android TV. Apps have to be compatible and made for the “leanback” generation. Apps like Solid Explorer, TTorrent, and Transdroid are always installed on any Android box, but I was unable to here.
There are ways around these app limitations, involving sideloading, and alternative launchers. But I just want to install an app and use it, I don’t want to have to turn around the box so it’s facing east, wait till the time includes a 9 and then chant whilst installing an APK file! This may be a slight exaggeration though.
Though I was happy to see Kodi and SPMC were compatible. Though SPMC is the only one which utilising the passthrough audio correctly. So I installed SPMC, and plugged in my external HDD and started updating. Now came another issue, I always delete the files via SPMC after watching, and set it to physically delete the file. This has worked on even the worst Android boxes, but on the Shield TV it didn’t. The app would “delete”, yet when I went back and updated, the show/movie came back. After some Googling I found this was a common problem for a lot of people.
I ended up installing one of the two FTP servers on the TV app store, and connected via FTP. Selected the file, delete, but just got back an error! This again was a widely reported issue, and I ended up having to install ES File Explorer (Ugh!) and delete the file that way. Finally I was able to do it. But this was after a couple of hours of research. That was one of the big nails in the coffin for me.
I even reported this to the NVIDIA support team, and they weren’t very helpful. I was passed around a lot, and was sent to level 2 support about 3 times, only to be told to do something I had initially told support I had done!
I am so glad I got the box with the remote, as I was getting annoying navigating around with the bulky controller. I would of liked the remote to be included, and the controller to be sold separately, though I can see why as there is the gaming element.
Now speaking of games, I was massively impressed with the SHIELD games app. There is a long list of games you can play, some for free and some have to be purchases, you check them all out here shield.nvidia.com/games/android
Playing Batman Arkham City, I didn’t notice a single bit of lag in the controls. They were quick and easy to pick up, and felt just like a console game. This alone is a great feature, and I would totally buy a lower priced box, if it just offered this feature and nothing else.
I was happy to see that the thumb sticks on the controller could act like a mouse, but only on some apps. This was my next issue, I use an app called TTorrent, as it does exactly what I want, but this cannot be navigated with the remote or the controller. So now I had to get a bluetooth mouse, which works, but I am now using 3 bloody controllers to navigate one box. Why not give the remote air mouse properties, and then everything would be great.
If they released just a console version of this, for £129 then I would probably buy it. But for what I used my Android boxes for, and how I use them, this box is just too restricted to work into my life. That’s not to say it won’t be awesome for the other 99% of the people out there, this is just my opinion.
http://droidhorizon.com/nvidia-shield-android-tv-box-review/

I cant tell you how many cuss word filled rants I've started typing in the google and nvidia feedback activities expressing many of these same feelings. Sometimes I even avoid messing with it altogether just to prevent the rage I feel about some of the implementations (or deliberate omittance of) by google who for whatever reason decided to cripple these devices with whatever nonsense ideas they have in their heads when they are making their decisions about what the "leanback" experience should be like. Maybe it makes a little sense to limit some parts of Android Auto but I cant believe what I'm seeing in my living room. Its absurd. Then I just delete it like a good end user and try to focus on the things that it does do really well. The device itself is awesome but being a tinkerer makes for a lot of frustration and it totally blows my mind seeing what I think is a perfect example of the direction I think google intends to take with the Android OS

2017 Shield controller mapping problems with PC

I just got the new Shield TV and have been very pleased with it so far. However, I use Gamestream a lot and the only way I have even been able to eliminate input lag from the controller is by connecting it directly to the streaming PC rather than through the shield device. Well this would work as intended, but I found that the new controller has messed up maps when connected directly to the pc. For example when you press down on the left analog stick it registers as a trigger pull or somehting.
I was looking for the config files on my PC to see if I could manually fix the problkem, but found ntohing. I assume the nVidia devs will fix this in a patch, as their controller is awesome and I see people buying it for gaming in general. I am going to post this on the Nvidia forums as well.
Does anyone know where the config file might be so that I can make the adjustments? I also tried third party software but it was super clunky and didn't work like I imagined.

I have the same issue. If you make any progress in the matter, please update.

bahnean006 said:
I have the same issue. If you make any progress in the matter, please update.
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You'll know the moment I do. I have a post on Nvidia and will be trying to fix it myself. I need to find the configuration file saved on my pc and modify it.

seh6183 said:
You'll know the moment I do. I have a post on Nvidia and will be trying to fix it myself. I need to find the configuration file saved on my pc and modify it.
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Alright awesome thanks.
I've tried speaking with nvida support through e-mail but I'm not sure they know what I'm talking about. I really like the new controller and would love to use it both with my shield and pc interchangeably. The old shield remote has zero issues on my pc but its just not comfortable enough to use longer then 30 minutes.