HD Radio Cables READY! - Page 42

PontiacGA · 06-06-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

You could also use a software called AMP CTRL. It uses pin 4 on a serial port to turn on the amps. The software waits for your soundcard to turn on, then turns on the amps. Only issue is you have to have a extra serial port. Thankfully I have 4 of them.

This is exactly what I need for my amp(s)! But, I only have 1 serial port. Will this work on the Parallel port (pin 20, I assume?)? Or can a serial port splitter be used?

mitchjs · 06-06-2008, 10:50 AM

i saw a parallel port version!

HiJackZX1 · 06-06-2008, 12:10 PM

It has a config file... all you have to do is change the com port assignment to what ever the parrallel port is set to, and put it on pin 4 of that...... should work, wouldnt hurt to try....

diggs · 06-06-2008, 01:06 PM

I'm curious to know about the noise/grounding issue.

I hooked up the Visteon HD Radio using Mitch's cable (Thank you!) and a RadioShack RS232->USB adapter today. I had no problems configuring RR using the DFX 3.0 skin, and I can control the radio just fine. I get full reception and can tune HD and analog signals, no problem.

My problem is with audio distortion. When I turn on the radio I get sound but it is extremely distorted. The sound is very much 'cheap paper speakers about to blow'-ish.

I attempted jumping a wire from the white rca to where the ground is connected (cigarette lighter), but it made no change in the sound or amount of distortion. When I pulled the jumped wire out, I also pulled out the negative wire coming from the radio - and the radio played still at the same levels.

So since the radio sounded the same without being grounded at all through the negative wire (12V ACC & Constant only), does this mean I need to find a better ground than the cig lighter wire?

I'm thinking it's either that, or problems like greatwhite had with using mic-in instead of line-in. Which would mean another purchase for me, since my laptop only has a mic-in.

HiJackZX1 · 06-06-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by diggs

I'm curious to know about the noise/grounding issue.

I hooked up the Visteon HD Radio using Mitch's cable (Thank you!) and a RadioShack RS232->USB adapter today. I had no problems configuring RR using the DFX 3.0 skin, and I can control the radio just fine. I get full reception and can tune HD and analog signals, no problem.

My problem is with audio distortion. When I turn on the radio I get sound but it is extremely distorted. The sound is very much 'cheap paper speakers about to blow'-ish.

I attempted jumping a wire from the white rca to where the ground is connected (cigarette lighter), but it made no change in the sound or amount of distortion. When I pulled the jumped wire out, I also pulled out the negative wire coming from the radio - and the radio played still at the same levels.

So since the radio sounded the same without being grounded at all through the negative wire (12V ACC & Constant only), does this mean I need to find a better ground than the cig lighter wire?

I'm thinking it's either that, or problems like greatwhite had with using mic-in instead of line-in. Which would mean another purchase for me, since my laptop only has a mic-in.

Have you tried lowering the volume for line-in and mic-in... If its too high it will sound distorted, almost like they are talking right next to the speaker and trying to blow it out...

diggs · 06-06-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

Have you tried lowering the volume for line-in and mic-in... If its too high it will sound distorted, almost like they are talking right next to the speaker and trying to blow it out...

I have, and it's turned down very low (like 1 on a scale of 10), although perhaps I'm underestimating the level of lowness it needs to be at. When I get home I'll try adjusting it to just above mute and see if it makes any difference.

mitchjs · 06-06-2008, 02:25 PM

u are prob over driving the MIC-IN

some mic-ins, have a MIC-boost option, in the audio settings turn that OFF
I wouldnt use the MIC-IN, i would get myself a USB AUDIO IN DEVICE
or just move all audio to usb, a usb audigy or something like that
a simple USB AUDIO IN, is dirt cheap, if u use that u need to move the audio acrross devices... so thats the winamp line in plug in...

what are u even using for audio out, the laptops 2 channel audio out?

mitch

diggs · 06-06-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mitchjs

u are prob over driving the MIC-IN

some mic-ins, have a MIC-boost option, in the audio settings turn that OFF
I wouldnt use the MIC-IN, i would get myself a USB AUDIO IN DEVICE
or just move all audio to usb, a usb audigy or something like that
a simple USB AUDIO IN, is dirt cheap, if u use that u need to move the audio acrross devices... so thats the winamp line in plug in...

what are u even using for audio out, the laptops 2 channel audio out?

mitch

I'll look for that boost option and see if I have it. I'll also try to find a USB audio-in or sound card (hopefully locally).

I'm using the headphone out on the laptop.

Sonicxtacy02 · 06-06-2008, 02:37 PM

mitch brings a good point.. for those of us missing line-ins audio capture devices may just work. I'll have to test mine out.

diggs · 06-06-2008, 04:17 PM

It was the Mic Boost option, I un-checked it and now it sounds great! Thanks, Mitch, for the help AND your fantastic cable

mitchjs · 06-06-2008, 09:54 PM

PontiacGA · 06-08-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

It has a config file... all you have to do is change the com port assignment to what ever the parrallel port is set to, and put it on pin 4 of that...... should work, wouldnt hurt to try....

Would it still be pin 4 on a Parallel port?

I seen the config file and figured that could be edited for the parallel port. Just wanna make sure that it's the right pin.

ccrum · 06-12-2008, 10:03 AM

Just wanted to chime in here on the echo. I know with my Audigy sound card, I have to mute the WAV input to get rid of the echo. I'm looking for a way to do this prgramatically when HD starts fromt he DFX3.0 skin. Right now I just mute it manually wehn I want to listen to the radio, but that is "clunky". Anyone know how to do this from the skin?

PontiacGA · 06-15-2008, 08:43 AM

Ok, so I take it DTR is pin 20 on a 25 pin parallel port, according to this chart...same as pin 4 on a 9 pin cable. Wanna make sure so I dont fry anything.

DB-9 to DB-25 Adapter or Cable
Used to adapt serial ports to the proper size

25 Pin 9 Pin Signal-RS232
Connector Connector
1 n/a Protective Ground
2 3 TX Transmit
3 2 RX Recieve
4 7 RTS Request to Send
5 8 CTS Clear to Send
6 6 DSR Data set Ready
7 5 Signal Ground
8 1 DCD Data carrier detect
9 n/a + Transmit
11 n/a - Transmit
18 n/a + Recieve
20 4 DTR Data terminal ready
22 9 RI Ring Indicator
23 n/a DSRD Data signal-rate indicator
25 n/a - Recieve

ccrum...thanks for the info. Unfortunatley, it didnt work with mine.

mitchjs · 06-15-2008, 02:28 PM

PontiacGA, thats NOT a parallel PORT!!!!
a parallel port = (old style printer port)
not used by anything anymore

mitch