Closing the Loose Ends

A project just isn't complete without running into unexpected issues. While I get the touchscreen working and running Android, there are still some issues to complete. After a proof-of-concept test, I list down the problems.

 

Graphics does not look 1080p

The first thing I noticed when I power on the stick is that image does not look sharp. It is because it is not using 1080p despite what it claims to use. For some reasons, perhaps due to limitation in video playback, the stock firmware will not display in 1080p.

The solution is quite simple. Someone already figured it out and have it patched. I realized that just like I can load my custom, touch enabled, kernel on stock firmware, I can pair a custom firmware with my custom kernel. With that combination, I can see my display in 1080p glory.

Rotation does not work

One of the app I really want to run on my giant tablet is Monopoly. It even has a Tablet mode which you place the tablet on the table and up to 4 person can play. But the mode does not work because the OS forbids it from rotating. Of course, a TV cannot be rotated. But what I want is really to allow the App to change the orientation should it need to. It may not make a lot of sense for a TV but it makes perfect sense for a table!

I thought this is a simple problem. But I have tried many apps available, including free and paid apps. None would change the orientation. In fact, I cannot tell if they made any difference. 

And then I tried messing with build.prop and changing ro.sf.fakerotation and ro.sf.hwrotation. They don't work. Even worse is that it rotated my touchscreen without rotating the actual image. I come to the understanding that the screen rotation is intentionally disabled on these TV stick ROMs to prevent orientation to be changed. Well, I'm not sure if I would buy that as Apps designed for portrait looks ugly as hell.

Then it struck me that I have tried another custom firmware that puts a screen rotation button on menu bar. I decided to start over and try the firmware again. Sure enough, it worked! It isn't perfect but the App is able to change the orientation at will. Which is what I wanted in the first place.

Overheating and poor Wi-Fi

The stick runs very hot. I have seen some MK809III eBay listing that has a copper heatsink. But mine does not have it. To make it worst, it seems either the kernel or the firmware that I used overclocks the stick to run at 1.6GHz instead of the designed 1.4GHz. Fortunately, No-frill CPU Control is already bundled in the firmware and I can change it to 1.2GHz. But it appears to be running noticeably slower. Some day, I need to address it one way or the other.

Bluetooth not working

I have mentioned this previously. BT is not a deal breaker. But a BT keyboard is a perfect companion to a touchscreen with Android. Still working on this one...