yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Droid Incredible General] musical_chairs:
As usual, the 'final frontier' of getting the latest and greatest Android flavor fully functional on our 'old' phones is videos and video recording. That it works at all is amazing, and is thanks to the equally amazing devs who continue to support the OG Droid incredible. Now, I'm not a dev and don't pretend to be, I just like to experiment. The purpose of this thread is to document the current state of things, and to share what works and what doesn't work. I'm using Pons CM10, but Pons AOKP, Albinoman AOSP, and Evervolv should all provide a similar experience as far as video stuff is concerned.

First, the state of 'stock':

- Video recording does actually work. The camera preview is wonky, but it does record real video footage. This ain't no 720p though, frame rate is maybe 6 fps - that's pretty jerky if you ask me. Audio is steady.

- Video playback is very bad. While the stock video player seems to handle audio OK, the video stutters badly, sometimes pausing on one frame for several seconds.

- YouTube playback is smooth and seamless if the phone is in landscape mode, the video is full screen, and you don't touch it. Anything that causes the screen to display anything other than the video being played will cause it to flicker and sometimes pause.

- Netflix does not work at all.

Next, the state of 'free' apps from the market:

- Videocam Illusions can record smoother video than the stock camcorder, but only because it allows you to lower the quality and uses its own software encoding. At the resolution of the stock camcorder (640x480), the frame rate is similar. Audio quality can be increased with little or no impact on video quality.

- MX Player, by default, plays slow and stuttering video just like the stock player. With hardware decoding enabled, video files play quite nicely (provided they were recorded on something other than a dinc running JB!). Audio sometimes goes silent for a second or two.

- Camera ICS allows increasing the video bitrate (and has less problems with wonky preview) but records videos just like the stock camcorder.

- lgCamera and DoubleShot allow much more control over video recording quality. However, the only settings that work are H.264 encoding, 15fps, 640x480. Which, of course, yields similar results to the stock camcorder - about 6 fps at best. Audio quality on these apps can be tweaked nicely.

My questions for those who know about such things:

Would it be possible to get the stock video player to use hardware accelleration?

Would it be possible to enable other video encoders in the ROM, at least for experimental purposes?
[Droid Incredible General] m52 power!:
Sorry to break it to you man but the dInc is a bit behind the times. From what I understand the lack of updated hardware drivers from the manufacture is what's limiting it to be further more compatible with the latest AOSP. The glory days of the dInc were CM7, past that it went down hill IMO.
[Droid Incredible General] musical_chairs:
I'm fully aware that the Dinc is ancient by cell phone standards - that's why I have one. The way I see it, I could:

1. Pay $500 for the latest and greatest phone.

2. Get back on a Verizon contract and pay $1200/year for the latest and greatest phone.

3. Buy a used Dinc for $80 and deal with a few issues like this

Which choice is the right one for me is obvious, though it's definitely not the right choice for everyone.

FWIW, video recording via the stock camcorder has been broken since about 10-29 (two days after I posted the OP). There have been rumors of a possible fix in the works from Evervolv, but I think they're mostly focused on the increasingly difficult task of bringing the latest version of Android to what used to be top-of-the-line phones.
[Droid Incredible General] 123421342:
I dont know.. Although video recording doesnt work, CM10 is absolutely amazing and stable on Dinc(at least pon's roms are).
[Droid Incredible General] thebopshoobop:
I'll second that. The camera situation is getting better slowly, as bugs are being ironed out upstream and the devs try out various fixes. For me, the benefits of jb outweigh the downsides, though I definitely did appreciate the consistency of cm7.2. Perhaps you should stick with that for now?
[Droid Incredible General] zenihilist:
I've had to switch back to cm7.2 recently. Flickering YouTube really started to get to me. Really miss the UI, though. Anyone find a fix or at least a way to alleviate the flickering?
[Droid Incredible General] saltcreep1:
flicker isn't that bad on my phone using tiny's cm10
[Droid Incredible General] tiny4579:
While it doesn't have the cm customization I posted an evervolv android 4.2 build and people said it doesn't have YouTube flickering. Its a really early build so it has issues so don't flash unless you want to help report bugs.
[Droid Incredible General] musical_chairs:
Indeed the flickering in YouTube seems to be gone in your 4.2 build - that's a pleasant surprise! Video stuff in other places is pretty much unchanged; MX Player plays videos smoothly if hardware decoding is enabled, the stock video player stutters badly, trying to record videos FC's the camera, and VideoCam Illusions can still record medium-low quality videos.
[Droid Incredible General] zenihilist:
The 4.2 ROM is awesome, Tiny. Thanks so much! I don't see the flicker anywhere anymore (currents, chrome, etc). Aside from the odd fc that I'm unable to reproduce, this may be more smooth than 4.1, cm10. Also, videos recorded in in gingerbread ROMs play fine for me on the stock player.
[Microsoft Surface] qhdevon43:
So I was wondering if its possible for someone to create or start developing an application that can emulator x86/64 code on an arm architecture?
[Microsoft Surface] Jaxidian:
What x86 code, exactly, do you mean? Do you mean running native x86 code directly or do you mean taking Java or .NET code and running it?

Ultimately, pretty much *anything* is possible to emulate. However, emulating it in a way that it can run in a reasonable amount of time is unlikely to happen. There are just so many things that are limited in the RT version of the .NET Framework.
[Microsoft Surface] dazza9075:
ok, im not exactly best qualified for this but ill try and explain

in short, no, you could potentially make an emulator for a given program, but to make some be all end all x86 emulator to cover everything would be massively inefficient and probably not possible

you primary obstacle is that RT uses managed code, that means MS tells you want you can and cant do, it gives you the frame work if you like and you can build what you want within that frame work but step outside it and do your own thing isn't possible (yet)

once you got over that barrier, next up would be to port every single function and call sent to the CPU to an ARM equivalent, ARM is like a tadpole compared to Blue Whale of X86 so it wont do everything on chip meaning youd need to also convert it in software to something it can do

It would be like trying to blow a golf ball through a garden hose

however, small limited programs that don't rely on many hardware functions and with limited calls outside of its own program would potentially be possible to emulate assuming you can get native code to work anyway :)
[Microsoft Surface] Ace42:
Surface RT - Paperweight

Surface Pro - Glorified Tablet/Notebook

Just go with the Pro, it will make life much easier. The whole emulator debacle isn't even necessary if you just go with the logical choice.

I mean the Tegra 3 is awful as an SoC--I don't know what moron said Quad A9's are better than A15's, not to mention the GPU is junk compared to an SGX.

Overall Micro$oft shot themselves in the foot.
[Microsoft Surface] wrexus:
Actually Visual Studio 2012 could technically support building desktop applications to run on Surface RT and other RT (ARM) tablets. However, at this time, Microsoft is also allowing Microsoft signed applications. And, I heard that if you disabled that check in the registry, then you get blocked by RT. It is definitely possible that in the future, Microsoft might allow desktop applications to be recompiled for RT.

In the meantime, Remote Desktop is wonder in that I can connect to my Windows 8 laptop and use it to run any application with almost full touchscreen functionality. So, combining a Surface RT and a Windows 8 computer is ideal for me.
[Microsoft Surface] Jaxidian:
Add it stands, you can't even really disable UAC without breaking Metro in full Windows 8 (the UI setting to disable it doesn't really disable it). They have that thing locked down pretty well!
[Microsoft Surface] mamaich:
You can enable test-sign mode on RT, this would allow you to run your own ARM desktop apps, signed by your own cert, not with MS one. This is absolutely legal, but it can be closed by MS in some of the new hotfixes (and they'll definitely will, when this mode would be used to run cracked apps).

It is really possible to make a working x86 CPU emulator that would allow you to run x86 windows programs on RT. Just remember my port of "heroes of might and magic" 1 and 2 for Windows Mobile - it was more difficult to make it, as WM had a more limited Win32 API than Windows RT has.

I'll make a nearly universal emulator for RT when I'll buy a device, project is already started and has good results. But I'm waiting for a device that is based on quad-core Snapdragon S4. I would not recommend buying Tegra devices, 4-core Krait beats them in CPU and 3D speed. And high CPU speed would be necessary for smooth x86 emulation.
[Microsoft Surface] popetorak:
Quad A9's are better than A15. If you wasnt too busy kissing jobs ass, you would know this. Tegra line is alot better that any apple "cpu"
[Microsoft Surface] GoodDayToDie:
@Jaxidian: Disabling UAC disables Mandatory integrity Controls, which is how the sandboxes for both IE and Metro-style apps are implemented. Metro-style apps check, when they are launched, if they are running in such a sandbox, and exit if they aren't.

Disabling UAC is, and always was, a terrible, idiotic thing to do, and I truly don't know why MS made it an available behavior. Just set it to auto-elevate without UI instead, if you really can't stand having proper principle of least privilege in your OS. This is a little more complex (you have to use the Local Security Policy editor, which can be launched by typing "secpol.msc" into Run or by going into the Administrative Tools) but is a much better solution as things which explicitly want to be run with limited permissions (sandboxing) still can be.
[Microsoft Surface] GoodDayToDie:
@dazza9075: Dosbox is an x86 emulator that is already available on other ARM platforms. It just doesn't support the (many) x86 opcodes that have been added since the 386. It certainly can't do 64-bit. However, it's fine for running old DOS programs, including games. Somebody should port it to the Windows Store if possible, or at least see about making a homebrew build of it that we can run on RT devices. This is totally not my area of expertise or I'd do it myself.

A full x86 emulator, like Microsoft's old Virtual PC for Mac (except running on ARM instead of PPC), is technically possible. It's just hard. It sounds like some people are already working on this, though.
[Microsoft Surface] mamaich:
Regarding publishing DosBox, Bochs, Qemu, ScummVM and other emulators to Windows Store - they would be unable to pass the certification. Read the requirements here http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh694083.aspx

For emulators - app logic resides in an emulated program that is typically not present in app package.

By the way, Microsoft Internet Explorer can't pass this check too - as it downloads and executes flash from web. But MS is already known for its double-standards.

The other reason why those apps may be refused:

Old programs (games at least) may be unusable without keyboard or mouse. My own program was refused for this reason, because it is unusable without hardware keyboard.

It is possible (and really easy) to port Bochs or DosBox for RT as a "desktop" application (making a "metro" port would be a bit more difficult). I can do that myself when I'll get hands on a Krait-based quad-core RT device, if someone would not port them earlier.

Regarding Tegra 3 vs Krait - Krait is not directly based on A9 nor on A15.
[Microsoft Surface] guitar1969:
But its only a matter of time before we figure out a way to sideload metro apps without going through the store.
[RAZR HD Accessories] mdt73:
Since I am trying to pre-plan a case purchase for my incoming Razr HD, and found this portion of the Razr HD section almost empty, I thought I would post a few links to cases that caught my eye.

Diztronik Razr HD Case

Seems to be a minimalistic case, matte black.

Razr MAXX HD w/ kickstand

Hybrid Razr HD Case

Hope this helps in your search...
[RAZR HD Accessories] hradak:
I have the diztronics case for the Razor HD. Its a perfect fit and keep the phone very thin.
[RAZR HD Accessories] mdt73:
Oh, nice. Is the case pretty firm and close fitting, or is there some play to its construction. Also, does it snag things coming out of your pocket?

Thx, in advance.
[RAZR HD Accessories] hradak:
It is a snug fit, the case is flexible but not like a typical silicon case. It's very smooth, and doesn't attract fingerprints or dust.

I had a diztronics on my HTC Vivid and it was the same very good material. Perfect case, very thin with a classy black and at a good price.
[RAZR HD Accessories] Ban-Hammer:
I can't stand using cases (hard or soft) because they ruin the feel of the phone, make buttons difficult to push, ect.

Do you notice that with this case? Or is it thin enough to where it isn't noticeable?
[RAZR HD Accessories] syzygy027:
Just to let you know that second case is not for the Razr Maxx HD, it's probably for the original Maxx. It will obviously block the camera.
[RAZR HD Accessories] hradak:
I don't, probably because it doesn't bother me as much... the button openings are actually pretty large on the diztronics. As thin as this case is, of course it does make the phone quite but bulkier than the orginal, but tha's the price to pay for minimal protection.
[RAZR HD Accessories] inkdaddy66:
I noticed that too :thumbup:

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD
[RAZR HD Accessories] princeplanet:
I concur. I bought the holster combo from VZW, and while I like the thinness, it was too difficult to get out the holster.

I bought the amazon holster combo (it said it was for the maxx hd), and it WASN'T for the Maxx HD, so I couldn't use it.

What I DO like is that I am using the phone skin from VZW with the holster from Amazon. The phone fits, and I can get the phone out without any fuss. Until a good and easy combo comes along, I'm happy.

Transmissum est ex Transformo Infinito cum Tapatalk duo
[RAZR HD Accessories] beandogg:
I just ordered one of these on Amazon...Incipio Feather

Will let you know how it goes...I also ordered the Diztronic so hopefully I'll be able to compare them. Had a diztronic for my epic 4g touch, which I loved.
[RAZR HD Accessories] chazall1:
Cruzerlite was very superizing to me. I have used otterbox for a number of years, Cruzerlite was very nice!
[RAZR HD Accessories] Droidguy987:
Do you have pictures of the case?
[RAZR HD Accessories] mrmorphine:
Incipio Feather Case

Hello all.

I found the Incipio Feather Case at a local Rogers store this weekend.

They had the pink, blue and grey versions.

At first I was disappointed, as I always have had black cases.

But the grey is very nice and I've quickly grown to love it. I think it looks great on the phone. I find it is more dark silver than grey personally.

Pics below.
[RAZR HD Accessories] chazall1:
I was an Otterbox fan, maybe still am, but Cruzerlite was very nice . Goog strong protection.
[RAZR HD Accessories] minhgurluver:
I got the same case for my Maxx HD and I love it. It doesn't add much thickness or weight to the phone and the material feels awesome.
[RAZR HD Accessories] princeplanet:
I found this one while searching

http://shop.ventev.com/buy/accessories/cat/1214/accessory/1322594

Transmissum est ex Transformo Infinito cum Tapatalk duo
[RAZR HD Accessories] GalaxyIV:
http://www.amazon.com/White-Hybrid-...&qid=1351394476&sr=1-38&keywords=razr+hd+case

i think it's nice case :D
[RAZR HD Accessories] gusbeto37:
I personally would never buy a case. Because then what would be the point in having gorilla glass, kevlar back and metal frame? Plus they just add bulk and make the phone feel less nice. I rather have the metal be scratched and the paint fall off so it looks much more baddass.

What I DO want is a good holster. Haven't looked for one, but maybe some of the ones meant for the S3 could fit our RAZR HD.
[RAZR HD Accessories] kinjo28:
Hey otterboxes are out. You have to specifically search for them though at least on Amazon. Just trying to help.. mods. Please if this has already been posted I don't want to know. I love you guys.
[RAZR HD Accessories] Teejai80:
In just ordered one of these item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=360515500494 as I need to protect the screen.
[RAZR HD Accessories] phobos512:
Hey I've got a brand new Diztronic RAZR HD case if anyone wants it. I used it about 7 days before switching to the RAZR MAXX HD (got a Diztronic case for that too...they're nice). $5. Just shoot me a PM.
[RAZR HD Accessories] lobie81:
So what custom leather cases are out there?

So far I've found Pdair, Fortte and Noreve.

The Noreve case looks lovely, but it's quite expensive. The Pdair design looks dated and I'm not a fan of the button clips that Fortte use. Has anyone seen any other brands? I haven't even been able to find any no-name imitation leather ones on ebay yet...
[RAZR HD Accessories] Teejai80:
Not many from my searching, I got the pdair hopefully it lasts
[RAZR HD Accessories] davidjames4:
Just ordered some weird case on eBay I'll post when it arrives
[RAZR HD Accessories] animez:
http://www.seidioonline.com/seidio-Motorola-DROID-RAZR-MAXX-HD-s/8567.htm
[RAZR HD Accessories] dobo84:
Just bought a trident case , had the otterbox and was not impressed.
[RAZR HD Accessories] Ban-Hammer:
How is the trident?
[RAZR HD Accessories] Teejai80:
Got my PDAir not too impressed. Flash doesn't shine through. Not all that secure and it flips at the top and not the bottom. It is very padded though and the screen is safe now.
[RAZR HD Accessories] sxg75:
Anybody got "barely there" for the Razr Maxx HD by case-mate? There's also one for the Razr HD called "tough". Maybe someone shares her/his experiences?
[RAZR HD Accessories] modernmidnight:
anyone have the otterbox defender? The reviews I have seen say that the phone does not stay in the case. Anyone have this issue?
[RAZR HD Accessories] shaunsteig:
I agree completely -- hate having a case just hiding my phone, and always prefer a bare holster. Problem is I haven't been able to find one that accomodates the bare phone (ie no skin, no case, just naked phone) for the RAZR HD. Seidio makes stand-alone holsters for certain phones (Galaxy S3, iPhone 5), but I don't see any stand-alone holsters for the Razr HD. And I'd be shocked if something made for the S3 fits the Razr HD -- the S3 sizes are larger in all 3 aspects. Anyone have any success finding a holster for a bare Razr HD? How about for the Razr Maxx HD?

Thanks,

--S
[RAZR HD Accessories] nerv666999:
QMadix cases

Anyone seen these in person?

http://www.qmadix.com/xpression-cover/xpression-cover-motorola926hd-bk-rd.asp

Their corporate offices are within a mile or so from me but they don't/won't sell to me from their headquarters, and I don't feel like waiting forever if they are not in production yet

---------- Post added at 05:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:36 PM ----------

I have the "barely there", and I would be happier if the price matched its name. It was all the local corporate Verizon store had at the time. I used to work with various silicones in the production of custom props etc and the price is way steep for what you get. It hasn't started to stretch out of shape but that's probably because it is a very supple silicone but this also makes it pretty easy to dislodge the phone from the case. Unlike others here I want a case that I am certain will survive a direct hit from a tactical nuke, but my usual case mfg of choice isn't making one (Ballistic) and this one certainly doesn't qualify. If it were $9.99, I would be okay with it, at $25+? Just feels like the early birds are taking advantage of the lack of competition and those of us who have this device and want a case.

I swear I am so close to going out and buying a RTV kit, some clay, hydrocal, etc and making my own.
[RAZR HD Accessories] dobo84:
The trident made it out of the packaging and on the phone for a minute that's how horrible the silicon is for the case. I ended up buying a incipio feather case. I really wish UAG made cases for this device like they do for the S3
[RAZR HD Accessories] djpharoah:
Another +1 for the Incipio Feather case!
[RAZR HD Accessories] Ban-Hammer:
I think that's what I'll get, if I do get a case.
[RAZR HD Accessories] Danielk91:
I have this case, no issues yet. The rubber around the mic is a little loose, but overall its solid otterbox quality, and expensive.
[RAZR HD Accessories] anoninja118:
daaaaamn that case looks dope, when they start selling them i'll take one for the team and order one first to try it out
[RAZR HD Accessories] kk454347:
quick question, when ordering a case from ebay, is there a difference between the xt925 and the xt926?
[RAZR HD Accessories] memphis060:
There should be no difference between XT925 and xt926 cases
[RAZR HD Accessories] itzik_man:
Waste of money !

I got this case & used it for a week: Like the previous one I have ordered (Body Glove) it adds bulk to the phone.

I realized, after having in the past large verity of phones (from iPhone's to Androids), that this particular phone (Razr HD) is probably the only phone that really does not required any case or protection (for its unique design & build).

It's protected in the back with a Kevlar cover an the front with the a Gorilla anti scratch glass and has.

Today, I am case free & not planning any casing purchasing for this phone.
[RAZR HD Accessories] fester30:
I got this one. I agree with others that I didn't feel the need for a case for protection. I got this one because it has a kickstand and doesn't add a lot of bulk. I came from the Sprint Motorola Photon 4G (yes, I saw the light and have now found paradise), so I am used to having a kickstand. This case also has the holster, which I use because with previous phones I had a habit of putting my phone in my pocket with keys because I wasn't paying attention and scratching the screen. This one has fit the bill so far if you are just looking for a kickstand/holster.

Oh yeah, it's the one you can get at the Verizon store or on the Verizon website. They call it their shell/holster combo. The one I got in the store came with a car charger with an extra USB port.
[RAZR HD Accessories] nerv666999:
I can see that (though they are not impervious to being seriously marred) but you bring up an interesting point and one that I had not considered as being a driver in my choices of case. Namely the comment about adding bulk. I have been choosing cases to do exactly that. I have large hands and when out of its case I feel like it will slip out of my hand. It is certainly harder to grip the phone bare than it is clad in most cases . Phones got way too small for awhile as far as I was concerned. oh and were you saying you had the QMadix phone and tossed it because of bulk? would you mind adding a bit more description putting aside the bulk factor. I would really love to know what your impression was of its overall quality, and manufacture
[RAZR HD Accessories] itzik_man:
QMadix cases review: If bulk is not a factor, this case is possible the most outstanding (unique) for its design & quality.

The Black back (partially mat and shiny) vs. the front red frame, adds some funkiness style to the phone.

The phone is well protected within the cover odd shape. It has a good grip in your hand & it slide easy into the pocket. Overall its a solid well made case...