Can the Nexus 7 support USB audio?

[rawness]

Does the nexus 7 support usb audio output out-of-the box?

I'm in the market for a 7" tablet but I need it to support audio output and charging through the micro usb port....can the nexus 7 do this?

 

[breadnatty08]

You can access all the storage via USB and likely play music through a PC. I'm not sure what you mean about an audio out? The N7 doesn't have an MHL out (video out) if that means anything. There's always the headphone jack.

 

[rawness]

By audio out, I mean the ability to listen to music through the micro usb port. Kinda like how the ipod has one port for audio and power.

 

[Demache]

Sort of. It can't do it directly because there is no audio specific functionality built in the USB port itself. It possibly could with a USB sound device, but its not very widely supported. I think there are only a few that actually work with it. You also cant charge because the N7 is providing power to the device. You're best off sticking with the headphone jack and a desperate USB charger. Or getting the dock if that's an option.

 

[rawness]

Sort of. It can't do it directly because there is no audio specific functionality built in the USB port itself. It possibly could with a USB sound device, but its not very widely supported. I think there are only a few that actually work with it. You also cant charge because the N7 is providing power to the device. You're best off sticking with the headphone jack and a desperate USB charger. Or getting the dock if that's an option.

Hmmm, now that I think about it I'm not sure the ipod port supports both audio and power, I think every device I've connected this way may just be reading from the drive.

Does the dock do both audio and power through the usb port or is the audio done through bluetooth?

 

[borospark]

The dock uses the pins on the side of the nexus, which charge and provide sound but via a separate cables on the back of the dock, it doesnt produce sound itself just the facility to plug it into something that does

Hmmm, now that I think about it I'm not sure the ipod port supports both audio and power, I think every device I've connected this way may just be reading from the drive.

Does the dock do both audio and power through the usb port or is the audio done through bluetooth?

 

[rawness]

The dock uses the pins on the side of the nexus, which charge and provide sound but via a separate cables on the back of the dock, it doesnt produce sound itself just the facility to plug it into something that does

Is there a special name for those three pins?

Seems like those three pins do exactly what I'm looking for!

Maybe I'll just mod the dock, do they sell that in stores?

 

[Demache]

Hmmm, now that I think about it I'm not sure the ipod port supports both audio and power, I think every device I've connected this way may just be reading from the drive.

Does the dock do both audio and power through the usb port or is the audio done through bluetooth?

The iDevices with the old 30 pin connector can do audio (among many other things) over the connector. There are actual analog line-level audio outputs for docks alongside the power pins. They also support a digital audio out over the USB cables, which car radios and such use (the iPod is playing the audio, the radio is just a remote control and amplifier).

I know the dock does power through the pogo pins on the side of the Nexus 7. I believe they also support audio as well.

 

[Demache]

Is there a special name for those three pins?

Seems like those three pins do exactly what I'm looking for!

Maybe I'll just mod the dock, do they sell that in stores?

[yay double post]

Its sold at the Google Play Store for $30. Not sure on anyplace else, that really depends on where you live.

And you don't need to mod it, there is a normal 3.5 mm audio out jack so you can plug in some speakers.

 

[rebel1699]

Yes, it can do it, but not under stock conditions. You need to be rooted and unlocked. Then, flash a custom kernel. Timir has a kernel which supports usb audio and host mode charging (using usb devices and charging at the same time). A large amount of people use it, including myself.