Bluetooth A2DP and AVRCP in X1

[bloob]

I have been having problem trying to get my HBH-DS980 bluetooth headset to work properly with the X1.

So far, I've only gotten X1 to discover the Wireless Headset and Handset services on the DS980. I could never get it to discover A2DP and AVRCP. The Media Panel and Windows Media Player will transfer audio to the DS980, but I cannot see the track name on the headset screen, volume control seems to be independant of the X1, and absolutely no remote control function. The handset call button doesn't seem to work either.

My DS980 worked perfectly with my SE P1i before this, and never had any problems.

Am I missing something here? Has anyone managed to get these 2 services working for their X1?

[bloob]

Alright, I've done some testing and here are some results...

I deleted the bluetooth pairing for the DS980, did a soft reset on the X1.

Restarted pairing again in the following sequence - X1 Add Device, then switch on DS980 into pairing mode. Pairing was successful automatically (passkey not required, well and good)

Checked the services discovered for the DS980 - still the same, Wireless Stereo and Hands-Free

Started up Windows Media Player, played a track and some AVRCP functions seem to work!!
- volume up and down - ok
- track change up and down - ok
- play-pause - ok
- track information - nothing shown
- audio stream - clear and good, no skipping

Made a voice call using the headset, and seems like HandsFree services are working now!!
- volume up and down - ok, volume level shown on X1
- mute on and off - ok
- hang-up call - ok, using Call/Hang-up button on DS980

Seems like it is generally working fine now, but only for the Windows Media Player. None of the AVRCP functions work in the Media Panel, but the audio does stream to the DS980. Volume change is independant in the Media Panel and the DS980.

[Ash]

I haven't gotten my X1 yet, however, as someone who used WM since 2003, and also using DS-970...I can tell you....
As far as I know, only Windows Media Player will have all the functions, A2DP and such.

[JKingGrim]

Third party apps will work with avrcp too. I use pocket player. Kinoma is another good one but i have not tried it. I dont know if it works with avrcp. core player is good and works.

[raymccarthy]

I have had exactly the same problems and raised the issue with SE. They say that the media panel is not compatible with the DS980!!!! In general, bluetooth on the X1 is a nightmare. It disconnects, turns off and just plain fails. The forums are full of very disappointed people... I expect it to be fixed quite soon...

[JKingGrim]

Originally Posted by raymccarthy

I have had exactly the same problems and raised the issue with SE. They say that the media panel is not compatible with the DS980!!!! In general, bluetooth on the X1 is a nightmare. It disconnects, turns off and just plain fails. The forums are full of very disappointed people... I expect it to be fixed quite soon...

The windows mobile bluetooth stack does need much improvement. It works great for most uses like hands free, PAN, file transfer, ect. Where it is a pain is with a2dp. I used a2dp with reasonable reliability with my car head unit, though do get hickups sometimes, especially when calls come in while using a2dp. Are people gettting these problems with a2dp only, or in other uses too?

[bloob]

I don't get it, why would the Panels not have proper bluetooth support? Isn't this part of the Windows Mobile OS services, and it is up to the applications how they call the services?

Windows Mobile 6.1 is supposed to have improved Bluetooth support already. One would have expected Sony Ericsson to improve even further the bluetooth stack in Windows Mobile, or is this an OS defect that runs too deeply for SE to do anything significant to it?

This problem with the bluetooth stack will mar the brand name of Sony Ericsson, who is one of the market leaders for bluetooth support and devices. If I'm not wrong, Ericsson is one of the inventors of Bluetooth technology.

[JKingGrim]

Originally Posted by bloob

I don't get it, why would the Panels not have proper bluetooth support? Isn't this part of the Windows Mobile OS services, and it is up to the applications how they call the services?

A2DP audio streaming is a core OS service which is why when you are using an a2dp headset you will hear everything through the headset. An app does not need to be bluetooth-aware. AVRCP, however, is something a developer would need to code thier software to support.

[bloob]

Well, I do hope that SE will fix their Media Panel to include full bluetooth support.

Perhaps, the door is open for someone to create a proper full spec Media Panel, that continues to run in the background even when you switch to other panels.

[Vigge]

Well... Ericsson actually invented the bluetooth technology... kinda embarrasing eh?

I own three headsets, ds205, ds220 and an old jabra earbrick... all of em disconnects after a call, none of them has full functionality on the X1... random disconnects, random turn offs etc etc, I use my X1 for voice comm about 2-3 hours per day, sad to say using bluetooth whilst doing this on this device is impossible.

I have a history working as an interface programmer, I know these devices, I have coded for them and I could rant on all day about how f*king disappointed I am in this device, not just the bluetooth, but as a power user trying to keep this device alive for a whole day is almost impossible, random lockups, 20 sec lags in the UI, reloading panels, apps crashing randomly, Yes, most problems has to do with windows mobile, but this is a SE business phone! It should be dependable, It set me back freekin 700$! For what? a brick?

Cheers

Vigge (waiting for a rom update )