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Kali

(55,013 posts)
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:00 PM Aug 2022

can I do this with phone and cheap tablet?

I want to stream a radio station via cell signal on my phone. I have a tablet rigged to my stereo (anybody use that term or equipment anymore? LOL) that normally streams off my wifi.

wifi/house internet is acting like shit right now.

I can play this station in my car off the phone via blue tooth.

can I do this with the cheap tablet? stream on phone -->>send via bluetooth to tablet-->>play what is on my phone through tablet.

both devices see each other and SAY they are connected, but nothing is happening. phone is still playing and sound is only coming from it.

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can I do this with phone and cheap tablet? (Original Post) Kali Aug 2022 OP
So the actual goal is to hear the music through the stereo Hugh_Lebowski Aug 2022 #1
correct Kali Aug 2022 #4
I'm using a regular computer Casady1 Aug 2022 #2
I'm just looking for a quick fix Kali Aug 2022 #5
It's possible but... bottrott Aug 2022 #3
yeah, it is a cheap OLD fire Kali Aug 2022 #6
Streaming music/radio is typically very low bandwidth ... Hugh_Lebowski Aug 2022 #9
yeah, if this continues I may have to look into it Kali Aug 2022 #10
You can also get a simple stand-alone bluetooth adapter that will take in the streamed audio Hugh_Lebowski Aug 2022 #16
that might be the ticket Kali Aug 2022 #23
Verizon user here WmChris Sep 2022 #24
If the phone is playing it hasn't linked with the tablet. Phoenix61 Aug 2022 #7
no it is an old samsung galaxy Kali Aug 2022 #8
What type of tablet? nt Phoenix61 Aug 2022 #11
I don't know the model off hand it is an old Fire I got from woot years ago. Kali Aug 2022 #13
It seems the answer is no. Bluetooth is only for speakers etc. Phoenix61 Aug 2022 #17
It may be that while you can link a BT connection between them, it's actually for file sharing Hugh_Lebowski Aug 2022 #15
Let me say what I use. Is this what you want? usonian Aug 2022 #12
our systems sound very similar, though mine isn't apple stuff Kali Aug 2022 #14
Oh boy, sounds familiar. usonian Aug 2022 #19
Why not just use the phone as a Wifi hotspot to feed the tablet? nt sl8 Aug 2022 #18
mostly don't want to pay verizon any more money Kali Aug 2022 #20
Have you tried a 3.5mm to RCA cable? Jacoby365 Aug 2022 #21
yeah that is how the tablet is connected now Kali Aug 2022 #22
**update** Kali Sep 2022 #25
 

Hugh_Lebowski

(33,643 posts)
1. So the actual goal is to hear the music through the stereo
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:04 PM
Aug 2022

And tablet is just an intermediary since it's hooked to stereo?

Kali

(55,013 posts)
4. correct
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:18 PM
Aug 2022

house internet is having ISSUES

just want to have the radio play, and I am out of signal area. I could hook the phone directly to the stereo but then it would have to stay there and I couldn't take it with me from room to room or out in the yard. or even have it here at my desk.

 

Casady1

(2,133 posts)
2. I'm using a regular computer
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:08 PM
Aug 2022

and using chrome remote desktop. My connection is not wifi but a cable from my router to my computer. If you can run a direct cable to your tablet if it has a place to do that. WIFI is too unstable for music. I am also using a schitt DAC. Schitt Dac's are about $100 and the best bargain out there.

If I was in your shoes. I would get a inexpensive, if you have one laying around and connect it directly to the router. Then out of the usb connect the Schitt and then run a patch cable to your stereo This will give you the cheapest way to run a very good system to your stereo. What does your stereo consist of?
Then use the tablet with remote desktop and everything will run great.

bottrott

(81 posts)
3. It's possible but...
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:18 PM
Aug 2022

the tablet has to be able to create a bluetooth network connection. Not all are capable of doing so, the FireHD devices for instance. Cheap tablets are usually limited to pairing buds, speakers/sharing contacts, files etc. over bluetooth but not providing a network connection over that signal. Most fairly modern phones can provide internet access through their hotspot features but that also depends on the phone and the carrier. Some carriers plop custom operating systems on that disable certain features they don't want to support since support is expensive for them to field calls.

Kali

(55,013 posts)
6. yeah, it is a cheap OLD fire
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:23 PM
Aug 2022

phone is verizon and I think they charge for doing a hotspot, and I am already giving them enough money.

 

Hugh_Lebowski

(33,643 posts)
9. Streaming music/radio is typically very low bandwidth ...
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:30 PM
Aug 2022

Hotspotting w/the phone is probably the best best for a quick/temp fix. If you're charged I'm sure it wouldn't be much cause you're not going to pull that many bytes.

Kali

(55,013 posts)
10. yeah, if this continues I may have to look into it
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:34 PM
Aug 2022

or just break down and get a good bluetooth speaker to use instead. probably the best/cheapest longterm solution.

 

Hugh_Lebowski

(33,643 posts)
16. You can also get a simple stand-alone bluetooth adapter that will take in the streamed audio
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:56 PM
Aug 2022

from the phone and output it through RCA (or optical) cable to your stereo. I'd imagine you have a number of open RCA inputs on the stereo?

Something like this

https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Adapter-Streaming-Wireless-Speakers/dp/B016NUTG5K/

Then of course you need a basic RCA cable.

WmChris

(149 posts)
24. Verizon user here
Sun Sep 11, 2022, 12:23 PM
Sep 2022

I have Verizon and the hot spot usage dosen't cast me extra. Using it does however pull the battery down if not connected to a charger.

Phoenix61

(17,006 posts)
7. If the phone is playing it hasn't linked with the tablet.
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:24 PM
Aug 2022

Turn off Bluetooth on your phone then turn it back on. Is it an iPhone?

Kali

(55,013 posts)
8. no it is an old samsung galaxy
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:29 PM
Aug 2022

I tried all sorts of offs and ons. it seems the tablet only puts out bluetooth signal and doesn't take it in?

Phoenix61

(17,006 posts)
17. It seems the answer is no. Bluetooth is only for speakers etc.
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:57 PM
Aug 2022

Connecting a Fire HD 10 with my cell phone using Bluetooth
My PC and home phone system both connect to the cellular network through a Bluetooth connection with my cell phone.


Well connecting device to Wi-Fi using bluetooth is not supported in Fire Tablets. Instead you can enable portable Wi-Fi hot-spot and follow the steps below to connect your mobile hot-spot with Fire HD 10.

 

Hugh_Lebowski

(33,643 posts)
15. It may be that while you can link a BT connection between them, it's actually for file sharing
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:50 PM
Aug 2022

purposes, but doesn't support music streaming over the connection.

The BT in the car is different in that it's expressly designed for streaming sound from another device.

usonian

(9,811 posts)
12. Let me say what I use. Is this what you want?
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:38 PM
Aug 2022

I have a very old ipod that's hooked up to the stereo. (yes! 1980's vintage stereo. Best stuff ever.)

It picks up internet from the wi-fi and gets any station that's streaming or which has an app.

The ipod is about 20 feet from the wi-fi. In your case, this would be the tablet.

I have a comtrend that reaches about 100 ft. outside the home.

Bluetooth is garbage (I can give you references) I often have to be within 6 feet of a computer for it to work. Not 8 feet, 6 feet.

I'd look at the wi-fi situation, because improving that will make everything work better.

And you can have a simple setup like mine.

If you have Apple stuff, there's air-play. I don't use it. As for streaming from the phone with other devices, I don't know.

HTH

Kali

(55,013 posts)
14. our systems sound very similar, though mine isn't apple stuff
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 02:49 PM
Aug 2022

I am very rural and the only internet available is what I have or satellite. it is technically also wifi off a tower. it gets received by an antenna that looks similar to a satellite dish, but is coming from less than a 1/2 mile, not space (although I am sure the tower is getting it from space). then that is wired to a modem and everything in the house runs off that. I am pretty sure the problem is son's new fire stick, but we often have problems with the weather this time of year so it could be that. anyway something is making the radio buffer and it is driving me crazy.

my idea to do it with bluetooth was hopefully temporary and I was playing with both devices on my desk so distance for the experiment, shouldn't have been a problem.

usonian

(9,811 posts)
19. Oh boy, sounds familiar.
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 03:17 PM
Aug 2022

I was hooking up the phone to the stereo directly, or using a mi-fi (cellular hot spot) to feed an ipad or ipod --> jack to stereo.

We *do* have a wired internet here, albeit DSL. Spare you the war story, I eventually dropped the mi-fi and went wired. It doesn't drop out!

Options to the cellular hotspot (mi-fi) were microwave and satellite. So, it sounds like you are having data problems. Been there.The Fire Stick being a video device (IIRC) it will hog your bandwidth. And yes, weather interferes with microwave direct and satellite.

Well, I hope something works out. There very well could be an app on Google Play that lets you kick audio via wi-fi to the tablet, (that is, from one device to another) and then directly into the audio jack.

Jacoby365

(451 posts)
21. Have you tried a 3.5mm to RCA cable?
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 04:40 PM
Aug 2022

If your phone has 3.5mm headphone jack, a 3.5 to dual RCA jack cable will work (3.5 jack on one end and dual RCA jacks on the other). Then you could connect your phone directly to your stereo via the RCA jacks (left and right). You could run it through the AUX input. Coming from the phone directly to the stereo might not sound the greatest, but it should work.

Kali

(55,013 posts)
22. yeah that is how the tablet is connected now
Fri Aug 5, 2022, 07:20 PM
Aug 2022

I just didn't want to leave my phone there, I prefer it at my desk or out in the yard with me.

Kali

(55,013 posts)
25. **update**
Sun Sep 11, 2022, 12:32 PM
Sep 2022

I ordered the little device Hugh Lebowski recommended https://www.democraticunderground.com/109530429#post16

and then of course my internet provider finally called back and they did a software update on my router or maybe the receiver, who knows? anyway it seems to have solved the problem and I haven't even hooked the new thingy up to see if it will work. story of my life.

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