Is there a way to block Android host from using the usb device?

Submitted by whatUwant on #1

Hi,

I have a USB sound card shared by server on my Android TV. It's been working fine on my Windows client without big issues.

Recently I upgraded my TV to a newer version of firmware (Android 8). I noticed that Android 8 can actually use external USB sound card and direct audio output to it.
VirtualHere server is authorized to automatically use the device. When it is shared, the host seems to hold on to it. There is nothing coming out of the TV's built-in audio output. Even after it was unplugged, there was still no sound.

I'm not sure if this is an Android issue, or whether VirtualHere server can somehow block the host from using the device.

Submitted by whatUwant on Sat, 2019/03/30 - 08:43

#2

>"Even after it was unplugged, there was still no sound."

Actually this is my fault. I forgot to switch the input.

In a word, the issue is: the host cling to the device when it's being used by client.

Submitted by Michael on Sat, 2019/03/30 - 09:39

#3

Uninstall then reinstall the server app and answer no to the sound card and tick the checkbox to remember. Then it will skip asking about the soundcard from then on

Submitted by whatUwant on Sun, 2019/03/31 - 07:01

#4

Sorry if I didn't make myself clear.
VirtualHere server is running on Android TV.
In the past, the TV's built-in audio output was fine when a USB sound card was plugged in and shared via VirtualHere.
After firmware update, TV's built-in audio is gone when the sound card is plugged in, even when the card is being used by a client via VirtualHere.

Submitted by Michael on Sun, 2019/03/31 - 09:36

#5

OK i dont think this is a virtualhere issue because i havent changed anything. So it must be the firmware update and im not sure how to fix that.

Submitted by falk42 on Wed, 2019/05/01 - 02:17

#6

There is a setting for this in the Android developer options: Check "Disable USB audio routing" and the behavior described above should not occur. Of course that also means most Android apps won't be able to use the device even without VH running since there is no other way to change the audio output, but maybe that's no problem in your case.