Support for apt-X codec while Bluetooth streaming?

[charliefjr]

I am wanting to stream music from my tablet to my home stereo via a bluetooth receiver connected to my home stereo AUX analog input. My question is whether the Z tablet supports the "apt-X" high fidelity codec format that is promoted with the higher quality bluetooth receivers?

If not, is there a way to update the Z with apt-X so that I can get a higher quality stream? Or does Sony (or the Bluetooth 4.0 standard) already have technology onboard the tablet that matches the apt-X sound quality?

thanks

charliefjr

[lsisaxon]

My Xperia V already sounds like it has APT-X enabled although I don't find it mentioned anywhere, could be licensing issues. You can hear the distinct quality difference when using an Apt-X enabled receiver compared with a standard BT receiver. I guess the Xperia Z and Tablet Z should be the same.

This battery powered portable speaker was released in Singapore. It has APT-X decoder! http://www.sony.com.sg/product/srs-btx300

[Johan]

Unfortunately we have no product today supporting the apt-X codec. I think our first product to support this will be the upcoming Xperia Z Ultra.

[cycleo]

Since apt-X is a software thing, is it possible previous models like the Tablet Z are updated with the feature as well?

[charliefjr]

Thanks for all of the replies. I also saw in the Z white paper that the apt-X codec is not listed, so the question becomes "can apt-X be pushed via a software update?"

For those interested in streaming to your home stereo or powered speaker, here's what I ended up doing.

Purchased a Rocketfish Bluetooth Music Receiver from Best Buy (in the US). It is a pretty slick lttle device, about the same size as the power plug adaptor and it supports A2DP and apt-X. There are two audio outputs: analog via a headphone jack and optical. And it ships with a 6' 3.5mm stereo audio cable and a  RCA adaptor.

Setup was easy. Connect the audio to the stereo's AUX inputs, set the stereo's source to AUX, plug in the BT receiver power, turn on the tablet Bluetooth on the tablet and play music.

At first the sound was pretty compressed from MP3's, Pandora and the Google Play service.The fix was to go into the Google Play app > settings > equalizer. Click on "surround sound" and change the setting from "headphone" to "studio".Then play with the equalizer settings to tweak.Results in much improved audio.

Happy camper now... music streaming through the house and no wires!