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Handsfree bluetooth audio server targeting car use for Raspberry Pi

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alejzeis/raspberry-link

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raspberry-link PyPI - Downloads GitHub release (latest by date) PyPI - License

A handsfree audio program for use with a Raspberry Pi in a car to add bluetooth audio to a "legacy" stereo. Allows connecting a phone to a raspberry pi, which will then output audio to the 3.5mm jack or a USB sound card. Supports control over a REST API.

For installation information visit the wiki page as there are additional steps other than just installing the .deb file or installing from PyPi

Features

  • Bluetooth Audio Support (Add handsfree support to an old car with only an AUX IN port)
    • A2DP profile audio
    • HFP (Hands-free-profile) support, recieve and make calls over the car speakers using Ofono (microphone required)
  • Media/Call controls, track information and device information available real-time over a REST API

Some Notices:

  • Bluetooth not auto-connecting, devices not able to connect, etc:
    • If you're using the Raspberry Pi 3 or Zero W they have some problems using the on-board bluetooth module. I've still not figured out entirely what is going wrong, but using a USB bluetooth dongle solves these issues. I believe the Pi 4 is fine, but I haven't tested it.
  • Bluetooth Audio Support is spotty when using built-in wifi
    • The Raspberry Pi 3 variants and Zero W suffer from issues while using both the integrated wifi and bluetooth at the same time. A workaround is to use a separate wifi or bluetooth dongle instead. That is recommended for this project.
  • Bluealsa needs to be compiled and installed from source, as it needs to be compiled with options to enable ofono and AAC. This is detailed on the wiki page.