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Is it possible to connect a USB harddisk to an XDA II

Is it or will it be possible in the future to connect a USB harddisk to the XDA II. There seem to be a few possabilities for it. But are any of these workable.
It would be great to hook up a 120 GB Harddisk to it especially in your car for PDF files, Tom Tom maps and lots and lots of music.
I have listed the possabilities that seem to be around please feel free to comment.
1. The XDA II has a video chip which supports IMAGEON 3200 USB On-The-Go ( designed for mobile interconnectivity by allowing a USB device to communicate with other USB peripherals (such as printers) without the need to go through a PC). Would it be possible to use this chip to connect to a USB hardisk.
Was posted by IKIRA in the thread "The XDA2 Video processor features"
2. Buy the expanssion pack and a "Dual Port USB Host CF Card" this would propably be the only working system at the moment.
3. There are already bluetooth > USB printer units on the market that allow USB printers to interface with a PDA using bluettooth. There does not seem te be a Bluetooth > USB host interface. :?:

References
References to pages on the internet about my last post.
CF > USB Host http://www.twin-paradox.com/SEPDA.html
Deja mass storage driver http://www.deje.gmxhome.de/
Imageon in the XDAII http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/2853.html
ATI Imageon USB On The Go http://www.us.design-reuse.com/news/news4636.html
Bluetooth > USB printer http://www.11wave.com/main/product/bluetooth_printer.htm
Toshiba USB host cable and Deja driver http://www.anypakdevices.com/PPC/
Toshib aUSB hist cable http://www.skycattech.com/toshiba_pocket_pc_usb_host_cable.html
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ah you also saw the cf adapter ;-)
i was hoping they also could make an external version, so we can connect through the connector.
mabe we can hack it ;-)
i think the cf card only uses, power, and usb in and out data transfer

There are specs from transdimension in this pdf file, don't know if it is the same chip as in the XDAII
www.transdimension.com/assets/products/ 243%20Product%20Brief%209-24-02-MU2002.pdf

1. The XDA II has a video chip which supports IMAGEON 3200 USB On-The-Go ( designed for mobile interconnectivity by allowing a USB device to communicate with other USB peripherals (such as printers) without the need to go through a PC). Would it be possible to use this chip to connect to a USB hardisk.
Was posted by IKIRA in the thread "The XDA2 Video processor features"
I was notice the USB OTG function in the ATI IMAGEON 3200 chip.
if the OTG function pins was connect to the CPU and layout on the PCB,
It is maybe add the OTG function,then we can use USB devices like mass storage drivers,HID drivers,Printer and so on!it enjoy!

If i remember correctly, the XDAII does not use the Imageon chip to provide USB, but instead uses the XScale processor (or was it just a seperate chip... I forget...) which does not support OTG, only USB slave.
As such USB OTG is not supported by the XDAII, so unless you can find a USB harddisk which does something clever to allow the harddisk to be the master device, this can't work...

Am I being Daft
I have been trying to solve this problem for a whhile (in a non technical fashion of course).
I synch my MDAIII with my PC but in the near future I would like to be able to save work from other peopls computers to my device and vice versa without the need for cables and cradles.
I have seen some usb pendrives that rather than actually containing memory as such are actually sd card readers (and other cards too). It looks like it would be quite simple to remove the sd card from my MDAIII and pop it into the pen drive reader' and plug it into a computer and vice versa.
Is this too simple - am I missing something and being dense or is this a viable possibility. If it is - its very cheap - it would cost me about £4.50! ???
Can anyone help me out here?

Adding a Hard Disk to XDA2 for music!

Hello everyone - my first post here.
It occured to me that if we could make the XDA2 talk to a hard disk we could fit a big drive in the car and then use the power connector to create communication between the pda and the drive.
Is this possible?
We'd need a new skin for the windows media player with huge simple, finger sized buttons to press to access the different folders and tracks. We would also need a pair of phono outs to go into the car hifi audio input.
Also it would be nice to have a hardware button which would fire everything up so the sequence would be : get in car, clip xda into holder and hit a button. Then you've got 120gb worth of music at your fingertips and if you've got wifi card in there you can take data from your house pc wirelessly and store it on the car's hdd!!! Just awesome.
Any ideas how hard this would be. I would be prepared to pay for development because as a car audio shop owner (www.audiolectrics.co.uk if you are interested!) I reckon we could sell these systems as PDA's like XDA are just phenomenal units - I have had mine now for a week or so and am just bowled over by it!!

the skins in the windows media website are huge enough to use it with your fingers.
or you can try the latest PocketMusic which rocks

Good stuff but how could I add a hard disc drive to it using only the pin outs for usb in the lower charging connector?

Actually I have a sneaky suspicion that the XDA2 won't function as a usb host which is a big problem.
Any ideas? Its' odd because obviously it works 2 way comms when active sync-ing.

HD in the XDA II
The festesting way to adding a HD in the XDA II.
http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,27981

Yes but this is not convenient since you've got to keep taking the xda out of its case.
No, what I need is a wireless hard drive the xda can talk to or a way of making the xda a usb2 host.
Nobody got any ideas?

AHA!!!!
Had a sneaky idea.
What if I buy a backpack and insert a RATOC Compact flash USB host adaptor and plug this into a huuuuuuge USB drive.
Then, make up a cable that connects the xda2 to the BACKPACK which will be hidden out of sight in the car - I presume the XDA talks to the backpack via only the ordinary connectors.
I presume it isn't possible to make a lead up that would connect to a compact flash usb host WITHOUT the backpack - ie that the backpack contains some circuitry?

OK This will work for sure.
I just need someone to photograph the backpack connector where it joins the unit so I can get an idea of the engineering needed.

And one more thing - can I get proper sound output from the main connector of the unit rather than the headphone jack?

it would work if the drivers work ok i suppose
about the audio then all you should need is the connector pin out of xda2 somebody gave them once try search

Seems like there are few individuals actively pursuing this idea. See thread below :
http://softwareforums.intel.com/ids/board/message?board.id=43&message.id=84

There is also at least one Bluetooth harddisk solution
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=HOPBIT
I recently saw an announcement for a similar product using Wifi instead of Bluetooth. This could be an easier option. Simpply bring the XDAII to your car with the SDIO WiFi card in it and pull the files via WiFi from the Storage Server (err... harddisk)...

OK!
Asus are just about to release their wireless Hard Disk drive! This will have an ftp style interface that will allow password encryption etc so this job looks simple with one of these!
Can anyone help with getting the windows media player sound out on the main connector?

hd
i recently baught a usb 2.0 laptop hard drive case its 2.5 inches small enough to try and convert it to use on the xda2 see link
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/cablesonline/usb2025inlah.html

Yup. Managed to find a reference to this WiFi disc enclosure. Sounds like this will do the job nicely!!!
http://www.asus.com/news/2004/20040311.htm

So Mr Hobbit - we've still got to get XDA2 to talk to the USB though without the backpack for car useage.
This is where the WIFI disk comes in. Chuck it under a seat and feed it juice and hay preso 10000 songs accessible from your XDA control panel.
I love it.
Still need the audio pin outs on the main connector though?
Anyone?

after a quick search in the forum
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=3929&highlight=bluetooth+mp3

thanks for that - must admit i don't fully understand what the definitive pin outs are! Could you translate into english for me!! Much appreciated in advance......(!)

I have another Suggestion for the Connection of a Hard Drive to your XDA.
How about connecting up an Ethernet Harddisk such as the one below to a WIFI Access unit or router ( these usually have a 4 port Ethernet Hub built in ) which will be installed permanently in the car ( wired through 12v/240inverter )
http://www.softjam.co.uk/products/index.php?prodref=CU-XIMMNE1040&timestmp=1085611877282
This should enable you to access this harddisk over WIFI with the XDA+SD Wifi card?
You`ll then also be able to upload music to your cars Hardisk jukebox whilst its parked on your driveway.
This is what I plan to try anyway ( except I`ll probably add the Backpack so that I can Stream Divx movies from the HardDisk over the Wifi through the XDA2 through the backpage out the VGA Out into my Alpine 7" motorised display ) Fingers Crossed Tomtom will display on the screen also??? we shall see.
I still have to come up with a solution for the sound though as the mini jack is just too arkward.

personal wifi ap
Hi Guys
The network hard drive looks like a great idea..... combined with one of these http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=112376 youve got as much portable storage as you could want.

Connecting an XDAII to digital cameras, PC's, etc

Is it possible to connect an XDAII t a digital camera to allow me to download images on the move? Or how about connecting to any PC using a USB cable to transfer files, images, etc? I read somewhere theat the XDAII chipset doesn't support this type of connection, is this correct?

No, it's not possible. For any PDA (and our xda, too) the chipset is configured as a slave usb which doesn't allow you to use "normal" usb functions. thats also the reason because activesync exists.

You have a digital camera already in your xda 2, you can transfer files to any pc as long as activesync is installed, just click explore and you can drag and drop. Alernatively you can use a card reader, this will plug into any usb enable pc and allow transferring of files both ways.

I do not think that you can connect it bu usb - probably you need special drivers for it...

99% of htc devices don't support usb host
and can as such only be used by a host
not use other usb devices itself

some things are possible...
With the software WM5torage you can hook up your Hima or any other HTC device to any PC with no Activesync installed and it behaves like any other mass storage device. So if your camera has SD cards you can easily transfer pictures.
If you still use WM2003 on your Hima you can use accessory called Backpack to read CF cards or use a CF to any other card converter.
You can use IR or Bluetooth for wireless control of robots and other devices.
There is also RS232 on the Hima connector.

Plug external USB devices on HTC S730?

Hi,
I was wondering if it is possible to plug external USB devices on the HTC S730 (with adapter). E.g. external hard drive or cardreader?
Would be amazing

I have not seen a program yet which can do this.
The Fujitsu Siemens Pocket Loox T830 was able to do that.
You were able to switch between client / host in the USB settings.

But I think if this function really exists, then it is rather hardware dependend than software dependend.
Anyways, maybe someone has an USB adapter to test this for us

This is interesting:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_ExtUSB

The Joystick Thread: New options and workarounds

Joystick options appeared to be limited for most of us, so I'm posting this thread to help generate interest in finding a universal workaround - and to start tossing around ideas. Here are mine;
USB to mini USB: Could a joystick be rewired to use a mini USB jack? Seems like you would only need drivers to get it to work.
HTC 4-in-1 Cable: The HTC Athena (aka Advantage) has a cable that provides a normal USB jack. With it you can connect a mouse and keyboard, and using this driver you can even connect a joystick. I'm wondering, if we could just get a proper mini USB cable, maybe this driver would work on other devices? Someone was able to get a USB joystick to work on a Toshiba TG01, so I have hope!
BGP100 Gamepad (MSI and Chainpus): Unfortunately, support for this gamepad stopped and the drivers don't seem to work on newer phones (with few exceptions).
Please try to be constructive with the ideas/feedback. Hopefully by pooling our resources we can come up with a mutually beneficial solution.

Id like a workaround for this aswell, especially for the HD2 when it comes out

I spoke with 'i900frenchaddict' from FPSEce. He was able to get a joystick to work on his Toshiba TG01 by buying a USB A Female to Mini USB B 5 Pin Male adapter and using the hidgamep.dll driver.
I've got a HTC Touch Pro 2 (Rodium). I just ordered the adapter and I'm going to try to get it to work. I'll post my results later.

connecting anything to the usb port and getting it to work require a device which support usbHost
Athena is as far as I know the only htc wm device out which support usbHost

Has anyone explored porting the usbhost files over from Athena? Is this something that needs to be cooked in or can it be installed manually with a few registry tweaks?

Ravicai said:
Has anyone explored porting the usbhost files over from Athena? Is this something that needs to be cooked in or can it be installed manually with a few registry tweaks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A USB host port is hardware based; it cannot be ported by any software means. Rudegar is right about the Athena being the only HTC device with a USB host capabilities, but phones from other manufactures have this feature, such as the TG01. Maybe someday HTC will catch on, but current HTC devices don't have this feature (exception is Athena).

DaveTheTytnIIGuy said:
A USB host port is hardware based; it cannot be ported by any software means. Rudegar is right about the Athena being the only HTC device with a USB host capabilities, but phones from other manufactures have this feature, such as the TG01. Maybe someday HTC will catch on, but current HTC devices don't have this feature (exception is Athena).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bummer. That effectively kills the USB option.
Looks like Bluetooth is the only way to go. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like the BGP100 is the only offering at the moment - and it only works on some phones.
Anybody want to take a crack at updating the drivers to work with newer phones like the HTC Touch Pro 2?

Hi!
Yes, it works like a charm on my TG01, thanks again!
What I wonder, is if it may work on a device without a supposed "real USB host" function.
I don't have the correct adapter to plug a pad yet, but one thing is sure: my omnia has the same registry, so it was possible to create the new keys exactly like on my TG01.

Well, my adapter should arrive tomorrow. So I'll experiment and see what happens.

No surprise. The cable didn't work.
I'd be nice if someone made a Bluetooth USB host device with 2 USB ports on it. Then all we need is a driver to work with WM and BAM... everyone can now use USB devices! I imagine such a device would sell pretty good.
Either that or HTC needs to start including the USB host on all future phones. This will definitely be the deal breaker for my next phone... unless of course it happens to have a usable d-pad (haha, fat chance in this touchscreen obsessed world).
Only thing left to do now is hope some kind dev updates the BGP100 drivers *wink* *wink*

Speaking of Bluetooth, it would be nice if someone managed to code Wiimote+Classic Controller or Sixaxis/DualShock 3 drivers for Windows Mobile. The input devices in question already use Bluetooth, and I've never perceived any control latency-it's just a matter of drivers.
Too bad about the lack of USB host, though. I actually thought most HTC devices ever since the Touch Diamond/Pro had it built-in already judging by the USB port shape, and that you'd just need an adapter to use the host capability.

Funny thing is that the Sprint version of the HTC Touch Pro 2 has the Qualcomm MSM7600 chipset which actually has embedded support for USB OTG HS. Yet somewhere along the line someone must have disabled the functionally (much like they disable the radio).
I would venture a guess that the MSM7200a chipset has the same support, but disabled of course.
Edit: Yup, it does.

Confirmed the BGP100 is not working on the HD2. I get "connection error..insufficient memory"
I think that BGP100 is not compatible with the wisdom stack. if we can find a way to use the ms stack we should be fine. so far ia have not found on instructions on how to change the stack.
By the way the Video of the Omina II on your first post is mine

msi & tp2
Ravicai said:
Joystick options appeared to be limited for most of us, so I'm posting this thread to help generate interest in finding a universal workaround - and to start tossing around ideas. Here are mine;
USB to mini USB: Could a joystick be rewired to use a mini USB jack? Seems like you would only need drivers to get it to work.
HTC 4-in-1 Cable: The HTC Athena (aka Advantage) has a cable that provides a normal USB jack. With it you can connect a mouse and keyboard, and using this driver you can even connect a joystick. I'm wondering, if we could just get a proper mini USB cable, maybe this driver would work on other devices? Someone was able to get a USB joystick to work on a Toshiba TG01, so I have hope!
BGP100 Gamepad (MSI and Chainpus): Unfortunately, support for this gamepad stopped and the drivers don't seem to work on newer phones (with few exceptions).
Please try to be constructive with the ideas/feedback. Hopefully by pooling our resources we can come up with a mutually beneficial solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a msi bt gamepad and a tp2. so far I have been able to connect using my bt settings and something called spp slave (its some type of serial port) but without updated divers formy device i cant do much more :-/ since i have little tech know how i am stuck here. I have heard that the bgp 100 works for the HD 2 (they have the same bt stack I think) so what gives?

Significant development! Updated bluetooth drivers are now available for the BGP100 gamepad. See this thread for details;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=595679