Database Info

Raphael - USB Host?

I am wondering whether or not the Raphael has USB Host functionality? I read this on some internet sites, but searching the Wiki and other avaliable informative websites couldn't bring light to this issue. I know that HTCs ExtUSB only is a proprietary connector, enhancing the USB Port with audio and video functionality. This is not what I'm talking about!
Host USB allows devices to act as an USB host (like a computer) and as such access USB-Devices like harddrives or USB sticks, which is more than convinient. As some other Pocket PC have it, I'm hoping deeply my future playmate has it also.
Maybe some of the lucky users could verify?
Thanks!

Doesn't look like it'll have any host facility no. The only HTC device ive seen with host are the bigger HTC Advantage's which have a normal USB port. I dont think the Qualcomm chipset offers USB host either.

This would be a nice thing to have...
I am still owner of a PocketLoox 720 which is capable of accessing USB sticks and USB HD.

It'd be nice. But I guess it would eat the battery.
I think I saw somewhere a USB bluetooth thingy that enables you to read USB sticks via Bluetooth.

well to be precise both the diamond and raphael have some interesting host ability - in SPL you can set usb host to read NBH file off usb. however you need the right adapter cable, so I haven't tried that yet on the diamond (and no raphael yet).

cmonex said:
well to be precise both the diamond and raphael have some interesting host ability - in SPL you can set usb host to read NBH file off usb. however you need the right adapter cable, so I haven't tried that yet on the diamond (and no raphael yet).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What an interesting feature... Maybe it's for service centres to unbrick warranty returns easily?
Rory

cmonex said:
well to be precise both the diamond and raphael have some interesting host ability - in SPL you can set usb host to read NBH file off usb. however you need the right adapter cable, so I haven't tried that yet on the diamond (and no raphael yet).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried with the Athena USB host cable?

Pantaloonie said:
Have you tried with the Athena USB host cable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh hmm. does that cable plug in the miniusb port of the athena?

cmonex said:
oh hmm. does that cable plug in the miniusb port of the athena?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it does, I was hoping it would work with the Diamond and Raphael.

Pantaloonie said:
Yes it does, I was hoping it would work with the Diamond and Raphael.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mm, thought it plugged in the other port on the athena...because it also handles vga out (the 4 in 1 cable). and this other port (beside the miniusb sync port) has the icons vga out and usb host.
that is clearly not the same socket as the miniusb (i.e. the sync port).
the diamond & raphael unfortunately only have this miniusb (which is for the sync on athena).

You're right - It's been so long since I used the USB host on the Athena I'd forgotten which port it uses.
Back to the drawing board on that one I guess.

Pantaloonie said:
You're right - It's been so long since I used the USB host on the Athena I'd forgotten which port it uses.
Back to the drawing board on that one I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, I also have the 4 in 1 somewhere in the drawer
I only got it to have all cool accessories for my Athena.
anyway, I'll update the thread if I find out more about the cable needed for diamond/raphael

I read in the Diamond service manual (foeund somewhere on the forum here) about using an USB SD-card reader on the sync port on the Diamond. It is used when servicing the phone to upload firmware and test software to the internal storage.
On the picture it looks just like a normal sd card reader that is plugged into a standard USB port on one of the ends on the cable. it is a Y cable where one end is power, one USB and one mini usb to plug in the phone.
I am just doing some tests on this now. I made a usb cable with mini usb in one end and normal usb in the other end. On the on ememstick I have here in the office nothing happens.I will continue to look into this matter.

holy moses. I got something working here!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had to rebuild my cable a little bit here to get this working.
The new external USB port is now powered from a 5Volts source. I have cut the 5 volts connection between my Diamond and my USB memory.
I am using a standard USB flash memory which i got at some commercial stuff long time ago.
I formatted the USB stick to FAT32 on my computer first.
The thing I tried was:
downloade a custom firmware.
copied the xxx.nbh file to the flash
renamed it to "DIAMIMG.NBH" Capital letters!!
Started up the phone holding VOLUME DOWN and RIGHT button down while giving the power button a short push.
It fired up the Olimex boot scene and asked me to push power button to confirm flashing.
After that it flashed my phone for about 10 minutes (from the USB flash memory)
So there is NO DOUBT, the Diamond has USB master capabilities!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I am in file explorer I still can't get in contact with the memory.
Anyone that has the USB drivers from som larger HTC device????
Can anyone try to flash a phone with an un signed firmware or a firmware from wrong region on a phone that has the original bootloader using this method?

Does anyone know how to use external memory by usb hosting

zeb crs said:
holy moses. I got something working here!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had to rebuild my cable a little bit here to get this working.
The new external USB port is now powered from a 5Volts source. I have cut the 5 volts connection between my Diamond and my USB memory.
I am using a standard USB flash memory which i got at some commercial stuff long time ago.
I formatted the USB stick to FAT32 on my computer first.
The thing I tried was:
downloade a custom firmware.
copied the xxx.nbh file to the flash
renamed it to "DIAMIMG.NBH" Capital letters!!
Started up the phone holding VOLUME DOWN and RIGHT button down while giving the power button a short push.
It fired up the Olimex boot scene and asked me to push power button to confirm flashing.
After that it flashed my phone for about 10 minutes (from the USB flash memory)
So there is NO DOUBT, the Diamond has USB master capabilities!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I am in file explorer I still can't get in contact with the memory.
Anyone that has the USB drivers from som larger HTC device????
Can anyone try to flash a phone with an un signed firmware or a firmware from wrong region on a phone that has the original bootloader using this method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heh, you were faster at building the cable congrats.
btw, what special modifications did you need to make? just the 5V source?
anyway, this just confirms what i found in bootloader disassembly then.
not sure on the availability of usb host drivers. maybe we will need to implement it ourselves
and sorry, but i do not understand the question about flashing unsigned stuff. the stock bootloader will not accept unsigned NBH, no matter where it comes from, sorry to disappoint you.
EDIT: I downloaded the service manual now, thanks. wasn't aware this was out in the open
anyway, the text mentions you must plug in AC power for the USB host. what a shame.

zeb crs said:
When I am in file explorer I still can't get in contact with the memory.
Anyone that has the USB drivers from som larger HTC device????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an idea, have you tried to start WM5torage on Diamond ?
It lists the MovieNAND and the system partition. OK, you can't take access to it, but maybe WM5torage recognizes the USB stick from OS.
If it does, maybe a modified version of WM5torage can do these job ?
For short test download here:
WM5torage
Ok, WM5torage isn't the right way to test the access from OS, because it needs at last a running driver.
Qualcomm was running Oxford Semiconductor solutions, maybe the integrated USB OTG is a license from this company ?
@cmonex:
Is it possible to adapt the integrated bootloader driver to WM ?

USB drive is HTC supported
I just read through the US user manual and Section 1.13 Using you Device as a USB Drive. http://member.america.htc.com/downl...al/HTC_Touch_Pro/HTC_Touch_Pro_English_UM.pdf
Quote:
To easily carry media and other files with you, you can use your device’s storage
card as a USB flash drive. Touch Start > Settings > Connections tab > USB to PC
and then select Disk Drive mode. This allows you to copy files from your computer
to the device’s storage card and vice versa faster.
Note You need to have a storage card installed on your device to be able to use your device
as a disk drive.
When Disk Drive mode is used:
You will not be able to use your device to access files from the storage card
or run applications that are installed on the storage card while the device is
connected to your PC.
Your PC will only connect to the device’s storage card. When you access your
device from the PC, you will only see the contents of the device’s storage card.
Remember to change back to ActiveSync mode when you need to synchronize
data between your device and your PC.

USB Host is different.

Mechanicaldan said:
I just read through the US user manual and Section 1.13 Using you Device as a USB Drive. http://member.america.htc.com/downl...al/HTC_Touch_Pro/HTC_Touch_Pro_English_UM.pdf
Quote:
To easily carry media and other files with you, you can use your device’s storage
card as a USB flash drive. Touch Start > Settings > Connections tab > USB to PC
and then select Disk Drive mode. This allows you to copy files from your computer
to the device’s storage card and vice versa faster.
Note You need to have a storage card installed on your device to be able to use your device
as a disk drive.
When Disk Drive mode is used:
You will not be able to use your device to access files from the storage card
or run applications that are installed on the storage card while the device is
connected to your PC.
Your PC will only connect to the device’s storage card. When you access your
device from the PC, you will only see the contents of the device’s storage card.
Remember to change back to ActiveSync mode when you need to synchronize
data between your device and your PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to dissapoint you, but this is just the other way arround. This enables you to use your phone as a flash drive from a PC. In this thread they want to access a flash drive (USB stick/HD etc) from their phone

[Q] Can you use USB in host mode?

Can you use the USB in host mode on the transformer?
Can it host multiple USB storage with a USB hub? (say a camera and a hard drive, so I can get the files off)
Thanks

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1056592&highlight=gender+changer

People have said you can use the USB ports on the dock as a host for thumb drives and such. And if the dock does not enable it today it should work 3.1 ships. Check the second item (USB), http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-3.1-highlights.html

Thanks guys, I have done the search already.
I'm more interested in the experience of the transformer users, and would love to know if anyone got it to work

^^ the link i posted has several users and their experiences with what did and did not work.....

Not sure if I understand the question correctly. This morning I "loaded" my TF with everything I had: microSD, SD, external HDD, and MP3 player, all at once, while connected to the PC using the proprietary ASUS cable. I could access everything without problem.
For those who wonder - I did this only to find out where what is mounted...

funnycreature said:
Not sure if I understand the question correctly. This morning I "loaded" my TF with everything I had: microSD, SD, external HDD, and MP3 player, all at once, while connected to the PC using the proprietary ASUS cable. I could access everything without problem.
For those who wonder - I did this only to find out where what is mounted...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, did you use a USB hub? or were you using the docking keyboard that has multiple usb ports?
Thanks

TheFlyingPig said:
Nice, did you use a USB hub? or were you using the docking keyboard that has multiple usb ports?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All with the dock No USB hub.

Uses for those USB Ports?

I was just wondering, other than a USB Stick, external keyboard and mouse, what other uses are there for the USB ports on the Transformer's dock? I'm just not aware of what drivers Honeycomb has for external devices.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

Hooking up controllers for your various emulators and playing games the way god meant for them to be played- with physical controls and buttons.

You could charge your mobile phone for example (no kidding!). I also successfully mounted an external NTFS-formatted (self-powered) HDD and an old MP3 player. Soon they will add camera detection and maybe there will be a way to print too (but that's just me talking).

Can you add an external USB wireless card on those USB ports?

Plug in a 3 MiFi dongle, have wifi anywhere as well as four other devices.

Hi checkbox111,
I don't think I understand your reply properly. Are you saying that you plugged a 3mifi wifi dongle and it worked?
Did you also try plugging a normal external USB wirelless adapter and connect to the internet with it instead of using the internal wifi on the tablet?
Thanks

Senheiser said:
Are you saying that you plugged a 3mifi wifi dongle and it worked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plugging in a mifi dongle just gives it power to transmit, you can then just pick up the wifi/mifi signal just like any wifi signal.
Senheiser said:
Did you also try plugging a normal external USB wirelless adapter and connect to the internet with it instead of using the internal wifi on the tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No! two reasons
1 why would i try when a mifi dongle works OK, i don't need both
2 I don't think these work with android anyway

Has anyone tried a USB headset? I would, sometimes, like to make Skype calls and I don't think the onboard mic is good enough and would therefore prefer a headset? Would a USB headset work? Or any way of connecting a headset with 2x 3.5mm jacks?
Thanks
G
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

could be interesting if someone can try a USB->ethernet dongle.

chrispazz said:
could be interesting if someone can try a USB->ethernet dongle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean USB-wireless dongle, right?
I am also curious for it.

no, i mean usb to ethernet cable....

funnycreature said:
You could charge your mobile phone for example (no kidding!). I also successfully mounted an external NTFS-formatted (self-powered) HDD and an old MP3 player. Soon they will add camera detection and maybe there will be a way to print too (but that's just me talking).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Olay... I dug out my simpletech 160GB hdd, checked it formatted NTFS, plugged it in (It has msuic on it)...
How do I find it? I tried google music, but couldn't find anything.
Thanks!

Adam said:
Olay... I dug out my simpletech 160GB hdd, checked it formatted NTFS, plugged it in (It has msuic on it)...
How do I find it? I tried google music, but couldn't find anything.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you connect a device it will appear in the menu bar at the bottom. Click on it and then on the folder icon. This opens the File Manager. you can also open the File Manager directly and navigate to /Removable/ and you'll find your SD cards and external HDD there. Just make sure it gets enough power!
Sent from my TF101

funnycreature said:
When you connect a device it will appear in the menu bar at the bottom. Click on it and then on the folder icon. This opens the File Manager. you can also open the File Manager directly and navigate to /Removable/ and you'll find your SD cards and external HDD there. Just make sure it gets enough power!
Sent from my TF101
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what i thought...must be something with the usb port as sd card works, dock works. i'll try another usb device (maybe mouse) to see if that works to narrow it down.
I can always reformat dirve too as last resort.
thanks.

Has anyone tried to tether to a phone using the usb port? If it works, it would be good for people with WM6.5 phones.

funnycreature said:
You could charge your mobile phone for example (no kidding!). I also successfully mounted an external NTFS-formatted (self-powered) HDD and an old MP3 player. Soon they will add camera detection and maybe there will be a way to print too (but that's just me talking).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought TF doesn't recognize NTFS file system?

mikewong27 said:
I thought TF doesn't recognize NTFS file system?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure where you read this but I could see my HDD and play videos off it. I have the Prime V1.3 kernel installed so maybe that was part of it. But I am pretty sure that when ASUS offered the dock with TWO full-size USB ports they prepared the software for NTFS drives...

Has anyone tested any USB game pads? Do any work?

Has anyone tested any USB-key 3G modem? Do any work?

Well, thanks for all the ideas. I do hope that some of these controllers and other devices will be supported.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

[Q] USB Hosting

I bought a small micro - usb female adapter. When I plug it in, no matter what device i use it seems as those the xoom is not sending any power through it.
Ive tried
Camera
Charge Phone
usb mouse
usb wireless mouse
nothing is getting power.
Is there something i need to enable or do? Or has anyone esle has this issue? I am on 3.1....

You can not use a simple micro usb adapter cable, it has to be an OTG USB Host cable like the official Motorola camera connection kit that is now available. This is a bit expensive but readily available at your local Best Buy.
Take a look at some of the many posts on OTG cables and you can find info on cheaper cables that have been verified to work or on how to make your own.

you need a USB Host cable. Not just a regular sync cable. You can google for one or search the threads here where others have linked to confirmed working cables.

dang, thanks guys

I ordered one from ebay! hope it works

I have a question that applies here, I am on stock 3.1 Xoom WiFi/3G and just got my OTG cable, plug it in usb drive blinks like its working but where is it located on the Xoom? I've been looking around for it with Astro and File Explorer and I'm unable to find it... could someone tell me the path?

Techsniffer said:
I have a question that applies here, I am on stock 3.1 Xoom WiFi/3G and just got my OTG cable, plug it in usb drive blinks like its working but where is it located on the Xoom? I've been looking around for it with Astro and File Explorer and I'm unable to find it... could someone tell me the path?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i believe stock 3.1 only supports MTP, hence no USB mass storage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_Transfer_Protocol

I've heard many conflicting stories, I would like some sort of confirmation rather then speculation about what will/will not work with the Moto Xoom (Stock 3.1) Wifi/3g and an OTG cable because I've seen posts saying yes and no to USB, portable HD's etc etc. Can anyone even provide me with some informative links? Everything I've searched for has been less than informative.

So, stock 3.1 Xoom is an MTP device, that is true.
However, with latest series of Tiamat custom kernels by Bigrushdog (see Android Development section) the usbOTG has been enabled. If you have already rooted and installed the proper bootloader/Tiamat kernel, then in File Expert you will find the usbOTG folder on the root directory, same level as internal sdcard and data folders. If you go up a step in sdcard, you should see your external sdcard. Is this clear?

I have rooted, using the Tiamat 1.6, I have access to the sdcard now but I am still unable to access my usb drive (thumb drive). I have an OTG usb cable and when I go into the /OTGusb its empty. The drive blinks as if its initializing but then nothing.

On a side note, I have looked through both OTGusb folders, restarted the Xoom with the OTG and usb plugged in as suggested in another post and nothing I've tried has worked in locating the usb drive.

Techsniffer said:
I have rooted, using the Tiamat 1.6, I have access to the sdcard now but I am still unable to access my usb drive (thumb drive). I have an OTG usb cable and when I go into the /OTGusb its empty. The drive blinks as if its initializing but then nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've found that there are two factors which may be in play here...
1. When I connect a flash drive it takes a bit of time for the directory structure to parse... It does show up in the OTGusb directory.
2. I've found that anything larger than 8GB (I've seen it stated in the forums as well) does not work (of if it does it takes forever and a day to become available)
Hope it helps...

I have same problem here. whenever I try to connect the USB with Motorola connector, it doesn't appear anything in otgusb

I'm not sure I am going to get what I want at this time with the OTG cable. My goal is to be able to use the OTG cable to connect a USB thumb drive to so I can carry additional movies, documents, etc without completely consuming the main Xoom storage.
Can the OTGusb cable support this? Do I need to wait for yet another update?
TIA

[Q] Connecting an external hard drive via the usb port

Hi guys. Is there an app out there that makes it possible to connect an external USB flash drive or 2.5" drive to the shield tab via its USB port?

I'm pretty sure you just do, and you'll be good. Strangely I've never had any problems using an OTG USB drive with the Shield. That's what you'd be looking for, by the way... Am OTG cable.

One quick thing to note is, be prepared to need to power the hard drive. The tablet may not have enough juice to power a full hard drive. So if you plug it in and it isn't recognized, try a powered USB hub.
Secondly, make sure you have ES file explorer.

I use a WD ultra passport portable 1tb drive and a otg cable.
I just plug in, open ES file explorer an get what I need an unmount an disconnect.
You'll lose a few percent of battery potential as expected.
WR

Thanks guys. I'm honestly shocked this actually works. I tried it with my WD passport laptop drive and low and behold it works flawlessly. With the research I did in the past with my HTC EVDO 3D, and reading all the comments on various messageboards, I really thought connecting USB HDDs to any Android device would not work. Does it work in this instance mainly because the device is a Shield Tablet? Or is it only because I'm rooted, and as a result any rooted Android device will allow USB HDDs to be used?

OTG and enough power
It just works if your (android) device has an On the Go (OTG) USB connector AND if it gives enough power to your (hard) drive. If there isn't enough power, you need a Y OTG cable and external power source. Many smartphones do not provide the 500mA at 5V they should provide, but tablets usually give enough from my experience.