I've been considering purchasing a WD portable harddrive for watching movies with my Tab 10.1. I haven't got my hands on a USB connector yet, so I'm not sure if this functionality is built into HC or a file manager. Just curious if anyone has had success with this; and if so, are you able to watch movies off the harddrive?
Thanks!
*BUMP* - OK, so no one has attached a portable 1tb harddrive full of blu-rays converted to MP4 (this would have been my first priority had I been able to purchase the usb connector... lil' bag + tablet + HardDrive + XBox controller = short flight)
What about using the usb connector thats included with a female-to-female usb adapter to access an external HD or use a XBox controller? I'll probably get an adapter later this week and let you all know if this is plausible/possible.
~Wizz
My boss tried using the gender changing USB adapter with no luck. It won't power the device through the USB. Maybe if the hard drive w as externally powered it would work?
sent from my BOLT!
AFAIK the USB adaptor isn't available yet
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
I bought a 32gb SanDisk Cruzer Fit to store my music library on, and it worked initially with USBOTG and stickmount. However, it no longer works with Nexus 7, all other memory sticks are fine, and the SanDisk works on my PC, but not the Nexus 7. Anyway, I plugged it into a USB hub and it works again, but only through the USB hub. Anyone else noticed this kind of behavior? I'm guessing it's related to power draw, as the hub is mains powered, but I'm surprised it can't cope with a flash drive. I'm now wondering whether to buy another device, or whether the same thing will happen.
I had the something similar and a reboot fixed the issue for me. I tried plugging in my 250GB WD Passport but I guess there wasn't enough power for the external drive because it kinda just sat and clicked. I then tried plugging in my 16GB thumb drive that I know worked the day before but now matter what I did, I could not get it to mount through StickMount. I rebooted the Nexus7 and I was then able to use my thumb drive again. Not exactly the same but try a reboot if you haven't already.
I also have that problem with my Buffalo USB hard drive, where it sits and clicks, it's OK via the hub, but not direct. A reboot doesn't make any difference. I'm wondering if it's my USBOTG cable, as that's the only variable, I have read that others have got the SanDisk 32gb to work with the Nexus 7. I'll try another cable...
Got my new USBOTG cable, and the Sandisk 32gb now works. My external HDD still doesn't work (unless plugged into hub), but that's not too surprising. The new cable is this:-
Afunta(tm) USB 2.0 A Female to Micro B Male Adapter Cable (search on amazon.co.uk)
The old one works with most of my USB sticks, but is maybe not as solid in terms of build quality, as the new one is much tighter. The old cable is this:-
Brand New Micro USB Host Mode OTG Cable Flash Drive SD T-Flash Card Adapter FOR Samsung GT-i9100 i9100 Galaxy S II 2 GT-N7000 Galaxy Note (search on amazon.co.uk)
I just recently purchased a Seagate Slim Portable Drive, I also rooted my Nexus 7 and have my OTG cable.
Unfortunetly I can't plug my drive into my Nexus 7, it won't read it at all and I get a nice fast flashing light from the drive.
I'm assuming my Nexus 7 doesn't have enough output power to power the Seagate slim?
If so, any way around this?
Nephuxs said:
I just recently purchased a Seagate Slim Portable Drive, I also rooted my Nexus 7 and have my OTG cable.
Unfortunetly I can't plug my drive into my Nexus 7, it won't read it at all and I get a nice fast flashing light from the drive.
I'm assuming my Nexus 7 doesn't have enough output power to power the Seagate slim?
If so, any way around this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need to supply the power to the drive, a powered usb hub like this should do the trick:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-4-Port-Cable-Power-Supply/dp/B00004Z6KW
Another question is will the data be able to flow thru a mid source like the hub over android? Also would you recommend any other models? That one seems to have a non US compliant wall adapter.
Nephuxs said:
Another question is will the data be able to flow thru a mid source like the hub over android? Also would you recommend any other models? That one seems to have a non US compliant wall adapter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
since you're already rooted, you'll also want to install stickmount from the play store. the external drive will show up on the nexus 7 file manager/es file explorer, etc. as usba, usbb, usbc, etc. can access your data, no problem.
check amazon and ebay for u.s. sellers. i'm using a generic no name brand and it works just fine.
I've been having trouble trying to root my Xoom so I can connect a camera and hard drive for when I'm off travelling next month.
Then I found an Android app called 'Nexus Media Importer', it was $3.00.
I have an OTG cable, and as soon as I plugged in my Imation 1TB external drive, it found it, the same with my camera.
So I can now play movies on my Xoom straight off the HDD.
Although the Xoom powers the HDD, I'm going to buy a powered USB hub to plug into the OTG.
deanbilly said:
I've been having trouble trying to root my Xoom so I can connect a camera and hard drive for when I'm off travelling next month.
Then I found an Android app called 'Nexus Media Importer', it was $3.00.
I have an OTG cable, and as soon as I plugged in my Imation 1TB external drive, it found it, the same with my camera.
So I can now play movies on my Xoom straight off the HDD.
Although the Xoom powers the HDD, I'm going to buy a powered USB hub to plug into the OTG.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
Can you copy-paste this files over from hdd to xoom?
EOS4 lets me do that - Its handy with pendrives and hdds
I've used a SONY GoogleTV (with Bluray) to play media files (mkv, avi, mp4, etc) through ViMu app. Two 128 GB thumb drives stayed connected to the USB ports in the back of the unit at all times for kids' movies, while I utilized the front USB port once in a while to connect a WD 1TB portable external HD to watch movies.
Now, we moved to FireTV and I’d like to carry over the same setup through XBMC and StickMount. Obviously, having only 1 USB port limits this. I tried connecting a USB hub (non-powered, “mobile”); although the thumb drive worked fine, the external HD wasn’t powered. Looks like I’ll need a powered USB hub to be able to connect what I listed above.
Is there a particular one that works better with the FireTV?
Can StickMount handle mounting 2-3 USB drives and an external hard drive simultaneously? When it's time to unmount the external HD, will I be able to pick that specifically or "unmount" will get rid of thumb drives as well?
Thanks!
tenderidol said:
I've used a SONY GoogleTV (with Bluray) to play media files (mkv, avi, mp4, etc) through ViMu app. Two 128 GB thumb drives stayed connected to the USB ports in the back of the unit at all times for kids' movies, while I utilized the front USB port once in a while to connect a WD 1TB portable external HD to watch movies.
Now, we moved to FireTV and I’d like to carry over the same setup through XBMC and StickMount. Obviously, having only 1 USB port limits this. I tried connecting a USB hub (non-powered, “mobile”); although the thumb drive worked fine, the external HD wasn’t powered. Looks like I’ll need a powered USB hub to be able to connect what I listed above.
Is there a particular one that works better with the FireTV?
Can StickMount handle mounting 2-3 USB drives and an external hard drive simultaneously? When it's time to unmount the external HD, will I be able to pick that specifically or "unmount" will get rid of thumb drives as well?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have bought a USB 3.0 mains powered hub (4 ports) so will let you know later how it goes with 3 portable 1TB HDDs attached.
DEREKTROTTER said:
i have bought a USB 3.0 mains powered hub (4 ports) so will let you know later how it goes with 3 portable 1TB HDDs attached.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Did it work?
tenderidol said:
Thanks. Did it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi,
yes it is working perfectly.
here is what i bought: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131220799541
I have tested it with 3 HDD's attached
> 1TB portable (FAT32 formatted)
> 1TB portable (NTFS formatted)
> 2TB portable (NTFS formatted)
All plugged in at once and i could navigate them fully and play files. I tested a 7GB MKV on each and all played perfectly.
1 Downside:
The Amazon Fire TV fails to boot if the powered USB is plugged in on startup (hangs at amazon white logo)
I have heard someone else mention this also, would love a solution to this as they will then get mounted by stickmount automatically.
Currently got to boot without USB hub > connect hub > mount via stickmount.
Hope this helps
DEREKTROTTER said:
1 Downside:
The Amazon Fire TV fails to boot if the powered USB is plugged in on startup (hangs at amazon white logo)
I have heard someone else mention this also, would love a solution to this as they will then get mounted by stickmount automatically.
Currently got to boot without USB hub > connect hub > mount via stickmount.
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use stickmount ([url="http://www.jocala.com/adbfire.html]adbFire[/url] uses its own disk mounting solution), but my powered Dlink hub does not interfere with the FireTV boot up. That's with 3 drives attached.
DEREKTROTTER said:
hi,
yes it is working perfectly.
here is what i bought: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131220799541
I have tested it with 3 HDD's attached
> 1TB portable (FAT32 formatted)
> 1TB portable (NTFS formatted)
> 2TB portable (NTFS formatted)
All plugged in at once and i could navigate them fully and play files. I tested a 7GB MKV on each and all played perfectly.
1 Downside:
The Amazon Fire TV fails to boot if the powered USB is plugged in on startup (hangs at amazon white logo)
I have heard someone else mention this also, would love a solution to this as they will then get mounted by stickmount automatically.
Currently got to boot without USB hub > connect hub > mount via stickmount.
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the update. I suspected it will do that. I have the same problem when I want to boot from a powered hub. I can boot from the ssd plugged in directly in the aftv usb port, but not via hub.
The problem is I cannot plug in any other usb device like a keyboard or mouse or even my usb receiver. It's a pity the aftv does not allow any other bluetooth keyboard or mouse connected to it.
Maybe one of the guys can look into it to get a drive to be booted from a powered usb hub
jocala said:
I don't use stickmount ([url="http://www.jocala.com/adbfire.html]adbFire[/url] uses its own disk mounting solution), but my powered Dlink hub does not interfere with the FireTV boot up. That's with 3 drives attached.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you link me to the hub you have? would like something i can keep plugged in and will boot up.
Also with the adbfire method, you still have to mount on every reboot with it right?
DEREKTROTTER said:
hi,
yes it is working perfectly.
here is what i bought: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131220799541
I have tested it with 3 HDD's attached
> 1TB portable (FAT32 formatted)
> 1TB portable (NTFS formatted)
> 2TB portable (NTFS formatted)
All plugged in at once and i could navigate them fully and play files. I tested a 7GB MKV on each and all played perfectly.
1 Downside:
The Amazon Fire TV fails to boot if the powered USB is plugged in on startup (hangs at amazon white logo)
I have heard someone else mention this also, would love a solution to this as they will then get mounted by stickmount automatically.
Currently got to boot without USB hub > connect hub > mount via stickmount.
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have this problem. Using a Belkin 4 port USB 2 hub, but I only have one HD attached.
jmerrilljr2 said:
I don't have this problem. Using a Belkin 4 port USB 2 hub, but I only have one HD attached.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is that usb powered though? or mains powered
usb powered doesn't handle my 2tb HDD very well, but fine for flash drives.
DEREKTROTTER said:
is that usb powered though? or mains powered
usb powered doesn't handle my 2tb HDD very well, but fine for flash drives.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's powered. Running LaCie Rugged Mini 500gb.
DEREKTROTTER said:
can you link me to the hub you have? would like something i can keep plugged in and will boot up.
Also with the adbfire method, you still have to mount on every reboot with it right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You can set your boot as persistent so you don't have to remount.
My Dlink is a few years old. I don't see it listed, only newer models.
jocala said:
No. You can set your boot as persistent so you don't have to remount.
My Dlink is a few years old. I don't see it listed, only newer models.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. Could you please provide the details of the adb mount method? Apologies, if it's a basic question... still new to AFTV.
I purchased a powered USB 2.0 hub to test things out. The connected USB sticks and the WD portable HD work great with the hub. Using StickMount, they're loaded at the time of boot, and when I pick Unmount to remove the WD HD, upon pulling the USB cable of the HD, USB sticks remain mounted (don't need to hit mount again).
With this particular powered hub FireTV boots fine when it's connected; seems like certain powered hubs block the boot sequence. I tried the boot sequence with just the USB sticks and USB sticks + WD HD, and it booted fine each time.
The only issue I have is that when I "map" the external drives, I give them names and they're listed under video sources. Unfortunately, StickMount doesn't load them in the same order every time, and the shortcuts point to invalid paths when there are more than one USB sources attached. I can create a root "USB" shortcut that lists all the sources and I can navigate to each drive, but that makes the process complicated for grandparents and kids. If there's a more "permanent" way to mount the attached drives (adb may be?), I'd like to try that.
Thanks!
tenderidol said:
Thanks for your reply. Could you please provide the details of the adb mount method? Apologies, if it's a basic question... still new to AFTV.
I purchased a powered USB 2.0 hub to test things out. The connected USB sticks and the WD portable HD work great with the hub. Using StickMount, they're loaded at the time of boot, and when I pick Unmount to remove the WD HD, upon pulling the USB cable of the HD, USB sticks remain mounted (don't need to hit mount again).
With this particular powered hub FireTV boots fine when it's connected; seems like certain powered hubs block the boot sequence. I tried the boot sequence with just the USB sticks and USB sticks + WD HD, and it booted fine each time.
The only issue I have is that when I "map" the external drives, I give them names and they're listed under video sources. Unfortunately, StickMount doesn't load them in the same order every time, and the shortcuts point to invalid paths when there are more than one USB sources attached. I can create a root "USB" shortcut that lists all the sources and I can navigate to each drive, but that makes the process complicated for grandparents and kids. If there's a more "permanent" way to mount the attached drives (adb may be?), I'd like to try that.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adbFire provides two different ways to mount your drives and sticks: standard, by device name (/dev/block/sda1, etc) and by the drive's UUID, a unique identifier that each drive stick is given when formatted. Mounting by UUID guarantees that each drive is always mounted at the same mount point.
adbFire creates a script that is automatically run at boot to mount your drives. It uses the busybox run-parts command to run scripts which it places in /etc/init.d. It handles drives formatted with EXT?, ExFat, NTFS and VFAT. UUID is a work in progress, just introduced in the current version, v1.14.
adbFire has a topic here in the xda Fire TV forum. Feel free to ask further questions there.
just EXT?
so atm i cant mount my NTFS and FAT32 drives with that method?
DEREKTROTTER said:
just EXT?
so atm i cant mount my NTFS and FAT32 drives with that method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look again. EXT2/3/4 NTFS,ExFAT and VFAT.
In my case I only have my external usb 3 ssd that I connect., which means there is no need to give it any priority. I have moved all the AFTV storage to the ssd and boot up from it. All I need is a usb 3 hub that is compatible with the external to boot my AFTV up. I can then connect anything else to the usb hub.
So frustrated, got a powered usb hub and connected 2TB HDD and its turned out a fail. XBMC freezes up / stickmount takes forever and sometimes not at all.
Got the fire tv mainly to play back my movie collection but seems it wont be done so easily.
I exchanged the 4 port hub with a 7 port hub and filled up all the ports with USB sticks and hard drives. FireTV boots while the hub and all the drives are connected, and everything works fine. If you don't need a USB 3.0 hub for other things down the road, you might want to give this one a try.
tenderidol said:
I exchanged the 4 port hub with a 7 port hub and filled up all the ports with USB sticks and hard drives. FireTV boots while the hub and all the drives are connected, and everything works fine. If you don't need a USB 3.0 hub for other things down the road, you might want to give this one a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the links... Will keep an eye out for them for BlackFriday. Since I am on the market for 3 ( 3 FTV's ). I was leaning on getting 3 Transcend TS-HUB3K Powered USB 3.0 - 4 Port Hub's But is not like the AFTV's will ever need USB 3.0. The price on the 7 port hub should cut my per unit price by half after coupons... Wonder how low can they go..
has anyone used a powered HDD with the fire tv directly? e.g a 4TB seagate
i would assume they would not need a powered hubbut not sure
Really frustrated as i have 2 portable HDD and both experience freezing and buffering with movie playback from them. I sometimes have to reboot the AFTV just to stop the freezing. I got a fire TV to replace a WD HDTV live as i was getting freezing on there and it seems to be still happening :/
Please post here the HDDs you use that play files perfectly.
Thanks