2nd Gen Fire TV USB power - Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi,
I have just got a 2nd generation Fire TV.
When I plug in an external hard drive the USB port does not seem to have enough power so the drive just spins up then clicks endlessly.
Does any one else have this same issue?
Do I have a dodgy box or is this a common flaw?
I have tried with 2x different Western Digital portable drive
(1 x 1Tb , 1 x 2Tb my passport ultra)

You need to provide external power to the drive through a powered hub or USB Y-Cable (+ power adapter). Alternatively use a powered USB external drive.
Also, make sure it's formated in FAT32. It won't read anything else. Including exFat.

Yeah thanks,
I have ordered a Y cable to provide external power to the drive.
Not ideal though.
The 1st Gen (Which I have a few of) can sufficiently power a portable drive on their own.
Just another negative point for the so called "improved" 2nd generation Fire TV, unless they can provide more power to the USB port through a kernel update?

gazdaman. said:
Yeah thanks,
I have ordered a Y cable to provide external power to the drive.
Not ideal though.
The 1st Gen (Which I have a few of) can sufficiently power a portable drive on their own.
Just another negative point for the so called "improved" 2nd generation Fire TV, unless they can provide more power to the USB port through a kernel update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 1st generation is the same unless rooted.

Claude Koch said:
The 1st generation is the same unless rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All my 1st Gens are rooted so I wouldn't know otherwise
My 2nd gen is also rooted but as I said, even with root it doesn't power the portable drive sufficiently.

Related

Fire Phone OTG

Hi all,
I bought 2 Fire Phones, that I possibly will receive next week, and would like to know if is true that the Fire-Phone does Not Support USB OTG?
If this is true, I do not understand as a phone with high price and also much quality, does not support OTG, that other cheaper phones already have!!!
Which brings me to another question, we then will have to use only bluetooth and WIFI to transfer all our internal files to other devices, like External Drives and Micro USB-Memory Sticks ??
So, the only use of the Fire-Phone Micro-USB port, is for Charging and to Connect the phone to a PC?
If is true that the Fire-Phone doesn't support OTG, then this is one of the worst things that Amazon unfortunately forgot to include in this model, that supposedly would compete with other high-end phones!!
I haven't tested it personally, but OTG checker seems to think that support is there
jondecker76 said:
I haven't tested it personally, but OTG checker seems to think that support is there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks jondecker76 for the quick reply!
So, OTG checker seems to think that support is there??
Anyone here have an Micro-USB OTG Memory Stick, an OTG Memory Reader or any External Hard Drive to connect to the Fire-Phone External MicroUSB Port and could check if it really works?
I just want to know if the Fire-Phone recognizes an External MicroUSB Device, if is connected to the phone MicroUSB-Port?
Thanks in advance!
ulises.rodriguez said:
Thanks jondecker76 for the quick reply!
So, OTG checker seems to think that support is there??
Anyone here have an Micro-USB OTG Memory Stick, an OTG Memory Reader or any External Hard Drive to connect to the Fire-Phone External MicroUSB Port and could check if it really works?
I just want to know if the Fire-Phone recognizes an External MicroUSB Device, if is connected to the phone MicroUSB-Port?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where would I look for an OTG Drive? I plugged in my OTG cable and USB drive (which works with my N7 2013 for things like keyboards, but not USB storage), but I'm not sure where to check in ES file explorer or otherwise for a USB drive. I don't have an OTG SD reader specifically to test, though.
I couldn't get OTG to work on my Fire phone. Tried ES File Explorer, Stickmount and Nexus Media Importer.
I just tested USB OTG on the fire phone with a keyboard and it was a no go. Right now I'm typing on that keyboard via OTG on a tablet so it's not the keyboard. I wonder if a rooted fire phone could enable OTG though.
Amazon, pls bootloader
I bought the Sony micro/regular one that was a Kindle deal couple months ago. Fire phone didn't see it at all, the Sony app installed but did not launch automatically when I connected the drive.
I can also confirm that it doesn't work, tried it this morning with a Sony OTG cable and my external hard drive while it does work on the Sony Xperia Z1 compact.
I am using fire phone for past two yrs also I have otg. I connected otg to fire phone it is not working... I tried in Many ways but no use. It won't work on Fire phone..
Thanks!
OTG is not supported by the Kernel
otg fire phone - ?
amazon offers an otg adapter for 2,39 EUR within germany for fire phone.

best usb hub for fire tv

hello all,
i want to purchase a usb hub, but with user opinions on the device.
what is the best usb hub to use with the fire tv? something incredibly fast and affordable(not over 70$)
you can provide links for me to check them out
There are USB hubs that cost $70?! Are they made by Monster?
I bought the Amazon Basics USB 3.0 hub for like 15 bucks and it has been quick and rock solid.
laidbackcloud said:
you can provide links for me to check them out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using this one for $7: http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-4-Port-USB-2-0-Ultra-Mini/dp/B003M0NURK to support a Flirc and a Logitech Unifying receiver.
jpeg42 is referring to this one (I think): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQFGH80
IMO, depending on your usage, both are overkill. I also tested two others, from the extremely cheap ($0.99 at the checkout register of Walgreens) and a 10-port glitz-n-bling. They all work. I would suggest that if you're going to use more than four device get the one jpeg42 is using because it's powered externally. Some people have reported troubles with other self-powered hubs.
And I agree, for $70, it better be a really good one.
wellersl said:
I'm using this one for $7: http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-4-Port-USB-2-0-Ultra-Mini/dp/B003M0NURK to support a Flirc and a Logitech Unifying receiver.
jpeg42 is referring to this one (I think): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQFGH80
IMO, depending on your usage, both are overkill. I also tested two others, from the extremely cheap ($0.99 at the checkout register of Walgreens) and a 10-port glitz-n-bling. They all work. I would suggest that if you're going to use more than four device get the one jpeg42 is using because it's powered externally. Some people have reported troubles with other self-powered hubs.
And I agree, for $70, it better be a really good one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the playstation USB 3.0 hub that walmart sells, so far its working for my development testing.
jpeg42 said:
There are USB hubs that cost $70?! Are they made by Monster?
I bought the Amazon Basics USB 3.0 hub for like 15 bucks and it has been quick and rock solid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQFGH80
Can you reboot with this USB hub? I have a cheap powered usb 3.0 hub and I cant reboot firetv with it plugged in.
Remember the USB on the AFTV is only USB 2.0, I know...hard to believe huh!?!
Anyway, getting a USB 3.0 hub is just going to cost more and have no performance improvement.
HeXDeMoN said:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQFGH80
Can you reboot with this USB hub? I have a cheap powered usb 3.0 hub and I cant reboot firetv with it plugged in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean like reboot with Play and Select button? I believe it works, but to be honest, I don't think I have rebooted the firetv more than once or twice.
I went for 3.0 only for other future purposes (as stated above, Firetv is only 2.0 but that is outdated) and for the power just in case I needed it for external HD + flirc + mouse/keyboard dongle.
jpeg42 said:
You mean like reboot with Play and Select button? I believe it works, but to be honest, I don't think I have rebooted the firetv more than once or twice.
I went for 3.0 only for other future purposes (as stated above, Firetv is only 2.0 but that is outdated) and for the power just in case I needed it for external HD + flirc + mouse/keyboard dongle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still think it's a waste of money.
The AFTV itself is very future proof. The only thing not future proof on it is the 8GB storage. However, that's still enough to store thumbs, fan art, etc for about 5,000 videos. So, by the time your AFTV needs to be upgraded (3-4yrs?), USB 3.0 hubs will come down in price by a lot. And when you upgrade to an Amazon Fire TV 4 (which will have USB 3.0) you can just buy a USB 3.0 hub and daisy chain your old USB 2.0 hub to it...and use the USB 2.0 hub to connect peripherals, not hard drives.
jpeg42 said:
You mean like reboot with Play and Select button? I believe it works, but to be honest, I don't think I have rebooted the firetv more than once or twice.
I went for 3.0 only for other future purposes (as stated above, Firetv is only 2.0 but that is outdated) and for the power just in case I needed it for external HD + flirc + mouse/keyboard dongle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea with play+select button *or any other method* with my el-cheapo hub with power connected it will reboot but then hang on bootup .. if I try to reboot without the power plugged in then it never reboots and just hangs on the "please wait while fire tv powers off" or whatever it says when you hold the buttons.
So for me to reboot I need to unplug the hub .. annoying to say the least and impossible to get into the recovery with a keyboard+hdd ... wanted to install a mount script .. and was very confused when I couldn't reboot.....
As for the price difference.. I'm not going to miss $10 dollars but sometime down the road I'm sure I'll be mad I don't have a usb 3.0 powered hub ..
soo moral of story dont buy cheap hubs from aliexpress
Neo3D said:
Remember the USB on the AFTV is only USB 2.0, I know...hard to believe huh!?!
Anyway, getting a USB 3.0 hub is just going to cost more and have no performance improvement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't checked the pins but i know for certain load times using 3.0 adapters and usb drives on this device are a little over twice as fast. As for reboot, that's probably hub enumeration in kernel.
Sent from my LG-VM670 using XDA Free mobile app
HeXDeMoN said:
Yea with play+select button *or any other method* with my el-cheapo hub with power connected it will reboot but then hang on bootup .. if I try to reboot without the power plugged in then it never reboots and just hangs on the "please wait while fire tv powers off" or whatever it says when you hold the buttons.
So for me to reboot I need to unplug the hub .. annoying to say the least and impossible to get into the recovery with a keyboard+hdd ... wanted to install a mount script .. and was very confused when I couldn't reboot.....
As for the price difference.. I'm not going to miss $10 dollars but sometime down the road I'm sure I'll be mad I don't have a usb 3.0 powered hub ..
soo moral of story dont buy cheap hubs from aliexpress
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same issue with reboot and using hub. did you find the fix for this issue?
thanks
mrhoque said:
I have the same issue with reboot and using hub. did you find the fix for this issue?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There isn't exactly a fix. I'm guessing your hub is powered. I was reading that when you reboot the AFTV with a powered hub plugged in, it recognizes the power and thinks it is connected to a computer, causing it to go into fastboot mode. Unfortunately, you'll have to keep unplugging every reboot.
With the Latest firmware I am now able to reboot with hdd connected. Although haven't tried with power connected
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Amazon Firestick

Hi, ive registered with this forum to ask for some information on the Amazon Firestick. I am thinking of buying a fully loaded stick from Ebay in the UK. My main question is i have a UMC 40 inch TV with a usb and Hdmi port but its not a smart tv. Will the Firestick work or do i need a smart tv. Any help would be appreciated Thanks
No SmartTV needed, only HDMI is mandatory of course. USB power can (or better should) be done with the USB power supply of the stick, so also USB must not be used from the TV and can be left free for other devices which need to be connected directly to the TV.
Calibaan said:
USB power can (or better should) be done with the USB power supply of the stick, so also USB must not be used from the TV and can be left free for other devices which need to be connected directly to the TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
= Plug the FireTV Stick into the wall for power, don't plug it into a USB port on your TV for power.
I use my tv's USB port for power with no ill effects. We don't use the USB port for anything else, and it means we don't have to have yet another device plugged into the wall. It does mean that the Fire TV boots up every time the TV turns on, but it boots fast enough that this has not been a distraction.
stealthdave said:
I use my tv's USB port for power with no ill effects. We don't use the USB port for anything else, and it means we don't have to have yet another device plugged into the wall. It does mean that the Fire TV boots up every time the TV turns on, but it boots fast enough that this has not been a distraction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might work fine for you and other people, but in general, TV USB ports are not reliable as a power source. That might vary from brand to brand, however, it should be noted that an inconsistent power supply or one that doesn't meet the manufacturer's specifications can be bad for the unit over time.
I tried it with other devices. Its a nice way to eliminate wires but I got random reboots and freezes. Never tried it with stick but some people report it works fine.
In general it might work with regular USB power from a TV USB port but I personally had problems with WIFI. It seemed that the stick did switch down WIFI speed (and probably slows down the CPU) when the power is restricted to a TV USB port but does run on full speed with the external power supply. Also those decoding problems during video streaming which is often reported here may come from insufficient power.
A USB port is specified to deliver 0.5A at 5V so thats only 2.5W power which is guaranteed and it´s only mandatory for devices like TV sets to deliver more power. So it makes sense that Amazon did deliver an external power supply knowing the power consumption of their stick My hint would be to check first with external power supply if the stick is running fine and how is streaming working with speed and quality than it is still possible to try only with the TV USB power and it can be compared if there are no negative perfomance issues. But I bet most people will attach the external power again.

Hd external

HDD DONT MOUNT
I connected my 350GB EXTERNAL HD formatted in FAT32, but it does not recognize in multimedia.
My Settings:
RK3066
MCU: KLD.2.78V
FIRMWARE: MALASKY LAST UPDATE
ROOT: YES
If I connect the 4GB pendrive it works normal, when connecting external HD, it only lights up but does nothing on the android.
I installed MountStikc (app) and it did not work, could someone tell me what the problem is?
Which usb port are you using, and is it 3.5" or 2.5"?
Most likely the USB port on the head unit doesn't supply enough power to the hard drive...even if the light comes on it may not be able to spin up.
Andromeda_Station said:
Most likely the USB port on the head unit doesn't supply enough power to the hard drive...even if the light comes on it may not be able to spin up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my thought. My 500GB 2.5" can only go in the front port, the rear one does not give it enough juice. Although, I am getting delivered a 12v to 5v/usb step down transfomer, coupled with a USB power booster 'Y' cable. I am hoping it will allow me to stick the HDD in the back. I hate it sticking out the front.

USB adapter for powering both Fire Stick 4k and external HDD?

Yo, have anyone tried some more powerful adapter for powering both Fire Stick 4k and external HDD? I know that it's possible to have powered USB hub that would power external HDD, but I would prefer to have just more powerful adapter with just one USB slot, then I would just split it with OTG cable (I'm using it with usb stick now). Considering that Fire Stick plug is 5W/1A, would 10W/2A do it for powering both HDD and stick? Or does it need to be 15W/3A adapter?
KOW77 said:
Yo, have anyone tried some more powerful adapter for powering both Fire Stick 4k and external HDD? I know that it's possible to have powered USB hub that would power external HDD, but I would prefer to have just more powerful adapter with just one USB slot, then I would just split it with OTG cable (I'm using it with usb stick now). Considering that Fire Stick plug is 5W/1A, would 10W/2A do it for powering both HDD and stick? Or does it need to be 15W/3A adapter?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to use a variable power supply or boost/buck converter.
Fire TV stick 4K powers with a 5.25v/1A. You have recommended to use 2A and above

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