Hard Drive & "TV" " USB" Recorder

cli70488 · 15-06-2010, 14:36

I cannot get an answer from the Sellers of external HDD.s as to whether the USB socket on a "TV" (with recording facility) will provide the power to run the HDD, as is the case with a Computer USB socket. Many of the smaller HDD.s do not have a power input and are run from the USB. Thanks.

**Rob** · 15-06-2010, 15:49

You'll probably need to ask the supplier of the specific TV whether their USB socket is powered or not, and if it is powered what the output is.

cli70488 · 15-06-2010, 16:13

Thankyou Rob. for your reply. The supplier was PC World. The TV Manual mentions the use of Flash Sticks, of course, but it also refers to the use of Hard Drives. As it merely states to "be sure to ensure that its "Adaptor" is connected to the Power" I suspect that the answer is that a USB powered HDD is not suitable, hence the question I am asking. Your suggestion is the one I need to ask and I will call upon my local PC World to get the solution.
Many thanks.

Aragorn · 15-06-2010, 16:28

Surely it's just as easy to try it - assuming you actually have a USB powered HDD already. If you don't, just make sure you get a mains powered HDD. I would be amazed if your trip back to PC World actually produced a meaningful answer.

cli70488 · 16-06-2010, 11:37

thanks "Aragorn" & I agree that all PC World can say is that the TV USB Recorder is set to its own system and is not able to be changed, and is therefore restricted to playback on that TV only. In view of that one must presume that to record to an HDD would present the same problems,as recording to a Flash Stick, and if one wanted to replay to any other equipment, Computer or other USB inputs, it would not be possible.
It follows that the answer to the original problem as to whether the USB socket supplied power to run an HDD, it seems certain that an HDD with an Adaptor giving power would be necessary. Many thanks for your views.

Lord Nikon · 18-06-2010, 07:49

Most 2.5" hard drives have a startup current at or above 1A, however the USB specification only calls for 500mA maximum, hence most 2.5" portable drives have a split USB cable to draw power from more than one port. You could go to a 1.8" drive but those are few and far between.

cli70488 · 18-06-2010, 11:52

Many thanks Lord Nikon for the information re. power requirements in respect of USB and HDD. Most helpful, Thankyou.

**Kymmy** · 18-06-2010, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

You'll probably need to ask the supplier of the specific TV whether their USB socket is powered or not, and if it is powered what the output is.

All USB sockets are powered (otherwise cards just simply would not work in them)

It does though depend on the available current. USB standards dictate 0.5amps (at 5v) some can supply more but some designed purely to just run usb memory for example might be less..

cli70488 · 19-06-2010, 11:08

Thanks Kymmy and now you have pointed out that all USB sockets must supply power otherwise they would be "dead" it is clear that the answer to my question is that they do. However one really, in view of what power they supply, can only tell if an HDD would operate, by trial, and I will do that and report the result to this site. Regards.

cli70488 · 22-06-2010, 14:45

Having now purchased and fitted a USB Hard Drive I can now report that the TV with the USB Recorder does in fact run the HDD perfectly without having to provide any other power adaptor. My concern was that the USB socket may not run the HDD.
The HDD I fitted is a LaCie Petit 320 GB and I obtained it from the ASDA Home Store ( not food) at a bargain price of £37 intead of the normal price of $55. Thanks to all who helped to solve the problem.

cli70488 · 04-07-2010, 11:05

Playback of the items recorded from the USB to the Storage devise by this TV is fine, but only to the same TV, as an unknown "format" is used by the manufacturer. Can anyone tell me if it is possible to adapt the output on the Storage Devise ( HDD) to enable viewing on other equipment, computer, media player, etc. I only know that the File System supported by the TV/USB recorder is FAT32

cookie_365 · 04-07-2010, 19:07

What file format are the programmes saved as? .ts? .ps?

If so try HDTV Pump

cli70488 · 05-07-2010, 11:50

Hello Cookie and thankyou for your reply.. I have gone through the Instruction Manual and cannot find any reference to .TS or .PS and being only briefly knowledgable in respect these things am at a loss to go further. The TV which has the USB Recorder within is a DIGITREX 15" ( purchased from PC World). The recordings are on a HDD (Lacie Petit 320GB) and the playback to the same TV is excellent.
My wish to see if it is possible to playback from the HDD to other equipment is probably too ambitious and at age 87 I fear my Computer ability etc. is somewhat lacking.
I am most grateful for your kind reply and I will go to "Pump" and see what I can find out.

cookie_365 · 08-07-2010, 22:27

Do you have access to a PC or laptop you can plug the Lacie into after recording something? You should be able to explore the drive and see what type of file it saves as, even if you can't actually view the program.

cli70488 · 09-07-2010, 14:46

Cookie. when I attach the HDD to my main Desk Top comp. and go to "My computer" and click on, I get "HDinfo.CFG and the statement "Windows needs to know what program created it". To then any attempt to use the web site for the search, results in "Int Expl. cannot display the webpage etc." I presume that this as a result of the system employed by this TV USB Recorder being isolated to itself only.The HDD operates perfectly for all other inputs. Again I thankyou for your messages.