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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: Ess_Three on 03 August 2010, 10:54

Title: USB power
Post by: Ess_Three on 03 August 2010, 10:54
Anyone know if the USB port for the RCD/RNS has decent power available?

I know it's fine to run a USB stick full of music...just wondering if it's OK with a portable HD?

Many of the portable HDs need a 'Y' USB lead to give double the power from early low power USB ports...but some of the newer ones are OK on a single, as long as the USB bus is high enough power.

Personally, I'd rip all my CDs to a 500Gb HD, using a decent bit-rate...if the HD was going to work.
But will it?

Anyone know/tried it?
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: RickS on 03 August 2010, 12:57
I believe from previous threads a while ago that some people use HDD's on their USB connector without a problem.
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: Ess_Three on 03 August 2010, 13:21
Ahh...that's interesting.
I may try one - but don't want to buy one and find it's no use!
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: MarcGTD on 03 August 2010, 14:35
I'm curious about this also.. it's borderline when connecting some 2.5" hdds to PC USB ports as a typical USB port supplies around 500mA and the higher capacity drives pull near this level.  My main home PC powers my WD Passport 320Gb drive fine but my Dell laptop struggles (ocassionally the drive disappears and reappears in the drive list).  I guess it depends on the output of the MDI.

Another thing I wondered about though, wouldnt the vibration and any bumps etc potentially cause skipping (and maybe even damage to the drive heads?).   I guess the same could apply to the built-in RNS 510 HDD but they obviously have that covered.
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: Ess_Three on 03 August 2010, 14:49
I'm curious about this also.. it's borderline when connecting some 2.5" hdds to PC USB ports as a typical USB port supplies around 500mA and the higher capacity drives pull near this level.  My main home PC powers my WD Passport 320Gb drive fine but my Dell laptop struggles (ocassionally the drive disappears and reappears in the drive list).  I guess it depends on the output of the MDI.

Another thing I wondered about though, wouldnt the vibration and any bumps etc potentially cause skipping (and maybe even damage to the drive heads?).   I guess the same could apply to the built-in RNS 510 HDD but they obviously have that covered.

There are some 'rugged' portable HDs available, laptop sized, rubber cased with anti-shock. One of them would be great.
I have a 64G USB stick which is fine...but the HDs are far bigger.

A solid state HD would be great...but costly.

I guess you could use the internal HD on the RNS, but it's limited in size and a hassle to load onto...drag and drop onto a big HD would be better...but 65Gb USB sticks aren't cheap...and above that, really scary!

The WD you have, the Passport, is one I was specifically looking at...mini USB to std USB connector and off we go. Hopefully.

Don't suppose you fancy trying yours do you?
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: VWKev on 03 August 2010, 15:17
S3 : I have a little Buffalo ministation 80GB HDD (2.5") that works fine. Ok its not bigat 80GB but it does power with the USB no probs.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Buffalo-80GB-MiniStation-Portable-HardDrive/dp/B000F5CWD8
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: Ess_Three on 03 August 2010, 15:43
S3 : I have a little Buffalo ministation 80GB HDD (2.5") that works fine. Ok its not bigat 80GB but it does power with the USB no probs.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Buffalo-80GB-MiniStation-Portable-HardDrive/dp/B000F5CWD8

Is that a single mini-USB connection Kev?

Good to know it works. Cheers!

Do you still use it?
Hardy enough, when bouncing about in the centre console?
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: MarcGTD on 03 August 2010, 15:54
The WD you have, the Passport, is one I was specifically looking at...mini USB to std USB connector and off we go. Hopefully.

Don't suppose you fancy trying yours do you?

Unfortunately, my Golf isn't expected until October sometime so I can't check it at the moment.  An SSD would indeed be perfect as would one of the 256Gb flash drives but both are insanely priced.. you'd really need to love your music to justify that :)
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: VWKev on 03 August 2010, 16:59
S3 : I have a little Buffalo ministation 80GB HDD (2.5") that works fine. Ok its not bigat 80GB but it does power with the USB no probs.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Buffalo-80GB-MiniStation-Portable-HardDrive/dp/B000F5CWD8

Is that a single mini-USB connection Kev?

Good to know it works. Cheers!

Do you still use it?
Hardy enough, when bouncing about in the centre console?

Yes it is, just a single mini USB. I dont use it much now, just mostly for backing up my PS3.
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: ajmoir36 on 03 August 2010, 22:13
I have one a Western Digital Elements Portable 500gig, works fine but can't remember where the songs left off when you turn the car, off, really annoying.  Have tried a HP 160Gig drive it works but can't remember, tried a cheap 20Gig IBM drive and it can't remember.  Beware of the size as my western digital fits, with quite a sharp kink in the usb lead sticking out of the top, but the arm rest is fully closed.  Had to put tape length ways down the drive and across the bottom and back up to grab to pull it out as the hole has a rubber lining its easy to get it wedged in.
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: p3eps on 05 August 2010, 20:14
I have a 500gb WD Passport that I use for backing up my computers, and also for use with my Wii.
I can easily stick a few songs on it and give it a try with the RNS if you want?

I have read about HD's not remembering where the song left off - which would annoy the hell out of me.
My RNS HD has my regular songs on it - and I have an old 32gb iPod that I keep for using with the car, and a 16gb memory stick that I chop and change songs on.
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: MAW73 on 05 August 2010, 20:19
Stupid question, but where's the USB port located in the car. I haven't come across one of these in my car?
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: p3eps on 05 August 2010, 20:21
In the armrest - you have a connector that you can put an iPod Cable into... OR a special USB cable.  Both should have come as standard with the car.
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: MAW73 on 05 August 2010, 20:43
In the armrest - you have a connector that you can put an iPod Cable into... OR a special USB cable.  Both should have come as standard with the car.

Cheers mate, I will have to try this out with my portable hard disk then.
Title: Re: USB power
Post by: Ess_Three on 06 August 2010, 07:06
I have a 500gb WD Passport that I use for backing up my computers, and also for use with my Wii.
I can easily stick a few songs on it and give it a try with the RNS if you want?

I have read about HD's not remembering where the song left off - which would annoy the hell out of me.
My RNS HD has my regular songs on it - and I have an old 32gb iPod that I keep for using with the car, and a 16gb memory stick that I chop and change songs on.

If you could Pete. That would be good.

I know it remembers the track position from USB sticks...but to prove one way or another for a HD would be ideal.