Tutorial: How to get USBOTG to work with US iriver H3xx

[st5150]

mysticum- I'll let mike13 answer the other questions, but to prevent confusion for you and others reading this, the LM7805 chip I pictured above takes in 7.5V-18+V and gives out a constant 5V. It is a 5 volt regulator as long as the input is over 7.5 Volts. It is this 5 volt regulator that is being utilized in the USB hub in the first post on this thread. I figured a 50 cent regulator is a better deal than a $24 USB hub

[Mike13]

Originally Posted by mysticum

Do you use the HOST cable from iRiver or just a normal USB cable (which you have dozens of at home already and that just comes with every device you buy!)?

The HOST cable simply has a USB Mini-A on one end and a USB Full-Size-A (female) on the other end. If you go with that, splice the 9v battery (with the 5v regulator chip of course) directly into the middle of the HOST cable. If you use cables you already have laying around, you have a few options. Probably the easiest for you would be to take 2 cables that are like the one supplied with your H300, cut them in half, and use the smaller connector from each. This would be USB Mini-B to USB Mini-B, and such a configuration requires the use of a tiny little wire connecting pins 4 and 5 directly on the H300's Media port (see link to the picture above). Doing this emulates having a Mini-A connector, while allowing you use the more common Mini-B. Keep in mind that with a setup like this you can ONLY connect things like cameras or other devices with a mini connector, and you cannot use things like card readers and flash drives that have a built-in USB Full-Size-A (male) sticking right out of them. My cable, as pictured previously, is actually USB Mini-B to USB Full-Size-A (female) which is like the HOST cable except that I must have the little wire installed. This allows the use of card readers and stuff, and to connect to a camera I simply use a normal cable (like the one supplied with the camera) to hook it up.

Originally Posted by mysticum

Another question...is it any difference between the official iRiver cable and a cable like this one:

http://www.lindy.com/uk/productfolde...1632/index.php

If I get a cable like this, would it simply be to attach the 9V connector and ready to go? Sounds to easy, of course...

That cable is Mini-A to Mini-B, which would be absolutely perfect for camera use because you don't need to use that little wire hack. And yes, you simply attach the battery and you're in business.

Originally Posted by mysticum

And by the way...9V? Wasn't it supposed to be 5V? Can this high voltage damage a device?

The 9v never actually reaches the USB devices because of that 5v regulator. If you don't know where to find one, here's a link: http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...%5Fid=276-1770

Have fun!

EDIT: Sorry for stepping on your territory there, st5150. Didn't see your post as it was on the next page!

[mysticum]

Thanks a lot for the answers!

I will build my own and take pictures / do a write up on "USBOTG for $2".

That would be THE best!!!

...and such a configuration requires the use of a tiny little wire connecting pins 4 and 5 directly on the H300's Media port (see link to the picture above).

Actually I don't understand this at all. You mean just a wire between the pins? How would this help? (Sorry for being a dummie)

Keep in mind that with a setup like this you can ONLY connect things like cameras or other devices with a mini connector, and you cannot use things like card readers and flash drives that have a built-in USB Full-Size-A (male) sticking right out of them

Actually, my card reader has a mini-USB-connection as well as my camera.

Have fun!

I will! This way seems so much easier than the CyberPower hub (which isn't available in Sweden anyway). Almost to good to be true, seems like an easy match to construct a cable like this. And cheap as hell as well

[Mike13]

Originally Posted by mysticum

Actually I don't understand this at all. You mean just a wire between the pins? How would this help?

USB cable has 4 wires. Full-Size USB connectors have 4 pins. 2 lines for power and 2 lines for data transfer. However, Mini connectors have 5 pins (the extra one is actually the fourth from the left when you look at the bottom of your H300). What is this extra pin for? When a USB device notices that pin 4 is not connected to anything (as is the case when you plug in a Mini-B connector, which only has 4 wires coming out of it that match up with pins 1, 2, 3, 5) the device assumes that it is the client, which is bad for USBOTG because the H300 needs to be the host! On the other hand, a Mini-A connector (which looks slightly different, but still fits in the same socket) actually connects pins 4 and 5 together right inside the plug itself, which means the wires coming out of it match up with pins 1, 2, 3, and 4+5. The device notices that there is something going on on this pin 4 (actually the difference is that it's now grounded, as pin 5 is GND), and it knows it has to act as a host.

This is why I say if you don't have a Mini-A connector handy, simply use the Mini-B from your existing cables and manually bridge pins 4 and 5 at the device. Take a tiny piece of completely-stripped wire (but solid wire, not multiple strands), use needle-nose pliers or something to bend it into a U shape just as wide as the distance between pinholes, and shove it in there.

[mysticum]

Thanks again man, great explanation, even I could understand that!

Doesn't sound too hard, but a mini-A-cable isn't that expensive and all you need to do then is to attach the battery connector and the regulator and you're ready to go. This is just great!

And if st5150 would do a guide as well this would be better than christmas day

[Ten]

http://public.fotki.com/tengttran/

Here you go guys. I hope it helps people. Sorry for blurry pics (no flash), gloomy day in california, odd.

Please, use at your own risk.

Total Costs of Materials:
USB Extension Cable $3 US Dollars.
+5v Regulator (Rat Shack) $2.

Other materials:
Heatshrink 3/8" (Home Depot) $2.50
9v battery 2pack $1

Thanks to: st5150 and Mike13

[st5150]

Ten- Great job and thanks for the credit. Where did you find the USB extention cable for $3? Fry's Electronics had one for about $10 and I refused to pay that much for it. I have some surface mount LM3840 5 volt regulators in the mail right now. I plan to take apart the 9V snap connetor and solder it right in the connector itself. The LM3840 will allow a little more battery life over the LM7850. I've got some other neat little tips and tricks up my sleave, but since I have no personal urge or rush to build it, I'll put this project off for a few weeks since you've already done enough work to help out fellow Misticriver.net members

[jon00182]

I got a problum~!!
someone say that way works!!!!
they just buy this stuff instead of open and changing "Cyberpower Battery hub"
BUT how to connet female to female??????


USB OTG hub
http://store.yahoo.com/cooldrives/usb-otg-adapter.html

[Mike13]

Originally Posted by st5150

The LM3840 will allow a little more battery life over the LM7850.

Speaking of battery life, simply having the battery hooked up to the regulator drains it a little. Un-snap the battery whenever you're not using it. By the way, check ebay for cheap USB cables. Just remember that many sellers have ridiculous shipping!

[Ten]

st5150
You can get the cable here:
http://www.connexions-pw.com/catego...2.1508&Refer=PW

or else you can goto www.pricewatch.com and search for a extension cable.
But I bought my extension cable locally at www.Acortech.com here in Southern California.

jon00182
If you had the Iriver Host Cable then you would need a double Male A USB cable.

Like this one:
http://www.sfcable.com/Merchant2/mer...rce=pricewatch

And assuming the other side of the Blue Box is also female then you can just plug in the USB drive, since most USB drives are Male.

[Mike13]

Originally Posted by Ten

If you had the Iriver Host Cable then you would need a double Male A USB cable.

That USB OTG BRIDGE BOX is for connecting 2 client devices that are completely unaware of OTG. Each device you plug into it thinks it's plugged into a computer. Therefore, you do not use the Host Cable and you do not use the Media port. Connect it exactly as you connect your H300 to your computer.

[Ten]

Originally Posted by st5150

Ten- Great job and thanks for the credit. Where did you find the USB extention cable for $3? Fry's Electronics had one for about $10 and I refused to pay that much for it. I have some surface mount LM3840 5 volt regulators in the mail right now. I plan to take apart the 9V snap connetor and solder it right in the connector itself. The LM3840 will allow a little more battery life over the LM7850. I've got some other neat little tips and tricks up my sleave, but since I have to personal urge or rush to build it, I'll put this project off for a few weeks since you've already done enough work to help out fellow Misticriver.net members

Sounds good, looking forward to your results.

I left the 9v cap seperated from the battery cause I did not want to weigh the cable down, with the 9v attached, incase I snagged on it if it were to fall.

[jon00182]

ok i am alittle confuse >"< sorry guys
SO if I dont need iriver OTG cable!!!! I just need mini male to regular female cable?

then i plug them ~ open the hub power ~ and push "A-B" i can see the "Driver"
inside the H320's screen?? Or i just push the button on the hub???

but regular USB 1.1 is 5 ping, right?

[Mike13]

I believe I answered every single one of those questions in my previous post. Yes, you are correct. For further instructions, read the instructions that come with that hub.

[jon00182]

so....you just open the power of hub?
then choose the file you want to copy ??
this is really important...cuz i dont want to by pice a crap...for 40$
if you use OTG hub~ can you copy files just like regular USB OTG in H320
browser?

PLS answer me....thank you

[mysticum]

Well, you really don't need a hub, if you read the previous post (just scroll up a bit and you'll find it) you'll find a guide to create a cable which works fine to connect your camera. If the card reader works, I don't know, otherwise you could put your memory card into your camera if the card type is the same.

[Mike13]

Originally Posted by jon00182

if you use OTG hub~ can you copy files just like regular USB OTG in H320 browser?

I don't think anybody here has used that hub, so the only way to find out how it works is to read its instructions. Sorry.

[alienshards]

question: if i chose to take a USB cable like the one that came with my iriver; do the wire bridge on the 4th and 5th pins (from left or right?) and splice in power; could i connect a USB female onto the other end?

pins bridges==USB mini A ------ power supply----- USB Female=

or does it have to go to another mini plug?

(for the power supply i want to be able to attach an external battery pack to it, so i could just have an external battery pack that i can plug into the iriver and into the USB OTG cable.)

[jon00182]

Thanks Mike13~ ^_^
Anybody know how to chang "mini female 4 ping to mini female 5 ping"
cuz someone says "U dont need iRiver OTG cable"
Post:
USB-ON-THE-GO works on U.S. H3XX！！！
#377~#380

I am thinking about is I DONT want to carry my NB with me....
I want to power the extension cable....but dont know how...~"~
if someone got idea pls answer me,thx

[Mike13]

Originally Posted by alienshards

question: if i chose to take a USB cable like the one that came with my iriver; do the wire bridge on the 4th and 5th pins (from left or right?) and splice in power; could i connect a USB female onto the other end?

that's exactly what i did. works like a charm. it's the pins closest to the right (under the D and I in MEDIA). just make sure you keep the voltage under 5v or use a regulator.

EDIT: in your text diagram you said "mini A" but i'm fairly certain you meant mini B. mini B is the one that comes on the cables you get for cameras, mp3 players, etc, and thus is the reason we came up with the workaround--they're so common that who wants to go out an buy a mini A cable.