USB Port on front of HR21

[CRCError1970]

As far as I know the USB ports on the HR21's really aren't good for much of anything other than a nice source of +5V at the moment, however has there been any speculation on what they may be used for in the future?

I've heard rumor of a possible use for the rear port as a spot for a USB ATSC tuner... I would certainly like that!

As far as another use... I'd like to see them be used to attach USB Flash Drives/USB HDD enclosures to the unit. I know they have the MediaShare, but I really could care less about VIIV.

I'd like to be able to slap some MP3, Jpgs and even an MP4 onto a USB drive and use the reciever to pipe it to my TV.

I can currently use my PS3 to do the same, but having another option would be nice. Hehe... Be nice to be able to use my HR21 to charge up my SIXAXIS PS3 Controller... Rock Band is kind of hogging up my USB ports on my PS3 and my yearly toy budget is too low to buy a hub. :lol:

[Earl Bonovich]

You can control the units via USB with RS-232 commands.

[CRCError1970]

Man... you *must* be a geek! :)

I wish I was that geeky... Or at least had a wife that would let me... :nono:

[Stuart Sweet]

There are plans for the USB port but who knows what will materialize. Right now it's sorta "cause they can".

[Pink Fairy]

As far as I know the USB ports on the HR21's really aren't good for much of anything other than a nice source of +5V at the moment, however has there been any speculation on what they may be used for in the future?

I've heard rumor of a possible use for the rear port as a spot for a USB ATSC tuner... I would certainly like that!

As far as another use... I'd like to see them be used to attach USB Flash Drives/USB HDD enclosures to the unit. I know they have the MediaShare, but I really could care less about VIIV.

I'd like to be able to slap some MP3, Jpgs and even an MP4 onto a USB drive and use the reciever to pipe it to my TV.

I can currently use my PS3 to do the same, but having another option would be nice. Hehe... Be nice to be able to use my HR21 to charge up my SIXAXIS PS3 Controller... Rock Band is kind of hogging up my USB ports on my PS3 and my yearly toy budget is too low to buy a hub. :lol:


MP4???

[Earl Bonovich]

Man... you *must* be a geek! :)

I wish I was that geeky... Or at least had a wife that would let me... :nono:

I prefer the term nerd...

[Jeremy W]

I know they have the MediaShare, but I really could care less about VIIV.
You do realize that VIIV isn't necessary in any way, right?
Be nice to be able to use my HR21 to charge up my SIXAXIS PS3 Controller
Why can't you do this today? My HR21 has no trouble charging my 360 controller.

[CRCError1970]

Why can't you do this today? My HR21 has no trouble charging my 360 controller.

I'm not sure why... There some kind of Voodoo going on with the SIXAXIS... The charging indicators do not light up when the controller is plugged into any USB port other than the ones on the PS3... at least no USB other ports I've tried.

I think the PS3 actively manages the charging process to prolong battery life or something.

Earl, you must be an enginneer. My aunt's ex-boyfriend was an engineer for Mercury Marine in St. Cloud, FL. He had something to with the design of injection molding for Mercury outboard motors and I remember him saying something to the effect of "If you carry a book of mathmatical equations around with you, you might be a nerd." in his best Jeff Foxworthy impression. Then he yanks out his "Slide ruler in convienient book form" and waves it around like a lost chapter of the Bible. :)

He then exaplained to me that I was a geek.... Since I could build computers... I never understood his analogies, though.

Okietekkie, MP4 as in MPEG4. I have a utility that can convert most video files into an MPEG4 compliant format for playing on my PS3. I would assume that my HR21 would also be able to do such a thing if D* wanted it to, seeing as most the HD Channels are MP4 streams.

[Jeremy W]

I think the PS3 actively manages the charging process to prolong battery life or something.
Or, it's just typical Sony behavior. Not surprising.

[Pink Fairy]

Okietekkie, MP4 as in MPEG4. I have a utility that can convert most video files into an MPEG4 compliant format for playing on my PS3. I would assume that my HR21 would also be able to do such a thing if D* wanted it to, seeing as most the HD Channels are MP4 streams.


Thank you. I thought as much, but I wanted to make sure I was not totally missing something.

[dodge boy]

I hope the ones on the R15 get working for all this stuff when they do the hr21.

[Earl Bonovich]

R15 can be controlled by USB-RS232 commands as well

[dodge boy]

R15 can be controlled by USB-RS232 commands as well

O.K. wise guy, there may be a selct few here that would know how or even want to do that..... How about something usefull, maybe like a USB "TEN BOX" type device, USB ethernet adapter, or even the USB ATSC tuner to get local "Sub Stations" OTA thru the box to a non digital TV (think post 2009).

[dmb]

I'm on my 6th HR20/21 this year. I'd like to be able to save my series links and other setup options to a USB thumbdrive so I can transfer them to my next replacement unit.

[Earl Bonovich]

O.K. wise guy, there may be a selct few here that would know how or even want to do that..... How about something usefull, maybe like a USB "TEN BOX" type device, USB ethernet adapter, or even the USB ATSC tuner to get local "Sub Stations" OTA thru the box to a non digital TV (think post 2009).

The USB doesn't have the throughput to support dual recordings and a single playback stream (aka 3 IO streams)

I doubt you wille ver see a USB Ethernet adapter, as there are a whole lot of issues with that.

Given that the R15 doesn't even tune NTSC channels now, I doubt they are going to add ATSC support to it, as it will also have to do the down resolution of the HD content on those ATSC channels.

(and I don't think the margin would be that large just for the sub-channels to justify the development).

But hey....keep the ideas comming..
You keep sounding like you may want to upgrade to an HR20 and just use it in SD mode. ;)

[Draconis]

I did see one use for the USB port at DIRECTV's booth last year at CES. They mentioned it at the 2006 CES as well.

They were talking about a service called "DIRECTV 2 Go" where you could download recorded content from the HR20 to a portable media device using the USB port.

They had a HR20 attached to a RCA (?) Lyra and were showing how to download the content.

Of course your guess is as good as mine for when this will get released.

[BWoodbury]

I would love to be able to use the USB Port for a WiFi adapter so I don't have to run yet another cable into the room...

[dodge boy]

You keep sounding like you may want to upgrade to an HR20 and just use it in SD mode. ;)


I need to stop procrastinating and upgrade my TV although it isn't that old... (4 years)
Maybe after the holidays, but I said that last year......

I would use one in SD mode If I could get OTA but didn't have to get HD access.....

SD looks great on my 36" Phillips....

[dbooth]

I can charge and use my ps3 controller with my PC emulation works perfect try google PS3 contoller driver.


As far as I know the USB ports on the HR21's really aren't good for much of anything other than a nice source of +5V at the moment, however has there been any speculation on what they may be used for in the future?

I've heard rumor of a possible use for the rear port as a spot for a USB ATSC tuner... I would certainly like that!

As far as another use... I'd like to see them be used to attach USB Flash Drives/USB HDD enclosures to the unit. I know they have the MediaShare, but I really could care less about VIIV.

I'd like to be able to slap some MP3, Jpgs and even an MP4 onto a USB drive and use the reciever to pipe it to my TV.

I can currently use my PS3 to do the same, but having another option would be nice. Hehe... Be nice to be able to use my HR21 to charge up my SIXAXIS PS3 Controller... Rock Band is kind of hogging up my USB ports on my PS3 and my yearly toy budget is too low to buy a hub. :lol: