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USB Splitter/Hub

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xenobiared
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Joined: Sun Dec 02, 2018 3:56 pm

USB Splitter/Hub

Sun Dec 02, 2018 4:04 pm

I have a Roku stick and a newer (less than 2 years old) Vizio smart TV. The TV only has 1 USB port and I need 2 - 1 for the Roku and one for a HD antenna. Would a splitter or hub work? Do I need a powered hub/splitter? If so, what specific device or specifications (e.g. 3.0 USB?). Many thanks!
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wildsprite
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Re: USB Splitter/Hub

Sun Dec 02, 2018 4:47 pm

you would be sharing the power between the 2, this is not likely to work, USB supplies 5 volts DC if powered. your Roku requires 5 volts to run, it is likely your antenna does as well, I suggest you find a creative way to lay out the USB wire from the antenna so it looks neat and use the power brick that came with it or find a way to put a power socket with USB ports behind your TV set 
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atc98092
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Re: USB Splitter/Hub

Sun Dec 02, 2018 5:09 pm

It isn't the voltage available, but the current that a USB jack is capable of. A standard USB 2.0 port supplies a maximum of 500 mA (0.5 A). I could only find one reference to the power a Stick consumes, and that was 3 watts. 3 watts at 5 Volts DC is 0.6 A, so a TV USB port is at its limits powering a Stick. Your only option, besides connecting your devices to their own separate power source, would be to use a powered USB hub. That way neither unit is drawing power from the TV. 
Last edited by atc98092 on Wed Dec 05, 2018 12:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Dan
Nvidia Shield, Roku Stick (2016), and Ultra (2016), Insignia Roku TV, Sharp 4K Roku TV, Windows 10 Pro x64 running Serviio and Plex on a wired Gigabit network. Samsung JU7100 4K TV, Yamaha RX-V583, CenturyLink DSL
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xenobiared
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Joined: Sun Dec 02, 2018 3:56 pm

Re: USB Splitter/Hub

Wed Dec 05, 2018 12:21 pm

atc98092 wrote:
It isn't the voltage available, but the current that a USB jack is capable of. A standard USB 2.0 port supplies a maximum of 500 mA (0.5 A). I could only find one reference to the power a Stick consumes, and that was 3 watts. 3 watts at 5 Volts DC is 0.6 mA, so a TV USB port is at its limits powering a Stick. Your only option, besides connecting your devices to their own separate power source, would be to use a powered USB hub. That way neither unit is drawing power from the TV. 


Thank you. I saw a couple of powered options on Amazon but didn’t order it yet since I didn’t know how much the voltage would be a factor.
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atc98092
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Location: Auburn, WA

Re: USB Splitter/Hub

Wed Dec 05, 2018 12:44 pm

I see I had a typo in the message you quoted. The Stick consumes 0.6 A, not 0.6 mA. But again, voltage isn't the issue, it's the current. USB only provides 5 VDC, never more or less. But a powered hub should be capable of supplying the minimum standard of 500 mA to each port. Of course, there's nothing that says it can't provide more current, but I would think that any powered hub would be able to power a Roku Stick. 
Dan
Nvidia Shield, Roku Stick (2016), and Ultra (2016), Insignia Roku TV, Sharp 4K Roku TV, Windows 10 Pro x64 running Serviio and Plex on a wired Gigabit network. Samsung JU7100 4K TV, Yamaha RX-V583, CenturyLink DSL
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