Hi all,
I have a x96 mini amlogic s905w Android tv box.
I've had issues playing large size (50-60gb) high bitrate hevc movies from external 2.5" 1tb HDDs connected to the box.
The movies would buffer/stutter randomly. Similar movies on a 500gb 2.5" hdd & 1tb 3.5" powered hdd worked fine. Even smaller size samples of those movies worked ok from the 2.5" 1tb hdd.
Tried the movies in question on a laptop & a friend's Android box and it would stutter there too.
After some googling & diagnosing it seems the only possible fix was more power for the 1tb hdd (though I don't understand why a 500gb works ok & not a 1tb, it's the same bitrate that needs to be played??).
Had some missteps with a few powered USB hubs i bought which didn't help, & then last week, long story short, while trying yet another hub I ended up bricking the x96 mini's original 5v2a adapter (I think it was caused by reverse polarity on the power adapter I connected to the hub). I had a spare 5v2a adapter lying around but now I find none of the 2.5" HDDs are being detected by the box leave alone playing anything from them. Even the 500 gb hdd isn't being detected.
First I thought I had fried the usb ports in the mishap but flash drives & the powered 1tb hdd are detected.
So I'm thinking the replacement 5v 2a adapter isn't delivering the power it is rated for. Googling the issue, some have suggested getting a 5v 3a adapter for their box also helped them with various issues. Would it be safe to get one for my box? Would that also help me with my 2 issues (ie detecting external unpowered 2.5" HDD'S & buffering of large size hevc movies from 1tb 2.5" hdds)?
Also if I can get my hands on a 5v 5a adapter would that be more helpful or would that extra power be pointless? Do these boxes have some limitations on how much power the usb port can draw? I was reading somewhere that the raspberry Pi could be reconfigured to send more power to the usb port. Is there something like that in Android boxes? Would a higher ampere adapter be better or a powered USB hub? The really good hubs are not cheap & I only rarely watch the movies I was having issues with so was reluctant to spring for one.
Would a USB y cable where I connect one end to a mobile phone type charger & the other ends to the hdd & the tv box help? I've seen conflicting responses about how safe y cables are with some saying usb protocol doesn't really recommend using them?
Tldr - a higher ampere adapter than the original adapter and/or a usb y cable and/or a powered USB hub, which would help my tv box/laptop detect & play large size hevc movies from unpowered 2.5" external HDDs?
I have a x96 mini amlogic s905w Android tv box.
I've had issues playing large size (50-60gb) high bitrate hevc movies from external 2.5" 1tb HDDs connected to the box.
The movies would buffer/stutter randomly. Similar movies on a 500gb 2.5" hdd & 1tb 3.5" powered hdd worked fine. Even smaller size samples of those movies worked ok from the 2.5" 1tb hdd.
Tried the movies in question on a laptop & a friend's Android box and it would stutter there too.
After some googling & diagnosing it seems the only possible fix was more power for the 1tb hdd (though I don't understand why a 500gb works ok & not a 1tb, it's the same bitrate that needs to be played??).
Had some missteps with a few powered USB hubs i bought which didn't help, & then last week, long story short, while trying yet another hub I ended up bricking the x96 mini's original 5v2a adapter (I think it was caused by reverse polarity on the power adapter I connected to the hub). I had a spare 5v2a adapter lying around but now I find none of the 2.5" HDDs are being detected by the box leave alone playing anything from them. Even the 500 gb hdd isn't being detected.
First I thought I had fried the usb ports in the mishap but flash drives & the powered 1tb hdd are detected.
So I'm thinking the replacement 5v 2a adapter isn't delivering the power it is rated for. Googling the issue, some have suggested getting a 5v 3a adapter for their box also helped them with various issues. Would it be safe to get one for my box? Would that also help me with my 2 issues (ie detecting external unpowered 2.5" HDD'S & buffering of large size hevc movies from 1tb 2.5" hdds)?
Also if I can get my hands on a 5v 5a adapter would that be more helpful or would that extra power be pointless? Do these boxes have some limitations on how much power the usb port can draw? I was reading somewhere that the raspberry Pi could be reconfigured to send more power to the usb port. Is there something like that in Android boxes? Would a higher ampere adapter be better or a powered USB hub? The really good hubs are not cheap & I only rarely watch the movies I was having issues with so was reluctant to spring for one.
Would a USB y cable where I connect one end to a mobile phone type charger & the other ends to the hdd & the tv box help? I've seen conflicting responses about how safe y cables are with some saying usb protocol doesn't really recommend using them?
Tldr - a higher ampere adapter than the original adapter and/or a usb y cable and/or a powered USB hub, which would help my tv box/laptop detect & play large size hevc movies from unpowered 2.5" external HDDs?