PRS-600 USB plug

ziegl027 · 01-19-2010, 10:01 PM

Is there any reason I can't use the same USB connector for my Reader as my portable hard drive (Passport)? The plugs on each end sure look the same.....

elcreative · 01-19-2010, 10:29 PM

Probably not, I certainly use the same cable for my La Cie bus-powered drive as well as my Sony eReader and a camera... saves continually plugging and unplugging cable into computer.

JSWolf · 01-19-2010, 10:33 PM

If the plug is the same size, sure can. Just not at the same time.

Bremen Cole · 01-20-2010, 07:10 AM

I have a USB cable I leave attached to the computer and use it for the camera, reader...etc. No problem, any USB cable that fits, will work.

ziegl027 · 01-20-2010, 07:47 AM

Good to know! Now I can have a cable left plugged in to my home computer, and carry a cable around with me at work with my hard drive and reader.

scottjl · 01-20-2010, 09:22 AM

it's called a "mini-usb" and is fairly standard. if it works with your hard drive it should work no problem with your reader.

there are some "mini-usb" connectors that supply power only and they will work for charging, but not for transferring data. they usually come with things like bluetooth headphones. if you plug your reader into these they will charge but you'll be wondering why it doesn't show up on your computer. try a different cable.

elcreative · 01-20-2010, 09:27 AM

If the USB supplies power only then it won't recharge the eReader correctly... it expects to have a computer connected (awake and active) or it doesn't charge ... and usually discharges... read about half a dozen threads on the subject scattered across the forum...

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

there are some "mini-usb" connectors that supply power only and they will work for charging, but not for transferring data. they usually come with things like bluetooth headphones. if you plug your reader into these they will charge but you'll be wondering why it doesn't show up on your computer. try a different cable.

ziegl027 · 01-20-2010, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

there are some "mini-usb" connectors that supply power only and they will work for charging, but not for transferring data. they usually come with things like bluetooth headphones.

Good to know--I got bluetooth headphones for Xmas. I already stuck a label on it's cable, now I know not to try to use it for anything else.

But, does it work the other way (i.e., can I use the cable I use for my reader to charge my headphones?) Seems like it should....Then I could just put the headphones' cable in my box o' misc electronic crap and forget about it.

scottjl · 01-20-2010, 09:30 AM

yes. you could use a data cable with your headphones. it'll get the power it needs, just don't expect to see anything mount on the computer.

ziegl027 · 01-20-2010, 11:13 AM

Woohoo! One less piece of black spaghetti on my desk!

spideog · 01-21-2010, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

If the USB supplies power only then it won't recharge the eReader correctly... it expects to have a computer connected (awake and active) or it doesn't charge ... and usually discharges... read about half a dozen threads on the subject scattered across the forum...

Creative did the same trick if making the device need to see a host device before it would charge for some versions of their mp3 players. It's a completely unneeded configuration as far as the actual charging of the device is concerned though and just a trick to make people buy "official" chargers generally.

There was a way around Creatives setup by modifying a USB cable and sticking a couple of resistors between the data line on the cable so that you can then charge using USB just plugged into an mains adapter. I never got as far as bothering to do it myself, but no reason the same thing wouldn't work for the Sony Readers if you needed to travel light and not take a laptop with you, or want to splash out on a PSP charger.

Of course one of these will also let you charge from a USB wall plug via the PSP sized power port, and no need to cut up any cables in the process:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SONY-PSP-USB-2...#ht_2182wt_937

scottjl · 01-22-2010, 01:10 AM

i didn't realize the 600 was set up like that. if you shop around there are pre-made cables that are shorted out in a similar way. you can also pick up a USB->sony plug cable. i got one originally to charge up my PSP, works just fine charging with that. personally i use a mad catz PSP charging cable, was $8 at target, charges the unit faster than USB, and you can use it while it's charging.

01-19-2010, 10:01 PM	#1
ziegl027 Addict Posts: 264 Karma: 764 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minnesota Device: Sony Touch, Kindle DXG	USB plug Is there any reason I can't use the same USB connector for my Reader as my portable hard drive (Passport)? The plugs on each end sure look the same.....

01-20-2010, 07:47 AM	#5
ziegl027 Addict Posts: 264 Karma: 764 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minnesota Device: Sony Touch, Kindle DXG	Great! Good to know! Now I can have a cable left plugged in to my home computer, and carry a cable around with me at work with my hard drive and reader.

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01-19-2010, 10:29 PM	#2
elcreative Wizard Posts: 2,888 Karma: 5875940 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: PRS505, 600, 350, 650, Nexus 7, Note III, iPad 4 etc	Probably not, I certainly use the same cable for my La Cie bus-powered drive as well as my Sony eReader and a camera... saves continually plugging and unplugging cable into computer.

01-19-2010, 10:33 PM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,835 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If the plug is the same size, sure can. Just not at the same time.

01-20-2010, 07:10 AM	#4
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	I have a USB cable I leave attached to the computer and use it for the camera, reader...etc. No problem, any USB cable that fits, will work.

01-20-2010, 09:22 AM	#6
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	it's called a "mini-usb" and is fairly standard. if it works with your hard drive it should work no problem with your reader. there are some "mini-usb" connectors that supply power only and they will work for charging, but not for transferring data. they usually come with things like bluetooth headphones. if you plug your reader into these they will charge but you'll be wondering why it doesn't show up on your computer. try a different cable.

01-20-2010, 09:30 AM	#9
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	yes. you could use a data cable with your headphones. it'll get the power it needs, just don't expect to see anything mount on the computer.

01-20-2010, 11:13 AM	#10
ziegl027 Addict Posts: 264 Karma: 764 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minnesota Device: Sony Touch, Kindle DXG	Woohoo! One less piece of black spaghetti on my desk!

01-22-2010, 01:10 AM	#12
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	i didn't realize the 600 was set up like that. if you shop around there are pre-made cables that are shorted out in a similar way. you can also pick up a USB->sony plug cable. i got one originally to charge up my PSP, works just fine charging with that. personally i use a mad catz PSP charging cable, was $8 at target, charges the unit faster than USB, and you can use it while it's charging.

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