How do I know if I have USB 2.0 High Power? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Derwood · 12-24-2004, 06:40 AM

I just got an iPod for Xmas, and it says it requires either FireWire (which I don't have) or USB 2.0. I have USB inputs, but how do I know if they are 2.0 or not?

cyrnel · 12-24-2004, 07:01 AM

Excellent present!

USB cannot harm USB. Plug it in. Depends on the system and which O/S but the worst you'll get is slow performance or popups telling you things suck.

Edit: Coffee is just now kicking in.

High Power just means it draws 100+mA. Most PC USB (1-2.0) interfaces can supply 500mA total. If it acts strangely or powers on and off repeatedly then remove other USB devices and see if it improves plugged directly into the PC.

Powered hubs will often supply up to 1A. Unpowered hubs supply frustration.

A High Speed USB 2.0 interface is almost as important as having enough power. At lower bitrates of 12 or even 1.5Mb/s it takes eons to move 1GB of music. If you run into this problem pick up a FireWire or USB 2.0 card. They go for ~$20. FireWire has a few advantages but if you aren't doing DV or networking it might not be worth your time.

cyrnel · 12-24-2004, 07:56 AM

Oh, and one of many goodies/download/article sites:

http://www.ipodlounge.com/

Derwood · 12-24-2004, 09:46 AM

thanks for the advice. I'm using my father-in-law's computer right now (since mine doesn't have XP or 2000) so I'm not in the position to add cards to his CPU. His machine is only a few years old, so I'm hoping it has the USB 2.0. When did that become standard?

cyrnel · 12-24-2004, 10:10 AM

April 2000 was the release of 2.0 but adoption was another matter. I bought a new laptop early 2003 that had USB 1.1 ports. I've seen others since. You can still find packages for new USB devices marked "USB 2.0 compatible." That doesn't mean High Speed. One USB 2.0 requirement is that it work with USB 1.1 devices so "USB 2.0 compatible" is a sham. There were bazillions of low/full speed controllers made and the economy meant they did anything they could to dump them. Look for High Speed USB if you want to be sure.

For your system open up Device Manager & scroll down to the USB controller. (you may have more than one) Look for any indication of USB 2.0 or High Speed either in a controller or root hub.

Does he do any video? You might be able to talk him into a FireWire/1394 card for that camcorder he's buying.

Anyway, give it a shot. It'll work great, work slow, or just not work. It doesn't draw enough power to hurt anything.

Derwood · 12-24-2004, 01:06 PM

His computer is 2.0, but not high speed. It still downloads the songs to the iPod at about 3 seconds/song. Slow compared to firewire I'm sure, but not terrible. The slow part is importing the CD's onto the hard drive....

catback · 12-26-2004, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derwood

His computer is 2.0, but not high speed. It still downloads the songs to the iPod at about 3 seconds/song. Slow compared to firewire I'm sure, but not terrible. The slow part is importing the CD's onto the hard drive....

USB 2.0 runs at 480 mbps
Firewire runs at 400 mbps

USB 2.0 is surely not slower than firewire unless you start talking about Firewire2 (aka Firewire 2.0) which is 800 mbps.

Importing CD's is bloody slow but that's technology, it advances daily and if you wanna keep stuff you had and apply it to the new stuff you have to spend time converting it. I would hate to attempt myself or even see someone trying to put hundreds of CD's into their Ipod or alike device. Thankfully though once it's on the hard drive there won't be anymore cd swapping (hopefully).

12-24-2004, 06:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Derwood Who You Crappin? Location: Everywhere and Nowhere	How do I know if I have USB 2.0 High Power? I just got an iPod for Xmas, and it says it requires either FireWire (which I don't have) or USB 2.0. I have USB inputs, but how do I know if they are 2.0 or not? __________________ "You can't shoot a country until it becomes a democracy." - Willravel

12-24-2004, 07:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	Excellent present! USB cannot harm USB. Plug it in. Depends on the system and which O/S but the worst you'll get is slow performance or popups telling you things suck. Edit: Coffee is just now kicking in. High Power just means it draws 100+mA. Most PC USB (1-2.0) interfaces can supply 500mA total. If it acts strangely or powers on and off repeatedly then remove other USB devices and see if it improves plugged directly into the PC. Powered hubs will often supply up to 1A. Unpowered hubs supply frustration. A High Speed USB 2.0 interface is almost as important as having enough power. At lower bitrates of 12 or even 1.5Mb/s it takes eons to move 1GB of music. If you run into this problem pick up a FireWire or USB 2.0 card. They go for ~$20. FireWire has a few advantages but if you aren't doing DV or networking it might not be worth your time. Last edited by cyrnel; 12-24-2004 at 07:39 AM.. Reason: Sleeping

12-24-2004, 09:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
Derwood Who You Crappin? Location: Everywhere and Nowhere	thanks for the advice. I'm using my father-in-law's computer right now (since mine doesn't have XP or 2000) so I'm not in the position to add cards to his CPU. His machine is only a few years old, so I'm hoping it has the USB 2.0. When did that become standard? __________________ "You can't shoot a country until it becomes a democracy." - Willravel

12-24-2004, 01:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Derwood Who You Crappin? Location: Everywhere and Nowhere	His computer is 2.0, but not high speed. It still downloads the songs to the iPod at about 3 seconds/song. Slow compared to firewire I'm sure, but not terrible. The slow part is importing the CD's onto the hard drive.... __________________ "You can't shoot a country until it becomes a democracy." - Willravel

12-24-2004, 07:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	Oh, and one of many goodies/download/article sites: http://www.ipodlounge.com/

12-24-2004, 10:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	April 2000 was the release of 2.0 but adoption was another matter. I bought a new laptop early 2003 that had USB 1.1 ports. I've seen others since. You can still find packages for new USB devices marked "USB 2.0 compatible." That doesn't mean High Speed. One USB 2.0 requirement is that it work with USB 1.1 devices so "USB 2.0 compatible" is a sham. There were bazillions of low/full speed controllers made and the economy meant they did anything they could to dump them. Look for High Speed USB if you want to be sure. For your system open up Device Manager & scroll down to the USB controller. (you may have more than one) Look for any indication of USB 2.0 or High Speed either in a controller or root hub. Does he do any video? You might be able to talk him into a FireWire/1394 card for that camcorder he's buying. Anyway, give it a shot. It'll work great, work slow, or just not work. It doesn't draw enough power to hurt anything.