What Do People Do With The Usb Connection?

[starbase1]

Hi All,
So far I have pretty much used my GP2X as a self contained unit - primarily watching video, and playing megadrive / genesis games under emulation, off of SD cards.

It's occured to me though that there must be many more possibilities, not least taking advantage of the USB connection. Now I'm not looking to become a programmer again, and not particularly interested in anything bulky as I like to use my GP2X to keep myself amused while travelling.

But I am very interested in what other things I may be missing by not taking advantage of the extra features like the USB port...

For example, can I use it to examine image files on my digital camera? What are the requirements of external storage devices for them to work? (I assume it's not up to the job of powering a USB powered external drive, or is it?)

Although it's not something I could see me using very often, it occured to me while on holiday it would be cool to keep notes of what I got up to as text files on it - nothing fancy, but even basic text files would be handy - are there any compact keyboards that I can use with it, without spending a lot?

Nick

 

[BenScar]

The USB port on the side of the unit is a "slave" port only, so using that you can only really connect it up to a PC and copy stuff to and from the 2x.

Using a little electronics, you can make use of the EXT port on the bottom of the 2x to connect up pretty much anything you like as that's contains "Master" type of USB connection.

As you rightly thought, it's not enough to drive an external HD or anything that powerful but I believe it can supply about 100mA (perhaps, not sure about that) for little things like USB pens drives.

I've read that some keyboards work, along with some mice and the like. Not sure about "compact" keyboards, guess they would be the same as normal ones as long as they didn't draw any more power than usual!

Hope that's some help.

 

[Parkydr]

The USB port on the side of the unit is a "slave" port only, so using that you can only really connect it up to a PC and copy stuff to and from the 2x.

You can use it as a network connection as well for telnet and internet access as well as copying files. This is useful for development but not much else.

Being able to surf the internet on your GP2X while sitting next to your PC obviously isn't much use.

I have used the GP2X as an extra remote display using the X server but this isn't much use when travelling.

The least bulky USB host adapters are available here

 

[BenScar]

You can use it as a network connection as well for telnet and internet access as well as copying files. This is useful for development but not much else.
Hadn't thought of that, even though I've used it!
I believe you can also re-direct you Serial output though that port, again really only useful for development and the like

The least bulky USB host adapters are available here
Now those ARE very nice looking units...
Of course you can make your own, not quite as pretty though, mine attempt is here.

 

[Parkydr]

I believe you can also re-direct you Serial output though that port, again really only useful for development and the like

I used to do that, but you could only attach a terminal, not transfer files at the same time.

USB networking lets you use telnet for the terminal session and ftp/samba for file transfer at the same time.
The other thing use can use with networking is the GP2X built in web server but I've not found any real use for it.

 

[BenScar]

The other thing use can use with networking is the GP2X built in web server but I've not found any real use for it.
The only use I found for that was "You can even use it as a silent web server", on which I have a VERY simple site set up, then showing people the homebrew games and emus

 

[Cruel]

Hmmm, how about USB-Bluetooth or usb-cable or Wi-Fi adaptor to tie two gp2x together?
Or its impossible because USB-port only Slave?

 

[BenScar]

Using the side port, sadly it's not possible (as far as I'm aware).
Plus of course, most Bluetooth and Wi-Fi dongles take more than 100mA to power.

 

[Cruel]

Ah, and i thought we could connect them via USB-cable at least then.
It shouldn`t drain power, right?
It could be like GameBoyColor`s connection.. if that could be..

 

[claus]

The least bulky USB host adapters are available here
WOW, Why haven't i seen this before?
Just a question. Does the EXT Connector have a female usb port in it. (http://www.artaylor.co.uk/gp2x/EXT_Con.jpg)

I have MK2 version so i would like to make sure i'm not ordering something wrong.

And his audio video plugs with only the composite and 3,5 mm mini jack does look great too.
Claus

 

[BenScar]

The only way to use a Wi-Fi or bluetooth is via the EXT port.
It would have to be powered by something other than the 2x (probably) and drivers would need to be found (or written!) for the 2x.

Sadly power would be an issue, like I say, most (not all) use more than 100mA of power, which is as much as 2x will supply.

 

[nubie]

You can use it as a network connection as well for telnet and internet access as well as copying files. This is useful for development but not much else.
Hadn't thought of that, even though I've used it!
I believe you can also re-direct you Serial output though that port, again really only useful for development and the like

The least bulky USB host adapters are available here
Now those ARE very nice looking units...
Of course you can make your own, not quite as pretty though, mine attempt is here.
Holy crap!! He is down to $24 shipped on those beasts?!?!?

I need to sig that crap and quick, don't spend more than twice as much (not even including the power supply) on the Commercial Bob when he has that for $24 US!

The least bulky USB host adapters are available here
WOW, Why haven't i seen this before?
Just a question. Does the EXT Connector have a female usb port in it. (http://www.artaylor.co.uk/gp2x/EXT_Con.jpg)

If you are asking does that do anything, the answer is no, it is just a plug for you to solder your own USB or TV onto.

 

[J201605]

You can use it as a network connection as well for telnet and internet access as well as copying files. This is useful for development but not much else.
Hadn't thought of that, even though I've used it!
I believe you can also re-direct you Serial output though that port, again really only useful for development and the like

The least bulky USB host adapters are available here
Now those ARE very nice looking units...
Of course you can make your own, not quite as pretty though, mine attempt is here.
Holy crap!! He is down to $24 shipped on those beasts?!?!?

I need to sig that crap and quick, don't spend more than twice as much (not even including the power supply) on the Commercial Bob when he has that for $24 US!

The least bulky USB host adapters are available here
WOW, Why haven't i seen this before?
Just a question. Does the EXT Connector have a female usb port in it. (http://www.artaylor.co.uk/gp2x/EXT_Con.jpg)

If you are asking does that do anything, the answer is no, it is just a plug for you to solder your own USB or TV onto.

I bought a usb host/av out cable from him and it ended up being 45 dollars shipped with international shipping insurance. Its great... i just wish i had bought it a few months ago before the exchange rate went up to 2 dollars for every pound.

 

[nubie]

I bought a usb host/av out cable from him and it ended up being 45 dollars shipped with international shipping insurance. Its great... i just wish i had bought it a few months ago before the exchange rate went up to 2 dollars for every pound.

Can't he drop it in an airmail letter? how much of that was shipping?

 

[J201605]

not much, shipping was only like $5

 

[nubie]

not much, shipping was only like $5

Color me confused, I got 12.50 GBP from his cart and then google told me that was $24.xx US?? So was the other $20 on your tab just the insurance?

 

[yodaofborg]

Isn't that for just a USB cable? (he got TV out also). I know it might be slightly off topic, but how good are the cables Artailor makes? I'm really considering getting a custom made cable, rather than a BOB.

 

[nubie]

Isn't that for just a USB cable? (he got TV out also). I know it might be slightly off topic, but how good are the cables Artaylor makes? I'm really considering getting a custom made cable, rather than a BOB.

Yes, I know it will cost a little more with the TV-Out (well, if you haven't got a soldering station and spare A/V connectors laying around like I do ), but it still won't be $54 + a power supply ($10-20)

It is $24 + $10 for a powered USB 1.1 hub locally + whatever he will charge for the A/V, you can ask him, he has a quote form on his page.

So that is $34 and you get EXT -> USB and the power brick and hub? And then a bit more for the TV-Out.

 

[bomb_dog]

I've a search through the forum, but I can't find any threads with a kind of compatibility list for USB joysticks and keyboards. From the gbax advert, and the way the cradle or USB connections are talked about on the forum, I get the impression you just plug in a keyboard and it will work in every application.
Is this strictly true? Would emulator developers not have to write drivers into their apps - eg Frodo (C64) to enable keyboard support for text only games?

 

[woogal]

Each app needs to be written to support keyboards and usb controllers, as they're usually written to only read input from the gp2x stick. This means some apps that weren't developed with usb controllers in mind will need rewriting to handle them, and a few others that were ported might just work anyway as they could already include the code.