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External storage

14 replies · 4,021 views · Started 13 July 2007

nashmills 13 Jul 2007, 21:56

Does anyone know of any small portable gadgets like laptop external hard drives or mp3 players which can be used to copy files to and from the N95?

pa49 14 Jul 2007, 00:59

Any device that can be used in USB 1.1 host configuration will do what you ask.
I have an iRiver 40Gb MP3 player that will read and write to the N95 mem card.
Cool or what?😎

bchliu 14 Jul 2007, 01:13

The N95 is not a USB Host/Controller that allows you to connect HDD or memory into. Without this logic, it cannot control those devices. It does however, have the USB device logic which can attach to a host for Syncing and Mass storage mode.

pa49 14 Jul 2007, 07:09

>>>The N95 is not a USB Host/Controller that allows you to connect HDD or memory into. Without this logic, it cannot control those devices.
It does however, have the USB device logic which can attach to a host for Syncing and Mass storage mode.[/QUOTE]

Nobody said it could control any devices!!!
I own an iRiver with USB 1.1 host port and use it in exactly the way that nashmills says he wants and ANY other device with the same port will allow copying to and from the N95.
Nobody said the N95 was a USB Host Controller but you most definately can connect an external hard drive and use it! You can browse the N95 which becomes a mass storage device.

Maybe you miss read the thread?

nashmills,
My answer to your question still stands!!!

Paul N95 14 Jul 2007, 11:15

pa49 wrote: you most definately can connect an external hard drive and use it! You can browse the N95 which becomes a mass storage device.

If you connect a HDD to the N95 then how can you select what files to move where? The external device needs some intelegence. Does the iRiver thing have this? I have not used one. I have an Archos but that will only read from CF cards plugged in and not from a device like the N95

bchliu 14 Jul 2007, 11:41

pa49 wrote:
Maybe you miss read the thread?

nashmills,
My answer to your question still stands!!!

His original question is very vague and does not specify a device like your iRiver MP3 player. From my intereptation, he meant to attach an external storage to the N95 so that he can use the N95 to copy files to and from using the USB port located on the N95.

Most "external laptop hard drives and mp3 players" ONLY have USB slave/device mode. If your IRiver has got a Host port, then good luck to you

pa49 14 Jul 2007, 15:29

All host port equiped devices have browser functions in the OS.
They were mostly released for the download of photos from cameras that could be "seen" as mass storage devices. This allows d/loading in the field.
The spec for the USB 1.1 host port is wide enough to allow other uses such as the one I have reported.
BTW It isn't luck because they are designed that way and when I bought the iRiver I knew about the facility. This allows me to d/load photos and change audio files plus update my reinstall folder on the mem card. Means I don't have to fire up the pc.

nashmills 14 Jul 2007, 20:26

Thanks for all the info and suggestions. I'm now trying to work out which (cheaper) mp3 players work as usb hosts. I've looked at an Acer MP-330 and an Archos GMini so far.

bodstrup 14 Jul 2007, 20:46

I can confirm, that my Epson P5000 can browse the N95 and copy files from the phone. It can also display images from the phone on its display.

This is obviously a host device and it has the logic to explore the N95.

Regards, Michael

randomfan 15 Jul 2007, 23:36

pa49 wrote:Spec doesn't show USB 1.1 HOST port so maybe a no no!

Although it may not be able to act as an USB host, it has builtin SD/MMC card readers which can be used to backup/empty memory cards. All you'd need is a microSD to SD adaptor, which most microSD cards seem to come with anyway.

http://www.lordpercy.com/goodmans_gpdr40.htm

It seems to be rather bad though, according to the reviews...

pa49 16 Jul 2007, 05:57

randomfan wrote:Although it may not be able to act as an USB host, it has builtin SD/MMC card readers which can be used to backup/empty memory cards. All you'd need is a microSD to SD adaptor, which most microSD cards seem to come with anyway.

http://www.lordpercy.com/goodmans_gpdr40.htm

It seems to be rather bad though, according to the reviews...

Yes, I noticed the reader (which got to wonder if my iRiver would browse a card reader! I'll check that today).
Seems like a sledgehammer to crack a nut though!
There is a photo device that will do all this but I can't remember the name!
I'll have a dig.

pa49 16 Jul 2007, 06:05

There is an iPod camera connecter that adds USB 1.1 host port to the iPod (I realy don't like writing that word, but!!!).
I wonder if it would also see the N95 in the same way as it would a camera and read and write to the mem card. It is reported to operate in this fashion with a Belkin Multi card reader so don't see why it shouldn't!