Database Users

Can i playback videos stored on my Nexus 7 onto my tv via USB?

Hi guys,
i'm currently quite confused. My TV has a USB port that I can playback videos stored on a memory stick. This also worked with videos stored on micro sd card in my HTC Sensation when I plug the phone into my TV via USB.
However, when I plug in my Nexus 7, it can't find anything.
I tried it on a Sony N100 media player. Again nothing.
I then tried it on a WDTV Live. Again nothing.
I then plugged it into my laptop, went into the folder on my Nexus 7 where i store my movies, and clicked to play it on my laptop.
Instead of playing it, it began to copy the video file to somewhere on my laptop.
What is going on here? Is there anyway to get it to playback via USB connection onto a TV?
My Nexus 7 is unrooted, and am hoping for some kind of work around.
Whilst I primarily bought the tablet to watch programs on the train whilst commuting, I also wanted to be able to load some videos on it, take it to a friend's and play it back on their tv.
As it always worked fine on my android phone, I just assumed it would work on the Nexus 7.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
thanks!

samxool said:
Hi guys,
i'm currently quite confused. My TV has a USB port that I can playback videos stored on a memory stick. This also worked with videos stored on micro sd card in my HTC Sensation when I plug the phone into my TV via USB.
However, when I plug in my Nexus 7, it can't find anything.
I tried it on a Sony N100 media player. Again nothing.
I then tried it on a WDTV Live. Again nothing.
I then plugged it into my laptop, went into the folder on my Nexus 7 where i store my movies, and clicked to play it on my laptop.
Instead of playing it, it began to copy the video file to somewhere on my laptop.
What is going on here? Is there anyway to get it to playback via USB connection onto a TV?
My Nexus 7 is unrooted, and am hoping for some kind of work around.
Whilst I primarily bought the tablet to watch programs on the train whilst commuting, I also wanted to be able to load some videos on it, take it to a friend's and play it back on their tv.
As it always worked fine on my android phone, I just assumed it would work on the Nexus 7.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus 7 isn't a UMS device. Which means that when you plug it into something, it DOESN'T look like a USB flash drive (no FAT/FAT32/whatever filesystem). In order to access files on it, you'd need a host device that supports MTP (or PTP). Windows has this support built in, but I imagine most devices that don't run windows are lacking that ability. My MacBook won't even read files off of my N7 without "Android File Transfer" (and there's no MacFUSE driver available).

devlogic said:
The Nexus 7 isn't a UMS device. Which means that when you plug it into something, it DOESN'T look like a USB flash drive (no FAT/FAT32/whatever filesystem). In order to access files on it, you'd need a host device that supports MTP (or PTP). Windows has this support built in, but I imagine most devices that don't run windows are lacking that ability. My MacBook won't even read files off of my N7 without "Android File Transfer" (and there's no MacFUSE driver available).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take it that even rooting the N7 wouldn't help here then?

samxool said:
I take it that even rooting the N7 wouldn't help here then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember seeing an advanced option in some CM9/10 builds on my Nexus S to enable UMS, but I can't comment as to whether that feature exists/works on the N7. I'm (shock!) running unrooted stock.

[Important] USB OTG / USB2Go - host mode for Nexus 4?

View the last 2 pages for good information, ATM USB OTG DOES NOT WORK, but maybe (or propably) it is a software issue, which can be resolved...
View last pages
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I think the last Nexus devices were able to host USB drives such as usb sticks etc., so do you think that it will be possible with this one?
16gb would be more than enough for me if I only use it for rom, apps, pictures and music but 720p movies won't have enough place (maybe just 1 or 2).
Is USB host mode maybe available for nearly every device (maybe only after another kernel)?
And I read somewhere that it is possible to host usb drives with "Nexus Media Importer", but it is also possible to access them via ES File Explorer for example or maybe even with Play Movies / Play Music?
At the moment I use HTC Desire (smaller movies at ~1gbyte), slowly it's time for an upgrade and this would be a must-have for me otherwise I won't buy it atm...
Maybe with USB OTG I could buy only 8gb, that would be really nice because 50€ (65USD) for 8gb is really expensive :/
Thanks for (hopefully incoming) answers

+1
Planned to ask the same, but you opened a topic already

Also with this if anyone knows. Can you access a OTG source from a recovery like CWM or TWRP? That would make the 16GB meaningless.

Yes the Nexus 4 supports usb OTG (and you probably won't need a custom kernel for this)
Yes you can use ESFile explorer and run everything from your hard drive
I think latest TWRP offer OTG support but I'll probably never use it since you may "brick" your phone if the flash fail and not sure if otg is perfectly stable...

Xmalek said:
Yes the Nexus 4 supports usb OTG (and you probably won't need a custom kernel for this)
Yes you can use ESFile explorer and run everything from your hard drive
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answer :good:
Is the USB drive automatically mounted?
And is the media on it displayed in medi player apps like Music or MX Player or do I have to click on each single file with ES file explorer to play it?

Xmalek said:
Yes the Nexus 4 supports usb OTG (and you probably won't need a custom kernel for this).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where have you got this information?? I can say out the box OTG is not working. Anyone have any ideas yet?

Would it be possible to have a Nexus 4 case with a microSD slot that connected via USB OTG?

For me an attached normal USB Flash Drive (8GB) did not work. Even the light of the flash drive did not a single blink.
I am not sure if the Nexus 4 provides Voltage for usb devices.

Just to confirm, the Nexus 4 does not support USB OTG out of the box. Just tested it myself - works fine on the missus' Galaxy S2, but not on my Nexus 4.

I'm fairly certain that you still need to be rooted for it to work properly, as with the Nexus 7.

There's an app called "nexus media importer" on the play store for otg
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 4G

0.0 said:
There's an app called "nexus media importer" on the play store for otg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is listed as "not compatible with the device"

definitely does not work

i've read/heard somewhere that not all usb otg dongles are the same. some work better than others? i ordered a cheap 5 pin on ebay. don't have n4 or the dongle yet to test.

guest_2011 said:
i've read/heard somewhere that not all usb otg dongles are the same. some work better than others? i ordered a cheap 5 pin on ebay. don't have n4 or the dongle yet to test.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm using an OTG cable and usb stick that work with GNex and N7

n7of9 said:
i'm using an OTG cable and usb stick that work with GNex and N7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then it's a deal breaker for me :crying:

guest_2011 said:
then it's a deal breaker for me :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they'll get it working :fingers-crossed:

Has anyone tried stick mount (needs root)?
Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk

jimmyz said:
Has anyone tried stick mount (needs root)?
Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup - No luck

There's a shread of light that OTG works with the N4 rooted?
Hope it does cause if not...not buying it.

No USB?

Hey,
So I ordered the Nexus 4 about a week ago but I just read that there is no USB support. However do you transfer files from your phone to your computer and how do you get new roms onto your phone? I typically download on my computer because its so much faster in terms of internet connection and then I plug my usb in and just drag the roms or files or whatever onto my phone.

ImHavenHart said:
Hey,
So I ordered the Nexus 4 about a week ago but I just read that there is no USB support. However do you transfer files from your phone to your computer and how do you get new roms onto your phone? I typically download on my computer because its so much faster in terms of internet connection and then I plug my usb in and just drag the roms or files or whatever onto my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where on earth did you read that???
There is just no USB-OTG (on the go) support, AKA support for USB keyboards/mice/thumbdrives

ImHavenHart said:
Hey,
So I ordered the Nexus 4 about a week ago but I just read that there is no USB support. However do you transfer files from your phone to your computer and how do you get new roms onto your phone? I typically download on my computer because its so much faster in terms of internet connection and then I plug my usb in and just drag the roms or files or whatever onto my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is USB support, just not as the host.

Thanks! Some people obviously have their information wrong. Yeah I had read about no on the go support but I read that there was no USB port either, someone was blogging and about and ranting about how annoying it was going to be to have to access files wirelessly on his computer instead of being able to plug it in. It's good to know he had his info wrong! lol

ImHavenHart said:
Thanks! Some people obviously have their information wrong. Yeah I had read about no on the go support but I read that there was no USB port either, someone was blogging and about and ranting about how annoying it was going to be to have to access files wirelessly on his computer instead of being able to plug it in. It's good to know he had his info wrong! lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
even without using usb you can always transfer the files over the LAN from your PC using ES file explorer or some such. :good:

honestly transferring files over WiFi isnt anymore inconvenient then always having to carry around your micro usb cable, run airdroid on the phone navigate on your pc browser, drag and drop files...

djkinetic said:
honestly transferring files over WiFi isnt anymore inconvenient then always having to carry around your micro usb cable, run airdroid on the phone navigate on your pc browser, drag and drop files...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is less inconvenient than the other 2 options imo.
Or is that what you meant?

i think what you are concerned about is the usb mode in which the phone acts when plugged in via usb. it defaults to mtp mode rather than the old USB Mass Storage.

I had the same question as the OP. Did a little research, and with Windows you just plug your device in; on MacOS you need to install an app on your computer. It's not quite as convenient as having it appear as a connected device in MacOS Finder -- can't preview the images in place, for example -- but it's OK.
(I can't post outside links yet as a new user; google "stackexchange nexus 4 usb storage connect", it's the first result)

[Q] Play movies from nexus 4 on PC

Hi
Can I play movies on PC from nexus 4 while it's connected with USB cable like it was a regular flash drive?
When I try doing it the file is being downloaded first then plays. If the file is big it takes a lot of time.
I'm using windows 8.

Better copy the film to your pc first. I got the same problem but dont think this is os related. Just a bad read speed, worse than actually usb 2.0.

The speed is onpair with usb 2.0, still copying the whole movie to some unknown place instead of direct play is unnecessary and waste of time.
My previous phone had an sdcard which appeared as hard drive when connected to PC, but N4 appears as portable device. This sucks

That's because the Nexus 4 doesn't support USB On The Go. Search xda for "Nexus 4 OTG" and you'll come across some threads about this, and a couple of workarounds that might, or might not work for you :fingers-crossed:.

Hey there
I wasn't looking for USB OTG, which is a way to connect external drives to the device. I'm looking for a way to use N4 itself as a regular external drive while connected to PC. Currently it's seen by PC as a portable device and it's pretty limited.

abbba said:
Hey there
I wasn't looking for USB OTG, which is a way to connect external drives to the device. I'm looking for a way to use N4 itself as a regular external drive while connected to PC. Currently it's seen by PC as a portable device and it's pretty limited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would assume increasing the SD read-ahead (if you're on a custom kernel) might help with your issue here. But as someone else previously mentioned, copying to PC is definitely the better option. That, or just enjoy the movie on your Nexus4

OTG - Is it possible? - Yes it is

Well I know its been talked about in the other threads of the possibilities. So now since we have the devices here, are proceeding with unlocking and rooting the devices. Has anyone had luck?
Sadly I do not have a OTG cable yet to test this but at least wanted to start somewhere.
Edit: Yes it is, see post below for link. Device needs to be rooted for it to work!

Says he was able, after root, to mount 2 drives simultaneously.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=43991406&postcount=9

Nburnes said:
Says he was able, after root, to mount 2 drives simultaneously.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=43991406&postcount=9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brilliant! Thanks

Has anyone try this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
It doesn't require root so it should be good for stock users.

I can confirm a stock non rooted N7 I threw in a USB flash drive and read files and played a movie real quick earlier just to see if it all worked, didn't try much more then that but can try some more tomorrow. Still busy transferring and reinstalling apps from old N7.

I cannot get Nexus Media Importer to work on stock. It reports all memory sticks as protected.

I have a non rooted stock nexus 7 2013. The media importer doesn't work for me also.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Now rooted using Stickmount, still not working. The drive can be seen but it seems only small files can be viewed, and you can't copy them or do anything with them. Non of my, larger, movie files show up.

I was able to copy a 3GB movie file from a flashdrive to the onboard memory with no issues. Maybe try a powered USB hub? I didn't have to in this case but it might help.
I tried to read an external hard drive and had to use a powered USB hub to even have it mount. Alas, couldn't read anything. Don't know if it's because the hard drive was formatted NTFS or because it was 750GB.

USB OTG Helper works for me. It also supports NTFS drives.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Can anyone tell if it's possible to to use OTG while wireless charging the device?
Need this for my car dashboard tablet replacement.

I think the problem with that would be that it would drain after than it charges. Qi charging doesn't have great amperage.
Sent from my Nexus 7

J_M_H said:
USB OTG Helper works for me. It also supports NTFS drives.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
works for me as well, I am wondering if there will be a root flash-able mod like the original N7 had to turn OTG on.

Why does Google not allow OTG to be active out of box? Is the lure of trying force people into using the cloud that strong? Clouds drain more battery compared to local content and wifi connections do not have 100% coverage like local does.
The reality is the reason this device is priced at near break-even pricing IS the cloud, so this is why there is no SD slot or full OTG, out of box. Most people do not mod, so most people will be part of their cloud control strategy. I would rather pay $50 more and let Google make a profit on the device, that way I could have a micro sd slot and OTG out of box. Curse Google and their quest for content control and data mining! :silly:

Earlier I said it wasn't working, without knowingly changing anything both Stickmount and Nexus Media Importer now work. I am rooted and perhaps Stickmount is making NMI work.

J_M_H said:
USB OTG Helper works for me. It also supports NTFS drives.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stick Mount works 100% fine for me, just watched a movie from my thumb drive. I am stock+Root. Open file system and on SD card look at the USB Storage folder if you are unfamiliar with Stick Root.

Is otg ok with usb pen drive or 2.5 hard disk without power supply?

sasu85 said:
Is otg ok with usb pen drive or 2.5 hard disk without power supply?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and I also used it with a USB External HD and it worked fine there, too.

I had issues with OTG on my first N7 2013. It was a flaky connection and would go into a connect/disconnect loop and then just stop all together. I returned it and picked up a different. That one seems to work fine.
Stock, not rooted, and using Nexus Media Importer.
Some people may want to try rebooting their N7 as well.... If you look at the NMI app in the Play Store the developer knows there are a few issues with Android 4.3 when first using the app.

Landara said:
Yes and I also used it with a USB External HD and it worked fine there, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!! I love OTG features...
This new Nexus 7 has OTG support and also Slim port connection (for hdmi)...SUPER GOOGLE!!:good: