USB Hub or Switch ?

rglee · 05-07-2009, 01:39 PM

Thanks for all the useful info in this forum. I have a question that I haven't seen posted before.

I have 3 750 GB WD external hard drives which I connect to a 622 DVR. I am tired of manually swapping these drives. Is there any way I can have all drives connected and switch them?

USB switches connect multiple computers to a single device, while USB hubs connect multiple devices to a single computer. Seems like I need a hub with switching capability.

BTW, if you have an old unused wireless router, you do not need to buy a $70 ethernet bridge/adapter to connect your DVR to your home network. You can download new microcode for that old router that will add bridging capability. Search for dd-wrt.

jim5506 · 05-08-2009, 03:14 PM

Only one drive can be powered up at a time. You can hae all three on a USB hub but only one powered up or put them on a switch and swap them around.

The switch may confuse the OS on the receiver, because it will need to re-read the directory and files when you switch from one drive to another, some sort of pause must be initiated so the receiver will release the first drive and go to the second, because it can only see one EHD at time.

I use a SATA dock for my external hard drives. When I turn one off the receiver prompts me to acknowledge that a drive has been disconnected and when I turn the second on it prompts me to acknowledge the addition of the new drive. I believe the OS needs to go through this proceedure to properly read the drives, but I could be wrong.

patmurphey · 05-09-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim5506

I use a SATA dock for my external hard drives. When I turn one off the receiver prompts me to acknowledge that a drive has been disconnected and when I turn the second on it prompts me to acknowledge the addition of the new drive. I believe the OS needs to go through this proceedure to properly read the drives, but I could be wrong.

I use a USB switch and the receiver response to the changeover is exactly the same. I leave all of the drives powered, the switch takes care of activating them when selected. Simple and inexpensive and no hassle with power if you have drives that don't have power switches.

New Jersey · 08-19-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patmurphey

I use a USB switch and the receiver response to the changeover is exactly the same. I leave all of the drives powered, the switch takes care of activating them when selected. Simple and inexpensive and no hassle with power if you have drives that don't have power switches.

Pat,

What type of switch are you using?

patmurphey · 08-19-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Jersey

Pat,

What type of switch are you using?

The 4 port version of this:

http://www.cyberguys.com/product-det...productid=2375

You will also need to evauate what AB/male/female adapters that you might need to fit your drives:

http://www.cyberguys.com/product-lis...categoryid=104

Pat

New Jersey · 08-19-2009, 10:12 PM

Yes! That is just what I've been looking for. 4x1.5 terabyte drives. So, basically any manual 4:1 switch will work?

stinkfist69 · 08-20-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Jersey

Yes! That is just what I've been looking for. 4x1.5 terabyte drives. So, basically any manual 4:1 switch will work?

No not every switch will work. I bought these... did not work. I just ordered one of the 4:1 manual switch that he posted I hope it works.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Port-USB-2-0-A...d=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/Printer-Scanner-...d=p3286.c0.m14

New Jersey · 08-20-2009, 02:49 AM

Let me know how that goes! I'd be interested to find out what kind of transfer speeds you get if it does work.

stinkfist69 · 08-30-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Jersey

Let me know how that goes! I'd be interested to find out what kind of transfer speeds you get if it does work.

Just wanted to let you know I got the USB switch and it did not work. So now I have three that won't work. I gave up I am just going to unplug each usb hard drive each time I need to switch. So I don't know how people get them to work.

http://www.nwca.com/product.asp?pf_id=US-41305

patmurphey · 09-01-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stinkfist69

Just wanted to let you know I got the USB switch and it did not work. So now I have three that won't work. I gave up I am just going to unplug each usb hard drive each time I need to switch. So I don't know how people get them to work.

http://www.nwca.com/product.asp?pf_id=US-41305

My USB switch has been trouble free since installation. When using the adapters, did you keep the basic cable direction from 622 to drives consistent? I can't think of any other possible problem. The switches are a simple mechanical connection.

Edit: I see from your link that the switch you have didn't need adapters.

05-07-2009, 01:39 PM	#1
rglee What is HD? Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3	USB Hub or Switch ? Thanks for all the useful info in this forum. I have a question that I haven't seen posted before. I have 3 750 GB WD external hard drives which I connect to a 622 DVR. I am tired of manually swapping these drives. Is there any way I can have all drives connected and switch them? USB switches connect multiple computers to a single device, while USB hubs connect multiple devices to a single computer. Seems like I need a hub with switching capability. BTW, if you have an old unused wireless router, you do not need to buy a $70 ethernet bridge/adapter to connect your DVR to your home network. You can download new microcode for that old router that will add bridging capability. Search for dd-wrt.

05-08-2009, 03:14 PM	#2
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,418	Only one drive can be powered up at a time. You can hae all three on a USB hub but only one powered up or put them on a switch and swap them around. The switch may confuse the OS on the receiver, because it will need to re-read the directory and files when you switch from one drive to another, some sort of pause must be initiated so the receiver will release the first drive and go to the second, because it can only see one EHD at time. I use a SATA dock for my external hard drives. When I turn one off the receiver prompts me to acknowledge that a drive has been disconnected and when I turn the second on it prompts me to acknowledge the addition of the new drive. I believe the OS needs to go through this proceedure to properly read the drives, but I could be wrong. __________________ Programming: Dish HD Absolute with 0.01 Cinemax Displays: Sony VPH-D50Q - 7 ft on the wall; Hitachi 57R59 Receivers: DishNetwork ViP722k; DishNetwork ViP211K; DishNetwork ViP211; DishNetwork 301; 2 - TiVo Series 2's; Accurian 6000; Samsung SIR-T351; Panasonic ShowStopper 2000; ATI HDTV Wonder Dish 1000 on 110,119,129; Dish 500 on 61.5; DPP44 Sony 80GB PS3; Toshiba HD-DVD

08-19-2009, 10:12 PM	#6
New Jersey My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Hopatcong, NJ Posts: 5	Yes! That is just what I've been looking for. 4x1.5 terabyte drives. So, basically any manual 4:1 switch will work? Last edited by New Jersey; 08-19-2009 at 10:19 PM.

Similar Threads to USB Hub or Switch ?
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Can I use USB to connect PC to 360?	godson	Gaming & Systems	24	06-05-2006 05:17 PM

08-20-2009, 02:49 AM	#8
New Jersey My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Hopatcong, NJ Posts: 5	Let me know how that goes! I'd be interested to find out what kind of transfer speeds you get if it does work.