Question on access to a third USB port ('18 Civic Si)

Leef

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My setup:
  • Android LG V20 - connected via the smartphone USB interface into Android Auto
  • iPod Touch - connected via the center console USB interface (under the cup holder)
  • 32 GB Lexar thumb drive via a dual port USB charger in the power receptacle next to the smartphone USB
  • Honda Hack Pro

My dilemma:

When I first set it up, the thumb drive and iPod were swapped from the above configuration, which gave me full file access to the thumb drive and continuous battery charge to the iPod through the USB charger, while it piped music through Bluetooth. So essentially all three were running. When I swapped and connected the iPod through the center console, however, the USB connection was a dramatic improvement over Bluetooth. That, plus album art display and better menu navigation, meant that the iPod has found its home underneath my coffee. But unfortunately, the files on the thumb drive are inaccessible in that charge port, and even Honda Hack won't find them (nor am I aware of any way to "point" Honda Hack to them).


My Question:

Does anyone have any ideas getting access to the thumb drive files without swapping the iPod out of its excellent center console USB connection? Something I have not yet tried is to plug a splitter into the console USB port and connecting both the thumb drive and the iPod to that, but I am afraid the car might blow up if I do. I'm kidding, of course - but I really have no idea what to expect if I try that (short of scrambling the infotainment's brains for good). If it gives me the functionality I am looking for - solid USB access to all three devices - then that's my solution. But I'd first be interested to know if anyone has tried it. And I'm of course open to any other ideas.

Thanks!
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Leef

Leef

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Not that this topic has generated much interest, but I thought I would mention that I tried a hub (Staples basic 4 port USB hub) and got a message that "USB Hub Not Supported". With both/either my iPod or my thumb drive plugged in, neither was seen by the Honda Infotainment Software. I am left wondering if ALL hubs or just certain ones are unsupported. Grrr.
 

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Not that this topic has generated much interest, but I thought I would mention that I tried a hub (Staples basic 4 port USB hub) and got a message that "USB Hub Not Supported". With both/either my iPod or my thumb drive plugged in, neither was seen by the Honda Infotainment Software. I am left wondering if ALL hubs or just certain ones are unsupported. Grrr.
My guess would be that they don't support any USB hubs. I am sure they have safety in mind and don't want to turn a car into full blown entertainment center. :)
 

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My setup:
  • Android LG V20 - connected via the smartphone USB interface into Android Auto
  • iPod Touch - connected via the center console USB interface (under the cup holder)
  • 32 GB Lexar thumb drive via a dual port USB charger in the power receptacle next to the smartphone USB
  • Honda Hack Pro

My dilemma:

When I first set it up, the thumb drive and iPod were swapped from the above configuration, which gave me full file access to the thumb drive and continuous battery charge to the iPod through the USB charger, while it piped music through Bluetooth. So essentially all three were running. When I swapped and connected the iPod through the center console, however, the USB connection was a dramatic improvement over Bluetooth. That, plus album art display and better menu navigation, meant that the iPod has found its home underneath my coffee. But unfortunately, the files on the thumb drive are inaccessible in that charge port, and even Honda Hack won't find them (nor am I aware of any way to "point" Honda Hack to them).


My Question:

Does anyone have any ideas getting access to the thumb drive files without swapping the iPod out of its excellent center console USB connection? Something I have not yet tried is to plug a splitter into the console USB port and connecting both the thumb drive and the iPod to that, but I am afraid the car might blow up if I do. I'm kidding, of course - but I really have no idea what to expect if I try that (short of scrambling the infotainment's brains for good). If it gives me the functionality I am looking for - solid USB access to all three devices - then that's my solution. But I'd first be interested to know if anyone has tried it. And I'm of course open to any other ideas.

Thanks!

Am I reading this right that you tried to plug a thumb drive into a USB charger you have plugged into the cigarette lighter? Thinking you could access it?
 
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Leef

Leef

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My guess would be that they don't support any USB hubs. I am sure they have safety in mind and don't want to turn a car into full blown entertainment center. :)
With a 450 watt subwoofered 10-speaker surround system driven by Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and standard with SiriusXM plus an option for multiple audio sources through two USB ports, I frankly don't know how much more "full-blown" an entertainment system could be, nor how an extra USB port could cross the line with what is already there. But in any case I don't get how a USB hub could be a safety issue.
 
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Leef

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Am I reading this right that you tried to plug a thumb drive into a USB charger you have plugged into the cigarette lighter? Thinking you could access it?
Got it. I'm a dolt. Thank you.
 

calonzo

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With a 450 watt subwoofered 10-speaker surround system driven by Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and standard with SiriusXM plus an option for multiple audio sources through two USB ports, I frankly don't know how much more "full-blown" an entertainment system could be, nor how an extra USB port could cross the line with what is already there. But in any case I don't get how a USB hub could be a safety issue.
Speakers and an amplifier are the basics of a stereo system. Having a multitude of input sources was what I was referring to as full-blown entertainment system. Having 4-5 devices and wires everywhere and trying to get them to work while you are driving is what is not safe.
 
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Leef

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Speakers and an amplifier are the basics of a stereo system. Having a multitude of input sources was what I was referring to as full-blown entertainment system. Having 4-5 devices and wires everywhere and trying to get them to work while you are driving is what is not safe.
Again - I am trying to reduce the number from the "multitude of sources" that already exist. I'm asking if there is a way to drive my iPod through USB instead of bluetooth because the design of the system already gives me both - but somehow that's "not safe"? And the statement that I'm going to "get them to work while I am driving" is an assumption that is nowhere near the truth. I have an iPod and a smartphone operational in the car now, and both are - and shall always remain - untouched and stowed. Unsafe to me is adding a mount so that I can access my cell phone on top of the already busy Honda Screen. There are many conversations here about that, but I wouldn't presume to jump in the thread and tell them they are unsafe. That's not my call.

I frankly don't understand how it's okay to go from a basic stereo to a 10-speaker plus subwoofer 450 watt system, or how you can change out amps and add crossovers, but if I dare condense a Bluetooth and USB to a combined USB, it suddenly becomes "full blown" and unsafe. The car comes with all the sources I am asking about already - WiFi (web radio), bluetooth, iPhone and Android, FM and AM radio, SiriusXM, iPod, and USB flash drive, not to mention apps like Tune In, Pandora, Spotify, etc. All I am asking is how to change a source from Bluetooth to USB without reducing the same number of sources I already have. And neither choice introduces "wires everywhere".
 

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Again - I am trying to reduce the number from the "multitude of sources" that already exist. I'm asking if there is a way to drive my iPod through USB instead of bluetooth because the design of the system already gives me both - but somehow that's "not safe"? And the statement that I'm going to "get them to work while I am driving" is an assumption that is nowhere near the truth. I have an iPod and a smartphone operational in the car now, and both are - and shall always remain - untouched and stowed. Unsafe to me is adding a mount so that I can access my cell phone on top of the already busy Honda Screen. There are many conversations here about that, but I wouldn't presume to jump in the thread and tell them they are unsafe. That's not my call.

I frankly don't understand how it's okay to go from a basic stereo to a 10-speaker plus subwoofer 450 watt system, or how you can change out amps and add crossovers, but if I dare condense a Bluetooth and USB to a combined USB, it suddenly becomes "full blown" and unsafe. The car comes with all the sources I am asking about already - WiFi (web radio), bluetooth, iPhone and Android, FM and AM radio, SiriusXM, iPod, and USB flash drive, not to mention apps like Tune In, Pandora, Spotify, etc. All I am asking is how to change a source from Bluetooth to USB without reducing the same number of sources I already have. And neither choice introduces "wires everywhere".
The car only has two USB Jacks one for CarPlay /android auto and one that only can be used for things like thumb drives and iPod that’s all you get buddy.
 
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Leef

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Yep, that I figured out. I was just wondering if anyone has had any luck with hubbing the iPod and thumb drive. I suspect not but thought I'd ask.
 


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I haven't looked into your hub specifically, but is it a 2.0 or 3.0 USB? You MAY get better luck with the 3.0 off the center port, as I could not get a USB stick to give full features unless it was a 3.0 standard.

I am going to guess that it will continue to be unsuccessful though - I think the various sources that are available are very narrow in scope, and would not have multiple media usability within each source. Good luck though!

Brian.
 

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I haven't looked into your hub specifically, but is it a 2.0 or 3.0 USB? You MAY get better luck with the 3.0 off the center port, as I could not get a USB stick to give full features unless it was a 3.0 standard.

I am going to guess that it will continue to be unsuccessful though - I think the various sources that are available are very narrow in scope, and would not have multiple media usability within each source. Good luck though!

Brian.
I had problem with 3 different USB 2.0 Thumb Drives.. anything from not being recognized, to skipping playing.
Then I tried a 3.0 16GB drive, and it worked perfectly .. filled all but about 50MB.

Quite surprised with the USB Music player .. simple but works well.

Very responsive .. surprised me ... artworks pop up almost immediately a new track is selected.

Almost as if it was not running on the Android OS, but was some sort of embedded hardware Application .. like the Climate control.

Anyway, one of the few IMPRESSIVE features of the Infotainment Center.
 

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Yep, that I figured out. I was just wondering if anyone has had any luck with hubbing the iPod and thumb drive. I suspect not but thought I'd ask.
Isnt there an auxilary port somewhere? You can plug the iPod into that and it would free up the USB in the center console for the thumb drive?
 

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Isnt there an auxilary port somewhere? You can plug the iPod into that and it would free up the USB in the center console for the thumb drive?
On the 2018 SI, the are 2 "Provided" USB Port Connectors. One in the front console, behind the lower central shelf area (Next to the Aux 12v socket -), an one in the center console, at the bottom of the Cup Holder area, between the front seats.

I seem to recall, when I had the Infotainment Center rooted :doh:, that I ran a USB diagnostic app, to see what the USB types were, and it found 3 USB ports.

What I do not know yet, is if that 3rd port is available in the form of a connection on the Infotainment Center, or just on it's motherboard, with no external connector.

As far as a USB hub, from what I have read, USB hubs on Android units differ in behavior on Android units vs Windows PCs.

I tried a USB hub on the China Android Unit I have fitted in my Maxima, and found that some devices worked ok through it, some did not.
USB Thumb Drives worked, as did a USB camera, but my USB TPMS did not work through the Hub, but did work fine when it was the only device connected to on if the non-hub USB ports,

That would tend to indicate that you could plug a Hub into one of the Honda USB ports, and gets some additional functional ports that may work with some USB devices.

Then there is the consideration as to if your USB Hub is a "Powered" Hub, or not.

For some reason, 2 USB ports in the Honda Si are, in practice, sufficient (at least for my needs), while the 3 USB ports on my Maxima, are not enough, as the Nissan Maxima HU can run almost any App, some of which require connected devices through a USB port. (ie My TPMS and WebCam),

At the moment, I am happy just to get the Honda to see a 16GB USB thumb drive, and be able to play the music on it. :)
I read some are having problems doing this, as was I, till I found a compatible USB thumb drive.

The Honda USB music player App is "Interesting" to say the least .. not seen anything quite like it on Google Play Store. Accepting it for what it is, it is "functional" , does the Job without too many complex "Options".

It is FILE based, as opposed to MP3 Tag based - one thing that make it appear to be extremely fast & responsive.

For the Current playing song, it reads the mp3 meta data well, and displays that data, and any artwork, both on the central display, as well as the driver's Instrument panel.

Really cannot complain about the player.. like everything else in the Honda, it is engineered to be as simple and idiot proof as possible to the user (ie Dumbed Down ).

"Honda knows best - what you need to know, and what you don't need to know" and every year, it seems the car owner needs to know less and less about their car.

"That's for the Dealer to know, not for you, the car owner to worry about or be privy to" - just trust your Dealer to look after you and your car... :rofl:

.
 

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On the 2018 SI, the are 2 "Provided" USB Port Connectors. One in the front console, behind the lower central shelf area (Next to the Aux 12v socket -), an one in the center console, at the bottom of the Cup Holder area, between the front seats.

I seem to recall, when I had the Infotainment Center rooted :doh:, that I ran a USB diagnostic app, to see what the USB types were, and it found 3 USB ports.

What I do not know yet, is if that 3rd port is available in the form of a connection on the Infotainment Center, or just on it's motherboard, with no external connector.

As far as a USB hub, from what I have read, USB hubs on Android units differ in behavior on Android units vs Windows PCs.

I tried a USB hub on the China Android Unit I have fitted in my Maxima, and found that some devices worked ok through it, some did not.
USB Thumb Drives worked, as did a USB camera, but my USB TPMS did not work through the Hub, but did work fine when it was the only device connected to on if the non-hub USB ports,

That would tend to indicate that you could plug a Hub into one of the Honda USB ports, and gets some additional functional ports that may work with some USB devices.

Then there is the consideration as to if your USB Hub is a "Powered" Hub, or not.

For some reason, 2 USB ports in the Honda Si are, in practice, sufficient (at least for my needs), while the 3 USB ports on my Maxima, are not enough, as the Nissan Maxima HU can run almost any App, some of which require connected devices through a USB port. (ie My TPMS and WebCam),

At the moment, I am happy just to get the Honda to see a 16GB USB thumb drive, and be able to play the music on it. :)
I read some are having problems doing this, as was I, till I found a compatible USB thumb drive.

The Honda USB music player App is "Interesting" to say the least .. not seen anything quite like it on Google Play Store. Accepting it for what it is, it is "functional" , does the Job without too many complex "Options".

It is FILE based, as opposed to MP3 Tag based - one thing that make it appear to be extremely fast & responsive.

For the Current playing song, it reads the mp3 meta data well, and displays that data, and any artwork, both on the central display, as well as the driver's Instrument panel.

Really cannot complain about the player.. like everything else in the Honda, it is engineered to be as simple and idiot proof as possible to the user (ie Dumbed Down ).

"Honda knows best - what you need to know, and what you don't need to know" and every year, it seems the car owner needs to know less and less about their car.

"That's for the Dealer to know, not for you, the car owner to worry about or be privy to" - just trust your Dealer to look after you and your car... :rofl:

.
Were you ever able to figure this out? I am trying to get all the USB's to have the same functionality. For instance only one of them has power after the vehicle has been shut off but the doors not opened yet. I was wondering if there's a way to do this on all of the USB's in the car and the cigarette lighter.
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