72 replies to this topic

[Squidge]

As for the battery warning, that will be based on a software algorithm unlike the GP2X which likely uses a comparator built into the Maxim power chip (???). I'm not sure exactly what the GP2X does, but since it is software based on Pandora, we can tweak it until it is very accurate.

It's really software on the gp2x as well, they do the cheap method of putting the voltage up an analog input pin and if the voltage is <= 2.4v, then they assume battery = flat.

[Xmas]

Only the USB OTG port is connected to the charge path. It would be bad to have the host port in the charge path when it can create it's own 5V.

Hm, I wonder what happens if you connect the host port to the OTG port...

[peca]

Hm, I wonder what happens if you connect the host port to the OTG port...

self charge aka perpetum mobile :-)

[Javacat]

Thanks for reminding me. I have been meaning to test this. I had the system running on the battery. Then I plugged in the DC adapter: no reset. Then I removed the DC adapter and tried a USB cable from my computer: no reset.

What happens if you have both the DC adapter plugged in and the USB cable from your computer?

[javaJake]

What happens if you have both the DC adapter plugged in and the USB cable from your computer?

It works.

[MWeston]

What happens if you have both the DC adapter plugged in and the USB cable from your computer?

The DC adapter has priority over the USB input so if both are applied, the USB power goes no where (other than being monitored by the USB controller for status).

[Ravnos]

Hm, I wonder what happens if you connect the host port to the OTG port...

self charge aka perpetum mobile :-)

In this house we obey the laws of thermodynamics!

[Tobriand]

Hm, I wonder what happens if you connect the host port to the OTG port...

self charge aka perpetum mobile :-)

In this house we obey the laws of thermodynamics!

Presumably it would register as charging, and still run out of power pretty quick. Probably it'd only get slightly confused unless the battery got very low, at which point, I suspect it might not warn you the battery was about to die, and just turn off (because as far as it's concerned, it is charging, so the battery being low isn't a problem).

Something like that, anyway...

[fusion_power]

I have trouble to understand the Advantage of USB Charging. If I want to Charge the Pandora over USB I always have to fire up my PC, right?
Or does the AC Adapter comes also with a USB plug so I can charge the Pandora over the AC Jack OR the USB Jack with one Power Unit?

[trooper]

I have trouble to understand the Advantage of USB Charging. If I want to Charge the Pandora over USB I always have to fire up my PC, right?
Or does the AC Adapter comes also with a USB plug so I can charge the Pandora over the AC Jack OR the USB Jack with one Power Unit?

I`ve never really understood usb charging myself either, I suppose it was implemented for convenience for those people that never leave their pc`s. Me, I just can`t see the point, Especially when you compare how many power sockets in an average house, Or any other building for that matter, To how many pc`s in the same location, And the fact that the average pc needs a power socket too.

Couple that with the fact that it takes a lot longer to charge via usb, I just can`t see the appeal.

Trooper

[Squidge]

The appeal to me is that I have lots of gadgets and each has it's own mains charger which is usually just a black box. I never know where all the chargers are, and I never know which goes with which device. A lot of them use the same connector and if you use the wrong one, it can mean smoke signals.

Over USB you know the device will always charge over a very easy to find and commonly used usb cable. It also means you can charge it at work or in the car (more cars these days are getting usb sockets built in) rather than trying to find a car adaptor for your device.

So overall, it makes the entire charging hassle much easier.

[Pleng]

I have trouble to understand the Advantage of USB Charging. If I want to Charge the Pandora over USB I always have to fire up my PC, right?
Or does the AC Adapter comes also with a USB plug so I can charge the Pandora over the AC Jack OR the USB Jack with one Power Unit?

I`ve never really understood usb charging myself either, I suppose it was implemented for convenience for those people that never leave their pc`s. Me, I just can`t see the point, Especially when you compare how many power sockets in an average house, Or any other building for that matter, To how many pc`s in the same location, And the fact that the average pc needs a power socket too.

Couple that with the fact that it takes a lot longer to charge via usb, I just can`t see the appeal.

Trooper

Well seeing as my computer is usally on full-time, usually downloading stuff from the net, it makes sense for me to charge via USB. Given that my computer and AV equipment are taking up all the plug sockets in my room (and then some!), and my PC has a good 3 or 4 free USB ports, it makes sense to me to charge things by USB where possible. Unfortunately my phone doesn't support USB charging which is a real pain.

[Firefox]

Living out of a suitcase for a few weeks *really* makes you long for USB charging on everything!

When you've got you phone, music player, camera, GBA and laptop with you and have to take a separate charger for each, you really wish you could just take the one for your laptop and a USB cable.

(I'm hoping the Pandora will replace several of those gadgets, but still...)

[crazedover]

Living out of a suitcase for a few weeks *really* makes you long for USB charging on everything!

When you've got you phone, music player, camera, GBA and laptop with you and have to take a separate charger for each, you really wish you could just take the one for your laptop and a USB cable.

(I'm hoping the Pandora will replace several of those gadgets, but still...)

You can consolidate your music player and GBA by way of pandora, and you can also consolidate your camera and phone by buying a cameraphone. Then you'll just have the pandora, cameraphone, and laptop left

[Squidge]

I've never seen a half-decent cameraphone, they just can't the pictures like a proper camera can.