Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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hlewton
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Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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Not at all certain if what I want to do is even possible. I would like to know if my Windows 10 computer can be used as an USB devise and if so, how?

A bit of an explanation. I used an USB cable with male connections on both ends and connected my computer to an USB connector that is supposed to recognize and access the USB devise, I guess normally it would be a USB memory stick. I have never tried using this port before and maybe I wouldn't be able to use it even if I had used a memory stick. I wanted to play a Power Point slide show from my computer onto the TV but the icon for the USB connection kept saying there was no USB device connected. So again, can Windows 10 computer can be used as an USB devise and if so, how?
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

Post by BobH »

If what you want to do is us a TV as a monitor, first you need to sure that the TV can do that. I have several smart LED TVs that connect via HDMI connections. If your TV connects via HDMI, try connecting if from you computer's HDMI port.
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

Post by stuck »

As Bob has already said, the simplest way of displaying stuff on your laptop on your TV is to use a HDMI cable. NB unless your TV is very clever and it autodetects and selects the relevant HDMI input you will first have to set your TV to the relevant HDMI socket. MY TV has four HDMI sockets and I have to select the one my HDMI cable is connected to.

Once the TV is set to receive input from the HDMI socket you're using though, then when plug the other end of the cable into your laptop, your TV will act as a second monitor to your laptop. Look in Win 10's Settings | System | Display | Multiple Displays to see what options you have.

Ken

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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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Thank you both for your reply. I can and have played it easily when I connect it with an HDMI cable. I was trying to use an older laptop which does not have an HDMI slot. Yep, that's how old that laptop is.

I thought the USB port may have been able to see the same thing on the TV as I could see on my laptop. I figured it would not allow the audio to be played but I was hoping it would display the video. I figured on taking the laptop to reunion and having it continually play photos from our last 2 reunions. So I didn't want to take my newer laptop but I guess I will have to and just keep a close eye on it so nobody messes it up.
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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Let me run this past you guys. I just checked and I can buy an USB Male to HDMI Female adapter. Do you have any idea if this would work and give me both audio and video on the TV knowing an HDMI cable would connect the TV and that adapter I just mentioned above?
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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hlewton wrote:
02 Sep 2022, 20:13
...I can buy an USB Male to HDMI Female adapter. Do you have any idea if this would work...
Does you making this suggestion mean you do not have a proper HDMI cable? Or is it that your laptop has no HDMI out socket?

As for the idea, I doubt it will work but if the adaptor is cheap why not buy it and try it? However, if your laptop does have a HDMI socket it would be simpler and more cost effective to just buy a HDMI cable.

Ken

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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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stuck wrote:
02 Sep 2022, 20:44
hlewton wrote:
02 Sep 2022, 20:13
...I can buy an USB Male to HDMI Female adapter. Do you have any idea if this would work...
Does you making this suggestion mean you do not have a proper HDMI cable? Or is it that your laptop has no HDMI out socket?

As for the idea, I doubt it will work but if the adaptor is cheap why not buy it and try it? However, if your laptop does have a HDMI socket it would be simpler and more cost effective to just buy a HDMI cable.

Ken
Thanks for the reply. I have all kinds of and lengths of HDMI cables and other types of adapters but I do not have the type of adapter I mentioned above. The computer I really wanted to use does not have an HDMI slot. I probably will order that adapter and give it a try. I was trying to get a feel for it because the adapters range in price from $9.00 to about $36.00 USD. I didn't know if even using that type of adapter would be a good idea but I am only wanting it for one occasion - 60th class reunion that I am planning. I know I don't look that old, but I am. :scratch: :cheers:
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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So what outputs are on the laptop you want to use?

Obviously USB but is it USB 2 or USB 3? I don't know for sure but I'd guess you'd need the speed of USB 3.

What else? An olde worlde VGA socket? If so, does your TV have a similar VGA socket? VGA can't carry audio so this option requires a separate audio cable. Typically out the headphone socket on the laptop and in the TV's audio in sockets, which are probably phono / RCA sockets.

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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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Does the TV have a USB input port? One of mine does. I haven't tried to use the laptop USB output to TV USB input, but it should work.

Also, search for USB to HDMI. I found several articles and a YouTube video showing the use of an adapter that takes USB output from a computer - a laptop in the video - to the adapter where its HDMI output port is cabled to the TV HDMI input. The YT cautions that you need drivers for the adapter.

Caution: You need to know what type output USB port you will use before you purchase an adapter.

Article at Techwalla: https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how- ... to-an-hdmi
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Urco-ABMFw
Adapter (USBA to HDMI): https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Multiple ... 411&sr=8-3
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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BobH wrote:
02 Sep 2022, 22:11
Does the TV have a USB input port? One of mine does. I haven't tried to use the laptop USB output to TV USB input, but it should work.
I have had USB ports on a couple of televisions. They both worked similarly, allowing the TV to play content on a USB disk. They did not act as streaming video inputs.
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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StuartR wrote:
02 Sep 2022, 22:18
I have had USB ports on a couple of televisions. They both worked similarly, allowing the TV to play content on a USB disk. They did not act as streaming video inputs.
Yes :thumbup: I should have mentioned that. My TV behaves the same, it only sees the USB sockets as data sources, i.e. my TV can read (and display) JEPG files from a drive plugged into the USB socket but that's all. Current Smart TVs that use Android might be more sophisticated though.

Ken

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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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stuck wrote:
02 Sep 2022, 21:12
So what outputs are on the laptop you want to use?

Obviously USB but is it USB 2 or USB 3? I don't know for sure but I'd guess you'd need the speed of USB 3.

What else? An olde worlde VGA socket? If so, does your TV have a similar VGA socket? VGA can't carry audio so this option requires a separate audio cable. Typically out the headphone socket on the laptop and in the TV's audio in sockets, which are probably phono / RCA sockets.

Ken
It has USB 2.0 slots and it does have that VGA socket you mention and the headphone socket. I have no idea what kind of TV or video equipment the hall where I'm renting will have. I assume a newer TV which, I'm sure, will have an HDMI connection. You've given me a lot to think about. I think I may order one of the cheaper adapters and see what happens. At the worst, I will have to take my newer laptop and just keep a close eye on it. Thank you for your help.
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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BobH wrote:
02 Sep 2022, 22:11
Does the TV have a USB input port? One of mine does. I haven't tried to use the laptop USB output to TV USB input, but it should work.

Also, search for USB to HDMI. I found several articles and a YouTube video showing the use of an adapter that takes USB output from a computer - a laptop in the video - to the adapter where its HDMI output port is cabled to the TV HDMI input. The YT cautions that you need drivers for the adapter.

Caution: You need to know what type output USB port you will use before you purchase an adapter.

Article at Techwalla: https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how- ... to-an-hdmi
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Urco-ABMFw
Adapter (USBA to HDMI): https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Multiple ... 411&sr=8-3
Well here's another twist, yes my TV does have USB ports but I didn't use them because of the difficulty of reaching them. If necessary I can try those. However, what I did use was an USB port on my Blu-Ray player which, in turn, is connected to the TV via an HDMI cable. After connecting this way, I then choose the USB option on the Blu-Ray screen and that's where I got the No USB connection found message. I assumed, maybe erroneously, that using this USB port would at least let me know if it could recognize the laptop as an USB device.

You too have given me a lot to think about and look into before I buy any adapter. I thank you for that. I will look into everything you have mentioned here. If I need drivers I hope they are easily found but at least now I have a better idea of what I'm up against.
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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StuartR wrote:
02 Sep 2022, 22:18
BobH wrote:
02 Sep 2022, 22:11
Does the TV have a USB input port? One of mine does. I haven't tried to use the laptop USB output to TV USB input, but it should work.
I have had USB ports on a couple of televisions. They both worked similarly, allowing the TV to play content on a USB disk. They did not act as streaming video inputs.
I have to wonder here, if those USB sticks had a video format file on them if they would have been able to play it. Maybe that is what you mean by saying, "They did not act as streaming video inputs." Not sure. Someday when I have nothing else to do I may try this, unless you already know it won't work.
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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stuck wrote:
03 Sep 2022, 08:42
StuartR wrote:
02 Sep 2022, 22:18
I have had USB ports on a couple of televisions. They both worked similarly, allowing the TV to play content on a USB disk. They did not act as streaming video inputs.
Yes :thumbup: I should have mentioned that. My TV behaves the same, it only sees the USB sockets as data sources, i.e. my TV can read (and display) JEPG files from a drive plugged into the USB socket but that's all. Current Smart TVs that use Android might be more sophisticated though.

Ken
I do have a fairly new Android smart TV. To tell you the truth, I have never tried using any USB ports for anything to be shown on the TV. Maybe I'll try one of these days also.
Last edited by hlewton on 03 Sep 2022, 17:31, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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OK, I think I just answered a lot of my questions. I put a files with the extensions of *.wmv, *.MP4, and *. JPEG onto an USB stick. I used that same Blu-Ray USB port mentioned above and all of them played fine both video and audio for those had had both. I saw how you view the JPEG files also. I then tried the Power Point Presentation (*.ppsx and *.pps) and although the stick was recognized as an USB device these files would not play. So, I believe, that also told me that a laptop is not recognized as a USB device since it did not show up as the stick did. I believe my best choice is to use my newer laptop with the HDMI connection. However, this thread has given me a lot to think about and I will probably be experimenting with a lot of it.
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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Let us know all that you discover. We might need to the same thing or something similar some day! :smile:
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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hlewton wrote:
03 Sep 2022, 13:20
...files with the extensions of *.wmv, *.MP4, and *. JPEG onto an USB stick... ...all of them played fine... ...tried the Power Point Presentation (*.ppsx and *.pps) and although the stick was recognized as an USB device these files would not play...
A modern digital TV is basically a type of computer, a very specialised one. When you turn on your TV in essence you are booting an operating system that's built into it. That OS is not like Windows, it's prime function of that OS is to receive and show TV channels. However, the OS does also include an 'application' that can read (and display) certain types of files (images and videos) held in the 'root' of an 'external drive' (a USB stick), i.e. it's likely that if the files are in hierarchy of folders and subfolders the TV won't find and display them. What the OS does not have though, is an 'application' to allow it to handle files like .ppsx etc. hence those files are ignored. If you attach a laptop to the USB socket on the TV, the laptop is not a simple data drive, hence the TV's OS can't handle it and so it does not recognise it.

Meanwhile, when you plug the TV into your laptop via a USB socket, your TV is not a simple USB stick so your laptop doesn't 'see' your TV. For the laptop to 'access' the TV it would need a specific driver, just like you need a specific driver for a USB printer. There might be such a driver out there but it won't be included within Window so, again, your laptop does not 'see' your TV.

Using a HDMI cable, as already explained, is different. Using that (providing the TV is set to the relevant HDMI socket) simply makes the TV act as second monitor on your laptop.

Ken

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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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BobH wrote:
03 Sep 2022, 18:13
Let us know all that you discover. We might need to the same thing or something similar some day! :smile:
Will do. I was going to try a *.mov but ran out of time. Will try it soon.
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Re: Using A Windows 10 Computer As An USB Device

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stuck wrote:
03 Sep 2022, 19:14
hlewton wrote:
03 Sep 2022, 13:20
...files with the extensions of *.wmv, *.MP4, and *. JPEG onto an USB stick... ...all of them played fine... ...tried the Power Point Presentation (*.ppsx and *.pps) and although the stick was recognized as an USB device these files would not play...
A modern digital TV is basically a type of computer, a very specialised one. When you turn on your TV in essence you are booting an operating system that's built into it. That OS is not like Windows, it's prime function of that OS is to receive and show TV channels. However, the OS does also include an 'application' that can read (and display) certain types of files (images and videos) held in the 'root' of an 'external drive' (a USB stick), i.e. it's likely that if the files are in hierarchy of folders and subfolders the TV won't find and display them. What the OS does not have though, is an 'application' to allow it to handle files like .ppsx etc. hence those files are ignored. If you attach a laptop to the USB socket on the TV, the laptop is not a simple data drive, hence the TV's OS can't handle it and so it does not recognise it.

Meanwhile, when you plug the TV into your laptop via a USB socket, your TV is not a simple USB stick so your laptop doesn't 'see' your TV. For the laptop to 'access' the TV it would need a specific driver, just like you need a specific driver for a USB printer. There might be such a driver out there but it won't be included within Window so, again, your laptop does not 'see' your TV.

Using a HDMI cable, as already explained, is different. Using that (providing the TV is set to the relevant HDMI socket) simply makes the TV act as second monitor on your laptop.

Ken
Thank you for that excellent explanation. I do believe that the TV is basically a computer. I have heard that statement, not with the explanation you gave me, from the place I buy my TVs. The reason I have heard that from the fellow who owns that store is because, at times, my streaming on the Smart TV setting of the TV freezes. He has had me unplug the TV and leave it that way for 15 or 20 minutes and that has fixed the streaming every time so far. His explanation for having to do that was the TV was no longer just a TV but it was also a computer and sometimes computers have to be rebooted, as well. When the TV reboots, being an Android, it displays their graphic boot up screen. Hard to describe it if you're not familiar with it, but it is very recognizable. Now this screen is always displayed when I unplug it and then plug it back in. But, on more than on occasion, and it seems more often lately, it will reboot on its own, which makes it confusing when turning my system on. It does tax one's patience and use of modern technology to use all the "improvements" in today's homes.

The fellow who owns the store wants to start all over with my TV by setting it back to all its factory defaults and making sure all firmware is up to date. The problem is, I have a system, not just a TV. There are 2, vary rarely used, VCRs, 1 Blu-Ray DVD player, 1 CD player, 1 Surround Sound System (Amp), 1 DVR, and a local antenna all controlled by a Harmony One Remote. This remote chooses the correct HDMI port, input, Amp setting, or local antenna depending on what Activity I choose on the Harmony remote. Setting my TV back to the default settings would mess all this up. So, he wants to be here and do it himself. He is not at all sure it will help in having to reboot the TV occasionally but he is out of all other options. Over the course of this problem he has had me make or at least check all the Setting options he could think of or could find on line about Sony smart TVs. Since I can keep it working, I am in no hurry for him to come to my house. So, the plan is when he is in the neighborhood, finishes up an installation job, and has extra time on his hands, he will stop in here. This way he is using my system as a guinea pig and won't have to charge me for his time. Sounds good to me.
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