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> Power cord required (not shown). What the hell is this about a "power cord". The specs and details are totally not clear. Is this not powered by HDMI? If

> Power cord required (not shown). What the hell is this about a "power cord". The specs and details are totally not clear. Is this not powered by HDMI? If it requires a power cord, these images are deceptive marketing.

aroch 13y ago
Just like, pretty much every, android device it uses a USB charger. Many advertisement related images don't include cords and the like for prettier pictures. Using HDMI to power things is a tricky thing, many monitors and TVs din't supply power over HDMI and among those that do (especially Sony TV iirc) they provide less-than ideal amounts of power.
- mikeryan 13y ago
  A lot of new HDTV's however have HDMI and a USB port (generally near each other). It would be a bit messy but perhaps you could have it plugged into both at once and then you won't need an ungainly power cable to a socket.
  - MBCook 13y ago
    On recent HD TVs that's true, but if you go back more than 2-3 years (or didn't buy a giant 55" set) then it's quite likely you'll have to resort to the AC adapter.
    - Recoil42 13y ago
      Which is exactly what they've accounted for here, and why they've given both options.
    - agildehaus 13y ago
      The question is - do you have to resort to the AC adapter if you have one of the newer HDMI ports?
      - BHSPitMonkey 13y ago
        The fine text on the linked page says "Power cord required" (emphasis mine).
inigoesdr 13y ago
It uses a USB cable that is indeed not shown in the marketing images, but it is mentioned in the product description.
- mtgx 13y ago
  I think it can be connected like this with the TV's USB port: http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/8651907/2013-07-23_22-36-29-1020_verge_super_wide.jpg http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/8651907/2013-07-...
  - inigoesdr 13y ago
    Yep, or a regular USB power adapter which I think someone mentioned is included.
pwthornton 13y ago
Well this is disappointing.
- psbp 13y ago
  If your t.v. has an HDMI port it more than likely has a USB as well. Not a big deal.
  - Shank 13y ago
    Neither of my TVs have USB, but both have HDMI. I'd hazard a guess that the older "brand new HD" TVs that came with HDMI first will need external power, while modern ones won't need it.
  - BHSPitMonkey 13y ago
    Actually, many (perhaps even most) TV USB ports don't provide power (or good enough quality power) for anything beyond basic thumb drives. It's also possible for ports not to offer power unless the right handshake is made by the device. Also, some TVs have a USB port which is only for diagnostic use, and can provide unsteady/harmful power output. However, I'm guessing this device ships with a USB cable + wall wart for everyone else.
    - scholia 13y ago
      It does....
  - dragonwriter 13y ago
    > If your t.v. has an HDMI port it more than likely has a USB as well. This is probably true for current new TVs, but HDMI ports were common on HDTVs before USB ports were, and not everyone replaces their TV every year.
- etler 13y ago
  If your TV is capable of powering via HDMI it doesn't require a power adapter. You can't really blame them for that if the TV is out of date.
Recoil42 13y ago
Only MHL HDMI is capable of providing power, AFAIK. 'Regular' HDMI is capable of data transmission only. A power cord is included in the box, according to The Verge. You can power it either via one of your TV's USB ports, or an A/C jack: http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/8651957/2013-07-23_22-34-13-1020_verge_super_wide.jpg http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/8651957/2013-07-...
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]
baddox 13y ago
It seems pretty clear from the first picture that it's a male HMDI plug on one end and a female plug (which looks like the standard Android phone USB plug) on the other end. I don't see any images of the device plugged into a TV without a power cord (correction: there is one animation in the Plug and Play section if you mouse over). The images are just of the device on its own, so it doesn't seem deceptive to me. You comment made me curious: is it possible for things to be powered by HDMI? There is definitely a 5V pin as part of the HDMI spec, but I can't find a good source for details.
- ctdonath 13y ago
  The 5V pin delivers 50mA. Enough to be tantalizing, insufficient for current reality.
- jcampbell1 13y ago
  > I don't see any images of the device plugged into a TV without a power cord. From the "Plug and Play" section: http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/assets/common/images/chromecast/hdmi-tooltip-frames.jpg http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/assets/common/images/ch... The only place I see any mention of a power cord is in 10px #d1d1d1 font on a white background.
  - baddox 13y ago
    Correction noted. I hadn't moused over that spot.
rogerchucker 13y ago
Did you spot any cable during the presentation from the dongle to the wall or a power strip?
umsm 13y ago
Does anyone know if this is actually powered solely by HDMI: www.roku.com/streamingstick
- notatoad 13y ago
  It is, but only works on a TV that supports MHL HDMI. The chromecast stick works on any HDMI port because it doesn't rely on the port for power. it's too bad it can't use MHL power where available and fall back to external. Seems like an obvious feature.
- cfaulkingham 13y ago
  It is but it's MHL
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]
kansas 13y ago
sucks. Just bought 3 units. Didn't see it requires a power cord
- reustle 13y ago
  Does it honestly change anything? It's not like your TV doesn't require a power cord...
samstave 13y ago
Lots of Smart TVs also have USB -- how much power does this draw? Could it not have a USB power-slurper that you could plug into the USB port of the TV fr power?
- tjohns 13y ago
  Yes, you can do precisely that. As posted above, the setup instructions show options for either connecting to a TV's USB port or using a USB wall charger: http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/8651957/2013-07-23_22-34-13-1020_verge_super_wide.jpg http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/8651957/2013-07-...
- IanCal 13y ago
  It does.
- nwh 13y ago
  The Samsung TVs can supply something stupid like 300ma. Enough for a USB stick, but not a spinning disk that is host powered.
runjake 13y ago
It's pretty [1] standard [2] to not include cords in product pictures. 1. https://www.apple.com/appletv/ https://www.apple.com/appletv/ 2. https://www.apple.com/imac/ https://www.apple.com/imac/
- yalogin 13y ago
  Yeah, but this is the size of a USB stick, with that comes the expectation/assumption that there is no power cord.
- kansas 13y ago
  Really funny. Everybody else does it. Even though two devices are not comparable in form factor. Why it is in minuscule fine print though? Please ...
  - Selfcommit 13y ago
    Really not a problem.. The power cord is only required on certain HDMI ports.. and it likely won't be needed on future/modern HDMI ports. Why is this even an issue?
  - droopyEyelids 13y ago
    "Everyone else does it" has never been a reason, only an excuse.
  - tomkarlo 13y ago
    This isn't even the same as devices that always require AC power but don't show a cord. It's basically a method of providing backwards-compatibility with HDMI ports that don't provide power, but if you're using the state-of-the-art TVs they show the product with, there's no power cord necessary.
RealGeek 13y ago
"The power adapter is an optional requirement. In fact, most modern TV's with HDMI 1.4 or higher spec are supported. The Chromecast can draw power from the HDMI port it's plugged into. If your TV doesn't support that, there's also a USB cable and power adapter included in the box. I have a 2012 LG LED and a 2013 Lenovo 27" Monitor with HDMI input and the ports power it with no cable." Source: http://www.amazon.com/review/RBCJ03NLRAHIF/ http://www.amazon.com/review/RBCJ03NLRAHIF/

aroch 13y ago

Just like, pretty much every, android device it uses a USB charger. Many advertisement related images don't include cords and the like for prettier pictures. Using HDMI to power things is a tricky thing, many monitors and TVs din't supply power over HDMI and among those that do (especially Sony TV iirc) they provide less-than ideal amounts of power.

mikeryan 13y ago
A lot of new HDTV's however have HDMI and a USB port (generally near each other). It would be a bit messy but perhaps you could have it plugged into both at once and then you won't need an ungainly power cable to a socket.
- MBCook 13y ago
  On recent HD TVs that's true, but if you go back more than 2-3 years (or didn't buy a giant 55" set) then it's quite likely you'll have to resort to the AC adapter.
  - Recoil42 13y ago
    Which is exactly what they've accounted for here, and why they've given both options.
  - agildehaus 13y ago
    The question is - do you have to resort to the AC adapter if you have one of the newer HDMI ports?
    - BHSPitMonkey 13y ago
      The fine text on the linked page says "Power cord required" (emphasis mine).

inigoesdr 13y ago

It uses a USB cable that is indeed not shown in the marketing images, but it is mentioned in the product description.

mtgx 13y ago
I think it can be connected like this with the TV's USB port: http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/8651907/2013-07-23_22-36-29-1020_verge_super_wide.jpg http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/8651907/2013-07-...
- inigoesdr 13y ago
  Yep, or a regular USB power adapter which I think someone mentioned is included.

pwthornton 13y ago

Well this is disappointing.

psbp 13y ago
If your t.v. has an HDMI port it more than likely has a USB as well. Not a big deal.
- Shank 13y ago
  Neither of my TVs have USB, but both have HDMI. I'd hazard a guess that the older "brand new HD" TVs that came with HDMI first will need external power, while modern ones won't need it.
- BHSPitMonkey 13y ago
  Actually, many (perhaps even most) TV USB ports don't provide power (or good enough quality power) for anything beyond basic thumb drives. It's also possible for ports not to offer power unless the right handshake is made by the device. Also, some TVs have a USB port which is only for diagnostic use, and can provide unsteady/harmful power output. However, I'm guessing this device ships with a USB cable + wall wart for everyone else.
  - scholia 13y ago
    It does....
- dragonwriter 13y ago
  > If your t.v. has an HDMI port it more than likely has a USB as well. This is probably true for current new TVs, but HDMI ports were common on HDTVs before USB ports were, and not everyone replaces their TV every year.
etler 13y ago
If your TV is capable of powering via HDMI it doesn't require a power adapter. You can't really blame them for that if the TV is out of date.

Recoil42 13y ago

Only MHL HDMI is capable of providing power, AFAIK. 'Regular' HDMI is capable of data transmission only. A power cord is included in the box, according to The Verge. You can power it either via one of your TV's USB ports, or an A/C jack: http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/8651957/2013-07-23_22-34-13-1020_verge_super_wide.jpg http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/8651957/2013-07-...

deleted 13y ago
[deleted]

baddox 13y ago

It seems pretty clear from the first picture that it's a male HMDI plug on one end and a female plug (which looks like the standard Android phone USB plug) on the other end. I don't see any images of the device plugged into a TV without a power cord (correction: there is one animation in the Plug and Play section if you mouse over). The images are just of the device on its own, so it doesn't seem deceptive to me. You comment made me curious: is it possible for things to be powered by HDMI? There is definitely a 5V pin as part of the HDMI spec, but I can't find a good source for details.

ctdonath 13y ago
The 5V pin delivers 50mA. Enough to be tantalizing, insufficient for current reality.
jcampbell1 13y ago
> I don't see any images of the device plugged into a TV without a power cord. From the "Plug and Play" section: http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/assets/common/images/chromecast/hdmi-tooltip-frames.jpg http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/assets/common/images/ch... The only place I see any mention of a power cord is in 10px #d1d1d1 font on a white background.
- baddox 13y ago
  Correction noted. I hadn't moused over that spot.

rogerchucker 13y ago

Did you spot any cable during the presentation from the dongle to the wall or a power strip?

umsm 13y ago

Does anyone know if this is actually powered solely by HDMI: www.roku.com/streamingstick

notatoad 13y ago
It is, but only works on a TV that supports MHL HDMI. The chromecast stick works on any HDMI port because it doesn't rely on the port for power. it's too bad it can't use MHL power where available and fall back to external. Seems like an obvious feature.
cfaulkingham 13y ago
It is but it's MHL
deleted 13y ago
[deleted]

kansas 13y ago

sucks. Just bought 3 units. Didn't see it requires a power cord

reustle 13y ago
Does it honestly change anything? It's not like your TV doesn't require a power cord...

samstave 13y ago

Lots of Smart TVs also have USB -- how much power does this draw? Could it not have a USB power-slurper that you could plug into the USB port of the TV fr power?

tjohns 13y ago
Yes, you can do precisely that. As posted above, the setup instructions show options for either connecting to a TV's USB port or using a USB wall charger: http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/8651957/2013-07-23_22-34-13-1020_verge_super_wide.jpg http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/8651957/2013-07-...
IanCal 13y ago
It does.
nwh 13y ago
The Samsung TVs can supply something stupid like 300ma. Enough for a USB stick, but not a spinning disk that is host powered.

runjake 13y ago

It's pretty [1] standard [2] to not include cords in product pictures. 1. https://www.apple.com/appletv/ https://www.apple.com/appletv/ 2. https://www.apple.com/imac/ https://www.apple.com/imac/

yalogin 13y ago
Yeah, but this is the size of a USB stick, with that comes the expectation/assumption that there is no power cord.
kansas 13y ago
Really funny. Everybody else does it. Even though two devices are not comparable in form factor. Why it is in minuscule fine print though? Please ...
- Selfcommit 13y ago
  Really not a problem.. The power cord is only required on certain HDMI ports.. and it likely won't be needed on future/modern HDMI ports. Why is this even an issue?
- droopyEyelids 13y ago
  "Everyone else does it" has never been a reason, only an excuse.
- tomkarlo 13y ago
  This isn't even the same as devices that always require AC power but don't show a cord. It's basically a method of providing backwards-compatibility with HDMI ports that don't provide power, but if you're using the state-of-the-art TVs they show the product with, there's no power cord necessary.

RealGeek 13y ago

"The power adapter is an optional requirement. In fact, most modern TV's with HDMI 1.4 or higher spec are supported. The Chromecast can draw power from the HDMI port it's plugged into. If your TV doesn't support that, there's also a USB cable and power adapter included in the box. I have a 2012 LG LED and a 2013 Lenovo 27" Monitor with HDMI input and the ports power it with no cable." Source: http://www.amazon.com/review/RBCJ03NLRAHIF/ http://www.amazon.com/review/RBCJ03NLRAHIF/