Standard USB socket's not only supply a standard 5V, they also supply a 'standard current' - I've no issue with the voltage - it's the inability of a standard USB socket to provide enough current for a Firestick that is the issue.
I'd like to think the TV would be suitably protected, but protection is never 100% in any case. There's always potential for damage when you're overloading a supply - so the 'how' is pretty obvious. That's pretty dangerous if connected to a device that is designed for USB's standard 5V supply. Typically, Apple goes off reservation with its 12V (bastardised) version of USB. So, a standard USB (not a bastardised version, or one disabled by S/W or F/W) does carry the 5V that a Firestick needs it just may not supply the current that the Firestick needs to draw. Whether it's 0.5A or something larger doesn't change the fact that the supply rail is 5V for all the different current ratings. The current the socket can supply is a different matter. Standard USB sockets are all designed with a 5V power rail. If the 5V is disabled in S/W or F/W then you'd soon find out when the connected device doesn't charge. I have used one for charging active 3D glasses in the past. Sky USB socket - I never said about running a Firestick from it. AFAIK, people trying to run a USB HDD from a 0.5A USB port have only said that the drive doesn't work properly, and not that the TV's USB socket is now dead. Not sure how a device trying to draw more current from a USB port can damage the TV though. TBH, I'm a bit surprised that a Firestick draws that much, but it does, so I stand corrected. Yep, I'll give you that on the first part about the current rating.
The USB socket on a Sky box is only standard power, and shouldn't be used - and might even be disabled in the software (as it's almost never been used at various times the power from it has been turned OFF in updates).
These are specifically designed to provide considerably more power than a standard USB socket, which most likely won't work, and 'could' potentially damage the TV by overloading the socket. I have to disagree with Chris Frost here - you 'can' (and I do) power the Firestick from a TV USB socket, BUT - it MUST be a high power one, intended for an external hard-drive for recording purposes. If in doubt, use the Firestick's specific high power USB PSU that comes with it. The USB socket on a Sky box is only standard power, and shouldn't be used - and might even be disabled in the software (as it's almost never been used at various times the power from it has been turned OFF in updates).Īnd certainly Chris Frost is completely wrong when he says "Any ordinary USB port carries the 5V power required by a Firestick" - as the Firestick instructions clearly state otherwise, and if obvious because of it's current requirements.
Is there a way to find out whether a TV can power a Firestick without plugging it into the mains? Do all TV's now have that capability or does that require a certain type of USB? Also, for a Firestick some people say it has to be plugged into the mains and other people say it can be powered via the USB.