1TB USB hard drive size limitation, for real?

[DrVlikhell]

So I've developed an interest in these Android TV boxes and I'm thinking of getting one to play around with as an alternative to the mainstream Fire TV, Roku, etc, but I'm perplexed by a specification that I've seen on some of these boxes. Take, for example, the Sunvell T95Z. In the specifications on GearBest, it says "Maximum External Hard Drives Capacity: 1TB." Really? Are they just being conservative, or is there some actual hardware or software limitation behind this? Some other boxes, like the Mecool M8S Pro W, don't give any information on external hard drive capacity. Are they leaving that part out, or do those particular boxes have no external drive size limitations? I've plugged in a 4TB portable hard drive to an old LG phone running Lineage 14.1 (Android 7.1), using an OTG cable, and that worked just fine, so I know it's not an Android limitation. It would seem to me that what's good for one Android would be good for another, especially the same version, but I'm not a developer so I remain confused. Can anybody shed some light on this odd specification?

My goal would be to attach one or two hard drives, larger than 1TB, to one of these Android boxes and play movies from the hard drives. But if they won't read drives larger than 1TB, then I'll have to figure out another solution. Thanks in advance.

[scooter2014]

Most of the support for what you want to do is in android now. The main problem with running drives is the power consumption. I have a geek box running a tera gig. Direct hook up. The other drive I have is USB and its hooked up through a powered hub as the draw is just to much for the device.

[mitchell4you]

Hmm... I don't think there is a Android harddrive limit...but
1.you need a external powered harddrive
*because harddrives run on 12v 3a...most android device use 5v 2a
2.some external powered harddrives have a chip..limiting max size accessible
3.Indexing...kodi and Android index the contents of the attached harddrives
*like thumbnails, metadata, covers for music files and preview images from video files etc
The bigger the harddrive, the more internal space gets used for indexing

My box one's dropped wifi, could no longer run any app and at corner it stated: running out of space...
12gb of indexing was found

If you really seek Android with lots of space:
Install android x86 on a compatible intel pc.. best with a (nvidia) compatible video card
*Like: BlissOs x86 or Remixos x86 or android x86 or Lineage x86 or PhoenixOs x86 or android TV x86
** or if you only seek kodi...libreelec x86
*** or make a dualboot system : libreelec/win10/android

Anyway just some thoughts

[DrVlikhell]

Thank you both for the info. I thought that power may be one issue since most boxes only have two USB ports, but, as you guys said, that can easily be solved with a powered USB hub or by using a powered USB hard drive.

The indexing thing though, I hadn't thought of that at all and it's a rather logical reason for a manufacturer to suggest a 1TB limit. I'll make sure to keep an eye on that.

The android x86 is a great idea. I think I'll give that a shot and see if I can get it to run on my hardware. Thanks for that suggestion.

[dinapool]

I once experienced a failure of an external hard drive when I connected it with the wrong power supply. I think it was an 18v laptop chord that I used to power it up. I’m not absolutely sure now, but it seemed like a little bit of smoke coming out of the device, it made a quick squick and died.