Alternative Dock Setup

[smithmal]

Just thought I'd mention my "alternative" dock setup I'm using with the CX-919 stick.

I originally purchased the Measy U2C-D dock from Geekbuying and was excited about its prospects. I received it DOA and knew it would take an effort to get it replaced and/or a refund (which after 5 emails back and forth for a month with Geekbuying I finally got a refund). While waiting for a resolution, I decided to put my own docking station together using easily obtainable parts.

Components:
USB hub with ethernet port ($20)
USB extension cable ($6)
HDMI extension cable ($8)
USB on/off dongle ($2.50)

Both extension cables were bought so I'd have the flexibility for dock placement.

Findings:
- Ethernet connection via the hub works great
- HD USB plugged into the hub is recognized by the CX-919
- 2.4GHz Rii N7 Keyboard/mouse remote's dongle plugged into the hub is recognized by the CX-919
- Also using a 32GB microSD card inserted into the CX-919
- Using the Finless 1.5 ROM with 720 kernel
- USB on/off dongle works without issue

As mentioned in a previous thread, the Measy U2C-D dock does not come with a power charger so you will still need to purchase a charger. The barrel port fits a 3.5mm charger. There is also a microUSB power port, but I never used it so I can't verify it works flawlessly like the barrel port. IMO, the Measy dock is made of very light, cheap plastic material. During my brief time with it, the dock practically fell apart when inserting and removing the stick into its HDMI port.

This "alternative" dock setup uses parts that are all "fulfilled by Amazon" (except for the the USB on/off dongle) which allows for quick and free shipping along with Amazon's speedy return policy should you have any issues. With the use of the USB extension cable and on/off dongle you can still use your CX-919 charger, but now have the "luxury" of increasing your power cord's length by 10 feet with accessible on/off functionality.

Finally, aesthetically speaking, this setup works well with the CX-919 as everything is black in color (opposed to the Measy dock which is white and looked odd with the stick). Also, I attached the CX-919 to the top of the hub using black Velcro tape so that everything looks like one unit. I also attached the bottom of the hub to a shelf on my entertainment center using Velcro tape to ensure that it stayed put.

smithmal

[DiSrUpTeR]

[smithmal]

Below are picks of the "Alternative Dock"

Pic One: Separate Components


Pic Two: Fully Assembled


Pic Three: Close Up


For comparison below are pics using the Measy U2C-D Dock
Pic One: Fully Assembled


Pic Two: Front View


Pic Three: Back View


For the Measy Dock, I used a Tronsmart USB to Ethernet Dongle and a 5V 2A 3.5mm barrel tip charger.

smithmal

[vikidroid]

must say that i saw first time something as that measy dock. i even have no clear idea how to use it. must take a better look.


but, what intrigues me is this asus's hub&ethernet port. how it does work? drivers, settings? or it is plug&play. it is interesting piece of hardware, but i do not want to pay it 20$ and to have trouble to make it work.

thanks in advance!


viki

[DiSrUpTeR]

Re: Alternative Dock Setup

Nice setup.

[smithmal]

must say that i saw first time something as that measy dock. i even have no clear idea how to use it. must take a better look.


but, what intrigues me is this asus's hub&ethernet port. how it does work? drivers, settings? or it is plug&play. it is interesting piece of hardware, but i do not want to pay it 20$ and to have trouble to make it work.

thanks in advance!


viki

Hub is plug and play, no drivers necessary. I was a bit concerned as it also had a built-in ethernet port,but the CX-919 was able to use it to network with no issue. The ethernet port will glow yellow when connected and there is a green LED networking light as well to let you know that you are receiving a signal.

This is a non-powered hub so all your peripherals will get their power directly from the CX-919 stick. If you are using some really power hungry peripherals this may present a problem, but since the stick comes with a 2A charger, that should be more than enough power to take care of anything you throw at it.

To answer your first question, both this and the Measy dock provide you with extra ports to plug in peripherals to play with your CX-919 (HDs, mice, keyboard, controllers, WiFi dongles, flash drivers, etc.) and a way to physically turn your stick on/off. The benefit of the "alternative dock" is it also has a built-in ethernet port. The Measy dock includes an additional SD card reader (which can be used as an additional storage slot on top in addition to the one the CX-919 uses).

smithmal

[vikidroid]

it is good to know that there is no problem with ethernet. i have some generic chinese usb<->rj45 adapters, and i must try them. only have to find them first!

about measy, i understand purpouse, but i didn't saw at first look those two wires which actually connect dock and stick. that was my concern - "ok, hdmi is connected, as output and as holder, but what next?!". and after i look more carefully, i found pics with wires, and then all cleared.

it doen't look bad (ok, white color IS bad), but, as you proved, it can be home maded. just little less cables then home version.

in any case, thumbs up for idea, and i hope i'll make something similar.

viki

[smithmal]

it is good to know that there is no problem with ethernet. i have some generic chinese usb<->rj45 adapters, and i must try them. only have to find them first!

about measy, i understand purpouse, but i didn't saw at first look those two wires which actually connect dock and stick. that was my concern - "ok, hdmi is connected, as output and as holder, but what next?!". and after i look more carefully, i found pics with wires, and then all cleared.

it doen't look bad (ok, white color IS bad), but, as you proved, it can be home maded. just little less cables then home version.

in any case, thumbs up for idea, and i hope i'll make something similar.

viki

viki,

Thanks, hopefully the USB/ethernet dock will work well in your case as well. BTW, both docks have the same amount of wires coming out of them:

- Power in
- Ethernet in
- HDMI out

smithmal

[vikidroid]

i hope so! i founded my usb rj45 adapter, and yes, it worked as-is. no problem at all. it is little bit clumsier than your solution as i have usb hub, and all peritpherals are sticked into it. but, all of that is behind tv it is not problem.

many thanks for this idea! now i'm thinking sholud i order that usb hub+rj45... i like it, very much!

viki

[strider_mt2k]

CX-919 and Measy U2C-D

Hello!

I'm also using a CX-919 with the Measy U2C-D base with great success.

I found that it wasn't difficult to modify the U2C-D so that the HDMI connector turns to the full horizontal.
I took mine apart and noticed that the rotating HDMI connector simply needs some more slot cut out of the plastic to allow the bundle of HDMI wires to clear.
Once that is done the CX-919 (or whichever stick one runs) can now be positioned fully horizontal.

[vikidroid]

good work! so, smithmal just didn't have luck with functional item.

can you take picture of other side, please. i'm interested how did you solve power for stick?

"normal" usb is clera, it covers usb hub and card reader. hdmi, there is no doubts, but what about power? did you connect cx919 to it's native port, or used external power or....


many thanks!

[DiSrUpTeR]

reacted with:

so heres mine setup:




We have the CX-919
IMonitor Iyama 2250MTS (touchscreen)
Terratec Aureon dual usb Soundcard. (monitor has only DVI and a analog 3.5mm jack audio in)
5V 3 Amp power supply
Logitech c270
And a $2 4 port usb hub

[vikidroid]

do you have map for find right cable?!

[DiSrUpTeR]

Re: Alternative Dock Setup

Uploaded it to Google maps.