Can Google TV Streamer 4K Plug Into A USB Hub In The First Place?

[Ultimabendessen]

I have been told by employees at Best Buy and on the internet that you can plug a Google TV Streamer into a USB hub, which the Google TV Streamer can thereby read an external hard drive. The problem is, the Google TV Streamer only has one USB type C port (no USB type A ports either) that is meant to be plugged into the power adapter and then into an outlet. I tried connecting a USB hub in-between, but nothing happened. The internet says I should try plugging in a USB hub that has it's own independent power cord, which should power the USB hub and the Google TV Streamer, theoretically. Will this even work or am I just wasting my time? Have I just been lied to and there actually is no way to plug in a USB hub to the Google TV Streamer? Having only the one USB port on the device kind of makes me think it is impossible to begin with.

[kcruzgonzalez]

Hello @Ultimabendessen,

Thank you for posting in the community. I can certainly understand your confusion when you receive conflicting information about the Google TV Streamer. It is a very common question, and you are right to be skeptical when a device has only one USB port that is also used for power.

I want to assure you that you have not been lied to. It is indeed possible to connect a USB hub and an external hard drive to your Google TV Streamer. The problem is that it requires a specific type of adapter that you likely do not have. Your initial attempt with a standard USB hub failed because it cannot provide power to the streamer, which is essential for the device to even turn on.

The solution you've heard about is correct. You need a powered USB hub, but more specifically, you need a USB-C hub with Power Delivery (PD) pass-through.

Here's how it works:

• The USB-C hub will have a power input port where you plug in the original Google TV Streamer power adapter.
• It will have a separate USB-C output cable that plugs into your Google TV Streamer. This cable carries both the power to the streamer and the data signal from the USB hub.
• The hub will also have standard USB-A ports where you can plug in your external hard drive and other accessories.

By using this type of hub, you are essentially splitting the power and data signal from that single USB-C port, allowing you to power your streamer while also adding more ports for your other devices.

I am confident that if you get a compatible USB-C hub with power delivery, you will be able to connect your external hard drive and other accessories as you intended. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Regards,

Kevin

[Ultimabendessen]

Thank you. I will look into this. Do you happen to know a brand of adapter that is proven to work? The only part I'm confused about is when you say: 

The USB-C hub will have a power input port where you plug in the original Google TV Streamer power adapter.

Do you mean you plug the actual plastic cube shaped piece, the power adapter, into the USB hub, using a USB cord?