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Bri in Mtl

macrumors member
Original poster
May 29, 2013
85
5
Why don't I see some devices like, for example, my FiiO amp while it's charging via USB, in Finder's device listing?
Thanks in advance for any and all replies.
 
I assume that if the device does not have a formatting that the Mac can recognize than it won't mount it and therefore you won't see it in the list. If it's a drive that is formatted NTFS (windows) than you can use Tuxera on the Mac which will allow the Mac to not only recognize it but also write/read from the device.
 
Why don't I see some devices like, for example, my FiiO amp while it's charging via USB, in Finder's device listing?
Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

Your headphone amp does not have any on board memory, it can't act as a storage device, so there really is no use in seeing it in finder.
 
Your computer/laptop USB ports can supply 500mA 5V output. Many products use that to power themselves.

A USB cable has 4 wires. (+5V), GND( Ground or -), DATA+,DATA-

if you connect a device that only uses 5V and GND, it will not appear in any device list. However when you connect a thumb drive, since it uses DATA+ and DATA- as well, it appears in devices that are connected and if the OS has drivers for it, it will recognize it as a USB drive.

In the case of the FiiO, it doesn't use the USB port as audio in but just to power itself and to eliminate the need of a charger or power brick. Therefore only using 5V and GND and none of the DATA wires.
 
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