What is the Use of USB Port in Tata Play and Other DTH Set Top Box?

UPDATE: Now the USB port in the set top box can also be used to connect the USB Wi-Fi Dongle which is used to connect the STB to broadband Internet connection wirelessly to access VoD (Video on Demand) content delivered by the DTH service provider or to use your mobile phone as a remote for the STB with the help of mobile application supplied by DTH company.

We have posted many reviews and guides about various DTH (Direct-To-Home) services available in India such as Tata Play (formerly known as Tata Sky), Airtel Digital TV (ADTV), Dish TV, Videocon D2H, etc. We have compared Tata Sky with Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV. We have also shared secret tricks to reveal hidden Service Menus in Tata Sky, Airtel and Dish TV set top boxes.

[Review] Comparison Between Airtel Digital TV (ADTV) and Tata Sky DTH Services in India

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Ever since we started posting about DTH services, many people have asked us about mysterious USB port available on these DTH set top boxes. People regularly ask us what is the use or function of this USB port present in set top boxes?

So today we decided to write an article about the use of USB ports given in almost all DTH set top boxes. Some DTH service providers provide USB ports on all kind of set top boxes whether its a normal SD box or HD/HD+ box. But some DTH provide USB ports only on HD/HD+ boxes. Also some set top boxes contain the USB port in front and some set top boxes contain it at backside.

Basically USB port on a set top box is used for recording purposes. It is provided to store recordings of live programs telecasting via your set top box. Some DTH services allow customers to attach their USB drives in this USB port to play videos, songs or view photos stored on their USB drive.

For example, Dish TV provides USB port on its True HD+ set top box so that users can record TV programs on USB drives attached to the port. Dish TV provides this USB port because Dish TV set top box doesn’t contain any internal hard disk to store data.

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Other DTH services such as Tata Sky, Airtel and Videocon also provide USB ports on their HD/HD+ set top boxes but it doesn’t allow you to record programs or view content stored on your USB drive. If you insert your USB drive into this USB port, nothing will happen. So the question comes why do they provide USB port if its not functional?

The answer is, Tata Sky and other DTH services have blocked the functionality of this USB port available on their set top boxes via its firmware. Currently this USB port is used by their engineers to reinstall STB software in case its not working properly. If the companies want, they can make the USB port functional via a firmware upgrade in future and then you’ll be able to use it to store programs or to attach your USB drive to view its contents.

At the moment the only use of this USB port is to charge your USB devices such as mobile phones, portable FMs, etc. You can attach your mobile phone to the USB port of your DTH set top box using a USB cable and it’ll start charging your mobile phone.

Did you know that you can charge your mobile phone or other USB devices using the USB port available on DTH set top boxes? Do you know any other use of these USB ports? Feel free to share your suggestions and feedback in your comment…

Also Check:

[Review] Which DTH Service Provides Maximum HD Channels in India?

Published in: Mobiles and Internet

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. TATA Sky USB port now can be used for Wi-Fi dongle supplied by TATA Sky. I have recently purchased the same ( Around Rs. 250) and now using mobile application of TATA Sky I can connect to set top box through Wi Fi. For services like Mobile as a remote control, Anywhere TV so that I can watch live TV programs through WI FI.

  2. Sir Kya extraem set up box ma pen drive lagakar Aapni videos Dekh sakte h
    Please give me answer

  3. ^^ I have not tried it myself but I have heard that it supports USB drives and we can watch the USB drive content on this STB. You may need to download a Files app using Store on STB.

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