ZWO ASI camera with USB Type C adapter?

[Space Oddities]

Hello Stargazers!

I recently acquired a ZWO ASI224 camera. It works well on my Mac, but I'm having trouble on my tiny Windows laptop. 

This laptop has USB 2.0 slots: no issue there (apart from the lower transfer speed). It also has a USB "Type C" slot, which surprisingly is USB 3.0 according to the specs (not 3.1 like most USB "Type C" things). Since USB 3.0 has higher transfer speeds than USB 2.0, I bought an adapter to mount the camera there.

However, when using the USB C to A adapter, Windows doesn't detect the camera. I have the latest drivers and everything up-to-date, and it works fine when I plug the camera on the USB 2.0 slots. Also, the adapter itself works fine with other USB devices.

I contacted ZWO's support team, but they don't seem to know what the issue is. Like me, they are surprised that it doesn't work, since USB is supposed to be backward compatible.

 

Has anyone been using successfully this kind of camera through a USB type C slot/adapter? If yes, did you run into a similar issue? Perhaps have you got an adapter you'd recommend?

Thanks for your feedback!

Pierre

[PeterCPC]

Can't help with the camera since I use mine with both USB2 and USB3 but have you tried updating the driver for the USB port in question?

Peter

[Space Oddities]

Thanks a lot Peter for your suggestion. I didn't know they could be updated actually! I'll give it a try

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

It almost sounds like a connectivity issue in the USB-C to A adaptor.

[Space Oddities]

5 minutes ago, michael.h.f.wilkinson said:

It almost sounds like a connectivity issue in the USB-C to A adaptor.

That's what I thought first, but then I plugged a USB thumb drive in the adapter and everything was fine

[johninderby]

Is the USB port OTG compatible? Some laptops need OTG enabling to work with a camera. A common problem but usually with a tablet. Run an OTG checker to see.

[Space Oddities]

Interesting, John, I will check that. It's actually a 2-in-1 laptop, which works as a tablet if you detach the keyboard. The USB 2.0 slots are on the keyboard, while the USB-C slot is on the tablet.

I'd love to leave the keyboard at home when imaging, both to reduce the weight and benefit from the tactile capabilities 

Thanks for your suggestions!  

[johninderby]

Tablets also need a USB OTG adaptor. I had to use one with my ZWO camera and tablet.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=usb+otg+adapter&index=aps&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_51glrkx492_e&adgrpid=57207986590&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=259061271269&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=544585819294887863&hvqmt=e&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006674&hvtargid=aud-487428856307:kwd-296167504740

[Space Oddities]

Thanks John! I'll check the possible software fixes first, and try buying an OTG adapter if these don't work.

[johninderby]

Most modern tablets allow OTG to be enabled but you’ll probably need the adaptor as well.

BTW  OTG stands for On The Go

[Space Oddities]

All right, I finally got it working! There was no update for USB available from Windows itself, but I found an update from Lenovo. Now Windows can detect my camera, and FireCapture works well!

If anyone comes across the same issue with the same laptop, the Lenovo Miix 320, here is the update I downloaded to make the USB-C port work in USB 3.0: https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/de/en/products/tablets/miix-series/miix-320-10icr/downloads/DS503803

Thanks for your help guys!