Stumped - Splitting USB-C Port

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Nimi

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I can't get it to work. Very specific use-case, but you might have solved it for other applications.

The Z9 has one USB-C port. I need to connect two plugs into it (computer for tethering and the new MC-N10 controller). I tried a Belkin splitter and an un-powered Anker hub, and neither worked for me. The camera shows that it is being charged by the laptop but is neither tethering nor activating the controller. The connection isn't permitting data to flow, even when only one device is plugged into the splitter/hub.

Do you think a powered hub would work, or is there something foundemental about the connection I am not understanding? And theorizing, is it even possible to split the port for anything other than power on a camera?

Thanks in advance.
 
i would try plugging the camera into a powered hub and then plug the mc10 into the hub. may or may not work, but it may.

the other option is a dummy battery

I'll try that. I don't need power transfer, just data, so I don't think the dummy battery would do it anything.
 
I can't get it to work. Very specific use-case, but you might have solved it for other applications.

The Z9 has one USB-C port. I need to connect two plugs into it (computer for tethering and the new MC-N10 controller). I tried a Belkin splitter and an un-powered Anker hub, and neither worked for me. The camera shows that it is being charged by the laptop but is neither tethering nor activating the controller. The connection isn't permitting data to flow, even when only one device is plugged into the splitter/hub.

Do you think a powered hub would work, or is there something foundemental about the connection I am not understanding? And theorizing, is it even possible to split the port for anything other than power on a camera?

Thanks in advance.
In your network menu what do you have set under "connect to computer"? Also in the setup menu there is a "USB connection priority". Maybe you need to turn off "USB power delivery"
 
I can't get it to work. Very specific use-case, but you might have solved it for other applications.

The Z9 has one USB-C port. I need to connect two plugs into it (computer for tethering and the new MC-N10 controller). I tried a Belkin splitter and an un-powered Anker hub, and neither worked for me. The camera shows that it is being charged by the laptop but is neither tethering nor activating the controller. The connection isn't permitting data to flow, even when only one device is plugged into the splitter/hub.

Do you think a powered hub would work, or is there something foundemental about the connection I am not understanding? And theorizing, is it even possible to split the port for anything other than power on a camera?

Thanks in advance.
Make sure the cable is not the issue. Not all usb cables carry data
 
So you can use either the laptop or the mc-n10 separately connected to the camera, but you need to have them both connected?
well logic suggests a splitter should work.

I have an HDMI splitter that works perfectly but there was an issue in terms of the monitors used as receivers. The sender unit only sent at the definition of the lowest definition monitor.
I’m wondering if the camera software can detect another device?
 
So you can use either the laptop or the mc-n10 separately connected to the camera, but you need to have them both connected?
well logic suggests a splitter should work.

I have an HDMI splitter that works perfectly but there was an issue in terms of the monitors used as receivers. The sender unit only sent at the definition of the lowest definition monitor.
I’m wondering if the camera software can detect another device?

Splitter, actually any daisychain connection isn't working. Waiting on a powered hub to come in. HDMI splitter, no issue.
 
note, if the powered hub doesn't work, i'd file a bug with nikon, it seems like that could be made to work, they just need to be flexible where it's found on the usb bus i think

note @Ralph 's comment. test each item point to point with the cable you intend to use before adding the hub in since, as he points out, cables have different capabilities (so much for "u)niveral")
 
note, if the powered hub doesn't work, i'd file a bug with nikon, it seems like that could be made to work, they just need to be flexible where it's found on the usb bus i think

note @Ralph 's comment. test each item point to point with the cable you intend to use before adding the hub in since, as he points out, cables have different capabilities (so much for "u)niveral")

I did that. Each of the two devices works connected with an uninterrupted cable. Neither works when a splitter or an unpowered hub is added, using same cable, although current flows. I think the current drop or resistance increase across the connection might be the culprit.
 
I'm not sure you can simultaneously split a USB port in the way you wish to. Be careful too as the 3 devices you are connecting are powered. Type C devices navigate power through a protocol which can multiply the voltage and could do some damage.
 
I would be surprised if any device would work in parallel with the MC-N10 controller regardless of the type of splitter (powered, unpowered, etc.).

As I see the problem: Functionally the MC-N10 is a mirror of numerous camera controls and is designed to control several camera functions in real time and therefore quite possibly requires dedicated use of the camera USB port in order to eliminate the risk of camera control lag. Consequently I would be extremely/pleasantly surprised if the Z9 USB 3.2 Gen 1 bus at its rated 5 GB/sec could handle data to and/or from an additional external device while the MC-N10 is connected.

Maybe I am wrong and you can hopefully find a solution!!
 
I do not own the MC-N10. I did find a link to an on line user guide for it. See below:


I skimmed the guide but did not see a lot about the USB-C port issue except to use the USB cable that came with the MC-N10.

If the Z9 Reference guide covers the MC-N10 I would check it to see what it says about the USB cable and whether a spliiter cable is possible. I would hate to do anything that might damage the Z9 or the MC-N10. Maybe NikonUSA has some guidance it can provide.
 
I didn't know that's possible with LR. It was only a month ago Adobe enabled tethering.
It was possible since day 1. You actually have to use the "Nikon wireless transmitter utility" to send it to a folder on your PC then set lightroom for auto import. Takes around 5 seconds for a HE* RAW file to pop up in lightroom.
 
It was possible since day 1. You actually have to use the "Nikon wireless transmitter utility" to send it to a folder on your PC then set lightroom for auto import. Takes around 5 seconds for a HE* RAW file to pop up in lightroom.
I know, you could also do it through Nikon Tether into a folder and let LR load it automatically. At least in my case (M2), in addition to the pain-in-the-ass 5 second lag, it was very unstable, had to be reset continuously. The direct tether came in the February LR release, is instantaneous and I have yet to crash it.
 
I know, you could also do it through Nikon Tether into a folder and let LR load it automatically. At least in my case (M2), in addition to the pain-in-the-ass 5 second lag, it was very unstable, had to be reset continuously. The direct tether came in the February LR release, is instantaneous and I have yet to crash it.
The LAN connection was unstable or lightroom auto import?
 
I know, you could also do it through Nikon Tether into a folder and let LR load it automatically. At least in my case (M2), in addition to the pain-in-the-ass 5 second lag, it was very unstable, had to be reset continuously. The direct tether came in the February LR release, is instantaneous and I have yet to crash it.
You could send them wirelessly....
 
The LAN connection was unstable or lightroom auto import?
My guess is the LAN. But same tether cable with direct to LR is 100%, as it was with my previous Nikons. Wireless had a longer lag, which is actually an issue, slows down the session too much. Regardless, thankfully it's now fixed.
 
Normally there can only be one active host on a usb topology as usb follows a tree topology. The exception is the case where all the host devices have dual role controller hardware. Typically phones and tablets are dual role while laptops and desktops aren’t. I doubt the controller is either. There is both a cost penalty (3 controllers vs 1 )and a speed penalty (bandwidth is used up by management protocols) for using dual role configurations. Even then the dual use design point was about directly connecting one host to another via a single cable.
 
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I can't get it to work. Very specific use-case, but you might have solved it for other applications.

The Z9 has one USB-C port. I need to connect two plugs into it (computer for tethering and the new MC-N10 controller). I tried a Belkin splitter and an un-powered Anker hub, and neither worked for me. The camera shows that it is being charged by the laptop but is neither tethering nor activating the controller. The connection isn't permitting data to flow, even when only one device is plugged into the splitter/hub.

Do you think a powered hub would work, or is there something foundemental about the connection I am not understanding? And theorizing, is it even possible to split the port for anything other than power on a camera?

Thanks in advance.
I found the same problem.
The 2 solutions I found.
Use a dummy battery to power the Z9.
Or tether through the ethernet port like on the older D series DSLR Nikons... 🦘
 
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