MacBook Pro 15" (late-2016) and HooToo USB-C Hub issue

Question

MacBook Pro 15" (late-2016) and HooToo USB-C Hub issue

Dear all,

I have just received the new 15-inch MBP w/Touch Bar and as I have a 1080p ASUS HDMI display I bought the HooToo USB-C Hub with 3 USB3.0 ports (1 fast charging), an SD card slot and an HDMI port on Amazon (http://amzn.to/2gZs7No).

I have encountered the following issues and I would like to know from you if you think all of these are normal and if there is any solution to some of them (if not, I have already prepared the return label for this product as it will not serve me in its current state):

the HDMI port works only if the Hub is connected to the power source (otherwise the MBP sees the display but its name is greyed out and it will not turn on the screen.
the USB 3.0 ports do not see any of my USB devices that have an HFS+ format (in particular: a Kingston DT SE9 G2 64GB and a WD My Passport for Mac). They both get hot and receive energy but they do not appear on the Desktop or within the connected devices.
if I connect a flash drive with is FAT32 or exFAT it works smoothly ...

Should I understand that I cannot attach HFS+ devices to this hub in particular or to any hub? Why is this happening? Is there a solution for this?

If I change this for the Apple AV adapter to USB-C, will it still show this issue or not?

Can you advise me another good USB-C hub (while waiting for the OWC T3 Dock in February)?

Thanks everyone

All the best

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016), macOS Sierra (10.12.1), Radeon Pro 460

Posted on Dec 6, 2016 11:08 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jan 27, 2017 2:41 PM in response to mdiallo

Hi, yes!

The CalDigit HDMI to usb-c adapter is working perfectly, with no issue in connecting / disconnecting.

Also I have encountered no issues during sleep / wake activities (which I was encountering with the HooToo).

I warmly recommend this product.

A pity that CalDigit's new T3 dock doesn't come with an HDMI port, it would have been overkill for me.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Dec 6, 2016 11:41 AM in response to NotationMaster

Contact the manufacturer, HooToo. That isn't an Apple product and was intended for use with a 12" MacBook.

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Answer 3

Dec 6, 2016 11:42 AM in response to Kappy

I have written to them but no answer at all from their part.

Could you advise me a product that can do this (HDMI output + USB3.0 reading and data transfer - possibly with SD but I don't use it that much)?

Would the Apple USB-C to Digital AV be good enough for this?

Are there any other good alternatives on the market?

Thanks

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Dec 6, 2016 12:00 PM in response to NotationMaster

I have not ever connected my MacBook to anything using HDMI, so I don't really know what to advise. I have the same HooToo accessory which works otherwise. The hub requires a power source as do other similar products (not including adapters like the one from Apple.)

Mine has no problems with mounting external flash drives formatted or not. If you don't need a portable hub, then spend the money on one from CalDigit or OWC. They are not intended for portable use.

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Answer 5

Dec 6, 2016 12:24 PM in response to Kappy

Just to confirm: your HooToo hub recognises HFS+ volumes, am I right?

If so mine is defective and should be replaced.

Also, I have an Apple USB adapter + an USB-C external drive + 2 USB-C adapters for USB3.0 by Aukey so if I can connect the HDMI display with the Apple adapter I think I will go in that direction.

Pity that this doesn't work and the support doesn't answer.

Thanks anyway.

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Answer 6

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Dec 6, 2016 12:27 PM in response to NotationMaster

Mine works fine in all respects that I have tried. I would simply file a complaint or exchange request with Amazon. They are pretty easy to work with.

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Answer 7

Dec 6, 2016 12:33 PM in response to Kappy

They told me to send it back and I will get a refund ... no replacement by now. But ok, I hope the support will eventually answer.

Thanks for your time.

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Answer 8

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Dec 6, 2016 12:37 PM in response to NotationMaster

Don't count on it. They maker is in China, I think. Amazon will make it good for you.

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Answer 9

Dec 6, 2016 12:57 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks for making me get to know CalDigit as a company, I am purchasing the HDMI adapter right now! 🙂

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Answer 10

Dec 7, 2016 10:50 PM in response to NotationMaster

I rubn the same setup, with different problems. What I figured out is that the HooToo does not push through enough power to the MBP. The Mac just needs more power. The HooToo was designed to work with the 12" MacBook. If I try to put in a card in the reader slot whilst a USB-device (keyboard) is attached to the HooToo alongside with the power supply it completly fails to work. The MacBook Pro reacts with charging-not charging-charging-not...

Detaching the keyboard helps.

We all have to wait for better USB-C hubs. It is nice that Apple wants to surprise us with new devices. But at least some "homework" needs to be done to help us pro users to work with what we need - and what was on board in the previous model.

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