Charging via USB

The manual says the VITA won't charge via USB if it is not turned of, however I noticed it did charge when I left it connected to the USB after transferring files with the content manager. The home button did not glow red, but the battery indicator filled up. I thought that is not even possible?

It works if the console is on standby, not just turned off

Yeah I know, I just wondered as there were a lot of discussions about that it does not work and even the manual states

You can also charge your system by connecting it to a USB device such as a computer using the USB cable. When charging your system using a USB device, turn off your system. You cannot charge your system when it is in standby mode. To completely power off the system, press and hold the power button for two seconds, and then tap [Power Off] on the screen that appears.

So I was just really suprised.

Confirmed. Just had it plugged in a for about 10 minutes, and it went from 71% to 74% while in sleep mode. It absolutely DOES charge in sleep mode. (single press power button)

mine is hit and miss, i tried it usb to computer.. nothing. usb to cigarrette adapter in car... nothing. usb to plug (HTC charger) charged.. i checked the usb settings also and everything seems in order

How are you confirming that is isn't charging?

no orange light, no battery charge symbol (ie. the lightning thing?!) compared to when using the provided charger...

Well, when it's sleeping, there won't be an orange light, nor can you see the charge icon on the battery.

Do this, plug it in your computer, don't open the content manager, and just press the power button to put it in sleep mode. Go onto your computer, and open My Computer. You should see the Vita listed as a device there along with your computer HDD, etc. Right click on it and go to Properties. You'll see what your current batter life is. Wait ten minutes, unlplug the vita from the computer, plug it back in, and check the properties again.

il give that a try tonite... see if i notice any difference... but for the cigarette charge.. would it be better to swtich off completely rather than sleep?

I've not used a cig charger on it yet. I'd imagine it doesn't matter really. I've done it both ways with the PSP and it was fine.

Mine has always charged while sleeping with my USB port, got a cable ran to the dock and the Vita sitting in the dock and it fully charges like that, and very quickly I might add. I figured mine worked because I have an Asus P6X58D mobo which has some sort of hyper charging USB ports that will charge even iPads.

Then yours SHOULD charge while it's on...

I haven't tested it but it's possible that it might

I know the ports charge my ipad2, whereas the normal ones on my PC don't. So, you might be golden there.

Yes it does.

From my post above:

Well, when it's sleeping, there won't be an orange light, nor can you see the charge icon on the battery.

Do this, plug it in your computer, don't open the content manager, and just press the power button to put it in sleep mode. Go onto your computer, and open My Computer. You should see the Vita listed as a device there along with your computer HDD, etc. Right click on it and go to Properties. You'll see what your current batter life is. Wait ten minutes, unlplug the vita from the computer, plug it back in, and check the properties again.

you know you have to change it in your settings to charge via usb?