e-sata hard drives

[krp1997]

I'm thinking of getting an external hard drive to expand my DVR capacity, but had a couple of quick questions.

I have a DVR from my cable company and one from Dish Network. If I record something on the drive thru the cable box, can I then hook the drive up to the Dish DVR and then watch that program through it?

Also, can I transfer something already recorded onto the Dish or cable DVR to the new hard drive?

[Johk]

Originally Posted by krp1997

I have a DVR from my cable company and one from Dish Network. If I record something on the drive thru the cable box, can I then hook the drive up to the Dish DVR and then watch that program through it?

No. You can't even do it between two identical cable DVR.

Originally Posted by krp1997

Also, can I transfer something already recorded onto the Dish or cable DVR to the new hard drive?

No, for the cable DVR and I don't have Dish so I am not familiar to their system.

Basically, once you install the external drive the DVR will format it. Then when new things are recorded they will be recorded to the internal or external drive depending on the % of space left. Basically the DVR will try to maintain both HD to the same space ratio. You can't choose where the programs are recorded and you can't access anything if you hook it up to a computer.

Before you get your external drive, I would advise you to check out the compatibility database listed in this thread on the AVS forum. Not all hard drives perform well with DVR, this data gathered from trials/errors will give you a safe combination.

[VinnAY]

I can vouch for the guy above; I use an E-sata expander on my DVR box and that drive formats to just that one specific box, you can't move them around to other STB's.

[krp1997]

Well that's just silly. I can understand I guess not being able to go from the cable box to the Dish DVR, but they really should come up with a way or allow you to choose where you want your recordings to go.

[VinnAY]

Further, once the additional drive is connected to the DVR STB, it shows as "one" drive...you can't manipulate programs to the internal/external HDD.

This is on a Scientific Atlanta(?) 8300HD, and 8300HDC

[krp1997]

Yep that what I have, Scientific Atlanta 8300.

Thanks for the input guys.

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by krp1997

Yep that what I have, Scientific Atlanta 8300.

Thanks for the input guys.

That'll be $10 in gold (the USD isn't worth squat right now)...PM me for payment addy.