Increasing save space - Scientific Atlanta HDDVR - Blu-ray Forum

SpaceDog · 10-23-2008, 03:45 PM

I work a lot, and the cable company has never upgraded the drive space on DVRs. Frequently, since I record almost entirely in HD, I'm losing programs. Partly because the system doesn't document retention times very well anymore, and partly because the drives are just too small. I'm losing shows that are important to me.

Anyone know if there is a way I can introduce an external data source for my DVR? Anyone have any other suggestions?

Need more shows saved!

DetroitSportsFan · 10-23-2008, 05:41 PM

Bump.

I'd like to know too.

Wingman1977 · 10-23-2008, 06:50 PM

Call your cable company and ask?

DetroitSportsFan · 10-23-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

Call your cable company and ask?

Yeah, they're going to tell you how to go into the diagnostic menus of the cable box or how to use additional storage.

mikejet · 10-23-2008, 07:03 PM

Why can't they just allow the use of external USB drives...I mean my cable box has 2 USB ports FOR NOTHING.

SpaceDog · 10-23-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikejet

Why can't they just allow the use of external USB drives...I mean my cable box has 2 USB ports FOR NOTHING.

Pretty much the same thing here. Useless USB.
I guess I should also say I work for my cable company, and we don't have an official solution apart from "get a second, third DVR".
I want a more manageable solution.

m_tyson · 10-23-2008, 07:34 PM

i have read that my TWC SA8300HD will allow an external drive, but i haven't tried it.

Marquoz · 10-23-2008, 09:36 PM

I'm sure a lot of the reasons the USB ports are disabled is to prevent external storage. This gives them control over what you save and how you watch it, with the external storage solution they lose control over it, and you can easily transfer it to other devices. I'm not sure they have the contracted ability to allow you to be able to transfer what you watch/save from cable to other devices. It could get finicky for satelite/cable operators to get caught with their pants down allowing users to do what they want with the broadcast material.

BluWinter · 10-23-2008, 10:27 PM

I know my DVR allows me to hook up a eSata drive to it and use it as additional recording. Ive been doing it for over a year now. I have a Scientific Atlanta HD DVR as well, but im with Time Warner Cable, dont know if that makes a difference or not.

Seablazer · 10-24-2008, 12:34 AM

I have the 8300HD DVR and also have an external HDD hooked up to it.

My cable service is through Cablevision... Seems to be more lenient with their items because when I turned in my dead 8300, the customer service rep at the Optimum Online store (walk-in shop for Cablevision custs.) informed me of the size limits and type that would work... I now regularly can save up to 80 hours of HD programming.. It is a god send!

Now if only Cablevision would put in my new drop line and I might actually get to enjoy all the available channels (at any given time, only 50% of my HD channels actually function).

olds403 · 10-24-2008, 12:52 PM

Dishnetwork allows the use of external drives for storage, up to 750GB is supported. I just got my VIP722 reciever and it is awesome, already has a 500GB internal drive. You might think about switching from your cable company if they do not support external drives or offer to upgrade your dvr with a model that has more internal storage space.

mikejet · 10-24-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olds403

Dishnetwork allows the use of external drives for storage, up to 750GB is supported. I just got my VIP722 reciever and it is awesome, already has a 500GB internal drive. You might think about switching from your cable company if they do not support external drives or offer to upgrade your dvr with a model that has more internal storage space.

My cable company has very limited options and my apartment is not satellite friendly.

SpaceDog · 10-24-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seablazer

I have the 8300HD DVR and also have an external HDD hooked up to it.

Same model. What port do you have it hooked to? Did you have to do anything to activate it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluWinter

I know my DVR allows me to hook up a eSata drive to it and use it as additional recording. Ive been doing it for over a year now. I have a Scientific Atlanta HD DVR as well, but im with Time Warner Cable, dont know if that makes a difference or not.

Same question. I have/work for/Time Warner Cable. How did you hook it up, and did you have to activate a setting? I have the new OCAP software on my box.

crxvtec · 10-24-2008, 10:50 PM

I would MUCH rather have the option to save to the hard drive to the PS3. Dont they have a TV tuner in Europe? My DVR is a Sci Atlantic and thru Cox. It sucks that the USB port does not work. I can get a 500GB 2.5 internal for my PS3 for 130 right now. It would make it easier for me to just have it all on the PS3

katharsis · 10-24-2008, 11:05 PM

Some do allow external SATA drives. USB would just be too slow and is no good for video, should be either FireWire or SATA then.
You can get external SATA cases for about $30 and then buy the biggest drive you can find... 500GB, 750GB or even 1TB. That should allow you to record the shows and not worry about running out of space every 2-3 weeks.

10-23-2008, 03:45 PM	#1
SpaceDog Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Raleigh, NC Blu-ray collection:116	Increasing save space - Scientific Atlanta HDDVR I work a lot, and the cable company has never upgraded the drive space on DVRs. Frequently, since I record almost entirely in HD, I'm losing programs. Partly because the system doesn't document retention times very well anymore, and partly because the drives are just too small. I'm losing shows that are important to me. Anyone know if there is a way I can introduce an external data source for my DVR? Anyone have any other suggestions? Need more shows saved!

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Atlanta flooding	General Chat	DC_Street	29	09-25-2009 06:51 PM
Vaguely Scientific, HT-Related Question	Home Theater General Discussion	JJ	10	01-03-2009 12:58 PM
hard disk expansion for Scientific Atlanta PVR	Newbie Discussion	Dui	2	11-29-2008 04:58 AM
New Directv HDDVR	General Chat	Nutty	2	08-31-2008 10:48 AM
Question regarding increasing the HDD space to PS3	PS3	Lord_Stewie	10	07-24-2007 01:42 AM

10-23-2008, 05:41 PM	#2
DetroitSportsFan Hot Deals Moderator Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Michigan 4K collection:439 Blu-ray collection:2226 Trading Score:93	Bump. I'd like to know too.

10-23-2008, 06:50 PM	#3
Wingman1977 Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:The empire state Trading Score:23	Call your cable company and ask?

10-23-2008, 07:03 PM	#5
mikejet Banned Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Los Angeles, CA Blu-ray reviews:5 Trading Score:29	Why can't they just allow the use of external USB drives...I mean my cable box has 2 USB ports FOR NOTHING.

10-23-2008, 07:34 PM	#7
m_tyson Senior Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:La Jolla Trading Score:10	i have read that my TWC SA8300HD will allow an external drive, but i haven't tried it.

10-23-2008, 09:36 PM	#8
Marquoz Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2008 Location:New Orleans Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:167 Trading Score:2	I'm sure a lot of the reasons the USB ports are disabled is to prevent external storage. This gives them control over what you save and how you watch it, with the external storage solution they lose control over it, and you can easily transfer it to other devices. I'm not sure they have the contracted ability to allow you to be able to transfer what you watch/save from cable to other devices. It could get finicky for satelite/cable operators to get caught with their pants down allowing users to do what they want with the broadcast material.

10-23-2008, 10:27 PM	#9
BluWinter Banned Member since:Oct 2008	I know my DVR allows me to hook up a eSata drive to it and use it as additional recording. Ive been doing it for over a year now. I have a Scientific Atlanta HD DVR as well, but im with Time Warner Cable, dont know if that makes a difference or not.

10-24-2008, 12:34 AM	#10
Seablazer Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Long Island, NY Blu-ray collection:117	I have the 8300HD DVR and also have an external HDD hooked up to it. My cable service is through Cablevision... Seems to be more lenient with their items because when I turned in my dead 8300, the customer service rep at the Optimum Online store (walk-in shop for Cablevision custs.) informed me of the size limits and type that would work... I now regularly can save up to 80 hours of HD programming.. It is a god send! Now if only Cablevision would put in my new drop line and I might actually get to enjoy all the available channels (at any given time, only 50% of my HD channels actually function).

10-24-2008, 12:52 PM	#11
olds403 Active Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Michigan	Dishnetwork allows the use of external drives for storage, up to 750GB is supported. I just got my VIP722 reciever and it is awesome, already has a 500GB internal drive. You might think about switching from your cable company if they do not support external drives or offer to upgrade your dvr with a model that has more internal storage space.

10-24-2008, 10:50 PM	#14
crxvtec Senior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:PHX, AZ Blu-ray reviews:2	I would MUCH rather have the option to save to the hard drive to the PS3. Dont they have a TV tuner in Europe? My DVR is a Sci Atlantic and thru Cox. It sucks that the USB port does not work. I can get a 500GB 2.5 internal for my PS3 for 130 right now. It would make it easier for me to just have it all on the PS3

10-24-2008, 11:05 PM	#15
katharsis Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:SoCal Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray collection:379 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	Some do allow external SATA drives. USB would just be too slow and is no good for video, should be either FireWire or SATA then. You can get external SATA cases for about $30 and then buy the biggest drive you can find... 500GB, 750GB or even 1TB. That should allow you to record the shows and not worry about running out of space every 2-3 weeks.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals