I haven't seen an answer to this in the forum so here goes....

I'm in Tulsa with Cox and just got a new Motorola 3416 HD DVR. Because the memory is so small I called to see if there was something we could do to expand our capability. I spoke to a couple of people at Cox who told me that I could buy an external hard drive to expand the memory but they would not support it. So, now I have gone out, purchased a 500GB HD and an eSATA cable, plugged it in, but nothing happens. When I look at the memory capability on the DVR it doesn't change. I've turned things on and off and plugged and unplugged, but it doesn't seem to be recognizing the hard drive.

Does anyone know if I can actually hook up an external hard drive with this DVR through the eSATA port using Cox in Tulsa? If so, how? Thanks in advance.

Help - anyone? Bueller?

Still desperate....

This will not work. Motorola does not support it currently in their software. They say it is being developed but i wouldn't hold your breath.

Drive expansion is only possible on Cox systems using Scientific Atlanta equipment.

Currently, the only way to expand capacity on systems with Motorola equipment is to buy your own DVR. You have three options: (1) dual-tuner TivoHD, (2) discontinued, single-tuner Sony DHG-HDD250/500, or (3) Vista CableCard PC.

Drive expansion is only possible on Cox systems using Scientific Atlanta equipment.

Currently, the only way to expand capacity on systems with Motorola equipment is to buy your own DVR. You have three options: (1) dual-tuner TivoHD, (2) discontinued, single-tuner Sony DHG-HDD250/500, or (3) Vista CableCard PC.

and, unfortunately, even if you buy your own DVR, either the TIVO or the Sony, Cox Tulsa has locked out some of the current (the recently added HGTVHD, TravelHD and FoodHD) and all future HD channels. They say it is preperation for SDV (look it up).

I will vouch for cox not providing any more HD if you have a cable card. I have been using 2 cable cards for quite a while now and on the last go round where cox added the new channels I did not receive them, I called cox and they informed me that they would no longer be sending out new channels to the cable cards. My personal experience is they do not care about support for cable cards either. Which this could be a whole new subject on itself.I use one cable card in my tv and the other in my sony hdd-250
rlh149
I did want to come back and say that Cox did let the new programing go thruough to the cable cards. I sure hope with the new channels being released the end of this month they do the same.
rlh149

This is not a Cox issue. The issue is TIVO go to the TIVO website or call them.
The issue is in the form of providing better service, more HD ch's, & faster data speeds. The new HD ch's will require a two way device (TIVO is not currently able to be two way) like a cable box. Reasons for a two way device is due to the impending move to "switch digital video" which will allow Cox to offer more of the previously mentioned services.

Oh yeah, as a previous person said. Moto does not support external hard drives either.

This is not a Cox issue. The issue is TIVO go to the TIVO website or call them.
The issue is in the form of providing better service, more HD ch's, & faster data speeds. The new HD ch's will require a two way device (TIVO is not currently able to be two way) like a cable box. Reasons for a two way device is due to the impending move to "switch digital video" which will allow Cox to offer more of the previously mentioned services.

It is not a TIVO only issue. All cablecard devices are impacted. Cox is implementing this nation wide even though SDV will not be implemented in Tulsa until next year at the earliest. SDV would free up bandwith but how it is being implemented by Cox is questionable. The least viewed stations are the ones that should be "switched" not the most desireable or HD held hostage. These new channels do not require 2 way. Cox's implementation holds them hostage to 2 way.

OKCrew, you are correct.... it is NOT a TIVO only issue. Its all one way cable card devices.
How "SDV" is being implemented..... that would be a management decision(whom built Cox to the size it is) & there is ALWAYS some one who does not like or agree with the way it is being or been done.
I was simply trying to explain the reason for problems with the cable cards not receiveing the new HD channels, not to argue weather it is right or wrong. Just helping with some technical knowledge.
I will say though....... the spirit of your passion (or distain for the way Cox runs their business) does'nt seem to make any sense.
They are not holding any channels "hostage", there is a process to it all, as we have seen with the way Time Warner choose to roll out diferent products/channels (major problems with NFLHD).
The channels that choose to get in early with an HD product got on the lineup first. Now there are more channels available & contracts signed with no room. The only way to offer then is "SDV". ****Get to the party late you have to wait!***
Competion is here & growing, no company wants to push customers away. You may like certain channels but the odds are they are NOT the most popular, they might be in your circle of friends but not to the masses. Besides we all hate when the channel line up changes it gets to be a real pain to re-learn the new places for our favs.:)

SONECENT... I politely disagree with your justification of Cox cablecard/SDV/DVR marketing practices. I call them marketing practices because I believe these operational structure decisions are such.

I believe Cox has intentionally kept their staff ignorant as to cablecard to push customers to higher profit centers for them (VOD, DVR, etc). In fact, with this SDV implementation, I could find no one (1st level, 2nd level, at the physical office, etc) who knew of the issue. You will get answers all over the place.

I personally have several cablecard devices including Sony HD DVRs. I tried one of the Motorola 3416s so I could get the additional channels. The Moto box is horrible. Besides the terrible UI software, the hardware itself is terrible. The scalar, sound output, color reproduction, etc... are horrific but Cox is implementing this structure to force you into this terrible product to support their higher profit centers.

I don't begrudge a company from making a profit or maximizing their profit. I do have a problem with a governmental franchised monopoly doing so and doing so with such clandestine disingenuousness.

I will not use this far inferior product. If highly desirable HD channels are added and only available via SDV enforced utilization of this inferior product. I will leave to Satellite until competitive fiber optic arrives.

By the way, I am an "Ultimate Package" high $ Cox customer

OKCrew: This really sound like a personal complaint & slight conspiracy theory. I am sorry you feel there is a monopoly, which tends to be the last resort of a customer that has nothing else to complain about ( not that you are doing that) but is always unhappy. I hear that on occasion.
Successful companies keep their overhead costs low, but there is tremendous overhead with settop boxes. I can tell you are not interested in the facts ,just unhappy so I will not bother with the facts any longer.
I do think you will never be happy until someone runs things “your way”, so you might be better suited going elsewhere.

Good Luck,
The grass is not always greener on the other side.

SONECENT...

I find your commments interesting and believe the tone of your replies reflect an unspoken tie to Cox. Your only postings on this board (with your current userid at least) are in this thread only. Look back through my postings and you will find comments in several different areas.

I, like most at this site, am an AV enthusiast. I come to this site learn about optimizing my equipment and to share my experience as well. That is why I made my original post in this thread to assist the OP. Unfortunately, your defensive postings of Cox lead the thread in this direction. This will be my last posting in this thread as the original topic has been addressed.

I would like to leave you with this comment though. Businessess should be carefull of the customers they ask to leave. The typical AV enthusiast who posts on this site is probably a respected source of information or expert to your other customers.

I use cablecard instead of Cox's Motorola equipment which I do not like, and I notice they are witholding the new channels.

I noticed today Cox added the new channels to the cablecard. This is very promising and gives hope that the Motorola issue will be addressed. Thank you Cox.

SONECENT... I politely disagree with your justification of Cox cablecard/SDV/DVR marketing practices. I call them marketing practices because I believe these operational structure decisions are such.

I believe Cox has intentionally kept their staff ignorant as to cablecard to push customers to higher profit centers for them (VOD, DVR, etc). In fact, with this SDV implementation, I could find no one (1st level, 2nd level, at the physical office, etc) who knew of the issue. You will get answers all over the place.

I personally have several cablecard devices including Sony HD DVRs. I tried one of the Motorola 3416s so I could get the additional channels. The Moto box is horrible. Besides the terrible UI software, the hardware itself is terrible. The scalar, sound output, color reproduction, etc... are horrific but Cox is implementing this structure to force you into this terrible product to support their higher profit centers.

I don't begrudge a company from making a profit or maximizing their profit. I do have a problem with a governmental franchised monopoly doing so and doing so with such clandestine disingenuousness.

I will not use this far inferior product. If highly desirable HD channels are added and only available via SDV enforced utilization of this inferior product. I will leave to Satellite until competitive fiber optic arrives.

By the way, I am an "Ultimate Package" high $ Cox customer


Funny that I just found this forum. I just got off the phone with Cox about my hard drive. They say that you are supposed to have 30 hours of HD programming available with the DVR. What they dont tell you is that that is based on 480i formatting. No one delivers in 480i now and something like the olympics.......done in 1080p, you only get about 10 hours of recordable space. The tech tried to tell me that.......formally, Motoralla will tell you they do not support exteral hard drive via usb.....but according to the tech rep, he knows that some of the dvrs, depending on where they are made, have active usbs that if mated with a virgin usb external hard drive, the dvr will format it and will be usable. The trick is whether your dvr is "active" or not. He said he had not done it to his dvr personally yet so dont quote him. Well, I am strongly considering moving to direct tv. cant believe I am saying that but have several friends to have it and they record the bejesus out of hd programming and never loose recorded shows. last night i had 10 hours olympics recorded and the 11th hour began recording and it erased a recorded show. Done this on many occasions.

Got any advice?
TIA

When you leave, be sure to tell them WHY you are dumping them.

Many cable users (including some Cox cities, I think) can get expanded recording via an external disk, but only if it is one of the Scientific Atlanta DVRs that supports it (and if the cable co. also chooses to support it).

Sadly, Cox has stuck Tulsa with the Motorola box.


Funny that I just found this forum. I just got off the phone with Cox about my hard drive. They say that you are supposed to have 30 hours of HD programming available with the DVR. What they dont tell you is that that is based on 480i formatting. No one delivers in 480i now and something like the olympics.......done in 1080p, you only get about 10 hours of recordable space. The tech tried to tell me that.......formally, Motoralla will tell you they do not support exteral hard drive via usb.....but according to the tech rep, he knows that some of the dvrs, depending on where they are made, have active usbs that if mated with a virgin usb external hard drive, the dvr will format it and will be usable. The trick is whether your dvr is "active" or not. He said he had not done it to his dvr personally yet so dont quote him. Well, I am strongly considering moving to direct tv. cant believe I am saying that but have several friends to have it and they record the bejesus out of hd programming and never loose recorded shows. last night i had 10 hours olympics recorded and the 11th hour began recording and it erased a recorded show. Done this on many occasions.

Got any advice?
TIA

no doubt I will let them know that its due to the hamstrung DVR. TWC made thier choice to stick us with the Moto box and guess I will have to make my choice to not due business with them anylonger.

I have a 3416 DVR with Comcast in Spokane WA, and am needing more storage space. Just bumping this to see if anyone's found any new solutions in the last couple months. TIA.

I have a 3416 DVR with Comcast in Spokane WA, and am needing more storage space. Just bumping this to see if anyone's found any new solutions in the last couple months. TIA.

Nothing, they are worthless. The port is on there, why don't they just enable it? What is the point of putting it on there

I just spoke with Tech support at Cox (I am in Tulsa, but tech support person was in OKC, where they have the SA boxes), and they said that the external hard drive is supported on the Motorola 3416 that I have, but they said it must be a SATA II drive. I am still a little reluctant to run out and buy a SATA II drive and enclosure to test it without some additional confirmation that it works. Has anyone tried this and either gotten it to work with a SATA II drive, or proven that it does not? They insisted that it had to be SATA II.

No Motorola DVRs anywhere support an external drive. The Cox rep was confusing the Motorola boxes with the Scientific Atlanta boxes.

For now...if your area uses Motorola boxes, you have to look at the TivoHD and Moxi for storage expansion.