I have the scientific atlantic 8300HD and want to add an external hard drive. I have one but it has a firewire and a usb 2.0 output and the 8300 only utilizes the sata input. Can I buy a cable or adapter that will allow this to work? I found one on Dell:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A2125440&cs=04&c=us&l=en&dgc=SS&cid=39888&lid=1022056#Overview

any thoughts?

as far as i know the port is not activated. it not even connected on my unit - yes, i took the box apart some time ago.

I have the scientific atlantic 8300HD and want to add an external hard drive. I have one but it has a firewire and a usb 2.0 output and the 8300 only utilizes the sata input. Can I buy a cable or adapter that will allow this to work? I found one on Dell:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A2125440&cs=04&c=us&l=en&dgc=SS&cid=39888&lid=1022056#Overview

any thoughts?

Will work but I would look for a new ESATA enclosure from a local vendor. I see them all the time around $19.00.

as far as i know the port is not activated. it not even connected on my unit - yes, i took the box apart some time ago.

The Esata is active on the unit. It will use both the interanl and the external.

The adapter you linked goes the wrong way. You need one with a male Sata(to go into the box) and Female USB(to plug the cable coming out of your drive into), which I'm not sure are available. I have a Thermaltake BlackX SATA Hard drive dock, but it only connects via USB. I really wish these boxes could use an external USB drive. The USB port in my box will charge my ps3 controller but that seems to be all it's good for.

I will probably try either the external enclosure, or just suck it up and but the hard drive made for the DVR.