Right now I have DirecTv and the model of my DVR is the R15. Can I hook up my external Hard drive to the usb connection in the front and transfer shows to it? Do I need any software? Thank you, it's greatly appreciated.

No, you cannot.

Only the HR20 is expandable with an external eSATA hard drive. The R15 is not expandable.

When you figure out an easy way to move saved programs from the tivo to your hard drive please let me in on it. I take my sony DV camera and connect by s-video and record onto the DV tape and then have to transfer it again to my laptop. After that I then transfer it to the NAS drive.

I hate it.

john