8300HD and External SATA - It Works!! - Page 298

I've been thinking of going TIVO, but I keep reading about too many problems. I've always had an HTPC on my mind too.

My DVR Expander did die. I know I have mystro and navigator but can't tell what software I have even from the diagnostic menu. I am looking to buy an internal sata drive with an enclosure but am not sure which one to buy. Would like to get a 2tb. I have TWC and am in NYC.

Thanks

???? Do you mean an "external" sata drive? Pretty sure that 1tb is the max.

Here's the Navigator data base linked on page 1 of this thread. I have a WD black caviar which seems to work well for people.

http://www.baseportal.com/baseportal/xnappo/navigator

Most people seem to indicate problems above 1TB. I would not bother trying anything higher. Also, your machine model would help (you said in NYC). Then maybe someone can recommend the method to check the version. /Dan

Yup Western Digital Black 1TB is what I got after my 500 GB one died after being on since 2007. Still using same Azio enclosure from 2007 though. Getting correct enclosure is important too.

Thanks for info. I have the Scientific Atlantic 8300HD. I thought you buy an internal drive and the enclosure instead of an external drive. Do you also need a power source and is it the same esata cable that came with the dvr expander or do you need a different one? I did read that if you go above 1TB you could have problems so thank you for confirming that.

I think I see what you mean. Yes, buy a bare sata drive, buy a case, put them together. Yes, you can use your existing esata cable.

BTW, are you sure that your current expander is really dead?

Saw a black caviar on Newegg for $119. Price seems to be coming down. Not to pre flood levels, but better.

The Rosewill Aluminum enclosure (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817173042) works too and is very quiet; fan can be turned off. ebay used drive (http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Seagate-Barr...d=p3286.c0.m14) may be an option to get 1GB for good price; just make sure it was not used in a DVR previously.

I just switched to a Kingwin EZ-Dock instead of an outside casing with a fan (noisy or not). It works fine, no fan and no screws. They are $20 at Frys Electronics. Also, I plugged in a 2TB drive and it wouldn't locate it. Some months back, I also switched to the Caviar Black 1TB drive, and, although not completely perfect, most of the video and audio stuttering, pausing, etc. is now gone.

I bought this and tested it and it works---
Rosewill RX35-AT-SC SLV Full Aluminum Cover, Metal Tray 3.5" Silver USB2.0 & eSATA External Enclosure
$29.99 at Newegg. Was $19.99 when I bought it *6/6/2011.

And this HD---
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$139.99 at Newegg. Was $89.99 when I bought it *6/6/2011.

I use that drive for PS3 backup though.. not for DVR expander, but before I put backup on it, I tested it on my 8300HD with navigator and it worked.

If my Azio enclosure from 2007 ever dies, I'll use that Rosewill.

wtf dp

This one has a fan..

Rosewill RX-358 V2 BLK (Black) 3.5" SATA to USB & eSATA Ext. Enclosure w/Int.80mm fan
$29.99

-------- and in the reviews at newegg -----------
''Works for my DVR!'' 4/9/2012 8:32:49 PM

''Pros: Build quality seems good. Easy to follow instructions for installation.

Cons: Six screws to disassemble the unit to install or remove a drive. Power and drive activity lights are ridiculously bright.

Other Thoughts: I used this enclosure with a Western Digital 640 GB HDD as an external expansion drive for my Time Warner/Scientific Atlanta 8300 DVR. After securing the HDD in the enclosure, I powered down everything, then connected the enclosure to the eSata port on the DVR, then powered up the drive enclosure, then powered up the DVR. The DVR immediately recognized the drive, formatted it, and my DVR went from 71% full to 8% full. It's been working great since then, but I'll need to put some black tape over the power and drive activity lights, as they are distracting when trying to watch TV.''
--------------------------
So that's something I guess...

Thanks for the advice. Missed The WD Blac cavier on sale for $99 at staples last week. It is $119 at Newegg or I have a Staples coupon so about the same with tax.

I have two questions. 1) Do I need a power source or does a power source come with the enclosure?

2) with the enclosure it will cost a little over $150. would I be better off getting the iomega 1TB dvr expander for $180 and not have to fool with anything?

Also, I found this model that claims it is a dvr expander, Fantom GreenDrive 1TB USB 2.0/eSATA Desktop External Hard Drive GD1000E which is $130 at New Egg with free shipping since I have shoprunner or $119 plus about $6 in shipping from tiger direct. I think Tigerdirect has a better return policy and Newegg doesn't pricematch. The chart on the first page says that people have had success with this model.

Thx so much!

Not sure about those all in one dvr expanders.. You'll be taking your chances unless you get someone that tried it to confirm. Some things work for some people and not others. I'd check what exact model of HD is in it. Sometimes they ''work'' technically, but glitch because of poor HD performance.

I too was a little apprehensive about putting a bare drive in a case. However, it is simple and only takes a few minutes. The drive just slides into its contact points. Just need to make sure you don't crimp any wires. I recommend you stick with the tried and true Black Caviar. Power source comes with enclosure.

Thanks BWX. The Fantom drive seems to be the least expensive easiest solution. Several people with my model have had success with it and if it doesn't work I can return it. So I think I will try it.

Will report back.

I'd get a WD Caviar Black and an enclosure.. but yeah you can always return it I guess.

Ok. I get the point Last question. Can I use the esata to esata cable that came with the dvr expander or will i need a different one? Thanks

Your old cable will be fine (if it used to be fine). Did you ever answer my question about whether you were sure your old set up was bad?

Yes I'm pretty sure it is done. I unplugged everything for 24 hours. I tried a new cable and I connected it to another box and that didn't recognize the drive at all. If I unplug it while the box is on it says..to disconnect external hard drive wait 10 seconds. Don't see anyway it can be revived.

As far as the Fantom goes, it seems the hard drive is a WD cavier green drive. I'm not really clear on the black vs. green issue.

Thanks!

Did you ever connect the external drive to a computer and run any HDD utilities to check the drive. Like WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostic tools or Seagate SeaTools. They would tell you if the drive was good or bad.

I would avoid the Fantom if it has the Green. I bought a Green way back and it did not run right- frequent glitches. Had to go Black.

I connected the dvr expander to my computer and it says the device is working properly but I don't see a way to view the contents. Also, I couldn't find a WD diagnostic for this model. I would just reformat it if that is an option. btw, the model numner is wd5000f032. thx

You won't see the contents since formatted different. Try a computer format (FAT32) and then hook back on the DVR if formats. Probably would work again. /Dan

Thanks. I tried reformatting the drive and it said it couldn't because the drive is no good. Onwards and upwards. Will buy a new one. Really appreciate all the advice

I've been dying to use an external HDD for my 8300HD for a while now. I already tried with my Seagate Goflex and wasted a wealth of money on additional parts to see if it'll work out to no avail. The only thing I know is that the HDD needs to be a permissible model by the cable provider (in my case, Cablevision of Woodbury, NY). I contacted them and they couldn't help me for ****, so I've desperately come to you guys. Could you give me a rundown on what HDD's can work for my DVR. (Excuse me if I'm rambling here)

Start by reading the first post of this thread. It'll point you to a database listing other user's experiences with various external drives.

If you have Navigator, then Rosewill eSATA with Seagate <= 1TB drive listed in Moxi DVR HD DB will work.

Just replaced my 8300 with a Cisco 8742HDC. Can't get my external hard drive to work with it. Any suggestions?

I tried a WD Caviar Black 1TB (Thermaltake Max 5 enclosure) with my 8300HD. It seemed good at first because (I think) it was still recording just to the internal 8300HD. But now, after a week of recording, it glitches and pixellates every couple minutes. Totally and completely frustrating.