Dag nabbit! Lets compile a list of Hard Drive Model #s compatible with RTVs!

No

If you can figure out how to know the make/model while it's already in the replay, I have 3 data points. Otherwise, it's too big of a PITA to pull the machines out and the covers off.

That said, I've never had a problem with a replayTV drive - and I think I have at least 1 maxtor with a 16MB cache.

Oh, and all drives work in DVArchive servers . . . .

411Zones will give you the make and model number.

You can always get one locally with a great return policy! In my case, it a week to find out the replay would flake out with a 16 meg cache...

OK let's do it.

Good one o cow of ice.

(perhaps once and for all we can put to rest the often parroted urban myth about the 16 meg cache)

Working flawlessly long term (5K):

• ST3300831A Barracuda 7200.8
• ST3250823A Barracuda 7200.8
• ST3250824AV SV35.1

Getting ready to install known compatible:

• ST3400833ACE DB35 Series 7200.2

(if for any chance not... shall duly report)

Seagate 500GB ST3500841ACE works great and much quieter than previous (older western digital) drive

Ken, I'm curious for more info about your experiences with this drive, if you've got a few minutes... TIA!

Looks like the SV35 is a good drive (spec-wise) for use in Replays and seems to cost about the same as a 7200.8 of similar capacity.

Just curious about noise, heat, and other "user" experiences with the drive as compared to other units you have installed.

You need to upgrade to the SA 8300--your bugs will execute faster. Better yet, get the HD version--HD and more storage for your bugs to mess up.

Funny you should ask. Actually when I first installed it I did a quick test. The SV35 was cloned from a ST3250823A 7200.8 So the drive contents were identical. I did a timed 5 minute test booting up each in the replay, playing a file, buffering, ect and measuring power consumption.

As expected the SV35 averaged perhaps a little more than 2 watts less than the corresponding (otherwise identical) 7200.8 in the very brief test. So it potentially should run slightly cooler. I'm guessing 6 watts as compared to 8.5 watts.

Performance wise, seemingly identical to the 7200.8.

This is great info, Ken. Seems like I can find the SV35 250gb for a pretty reasonable price, whereas the equivalent DB35 is too much of a $ per GB premium to justify right now. So I'll go with the SV35 for now.

edit: I found both the SV35 and DB35 250gb at TheNerds for $75. So I guess I'll go with the DB35, unless you have any specific reasons to advise against it!

Brilliant! I can't wait.

Either should be fine. It's unclear to me the power consumption of the DB35. If there happens to be a difference between SV35 and DB35 I'd want the cooler running one. But I haven't tested a DB35 yet. From the DB35 specs it seems the actual power consumption is related to the capacity of the drive and perhaps the revision 7200.2, 7200.3.

This one has been working great:

Seagate 300GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache
Model: ST3300631A

Are you going to compile a list?

-mk

So some 16MB cache drives do work? I thought they were all problematic.

If people want to send me what they have that is working I will update the list I started. I have uploaded what I have so far.

 

replaytvdrivelist.zip 1.646484375k . file

Yes they work. It's a heavily spammed urban myth that Replay 5K drive compatibility is a function of HDD cache size.

It's such an appealing fantasy even you fell for it?
You opened that message, took the *claims* for fact, and probably forwarded it to 999 others?

However with the Seagate Barracuda, the reality is it's the firmware series that (apparently) predicts compatibility in a 5K. 7200.7, 7200.8 are (apparently) always compatible even with 16 meg. 7200.9 and 7200.10 (apparently) never are even with 8 meg. We have constant reports of people getting started with 7200.9 ugrades and claiming it works only to find out they were loosing all recorded shows every week (maintenance reboot) or everyday (won't record at all, freezes/reboots) in fact here is another one today. I'm guessing either it won't prove reliable, or hopefully it's actually a 7200.7 or 7200.8 drive.

Seagate DB35 series (so far) are (apparently) all compatible: 7200.2, 7200.3, so if you can find one of those (good luck) they should be a safe bet.

Not sure what is going on with Maxtor drives but Maxtor is now owned by Seagate. For the most part reports indicate Western Digital drives nearly all work, but many don't like the noise -- myself included.

And of course to make it more confusing the Seagate retail kits quite often don't match the firmware series listed on the box. Additionally too many vendors don't honor a distinction between 7200.7, 7200.8, or 7200.9 in what they list and what you get. You might see a place listing a Model: ST3300631A as a 7200.9 when it should be 7800.8. But what's in the box is actually a ST33300622A. Confusing enough yet?

Fortunately (so far) it seems that what's printed on the label of the drive itself is what you've got. So for Barracudas, OEM drives may be more likely to be listed correctly.

Installed this drive last night - no worries:
Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200JB, 320GB, 7200 RPM, 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100

Just installed this after upgrading my server with a couple $50 250GB WD from Staples.

Maxtor DiamondPlus 9 - 160GB

411ZONE - Maxtor 6Y160P0 [Y481QEPE]

Be the pig!

Those are compatible, but to just add another little nag (to aggravate your big nag) my last one went rather inexplicably Tango Uniform in less than two years.

When I suggested Be the pig! I meant why not trial one of those inexpensive Maxtor QuickView 500s you linked to?

Or less but that's not exactly relevant to this thread. We are looking for Replay drives. Are any of those you have sitting around useful in a ReplayTV?