eSata Info?

[OneHump]

I have done my best to search, but I'm not seeing a lot of info here about expanding storage using esata. I'm curious to know the following:

1. What needs to be done aside from plugging a drive in?
2. What are the popular options?
3. What are the risks?
4. It is desirable to have "sleep" built into a device, or should the drive constantly spin?

I'm aware of the TenBox as a solution but, while I think it's not over-priced for what it provides, I think it's overkill for my requirements.

I was considering the Western Digital "My DVR Expander", but I'm not sure it offers more than the My Book at $50 less. I have also considered a Hitatchi Deskstar 7K1000 1TB drive with an external enclosure, but the combined cost of that solution is close to $450. I think this would be a great solution in terms of performance, but I'm not sure I need 1TB of storage, nor am I sure I want to spend that much.

At this point I'm either going to go with an inexpensive packaged 500GB solution, or roll my own 1TB enclosure.

Thanks for your thoughts.

-OneHump

[Earl Bonovich]

1) After connecting the drive... just a restart of the HR20/HR21
2) Tons of options.....
3) Risks... Additional point of failure, as you now have the power supply for the drive... bad connection... both minor
4) Won't matter since the drive runs all the time.

[Michael D'Angelo]

1) Do a menu restart recorder on the HR20. When the front panel lights go off the unit is actually off for a few seconds. Pull the power cord out. Plug the eSATA cable into the eSATA drive and the HR20. Plug the eSATA drive power cord in and let it start up. Then plug the HR20 back in. It will take care of everything else for you.

2) The Seagate Free Agent 750GB seems to be the most popular.

3) The only real risk that I know of and it is really not a risk but it sucks if it happens. If your HR20 has a problem and if you need to have it swapped the recordings you have saved on the eSATA drive will not play on the new HR20.

4) The eSATA drive needs to run all the time just like the internal drive does now. When you hit the power button on the HR20 all that does it put the unit into stand by. The only way to turn it off is to pull the power cord. When the unit is in stand by the front panel lights are turned off and the A/V outputs are turned off but all other functions still work.

[OneHump]

Thanks guys, that's very helpful information. I just read in another post that the external drive is the only drive used. Is that true? If so, I could see how sleep wouldn't matter. I was under the impression that the addition of esata would supplement the internal storage and was concerned about the implications of a portion of storage delaying on request.

Edit: If what I just said above is true, and only the external storage is used, what happens to what exists on the internal storage? Does it replicate over?

[Michael D'Angelo]

Thanks guys, that's very helpful information. I just read in another post that the external drive is the only drive used. Is that true? If so, I could see how sleep wouldn't matter. I was under the impression that the addition of esata would supplement the internal storage and was concerned about the implications of a portion of storage delaying on request.

Yes, that is correct the eSATA drive would be the only one used if you connect an eSATA drive.

If you disconnect it and reboot the HR20 you can get back to the internal drive and use that one if you want.

There is no word yet if DircTV will change it so both drives will work together. A lot of people would like to see that happen.

[OneHump]

Thanks Mike. Does this mean that I lose all the shows stored on the internal drive while the external drive is connected?

[Earl Bonovich]

Thanks Mike. Does this mean that I lose all the shows stored on the internal drive while the external drive is connected?

Yep

[Michael D'Angelo]

Thanks Mike. Does this mean that I lose all the shows stored on the internal drive while the external drive is connected?

Yes, you will need to disconnect the eSATA drive and reboot to be able to watch them.

[lucky13]

Thanks Mike. Does this mean that I lose all the shows stored on the internal drive while the external drive is connected?

You lose access to them while the ESATA is connected. You can retrieve them by disconnecting the ESATA and rebooting.

[OneHump]

You lose access to them while the ESATA is connected. You can retrieve them by disconnecting the ESATA and rebooting.

Ewww :eek2:

[lucky13]

Ewww :eek2:

You can vote for accessing both drives at the same time on the HR20/21 Wish List

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=93995

[2000voltz]

Yes, you will need to disconnect the eSATA drive and reboot to be able to watch them.

I don't have to disconnect, all you have to do is power off the esata and menu reset the receiver. than to go back to esata, turn drive on and menu reset the receiver.

[OneHump]

I don't have to disconnect, all you have to do is power off the esata and menu reset the receiver. than to go back to esata, turn drive on and menu reset the receiver.

Not the end of the world, but still a PITA. I was going to go with something small, but now I'm looking at 2TB options to avoid having to do this again.

[MeSue]

You can vote for accessing both drives at the same time on the HR20/21 Wish List

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=93995

I'd love to vote for it, but I have been up and down the wish list and I fail to see it there. Am I blind or can someone give me a keyword for it?