In Anticipation of an Upgraded Install

[4yanx]

I have an installation scheduled to upgrade for HD to HDDVR. Not sure is I will get the 20 or 21, but it sounds from all sources that it will likely be the 21. I have two, two-part questions initially (which I can only assume will expand to dozens fairly quickly). ;)

First, what is the best hardware and connection scheme to use for extending the capacity of the internal harddrive? Can I then use the recorded programming and burn DVD's of same on my computer?

Second, will the view on demand be available and is the programming any better than the DTV PPV offerings? If available, what process is best to connect via my wireless modem? I DO NOT want to run hard cable from the receiver to the router.

Thanks in advance. I have been a member at another site for some time and just learned of this site from a member there who says DTV questions are discussed in deeper and more accurate detail here.

[sbl]

The best method to extend storage is an external eSATA drive. Check the forum for threads on using eSATA with the HR21 specifically, as I read there have been some issues. You will not be able to move recordings to a PC (at least not at present - DirecTV has made noises about enabling this in some fashion, but nothing seems near-term.)

On-Demand will be available very, very soon for the HR21. I have the CE (beta) version on mine. The selection is broader than PPV, but many of them require subscription to premium channels (eg. STARZ) or a separate PPV fee.

For wireless, get a wireless bridge, often sold as a "game adapter".

[mpoc1]

I have an installation scheduled to upgrade for HD to HDDVR. Not sure is I will get the 20 or 21, but it sounds from all sources that it will likely be the 21. I have two, two-part questions initially (which I can only assume will expand to dozens fairly quickly). ;)

First, what is the best hardware and connection scheme to use for extending the capacity of the internal harddrive? Can I then use the recorded programming and burn DVD's of same on my computer?

Second, will the view on demand be available and is the programming any better than the DTV PPV offerings? If available, what process is best to connect via my wireless modem? I DO NOT want to run hard cable from the receiver to the router.

Thanks in advance. I have been a member at another site for some time and just learned of this site from a member there who says DTV questions are discussed in deeper and more accurate detail here.


As Steve says there have been issues with eSATA drives and the HR21, mostly with the Seagate FAP 750GB. Lots of threads here on a good solution using the Antec MX-1 enclosure and drives. I added a 1TB Western Digital drive in the Antec enclosure last week and it was quite simple and works well.

I have not downloaded the CE software so don't yet have DOD.

I networked my HR21 using an Apple Airport Express that hangs wirelessly off a Linksys router. Also works well and was simple to set up.

[4yanx]

Thanks. I have a Maxtor 1T drive that I will give a try. Wonder how long it will be before these files can be burned to a disc.

[Richierich]

I'm going to use an AMS Venus DS3R-PRO SATA RAID Drive Enclosure with 2 1TB Hitachi SATA Drives (0A35155) running RAID 1 so as to mirror each drive in case of hard drive failure. I don't want to lose all of my recording and settings if one of my drives crashed and burns.

Once you have the drives running, attach it via the eSATA cable to the SATA port and then hit the RED RESET button to Reboot the DVR. It will then detect the external drive and ignore the internal drive.

If the DVR reboots because of a momentary outage the DVR will power up before the drive spins up and the drive won't be detected and the DVR will reboot with the internal drive so I am using a Battery Backup to avoid this situation.

[sbl]

A battery backup for the DVR, and an external drive if you have it, and any separately powered switches in the signal path, is always a good idea.