eSata Drive and HR21

[akopperl]

I just purchased an HR21 and a Cavalry 1TB eSata drive. Prior to first setting up the DVR, I connected the Cavalry to the HR21.

Everything seems to be working, but how do you know that the DVR recognized the eSata drive and is not still using the DVR's internal drive? Is there anything in the Info / Setup area that would state that an external drive is being used?

Thanks

[Earl Bonovich]

There is no indicator of what it is using.

Best way to tell.

Record something.

Shudown the HR21.
Disconnect the eSATA

Restart, check for the recording.
If it is gone; eSATA was used
If it was there; eSATA was not used.

[mhayes70]

I don't have an eSata drive. So, I am not sure on this. But, does the eSata drive have an indicator light on it that flashes when the drive is doing something? If so could you tell by that?

[CorkyMuldoon]

One sure way to tell is to access the PVR's List and check for content. If you had content on the internal drive, you should see nothing here - indicating the PVR's reading and operating from the external Drive.

Another way to be sure - and this is pretty neat - record a full-length movie and see the space indicator show that you still have 99% or 100% of capacity left!

The necessity to rebuild any favorite guides you may have created previously (using the internal drive) is another way to determine if the PVR's using the external drive.

Certainly the drive's LED light flickering will be a pretty good indicator, too.

[TomF]

One sure way to tell is to access the PVR's List and check for content. If you had content on the internal drive, you should see nothing here - indicating the PVR's reading and operating from the external Drive.

Another way to be sure - and this is pretty neat - record a full-length movie and see the space indicator show that you still have 99% or 100% of capacity left!

The necessity to rebuild any favorite guides you may have created previously (using the internal drive) is another way to determine if the PVR's using the external drive.

Certainly the drive's LED light flickering will be a pretty good indicator, too.
I just purchased an HR21 and a Cavalry 1TB eSata drive. Prior to first setting up the DVR, I connected the Cavalry to the HR21.
According to what the OP posted, nothing was set up on his HR21 before connecting the eSATA drive.