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eSATA - DIRECTV recommended list

576K views 4K replies 404 participants last post by  mjfoxtrot 
#1 ·
Can I increase the recording capacity of my DVR?

For folks that are adding HDD capacity to their receiverss, DIRECTV has added the following FAQ to their web page:

DIRECTV.com
Yes, you can increase the recording capacity of your DVR or HD DVR simply by connecting an external hard drive with greater storage than the receiver's internal hard drive.

First, make sure you have a compatible receiver. Check the model number inside the small door located on bottom right corner of the front of the receiver. The model number should read either R22 (DIRECTV Plus® DVR) or HR20 or above (DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR).

You'll need an external hard drive that uses an eSATA connection. The following hard drive models are recommended:

  • Western Digital 500GB (model WDG1S5000)
  • Seagate 500GB (model ST30500SCA109-RK)
  • Western Digital 1TB (model WDG1S10000)
  • [STRIKE]Seagate 1TB (model ST31000SCA109-RK)[/STRIKE]

Follow these steps to connect the external hard drive:

  1. Turn off your receiver by unplugging the power cord. (Do not rely on the power button.)
  2. Look for the port on the back of your receiver labeled SATA.
  3. Connect the eSATA hard drive with an eSATA cable. Make sure the cable is firmly connected on both ends.
  4. Turn on the eSATA hard drive and give it several seconds to spin up to speed.
  5. Plug in the power chord of your receiver.

When your receiver reboots, it will automatically see the newly-connected hard drive. The hard drive inside your receiver will be disabled.

You now have expanded recording capacity. With a 1TB hard drive, you can record up to 200 hours of HD programming.

Please note: We offer this tip because we want to help you get the most out of your DIRECTV experience. It is recommended for advanced users who are comfortable working with electronic hardware. This modification of your DIRECTV system is not officially supported by DIRECTV.
 
#2,902 ·
I have a 2TB SATA drive (in MX-1 enclosure) that is showing signs of failure. I am looking to upgrade my storage capacity with a new 3TB SATA drive (with MX-1 enclosure) for my HR24-500 DVR.

The large majority of SATA recommendations are for Genies (HR34's and HR44's), and not for HR24's. Any recommendations for HR24-500 compatible 3TB SATA drives (manufacturer/model) would be greatly appreciated.
 
#2,904 ·
HarryG said:
I have a 2TB SATA drive (in MX-1 enclosure) that is showing signs of failure. I am looking to upgrade my storage capacity with a new 3TB SATA drive (with MX-1 enclosure) for my HR24-500 DVR.

The large majority of SATA recommendations are for Genies (HR34's and HR44's), and not for HR24's. Any recommendations for HR24-500 compatible 3TB SATA drives (manufacturer/model) would be greatly appreciated.
HR2x only supports up to 2GB external drives.
 
#2,907 ·
HarryG said:
Thanks. Looks like I won't be able to upgrade my storage capacity. I still need to replace the failing SATA drive. Can you recommend a new compatible 2TB SATA drive?
Any Green Caviar Western Digital HDD will work well with a 24. Amazon usually has one model on sale.

Rich
 
#2,915 ·
reformedtaper said:
Can I re-activate an HR-20 700 with a new access card and be able to view programming on my e-sata drive?
Is the programming on your e-SATA drive from the same HR20? If the answer is yes, then yes you can reactivate the HR20 and watch the programming on the HDDVR
 
#2,916 ·
I purchased the WD30EURX and the Anker® USB 3.0 & eSATA to SATA External Hard Drive Docking Station, it seems to be working for my HR44-500. For the HR24-500 I purchased the WD20EURX along with the Thermaltake BlacX eSATA USB Docking Station. The DVR reboots and freezes. any recommendations for the HR24?
 
#2,917 ·
Lsol said:
I purchased the WD30EURX and the Anker® USB 3.0 & eSATA to SATA External Hard Drive Docking Station, it seems to be working for my HR44-500. For the HR24-500 I purchased the WD20EURX along with the Thermaltake BlacX eSATA USB Docking Station. The DVR reboots and freezes. any recommendations for the HR24?
We have seen more complaints about the EURS HDDs than any of the WD Green HDDs. I'd send it back and get a different model. I kinda doubt that the problem is with the dock. Usually the problems we see with the docks are related to the on/off switch. I can't remember having any other problems with my many docks other than the on/off switch. I'd replace that HDD.

Rich
 
#2,920 ·
Lsol said:
Thank you for the quick reply. How about the WD20EZRX. And should I also return the WD30EURX even thou it seems to be ok?
I've been using a couple of EZRX HDDs without any problems. I have one in a dock and at least one internally mounted. If you have the 3TB EURS and it's working as it should, I'd keep it. The problems I've read about with the EURS HDDs usually show up right away. I trust you've tried that 500 with the EURS off it and it hasn't shown any of the symptoms you've seen when the EURS is hooked up to it?

Rich
 
#2,921 ·
Rich said:
I've been using a couple of EZRX HDDs without any problems. I have one in a dock and at least one internally mounted. If you have the 3TB EURS and it's working as it should, I'd keep it. The problems I've read about with the EURS HDDs usually show up right away. I trust you've tried that 500 with the EURS off it and it hasn't shown any of the symptoms you've seen when the EURS is hooked up to it?

Rich
No problems when not using the EUR. I'll return the EUR and buy the WD20EZRX. Thanks for your help.
 
#2,922 ·
Lsol said:
No problems when not using the EUR. I'll return the EUR and buy the WD20EZRX. Thanks for your help.
You're welcome. And I'd also like to thank the many members who have EURS drives that work well for not jumping in and telling us how well they work. I know most of them work and I appreciate not having to read all those "My EURS works perfectly" comments. Seriously.

Rich
 
#2,924 ·
OK - I've read until my eyes bleed, LOL! Lots of good stuff, but I just ordered my new DTV install, Genie system and I want to start day 1 with the upgraded storage. SO - if I could get some hand holding here. On the Dish systems it was easy, just plug in an external USB drive and you're done. Here a little more complex.

SO - while I feel you can never have too much storage, I decided to go with the external 3T drive (instead of a 4T.) After reading a lot here, it came down to the WD Green or WD Purple, and it SEEMS like the Purple might be a bit more suited to streaming video off of it and it's only $20 more - so looking at this:

http://www.amazon.com/Intellipower-sata_6_0_gb-3-5-Inch-Internal-WD30PURX/dp/B00IMPO5N8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1408499427&sr=8-2&keywords=western+digital+purple

For the case, I see some saying the don't like the TT power switch issues, but I haven't seen a link to another recommended case? If yes, please let me know, otherwise thinking of this:

http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Active-Cooling-Enclosure-ST0021U/dp/B004G8QETS/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1398793867&sr=1-2&keywords=thermaltake+enclosure

Now, having not used external eSATA drives in the past, and not wanting to want to hook it all up with the new Genie and be missing something, I assume I'll also need to order an eSATA cable to connect the enclosure to the Genie? How about mounting screws? Anything else I need?

And lastly - do I just say goodbye to the installer, make sure I'm getting all my channels and the install went well, then immediately connect the external drive? Or do I need to record something on the internal drive first? And any need to do any kind of set up with the drive on my PC first?

Thanks!
 
#2,925 ·
#2,926 ·
peds48 said:
While not related to your question, I just found it "funny" how Amazon decided to white out the Serial Number but left the bar code in place. The bar code under SN number reads WMPPP1234567 while this bar code might be a "funny" one, then why cover the number in the first place….. :shrug:
Yeah I guess it didn't occur to them that the bar code had the same info.
 
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