I'm having a tough time finding a 2TB external hard drive that has an eSATA connection that is also verified to be compatible with the HMC HR34. I've heard too many examples of other DirecTV HD DVR's not recognizing external drives. I know that DirecTV doesn't sell nor endorse any specific brand or model, but I don't want to purchase one on my own only to find out the HMC HR34 can't read it. Can anyone give me some examples or perhaps a list of manufacturer make and model numbers of 2TB eSATA external hard drives that we know for certain are compatible with and can be read by the HMC HR34?
HR34 External Hard Drive Compatibility
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Its not the drives, its the enclosures used. I am using a Vantec NexStar 3 NST-360SU-BK External Hard Drive Enclosure (Onyx Black) aluminum air cooled external box with a Seagate Barracuda inside for my HR34. Warm to the touch, not hot. But no fan to worry about sucking in dust, or going out and causing a failure.
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ST320005N4A1AS
5900 RPM drive.
The 7200 RPM drives will work, as will the Western Digital drives. The ones rated for DVR use (either Seagate or WD) will probably give you longer service, but the cheaper non-DVR rated PC drives have always worked fine on all my boxes, as well as my HTPC, so I havent seen a reason to spend the premium for them.
For what its worth, the HR24 (the only box Ive replaced the internal drive in), came with a Seagate pipeline drive inside. Its also using this above drive, internally. Ive got two of the WD 2TBs in the HTPC as well, and havent had any issues with any of them, except the Seagates are faster in my system. When I access video or music on them, they are instantly streamed. The WD drives appear to delay a while to spin up? first. Not sure if there is a way to solve that, I just used the default settings, and added no jumpers to any of them. I know its those "green" features doing it, but in a DVR, the never have time to go into green mode anyway, so thats not important.
I have also used a "FANTOM" external on my HR20, and HR22...It was only a 1TB, so havent tried it on the HR34.
5900 RPM drive.
The 7200 RPM drives will work, as will the Western Digital drives. The ones rated for DVR use (either Seagate or WD) will probably give you longer service, but the cheaper non-DVR rated PC drives have always worked fine on all my boxes, as well as my HTPC, so I havent seen a reason to spend the premium for them.
For what its worth, the HR24 (the only box Ive replaced the internal drive in), came with a Seagate pipeline drive inside. Its also using this above drive, internally. Ive got two of the WD 2TBs in the HTPC as well, and havent had any issues with any of them, except the Seagates are faster in my system. When I access video or music on them, they are instantly streamed. The WD drives appear to delay a while to spin up? first. Not sure if there is a way to solve that, I just used the default settings, and added no jumpers to any of them. I know its those "green" features doing it, but in a DVR, the never have time to go into green mode anyway, so thats not important.
I have also used a "FANTOM" external on my HR20, and HR22...It was only a 1TB, so havent tried it on the HR34.
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You want to avoid the WD "MyBook" drives. Stick with their "MyDVR" drives instead.Bartman94 said:
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See also the eSATA recommendation thread here ....
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=160800
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=160800
Yeah I couldn't find any 2TB drives listed in that thread that had been tested with the HR34 (didn't read the entire thing though as it's pretty long). That original drive recommendation from DirecTV only listed like 500GB models. If you know of a specific page on that thread that talks about 2TB eSata EHD's that are tested to work with the HR34 please let me know and I will check it out right away. In the meantime, what about the WDBACW0020HBK-NESN model? Can it be converted to eSata through a cable that has a USB 3.0 connection on one end and an eSata connection on the other? Would that setup work with the HR34?
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Bartman94, since you just start looking here - here is useful tip: for each thread you can use "Search This Thread" - say can't read so many pages - search for "HR34" and you will obtain relevant info. Second - you propose very awkward idea - convert USB3.0 port to eSATA (I'm not telling it's just ... impossible), the common wisdom is - avoid any conversion of signals/protocols. Best solution: en enclosure with eSATA port connected DIRECTLY to internal SATA drive. No signal degradation, no additional negotiation by internal controller, nothing. I would accept if your host device [PC, DVR, etc] doesn't have SATA/eSATA port and only USB, but not other way. Third, the "WDBACW0020HBK" is not a drive model, just retail package name; if you could open it - you should get the DRIVE ID; if you can connect to PC then WDC utility will tell you (sometimes the PC OS is lucky to receive ther drive ID from USB port, so check Device Manger under Windows or by similar way for Linux/Mac OS).
Thanks. When it comes to HDD rotational speed; is there a noticeable difference between the 5900 RPM and the 7200 RPM models? I have found 2 Seagate models that look terrific but I'm trying to decide if the 7200 RPM model is worth the extra money. Also, will the Seagate models ST2000DL003 and ST2000DM001 both work in the Antec MX-1 enclosure via an eSata connection to the HR34?
Yeah; I am just hoping someone has tested a setup that we know works - LOL. These external hard drives have so many options that I want to make certain the one I get is going to work and be compatible, and I want which ever one I choose to get here ASAP so I can make sure everything gets stored on it and not on the internal HDD that came with the HR34. I'm really leaning towards the Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Bare Drive with an Andec MX-1 e-Sata enclosure. Will that setup be compatible with the HR34 in your professional opinion?
Right now Newegg has it for only $139 after my coupon. Check it out...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148834
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148834
he got a lot of issues with Seagate drives and now he is active proponent of WD drives. I got WD 2 TB [Green AV] for $79 each at Fry's last year.
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Just wanted to report back in. I am having no problems with my EARX 2Tb and TT Dock. Best Ive been able to do is 94% full so far.
The WD Caviar Black is $75 - $100 more than the WD Caviar Green. The only difference I can see is the rotational RPM speed. Both have 6gb/s transfer speeds. The rotational speed on the Caviar Green WD20EARX is 5400rpm and on the Caviar Black WD2002FAEX it's 7200rpm. Is that the only difference? Is the Black worth the extra money over the Green in your opinion?
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