DVR Question

[Jeffro64]

Hey guys

I have a DirecTV HDVR and I was thinking about putting a bigger HDD in it to have more recording space. Have any of you ever done this before?

I know I can plug an external HDD into it from the eSATA port on the back and it will shut down the internal HDD and use that one, but I would rather put one inside so it can't be seen. I know when one is plugged into the eSATA it will automatically format and start using the external, so I was wondering if I replace the internal if it would do the same?

[TheDarkN8]

Google result (http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/how-to-tech/how-to-upgrade-dvr-hard-drive.htm)

[Jeffro64]

Thanks for that.... It answered a couple of questions I had more than the articles I had found. I will have to search more specific on the model number now and see if I can find the rest. I'm hoping I have one that will just let me swap out with a new HDD and make it's own format and go. Not really interested in keeping any of the old recordings or anything like that... so hopefully this will be as easy as swapping and go.

Thanks again for the link!

[Neuromancer]

Yes more information would be necessary. If the HDD is small or the unit older, most likely you are going to be limited to 127 GB.

However since it has eSATA maybe not...

I upgraded the HDD in a showstopper panasonic unit, that needed special software to copy liscensing information over. However, I do not think you will have that issue since TV Boxes usually have cards for account info.

Post up the model number of your DVR and I will take a look.

[Jeffro64]

One of my buddies at work put an external 1.5TB on his using the eSATA port on the back and he said he thought with the last update we were good for up to 2TB HDDs.

Anyway... The one I am thinking of putting the HDD in is a model HR20-700s, but I also have a newer model HR22-100.

[Neuromancer]

http://dealdatabase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57427

Looks like it is as simple as popping in a new drive. no special file system or anything :)

Also includes a howto to image the old drive to the new if you want to save your current recordings and scheduled recordings.

[Jeffro64]

Yup.... Looks like it will be just that easy. Not really worried about old recordings and I don't have any special items like sunday ticket purchased, so I should just be able to swap and go. :)

Thanks guys!