| DVR Extender w/Moto Boxes As mentioned earlier on this web site, Comcast is beginning to roll out DVR extender compatibility with Motorola DVRs. I was so excited when I heard this that I called Comcast and asked if it was really true. The lady said, yes, but they have only certified one drive, the WD My Book AV 1TB eSata drive. I asked, "Has this been enabled in my area?" She said. "Yes!"
To be honest I had my doubts but I ordered the model from WD that specifically cited Comcast compatibility, anyway. Well, of course it doesn't work (shoulda known) but it appears this capability is on the way so at least I'll be ready from Day 1.
As I write this, looks like only Indiana gets to extend their DVRs so far. I'll be patient and keep my drive plugged in and wait.
For more info, you can see this page on Comcast's web site (which I didn't find until after buying the drive):
»customer.comcast.com/help-and-su···storage/ |
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| Wow I thought hell would have to freeze over before they bothered to enable eSATA support on the Moto boxes. I'd sure like to extend the space on my DVR without having to play "box lottery" at my local office and loose all my existing recordings due needing to get a new box, etc. |
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moes
join:2009-11-15
Indianapolis, IN | reply to tirebiter
wait we get that o.o I'll have to poke somebody at the speedway office. |
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| reply to tirebiter
I think this is the first time in history that Scientific Atlanta and Cisco users have had something before Motorola users. We've had the eSATA port activated for years and years. |
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| I wonder why the DCX3400 models are not supported? My eSATA port is not active as I tried plugging my portable drive to it and no power or anything came through. I can't wait for this is be out in my area!
--
"The relationship between what we see and what we know is never settled..." |
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| reply to tirebiter
This feature requires A30 guide update. |
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kb1
join:2008-11-15
South Bend, IN | reply to tirebiter
Has anybody used the DVR Extender with the A30 guide update? |
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| reply to SpHeRe31459
said by SpHeRe31459:Wow I thought hell would have to freeze over before they bothered to enable eSATA support on the Moto boxes. I'd sure like to extend the space on my DVR without having to play "box lottery" at my local office and loose all my existing recordings due needing to get a new box, etc.
If you use the WD drive through the eSATA port, and you have to swap DVR's you will lose your recordings. Soon as you plug it into the new box it requests a reformat. |
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| reply to RossMatthews
While not Comcast, but Cox Motorola users never had and still don't have the external hard drive option. It was a Motorola problem not Cox or Comcast. |
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jwhite4
join:2002-03-21
Philadelphia, PA | reply to rendrenner
said by rendrenner:If you use the WD drive through the eSATA port, and you have to swap DVR's you will lose your recordings. Soon as you plug it into the new box it requests a reformat. From the Comcast link:
Will I lose the recordings on my Comcast DVR once I connect an external hard drive?
All recordings on your Comcast DVR will still be available after you connect an external hard drive
Not sure which is correct. |
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The Q
join:2008-06-26
Collegeville, PA | said by jwhite4:said by rendrenner:If you use the WD drive through the eSATA port, and you have to swap DVR's you will lose your recordings. Soon as you plug it into the new box it requests a reformat. From the Comcast link: Will I lose the recordings on my Comcast DVR once I connect an external hard drive? All recordings on your Comcast DVR will still be available after you connect an external hard drive Not sure which is correct. sounds like you can not move the external drive once it is connected to the comcast dvr....and that you won't lose any existing recordings on the DVR the first time you set it up to the DVR.
From the same link:
Can I move my external hard drive to another Comcast DVR to watch recordings in another room of my home?
Once your external hard drive has been formatted with a specific DVR, it cannot be used to watch recordings on other DVRs in your home. If you plug your external hard drive into another DVR once it has already been formatted, you will be prompted to reformat the external hard drive which will erase all of your recordings. |
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| reply to jwhite4
Both are correct. Any existing recordings on the DVR will remain but any recordings or data on the external drive will be lost |
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jwhite4
join:2002-03-21
Philadelphia, PA | reply to tirebiter
Lack of portability of the recordings is I guess an acceptable tradeoff for being able to expand recording capacity (at least to those that don't have it!).
However, if I did have it, and my DVR died, and Comcast gave me a replacement, at that time I'd wonder what's that difficult in allowing the new DVR to access the old HD. Would seem to some a LOT of complaints about "I lost all my recordings..." |
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The Q
join:2008-06-26
Collegeville, PA | said by jwhite4:Lack of portability of the recordings is I guess an acceptable tradeoff for being able to expand recording capacity (at least to those that don't have it!).
However, if I did have it, and my DVR died, and Comcast gave me a replacement, at that time I'd wonder what's that difficult in allowing the new DVR to access the old HD. Would seem to some a LOT of complaints about "I lost all my recordings..."
my guess is that this restriction is likely not a technical issue but a compliance issue to be in line with copyright laws and digital rights management.
Otherwise I could just swap my hard drive with yours to share shows. Great for you and I but not so great for the person/company that actually owns the content or copyright. |
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jwhite4
join:2002-03-21
Philadelphia, PA | said by The Q:...Otherwise I could just swap my hard drive with yours to share shows. Great for you and I but not so great for the person/company that actually owns the content or copyright.
Not what I said. I wouldn't think that an external HD has to be all or nothing - either it works with all DVR's, or it works with none at all. Whyc can't it work with JUST one?
When an external HD is first formatted, Comcast (or any provider) should be able to specify a unique ID code the DVR embeds in the HD, which Comcast then assosicates with that DVR. If you switch DVR's, Comcast can then updates it's database, with the new DVR asking the headend, "Am I authorized to access recordings on HD xxxxx?" If yes, it works, if not, it doesn't.
Now, if that's deemed to be too insecure, such that hackers could crack it, and access recorded media, that might be a valid reason. |
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 jblues
join:2001-04-28
Allen Park, MI
 ·Comcast
| reply to tirebiter
I just bought one of these extender drives off Amazon. I am in one of the areas (by Detroit) that is supposedly on. I will let you all know if it works..
Comcast mentions the markets here:
»forums.comcast.com/t5/XfinityTV-···/1463565 |
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jblues
join:2001-04-28
Allen Park, MI Reviews:
·Comcast
1 edit | reply to tirebiter
I received the extender yesterday. I plugged it in, the box asked me to format the drive. I did. I checked the % full on my DVR (it went from 97% to 23%!) I have seen the light on the HD blinking when recording now. It is saving new DVR recordings to the extender (it always picks the HD that is less full.)
The kit has the drive eSata-eSata cord as well as the power cord to plug the HD drive into the wall (it does not get power from the DVR.) The kit also has plugs to use USB, which you cannot do with this particular DVR, you have to use eSata.
Seems to work well. I am glad to have more storage space than I had! That takes me from 320gb to approx 1.3 TB. What a deal for $100 (what it sells for at Amazon.)
I have a Motorola DCX-3400 DVR box. |
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| did you mean 23 to 97%? I would be upset that it went down instead of up. |
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The Q
join:2008-06-26
Collegeville, PA | said by mikedz4:did you mean 23 to 97%? I would be upset that it went down instead of up.
Probabaly "% full" went from 97% to 23% (not "% free", that is not something that is displayed on my DVR)) |
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jblues
join:2001-04-28
Allen Park, MI Reviews:
·Comcast
| reply to mikedz4
Corrected it...yeah, the percentage went down (of full.) The site says that is another good way to make sure it sees the new HD. I also went in the diagnostic screens of the box, and it does say it has 2 HDs - one internal, one external (they are both Western Digital drives, incidentally.) |
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