External HD for Scientific Atlanta 8240HDC (The 2015 version of the proverbial question...)?

Have you personally used a 2TB Ext HDD before w/ a 8240HDC?

Last I knew a 1TB HDD was the maximum Ext HDD, the DVR would actually recognize.

I always used the WD Black series Bare HDD with Ext power supply and eSATA to SATA cable.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B8lY8pG8JsltpPuv5b7DfOKhxJax5QmcDGZqGKSN02U/

But now I would probably try a WD AV-GP 1TB in an External eSATA enclosure.

Thanks. No, I have yet to try to add any HD. The following poster had indicated previous success:

http://forums.cox.com/forum_home/tv_forum/f/4/p/2140/8453.aspx

Appreciate the detailed response and recommendations.

The WD Black series will get the best results, but heat is an Issue in an Ext Enclosure running @ 7200RPM 24/7

That is why I used a Bare HDD will a HDD cooler.

I never tried a WD AV-GP WD10EURX but it should run much cooler, I just don't know if the performance will be adequate.

Bryan - got distracted by considering Countour. Back to wanting to just increase HD space on the SA. Would you mind posting a picture of you assembled HD? I am having a hard time visualizing it without a case.  Thanks!

EMH said:

Bryan - got distracted by considering Countour. Back to wanting to just increase HD space on the SA. Would you mind posting a picture of you assembled HD? I am having a hard time visualizing it without a case.  Thanks!

EDIT: It appears the SIIG CE-PR0112-S1 Hard Disk Protector Sleeve has been discontinued.

Here's the parts list - Although now I would use a Western Digital WD1002FAEX Black

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B8lY8pG8JsltpPuv5b7DfOKhxJax5QmcDGZqGKSN02U/

Here are the Pics:

Bryan - Thank you very much for taking the time to take and send the pics. It was most generous of you and was very helpful in confirming my vision. Wanted to make sure before I proceeded. Thanks again! Ordering parts tonight.

What is your progress?

One other thing I forgot to mention.

With an External eSATA HDD attached, make sure you set the DVR Power Management setting to HDD Always ON.

If you do not, the external HDD may get divorced during a Power Down.

Hey Bryan, 

I finally received all the components, assembled and connected the setup, but alas, I could not get the DVR to recognize the unit.  Haven't had a chance to troubleshoot again yet as it is a pain to get to the back of the unit. Will keep trying. Thanks for your assistance and follow up.  (I didn't test the HD before assembly - I will pull it and check it in a dock before further exploration). 

Thanks. 

I don't remember the sequence, exactly. It is one of the following:

Power Off the DVR, then Power Up Ext HDD, then Turn on the DVR, (a reboot of the DVR may be required)

Or, With the DVR powered up and running, then Power Up the Ext HDD.

Rovi Passport Echo has two Power Management settings:

1. Hard Drive Always On (Use Always On)
2. Hard Drive Power Off w/ STB

The proper Power Up Sequence for a Formatting with Passport is:
Power up DVR first, wait for it to boot and display video.
Second Power up the Ext HDD, and you should get the prompt.

Thanks again for all the assistance. Sorry for the delay in responding. I have had little time to devote to trouble shooting of late. I have tried several things and can not get the DVR to recognize the HD. I was able to power it up and recognize it on my computer using my NexStar HD dock (noticed it was unformatted). Left it unformatted. Tried it again on the DVR leaving the fan assembly disconnected. Noted the power to the fan (it comes on), however, did not detect any activity from the drive (could hear nor feel anything, never got warm). Reordered a different Sata power cable thinking it must be the problem since the fan ran, waited for it to come - attached with the same result. Thought it may be the fan power cable so removed it, same thing - no activity, no recognition. Now suspecting the power supply (although it powers the fan fine?). Have to move the entertainment center to get to the back of the DVR each time, so end up moving on until later. 

Thinking about (to simplify future trouble shooting) ordering one of these: 

http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Aluminum-Enclosure-Cooling-EC-UEIS7/dp/B001PHLMAE/ref=sr_1_11?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1442682428&sr=1-11&keywords=hard+drive+enclosure

Any thoughts of using this?

Thanks again for all your assistance. Very kind of you. 

It has been a while since I last posted, but have been out of town quite a bit. Got a chance to get back to this today. Not sure if it was the power supply as I suspected, but I DID order the afore referenced enclosure, unplugged the DVR, plugs the esata cable into the DVR only, rebooted the DVR, plugged in the HD then powered it up. At first it did not recognize it, but when I turned the HD enclosure off, an alert appeared that guided me to reformat it and BINGO - it mounted. Went from 69% full to 13% full. 

I'll report back when I know that I am watching something recorded on it. 

Thanks again to Bryan and those others who weighed in.  Appreciate all the help!

Brief update - so far seems to be working flawlessly. No pixelation or pauses noted to date. Seems to FF faster. I'd recommend the Sabrent-Aluminum-Enclosure-Cooling-EC-UEIS7 for this purpose at this point. 

Thanks again to Bryan for the excellent and generous assistance and to all others for their input.