Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 105
 Piece of Cake March 9, 2010
PonyMac (California)
Everything works as expected. Couldn't be happier.
Very easy install. A caveman could do it.
Runs quiet and cool. Never even know it's there.
 If you have problems, replace the cable March 7, 2010
Roger Steinbach (IL USA)
After a simple installation I had the same problems several reviewers noted with slow response to input (around a minute to change each screen?) and various odd display problems. I was grateful for user feedback because a new e-sata cable fixed everything.
Unlike some reviewers I used a very inexpensive replacement cable and it still did the trick. It looks like Western Digital may have put the priority on inexpensive parts. Even the UL (Underwriter's Lab) certifications displayed on both the box and the transformer appear to be fakes. This is particularly disappointing for the transformer since that's a part that can get hot (and always draws power if an older, slightly cheaper, style). For those unfamiliar with UL, "listed" products have been tested to be sure they don't start fires.
I may be wrong but it looks like WD went overboard trying to save a few pennies.
Alternative storage for DirecTV HD DVR March 7, 2010
Mr. Retropia (Columbus, OH United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The DirecTV website has instructions for how to hook up this external hard drive to your DirecTV HD DVR. However, it's very simple. Unplug the power connector to your DVR; hook up the eSata cable to both the DVR and the hard drive; plug in the hard drive and let it power up; then plug in the power cable to the DVR, and you're done. After about a week's use, it is working great and no complaints.
Here are some tips:
- The external hard drive acts as an alternative storage place; you cannot access the DVR's built-in storage while the external hard drive is hooked up. If you want to go back to view something stored on your DVR, you will have to reverse the installation procedure, then reinstall it when you want to use the external drive again. Nothing is erased on the DVR hard drive, it just isn't accessible when the external hard drive is connected.
- The eSata cable that came with the external hard drive worked fine with our DirecTV HD DVR. I purchased the SIIG cable as mentioned in some other reviews, but it wasn't necessary and I am returning it to Amazon. The cable that comes with the external hard drive is only about three feet long, so you may want a longer cable.
- The guide to upcoming shows, plus your list of shows you wish to record, is stored on the specific hard drive to which you are recording. Thus, when you hook up the new external hard drive, you will need to wait for the guide to populate (it took ours about 24 hours), then you will need to recreate your list of shows to record. This was a minor bother for us, but if you don't want to miss a favorite show, select a down time in between your favorite shows to install the device, let the guide get re-built, then create your recording list.
- According to DirecTV, the shows you record on the external hard drive are somehow linked to the specific DirecTV HD DVR it is physically connected to. Thus, you can't unplug the external hard drive then connect it to another DVR and view the shows remaining on the hard drive. It will have to be reformatted to be used with a different DVR, thus you will lose any remaining shows recorded on the external hard drive.
Worked Great with Cablevision Scientific Atlanta 8300HD. DON'T FOLLOW THEIR DIRECTIONS!! February 27, 2010
georgeoc (NJ USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Those that live in the NY/NJ area and have Cablevision know that they changed most, if not all, of the regular channels to HD channels. So our DVR has been filling up faster than usual, and there is no way around it. Most of the popular channels are all in HD. So for the past month or so, my wife and I have been looking for a solution. Our DVR was always 70-80% full and we were constantly erasing stuff. I found the Western Digital My DVR Expander, and it was the solution to our problem. I called Cablevision customer support and asked them if it was compatible with our DVR. They said yes, and that it was actually the only one compatible, meaning that you can't just get any eSATA drive and plug it in. The My DVR Expander is formatted to function just like your DVR. I did read somewhere that only the 500 GB version is the only one compatible with the Scientific Atlanta Explorer, but the Cablevision customer support tech did not mention that.
It took one day to receive my package after ordering, AMAZING! I looked up the installation instruction on the Cablevision website and they were identical to the instructions that came with the drive. "Power off cable box, plug in the power cord for the DVR Expander, connect the eSATA cable, power on DVR Expander, and power on cable box, follow on screen instructions to format the drive." Simple right? You would think that, but I did not get the on screen instructions, so I knew something was wrong. I checked to see the about of space used, and it was still 85% full. I started to get a little frustrated, but I decided to try it again, thinking maybe I did something wrong. Followed the instructions again, and still it was not recognized. Now my frustration was starting to show, especially because I bought another one for our bedroom. I called Cablevision tech support, and spoke to high level tech guy. I explained the problem, and he said he doesn't understand why it wasn't working. He first said that maybe my DVR Expander was defective and to take it back. I said I can't do that. Then he came back and asked me if I had the 500 GB version or the 1 TB versions. I told him I had the 1 TB version, then he said that he checked with his supervisor and that this version is not compatible, and sorry for the inconvenience. Now I was furious, but I did not give up. I decided to try my own SIMPLE installation. With both the DVR Expander and the cable box powered on, I just pluged the eSATA cable to the back of the cable box, and VIOLA!!!! The on screen instruction came up asking to format the drive. It took less than one minute. I checked the space used, and I was delighted to see that it was only 10% full! The installation should have taken less than 2 minutes. You don't even have to wait for your cable box to reboot, which takes like 5 minutes or more.
Overall, I am very pleased with it so far. I've had it for two weeks now, and everything is working fine. I put my ear next to it, and I could barely hear it running. It has never gotten too hot, and I have it set next to my cable box in my entertainment center. If you are a cablevision customer, this is such a great upgrade, and it works fine. If you are having trouble, feel free to leave a comment.
Works perfectly, no problems February 15, 2010
Dude (Milwaukee, WI)
Easy to install, works seamlessly with Explorer 8300 HD DVR.
Using in the bedroom, it is very quiet.
Would recommend to others.
Downside: Instructions claim it can't be moved from DVR to DVR if you want to watch a recording in another room, but maybe all expander boxes work this way.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 105
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