Th0r S1mpson

I'm wondering if there is an external drive I can plug into my Comcast DVR (Motorola Dual Tuner HDTV) to get some more storage space. I've done a bit of searching, but only to add to my confusion. Anyone have this setup that knows?

Thanks.

Edit: I'll add that the online Comcast rep was altogether unhelpful in the matter, telling me that the port may or may not be disbaled, they can't check on this because comcast does not offer support for external drives, but that i'm welcome to try and it may work for me. Yeah, like I'm going to shell out $300 to maybe have a drive work or plug in another drive that i'm using.

Anyone hear of someone doing this successfully?

Deftones

What model do you have?

Did you search AVSforum.com? They have a ton of threads (in the HDTV section) about stuff like that.

Th0r S1mpson

It's the Motorola DCT6412, I believe.

avsforum came up in some of my searches, but most of the threads were quite old (1-2 years ago saying external drives may work "soon") so I wasn't sure how relevant they were.

dick_grayson

I have a SA8300HD (scientific atlanta). I got a 250GB internal, an enclosure and a e-sata to sata cable (hard to find) and it worked right off the bat. I believe a similar set up with a firewire connection to the motorola will work, but am not sure.

Th0r S1mpson

From my searching, another issue is whether or not Comcast has the port disabled. Different cable operators handle the ports differently I guess. And without Comcast being willing to tell me either way, that makes things a little more difficult.

Someone out there must have tried, but I can't find it.

I can live with the space they give me, but an extra 300GB would sure be nice, just so I don't have to think about it.

Spiky

400GB Seagate at outpost.com for $110 this week. Enclosures are what, $40?

Th0r S1mpson

...and you've seen or heard of this working with a Comcast Dual Tuner HD DVR?

Th0r S1mpson

I take it that's a "no" then. Oh well.

DJ_Longfellow

Let me know if you get this to work....I'm interested, but I really just want to move files from my DVR to my PC.

Spiky

Sorry, I just don't know. Haven't ever had Comcast at my house since I moved out of my parents' house. I was just pointing out a good price.

It is probably more an issue of the box itself, rather than the company, although it's possible they could block it even if the box is capable. It sounds like the SA boxes can have external drives, not so sure about the Motorolas. Comcast has used both in various cities. I think you'll have to ask some more places if no one here knows.

Th0r S1mpson

Looks like it. Thanks for the tip any ways.

If I find anything I'll be sure to post the results but I won't be looking into it any more for at least a week. Too much going on right now.

MarcinL

Comcast has several DVR's. The only one I specialize in are Motorola DVR's.

Motorola 6208 is single tuner and does not have SATA ports

Motorola 6412 is Dual Tuner and some have SATA ports and some don't however it does not matter since they are all disabled.

The only DVR that has enabled SATA ports is Motorola 3412. That is the one who has enabled SATA ports and HDMI. Unfortunately that is only available in Comcast areas that launched ADS (All Digital Simulcast) since 3412 does not have an analog tuner.

Hope this helps

ShallowHal

Please do post what you find, I usually have to delete a few movies every month that I never found the time to watch. I'd love to have extra storage for all the HD Law & Order eps on TNT.

I also have the Motorola DCT6412 in Seattle.