Record more HD shows with DVR Xpander

With the proliferation of TV programming delivered in high definition, you may find your DVR quickly runs out of storage space. That's because HD content takes about 10GB per hour, which is roughly 10 times the amount of space required by non-HD content.

(Credit: Apricorn)

Now you have a choice: either open up your DVR and install a new, bigger hard drive, or get external storage for your recordings. The latter, though less fun, is much more convenient and safe.

And it got even more convenient on Thursday, as Apricorn just announced its new external-storage solution for DVRs called the DVR Xpander.

The device offers up to 1.5TB (1,500GB that is) of storage, which translates into about another 843 hours of standard programming or another 187 hours of high-definition programming on your DVR. If you think that's too much, the Xpander comes in smaller capacities, too, including 500GB, 750GB, and 1TB.

Essentially, the Xpander is an external hard drive designed to work with DVRs. According to Apricorn, the device is compatible with a wide variety of eSATA- or USB 2.0-supported DVRs provided by cable companies.

Examples of these DVRs include the Scientific Atlanta 8300 series DVR (via eSATA connection), and the DISH Network ViP Series HD DVRs (via USB 2.0 connection). For these DVRs, you just need to connect the DVR Xpander, format the drive using the DVR prompts, and your DVR capacity is increased.

The DVR Xpander sports a sleek aluminum enclosure and promises to be whisper quiet. It also operates cool enough to be stuck inside your TV cabinet.

The DVR Xpander comes with a one-year warranty and is available now. The 1.5TB version costs $239. Other versions with smaller capacities cost less. Check with your DVR vendor or Apricorn to make sure your device works with the Xpander before making a purchase.

[kdavis220]

Anyone know if this works with Comcast Cable boxes? Specifically the DCH3416 HD DVR.

Thanks.

[Fuzzylogik]

Nope. I've been keeping an eye on this for a couple of years in the blogs (as late as a few weeks ago). The problem is that Comcast is afraid that everyone is going to start ripping everything they record (why they care is another question altogether). So even though you may have eSATA, USB, or firewire on your box, they are disabled.

[Wannabe Actuary]

kdavis...That's a motorola box. Comcast does use other model boxes in other areas.

fuzzlogik...I don't think they care. I have a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD from Comcast and it has an active eSATA port on it that supports an external hard drive. It is noted though that the format it records in will NOT be readable by a computer or other device. What I need to experiment with though is if I take an external drive from one 8300HD that I have and connect it to another 8300HD that I have, will it play fine.

To everyone in general, other than it promising to run cool and run quiet, it's no different than going to a computer supplier website and buying an internal SATA hard drive and an enclosure case for it that has an eSATA (or USB 2.0) connection. In all honesty, I'm surprised that the author didn't mention this.

[kevsmail]

And I thought that I watched too much TV! Wow!

[picorosan]

does it work with FIOS dvr?

[dodgeman007]

i have cable through cox and i have an dvr expander, the WD one not this one but I would love to find some info on how to get the data off that drive and onto my computer, I have tried just hooking it up via the esata cable and windows wont even read it...

[ztiger93]

Could I use Handbrake to rip DVDs to this, then view them through my cable box?

[DrSchnitz]

I don't know about the latest generation of Tivos, but we have two of the fancy original series 3 HD boxes, and with a hack easily found on the web, the Apricorns attached to them work just fine. No compatability problems at all. Tivo may have changed that in the new boxes like ours, but if you have an almost new series 2 or 3, it should work. In any case, there's a 30 day return policy. Calling Tivo support is no help, and - now - calling Apricorn is not much better. Up until recently, Apricorn tech had a guy named Mark who was absolutely great - extremely helpful - he once walked across his building and back to ascertain a fact. The new tech doesn't seem to know very much - he told me that what I was already doing was impossible.

[joru3rd]

Does anybody know if this work with a Dish network vip 722?