Comcast DVR extra hard drive

I would like to know how to add a hard drive to my Motorola DCH 3416. Has anyone had any luck with this? Tell me the tricks, please. More HD would be fun. :hithere:

Comcast does not permit any customer changes to their equipment.

If you want more storage, consider the TiVo HD with CableCARDs from Comcast.

Tivo would not give me On Demand.

Then you'll need both; a TiVo box for storage of your linear content, and a separate cable converter box (not DVR) for On Demand. You can split the cable to feed both, and then use separate inputs on your television.

$479 for a Tivo from Amazon, with recording time of 32 HD hours. $129 for a DVR expander from Amazon, with recording time of 60 HD hours.

Anybody else have any thoughts on this matter? I would like to hear from someone who has tried it.

Tried what? The DVR expander? I have one. What are you wondering about it?

What are you getting for that $479? This is what I found at Amazon.com:

TiVo TCD652160 HD Digital Video Recorder
List Price: $299.99
Price: $239.20
& this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.

So for $479 you should be getting a TiVo HD DVR, plus lifetime service, or that's not a good deal.

I'd also like to add an external harddrive to my Motorola DCH3416. The eSATA output needs to be activated, but Comcast refuses. Does anybody know a way around them?

I'd also like to add an external harddrive to my Motorola DCH3416. The eSATA output needs to be activated, but Comcast refuses. Does anybody know a way around them?

Not legally no. And it's against forum rules to discuss illegal activity.

DeadHead68

Tried what?
It is the subject of my thread. Must I reapeat myself? I spend enough money without paying monthly to Tivo. Cable card, cable box at the same time, and a monthly Tivo fee, it adds up. The Tivo I looked at had less storage and cost more. Perhaps I did not do enough research. At this point, Tivo sounds like a bad idea. I like renting from Comcast. I do not need more tuners. I was hoping someone with first hand experience would tell me how to add 550 gig to my Motorola DVR. A Comcast tech told me they do not provide help with it. He said if I could figure it out, I should do it. If one more person tells me it is illegal, I will drop it and never talk about it again. I do not want to break the rules of the forum. I do not want to break the law. The alternative to DVR is expensive, and involves breaking the law.

The DVR expander? I have one. What are you wondering about it?

Remind me to be friendly to strangers. I think I know how they feel. Bicker, you said that Comcast would not allow me to modify my equipment. I was not going to open it up and screw with the insides. I pay for my cable, every channel. The plan was to use the eSATA on the back, as was intended by Motorola when they built it. You now say that you have a DVR expander? That is important info that you omitted the first time. How is it installed? Should I buy one? Do you have tips and tricks? Please be helpful. Thank you, and anyone else who reads my words, feel free to help out also. Private messages welcome.

I was hoping someone with first hand experience would tell me how to add 550 gig to my Motorola DVR. A Comcast tech told me they do not provide help with it. He said if I could figure it out, I should do it. If one more person tells me it is illegal, I will drop it and never talk about it again. I do not want to break the rules of the forum. I do not want to break the law. The alternative to DVR is expensive, and involves breaking the law.

You can't activate the eSATA port on the DVR without hacking the code on the DVR.

You now say that you have a DVR expander? That is important info that you omitted the first time. How is it installed? Should I buy one? Do you have tips and tricks? Please be helpful. Thank you, and anyone else who reads my words, feel free to help out also. Private messages welcome.

Why would he mention it earlier when you said you didn't want Tivo? And why would you buy one when you are opposed to Tivo?

DeadHead68

Why would he mention it earlier when you said you didn't want Tivo? And why would you buy one when you are opposed to Tivo?

I try to make myself clear. You really do not yet know what I want? You also said it is impossible. You know, or you do not know. I have read testimonials of people who used the Western Digital DVR Expander with thier Scientific Atlanta rented cable box. It is not only for Tivo. It is very relevent to my discussion.

I should have quietly ended this thread quickly. I tend to be too stubborn. I did not expect it would be like pulling teeth to get some information. I like to help newbies. I have answered many questions for people, yet it is hard for me to get help. Is that not what this forum is all about?

I try to make myself clear. You really do not yet know what I want?

Yes, I do know what you want. However, what you want is not possible with the Motorola DVR's.


I have read testimonials of people who used the Western Digital DVR Expander with thier Scientific Atlanta rented cable box. It is not only for Tivo. It is very relevent to my discussion.

The key there being Scientific Atlantic, you can connect external drives to them.

I did not expect it would be like pulling teeth to get some information. I like to help newbies. I have answered many questions for people, yet it is hard for me to get help. Is that not what this forum is all about?

I am completely baffled by this last paragraph. Bicker and myself have done nothing BUT share information. It's not our fault you don't like the information given.

DeadHead68

$479 for a Tivo from Amazon, with recording time of 32 HD hours. $129 for a DVR expander from Amazon, with recording time of 60 HD hours.

Anybody else have any thoughts on this matter? I would like to hear from someone who has tried it.Tried what?It is the subject of my thread. Must I reapeat myself?Yes, because in the message I replied to you were discussing the TiVo, and you didn't make it clear what you were referring to. I took a shot at trying to help. I had a 50/50 chance, and guessed wrong. Sorry.

To answer your actual question, as best as I possibly can, in the interest of helping you as much as I am able, I haven't tried adding extra storage to Motorola DVRs, and I haven't read messages from anyone who has done so.

I like renting from Comcast. I do not need more tuners.Fair enough. It's a good choice, although not ideal given your interest in having lots of storage. Sorry.

The plan was to use the eSATA on the back, as was intended by Motorola when they built it.Indeed, and I've been paying close attention to this issue for about four years and haven't seen any indications that any MSOs have enabled that capability in the Motorola DVRs. Again, sorry.

You now say that you have a DVR expander?For my TiVo S3. Yes indeed. It is plug-and-play.

Thanks very much to both of you.