External hard Drive Help

[FiberOptic]

I want to purchase an external drive for my TWC HD8300 before the Superbowl, I am looking for guidance on what type/brand I would need.  As well as what special cables I would need.  The next question is , I have the Bears championship game on my DVR, once I get the external hard drive installed, can I move the recording off the DVR then on to the hard drive.  Go Bears

[markd]

I want to purchase an external drive for my TWC HD8300 before the Superbowl, I am looking for guidance on what type/brand I would need.  As well as what special cables I would need.

I don't have an external connected to my box but what you're looking for an eSATA drive.  CompUSA was selling a 300 GIG Seagate drive for $150.  This drive in particular seems to be popular.  It should come with the necessary cable.

I have also been told by TW that firewire drives work fine but I have not verified this myself.  I keep forgetting to bring one home from work.

The next question is , I have the Bears championship game on my DVR, once I get the external hard drive installed, can I move the recording off the DVR then on to the hard drive.  Go Bears

You cannot move things between the drives and recordings of new shows go onto the drive with the most free space.  Also, don't think that you'll be able to hook the external to a computer and have anything useful.  The recordings are a proprietary format that, to the best of my knowledge, people are not able to do anyting "useful" with yet.

[MDR]

Check out this link to AVS Forums,  http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=516559&page=1&pp=30

There are links to the results people are having with various configurations on the first page. This forum should answer all your questions.

I'm using a Seagate 250G with a Venus DS3 enclosure with pretty good results.
Got both from Newegg which has really good service.

Good Luck!

MDR

[HDefinicktion]

I also suggest Newegg.  I think that best is to purchase a drive and enclosure separate.  This way you have the ability to upgrade in the future if need be.  There is an enclosure from Coolmax that supports USB, eSATA, and Firewire...thus giving you two options to try.  Up front the costs are more expensive, but over the years I have found that having an enclosure that allows you to upgrade, tends to be cheaper.  In my Enermax enclosure over the years I have went from a 40GB - 120gb - 160GB - 500GB.  If you watch Techbargains.com they seem to have 500GB drives onsale after rebate recently for around $150 from time to time.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817146057

I am curious to know your results, as a friend is looking to do the same thing...

[markd]

I also suggest Newegg.  I think that best is to purchase a drive and enclosure separate.  This way you have the ability to upgrade in the future if need be.

They're the same thing really.  I have not come across a pre-assembled external drive that you could not open up.  They're not disposable when the drive croaks.  I've replaced and/or upgraded at least half a dozen external drives.  One thing I dislike about many inexpensive enclosures purchased separately is the low build quality.  I've had firewire connectors simply come loose (break) off of the enclosure.  Many are also fanless (which has its pros and cons).

Anyway, the bottom line is that there really isn't a difference.  Let price and/or convenience be your guide.  One is no better than the other if future upgrades is what you're after.  A complete drive purchased today could be moved into a new enclosure down the road if different "plugs" were something you were looking to change to or add.

-mark