Two questions about the TiVo DVR Expander

hearncl · 10-23-2007, 02:00 PM

TiVo is selling the 500 GB Western Digital DVR Expander for $200. Is this the identical drive sold by Amazon for $154? If so, is there any advantage to getting it from TiVo rather than Amazon (or another source)?

I understand that when the external drive is attached, recordings may then be stored partially on both the internal and external drives. When the DVR Expander is attached, does one lose any previously recorded programs? (TiVo's FAQs don't seem to cover this.)

tj722 · 10-23-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hearncl

TiVo is selling the 500 GB Western Digital DVR Expander for $200. Is this the identical drive sold by Amazon for $154? If so, is there any advantage to getting it from TiVo rather than Amazon (or another source)?

I understand that when the external drive is attached, recordings may then be stored partially on both the internal and external drives. When the DVR Expander is attached, does one lose any previously recorded programs? (TiVo's FAQs don't seem to cover this.)

The one on WD's site is model WDG1S5000.

The one on Amazon's site for $154 is WDG1SU5000.

That being said, I'd still be interested if the lesser priced drive worked on the THD.

bkdtv · 10-23-2007, 02:09 PM

At this time, only the Western Digital DVR Expander ($199) is confirmed to work with the TivoHD. As far as we know today, no other drives can be added using the External Storage menu.

If you didn't notice, this forum has a new Official eSATA Drive Expansion in 9.2: FAQ + Discussion thread which answers those questions and many others.

kirk1701 · 10-23-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkdtv

At this time, only the Western Digital DVR Expander ($199) is confirmed to work with the TivoHD. As far as we know today, no other drives can be added using the External Storage menu.

If you didn't notice, this forum has a new Official eSATA Drive Expansion in 9.2: FAQ + Discussion thread which answers those questions and many others.

Think I'm going to wait a while and see if they come out with a 1 gig supported drive.

Brain fart: I ment 1Tb

sneagle · 10-23-2007, 02:39 PM

This one is the WDG1SU5000 for $154 at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digita...dp/B000NE3EZQ/

Plus, Western Digital lists the WDG1S5000 as compatible with Tivo
http://wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=334

I'd buy the one from Amazon IF I could get a confirmation that it is the right one.

Edit: fixed typo

hearncl · 10-23-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkdtv

At this time, only the Western Digital DVR Expander ($199) is confirmed to work with the TivoHD. As far as we know today, no other drives can be added using the External Storage menu.

If you didn't notice, this forum has a new Official eSATA Drive Expansion in 9.2: FAQ + Discussion thread which answers those questions and many others.

Thanks--I did a search, but obviously was not thorough as I missed this thread. It answers all my questions. I'm going to go ahead and order from TiVo.

kirk1701 · 10-23-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hearncl

Thanks--I did a search, but obviously was not thorough as I missed this thread. It answers all my questions. I'm going to go ahead and order from TiVo.

Actually, just did a search of SATA drives and for a 500 gig drive its not that bad a deal.

Think I might also go ahead and order ASAP

Ordered!!
TSXXXXXXXX Order Placed October 23,2007 1 Western Digital My DVR Expander HD
$199.99 $199.99
Shipping Total $4.82
Tax $12.00
Order Total $216.81

sting0r · 10-23-2007, 08:16 PM

This sucks, I wish they didn't pull this authorized drive only crap on the TiVoHD while allowing Series 3 to use any drives. They should allow us to use any drive we want at our own peril. Hopefully someone will figure out an easy work around, though I may just have to find a cheap DVR expander as I have no space...

bkdtv · 10-23-2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sting0r

This sucks, I wish they didn't pull this authorized drive only crap on the TiVoHD while allowing Series 3 to use any drives. They should allow us to use any drive we want at our own peril. Hopefully someone will figure out an easy work around, though I may just have to find a cheap DVR expander as I have no space...

There is another method TivoHD owners can use to add "Non Verified" drives. That method is discussed in the FAQ linked above.

t001z · 10-24-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sting0r

This sucks, I wish they didn't pull this authorized drive only crap on the TiVoHD while allowing Series 3 to use any drives. They should allow us to use any drive we want at our own peril. Hopefully someone will figure out an easy work around, though I may just have to find a cheap DVR expander as I have no space...

I just bought a TivoHD and a really nice External Enclosure and Seagate hard drive listed in the FAQ (unfortunately for me, I was a little confused between the Series 3 and TivoHD

). I have a TigerDirect store in the next town over and they list the having the WDG1SU5000 so I am going to purchase one to see if it works. If not, I will have to return it, but either way, I will report back here tonight when I get home and plug it in.

One issue that may report a problem... can anyone tell me what the latest release is for the TivoHD. I have seen that the Series3 is on 9.2.xxxx, but since I just got mine last night and got it plugged in, I forced an update and it upgraded from 8.1 to 9.1.xxxx and that is where it sits for now.

Please let me know if I should be on 9.2.xxx with the TivoHD.

Mars Rocket · 10-24-2007, 10:18 AM

Yes, you need 9.2.xxx on your TiVo HD to use an external drive.

kirk1701 · 10-24-2007, 05:15 PM

OK, I have a small question.

Yesterday after reading here that Tivo now had a supported DVR expander I purchased one right away, also signed up to have 9.2 pushed to me now remember this was yesterday.

Last night I forced a connection 3 or 4 times and finally got an update (thinking it was 9.2). Now I was at 8.3 and I was going to just wait till I got the update when it got around to me but since I needed 9.2 for the drive expander I signed up.

I did not get 9.2 however it was 9.1 so my question is why?

Was it since I needed 9.1 before I could get 9.2 or might 9.1 just have already been in the queue?

bkdtv · 10-24-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirk1701

I did not get 9.2 however it was 9.1 so my question is why?

Was it since I needed 9.1 before I could get 9.2 or might 9.1 just have already been in the queue?

Tivo was rolling out 9.1 before they released 9.2.

It is probably just a coincidence that you got 9.1. According to Tivo, it can take three business days to get 9.2 after you sign up @ http://www.tivo.com/priority/.

bkdtv · 10-24-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t001z

I have a TigerDirect store in the next town over and they list the having the WDG1SU5000 so I am going to purchase one to see if it works. If not, I will have to return it, but either way, I will report back here tonight when I get home and plug it in.

I can save you some time. The WDG1SU5000 doesn't work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by t001z

One issue that may report a problem... can anyone tell me what the latest release is for the TivoHD. I have seen that the Series3 is on 9.2.xxxx, but since I just got mine last night and got it plugged in, I forced an update and it upgraded from 8.1 to 9.1.xxxx and that is where it sits for now.

The latest release for the TivoHD and Series3 is 9.2. You can sign up to get it at http://www.tivo.com/priority/, but it will take up to three business days to receive it.

kirk1701 · 10-24-2007, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkdtv

Tivo was rolling out 9.1 before they released 9.2.

It is probably just a coincidence that you got 9.1. According to Tivo, it can take three business days to get 9.2 after you sign up @ http://www.tivo.com/priority/.

Thats what I thought, just a coincidence bk but wanted to ask to be sure.

Yes, did sign up yesterday (for 9.2) at the same time I ordered the expansion drive so in hopes I would have 9.2 by the time the rive gets here.

My guess is, just like windows, before you can upgrade certain things you have to have a certain Service Pack installed so before you can get 9.2 you need to have 9.1 is my guess.

sneagle · 10-28-2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneagle

This one is the WDG1SU5000 for $154 at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digita...dp/B000NE3EZQ/

Plus, Western Digital lists the WDG1S5000 as compatible with Tivo
http://wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=334

I'd buy the one from Amazon IF I could get a confirmation that it is the right one.

The expander drive is now out of stock at Tivo.

Can anyone confirm if this is the correct device?

t001z · 10-28-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkdtv

I can save you some time. The WDG1SU5000 doesn't work.

The latest release for the TivoHD and Series3 is 9.2. You can sign up to get it at http://www.tivo.com/priority/, but it will take up to three business days to receive it.

As bkdtv rightly posted above, I can also confirm that the WDG1SU5000 does NOT work as an expander. I had to wait a few days to get the update to 9.2 but now that I did get it, I thought I was in luck because it said something to the effect of "Found external drive" or "expandable drive". As soon as I went to the next screen it essentially said that it was not allowed.

I went online and ordered the correct model and should have it in a couple days. I actually bought it directly from Western Digital Store since Tivo was still showing out of stock (same price).

sneagle · 10-28-2007, 11:02 PM

I sent an e-mail to Amazon asking when they will carry the product. I get free shipping with them, so I'd prefer to go that route.

I am also wondering when places like Weaknees and dvrupgrade will offer it.

t001z · 10-28-2007, 11:18 PM

I don't know that Amazon will be able to carry it, as it is specific to the DVR community (other sites like buy.com, newegg.com, etc do not carry and both told me via email that they have no immediate plans to carry it). Sites like Weaknees and dvrupgrade should start carrying it, but certainly not till TiVo can stock it on a regular basis.

tivoupgrade · 10-28-2007, 11:36 PM

For now, my understanding is that BestBuy has a deal that gives them an 'exclusive' on this. IE; we can't get a supply of these from TiVo as we can with the DVR products, and other accessories. Perhaps that will change over time.