2TB Hard drive speculation....

[TexasGrillChef]

Seagate has plans to release a 2TB drive by April or May of 2009. No specs released as of yet & this date could be moved as well.

Now... I am wondering...

The S3 can handle a max of 2TB. Currently that means 1TB internal, & 1tb external.

Any ideas (Speculation of course) if you think the S3 could handle a 2TB internal drive?

The TiVo HD. Can handle more than 2TB combination of internal & external.
Anyone think that maybe it might be able to handle a 2tb internal, AND 2TB external?

Or maybe... 1 TB internal 2TB external, or 2TB internal, 1TB external?

Anyone care to speculate?

TGC

[wdave]

You can buy a 2TB external eSATA RAID right now. I'm sure someone somewhere has tried it.

[JWThiers]

Originally Posted by wdave

You can buy a 2TB external eSATA RAID right now. I'm sure someone somewhere has tried it.

Not with a SINGLE 2 TB drive which I think TGC is asking about. That being said, you are right, as far as the tivo is concerned an eSATA RAID is seen as a single drive. So if it can see a 2 TB RAID it will see a 2 TB single drive.

What is the technical drive size limit that a tivo can address anyway?

Lets see
2 internal drives @ 2 TB each - 4 TB
External RAID 4 Drives @ 2 TB each - 8 TB
That makes 12 TB, How many hours HD is that?

[ZeoTiVo]

Originally Posted by JWThiers

Lets see
2 internal drives @ 2 TB each - 4 TB
External RAID 4 Drives @ 2 TB each - 8 TB
That makes 12 TB, How many hours HD is that?

you know there comes a point where the memory and CPU can not keep up with the now playing list - and this applies to showing remote now playing lists and TiVo dekstop(though not as much for a PC of course)

[mercurial]

Originally Posted by ZeoTiVo

you know there comes a point where the memory and CPU can not keep up with the now playing list - and this applies to showing remote now playing lists and TiVo dekstop(though not as much for a PC of course)

If there are a lot of SD recordings, yeah. If it's mostly HD, probably not so bad- at least no worse than an expanded S2 class TiVo loaded down with recordings.

[JWThiers]

I know. Personally, I think after about 100 hours or so I think it is pretty much a waste strictly a DVR for watching TV. How much TV can you watch at a time? A media server for archived content that you want to keep is best kept off your tivo.

Of course the time depends on SD or HD Right now I don't have an HDTV so the HD content isn't important to me right now so the stock internal drive is fine for now.

[TexasGrillChef]

Originally Posted by wdave

You can buy a 2TB external eSATA RAID right now. I'm sure someone somewhere has tried it.

I am talking about a true single drive 2tb unit.

However, it is true, one could try a Raid unit internal external see what we get.

I do know though that each "Raid" box acts differently. Some make the raid volume appear just as a single unit drive. Others require that you still have a raid card in your computer.

Some while don't require additional hardware on you computer do require special drivers.

Would love to hear from anyone who has tried with a 2tb eSata raid though.

TGC

[TexasGrillChef]

Originally Posted by JWThiers

What is the technical drive size limit that a tivo can address anyway?

Lets see
2 internal drives @ 2 TB each - 4 TB
External RAID 4 Drives @ 2 TB each - 8 TB
That makes 12 TB, How many hours HD is that?

I think thats the exact point of question anyways.

We do know that the max internal/external combination for the S3 is 2TB.

However, on the HD unit, we know from other threads that it has been tested all the way up to 2.5TB.

TGC

[TexasGrillChef]

Originally Posted by JWThiers

I know. Personally, I think after about 100 hours or so I think it is pretty much a waste strictly a DVR for watching TV. How much TV can you watch at a time? A media server for archived content that you want to keep is best kept off your tivo.

Of course the time depends on SD or HD Right now I don't have an HDTV so the HD content isn't important to me right now so the stock internal drive is fine for now.

I have several 3TB (Raid 5) NAS devices that I store most of what I wish to keep. Movies, TV shows, Home Video's etc...

I was just asking a hypothetical question just wonding about size limitations.

98% of what I watch is in HD. As time moves on, more & more broadcasting will be in HD as well.

I do alot of traveling. So I like to have at least 80hrs of available space per week I am gone. To keep the shows my family might miss each week. Not saying we watch that much of course. But we like to record then not watch the show & delete it, rather than saying.. Oh dam wish I had recorded that.

Currently... I have a S3 with the 250gb internal, 750gb external, & a TiVo HD with its 160gb & 500gb external. That currently provides at least a months recording of all the shows we are interested in. Currently that is.

As Broadcasting HD quality gets better, it will require more space on HD. So I think ahead about possible HD space.

TGC

[jlb]

I just want a 1TB My DVR Expander.

[retired_guy]

Originally Posted by jlb

I just want a 1TB My DVR Expander.

Me too. I suspect there are a lot of people like myself who have a S3 as their primary DVR and rapidly put a larger disk in the S3 since 250 MB isn't a lot for HD recordings; they later bought a HD unit for their bedrooms when MRV and the HD became available. As time passed, they found that even with a larger disk (mine is 750MB) in their S3s, they were running out of space. They could add the 500GB to the HD but it isn't a nice solution splitting the space in two parts of the house.

However, by adding a 1TB expander to the HD and switching the box's locations, I'd be getting a significant expansion in space in both rooms and doing both without having to open any boxes. I'm certainly looking forwards to a 1TB expansion unit.

[dwit]

Originally Posted by retired_guy

...However, by adding a 1TB expander to the HD and switching the box's locations,...

But you can't do that. At least I didn't think so.

[retired_guy]

Why can't I switch locations. Of course, I'll have to change season passes and wishlists and do some moving of recordings to get the systems straightened out but there shouldn't be any other problems.

[greg_burns]

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

Any ideas (Speculation of course) if you think the S3 could handle a 2TB internal drive?

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...36#post5846836

I believe that thread is stating the S3 can't go over 1TB per drive. But the TivoHD does not have that limitation.

But maybe I interpreting it wrong.

[greg_burns]

Originally Posted by retired_guy

Why can't I switch locations. Of course, I'll have to change season passes and wishlists and do some moving of recordings to get the systems straightened out but there shouldn't be any other problems.

The eSata drive is married to a Tivo. You can't attach it to another without divorcing it from the first. Divorcing it effectively deletes all the data.

[retired_guy]

I'm not detaching an eSata Drive. Just adding a new (assuming one will be available) 1T eSata drive to my 160GB HD. The S3 has an internal 750GB which I'm leaving in the S3.

[greg_burns]

Originally Posted by retired_guy

I'm not detaching an eSata Drive. Just adding a new (assuming one will be available) 1T eSata drive to my 160GB HD. The S3 has an internal 750GB which I'm leaving in the S3.

I guess I don't understand what you mean by switching locations then.

[aaronwt]

I find it easiest to use TiVo Desktop and transfer recordings to a PC for permanent storage. I have a PC dedicated to TiVo storage with 3.75TB, and if I run out of space there I have another 3TB of storage plus another 8TB with my media server to use.
I'd rather do that than marry the external drive to the internal one.

[retired_guy]

Originally Posted by greg_burns

I guess I don't understand what you mean by switching locations then.

Now: S3 with 750GB in Family Room; HD with 160GB in Bedroom

Switched Locations: HD with 160GB+1TB in Family Room; S3 with 750GB in Bedroom.

This would give me a 60% storage expansion in the Family Room where the large screen TV is located. It's overkill in the Bedroom but I know I'll find a way to use that space. Forget about the Series 2s; they're on a death watch.

[lrhorer]

Originally Posted by JWThiers

Not with a SINGLE 2 TB drive which I think TGC is asking about. That being said, you are right, as far as the tivo is concerned an eSATA RAID is seen as a single drive. So if it can see a 2 TB RAID it will see a 2 TB single drive.

What is the technical drive size limit that a tivo can address anyway?

The limit for the S3 is 2.2TB. The limit as far as the MFS 64 file system is concerned for the THD would be over 3.2 billion Terabytes, but I doubt one could make partitions large enough to actually fill up even the tiniest fraction of that space. I'd be willing to bet a dollar the current limit is probably no more than about 20 - 25 TB, if that.

[lrhorer]

Originally Posted by aaronwt

I find it easiest to use TiVo Desktop and transfer recordings to a PC for permanent storage.

As long as you are talking about increasing the TiVo's storage to at least 500G or more (and I think you are), then I agree, except I use Galleon and TyTool, not TiVo Desktop.

[lrhorer]

Originally Posted by JWThiers

I know. Personally, I think after about 100 hours or so I think it is pretty much a waste strictly a DVR for watching TV. How much TV can you watch at a time? A media server for archived content that you want to keep is best kept off your tivo.

It's not about watching it all at one time. In fact, it's just the opposite, which is to say having a broad selection from which to choose whenever one does wish to watch. Even more broadly, it's about having a wide enough selection to please all concerned when friends and family want to watch something. At an average of about 2 hours per movie, 100 hours is only about 50 movies, which is not a very large selection.

It's also about keeping the things one and one's family like, so they're available to watch again.

[lrhorer]

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

Seagate has plans to release a 2TB drive by April or May of 2009. No specs released as of yet & this date could be moved as well.

Oh, I hope not. My Video Server only hosts 8 drives, and I'm going to run out of space with 6 drives later this year. It's going to be a lot easier and safer (not to mention cheaper) if I have at least the 8th slot available to add a 2 TB drive rather than replace a 1TB drive to start the media based expansion.

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

The TiVo HD. Can handle more than 2TB combination of internal & external.
Anyone think that maybe it might be able to handle a 2tb internal, AND 2TB external?

It should. 'No guarantees until someone tries it, of course.

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

Or maybe... 1 TB internal 2TB external, or 2TB internal, 1TB external?

If it can handle a single 2TB drive, then it should handle 2 + 2.

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

Anyone care to speculate?

Me? Speculate? Surely you jest!

[TexasGrillChef]

Originally Posted by retired_guy

Now: S3 with 750GB in Family Room; HD with 160GB in Bedroom

Switched Locations: HD with 160GB+1TB in Family Room; S3 with 750GB in Bedroom.

This would give me a 60% storage expansion in the Family Room where the large screen TV is located. It's overkill in the Bedroom but I know I'll find a way to use that space. Forget about the Series 2s; they're on a death watch.

Why not the S3 with the 750gb AND the 1tb eSATA in the Family room, & leave the Bedroom at 160gb?

My current configuration is.... S3 with 250 internal, 750 external in living room, & 160 TiVo HD bedroom. And use pyTivo/TD+ with 2 (Two) 3TB (Raid 5) NAS devices.

This allows me to record all the shows I need to when my family & I travel, & allows backup of shows for permanent storage to my NAS. Albeit one caveat is you can't backup "Copy Protected" shows.

TGC

[TexasGrillChef]

Originally Posted by lrhorer

The limit for the S3 is 2.2TB. The limit as far as the MFS 64 file system is concerned for the THD would be over 3.2 billion Terabytes, but I doubt one could make partitions large enough to actually fill up even the tiniest fraction of that space. I'd be willing to bet a dollar the current limit is probably no more than about 20 - 25 TB, if that.

So then what your saying... Theoretcally... is:

That when the 2TB drives come out from Seagate. That one could put one internal & then use another 2TB external for 4TB total space?

Of course we ARN'T obviously talking about PnP functionality there of course either.

If thats also the case. Couldn't one easily plug in a eSATA 4 drive self contained Raid system and get 3/4tb (Raid 5/0) as well with the current TiVo HD? Anybody outthere try that yet?

TGC

[TexasGrillChef]

Originally Posted by lrhorer

Oh, I hope not. My Video Server only hosts 8 drives, and I'm going to run out of space with 6 drives later this year. It's going to be a lot easier and safer (not to mention cheaper) if I have at least the 8th slot available to add a 2 TB drive rather than replace a 1TB drive to start the media based expansion.

Well you know how electronics companies are. Some take years longer than they say they will to release a product. (Think of Slingmedia & the sling catcher, still a year overdue).

Although Seagate has been really good at releasing their larger drives quite quickly. They were the first to market with the 750gb hard drives. Although they have been slower on the 1tb drives than their competitors.

One can only make a guess if it will be before or after April 2009 before we see 2tb drives. Will Seagate be first? That I don't know. I do know that Seagate is TRYING to be the first to market with the 2tb drives.


BTW lrhorer, What 8 Drive system do you use? Is it a stand alone NAS?, or is your video server a computer based server?

My 3TB (Raid 5) NAS units are the Promise NS4300, I love them. Nice units.

TGC

[retired_guy]

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

Why not the S3 with the 750gb AND the 1tb eSATA in the Family room, & leave the Bedroom at 160gb?

My current configuration is.... S3 with 250 internal, 750 external in living room, & 160 TiVo HD bedroom. And use pyTivo/TD+ with 2 (Two) 3TB (Raid 5) NAS devices.

This allows me to record all the shows I need to when my family & I travel, & allows backup of shows for permanent storage to my NAS. Albeit one caveat is you can't backup "Copy Protected" shows.

TGC

Unless things change, one can "officially" add an eSATA drive to a S3 only if the S3 has 250GB. There are ways to get around that limitation and keep all the recordings using a PC, but they involve removing the drive, attaching it to a PC, and various steps of copying data and recordings. My PC only has 640GB and not SATA so it can't easily handle all the current recordings in any case. Should I lose my wife's recordings, I'd be in deep smelly stuff. My approach seens low risk, relatively easy, supported by TiVo and should be at a reasonable cost if a TiVo supported 1TB expansion unit is priced close to what other such devices are priced at today. And 1.16TB would satisfy my requirements in the family toom for quite a while, although I must admit that recording space is like money; no matter how much you have, most end up wanting more.

Those NAS devices you have sound nice. But nice spelled $$..$$.

[lrhorer]

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

Well you know how electronics companies are.

Yeah, unfortunately.

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

BTW lrhorer, What 8 Drive system do you use? Is it a stand alone NAS?, or is your video server a computer based server?

It's a computer based server. I'm using the Norcotek DS-1240 12 drive enclosure, but the RAID adapter on has two 4 Lane SAS ports, so it only supports 8 drives. I could install another adapter, but to do so I would have to get another motherboard with a minimum of 2 PCI Express 8x slots and re-do the software. If push comes to shove, I may do just that, but the 2TB media expansion is easier and has a greater ultimate capacity, unless of course I exceed 12TB of files. We'll see.

The Video Server is running under Debian "Etch" Linux on a 3.0GHz AMD Athlon 64 x 2 CPU and 2G of RAM. I have Galleon and pyTiVo running on the server to handle TTG / TTCB, music, weather and photos on the TiVos. The system is rock stable and blazingly fast. I've had sustained transfers as high as 350Mbps off the server for up to 10 hours at a stretch. Transfers to and from the LAN are often faster than from the local hard drive on Windows machines with PATA drives.

[lrhorer]

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

So then what your saying... Theoretcally... is:

That when the 2TB drives come out from Seagate. That one could put one internal & then use another 2TB external for 4TB total space?

Yes, that's precisely what I'm saying. Caveat emptor, of course.

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

Of course we ARN'T obviously talking about PnP functionality there of course either.

No, but Win_MFS is almost trivially easy to use. OTOH, my systems have enough space as is, and since I store the bulk of the recordings on the Video Server...

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

If thats also the case. Couldn't one easily plug in a eSATA 4 drive self contained Raid system and get 3/4tb (Raid 5/0) as well with the current TiVo HD? Anybody outthere try that yet?

It should work, but as of yet I haven't heard any reports of anyone trying.
I'm sure someone will.

[TexasGrillChef]

Originally Posted by retired_guy

Unless things change, one can "officially" add an eSATA drive to a S3 only if the S3 has 250GB. There are ways to get around that limitation and keep all the recordings using a PC, but they involve removing the drive, attaching it to a PC, and various steps of copying data and recordings. My PC only has 640GB and not SATA so it can't easily handle all the current recordings in any case. Should I lose my wife's recordings, I'd be in deep smelly stuff. My approach seens low risk, relatively easy, supported by TiVo and should be at a reasonable cost if a TiVo supported 1TB expansion unit is priced close to what other such devices are priced at today. And 1.16TB would satisfy my requirements in the family toom for quite a while, although I must admit that recording space is like money; no matter how much you have, most end up wanting more.

Those NAS devices you have sound nice. But nice spelled $$..$$.

Very good point. Being a married man myself, I am VERY familiar with getting stuck in smelly stuff with the wife. LOL .

NAS devices can be found WITHOUT hard drives for as little as $100 on up. Many do support older IDE drives, The newer ones support SATA. The best way to go.

I actually have 6 NAS devices. 2 of the PRomise NS4300's. Those are the 3TB Raid 5 systems. Those are $350 each without the drives.

I also have 2 Buffalo Technologies 500gb NAS devices. I have seen those at Fry's for $218 the other day.

I also own 2 of the older HP Mediavaults. Bought those at a CompUSA closing sale for $99 each. They had the 300gb Sata drives in them. But I have since replaced those with 400gb drives & added a 750gb drive maxing out the units 1150gb limit.

Here in a month or two or three. I will be selling my Media Vaults on EBAY and getting me another Promise NS4300. My ebay name is DallasRman. I will be selling them for a VERY good price.

Check around NAS devices are the way of the future. Soon to replace many USB Hard drives as Any computer on a network could be setup to access a NAS. All NAS's that I have seen or own have FANTASTIC security to lock out users you don't wish having access.

TGC