HR10 has multiple ports that do nothing, is this true for the HR20-100?

On the HR20 the SATA port is for addition of an ESATA hard drive that currently replaces the internal drive not in addition to, the ethernet port is for netwrok connectivity which is needed for DirecTv on Demand, and while the USB ports dont do anything for functionality they are powered so you could run a fan or chill mat if the unit is in a tight space where heat dissapation is an issue.

 

The Ethernet port also gets you "music and photos" from your local network, similar to how it works on a standalone TiVo. Unlike TiVos, DirecTV does not support USB network adapters, so if you want wireless you need to use a bridge.

 

The USB Ports, can be used to control the unit via RS-232 protocols.

The #2 Ethernet port on the HR20-100 (the top picture in my photo above.. )... is not active.

Other then that... every other port is functional.

 

Just curious - If I were to plug in a cat5 cable into the ethernet port of the HR20 and then connect it to my network hub, I would then be able to view music and photos that are on my desktop PC? Is there some option in the HR20 that would let you browse for pics and music? I only got my HR20 a couple days ago so I haven't played with all the features yet.

 

You have to be running a Media Server software package (such as Tversity or WMP11)... on your PC...

See www.dbstalk.com for more details about that.

 

Boy that's keeping up with technology Tell me again - well thought out?

 

Yes, I think it's well thought out. TiVo already learned that supporting wireless USB adapters is a never-ending headache. Wireless bridges are commonly available.

I serve my photos and music from a Netgear ReadyNAS+ network file server - no PC required.

 

Completely agreed...

There are even people that are using larger wirless "switches"... that are allowing 4 devices to use a single wireless connection, instead of 4 wireless adapters...

 

Using a bridge is also a higher performance solution, as it takes a lot of load off of the CPU, as nearly all USB wireless adapters push a lot of processing into the driver. (This is an advantage of TiVo's own wireless adapter, which they resorted to after discovering what a nightmare it was trying to keep up with the frequent changes in retail adapters.)

 

Yeah, using media and gaming bridges that are used by the latest game systems is not keeping up with technology. Oh, and the same port can be used wired or wireless ethernet. Yup, poor planning.

And, yes you are because you have no idea what new technology is. USB is old.

 

VERY old. Nobody in their right mind will use USB to network unless there is no other choice. No way I'd want to be downloading HD DoD movies with a USB connection.

Got mine hardwired with Cat6 cable. Can't get any easier then that. I simply fired up WMP11 on my wife's computer and setup the sharing and within a minute the HR20 saw the computer and the shared music and photos. After WMP11 was done indexing (that's what took the longest time) we were playing music while watching a photo album. Frankly not something we use much but it will be REALLY nice this holiday season showing family our various pictures.

Now to just get the streaming video added...

 

As for your other ports:

eSata - Go down to Best Buy, get a 1 TB (or your favorite size) eSata drive, plug it in to the HR20, power it up, restart the HR20, done. You now have 1 TB of space for recordings.

USB - As mentioned it's active for high end home theater applications and it's powered so you can run any USB powered device like fans and stuff.

 

Looks like I'm not keeping up with networking and all the issues involved. Thanks for the info, guys.

 

The HR20 works HORRIBLE with large libraries. That is why I still use a TurtleBeach AudioTron for music and a Snazio Net DVD Cinema HD for streaming video.

 

I use mine to charge my PS3 controllers. Works perfect!

 

so, what happens to the recordings on the internal drive? Can you select between the two drives then? Thanks

 

Everything on the internal drive becomes inaccessible. If you want to get at them, power down the box, disconnect the external drive and power up again. It's sort of as if you had two different boxes.

 

Thanks Steve. Will drop by Best Buy this afternoon while out with my daughter to shop for her homecoming dress. Best Buy sounds like so much more fun!

 

I have the Buffalo wireless switch. It can connect 4 devices such as HR20's.

Wireless-G MIMO Performance* Ethernet Converter - WLI-TX4-G54HP

It is $65 at Circuit City.

- Craig