Apricorn DVR Xpander 1TB eSATA Interface with eSATA Cable and AC Adapter
Monday, March 2, 2009 6:37
Binding : Electronics
ProductGroup : CE
Manufacturer : Apricorn Mass Storage
Brand : Apricorn
Label : Apricorn Mass Storage
Publisher : Apricorn Mass Storage
Model : ADVRX-1TB
Studio : Apricorn Mass Storage
Color : silver
- DVR/PVR Upgrade Hard drive
- Instantly add up to 562 hours of your favorite programs
- The perfect companion for the Scientific Atlanta 8300 series DVR
- Compatible with any DVR that has an active eSATA port
- Ultra-cool fan keeps the drive at optimal temperatures, extending the life of your hard drive
The DVR Xpander does exactly what its name implies, it instantly expands the number of television shows, movies and sporting events you can store on your DVR. The Digital Video Recorder (DVR) has changed the way you watch TV, putting you in complete control of when and how you watch the programs you love. Unfortunately there is never enough space on the DVR hard drive to record everything you want to watch, especially if you are recording it in high definition. When the hard drive is full you must delete shows to free up space for the new programs you want to watch. The DVR Xpander solves the storage space problem by allowing you to instantly add up to 562 hours of standard TV or 125 hours of high definition programming with the DVR Xpander 1 Terabyte. DVR Xpander is the perfect companion for the Scientific Atlanta 8300 series DVR or any DVR equipped with an active eSATA port. Many cable companies offer Scientific Atlanta 8300 series DVR¿s with an activate eSATA port. If you are uncertain whether your DVR supports external storage, you can check Apricorn¿s website, search the internet by DVR model number, or contact the DVR manufacturer. DVR Xpander has an ultra-cool fan that keeps the enclosure at optimal temperature which will extend the life of your hard drive. The sleek aluminum enclosure operates in horizontal and vertical configurations. The package includes a 500GB, 750GB or 1TB DVR Xpander and stand, eSATA cable, AC power adapter and Quick Start Guide.
Finally, room to record anything. (2009-02-22)
This DVR expander is awesome!. Works exactly as described. Easy setup and completely transparent operation. Before setup, DVR reported 85% full, after setup it registered 8%!! Using with Scientific Atlanta 8300HDC DVR with Time-Warner cable. For $164.00 this thing was a steal! Smaller than it looks in product views, only the size of a standard paperback book. 1 MILLION megabytes for $164? Insanely great.
Buyer Beware (2009-02-17)
Don't be misled by the ambiguous advertising for this product: "Xpander is the perfect companion for the Scientific Atlanta 8300 series DVR or any DVR equipped with an active eSATA port." Unfortunately, it does not work with the SA 8300 HDC, which seems to be the high definition DVR of choice for Time Warner in our area. To quote Apricorn's tech support person, "I have seen nothing but problems from the HDC models." If you decide to switch out your DVR in order to get this unit to work, you'll lose everything recorded that hasn't been burned to a DVD. Very disappointing.
Waiting for a replacement (2009-02-11)
My SA 8300HDC recognized it without any issues at all and was up and running in about 5 minutes. Very straight forward hook up. My first impression was... Wow is this thing loud! It really does make a lot of noise. I figured I would put up with it for the added capacity.
It worked fine for about 5 days. On the 6th day, I came home from work to find it making a new and even louder noise. I turned my system off, let it set then repowered and the noise was gone, but unfortunately so was EVERYTHING that was saved on the hard drive!
I started using it again thinking it was only a fluke and that it would not happen again but 3 days later the exact same thing happened. It has now been returned and I am waiting for a replacement. I will update when it arrives and I see how that one works.
Difficulty with HR20 (2009-01-14)
Nice case, quite, compact, good instructions, booted up and installed just as advertised, but after about a week of use we are getting odd behavior with DIRECTV HR20. Programs freeze. DVR is unresponsive to commands and must be rebooted and wait through the painful 5 min plus DirecTV boot up. There doesn't seem to be anything consistent with why it does this, it's random and not associated with any particular program. Both HD and SD programming do this. Apricorn doesn't advertise it as compatible with the HR20. Amazon advertises it as compatible with any DVR that has an active eSATA port so we got it for our HR20 with eSATA and have been disappointed. Your mileage may vary.
Works with DirecTV HR20 (2009-01-12)
Installed this Christmas, 2008 without difficulty. Beware that you won't be able to see anything previously recorded on the HR20. But that's not the fault of the Apricorn. Great product.
