Comcast RNG200 HD DVR Recording Space Expansion with eSATA

Upgrading Comcast Houston HD DVR recording storage space using Antec eSATA enclosure with Western Digital 750GB drive.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Comcast
• Houston
• DVR
• Expansion
• Recording
• Space
• Scientific
• Atlanta
• Explorer
• 8300HD
• Cisco
• RNG200
• eSATA
• Western
• Digital
• 750GB

[AztecDareDevil]

Thank you for this great video. I'm considering getting a 8300HD DVR from Comcast so that I can expand it like you did. Comcast tech support is saying that none of their boxes are expandable. Can you tell me if these (8300HD) boxes are still being distributed and whether they can still be expanded?

Thank you!

[crash101y]

@AztecDareDevil I don't know if Comcast is still distributing the older 8300HD boxes and what code they put on it. From other public Internet forums and a test that I've done myself in the past, it does work. Comcast will never say it is expandable or support it. The ability to expand really depends on the code and what features the cable provider has either enabled or disabled. Just do google searches and look at the more popular AV forums to see what has recently work in your area.

[crash101y]

only appears to work on eSATA drives up to 1TB. It won't work via USB and won't recognize any 1.5TB SATA drives. There is a higher compatibility with Western Digital "Black" "Caviar" branded drives than others. You can't extract recordings off the drive unless your possibly Linux-savi (but I can't say I've ever tried it).

[mxcobra]

I have the same question as the other guys. Can you pull the recordings off the external drive ? What format are they in ?

[crash101y]

@mxcobra - haven't tried to view recordings off the external drive. It's my understanding from previous research that it's recorded in a some kind of encrypted proprietary format. I did find a few posts on avsforum a while ago that mentions someone extracting the video content using Ubuntu Linux and some other unlisted drivers/programs, but I can't say I've ever tried it. If you find a reputable post to extract videos in Ubuntu for me, I'll try it for you.

[crash101y]

The Cisco DVR records by show name. The guide and feed is provided by the cable provider.

[ZenithPlacidity]

this might sound crazy, but i'd actually like to upgrade the hard drive inside of the box to something larger and faster. I have a spare 1TB 7200RPM drive I could put in it... but im wondering how I'd get the comcast operating system installed without an install CD.

I say this because I'd be willing to venture a guess that the hard drive in these boxes is 5400RPM or less. I bet the box would run smoother with a faster hard drive.

[SpencerGBlue]

I have successfully added a 1TB drive via eSATA. It was as easy as you said just plug it in. Thank you for the information.

[shyduke]

@SpencerGBlue One TB will work, but higher WILL NOT, and you will be exchanging your drive for another, unfortunately, I found out the hard way.

[shyduke]

@crash101y I used a 1TB standalone drive from Fantom, kit's a "Green Drive", so it's a little easier on the electricity, using 40% less power, and it appears to work so far... It is a variable speed drive, and has "virtually no performance degradation vs a 7200 RPM Drive. Model number GD1000EU32.

Please note that I first tried a 2TB Phantom drive that DID NOT WORK, it will NOT recognize drives over 1TB. I had to return it.

I am super happy, I would recommend the Fantom to anyone.

[ChancellorTrample]

does it have tio be eSATA only? Because I notice a regular USB port on the front, so was just wondering

[SpencerGBlue]

Has anyone tried to use a 1TB or higher?

[mxcobra]

@crash101y

Cool thanks for the reply.. I will be keeping looking, I was hoping to get the network jack working on the back of my RNG200.. but looks like comcast has it turned off. I have it plugged into my network, but no lights on the jack come on.. I was hoping the RNG would have some sort of a web-based interface. My old TiVo box did, and it worked great !