How to expand my Cablevision DVR storage

Running out of room on your DVR? Learn how to expand the storage - Yes it's possible!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Western Digital My DVR Expander - eSATA Edition
• Scientific Atlanta DVR box provided by Cablevision

1. 
    

   Determine whether or not you have the proper cable box. You should have a silver Scientific Atlanta box as pictured.

2. 
    

   Order the My DVR Expander eSATA Edition hard drive by Western Digital [see resources below]. While Cablevision's website claims that it is compatible with most eSATA hard drives, it is not. I tried two name brand drives and the box would not detect the hard drive.

3. Once you receive the drive, unpack it carefully.

4. Safely unplug your cable box.

5. Locate the eSATA cable that came with your My DVR Expander eSATA Edition drive. Connect the eSATA cable to the hard drive and to the cable box port labeled SATA.

6. Plug the power cable into the My DVR Expander eSATA Edition drive. Wait about 30-60 seconds to allow the drive to properly boot up.

7. Plug the power cable back into your cable box and let it boot up. DO NOT TURN IT ON. If you let it "properly" boot up, it should take about 5-10 minutes and then the time will display on your box.

8. Once the time has come on the box, turn on your TV and the cable box. You should see a message asking you to format the hard drive. Just allow it to do that.

9. Once it has completed the format, you will see another message displayed saying that the drive is now ready for use. Hit OK and you're all set!

Tips & Warnings

• Follow this article EXACTLY to encounter no problems. I had some serious hell trying to get this to work and I am hoping that this article will alleviate the stress for another person.
• You will not be notified as to whether or not the drive is being used instead of the built in one in the box. The only way I've come up with to figure this out is to look at my storage space. I have all my recordings set to record in HD. I can get only about 19-20 recordings in HD with the 160GB hard drive that is in the box. I haven't maxed out my new drive yet, but when I see 32 HD recordings, I know that it is working.
• If you need to disconnect the drive for any reason, turn off your cable box and then disconnect the power FIRST. Remove the eSATA cable from the back of the cable box and then power it back on.

Resources

• Western Digital's Official Homepage for My DVR Expander eSATA Edition
• Buy the My DVR Expander eSATA Edition Drive HERE - Save about $50
• Cablevision's iO TV Support Article