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Mudlump
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9 Messages

Friday, January 12th, 2024 9:42 PM

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Need external DVR storage

I signed up for xfinity today. I need to connect an external hard drive. I received an XG2v2-P. This obviously won't let me connect a hard drive. Any suggestions?

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Updated 

10 months ago

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Mudlump

9 Messages

10 months ago

I was told this box would work but it has no xsata port.

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Mudlump

9 Messages

Thanks! I will definitely try it!

10 months ago

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BruceW

Gold Problem Solver

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26K Messages

10 months ago

... I need to connect an external hard drive ...

This was possible in the distant past with some models of their legacy cable boxes, but AFAIK no X1 DVRs have ever provided a way for customers to expand storage capacity.

Please be aware that there are 2 kinds of responses in this Forum: Replies and Comments. When you Comment on a post by scrolling down to "Comment on this post here...", I am notified of your response. But if you select Reply, I am NOT notified and may not be aware of your response.

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Mudlump

9 Messages

I figured as much. Thousands of hours on Dish for 50% more $. I'm gonna try storage on the LAN or WiFi as XfinityKrista suggests. Wish me luck! [Edited: "Language"] Trees!!

(edited)

10 months ago

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Mudlump

9 Messages

Oops! Thousands of hours on Dish. 150 hours on Xfinity for 50% more $.

10 months ago

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SammyFL

Contributor

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131 Messages

10 months ago

It's pretty clear that this Xfinity rep doesn't know what they are talking about about, saying to connect an external drive to your router/gateway USB or Ethernet port.

The correct answer is what BruceW said, that older (legacy) boxes had this option. That is why I still am using my Motorola DCX3400M box. It has an eSATA port that is connected to a 2TB drive. I've had this setup for 10 years now. To my knowledge there are no X1 boxes that you can connect a external hard drive to for more DVR space. I believe that the newest models don't even have a drive and rely only on cloud storage.

3

Mudlump

9 Messages

Thanks so much!! I see there are lots of those receivers on ebay. I'm gonna buy one and see if I can make it work. Good idea or not?

10 months ago

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Mudlump

9 Messages

The new boxes have 150 hrs. And you pay extra for 150 hrs cloud storage. Not acceptable and xfinity is my only option. 

10 months ago

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XfinityPaula

Official Employee

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1.2K Messages

@Mudlump, @BruceW and @SammyFL are correct (Thank you both for your help on this)

I'm sorry that we did not provide the correct details. For our devices expendable storage is not an option. We are also phasing out the 'legacy' cable boxes. Xfinity does not sell cable boxes for retail. If there is a device available for sale online, please be cautious as it may be listed as a lost or stolen device, and we will not be able to activate it for service. 

I know that 150 hours of storage it not much for many people, but I have found that most of my shows are available the next day (after midnight) from their airing dates. That allows me to utilize my DVR for live programs that are not on demand. Are there any specific shows that you enjoy? You can search for them on the X1 cable box to see if they are offered on demand as well. 

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10 months ago

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SammyFL

Contributor

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131 Messages

10 months ago

Definitely don't buy any Comcast DVR box on line. They are most likely stolen equipment and Comcast will have them on a black-list and won't be able to activate them.

As far as DVR storage, the DCX3400M that I got 10 years ago has a 250MB hard drive, but about 2 years later I connected an external 2TB eSATA drive. 

It is pretty much full and I keep having to delete stuff that I know I probably won't watch. But most of my recordings are Movies, but some TV shows that aren't on any more or specials. I was never a big VOD user. Would rather just record it and watch later than going VOD.

The X1 with 150 hours of internal space is pretty limited. Then you have to pay extra for cloud storage.

Several years ago I looked at the difference, and Dish Network actually has the best DVR system out there. The internal drive can be removed and install a larger one right from the start. You can also use an external drive (6 or 8TB max).

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Mudlump

9 Messages

Sounds like i pretty much have no options. Xfinity is my only available service. I've had Dish for a very long time but the trees are tall and many at my new house.  I have hulu, prime, netflix etc. Guess I need to find how to easily watch the older shows I would be keeping on a dvr. 😤😤😤

Thanks for everyone's help!

Tam

10 months ago

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XfinityChristy

Official Employee

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1.6K Messages

@Mudlump  You're welcome. If you have any other questions or concerns please reach out. Another great resource is our Xfinity app. This app is great for troubleshooting, and reviewing billing, and you can even schedule a callback. I hope you have a great day.

(edited)

I am an Official Xfinity Employee.
Official Employees are from multiple teams within Xfinity: CARE, Product, Leadership.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.
Was your question answered? Please, mark a reply as the Accepted Answer.tick

10 months ago

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Mudlump

9 Messages

Thanks so much XfinityChristy. I am sorry but I have no faith in xfinity techs or staff. The xfinity website says I can add an external drive. And the sales tech told me I could when I signed up. Days of reading and researching how to do something impossible. And buying things i now don't need. I now know to trust other customers and not xfinity. I'm not attacking you personally. I know you don't always have access to correct info. It's just that my introduction to xfinity has been a disaster.

10 months ago

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XfinityEva

Official Employee

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1.3K Messages

@Mudlump Understandable, and we appreciate you visiting our forums where our Community can also share their knowledge and experience. 

 

The information available on our site for the external storage is for older models which would not be the first option to send to you as we keep up with technology and want to make sure you have the best viewing experience. 

 

(https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/external-dvr-storage-faqs and https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/external-dvr-storage) 

 

 

We do offer the Xfinity Stream that you can access from multiple devices, at home or on the go, through the Xfinity Stream app or online ! Please let us know if there's anything else we can assist with. 

I am an Official Xfinity Employee.
Official Employees are from multiple teams within Xfinity: CARE, Product, Leadership.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.
Was your question answered? Please, mark a reply as the Accepted Answer.tick

10 months ago

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