Apricorn DVR External eXpander Storage System User manual

Quick Start Guide
pander
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DVR EXTERNAL STORAGE SYSTEM
DVRe

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INTRODUCTION
Is your DVR running out of space? Apricorn’s DVR Expander is the
perfect solution for adding hundreds of hours of recording time to your
DVR instantly.
The DVR Expander’s versatile dual eSATA / USB 2.0 interface enables
®series
DVRs (provided by many cable companies - uses eSATA connection),
Dish Network®DVRs (via USB 2.0 connection) or any DVR with an active
eSATA port.
The DVR Expander has an whisper quiet, ultra-cool fan that whisks away
heat and keeps the enclosure at optimal temperatures, extending the life
of your hard drive. The sleek aluminum enclosure operates in horizontal
       SATA hard drive is
designed to provide enhanced reliability in high duty cycle environments.
In addition, the DVR Expander will support all the functions your dual
tuner DVR offers, including simultaneously 
channels while playing one back.
PACKAGE CONTENTS
Apricorn DVR Expander
Quick Start Guide
DVR Expander
eSATA to eSATA Cable
AC Adapter
USB Cable

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Connecting to Scientic Atlanta®series DVRs
Before starting the connection of your DVR Expander, check the current amount of1. free space on your DVR. While this process varies depending on your DVR, many
DVRs show this information in the LIST option (press the LIST button on the DVR
remote control to access this option.) The amount of current used space is shown
as % full on the DVR.
When connecting your DVR Expander, check that the DVR Expander ON/OFF2. switch, located on the back of the unit is in the OFF position. Connect the AC
adapter to the back of the DVR Expander, then connect the other end of the AC
cable to suitable power supply that will always stay on (like a wall outlet). Never
connect the DVR Expander to the AC plug on the back of the DVR.
Verify that the DVR Expander is turned off by observing the front panel. At this3. point there should not be any lights on the DVR Expander. If there is a light glowing
on the front of the DVR Expander, push the power button on the back of the DVR
Expander to turn it off.
Now connect one end of the eSATA cable to the back of the DVR Expander and the4. other end to the eSATA port on the back of the DVR.
Push the power button on the back of the DVR Expander to turn it on. The LED5. light should start to glow.
There will likely be about a 15 second digital freeze in which your DVR will not6. respond to any commands while it recognizes the newly attached DVR Expander.
Formatting the DVR Expander
Once your DVR recognizes the DVR Expander the following message or similar
should appear on the TV screen:
Attention
Format this external hard drive with this DVR?
Note: Any existing recordings on the external drive will be erased.
If you press C cancel, the external storage device will not be available
A yes, Format C cancel
Press Ato format the drive (Formatting will take several minutes)
Note: After it is complete you will get the message below
Attention
The formatting of the hard drive was successful. The external storage device

power from the DVR, and then wait 10 seconds before disconnecting
Exit Close
Press Exit to close the banner

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Once you have nished reformatting the drive we recommend
that your DVR be rebooted. If your system does not reboot
automatically, manually reboot your DVR by holding down the
POWER button the front of your DVR.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Your DVR and DVR Expander are now operational.
To see how much storage the DVR Expander has added to your system,
use the LIST option as described in Step 1 on the previous page.
FAQs for Scientic Atlanta series DVR Connection
For the most recent FAQs please go to the Support page at
www.Apricorn.com and click on DVR Expander.
How are recorded programs stored on the Scientic Atlanta DVR
once the DVR Expander is installed?
Recordings are balanced between the internal hard drive on the DVR and
the DVR Expander as follows: A recording is not split between an internal
hard drive and the DVR Expander. The DVR automatically stores complete
program using space available logic: If the DVR Expander has more space
available, the DVR Expander stores the next recording. If the internal hard
drive on the DVR has more space available, its internal hard drive will store
the next recording.
Why aren’t my recorded programs available for playback

recorded programs have been stored on. When the DVR Expander is not
connectedtotheDVR,alltheprogramsthatwererecordedtotheDVRExpander
will still be listed on the menu, but will not be available for viewing.
Why can’t I rewind or fast forward my live TV?
This is a known limitation on Time Warner®systems with older software

DVR Expander.
How can I check which version of software is loaded on my
Scientic Atlanta series DVR?
The easiest way to check which version of software is loaded on your DVR
is to reboot your system. To reboot, hold down the POWER button on your
DVR until the unit reboots. On rebooting, watch for a screen that shows the
software version.

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Connection to Dish Network®DVRs
To nd out if your Dish Network DVR model is compatible with DVR Expander, please
check on the Dish Network website at www.dishnetwork.com.
Check that the DVR Expander ON/OFF switch, located on the back of the1. unit is in the OFF position. Connect the AC adapter to the back of the DVR
Expander, then connect the other end of the AC cable to suitable power
supply that will always stay on (like a wall outlet). Never connect the DVR
Expander to the AC plug on the back of the DVR.
Verify that the DVR Expander is turned off by observing the front panel. At2. this point there should not be any lights on the DVR Expander. If there is
a light glowing on the front of the DVR Expander, push the power button
on the back of the DVR Expander to turn it off.
Connect the DVR Expander to one of the receiver’s two USB 2.0 ports.3. Note: Currently, you can only connect one USB device to the receiver at
one time; however, you can connect multiple DVR Expanders one-at-a-
time (for example, to dedicate one DVR Expander for movies and one for
sporting events).
Push the power button on the back of the DVR Expander to turn it on. The4. LED light should start to glow.
You will see a pop-up message asking if you want to reformat the drive.5. If you select Yes, anything stored on the DVR Expander is erased. If you
select No, you cannot transfer DISH Network content until you select Yes
and the drive is reformatted. Afterwards, the satellite receiver reboots.
Call 888-241-2205 to activate the feature. You will pay a one-time Archiving6. Activation fee, which covers all compatible receivers on your account.
Getting Started with the Multimedia Menu

the remote control, then
select USB Storage).

see a list of the programs
stored on the DVR
Expander.
    
to transfer pre-recorded
   
Recordings list to the
DVR Expander.

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Restoring and Playing from DVR Expander
Choose Restore to transfer selected events from the DVR Expander back to the satellite receiver’s
internal hard drive.
Use Play to view the event directly from the DVR Expander.
Use Delete to remove unneeded events.
Considerations for Dish Network DVRs
            

receiver model listed on the System Information screen (accessed by

Only use the DVR Expander with a DISH Network DVR receiver — do not use the drive for other purposes (for example, connecting to your
computer).
If content contains copy protection that will impact transferring to the hard drive, you will see a pop-up message with more information.*
Currently, content on the hard drive can only be viewed using the receiver it came from. If the receiver that originally recorded the event is no
longer available (due to an equipment return, for example), the content
can still be viewed using a compatible receiver or replacement receiver
on the account.
Ensure the DVR Expander is kept in a cool, well-ventilated location for optimum hard drive longevity. Do not move the drive while it is on.
Content transferred to the DVR Expander is only listed under the USB

Troubleshooting

Attached under External USB Devices, the receiver does not recognize the
hard drive. Disconnect any device connected to the other USB port, then
reset the receiver with only the DVR Expander connected to see if the
receiver recognizes the hard drive after the reset. If not, the hard drive is not
compatible.

search for “copy protection.”
Choose Restore to transfer selected events from the DVR Expander back to the satellite receiver’s internal hard drive.
Use Play to view the event directly from the external hard drive. Use Delete to remove unneeded events.

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Connection to DirecTV®DVRs
To nd out if your DirecTV DVR model is compatible with DVR Expander, please check
on the DirecTV website at www.directv.com.
DirecTV can only accept 1 hard drive as a recordable device (internal hard
drive or external hard drive).
Multiple external hard drives can be used, however, the system must be power cycled
after adding the drive to rebuild available content.
Check that the DVR Expander ON/OFF switch, located on the back of the1. unit is in the OFF position. Connect the AC adapter to the back of the DVR
Expander, then connect the other end of the AC cable to suitable power
supply that will always stay on (like a wall outlet). Never connect the DVR
Expander to the AC plug on the back of the DVR.
Verify that the DVR Expander is turned off by observing the front panel. At2. this point there should not be any lights on the DVR Expander. If there is a
light glowing on the front of the DVR Expander, push the power button on
the back of the DVR Expander to turn it off.
Connect the DVR Expander to the receiver’s eSATA port.3. Push the power button on the back of the DVR Expander to turn it on. The4. LED light should start to glow.
Turn off the power button on the DirecTV receiver. Wait 15 seconds and5. then re-start the DirecTV receiver.
Note: If the receiver is not power cycled after attaching the external drive,
you will see list of shows from the hard drive previously used but shows will
not be accessible.
When rebooting with the DVR Expander attached, DirecTV will rebuild6. the scheduler listing to the attached drive. Scheduled programs will
automatically record to the current drive (in this case the DVR Expander).
The old recordings on your DirecTV receiver will remain, but will not be
shown on the DirecTV scheduler. To show your old recordings you will have
to detach the DVR Expander and restart your system.
Note: 
the DirecTV receiver. A complete re-start
will need to be done after changing to a
new drive. After a re-start, all programs
on the current drive will be accessible.

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Removing the DVR Expander
Turn off the power button on the DirecTV receiver.1. Turn off the DVR Expander using the power button on the back of the2. unit.
Disconnect the DVR Expander from the eSATA port of the receiver and3. unplug the DVR Expander from the AC Adapter in the wall.
Restart the DirecTV receiver. While rebooting, the DirecTV scheduler will4. rebuild to the receiver’s internal drive.
To view the shows on the receiver, select the “List” button to view the5. pre-recorded programs list.
Using Multiple DVR Expander’s with your DirecTV receiver

be used one at a time. A restart of your receiver with a new drive attached
will rebuild the scheduler showing the available shows on the drive.
Follow the directions below to change the system out with a new external
drive:
Turn off the power button on the DirecTV receiver.
1. Turn off the DVR Expander using the power button on the back of the2. unit.
Disconnect the DVR Expander from the eSATA port of the receiver and3. unplug the DVR Expander from the AC Adapter in the wall.
Connect the new DVR Expander to the receiver and the AC Adapter and4. turn the DVR Expander on.
Restart the DirecTV receiver. While rebooting, the DirecTV scheduler will5. rebuild to the newly attached drive.
To view the shows on the receiver, select the “List” button to view the6. pre-recorded programs list.

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WARRANTY
One Year Warranty:
Apricorn offers a 1-year warranty on the DVR Expander against defects in materials and workmanship
under normal use. The warranty period is effective from the date of purchase either directly from
Apricorn or an authorized reseller.
Disclaimer and terms of the warranties:

YOUR SALES RECEIPT OR INVOICE DISPLAYING THE DATE OF PRODUCT PURCHASE.
APRICORN WILL, AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE, REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH
            
           
PROPERTY OF APRICORN.

             

TO FOLLOW THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THIS INSTRUCTION GUIDE: 2. BY THE USE

OR 4. AS A RESULT OF SERVICE, ALTERNATION OR REPAIR BY ANYONE OTHER THAN APRICORN AND

          
 
OR ON BEHALF OF APRICORN OR BY OPERATION OF LAW WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT OR ITS

APRICORN SHALL NOT BE LIABLE BY VIRTUE OF THIS WARRANTY, OR OTHERWISE, FOR ANY
          


© Apricorn, Inc. 2009. All rights reserved.
12191 Kirkham Road
Poway, CA, U.S.A. 92064
1-858-513-2000 www.apricorn.com
CONTACTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Apricorn provides the following helpful resources for you:
1. Apricorn’s Website (http://www.apricorn.com)
This gives you the ability to check for up-to-date information.
2. E-mail us at [email protected].
3. Or call the Technical Support Department at 1-800-458-5448.
Apricorn’s Technical Support Specialists are available from 8:00 a.m. to


www.apricorn.com
12191 Kirkham Road
Poway, CA, U.S.A. 92064
1-858-513-2000