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    Can it be done? Adding External HD to Comcast cable box

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by lakersgo, Mar 14, 2010.

  1. lakersgo

    lakersgo Notebook Evangelist

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    Well, I've got a Comcoast HD box and noticed that there is a USB in the back. I connected my external HD to it but nothing happened. Then I connected the external HD directly to my TV (Samsung 52' HDTV) and still nothing happened. So...exactly how do I record TV program? Get a DTVR and pay monthly fee? That doesn't sound very fun to me.

    Any advice?
     
    lakersgo, Mar 14, 2010
    #1
  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Everything I found while trying to get the same question answered indicated that Comcast disables these ports to prevent you from doing exactly what you are trying to do.

    Which is one of many reasons I no longer have Comcast.
     
    Greg, Mar 14, 2010
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  3. sirmetman

    sirmetman Notebook Virtuoso

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    Get a DDVR or get a computer you can leave hooked up to your TV and rent a tuner card from Comcast. Pretty sure Comcast will rent you a CableCard that you can drop in to a system with whatever hardware you want. Think they have both PCIe or USB options.
     
    sirmetman, Mar 14, 2010
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  4. H.A.L. 9000

    H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw

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    My cable DVR has an eSATA port and I have been wondering about this... but just haven't experimented any with it.
     
    H.A.L. 9000, Mar 15, 2010
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  5. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    The only thing you might be able to do is use the Firewire port on the box. I believe that provides a video feed of whatever you're watching: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=403695

    AVS Forum is a much better place to ask questions like that... we know a lot here, but they're very much experts on anything AV related ;)
     
    Pitabred, Mar 15, 2010
    #5