Use an external USB drive for storage?

[dewchugr]

I have a dell server I am using for my dvr and I currently only have 2 72gb drives in a raid mirror. I want to add a larger drive for storing recordings.

Are there any issues with using an external USB drive for recording to or is it best to avoid this?

[pcostanza]

Nothing I have ever read about recording to external drives has been good....never tried it myself. But, I'm sure you could make some batch file to move completed recordings to the external once a day or when the recording is completed.

[martint123]

It should work providing you don't want to do too many simultaneous recordings and/or playbacks.
I would set <AutoRemoveMissingRecordings>false</AutoRemoveMissingRecordings> in config.xml or your database would be cleaned if the external drive was not online when the system started up.

[pcostanza]

I happen to remember something I seldom use on my pc.....an eSATA connection. If you're external has one, it should be no problem doing what you want.
I also search Tigerdirect.com and found that they have a 'DVR Extender' external hard drive and is eSATA enabled and compatible with Tivos. Not sure if any of this is helpful to you.

[zed]

I use a 500G external eSATA drive for my recordings. It works fine. I can record a couple and be watching another with no problem. Do set the AutoRemoveMissingRecordings parameter as mentioned above, tho (voice of experience speaking here :o ).

[stustunz]

i just have a batch that gives you the option to import the recordings back in when i plug the external drive in (vidimport plugin )
if it gets unplugged the recordings dont show
that way the mrs doesnt go this recording isnt working

[dewchugr]

Thanks for the tips, I think I'll go with an internal drive.