Build Your Own DVR

The Dish Network User's Resource

User Add-on/External Storage

Dish Network has been aware of the need for extra storage since at least August 2001 has looked into how to allow users to add external since at least May 2005. Working demos have been shown at CES and Team Summit conventions. As of February 2007 the engineers seem satisfied with its performance and say how it is released is a business decision. On the June Charlie Chat, they announced it should become available in “August or late summer” (Dish watchers know to consider even this delayed target as very fuzzy). From the July Retailer Chat (SatelliteGuys.US), “They will be RELEASING the External Hard Drive support! ... for the 622 and 722.”

Will work with most any off-the-shelf USB 2.0 external drive with external power source (not USB-powered).
Capacity limit initially stated as 750GB though larger drives >1TB will work as long as they are a single drive in the enclosure (no “multi-LUN”).
Get a quality drive, such as one with a red “Dish Network compatible” sticker on the box.
DRM will apply.
Drive will be usable with any capable receiver on the account (was initially married to one receiver), though not between DVR (e.g. 622) and non-DVR (e.g. 211) receivers.
The problem with Seagate Free Agent drives going to “sleep” can be fixed by using this Seagate utility.
Do not connect the EHD before the receiver is activated, doing so may prevent the receiver from booting up

DVR Archiving

Available for the 612, 622, 722, 722k, 922, Hopper.

Quick Facts: DVR External Hard Disk Drive Storage (Dish PDF)
Photos from CES 2007
Drive size: 40GB - 2TB
Either the front or rear USB port may be used
Multiple drives
- you may have a library of EHDs
- can connect multiple EHDs using an external powered USB hub, but only one may be powered at a time
- the 922 supports access to 4 connected EHDs using a powered external USB hub
Playback from the drive (demo video, SatelliteGuys.US)
Recording directly to the EHD is not possible (Ext device in timer setup refers to a VCR or PocketDISH)
Dish Online / Dish Remote Access allows you to delete but not transfer to or from the EHD
No activation fee (was $39.99 for the account prior to 2-1-11)
No additional monthly fee

DVR Conversion

Available Nov 19, 2008 for the 411, 211, 211k. Possible future feature for the 222.

Activation issues - The 411 seems to have been left off the CSR screens, unknown if that is by intent or if it is an oversight that will eventually be rectified. Many customers are reporting activations that don't take, and getting double-billed when they try again. A CSR told a customer their drop-down menu first shows “external storage” which is for the 622/722. The proper 211 conversion is on another drop-down below that. Check your billing statements for the next couple months to be sure there is only one charge.

Press release
dishnetwork.com info page with downloadable brochure
Make a DVR that functions similar to a 510
9-day EEPG
Timer count increases from 20 to 64
Drive size: 50GB - 1TB (the 211 with L563 or higher can use up to 2TB)
There will be an activation fee of $39.99, applies to all non-DVR receivers on the account.
No monthly DVR or other usage fee
Record simultaneously from satellite and OTA while watching a recorded event

Recording Capacity
Size TB	P3 size GiB	HD time	SD time	Notes
0.25	247.7	23h33m	94h15m
0.5	497.8	48h26m	193h45m
0.75	747.8	73h15m	293h0m	Estimated
1.0	997.9	98h7m	392h30m
1.5	1,498	147h45m	591h00m
2.0	1,998	197h26m	789h45m
3.0	2,998	296h47m	1,187h9m	Est, unsupported

(Tests performed by P Smith of DBSTalk)

Each drive, internal or external, can display a maximum of 1000 titles, and each folder counts as a title. The EHD can hold more than 1000 titles, but the excess won't be listed until other shows are transferred back to the DVR or deleted.

Use with a PC

Drives may not be shared for use by a Dish receiver and a PC. The Dish receiver will prompt to format a drive that contains partitions it did not create. Programs recorded to the drive are encrypted and may not be played on a PC.

A backup copy of the EHD may be made under Linux. The PC backup to the EHD may be done only by Linux and for small amount data under first partition, say for photos.

Portable Devices

Most receivers can control a PocketDISH portable recorder/player.

Receiver Modification

Nextcom R5000-HD modifies your owned 6000, 211, 411 or 622 for archival to PC or D-VHS.

Updated 3/15/12. Have a correction or addition? E-mail the Editor