Hard drive power for Dish DVR

[jrgreen]

Is anyone using just a USB connection for power to the hard drive for Dish DVR function on the 211z receiver, ie no external power? If so, what make and model hard drive? Thanks

[TXiceman]

I believe the Dish instructions require the USB HD to be externally powered. They do not wnat to pass that amount of power through the receiver port.

Ken

[jrgreen]

This is what the 211z manual states: "Using a hard drive with an external power supply is recommended. External harddrives powered by the USB cable may or may not function properly with your receiver,depending on the required power."

So they recommend it but it is not required (although it may not work without it). I was wondering if anyone has tried a hard drive without external power given it seems that Dish loosened up on the requirement from the 211K.

[smiller]

I use a WD My Passport Ultra (1 TB) USB-powered drive with my 211z, works great. They are available at any Walmart. In fact I use both the drive and the OTA tuner and the 211z seems to have no difficulty powering them both.

[pcurt23]

This is what I used until Dish cancelled their DNS service. I went back to Direct TV. It comes with a power plug.

WD My Book AV DVR Expander 1 TB USB 2.0/eSATA External Hard Drive

[Harry B]

Tried a Toshiba drive needing power through usb. It works, but not reliably. It has occasional errors wen moving files

[jrgreen]

Thanks for the replies.