I have a 750GB for one 211 and I want to get a 2nd 211 and a smaller 250gb, while researching I saw some units that don't have a power supply? I am confused I see some products from western digital and I don't know what the difference is, thanks
HD and SD time on a 250gb external hard drive and 211
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The smaller form factor drives are powered via the USB port. They're convenient for things like notebook computers. However, some notebooks don't provide enough power to a single USB port so some users have to buy an adapter that plugs the portable hard drive into two ports. I don't know if the VIP series receivers have that limitation with their USB ports.
Just tried my WD Passport 320GB (small form factor) HD and it worked.
Not only can it be a USB power issue with the laptop/desktop, but the bus powered HD it self.
WD Passport's seem to be the few that actually work on most USB ports and hubs with a single USB power cord.
Not only can it be a USB power issue with the laptop/desktop, but the bus powered HD it self.
WD Passport's seem to be the few that actually work on most USB ports and hubs with a single USB power cord.
To answer your other question, full bitrate ATSC video is about 8.36 gigabytes per hour, full bitrate DVD video is less than half that. Dish HD video is lower bitrate than OTA broadcast, and their SD stuff is WAY less than DVD. Use those numbers as a guide.
I've seen MPEG-4 HD from Dish as low as 2GB/hr (Travel Channel - Man v. Food) and as high as 5.8GB/hr (CBS LIL - CSI Miami). Hard to predict how many hours of recording 250GB is going to give you, when Dish's MPEG-4 HD varies by up to a factor of 3 in bitrate, and HD from all sources varies by up to a factor of 4.
I thought I read somewhere that the EHD has to have it's own power supply. If these smaller WD without it's own power supply work, let us know. I would much rather just add one of those on my bedroom 211 than have to get a larger one with additional clutter, etc.
Evidently some newer 2.5 EHD's require lower power consumption and may be powerable by the USB port on a VIP receiver, but I would not want to stress the system on these receivers unnecessarily - use an external PS to be safe.
In fact the power available to the USB port on VIP receivers will not even power an HD Fury.
In fact the power available to the USB port on VIP receivers will not even power an HD Fury.
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The only HD Fury I know of is the HDMI to Analog converter that strips HDCP. What is this HD Fury you mention?
Edit: Nevermind. I see that the original HD Fury could draw power from USB, but is often not necessary with the new version.
Edit: Nevermind. I see that the original HD Fury could draw power from USB, but is often not necessary with the new version.
