K i just created a guide for replacing the hard drive in the DCT 3416/6416.

Let me know if something is labelled incorrectly or any errors.

Hopefully this guide will make it easier for people to replace their small factory hard drive with a new larger 1TB one by looking at the diagrams.

--> DIRECT IMAGE LINK <--

 

Thanks for that, to bad this old machine can't decode MP4 signals. I just got a gateway, so if anyone wants my upgraded 1TB DCT 3416 I am going to sell it. Let me know if you are interested. It has worked very well, and if it weren't for the MP4 issue, I'd keep it.

 

You're welcome!

TheFuzz is there anyway you could put my guide image at the end of your very first post on the first page of this thread of yours? (after the admin edits)

Im just thinking maybe it might be easier to find on the first post/page for all the people hoping to upgrade their DCT 3416 / DCT 6416 instead of eventually finding a guide after 24 pages and an hour+ of reading.

 

Link added to post 1.

 

^ thanks 57.

 

For the DCX3400 no formatting is needed, the unit will do it for you.

DCX3400 and earlier PVR models only support up to 1TB. DCX35XX and newer have no limit that I'm aware of. Both these DCX3501 and DCX3510 (not with Shaw firmware) are supported by Novus.

The type of drive doesn't matter a whole lot, but ones that are designed for DVR recording should be better in theory.

It is more difficult to replace the internal drive in the DCX3400 than the earlier DCT units but not that much. The hardest part is twisting the metal tabs that secure the drive. You have to line them up just right.

It is still much easier than replacing a drive in a DCX3510 which is a PIA!

Just what does replacing a drive in a DCX3510 involve? What makes it so difficult?

 

Well, it is just the design of how the HDD is secured inside the unit. Seems odd of how they went from the most user friendly design for being able to replace the hard drive in the DCX3501 to the unfriendly design of the DCX3510.

I'm not sure if the OCAP firmware has any effect on the using a different HDD in the DCX3510.

 

Yes I am referring to how the hard drive is secured inside. Do you have to use pliers to get it out or something? I am asking because I am thinking about upgrading to 1 terabyte or more.

 

You do need needle nose pliers, but it is more the location of the two back screws that make it difficult. There are other parts in the way which make it extremely difficult with a regular screwdriver. Probably be easier if you had one that could do 90 degrees. I also don't know if the OCAP firmware on the DCX3510 makes any difference in terms of the unit recognizing a different hard drive. One of these days I may test it out, but since I know upgraded drives work in OOB systems that is really all that concerns me.

Also just as an FYI, the DCX3400 can now accommodate up to at least 2TB both internal and external. 4TB drives don't work, and I haven't tested 3TB.

 

So is replacing the drive in the DCX3400 the same as for the DCT3416? Ie. reformat the drive in an external and simply replace the drive? Is the 2TB WD Green SATA III a good drive to use?

And if I do so, the DCX3400 will recognize the full 2TB internal?

TIA

 

Whoops, I just read the post above: "For the DCX3400 no formatting is needed, the unit will do it for you."

So for Shaw, confirming a 2TB WD Green SATA III will work and the DCX3400 will recognize the full 2TB, plug and play?

TIA

 

@gordog - Yes, plug & play.

@finalcoolman - Spending $250+ on an SSD for a DCX3510 seems very wasteful. I get your points, but the DCX3510 isn't exactly a hot running pvr. You could use a gateway system and then run portal(s) which would then eliminate any heat related problems.

 

To get a Gateway system, I would be spending even more money and adding unneeded complexity and be further under the whim and control of those bastards at Shaw.

It doesn't seem hot if you are running it in the open. But if you are running it in an enclosed environment, believe me it is hot.

Did you look at the link? It is only $189.99, no tax, free shipping (granted I have a mailbox in the states). I believe the prices have fallen enough now to go all SSD now, heck I don't think even a hard drive was this cheap for 500GB 10 years ago. I want to completely phase out the noisy, unreliable, heat burning, power sucking hard drives from my household.

 

Prices are in USD. So add roughly $50. Then it's going to cost you money to get it into Canada one way or another. So in the end it would probably be close to the same as if you bought it in Canada.

I agree they are <insert choice of negative>, but I'm not seeing how a Gateway puts you more under their control than a DCX3510 (which can ONLY be used on Shaw). Gateway systems are used on both Eastlink and Access among others.

The money you'd get from selling your DCX3510 combined with the savings from not buying the SSD, I figure would be roughly the same as buying a Gateway and portal.

 

I may have posted this in the wrong section yesterday. My 630 failed to boot up the other day after numerous attempts. I ended up disconnecting the wiring to the hard drive & was surprised to see it come back to life. I have no 2nd tuner but it is performing like it's new. No more 10 seconds between channel changes or slow guide & menu requests. This is a purchased unit. Would a drive replacement save me the cost of replacing the unit or do I have other issues? How do I know if it's the drive or the board? I am looking for insight from those who have experience in changing out the internal drive.

 

It sounds like the hard drive was on its last legs to be sure. HDD issues are almost always just the drive itself and not the board. You can test to see if your second tuner is working by pressing the SWAP button on your remote.

Try another drive and see what happens.

 

Hi all.

I think the HDD is failing in my Motorola DCX3510-M box, and I'm wondering if it's possible to replace it? As well, can I expand it at the same time? Are there instructions for the job? I've been searching this thread, and using the search function, but they all end up back here, and I don't get any clear answers.

Thanks for your time.

 

Wouldn't it still be under warranty? The units have not been out for three years yet.

There are no instructions posted anywhere as far as I know on how to swap the HDD in the DCX3510.

 

I bought it from a 3rd party store (BestBuy) on July 12, 2012, so it's out of warranty, even if Shaw would cover the warranty from a 3rd party store. So I was hoping I could get something that would work. But if no-one has attempted it, I'm not sure I want to be the first.

 

According to the thread http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/67-...w-cable-hd-tuner-hd-pvr-discussion/157621-motorola-dcx3510-m-owners-thread.html the DCX3510 didn't launch until November of 2012.

Best Buy is more like a 2nd party. They are just reselling units. They are still considered Shaw units and come with the full 3Y warranty.

I've done it several times, it is just a lot more time consuming than earlier models.

If you have the security bit you can open the unit. Currently the units seem limited to 2TB.

 

Alright, thanks. I guess it's Dec. 7,2012 then. Maybe I'll take the unit to Shaw, and see if I can get a new one. I don't have the security bit, so if I decide to swap the HDD, what's the best place to get one?

 

I would call or chat with them first, as they will want to send a tech out. I'm not allowed to give out my website address, but if you look on eBay you can find sellers that offer this tool. It is a 4.5MM security bit, sometimes called a Motorola Cable TV Box Security Bit Repair Tool.

 

So, it is possible to put a 2TB HDD in the 3510, I just have to take my time with it. Is it a special HDD, or would any SATA HDD work? I'm mulling over my options, as if I call Shaw, and they do see the problem, I would no doubt get a refurb. unit. And, since I'm almost out of warranty anyways, opening it would be the least of my worries. But if I could stuff a 2TB HDD in it, then I think I'd be all for that.

 

I'll have to test this. I've never actually upgraded a unit with OCAP software in it before. It's possible the software may not work the same way as previous STB software.

 

I await your answer excitedly.

 

Noted. I encourage to get in touch with Shaw to get your unit replaced first. I will test this at some point, but it isn't a high priority.