Openbox and external HDD too slow to play issue

[kimcoates]

Afternoon,

Need a little expertise and advice on my issue.

Have an Openbox S11 that seems to record fine to an externally powered external HDD (Western Digital Elements 500g). Issue arises when I want to playback HD recording and it says "device is too slow to play".

So I pose three questions.

1. Is this a HDD speed issue that will occur with other receivers as well or just because the Openbox is cheap and cheerful.

2. An option is to get a USB stick - is this viable due to read/write speeds. Any recommendations?

3. If it is the HDD that is old and slow, what is the best speed that is needed for HD recording and playback.

Many thanks.

[slugworth]

imo a usb stick would be too small for hd recording.
There are numerous threads on the drive speed too slow subject.

[kimcoates]

Cheers. Had a quick trawl and couldn't with the right confidence find the answer.

Trying a newer HDD later on. So can check that out.

[nibblitz]

An ordinary run of the mill memory stick will just not be fast enough, you'll have to pay a premium price for a USB memory stick fast enough for HD recording, its not worth it.. Any hard disk will be faster than the Openbox USB2 port is capable of and as such fast enough for use with your Openbox. What might not always be compatible or fast enough is the controller in the external caddy, so rather than try a different Hard Disk, you might just need to try a different make of external caddy...

[kimcoates]

Thanks for the advice Nibblitz.

Not tried changing the caddys as dont have a spare one to hand. The HDD's I'm using are normal retail external HDD's. Thought the USB sticks might be an issue as well but always better to ask someone who is in the know rather than stumble around in the dark.

Tried my new external HDD - same problem. This time it isn't fast enough to record either without the set top box freezing.

Is this a common issue with Openbox's? I was thinking of upgrading to a Solo and this could force my hand but any ideas if other receivers such as the VU+ line suffer from the device too slow issue (I know this is in the Openbox forum but it may help others who are searching).

[slugworth]

mentioned before but a usb3.0 external case solved my problem although the openbox only has a usb2.0 port.
I was able to get a usb3.0 case cheap and I was delighted with the results after buying many hardrives and usb2.0 cases.

[kimcoates]

Thanks Slugworth.

Going to work systemically down a list of potential cures to my issue but will put the external case at the top as it seems to have worked with you.

Many thanks for taking the time.

[slugworth]

I actually spent more money on hardrives and external usb2.0 cases than I did for the receiver itself.

[kimcoates]

I was thinking the same myself. Seems a lot of hassle just to get a recording done.

Reckon the timeshift does not help either and as you mentioned in another thread, the setting in the PVR setting does not save.

In your experience, would the hard drives work with other receivers as they might be more advanced and forgiving to the write speed. If its a choice of new hard drive parts or upgrade the receiver - might as well upgrade.

[nibblitz]

I think that, unlike the rest of us, there's an unfortunate few who end up with not so good boxes, these unfortunate few have boxes with slight little defects or unusual quirks within them. The majority of Skybox/Openbox users can record/playback on these boxes just fine with any hard disk..

You could well spend double the price getting a more expensive and more capable receiver and then have no problem recording, but likewise you could buy any one of the latest Openbox/Skybox receivers and also not have any problems, if the box is good.

[kimcoates]

Thanks Nibblitz.

My box worked great up until just after Xmas. Then the HDD issue started. Just like my newer sprare box doesnt like recording sometimes but does like playing mp4's unlike my older S11.

Just a process of elimination as to the fault - sod's law I guess. Hard to diagnosis but I'm slowing learning the quirks and with the help of you and Slugworth, I hope I'm learning.

[slugworth]

mileage

I was thinking the same myself. Seems a lot of hassle just to get a recording done.

Reckon the timeshift does not help either and as you mentioned in another thread, the setting in the PVR setting does not save.

In your experience, would the hard drives work with other receivers as they might be more advanced and forgiving to the write speed. If its a choice of new hard drive parts or upgrade the receiver - might as well upgrade.

You will have to decide if the current receiver is good enough,realizing there won't be any more new firmware releases.
Another brand of receiver I have works fine with any hardrive,but has a serious lack of support.

[kimcoates]

Hmmm, might be a new receiver after all.

With the lip sync issue on SD recordings (I do stuff for playback around the house and it works fine on other TV's built in media player), the issues with recording and not really wanting to buy another HDD, freezing issues (could be me or server - prob me) , I have been attempting to read up on Enigma 2 - that may be the way forward.

But so many receivers, all diff prices and diff functions. Why cant it just be simple like me???

[nibblitz]

Freezing (glitching) is usually always a server issue....

If you're after a top quality & well supported box thats as simple to use as a Skybox/Openbox, you might want to consider a Blade 7000, or a Technomate 5402 ... You dont have to learn Linux babble with them receivers, and you'll get a useful and proper full 7 day epg with them...

[deano16]

Hi,

I use a usb powered external hdd, and never had any problems at all!!!