In other words, the TenBox is a hard drive that attaches to any DVR with a specific purpose to expand the DVR’s hard drive space. The TenBox is currently marketed as a companion to DirecTV HD DVR models HR20 or HR21, but it will work with other DVRs as long as the eSata drive is enabled. It also connects via a USB port to a DVR or PC.
It’s important to understand that the TenBox is not a DVR. It’s a hard drive built to interact with a DVR, so trying to connect it to a non-recording receiver would be pointless.
There are three TenBox models. Each model varies in size:
- TENBOX TB1000 - capacity 1.0 TB (1000 GB)
- TENBOX TB1500 - capacity 1.5 TB (1500 GB)
- TENBOX TB2000 - capacity 2.0 TB (2000 GB)
The TenBox is not for the faint of heart when considering cost. Models vary in price with the lowest price model starting at about $1000. The price is high, but what you get for your money is the Fort Knox of video storage:
- TENBOX TB1000 – records 667 hours SDTV or 167 hours of HDTV/MPEG4
- TENBOX TB1500 – records 1000 hours of SDTV or 250 hours of HDTV/MPEG4
- TENBOX TB2000 – records 1333 hours of SDTV or 330 hours of HDTV/MPEG4
What sets the TenBox apart from the competition?
- You can partition your hard drive to record on one half while using the other half to backup files. Or, you can use the entire hard drive to record with no backup.
- The TenBox uses three cooling fans to keep the device from overheating. These fans have two settings - quiet mode so the fans run silent and maximum mode for when unit is in enclosed area.
My Thoughts on the TenBox HD DVR Storage Box:
I’d be lying if I thought the TenBox was for everyone given its current price. It isn’t. While the purpose of this product is something every DVR owner can benefit from, the price is just too high for what the mainstream public can afford or would be willing to pay.
That is more a comment of my buying perspective than disappointment in the product as not every product needs to be marketed towards the mainstream public.
So, in fairness I asked TenBox representatives some questions about the use of this product because I was interested in their point of view. After all, they’ve invested a lot into this product and it is highly valuable. As a DVR-owner I can see why this would be something a lot of people could use if only it cost less.
Anyhow, here is a summary our communications:
Can you tell me a little about the TenBox?
The idea of creating the TenBox started with our own need for storage expansion for DirecTV DVRs. Although the external storage concept is not new, most storage boxes in the market are designed for data backup, which means they operate for a limited amount of time.
An expansion box for DirecTV DVRs meant that operation would be 24/7 so components needed to be top quality to withstand uninterrupted operation. Hard disk drives run at high temperatures. If temperatures are too hot they crash and lose content. It was imperative to create a cooling system efficient enough to prevent this.
It seems limiting to market the TenBox towards only DirecTV subscribers. What about DVR owners on other systems?
TenLabs initial effort is directed to DirecTV subscribers, but the TenBox may be used with any DVR featuring an enabled eSATA or USB expansion port. The TenBox can also be used as reliable backup for data from a computer. It can store information duplicating it on its 2 internal hard disk drives, so data is safe even in the event of one hard disk drive failure.
The TenBox costs quite a bit more than other DVR storage devices. Will you create a product at a lower price point?
The TenBox is the "Rolls Royce" of the storage boxes. The best technology and the best parts were used to create the best storage box. Each box is individually tested and assembled in the USA. All of this is expensive.
TenLabs believes the mid, high-end consumer will appreciate the quality and reliability of the TenBox as the best solution for DVR expansion. More affordable versions of the TenBox targeting the general public are in the works.
What type of future do you see for external DVR storage devices like the TenBox?
Now that VCRs are obsolete and DVD recordings are being left behind, the storage capacity of a DVR will be of concern to the consumers, especially with HDTV signals that occupy much more space than analog TV recordings.
It is expected that DVRs will come with larger internal hard disk drives but the capacity will be limited in order to keep costs down. Consumers needing more recording space will rely on external boxes such as the TenBox.
How does TenBox work with content or copyright protection?
Programs stored on the TenBox can only be viewed when connected to the same DVR with which they were recorded. This is not a limitation of the TenBox, but it is software mandated by the DVR. It is meant for "content" protection. High definition programs and movies delivered to our homes by satellite and cable companies could be copied to create "pirate" copies. This is a way of preventing that.
It is expected that as this technology evolves a consumer will be able in the future to have permission to watch his own recordings in a different room, or with a different DVR.
