For those who are often busy, they are probably very familiar with tv recording so they can watch it again. So how to store it? The answer is external hard drives. You can connect these hard drives to the TV via USB.
However, the market has many types of external hard drives of different brands that make consumers wonder about choosing a suitable product for themselves. Do not worry. The article below will give you essential information and reviews to find the best external hard drive for tv recording.
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Contents
Top 5 Best External Hard Drive for TV Recording
#1 WD Elements Portable External Hard Drive
This WD module comes with different storage variants, which go up to 5TB. It supports USB 3.0 connectivity, which means that it can transfer data faster. Besides, it is designed with a slick black plastic case and weighs only 130 grams. Thus, you can leave it behind your TV quickly.
Pros
- Affordable
- 2-year limited warranty
- Simple design
Cons
- Spinning drive
The WD 1TB Elements Portable module is genuinely an excellent deal thinking about its relatively low price. If you are seeking the best external hard drive for TV recording, you should consider this product.
#2 Seagate STGX1000400 Portable External Hard Drive
The Seagate STGX1000400 is compatible with all devices having a USB port. Its internal drive speed is about 5400 RPM, and you can extend the external HDD to 6TB. In terms of USB support, it does come with USB 3.0 and 2.0 options. Probably you will prefer the 3.0 one as it allows the data to be transferred at 625 MB/s.
Pros
- Compact
- Provide a ton of storage
- Lightweight
Cons
- No included backup software
Seagate is a reputable name for high-density hard disk and SSD. This 1TB Seagate Portable external hard drive along with the storage expansion will be a perfect option for your TV recording.
#3 Transcend StorageJet 25M3S External Hard Drive
The most outstanding feature of this external hard drive for tv recording is the rugged build quality. It is equipped with a silicone rubber case outside to protect the reinforced hard casing. Plus, it comes with a suspension damper that can absorb vibrations. It means that there is 3-stage shock protection included.
Pros
- Slim and thin
- Better protection than its predecessor
- Large capacity
Cons
- Need the USB-C
Overall, this device is speedy and sturdy. It gains a reputation for card readers, pen drives, flash memory, as well as other storage accessories.
#4 WD My Passport Ultra-Portable External Hard Drive
It is worth mentioning the cloud storage, WD’s software suite, and 256-AES encryption when coming to its features. Besides, it comes with 5400 RPM platters. Although the data transfer is not on the top, it is still a good performer.
Pros
- Suite of applications
- Long warranty
- Large capacity
Cons
- Average performance
This external hard drive model of the WD brand is a suitable device for the storage category. It is appropriate for those who are looking for a lengthy warranty and the Type-C connector.
#5 Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt Portable External Hard Drive
The Thunderbolt port’s speeds are usually faster than the USB 3.0 drives. So, you should buy this external hard drive if your device has a Thunderbolt port. However, this product uses the traditional hard drive instead of the SSD. This feature might limit the potential speeds.
Pros
- Low price compared to other drives
- Great design
- Reasonably fast
Cons
- No second Thunderbolt port
Generally, this product is good-looking, versatile, and sufficiently fast for most applications. The USB 3.0 port is also attached, which is ideal for those who do not have the Thunderbolt port on their TV.
Features to Consider When Choosing a Hard Drive for TV Recording
Drive Speed (RPM)
Large hard drives need their power supply to power it through wires. Most portable hard drives today use only one cable to connect data and supply power.
The hard drive’s speed of data access is also an important factor, and it is determined by several important factors such as the drive’s rotation speed (5400-7200 – 10000 rpm) or the connection standard (USB 2.0). , USB 3.0, FireWire, eSata, Thunderbolt, Ethernet)
USB Ports (2.0 or 3.0)
Since 2012, the introduction of the USB 3.0 protocol has heralded the end of the 2.0 protocol era. At the very least, choose a portable hard drive with a standard 3.0 communication with reading/writing speeds many times faster than standard 2.0. Surely you will see the difference when having to share, back up large amounts of data.
Data Storage
Depending on the purpose and plan of using the hard drive, you can choose the appropriate level of capacity to ensure all operations smoothly when connecting to the TV.
The TV program recording feature is one of the very convenient features of many smart TVs today. To save TV recorded programs, you need to use a storage device, of which a hard drive is probably a prevalent choice. If you want to connect the hard drive to the smart TV to store the recorded program, you need to use a hard drive with a capacity of 40G to 2T.
HDD vs. SSD
If your TV has a USB port, note the word HDD: This means this USB port is best supported when you plug the hard drive into the TV. Now you need to connect to the hard drive through this port, and the TV can read content from pictures to music, movies.
If the TV has no USB port denoted HDD but has a USB 3.0 port or the terminal is denoted green, this also means that this is a USB 3.0 port. Power from this port is enough to power the hard drive, so when you encounter this type of port, you just plug the hard drive in and connect like the HDD port.
Size & Weight
There are currently three types of portable hard drives based on their sizes: 3.5 inches, 2.5 inches, and 1.8 inches. The most enormous and most bulky 3.5-inch type, this hard drive model often uses its power cord to power it with enough data connection cables. The latter is 2.5 inches thinner and lighter and is the most popular hard drive available today. The third has the most compact size at just 1.8 inches.
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Final Words
Briefly, the WD Elements Portable External Hard Drive has a simple design that enables itself to operate well with various devices. Besides, its backup software, security, and an extended warranty are also outstanding features for the best external hard drive for TV recording.
The second option should be the Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt Portable External Hard Drive. It is considered to be an affordable device in comparison with other Thunderbolt drives. Hopefully, you find this article helpful, and you find it easier to choose the best external hard drive for TV recording.