TiVo Community Forums Archives - "TwinBreeze" bracket install

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"TwinBreeze" bracket install
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Posted by: edrock200

I was lucky enough to get a TwinBreeze bracket from Weaknees.com for testing....I modded an untouched HDVR2. Here are my thoughts.

As far as mods go, this one took me about 20 mins, and it just looks great. Kept my Tivo looking stock and there was no tape involved, all screws, and it was a very simple install. The instructions that were attached were easy to follow with images attached.

I have to admit when I first got the kit and I saw those two fans plus the fact that I was adding a second hard drive I was extrememly worried about the unit getting significantly louder. I was very surprised when it didn't. It didn't really get much quieter but the new fans didn't have the harsh whine that the old case fan did. It's hard to explain but I like the sound situation better now.

The best part is after adding the fans the temperature in my DTivo dropped from 48 degrees celcius to 39. I was amazed that the fans dropped the temp that much, especially since I also added a second drive.

I was concerned durring the install about all the power splitting...you split once for the drives, then again for a small fan that attaches to the tivo breeze bracket. I emailed Weaknees about it and they addressed my concerns and assured me that they have measured the current draw and power supply. According to them the only additional power draw after the mods is .5 watts (this is exluding the additional HD I put in.)

In terms of the kit itself is was totally complete. It even included a tool for me to crack the case. That was a nice perk. The only thing I would add to the kit is a zip tie to hold together the power wires but that's more me being anal. After installing the 9thtee bracket as well (see my sig) this one seems more "well-rounded" if you will and looks stock when it's done. Both get the job done but I like the extra cooling and lack of double sided tape with this kit. I guess ultimately cost will play a big role in who favors which one.

In conclusion, I am very happy with the product. I've attached pictures so you can see the install.

-Ed

Image on this post is a before pic.

Posted by: edrock200

Bracket in, but no wires attached

Posted by: edrock200

TwinBreeze fully installed

Posted by: edrock200

TwinBreeze fully installed from an angle

Posted by: jbaker

Thanks for the great notes. I plan on doing an upgrade with two Samsung 120GB drives on an HDVR2 next weekend. I will be using the weaknees bracket.

Thanks again.

Posted by: marky94301

the one from weaknees or one of your own??

Is there a noise difference between a 5400 vs. 7200 RPM drive?

I found 120GBs for under $100 online now... do you have recommendation on which drive to use?

Posted by: edrock200

I added a weaknees drive to this particular Tivo. The other two I added my own, one a maxtor and the other a WD. One of my DTivo's has a 7200 and it is a bit noisier and gets a bit warmer. I would recommend getting a 5400 samsung HD. They are quiet and so far the drive has been reliable, but I haven't had it that long. Check www.pricewatch.com for good deals on HD's or if you don't feel like messing with Linux I would recommend getting a drop in drive from Weaknees.

Posted by: marky94301

so since 5400s drives get no better performance in a Tivo... there is no reason to own a 7200 (which has faster head access) but who cares because teh 7200 runs hotter, uses more power and likely will just be NOISER???

it that correct?

Posted by: edrock200

Yes, that is correct. At the present their isn't much evidence of a 7200 giving a Tivo any additional performance over a 5400. That said, many people, including myself, have installed 7200 drives with no problems. But, if I purchased another one today I would get a 5400.

Posted by: marky94301

Is the extra cost of the twinbreeze worth it?

it seems to me the Hughes HDVR2 already has a fan and if 9thTee has them working well, why spend the extra?

Is it just $38 worth of insurance? Perhaps that is a good price...
OR a waste of $

Unless it is just fixing a problem that does not exist...

Does anyone actually know that going with the 9thTee solution, no fan just a mounting bracket) actually causes your Tivo to burn up, causes shorter HDD life, or causes the power supply to crap out???

Let me know ASAP I ordered the Samsung 120GB 5400rpm drive today for $89+4 shipping via EconoPC today so need to order one of the brackets soon

Posted by: azitnay

I've heard all the good things about the TwinBreeze, but I have no experience with it myself. I'm using a 9th Tee TIVOBRACKET-S2 in my 230040 to supplement the 40 GB drive with a 120GB drive, and the system usually runs at 39 or 40 C, which I'm fine with.

To be fair, you can't compare the $49 TwinBreeze Complete with the $12.49 TIVOBRACKET-S2 (I'm assuming your 38 was 50-12). The Complete comes with the screwdrivers, IDE cable, and power splitter, which would cost you a total of $33.94 after shipping from 9th Tee. In addition, the Complete comes with the extra and replacement fans, which is I'm sure why many people buy it. If you need the other stuff and were going to buy it from 9th Tee anyway, it's up to you whether or not this is worth $15.06 to you.

A fairer comparison to the TIVOBRACKET-S2 would be the $29 TwinBreeze Basic. It sounds a lot more expensive, but considering that the TIVOBRACKET-S2 is $18.44 after shipping, it's really only $10.56 extra (though you can save on shipping by getting two, which is what I did). In this case, it looks like you're paying a little extra for (most likely) a better-ventilated bracket. I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that most people who go with the TwinBreeze do it for the fans, and not just the bracket itself.

All in all, I'm happy with my choice to go with two from 9th Tee.

Drew

Posted by: marky94301

actually seems like you don't need the IDE cable, as the original one works fine... unless I am missing something, 9thTee claims theres is a faster cable ($5)... hmmm ahhh bul..shi... excuse me...I sneezed

I have screwdrivers ($9 or $11 kit)

so total would be $19.94 shipped vs. $49 on the TwinBreeze... still save $30 on features/benefits

that you are telling me are NOT benefits... if I understand you correctly your Tivo runs nice and cool with 2 drives and the original fan... Yes?

so unless I hear real reasons from others... will just buy the 9thTee and take my wife to dinner with the extra $30

Posted by: weaknees

It does run cooler and install easier, and you DO need the cables - the cables that come in any unit that these brackets work in only support one drive.

Michael

Posted by: azitnay

marky94301: I can only speak for the 230040, but it definitely needs a new IDE cable. The one that it comes with is about 2 inches long and only has one connector. Though you didn't mention it, I also most certainly needed a power splitter. The 230040 only has one coming out of the power supply. I'm assuming you know this, though, because you added $1.50 to get your $19.94. And as long as you consider 40C "nice and cool", then yes, my TiVo runs nice and cool with 2 drives and the original fan. I've certainly heard of people getting cooler (most likely with the TwinBreeze, or at minimum, some kind of fan upgrade), but I'm fine with 40.

weaknees: I have no doubts that the TwinBreeze runs cooler (it's right in the name, Breeze :) ), but installs easier? Obviously I've never installed the TwinBreeze, but the TIVOBRACKET-S2 was one of the easiest things I've ever installed in my life.

Drew

Posted by: marky94301

should not matter to me...

seems like 39 (my factory orginal temp with one 40gb drive) vs 40 degrees (with your 2 drive 9thTee/no fan upgrade solution)
is a whopping 1 degree difference
and
is in the noise

and should make little if any difference long term

perhaps in theory it matters

Posted by: azitnay

quote:
Originally posted by marky94301
should not matter to me...

seems like 39 (my factory orginal temp with one 40gb drive) vs 40 degrees (with your 2 drive 9thTee/no fan upgrade solution)
is a whopping 1 degree difference
and
is in the noise

and should make little if any difference long term

perhaps in theory it matters

Well, that may be comparing apples and oranges. Didn't you say you're talking about a Hughes HDVR2? I'm talking about a TCD230040. I believe it ran at 36 or 37 stock. However, even if it's a 3 or 4 degree difference, I'm still fine with it.

I'm a little interested to see what happens when I upgrade my TCD240040 with the second 9th Tee I already bought. It runs anywhere from 44 to 48C, and I've never even cracked the case. My girlfriend is always saying it's hotter in the bedroom than the living room, even though I've never noticed, so I guess that could be it.

Of course, my lowly Pentium III 500 with a case fan, video card fan, cpu fan, and power supply fan typically runs in the mid-to-high 50's for whatever reason, and I've never cared about that, so I guess I don't care too much about temp to begin with :).

Drew

Posted by: weaknees

quote:
I have no doubts that the TwinBreeze runs cooler (it's right in the name, Breeze ), but installs easier?

Ah, yes, fair point. "Ease of installation" is quite subjective, and we are most obviously biased. We have posted our instructions and Mark at 9thTee has his posted as well... so it is fortunately quite easy to compare before buying.

Michael

Posted by: edrock200

Mark,
Go Twinbreeze, you won't be disapointed...great service and all the "hand-holding" you need to get it installed....not to mention easily uninstallable if you ever want to remove it (9thtee kit has double sided tape.) As for the fans, it all depends on what the current temp in your unit is. There's no long term data of heat and DTivo failure but there's a lot of data on heat and hard drive failure...