New DVR won't play my recorded programs from my ext. HD

New DVR Box from Wave Cable is: Motorola #M10725TCH546. When this box was installed it tried to format my ext. HD. The Wave Cable Tech unplugged the HD and said he had no idea on how to get the HD to work with the New box without a format. Any other ideas??
 

This signifies that it wants to use its proprietary format. Does not bode well able to view your existing media.