SD PVR with Sata Hard Drive

probably could squeeze it all in the PVR box, but I intentionally don't want to. The PVR runs flipping hot even with no HDD in it. So I figure if I do my mod with the HDD externally (all nice and neatly of course), I can change HDD's over easily if necessary in the future and keep my Hard drives temps mutch lower...
 
Interesting concept.... You try that. I'm keeping my HDD out of the PVR box! Besides I will barely notice the HDD enclosure in my HET cabinet...

There is a system fan plug on the PVR mobo, you could just split it? or splice from the HDD power source?
 
i wonder if the HD PVR has a similar type of harddrive partitioning

I have one and to tell you the truth if you recording a lot of HD stuff onto the 500 gig they put in the HD PVR it will get full very quick.

Would like to find a way of upgrading it to a TB or 2
 
Thanks for sharing the technical and brilliant information.

I ‘ve cross-checked the DSTV PVR consist of a USB port. Please confirm if there is a option to copy archive data from your PVR unit to your USB flash drive or external hard drive.
This will be brilliant to view recorded information on a alternative desktop / laptop or DVD.

Thanks.
 
KLSR said:
Thanks for sharing the technical and brilliant information.

I ‘ve cross-checked the DSTV PVR consist of a USB port. Please confirm if there is a option to copy archive data from your PVR unit to your USB flash drive or external hard drive.
This will be brilliant to view recorded information on a alternative desktop / laptop or DVD.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

No, no one said that. Its impossible to do that.
 
well so far the HDD is working, but I have to get the FAT32 formatting correct... using paragon partition manager server 10 at the moment....
DSTV_SD_PVR_Format_Paragon.jpg

redone the first 2 partitions as per the before mentioned pdf (copied the partitions from the original IDE HDD to the new one) busy on the last 144gig partition but increased the size to the full remainder of the 500gig.. hold thumbs.

EDIT: Again as mentioned, will do a full explanation with pics as soon as I know for sure it grafts!
EDIT2: Another resource I might try if paragon fails me ... http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?fat32format.htm
EDIT3: yawnnnn damn this is taking long...
 
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There is a 'Format Hard Drive' option within the PVR GUI menu.
I've used it before to format my HDD after it corrupted - it should set everything up for you automatically if you do it that way, then you should be able to copy your files onto the partition afterwards.
 
InsomniaRSA said:
There is a 'Format Hard Drive' option within the PVR GUI menu.
I've used it before to format my HDD after it corrupted - it should set everything up for you automatically if you do it that way, then you should be able to copy your files onto the partition afterwards.
Click to expand...

It will not format a hard drive that does not meet its Fat32 requirements with its specific partition setup... I tried it, trust me... no go!

But anyway, paragon worked a charm, got it all setup and running, The drive is running nice and cool outside of the PVR box! Here is my final result...
SNC00035.jpg


It also seems a little more responsive with rewinding and fast forwarding - could be the SATA handles the data transfer rate a little better...
 
As promised... here is what I did:

PART 1

1) Marked the areas to be cut for the external SATA HDD to plug into the SD-PVR casing...

1_Marking_Cut_Lines.jpg


2) Double checking markings with the actual SATA plug.

2_SATA_Plug_Lined_Up.jpg


3) Holes are now cut...

3_Holes_Cut.jpg


4) Fastened the SATA plug into place...

4_SATA_Plug_Fitted.jpg


5) Spliced the 5V power plug for the XGR converter off of the SATA power...

5_Internal_SATA_Wires.jpg
 
PART 2

6) Made a 90 degree female to male IDE pinout so that the XGR would fit (standing up it was to high)

6_IDE_90_Angle_Adapter.jpg


7) This is the XGR in place now on the PVR board

7_XGR_on_PVR.jpg


8) Plugged all the internal SATA and power supplies in...

8_Pluging_SATA_on_XGR.jpg


9) Plugged the external SATA HDD into the case and powered her up...

9_Testing.jpg


10) It worked after the second HDD format using Paragon Partion Manager 10 (copied all the partions from the original drive exactly as is, but just modified the last partition size to utilize the full remainder of the drive)

This is the final result, the new Hard Drive neatly tucked on the right side, completely free from the heat of the PVR itself...

10_Final.jpg
 
picked up a glitch, will have to do some research on it... Seems to lose the hard drive after a couple of hours. Not sure if it has something to do with the hard drive preservation function of the PVR or if I have a bad solder or connection...

Also I'm thinking of changing the female to male 90 that I made (its just not that strong). Probably just take a male / male and pop one side onto the IDE ribbon cable that comes with the PVR. That will give me more flexibility in positioning all the new wires.
 
IRG said:
It will not format a hard drive that does not meet its Fat32 requirements with its specific partition setup... I tried it, trust me... no go!

But anyway, paragon worked a charm, got it all setup and running, The drive is running nice and cool outside of the PVR box! Here is my final result...
SNC00035.jpg


It also seems a little more responsive with rewinding and fast forwarding - could be the SATA handles the data transfer rate a little better...
Click to expand...

Thats Booyatifal!
 
IRG said:
picked up a glitch, will have to do some research on it... Seems to lose the hard drive after a couple of hours. Not sure if it has something to do with the hard drive preservation function of the PVR or if I have a bad solder or connection...

Also I'm thinking of changing the female to male 90 that I made (its just not that strong). Probably just take a male / male and pop one side onto the IDE ribbon cable that comes with the PVR. That will give me more flexibility in positioning all the new wires.
Click to expand...

Lose as in fails completely?

Or purely just the actual drive is not visible on the PVR?

Did you lose any of the data?

Did a reset of the PVR power bring back the drive?
 
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