They're all SATA drives, so only good in HD boxes.

Yep that's right..... I shoulda noticed we were talking about sky+ boxes.

I'll get mi coat.

Cheers

Dave.

Ok, seems I actually need the WD5000AVJB version rather than AAKB.

But the AAKB seems a better spec?

What makes you say the AAKB is better spec?

B usually dictates the interface type and the AV/AA is often just different firmware to make the drive behave differently for specific work fields. IIRC (but I'd have to check) the AV drives were aimed at high end AV not the lower end, so I'd be surprised if the normal drive isn't just as good.

Just my personal opinion of course you understand

Edited 4 November, 200916 yr by cheezemonkhai

Was going by the cache and read times. The AAKB seems better on that front.

But then doesnt PVR simply dump what it sees to the disk anyway, so cache is irrelevant?

As you say it's only a firmware tweak, so why the extra cost (+10-20%) when buying an AV drive? Looks like I'll be going for the Av version, but even these are rare as rocking horse dung!

Was going by the cache and read times. The AAKB seems better on that front.

But then doesnt PVR simply dump what it sees to the disk anyway, so cache is irrelevant?

As you say it's only a firmware tweak, so why the extra cost (+10-20%) when buying an AV drive? Looks like I'll be going for the Av version, but even these are rare as rocking horse dung!

I didn't use AV drives when I was setting up a large drive array to do video editing

One of the main reasons there used to be AV drives was to get the large file throughput and get around thermal calibration interrupting data flows.

As for the 10-20% price increase, I obviously couldn't comment on that.

If it was my money, I'd buy an enterprise grade 500GB/1TB SATA drive rather than pay a lot of money for a special AV version of the drive.

Edited 3 November, 200916 yr by cheezemonkhai

Enterprise grade?

This might give you a better idea of consumer vs. enterprise...

Consumer vs Enterprise grade harddrives

Steve

This might give you a better idea of consumer vs. enterprise...

Consumer vs Enterprise grade harddrives

Steve

Few "interesting" comments on that thread.

Basically what I'm saying is I'd just go and find an IDE drive with a 3 or 5 year warranty and not worry about paying a good amount more for an "AV drive" for a hard disk recorder.

Gadgetman - was the link I posted to eBuyer for a WD model that fitted the bill according to that compatibility page not the right one then? I thought it would have been ordered and fitted by now

Steve

The AAKB version works fine apparently. But someone told be to buy the AV version of that drive, otherwise it'd be noisy as hell. For a firmware control, they surcharge them quite a bit.

As for ordering, will be when I'm off in a few weeks so I can get it, and fit it unrushed.

Sounds good. I never have complaints over WD drives on the noise front myself. I tend to use them almost exclusively for setups - for one reason it's the brand I've had the least amounts of failures from. I do have a few Samsung Spinpoints about the place, which are probably a touch quieter. Not sure how well they do on the Sky compatibility front though?

Steve

The AAKB version works fine apparently. But someone told be to buy the AV version of that drive, otherwise it'd be noisy as hell. For a firmware control, they surcharge them quite a bit.

As for ordering, will be when I'm off in a few weeks so I can get it, and fit it unrushed.

Using the manufacturer tools you can often set drive parameters.

Can I ask who this someone is and what they are basing their "knowledge" on?

I don't think that the AAKB will be noisy at all:

http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/SpecSheet/ENG/2879-701277.pdf

Average acoustics (dBA)

Idle mode = 25

Performance seek mode = 29

In fact, I've just dug up the spec sheet for a WD AV drive too, giving it a higher idle noise and the same seek noise:

http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/SpecSheet/ENG/2879-701220.pdf

Acoustics

Idle Mode 28 dBA (average)

Seek Mode 3 29 dBA (average)

According to that it's only when they are set to "quiet seek mode" they seek at 26dBA.

Most of the time when you're recording and playing, your drive won't be seeking like mad, so IMHO you won't notice that.

Also worth noting that the drive I have just taken out of a Sony Hard disk recorder is a WD1600AAJS, which maps to a WD blue.

Edited 5 November, 200916 yr by cheezemonkhai

Blimey - that's a bit of a con with the acoustics then isn't it - seeing as the 'AV' drives are more expensive and supposed to be designed for quiet operation in a media centre etc?

Steve

Blimey - that's a bit of a con with the acoustics then isn't it - seeing as the 'AV' drives are more expensive and supposed to be designed for quiet operation in a media centre etc?

Steve

Exactly!

Thanks for the helpful info. I'll plump for the AAKB then later this month (some leave planned) so I can do it without rushing things.

Having asked here, and on some sky/AV forums as well, every one on the sky and AV forums says get AV spec drives.

BUT, knowing we have a drive expert here, I had a feeling it was BS

BUT, knowing we have a drive expert here, I had a feeling it was BS

We do? Cool

To be fair the low heat/noise drives are the GP-AV in the WD range, but I intend to put a 500GB GP (non AV) in a disc recorder.

Edited 6 November, 200916 yr by cheezemonkhai

Is the GPAV IDE or SATA?

Cant see such a version on the usual sites :confused:

Is the GPAV IDE or SATA?

Cant see such a version on the usual sites :confused:

They are IIRC all Sata drives in the GP range.

The GP-AV isn't around on most sites I've seen, so I think it's more an OEM drive.

FWIW I've just put a 500GB WD5000-AADS in my sony hard disk recorder and it's quieter than the original drive, but only with the lid off.

If I had a sky+ box and needed an IDE drive, then I'd go for the WD-Blue drive you mentioned above. At the end of the day there is no point spending silly money on a hard disk when bedroom background noise is typically around the 30dB measure anyway.

BBC - Health - Ask the doctor - Noise levels

The AAKB it will be then.

The AAKB it will be then.

Personally I think you've made the right choice there/

Should you wish to help the people wanting to spend extra money to buy AV drives, I've found them at a supplier I use from time to time.

They seem to have some sizes in stock and others as order on request.

3.5" IDE Hard Drives from CCL - Awarded PC Pro Best Online Retailer of the Year 2008 for PC, PC Components, Laptops, Notebook, Computer Components, Intel Servers, Hard Drives, PC Memory

Scan, Span and Lambda-tek have the AV drives too.

Scan were cheapest for drive (av and the one I'll be going for) & del I've found.

Ordered today from ebuyer - now the cheapest at £56 inc VAT + 2x USB IDE Plexus thingies to do the copying.

Will report back.

:woot:

Ordered today from ebuyer - now the cheapest at £56 inc VAT + 2x USB IDE Plexus thingies to do the copying.

Will report back.

What drive did you get in the end?

The AAKB