[Dave]

Well based on my experience from owning a TiVo (Hard Disk recorder for TV), I have now had 2 hard drives start to crash after approx 3 years of install from new. Is that acceptable

Anyway now installing 3rd new hard drive today, so must make a note to buy new drive in May 2010

[P-E]

So do you just install a new HD or buy a new box?

[Dave]

TiVo's have not been made for years, so new hard drive. Problem is after 3 years I keep forgetting all my Linux cmds .....takes a tad longer to copy an image on to the new disk & I haven't even started to look back in to all the hacks I had applied

[P-E]

Got a Topfield box myself.....hope the HD lasts longer in that.

[VikingPhotography]

3 years is about standard for a consumer HDD; most drives have anything up to a 3-year warranty, with some even boasting 5-year warranties. I've had to RMA hard drives that have failed within their 3 year warranty period and, all in all, the turnaround rate has been good.

Seagate and Hitachi boast the best consumer HDD warranties with 5 years and their failure rates are reportedly quite low. I'm slowly migrating my drives from WD's to Seagate as and when I can afford the transition. The old WD's will be passed on to other family members.

[Mr Blue Sky]

i use seagates as well they are reliable and i have never been let down by one yet

[Dave]

Latest drive that has just crashed is a Seagate 120GB

[Dave]

Originally Posted by P-E

Got a Topfield box myself.....hope the HD lasts longer in that.

How do you find it Ian ? Still half tirn between that model or the Humax which can be had for as little as £160

The TiVo still has one of the best interfaces going & a decent season pass facility to boot, but it would be good to have built in twin Freeview tuners.

[Dabhand16]

If you check the news (or I might have put it in the computer/software/internet forum), there was an item about the Google HDD's. They last for an amazingly long time apparently.

[P-E]

Originally Posted by Dave

How do you find it Ian ? Still half tirn between that model or the Humax which can be had for as little as £160

The TiVo still has one of the best interfaces going & a decent season pass facility to boot, but it would be good to have built in twin Freeview tuners.

I find it fits in well with the small home cinema that I have setup in the bedroom with the only annoyance being a slight whir sound fom the HD after a few hours use.

I love the add on downloads available to customize things although not gone in to that in a big way.

I also looked at the Humax model and after looking around/asking on the AVForums I went for the Topfield

[silver]

google has good data on consumer HD fails BBC NEWS | Technology | Hard disk test 'surprises' Google - pity they don't reveal much info and which makers drives fair better..

Sil