Advice wanted on new hard drive for Dishplayer

[llennhoff]

Hi

After an ordering disaster I'm left still having to order a new hard drive for my dishplayer.
1) Can anyone recommend an 80GB 5400RPM Maxtor that is compatible with the dishplayer and also quiet?

2) Is the 8MB cache available on the Western Digital JB line of Caviar drives likely to improve the Dishplayer's performance? Normal drives have a 2MB cache. The JB is a 7200RPM line, which I believe is likely to run hotter. How much of a problem is that if the Dishplayer is in the open? I can't really run a fan because of noise problems.


3) Other than pricewatch, can anyone recommend a good price comparison tool?

Thanks in advance

Larry

[Bob Haller]

my only advice is buy one with a 3 year warranty. PVR is tough on a HD, my WD died at just over a year and it wasnt covered under warranty. Maxtor with its 3 year warranty is a better deal.

[Randy_B]

I doubt that you will see any performance improvement with 8MB cache, however do NOT go below the 2MB. WD has much better success rate in the DP than Maxtor. Ancetdotally, Maxtor Diamondmax units with the DX together in the model number (DX### rather than D###X). D##X are rebranded that have not worked.

A DP with a 7200 rpm HD out in the open w/ good air flow should not have any problems. If you normally leave it on all the time, I would recommed turning it off every few days to allow for coold down.

Pricewatch is the main site I use. MySimon has proven ok good checking

[Hoosier]

Ebay is a good place to get hard drives..even with warranty at much cheaper prices...I used WD and no problems whatsoever..hope that helps...

[FlyingDiver]

Just don't try a Quantum. I tried two different Quantum drives (12Gig and 27Gig), and neither worked.

joe

[LV2HACK]

I have an IBM deskstar. Its almost silent.

[Randy_B]

I have heard from several people that the deskstars are very nice! They were also very expensive, but I believe the price has come down considerably.