Click here for photos of inside the box.
Click here for photos of inverting the Hard Drive and fitting a fan
Click here for photos of updating the firmware.
This sort of modification shouldn't be necessary! Normally, my advice would be to take it back and get a replacement - although, as I think it could be an inherent problem, the same problem could occur again.
As I particularly like the general look and feel of the software - especially the EPG - and I was unable to find a similarly-priced box with the same features, I decided to take the bull by the horns and 'go for it' !
 | Connecting the cooling fan across the Hard Drive's 12 volt supply results in the fan running continuously - even when the PVR is on Standby. I cobbled together a simple temperature control circuit using easily-obtainable parts so the fan only runs when it's required to cool the box. |
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The circuit. Any small low current LED can be used - or it can be omitted altogether. I have deliberately not provided any construction details as you should not attempt this modification unless you're confident (and competent) to do it. |
 | Four holes were drilled in the blanked-off slot behind the PVR's right-hand drop-down
panel and the small pCB was attached with spacers. Besides the two fixing holes, a third is used to show an LED indicating the
fan is running - or just about to - and the fourth hole is to insert a small screwdriver to adjust the temperature at which
the fan starts running. The NTC 10k thermistor is connected with about 6 inches of wire and attached to the Hard Drive's mounting bracket with a cable tie. |
 | I attached the PCB with a couple of brass cheese-head screws which I had available.
Chrome cross-head screws would be neater but, as they're hidden behind the drop-down panel, appearance doesn't really matter.
I also made a similar unit for the Humax 9200T using Veroboard, which you can see here. |