I just bought a Bell ExpressVu 5100 receiver (aka Dish Network 501) and I was wondering if I can pop in a larger hard drive for larger recording capacity. Currently, I can get roughly 35 hours of recording and there's a Maxtor hard drive in the unit.

I'm not sure the size of the existing unit but it would be nice if I can replace it with let say a 80GB for more recording hours.

Also, at the back of the unit, there's a Expansion Slot, do you know what that's for?

Thanks

Simon
I thought this Express vue product wasn't available in Canada until Sept. 15? I'm looking at buying one. How do you like it? Is it worth the exorbitant price? I would also like to upgrade the HD some time in the future if it doesn't damage the machine.

I ordered it through the Sony Store, and I was told the unit would not be available till the end of September. However, I got a call yesterday and was told the unit was in. I guess I'm just lucky.

Being this is the first PVR product available in Canada, I don't think we have any other options. I really like it so far. Video quality is same as broadcast (or at least I can't tell the difference). Pausing, FF and REW, works as advertised.

This is an upgrade to the 4700 unit, I would say it's worth the money for me. Well, I have been looking for a PVR function for the longest time so I gotta have this unit.

Bell has discontinued 4700, 5100 is the replacement for it. I don't actually like this since my other room has 4700 (bought the last one from Sony Store) and I need the Digital Optical Output for the receiver to get AC3 sound. I can't buy another 5100 as it's a lot of money, but I was lucky to get the 4700. Otherwise I'd stuck to the 3100 or 2700 without Optical Out.

The unit is pretty quiet and I can't really hear the drive spinning.

BTW, if the TV source has AC3, you can also record it in AC3.