Are there any HD replacement utilities for Panny DVR's?

[flip69]

I would like to find a HD formatting utility for my Panasonic DMR-E80H recorder. I have such a program for my series 1 tivo but I would like to format a new HD for the panasonic DVR. TIA.

[non-linear]

Have you tried formatting it on the DVR? My E85H has the option of formatting the hard drive.

On my system, you make sure the HDD is the source you're on, then press Functions, then under Setup, select Disc Setting, then the only option is Format.

[handyguy]

Its just a regular ide HD. You can put it in your computer if you want.

[ktnwin]

The good thing about these Panasonic DVD recorder with HDD is that you can just put any HDD in there (as long as it has same or higher capacity), the box will let you format it before using it.

Tivo box is different, the HDD you put in MUST HAVE BEEN LOADED with correct Tivo software or else it just an useless box. This is is sucky part about Tivo (and its phone line, and monthly service fee).

DVD recorder with HDD has none of those craps. So smile....

[hitechluddite]

If you install a higher capacity HD Does the system recognize the entire capacity? Also is the format FAT 32? linux?

[handyguy]

I doubt it would format more than what its set to have in it.

However, some Liteons let you put in bigger hds.

[ktnwin]

Let say your Pan DVD recorder support 120GB hard drive, if you replace it with a 160GB HDD, it will format the new one as 120GB only.
That's kind of sad, but the good news is it does not require exactly 120GB HDD (which are sometimes hard to find).
Maybe sometimes down the road, there will be a firmware upgrade that let the box format the drive with its native capacity (wishful thinking).