DVD Recorder HDD replacement

[tac7]

I'm about to buy a DVD recorder with a HDD, but have a couple of concerns: *What do people do when the HDD in their DVD recorder dies after it is is out of warranty?

Replacing a HDD in the average computer is as simple as getting a new one OF ANY SIZE, and then either re-installing the OS, along with any program / data back-ups, or doing the same with a recovery disk provided by the manufacturer. *Total cost: Less than a hundred bucks for the HDD.

How does that work with a DVD recorder? *From what I've read, it's not a simply matter of buying a LARGER HDD and having the recorder automatically format and initialize it.
But even if one does get the exact same size HDD and model that was in the recorder before, is it possible to do the installation oneself, or does it have to be done by an authorized Service Center (requiring propriatary tools and codes)?
Or, are there some models that allow user installation - including larger drivers? Thanks, tac7

[canon10d]

I recently upgraded my Pioneer DVR520 from a 80GB to a 300GB drive. To do it, I needed a Pioneer Service Remote and a Pioneer Data Disk, not the sort of things you can buy from any electrical shop.

If you don't have these (or whatever is required for other brands), then I suspect it will mean a trip to a authorised service centre.

[oldfart13]

Some of the Chinese recorders allow easy upgrades of their HDDs. The only ones I've seen so far will only allow drives to the max FAT32 limit (137 Gigs I think). Get a 160 and even though you'll be wasting a bit of space, it'll be a lot better than the piddly little 40 Gigs they usually give you...