Abstract: The present invention is directed towards reducing hard disk drive (HDD) activity by reducing the activity of an internal time shift buffer (TSB). The HDD may be included in a digital host communications terminal (DHCT). The TSB can switch between buffering a high definition quality to a standard definition quality of a streaming program. Additionally, the TSB can be disabled to prevent buffering of the streaming program. The reduced buffering of the TSB is determined by several factors including the temperature of the HDD, the health of the HDD, a set-up menu including TSB options, and/or whether there is a high definition television connected to the DHCT.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards reducing hard disk drive (HDD) activity by sharing the buffering activity between a provisional load sharing buffer (PLSB) and a time shift buffer (TSB). The HDD may be included in a digital host communications terminal (DHCT). Initially, the PLSB buffers initial streaming programs to accommodate for channel changes. Additionally, the streaming program is buffered in a standard definition quality regardless of the format of a connected television. Once a predetermined time has passed determined by the size of the PLSB without a channel change, the TSB begins buffering the streaming program. The TSB can then switch between buffering a high definition quality to a standard definition quality of a streaming high definition program depending on other factors to further decrease the HDD activity. Additionally, the TSB can be disabled to prevent buffering of the streaming program.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards reducing hard disk drive (HDD) activity by sharing the buffering activity between a provisional load sharing buffer (PLSB) and a time shift buffer (TSB). The HDD may be included in a digital host communications terminal (DHCT). Initially, the PLSB buffers initial streaming programs to accommodate for channel changes. Additionally, the streaming program is buffered in a standard definition quality regardless of the format of a connected television. Once a predetermined time has passed determined by the size of the PLSB without a channel change, the TSB begins buffering the streaming program. The TSB can then switch between buffering a high definition quality to a standard definition quality of a streaming high definition program depending on other factors to further decrease the HDD activity. Additionally, the TSB can be disabled to prevent buffering of the streaming program.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards reducing hard disk drive (HDD) activity by reducing the activity of an internal time shift buffer (TSB). The HDD may be included in a digital host communications terminal (DHCT). The TSB can switch between buffering a high definition quality to a standard definition quality of a streaming program. Additionally, the TSB can be disabled to prevent buffering of the streaming program. The reduced buffering of the TSB is determined by several factors including the temperature of the HDD, the health of the HDD, a set-up menu including TSB options, and/or whether there is a high definition television connected to the DHCT.

Abstract: A heat sink assembly for cooling a DVR enabled set-top box. A heat sink is coupled to a chassis of the set-top box as well as to a storage device within the chassis. Heat is transferred from the storage device to the exterior of the chassis to be vented to the exterior environment surrounding the set-top box.