Abstract: A computer program embodied on a computer readable storage medium is disclosed for dependently adjusting at least three operating levels of a disk drive by dependently adjusting a plurality of disk drive parameters. The computer program receives control input from one or more sources, such as an end user, an environmental sensor, or the disk drive, wherein the control input for adjusting at least three operating levels of the disk drive in a dependent manner. In response to the control input, the computer program adjusts a plurality of parameter settings in the disk drive in a dependent manner. In one embodiment, the operating levels dependently adjusted by the control input comprise a performance level, a capacity level and a robustness level.

Abstract: A method of operating an audiovisual disk drive having a default audiovisual mode for more efficiently transferring audiovisual data from or to a host pursuant to audiovisual host commands. The innovative method includes the steps of receiving a new transfer command requiring the transfer of a data segment associated with the audiovisual data stream; determining an absence or presence of an urgent condition with regard to the new transfer command; according standard precedence to processing the audiovisual data stream associated with the new transfer command as specified by the default operating mode in the determined absence of the urgent condition; and according urgent precedence to processing the audiovisual data stream associated with the new transfer command over attending to the other drive operation in the determined presence of the urgent condition without regard to the default operating mode.