Western Digital 160 GB AV 7200 RPM Hard Drive - Quiet, Reliable

In this review of the Western Digital 160 GB AV drive the bottom line is simple: this drive is aimed at AV and DVR use where continuous, quiet operation matters most. Our review finds it best for media servers, set-top boxes and surveillance systems that need a compact 160 GB local store with optimized streaming behavior. The single biggest reason to choose this unit is its design for smooth, continuous digital video playback and whisper-quiet acoustics, which together reduce dropped frames and audible distraction in always-on installations.

Key Features

• Optimized AV streaming: Engineered to support smooth, continuous playback of up to twelve simultaneous HD streams to reduce dropped frames in multi-stream environments.
• Whisper-quiet acoustics: Low-noise operation helps keep media centers, DVRs and set-top boxes unobtrusive in living rooms and control rooms.
• Low power consumption: Thermally optimized design reduces heat output and power draw for reliable 24-hour operation in always-on systems.
• Compatibility with ATA streaming: Works with the ATA streaming command set for devices that depend on sustained sequential throughput.
• Designed for consumer AV products: Commonly integrated into PVRs, DVRs, IPTV boxes and surveillance recorders for consistent video recording and playback.

Who It's For

The drive is ideal for hobbyists and integrators upgrading DVRs or Xbox-style media units where a small-capacity, durable AV-optimized drive is needed. It suits media centers and light surveillance installations that benefit from continuous operation and quiet running.

It is less suitable for users who need large general-purpose storage, very high random-access performance for heavy desktop multitasking, or modern SSD speeds. Those needing terabytes of storage or significantly faster boot and application response should look elsewhere.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Specifically tuned for AV performance, reducing dropped frames in multi-stream playback.
• Quiet operation praised by customers for use in living areas and media centers.
• Low power and thermal design supports continuous 24-hour duty cycles with improved longevity.
• Broad compatibility with set-top boxes, DVRs and media servers makes it easy to repurpose in different devices.

Cons

• At 160 GB capacity the drive is modest by modern standards and may require frequent archiving or replacement for heavy DVR use.
• Being a spinning drive it cannot match SSDs for random-access speed or system responsiveness.

Specifications

Brand	Western Digital
Capacity	160 GB
Interface	ATA with ATA streaming command set compatibility
Spindle Speed	7200 RPM
Cache	8 MB
Optimized For	Digital video playback, DVR/PVR/IPTV, surveillance

Our Verdict

The Western Digital 160 GB AV drive is a sensible, value-focused choice for DVR upgrades, media servers and surveillance systems that prioritize quiet, continuous operation and steady streaming. It delivers reliable AV performance and low power consumption, making it a good buy when small-capacity, dependable recording is the goal rather than large capacity or SSD-level speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this drive work in a DVR or set-top box?
Yes, it is designed for set-top boxes, PVRs and DVRs and supports the ATA streaming command set used for continuous video recording.

Is it suitable for 24/7 surveillance recording?
Yes, customers note time retention and the drive's thermal and power design supports continuous operation intended for always-on use.

How noisy is the drive in normal operation?
Customers report it runs quietly with whisper-quiet acoustics, making it unobtrusive in living rooms and media centers.