{"product_id":"western-digital-160-gb-av-7200-rpm-hard-drive-quiet-reliable","title":"Western Digital 160 GB AV 7200 RPM Hard Drive - Quiet, Reliable","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOptimized AV streaming:\u003c\/strong\u003e Engineered to support smooth, continuous playback of up to twelve simultaneous HD streams to reduce dropped frames in multi-stream environments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhisper-quiet acoustics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low-noise operation helps keep media centers, DVRs and set-top boxes unobtrusive in living rooms and control rooms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow power consumption:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thermally optimized design reduces heat output and power draw for reliable 24-hour operation in always-on systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility with ATA streaming:\u003c\/strong\u003e Works with the ATA streaming command set for devices that depend on sustained sequential throughput.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesigned for consumer AV products:\u003c\/strong\u003e Commonly integrated into PVRs, DVRs, IPTV boxes and surveillance recorders for consistent video recording and playback.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSpecifically tuned for \u003cstrong\u003eAV performance\u003c\/strong\u003e, reducing dropped frames in multi-stream playback.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuiet operation\u003c\/strong\u003e praised by customers for use in living areas and media centers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow power and thermal design\u003c\/strong\u003e supports continuous 24-hour duty cycles with improved longevity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBroad compatibility with set-top boxes, DVRs and media servers makes it easy to repurpose in different devices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAt 160 GB capacity the drive is modest by modern standards and may require frequent archiving or replacement for heavy DVR use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBeing a spinning drive it cannot match SSDs for random-access speed or system responsiveness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Digital\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCapacity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e160 GB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInterface\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eATA with ATA streaming command set compatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpindle Speed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7200 RPM\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCache\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 MB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOptimized For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDigital video playback, DVR\/PVR\/IPTV, surveillance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this drive work in a DVR or set-top box?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it is designed for set-top boxes, PVRs and DVRs and supports the ATA streaming command set used for continuous video recording.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it suitable for 24\/7 surveillance recording?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, customers note time retention and the drive's thermal and power design supports continuous operation intended for always-on use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow noisy is the drive in normal operation?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCustomers report it runs quietly with whisper-quiet acoustics, making it unobtrusive in living rooms and media centers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Western Digital","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48251186872539,"sku":"B0013FINOQ","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51fq7e7kWrL._AC_SL1000.jpg?v=1770927028","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/western-digital-160-gb-av-7200-rpm-hard-drive-quiet-reliable","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}