Replaced my 4K PVR - Can I recover recordings?

[MarkM]

I just replaced the Arris VIP5662W 4K PVR.  Can I move the hard disk between units to recover the recorded media?

[BellPatricia · Accepted solution]

Hi there @MarkM. Thanks for your post, and welcome to the Bell Community.

The option to move the hard drive from one receiver to another is not available. You may still be able to access any recordings from the older PVR on your Fibe TV app for about 24hrs after changing PVRs though.

- Patricia

[LB110]

How would it be possible to access recordings if the original PVR is not connected??

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

You will not be able access recordings & move them if the VIP5662W 4K PVR is replaced. Future TV programs scheduled to record will remain. PVR recordings stored on the hard drive can not be viewed or transferred to the replacement PVR.

Thank you for contacting the Bell Community Forum.

Take care.

[LB110]

a disc pops right out with no tools.  it’s very easy to do. What happens when you do swap them?

[LB110]

Yes you can keep all your recordings if you have to change a VIP5662 4K receiver box.  Provided of course that it's the receiver and not the disk drive that failed.

 Not only is the hard disc drive swappable, it's an end user manageable task.  No tools. Like replacing a battery.

Make sure the units are unplugged and just pinch the tabs on the hard disc carrier on the bottom of the unit, slide the drive out and slide the new one in so it clicks in place. Turn it back on and voila, all your recordings are back.  Why don't techs know this?  

It would save a lot of end user time and grief.

[WelshTerrier]

I do not disagree with you that the hard drives can be physically swapped out. Keep in mind that this is not the recommended solution to solving this problem. What if in doing this swap, the existing hard drive does have a disk failure or in the process damages the replacement VIP5662?

Who is responsible for costs? If you damage the existing and / or replacement VIP5662 while making this disk drive swap, you will be ultimately responsible for the costs & any replacements charges.

I will leave that with you to mull over!

Take care.

[JimW]

How can I access recordings from my defective / replaced 5662 PVR ?

[644]

My current Bell PVR (4K Whole Home PVR) is no longer working properly and I am being sent a new one.  Will I still have access to the programmes I have recorded once my new PVR is installed?

[LB110]

Hey Mark,

it is absolutely possible to swap out to your previous disk drive into the new replacement PVR unit and as long as it isn’t the disc drive that was faulty. no special tools required. It will work just fine and your recordings will be preserved. 

I’m curious as to why they are trying to discourage people it techs from doing this. Is it ignorance, liability or some other reason. 
just swap it. If it doesn’t work, swap it back.

good luck Mark

[xyzxyz]

it seems to be a flimsy design. I have replaced a similar drive in other devices without any problem. Here I replaced my old drive for a new one, it showed 0 capacity. I went back to the old one that was working fine previously and had some recording on it.Now this one also shows 0 capacity. it prompts for rebooting all receivers, and still shows no capacity. Must be some pairing or install  procedure that is required to access the disk.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

I do not disagree with you that hard drives can be physically swapped out. The option to move the hard drive from one receiver to another is not available on the VIP5662W 4K PVR.

This is not the recommended solution for solving this problem. What if in doing this swap, the existing hard drive does have a disk failure or in the process damages the replacement VIP5662?

Who is responsible for costs? If you damage the existing and / or replacement VIP5662 while making this disk drive swap, you will be ultimately responsible for the costs & any replacements charges.

You will not be able access recordings & move them if the VIP5662W 4K PVR is replaced. Future TV programs scheduled to record will remain. PVR recordings stored on the hard drive cannot be viewed or transferred to the replacement PVR.

Take care.

[xyzxyz]

how can you damage the disk while replacing it, if this is a standard procedure described both in manufacturer's user manual and the instruction is placed on device's label. I believe that Bell's software make it impossible, because Bell wants to control it.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Thank you for your input.

Yes. This this is the recommended solution for solving this hard disk problem.

It is what it is and there is little more that I can add that will change this.

Take care.

[FibeTroubleTO]

Swaping the hard disks used to work. I’ve done it twice before. My box seems to die and needs to be replaced once a year. This time, the new box is telling me that all of my recordings are “not accessible” and that they will be erased! Bell has now done something to disable the ability to swap the drives. So bloody maddening.