Hard disk drive enhancements for consumer electronics products

The use of hard disk drives for storing video and gaming content is an emerging,field. There is a lack qfjield data regarding the drive reliability in this new application. The drive industry is experienced in designing drives for the desktop and server arena where error,fiee data is of paramount importance. The usage profile and associated error recovety is signipcantlv diferent ,for the consumer electronics industW. Factors affecting reliability and customer sati.Tfaction are the acoustics noise, reliabiliy at elevated temperattire and ability to prorect against shock and vibration while delivering interrupt ,pee content. The @ects of acoustics, thermak and mechanical design is reviewed. Methods OJ measuring sound pouer and judging sound quality is described. The changes in drive design,for the consumer electronics environment are also described. ATA: A T Attachment, DE: Digital Entertainment. ECC: Error Correction Code, DUT: Device Under Test, FDB: Fluid Dynamic Beuring, GB: Gigubyte, HDD: Hard Disk Drive. STB: Set TOQ B m . Index Terms HDDs far AV applications, AV performance, HDD reliability, Performance Evaluation.