I’m not sure how many people actually activated their B.yond package in their satellite television services when Astro launched their high definition broadcast service throughout Asia. I’m pretty sure plenty did, as they also provide live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in HD. But when Astro launched their B.yond package, they also promised a DVR capability for their new service, which will follow shortly after the launch.

For those of you who wanted to recap how your miracle boy Rooney got stomped throughout the competition, and happen to have Astro B.yond installed at home, you have two options to utilize: either through a dedicated Astro B.yond Personal Video Recorder (PVR) box, or hook it up to your Western Digital My Passport AV to your existing B.yond decoder.

Optimized for video storage and playback – The drive inside is a WD hard drive engineered for the audio/video market so this portable drive:

• stays cool even in a hot entertainment centre
• uses less power to operate so it can work with compatible AV devices without the need for a power adapter
• delivers optimized streaming for smooth video playback

The Western Digital My Passport AV is the ONLY hard drive on the market that is guaranteed to work with Astro B.yond decoder out of the box. Currently there’s only 320GB variant on the market, priced at RM 299 ($96) or SG$ 129 if you’re in Singapore. But of kush, you’ll need to activate the PVR service through the folks at Astro Customer Service before you can actually start recording your favourite shows.

But of kush, many would have known that High Definition movies usually span to few gigs in size, especially those 1080p movies. With only 320GB, you’ll only be able to record few dozens of those broadcasted matches. Let’s not forget your favourite Premiere League matches in HD, and those crazy HD episodes of House, and some occasional blockbusters from Hollywood. You’ll need some extra sink to contain your hunger, like the Western Digital 1TB external hard drive.

The Western Digital Elements SE Portable is a maximum capacity hard drive in a small and compact design that makes it easy to store all your important files and take them with you. It’s easy to use. Just plug it in to any USB port and start saving your photos, music, videos, and files. With its huge capacity that tags along, I’m pretty sure you’ll have no issues with ‘insufficient space’ when you’re saving all your favourite drama series in High Definition for your personal collection.

• Maximum capacity – Store all your favourite videos, music, photos, and important files. Still sleek and compact, you can load it up and take it with you anywhere.
• Compact design – Weighing in at only a few ounces, these small drives fit easily into a pocket or purse. So it’s easy to take your digital life with you.
• WD quality inside and out – Designed with the same commitment to quality that made WD external drives the number one drives in the world.
• Plug-and-play simplicity – Just plug it into a USB port and you’re up and running instantly.
• USB powered – These drives require no power adapter; they are powered directly through the USB cable.*
• Compatible to all Microsoft Windows OS : Windows Xp, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (NTFS format from factory) and Apple’s Mac OS X: Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard (requires reformatting)

* An optional cable is available for the few computers that limit power from the USB port.

The WD 1TB external hard drive comes only in 1TB capacity, but I’m pretty sure that’s very much sufficient for all your hunger for HD video collections, at the moment. It’s yours for a decent price of RM569.99 ($179.99) or SG$ 244.99 if you’re in Singapore.