Now you have a choice: either open up your DVR and install a new, bigger hard drive or get external storage for your recordings. The latter, though less fun, is much more convenient and safe.

And it got even more convenient on Thursday, as Apricorn just announced its all-new external-storage solution for DVR called the DVR Xpander.

The device offers up to 1.5TB (1,500GB that is) of storage, which translate into about another 843 hours of standard programming or another 187 hours of high-definition programming on your DVR. If you think that's too much, the Xpander comes in smaller capacities, too, including 500GB, 750GB, and 1TB.

Essentially, the Xpander is an external hard drive designed to work with DVRs. According to Apricorn, the device is compatible with a wide variety of eSATA- or USB 2.0-supported DVRs provided by cable companies.

Examples of these DVRs include: the Scientific Atlanta 8300 series DVR (via eSATA connection), and the DISH Network ViP Series HD DVRs (via USB 2.0 connection). For these DVRs, you just need to connect the DVR Xpander, format the drive using the DVR prompts, and your DVR capacity is increased.

The DVR Xpander sports a sleek aluminum enclosure and promises to be whisper quiet. It also operates cool enough to be stuck inside your TV cabinet.

The DVR Xpander comes with a one-year warranty and is available now. The 1.5TB version costs $239. Other versions with smaller capacities cost less. Make sure you check with your DVR vendor or Apricorn to make sure your device works with the Xpander before making a purchase.

Apricorn has announced a new DVR expander called (wait for it) the DVR Xpander that offers 1.5TB of storage space. With that much storage, you can record 843 hours of SD programs or 187.5 hours of HD programs. Surprisingly the price for the 1.5TB version isn’t even that high at $239.

Other capacities are available including 500GB, 750GB, and 1TB. All of the drives feature eSATA and USB interfaces and will work with a variety of DVR models including cable company boxes and Dish Network DVRs.

According to Mike McCandless, Apricorn’s VP of Sales and Marketing, “With the increasing availability of HD content, there never seems to be enough space to record all the great shows, movies and sporting events. As the largest capacity DVR expander on the market, we give our customers enough space so they can go on vacation and not miss any of their favorite programs and sporting events.” That’s the problem we have, Mike. Most people at this point in time already find it pretty difficult to make time to catch up with their favorite programs - giving them even more space is not going to solve the problem, in fact it will probably exacerbate it even more. I mean, you will probably think, “Ah, I still have 500GB worth of storage space so I’ll forgo tonight’s episode and record it.” Before you know it, you’ve chanted that mantra to yourself for a zillion times until all 1.5TB is used up, which Apricorn would probably have released a 3TB model then.

The Apricorn DVR Xpander will come in 500GB ($119), 750GB ($149), 1TB ($179) and 1.5TB ($239) capacities. All purchases come with a 1 year warranty.

How to go from Geek to Cool

The DVR Xpander allows to you to instantly add up to 562 hours of standard programming or up to 125 hours of High Definition programming to your DVR.

Simply plug the DVR Xpander in to your DVR eSATA or USB 2.0 port (depending on your system), follow the quick setup and you are ready to go.