fiber optic paths wireless communication paths or the like data is input to and output from das system 110 via i o port 140 as noted i o port 140 may be a universal serial bus usb port an external serial advanced technology attachment esata port an ieee 1394 firewire port or the like although other types of wired or wireless connections can be used data to be stored on the hdds 210 220 is received at port 140 from pvr 120 in addition requests for data stored on hdds 210 220 can be received from the pvr 120 via port 140 and data can also be sent from the das system 110 to the pvr 120 via port 140 controller 230 manages data storage and retrieval in accordance with predetermined and or selected data storage schemes and storage rules as will be described hereinafter two or more data storage schemes can be implemented on hdds 210 220 the data storage schemes can be predetermined for example they can comprise default storage scheme and apportionment values stored in a non volatile storage device such as memory 240 in an embodiment one or more of the data storage schemes can be selected by the user using storage scheme selector 250 the storage scheme selector 250 can be any type of physical selector that can be located on the das system 110 and communicate the selection to the controller 230 such as an electromechanical or electronic device examples of selectors include one or more thumb wheels dip switches buttons with.