I know from my attempt at decrypting HiDef on a 5000T that an external USB drive suitably set up (which the original disk would be) should display the recordings in the Humax's recordings section and in the media server. If the 4000T has two USB ports (IIRC it doesn't) then the Humax copy/move might work. Failing that, streaming the recordings and saving using something like Media Monkey (free) should recover decrypted StdDef .ts files.
Only one that I can see, but there is the option of a hub. However, I'm only interested in confirming the old unit can access its old recordings on the old drive by bypassing the SATA interface.
I'm not going that far!
You're being deliberately obtuse. Do you honestly think I would conclude the 4000T needed replacing if it was the HDD that was dead? It might be valid to distrust conclusions when it's a random first-time poster, but...
Indeed, buying a PVR can get you effectively the PVR or hard disc for free depending on which one you actually need.
Fair enough. Others may follow this thread with a similar problem and might want to try and restore files. Just giving them clues to follow.
The FVP-4000T Does have two USB ports, one on the rear panel, and the other on the right hand side, when viewed from the front.