Just purchased a new PVR/Media Player and as seems to be the case with these devices, they need some modifications ;-)
First thing I did was ditch the bright LED Bar as the unit is in the bedroom and it is just too damn bright for sleep!
A) Unplug the unit!
B) Open the unit and remove the 3 display board screws [shown removed below by the arrows]
Note: One is particularly hard to get too without a small/flexible screwdriver
C) Do one of the following modifications...
C-1) Cover the LEDs [shown below by the blue arrows]
Result = Off or Dimmer depending on the covering material/thickness
C-2) Remove the white bar [shown below by the red arrows] but be aware that it leaves an opening in the front of the unit!
Result = Dimmer - Indirect light would still shine through the hole
C-3) Paint/cover the clear part [shown below by the yellow arrows] where the LEDs send the light and replace
Result = Off or Dimmer depending on the covering material/thickness
C-4) Cut jumper 4 [shown below by the green arrow]
Result = Off
C-5) Replace jumper 4 with a resistor [NOT VERIFIED but location as per C-4]
Result = Dimmer (actual resistor size was not determined, but I'd guess about 2k Ohm)
Note: Could even use a small trimpot with the dial accessible externally to make the brightness adjustable
Note: I did this without unplugging any of the LCD Board connections so I could temporarily power it up to test the change [do this at your own risk]
D) Reinstall the display board
E) Power it up and enjoy!
I went with option C-4 as it is in my bedroom and the bright bar disturbs the wife. As I know a bit about electronics and have a soldering iron I would have been able to repair/replace the jumper if cutting the jumper caused any other unwanted side effects
