Does anyone else have the problem of the unit always sounding like it's on even when it's off, If i'm sitting up close playing videogames it's a bit annyong hearing this darn thing running and it doesn't just sound like the hard drive running it sounds like the entire unit just doesn't wanna shut off?

My SA 8300HDC exhibits the same sounds. This is normal. My guess is that the program guide is updating itself. I have had other SA non-dvr cable boxes and you have to wait for program descriptions to load or for dates to change. The 8300HDC has no wait for the entire week of programs for either information or day changes. Once in a blue moon the 8300HDC will go totally quiet, but not very often.

These units like most DVRs are always on. Turning off the power only stops the unit from making a picture. The sound you hear is probably still buffering or maybe into a de-frag mode.