Firstly, I want to note that I have been very happy with my Pioneer 640 so far. It is a great recorder with very few flaws, but there is one thing I (any many others) would love to see a fix for, preferably through a firmware update that I can download:

The title name for Timer events only displays the date, time and recording speed used even if the program name is broadcasted and available. Also, if I set a title name for a timer event before the recording, it is not passed on to the recording when it happens.

We know the recorder can capture broadcasted title names because it does so for manual recordings when you just press Record...even off video tape dubs!

I would like to have as much of the broadcasted program name as will fit with the +date/time/speed if I do not set a timer event name in advance, and if I do set a timer event name in advance, I would like it to use that +date/time/speed, space permitting.

Yes, you can enter the title manually after the recording completes, but that is tedious. I have spoken to Pioneer (Canada) customer service in the past and they acknowledged that it was a problem that they were aware of. (They did not at that time claim missing the titles was by design, which I suppose they could do since the manual does not mention anything to the contrary.)

I plan to politely call Pioneer again about this issue to ask for a fix via firmware update, but alone I will undoubtedly have little affect. I am hoping other 640/543/540 owners are willing to also make the call in hopes that enough voices will be heard.

If you own a 640 (or 543/540) and would like to see this fixed, please make a polite call to:

Pioneer USA at 1(800)421–1404
Pioneer Canada at 1(877)283-5901

Please report your results here. Calling should provide the best results, but if you don't want to do that but still agree, please post your sentiments here and/or email Pioneer at poccs@pioneer-usa.com or use their Contact Form (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/contact/us/0,,2076_310069585,00.html).

If you have a different opinion about how the title names should work for timer events, or other issues you would like to see fixed via firmware update, that is welcome here too.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Success!...firmware update 6.20 now available...see page 3 of this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=727506&page=3&pp=30) for details. :)

Download now available! (http://www.pioneerfaq.info/index.php?question=Firmwares) :cool:

I have emailed Pioneer customer service about this twice with no reply! Will try phoning as you suggested. I agree with all your comments.

I would also email Pioneer this thread so they know that you are taking it to the streets :D Maybe that might nudge them to work on a firmware fix a little faster :rolleyes: & also let them know that you are not the only one complaining about this problem. :(

I would also email Pioneer this thread so they know that you are taking it to the streets :D Maybe that might nudge them to work on a firmware fix a little faster :rolleyes: & also let them know that you are not the only one complaining about this problem. :(Not a bad idea, although I have heard emails don't necessarily get a lot of response. Can't hurt anyway...the more action the better.

Thanks for the suggestion. I just got a 640H-S last week and have been scheduling plenty of shows, already. I saw the program title get automatically assigned when using OTR, but not for any of my timer recordings, even though most had a manually entered title.

I will call Pioneer as time permits to ask about this issue.

I called Pioneer Canada this morning at 9:20am and got an immediate answer...finished the call at 9:22am!

The customer service rep said there have been some calls about it, and he "thinks" a service request has been issued to Japan, but he didn't sound very definite. He also couldn't say for sure that the 640 is ready to import firmware updates, but he thinks "it should be able to since it has a USB port."

Please call folks...sounds like we may be able to get this taken care of if Pioneer thinks enough people care about it.

I will try calling, too. This is a HUGE issue for me - soooo time consuming to enter titles all the time (I have so many recordings and it's literally the only way I can organize all my shows properly).

Having said that, anyone a little nervous about a firmware update? I mean, when a tech guy says, "I am not sure", that always sends off warning bells for me! I can just see it now - we all get this firmware update and it causes our machines to CRASH!!! Eeeek! I guess what I am saying, if it's not broke, don't fix it....you know? I am just a little concerned that it could do more harm than good.

I will try calling, too. This is a HUGE issue for me - soooo time consuming to enter titles all the time (I have so many recordings and it's literally the only way I can organize all my shows properly).

Having said that, anyone a little nervous about a firmware update? I mean, when a tech guy says, "I am not sure", that always sends off warning bells for me! I can just see it now - we all get this firmware update and it causes our machines to CRASH!!! Eeeek! I guess what I am saying, if it's not broke, don't fix it....you know? I am just a little concerned that it could do more harm than good.Thanks for the support. I too get a bit nervous, but we have to assume that a firmware update would come from Japan where there are more knowledgable people than the customer service people on the front lines in North America who are probably mostly trained in how to issue work orders for repairs etc. I have had mostly positive results with firmware updates for computer equipment etc. Hopefully they would test the update. I'm willing to try it first and report back! (I have 2 640s) :)

soooo time consuming to enter titles all the timeIt's not exactly a solution to the problem, but are you using the number keys on the remote to enter titles? Once you get the hang of it you'll find that it's much faster than using the arrow keys to select one of the letters from the screen.

It's not exactly a solution to the problem, but are you using the number keys on the remote to enter titles? Once you get the hang of it you'll find that it's much faster than using the arrow keys to select one of the letters from the screen.
Don't want to "hijack" this thread, but the sliding door on the 640's remote makes using the num keys more difficult than with the 53x/63x series...you can't hold the "wobbly" door...it just "gets in the way." (You could take the door off, but the remote wouldn't be "pretty" anymore!)

...the sliding door on the 640's remote makes using the num keys more difficult than with the 53x/63x series...you can't hold the "wobbly" door...it just "gets in the way." (You could take the door off, but the remote wouldn't be "pretty" anymore!)Bummer. :( If it was me, I'd take the door off.

Would also like to see auto chapter create, and Title combine on HDD.

plus thumbnails for each chapter that whe create in edit mode and in the playback mode see.......menu and choice of chapter in menu like commercial dvd.

Would also like to see auto chapter create, and Title combine on HDD.

plus thumbnails for each chapter that whe create in edit mode and in the playback mode see.......menu and choice of chapter in menu like commercial dvd.

These would indeed be nice, but they sound more like wish-list items for the next model than than things Pioneer would be willing to put out a firmware update for. The timer event title issue seems more like a testing oversight that there is a chance of getting a fix for, since it does work for manual recordings.

It's not exactly a solution to the problem, but are you using the number keys on the remote to enter titles? Once you get the hang of it you'll find that it's much faster than using the arrow keys to select one of the letters from the screen.

I have been using these keys and I have found it to be faster, with some downsides - maybe I am missing something, though:

1. When entering a title that has two letters stored under the same number key, you have to hit the arrow button first, then go back down to that same number key to hit the next letter.

2. No quick method for spaces in the title name. I have to manually go down to the space button on the screen, then go back up to the letter portion on the screen and then continue with the remote numbers entry. Very cumbersome. I've started eliminating spaces and using the ~ character which appears when entering the button that is labelled +.

3. The remote isn't designed for easy title entry via the number keypad. I hate the 'door' and the buttons are so tiny.

Mostly what irritates me is that sometimes I cannot remember what I taped and I have to go through each recording to see (sometimes it's multiple shows that I taped on the same channel). I know when I set up a timed recording what I am recording (therefore, title entry at this point would make perfect sense), but afterwards I have no clue.

Grrr...such a frustration. Oh well. I'll live with it, because I LOVE it anyway!

2. No quick method for spaces in the title name. I have to manually go down to the space button on the screen, then go back up to the letter portion on the screen and then continue with the remote numbers entry. Very cumbersome. I've started eliminating spaces and using the ~ character which appears when entering the button that is labelled +.
The PAUSE button enters a space wherever the cursor is in the title line.

1. When entering a title that has two letters stored under the same number key, you have to hit the arrow button first, then go back down to that same number key to hit the next letter.After pressing the button until you have the first letter you want, press [Enter]. Then you can start pressing again or press Enter again if you want the same letter again.
2. No quick method for spaces in the title name.Press [Pause] to insert a space, as wabjxo says.
3. The remote isn't designed for easy title entry via the number keypad. I hate the 'door' and the buttons are so tiny.

Mostly what irritates me is that sometimes I cannot remember what I taped and I have to go through each recording to see (sometimes it's multiple shows that I taped on the same channel). I know when I set up a timed recording what I am recording (therefore, title entry at this point would make perfect sense), but afterwards I have no clue.

Grrr...such a frustration. Oh well. I'll live with it, because I LOVE it anyway!Read the first post of this thread. We're trying to talk Pioneer into a firmware update to ease those very frustrations. How about supporting it and calling or emailing Pioneer?

Edit: Oops, just realized you already posted earlier. Sorry....did you call yet?

I emailed Pioneer about this and got the following response:

Please make sure to register your product at pioneerelectronics as our engineers are working on corrective measures for this problem and will notify all registered customers once the fix is in place.


Thank You,

David
Customer Service Representative

I emailed Pioneer about this and got the following response:

Please make sure to register your product at pioneerelectronics as our engineers are working on corrective measures for this problem and will notify all registered customers once the fix is in place.

Thank You,

David
Customer Service Representative
That's Great!! Thank you for contacting them and for posting your results here. :) Hopefully with more response this really will happen soon.

After pressing the button until you have the first letter you want, press [Enter]. Then you can start pressing again or press Enter again if you want the same letter again.
Press [Pause] to insert a space, as wabjxo says.
Read the first post of this thread. We're trying to talk Pioneer into a firmware update to ease those very frustrations. How about supporting it and calling or emailing Pioneer?

Edit: Oops, just realized you already posted earlier. Sorry....did you call yet?

Yeah, I tried calling twice, and both times I had to wait for more than 20 minutes and just ended up hanging up. I am going to write an e-mail instead.

BUT....sounds like from the other responses here that they are working on a fix! That is GREAT news!

Well, I emailed Pioneer yesterday and got the following response today:

There is no firmware upgrade for this issue, thank you for your suggestion.

Best Regards

Customer Call Centre
Pioneer Electronics of Canada
300 Allstate Parkway
Markham Ontario L3R 0P2
Toll free: 1 (877) 283 5901
Fax: 1 (877) 746 4848

Seems to depend on who answers. I think they need more of a push... :(

New 640 owner here.

Yesterday I phoned 800-421-1404 about this issue. Phil went off the phone for a bit, came back and said his boss told him it's a "software glitch" and they've been getting a fair number of calls. He said they're "working on it in Japan", and there "may" be a directive to take it to a local service center, or a disk might get mailed out. I didn't get the sense that there's a commitment to a fix yet, much less a schedule.

and as far as i Know most of others DVR brand can do that as well. As I know it's not a big deal to do that.

New 640 owner here.

Yesterday I phoned 800-421-1404 about this issue. Phil went off the phone for a bit, came back and said his boss told him it's a "software glitch" and they've been getting a fair number of calls. He said they're "working on it in Japan", and there "may" be a directive to take it to a local service center, or a disk might get mailed out. I didn't get the sense that there's a commitment to a fix yet, much less a schedule.

The code for this already exists in the firmware for my 520 (and probably several other models). You would think it wouldn't be all that tall an order for them to extract it, maybe tweak it as needed for the 640, and revise the fw accordingly. (Yeah, I know there is always a possibility of breaking something that does work now, when this is done, so I guess some testing would be required, and maybe that does lift this out of the "trivial task" category for Pioneer.)

Don't want to "hijack" this thread, but the sliding door on the 640's remote makes using the num keys more difficult than with the 53x/63x series...you can't hold the "wobbly" door...it just "gets in the way." (You could take the door off, but the remote wouldn't be "pretty" anymore!)
Previously, in the long and ongoing 640 User Reports thread, a number of other reasons were advanced in favor of getting and using the earlier 633 remote instead. It won't help the firmware issue, of course, but might address some of your other concerns.
[Tried to put the URL in here, but the system wouldn't let me . . . . ]
And there was a Pioneer parts link posted for this also. There used to be a small price difference, I think, but now the cost is the same.

yes even if i try to set a recording and type in a title myself it still will not copy the title to the finished timed recording? anyone else?

yes even if i try to set a recording and type in a title myself it still will not copy the title to the finished timed recording? anyone else?

Everyone else

It'll be interesting if they can or will actually solve this problem.

Yeah - they'll resolve it as quick as they resolved the TVGoS (EPG) problem in the DVR-633H.

After reading this I definitely will not pursue having my DVR-633H replaced with a DVR-640H. My old DVR-520H would keep the program titles you entered in the timer, then they replaced that with the DVR-633H and the EPG (which in theory, and when it worked, was better), and now the best Pioneer can come up with as a "new" model is the DVR-640H which neither has an EPG like the DVR-633H, but doesn't even capture a program title set in the timer (or from off air) ? That makes the thing practically useless for someone who records a weeks worth of programming while away from home. Sound like "one giant leap backwards" for Pioneer and only reinforces my decision to replace my DVR-633H with a Panasonic DMR-EH55.

To me, it is only a minor annoyance, in an otherwise fine machine. I record about four, or more, programs a day. I usually have over 20 programs in the HDD, but sometimes over 30.

Has Pioneer ever released firmware upgrades for its set top DVD recorders?
There must have been half a dozen for my old Philips DVDR-75.

Philips and Yamaha are notorious for firmware updates (it can be a good or a bad thing... mostly bad), Pioneer... well, I've never witnessed it... not even once.

Here's a link to Pioneer Canada's main support page (http://www.pioneerelectronics.ca/pna/service/support/article/top/0,,32171715_32252969,00.html) at the bottom of which are a few links regarding firmware updates. One for a 310 upgrade, and one which outlines the firmware warranty policy for their optical drives. Maybe this is a good sign.

I believe the only way to get it to happen is to keep on them, but it doesn't seem like enough people are willing to take the time. :(

Still no sign of a fix. I guess there aren't enough requests being received by Pioneer.

I'm curious, are all you new 640 users out there just content to live with it, or just can't find the time? (Or perhaps have some of you contacted Pioneer but didn't post here about it?)

Still no sign of a fix. I guess there aren't enough requests being received by Pioneer.

I'm curious, are all you new 640 users out there just content to live with it, or just can't find the time? (Or perhaps have some of you contacted Pioneer but didn't post here about it?)

Good guilt trip! You've done this before. :-) Anyway, I phoned them today also regarding this issue. The rep reiterated that they were aware of it and that the problem hasn't been fixed. He was *pretty* unfriendly, probably due to the fact that he was sick of people phoning about it. So maybe if enough Pioneer reps complain to their bosses that they're tired of getting the same complaint over and over again, Pioneer might do something about it.

The Hans

Good guilt trip! You've done this before. :-)Yup, I believe persistence is the key, and I can be a pretty squeaky wheel when I wanna be. :D

Thanks for calling! That's the idea, I hope they get as sick of hearing about it as I am of the unnecessary tedium of entering titles for my timer recordings. If that happens, I think we'll get a fix. :)

I've called... three times so far. Suffice to say that they don't like me anymore. :p

i also called pioneer canada and she took my name and numberand said she will call if there is a update...she said japan is working on it? maybe?

Thanks for calling guys.

Does anyone else think David should protest by camping out on Pioneer's lawn? I believe he only lives a few blocks away and could go home at night and Pioneer would be none the wiser. Think of how fast we would get a fix with the media coverage that would ensue. Come on David...how about it? ;)

please go for it david..............

okay fine, I'll start picketing tomorrow! I can just walk home during lunch and I'll come back right after :D

okay fine, I'll start picketing tomorrow! I can just walk home during lunch and I'll come back right after :DDo you think if you make up picketing signs that just say the date, time and speed you're walking the picket line, they'll get the message? (Sure would get the commuters on the 404 wondering.)

Go David Go...Go David Go...

Okay, for sure tomorrow I'll go there in person and ask for an update. I promise. No joke.

Okay, for sure tomorrow I'll go there in person and ask for an update. I promise. No joke.Wow, that's great. I was kidding around but in fact there's nothing as effective as being there in the flesh so they have to deal with the customer face-to-face. If you're really going, maybe we should try to synchronize an attack...you're there and we're calling about the same issue at the same time...hard to ignore. :) I'm going to call again tomorrow.

anybody reading this thread, kindly call them today. I'm going to go to their service department this morning.

I just got off the phone with a busy (and maybe frustrated sounding) CSR at Pioneer Canada. He said they have no new info at this time. They have "sent an email to Japan but but there has not been a response back with a solution yet."

I went there and greeted with frustrated looking service technician. I got the same response as ACPewty. I can understand his frustration, however, I saw literally a skidful for 640 to be repaired. He won't divulge what the problems are with those machines, however.

I can understand his frustration, however, I saw literally a skidful for 640 to be repaired. He won't divulge what the problems are with those machines, however.Are you sure they were to be repaired? Could be stock for exchanges...If they were for repair, I guess a skidful is not unreasonable considering the thousands of units that are out there, and that often complicated equipment like DVDRs get returned with nothing wrong with them other that the buyer wasn't up to the task.

Thanks for going David! Same time tomorrow? ;)

definitely not stock exchange because I see RMA stickers from A/V 2001. Makes me a tad worried.

definitely not stock exchange because I see RMA stickers from A/V 2001. Makes me a tad worried.All of them from A/V 2001?

All of them from A/V 2001?

yup

I've been waiting from a response from engineering in Japan for over a year on how to fix the EPG in my 531 recorder.

Based on my experience, if you plan to camp out in front of Pioneer, you might consider buying an RV. You're going to be there awhile.

If you check Pioneer's track record on making updates, you'll find that they have lost several class action law suits due to their dvd related equipment not reading all standard formats.

They have decided that paying a judgement is preferable to either fixing the problem with the affected units or exchanging them for redesigned ones that work.

Not a good sign of a company that stands behind their products.

yupThat actually makes me feel better. It could be a bad batch that was shipped to them, but it could also be any number of administrative issues, overshipments, erroneous orders etc and not necessarily problems with the units themselves. Since we don't really know why they are there and I have 2 640s that work very reliably now, I prefer to remain positive and hope someone screwed up an order or something. :)

I've been waiting from a response from engineering in Japan for over a year on how to fix the EPG in my 531 recorder...

Are you referring to problems with the loading of the TVGuide?

Have you telephoned Pioneer technical support and gotten a case number? If, "Yes," keep calling when the problem restarts and insist the call be logged.

The TVGuide was driving me nuts. A few times I had to reset things via the entry of a series of numbers given to me by someone at Pioneer (while I was with them on the phone). Now, I am awaiting the arrival of a 640, being sent to me by Pioneer after their receipt of my (aggravating) 531.

I did not ask Pioneer to do this. They offered. Right or wrong, I think they must have gotten sick and tired of my calls about the TVGuide problems I experienced.

I called customer service yesterday and was told they are just keeping track of the number of complaints and was assured it doesn't affect the operation of the unit.

It didn't sound like they were exactly pursuing this aggressively.

I wouldn't hold my breath for a fix for that problem, not from a company that wouldn't even fix the serious TV Guide problems in the DVR-633H. They took the cowards way out on that one by turning into surrender monkeys and abandoning the TVG-OS system with the newer models instead of showing some initiative and actually fixing the problem. It seems to me Pioneer doesn't know the meaning of "customer service" and probably doesn't even know HOW to ship a firmware update for their own products. Probably because they just don't care.

I wouldn't hold my breath for a fix for that problem, not from a company that wouldn't even fix the serious TV Guide problems in the DVR-633H. They took the cowards way out on that one by turning into surrender monkeys and abandoning the TVG-OS system with the newer models instead of showing some initiative and actually fixing the problem. It seems to me Pioneer doesn't know the meaning of "customer service" and probably doesn't even know HOW to ship a firmware update for their own products. Probably because they just don't care.

The TVGOS problem was/is a hardware incompatibility issue, not a software one.

Offering 640s showed superior customer service to me. Heck, Pioneer even exchanged 531s, 80GB units, for 640s. I was one of the 531 people, and they didn't even ask for me to send in the receipt for the exchange.

If there is a company that deserves to be beaten up over their customer service concerning a problem, it's JVC for their loading bug problem. You haven't been here very long, but there are MANY people here that will probably never buy a JVC product after experiencing or following the sagas of others with that problem--which was never really fixed and for which JVC never offered replacement machines.

replacing my 14 months old 633 with a 640, on the spot without question, is pretty good customer service in my book. That's why I've been a Pioneer lover for the past 10+ years.

The TVGOS problem was/is a hardware incompatibility issue, not a software one.


HUH??? That's news to me. How could there be a hardware problem -- all it has to do is grab bits from a broadcast signal. Either the bits are there or they're not.

It's a moot point since I no longer have a 633, but could you say more about this hardware problem?

HUH??? That's news to me. How could there be a hardware problem -- all it has to do is grab bits from a broadcast signal. Either the bits are there or they're not.

It's a moot point since I no longer have a 633, but could you say more about this hardware problem?Apparently Gemstar licensed manufacturers with a chip that has to be incorporated into the circuit of DVDRs, TVs etc. For the 2005 models, there is supposed to have been an incompatibility between Pioneer's circuitry and the Gemstar chip that made a fix via firmware update impossible, which is why Pioneer could only offer to replace those models and not offer a fix. (Couldn't be fixed with software.)

As someone who got a free exchange of a 633 for a 640 model, I agree that it is pretty good customer service on Pioneer's part, even if it were possible to fix the TVGOS problems via a firmware update.

BTW, on Pioneer' Canada's main support page (http://www.pioneerelectronics.ca/pna/service/support/article/top/0,,32171715_32252969,00.html) there are references (at the bottom) to firmware "upgrades" for other models, so apparently it can happen.

Per my posting to the, "Pioneer DVR 640h-S User Reports," thread a few minutes ago, all one has to do is take one's 640H and the original sales receipt to the closest service center. A call to Pioneer will get a list of names.

Per my posting to the, "Pioneer DVR 640h-S User Reports," thread a few minutes ago, all one has to do is take one's 640H and the original sales receipt to the closest service center. A call to Pioneer will get a list of names.Success??? Hurray! :cool: :D Thanks ngohit!

If indeed this is confirmed to be the firmware update we have been looking for, maybe we have been squeaky enough wheels after all. I wish it was available as a download, but maybe that's pushing my luck?

Thanks to everyone that helped with the cause! :)

To those that didn't bother: Sorry, the firmware update isn't available to you. :p ;)


Edit: It will be interesting to see how they dealt with it. Is the pre-programmed event title used if one has been entered, and if none has been entered, is the broadcasted program name used with date/time? Maybe there will be a new option in the setup menu?

Edit: It will be interesting to see how they dealt with it. Is the pre-programmed event title used if one has been entered, and if none has been entered, is the broadcasted program name used with date/time? Maybe there will be a new option in the setup menu?

I hope people report their experiences here, both for that with the service center selected as well as for how their machine works after the update.

Some of us requiring the update do not have receipts because our 640Hs were received in exchange for 531 and 633s. Since my 640H was recently received, I can still print off the UPS tracking information and have the packing receipt handy if these are required. Monday or Tuesday I shall let people know if Pioneer says this is enough to get the free update--then my experience with the closest service facility.

I hope people report their experiences here, both for that with the service center selected as well as for how their machine works after the update.

Some of us requiring the update do not have receipts because our 640Hs were received in exchange for 531 and 633s. Since my 640H was recently received, I can still print off the UPS tracking information and have the packing receipt handy if these are required. Monday or Tuesday I shall let people know if Pioneer says this is enough to get the free update--then my experience with the closest service facility.I will certainly report my experience.

A receipt shouldn't be necessary if Pioneer supplied your 640 in an exchange because they should have your info on file (including serial number) for audit purposes.

Also, I recall they told me that the exchange added 3 months to the warranty of the original 2005 model exchanged, which would come into play for me since my 633's warranty would have run out a week ago.

One way or the other, if this turns out to resolve the issue kudos to Pioneer again because they didn't have to do it. As I said in the user reports thread, it doesn't even imply anywhere in the manual that timer event title names should be handled any way other than the way it does now for us out of the box. It's nice to see they care about the satisfaction of their customers if enough voices are heard.

Will new purchases of the 640 have the firmware upgrade? Or maybe a better question is when, if ever?

I also find it very annoying that the Pioneer 640 does not carry over the program title to the recorded program (unlike my Panasonic E-500 and E-65, both with TVGOS), but I for one am not going to run out to the closest repair facility to obtain the update until someone on this forum reports back that the update fixes this particular problem.

Sorry, but travelling to a repair shop will be difficult for me (working stiff, and all), and so I want to make sure that the update works before I make the trip.

I'll be waiting for that confirmation...thanks... ;)

Per my posting to the, "Pioneer DVR 640h-S User Reports," thread a few minutes ago, all one has to do is take one's 640H and the original sales receipt to the closest service center. A call to Pioneer will get a list of names.


According to Pioneer Canada ( as of 9 a.m. ) "we know its a defect but no fix is available at this time". Also, "if you wish, you could return for a refund"

According to Pioneer Canada ( as of 9 a.m. ) "we know its a defect but no fix is available at this time". Also, "if you wish, you could return for a refund"

grocky: It is possible the fix is not available in Canada (discussed at the end of this).

I just got off the phone talking to Pioneer because the woman on Saturday had said I should call Monday and find out how to deal with the update since I do not have a receipt. It turns out no receipt is needed, *but* the 640H has to be sent to Pioneer, either in Ohio or CA, whichever is closest to where one lives. Just tape a paper to the machine with your name, address, phone number and, "Needs firmware update only," on it. The Ohio address is:

Pioneer Electronics
2161 Dividend Drive
Columbus, OH 43228
Att: Repair

The first person I spoke with [warranty and repair], when I relayed the conversation I had had Saturday said, with a voice of dismay, "Whaaaat?!? What was she talking about? You were given bad information. There is no fix. I am going to transfer you to technical support, though."

After a few minutes wait the technical support fellow answered. Retelling my story, he said, "It is a known issue, but I don't think we have a fix yet. Let me put you on hold for a minute and I'll take a look."

The fellow came back and said, "I'll be d&^ned, there is a fix." He said it is new so most people (at Pioneer) answering calls probably do not know it's available yet. It is only available through Pioneer though, so the woman on Saturday was wrong about taking it to a local service repair place.

After he told me how to get the firmware update, I asked if it was available to Canadians, too, and relayed what you had been told, grocky. He said that although many models are the same sold in Canada and the U.S.A., not all are identical so it could be the firmware is not available for Canadians.

Before ending our conversation, I said I would like to make a comment for Pioneer to consider if it releases further models: Please resume offering the CHP Mark button on the remote. I gave him the page number of the 520H manual and read what it said. He asked me to speak slowly because he was typing my comment exactly while I spoke. It was going to be submitted to an internal group that makes product decisions.

It's raining here today, but I think I shall pack up and lug my 640 to Staples (closest UPS place) tomorrow. There's nothing on the HDD I really need (in case it gets erased) and one of my 520Hs is connected to the same DirecTV receiver, so I won't be going through DVD recorder withdrawl while it's getting updated.

can anyone please tell me if this recorder will set chapters with thumbnails when recording from the hard drive to a dvd? thanks!! :)

so is this fix available for Canadians?

The fellow came back and said, "I'll be d&^ned, there is a fix." He said it is new so most people (at Pioneer) answering calls probably do not know it's available yet.If would be really useful for everyone here if the next person who talks to Pioneer about this could get Pioneer's official name or version number for this fix. Having this information would probably make it a lot easier for others (including Canadians) to cut through the red tape.

AFAIK, unless they've changed things with this model year, the Canadian and US versions are identical. Last year's 533 and 633 could accept Canadian postal codes or US zip codes for the TVGOS setup.

It turns out no receipt is needed, *but* the 640H has to be sent to Pioneer, either in Ohio or CA, whichever is closest to where one lives. Just tape a paper to the machine with your name, address, phone number and, "Needs firmware update only," on it. The Ohio address is:

Pioneer Electronics
2161 Dividend Drive
Columbus, OH 43228
Att: Repair

:( I hate sending the unit to the repair center. Not only am I without it for a couple of weeks, but I have to worry about damage in shipping *and* I lose the nice box it came in.

I'll definitely wait to hear someone else's experience before I send mine in.

due to shipping cost, there is no way I'm sending mine to the US.

Just spoke to Eric at Pioneer Canada. He also didn't know about the firmware update until after speaking with the service manager, at which point he said there is indeed a firmware update, but it didn't seem to work for the title name issue?? He wasn't sure, but promised to call me back by 5:30pm today with more info. (I wonder if maybe there's a new option in the Initial Setup menu they have missed when testing...if they really have tested it yet. They sounded very busy, and short on time.)

I did ask if it was a chip replacement or just a data disc you insert/run and he said usually it's a data disc but you still have to bring the unit to Pioneer because they must test it. No download available. :(

:( I hate sending the unit to the repair center. Not only am I without it for a couple of weeks, but I have to worry about damage in shipping *and* I lose the nice box it came in.

I'll definitely wait to hear someone else's experience before I send mine in.

Hummm... your posting prompted a call to Staples, the closest UPS shipping place to me. They will pack something for $5.00 plus the cost of the box. Giving them the dimensions of the 640H's box, the one they have closest in size is 12" high (640H box=6") and costs just under $4.00.

If keeping the 640H box is important to someone, my suggestion is to check with the meat department of a local supermarket and ask for a box chickens come in. These boxes are the same shape, although somewhat larger, than the 640H box and considerably more durable. I have gotten some this past year to pack items for storage in a cousin's basement. Staples will use this box to pack the 640H and the $5. charge includes all the required styrafoam peanuts.

In case anyone else lives in New England, the UPS ground charge for 15 lbs. is $13.16 at Staples and will get to OH on Friday if sent today. Packed, I think the 640H should weight less than 15 lbs. given my 531H weighed 11 lbs. when I returned it to Pioneer. Insurance over $100. is extra.

:( I hate sending the unit to the repair center. Not only am I without it for a couple of weeks, but I have to worry about damage in shipping *and* I lose the nice box it came in.

I'll definitely wait to hear someone else's experience before I send mine in.

I am with you,
I definitely have the fear of damage to my unit in shipping.
I shake in my boots whenever I order something because of the carelessness in shipping.
Even if there is no evidence, it may have taken a hard drop without us knowing.

Urlee :mad:

I did ask if it was a chip replacement or just a data disc you insert/run and he said usually it's a data disc but you still have to bring the unit to Pioneer because they must test it. No download available. :(

If indeed the firmware update is installed via disc, then in my opinion this is a poor choice by Pioneer.

Many other companies have successfully distributed firmware updates via the internet. This is usually not something that needs to be handled by a service department. The additional cost of sending the recorder to Pioneer, the loss of the use of the recorder in the meantime, and the potential for damage in shipment is going to keep many people from obtaining the update.

Plus we do not yet have confirmation that the update actually solves this problem.

Just spoke to Eric at Pioneer Canada. He also didn't know about the firmware update until after speaking with the service manager, at which point he said there is indeed a firmware update, but it didn't seem to work for the title name issue?? He wasn't sure, but promised to call me back by 5:30pm today with more info. (I wonder if maybe there's a new option in the Initial Setup menu they have missed when testing...if they really have tested it yet. They sounded very busy, and short on time.)

I did ask if it was a chip replacement or just a data disc you insert/run and he said usually it's a data disc but you still have to bring the unit to Pioneer because they must test it. No download available. :(

Please let me know if the firmware is in fact available in Canada (title fix). I'm willing to be a guinea pig to try out the firmware (provided firmware update doesn't delete anything on my HDD... I have several projects that's yet to be completed on my 640's HDD).

I emailed Pioneer last week and got this response today:

"Yes, there is a firmware upgrade that will be taken care of, free of charge, at:

PIONEER ELECTRONICS
2161 Dividend Dr.
Columbus, OH 43228

Please include a description of the problem and allow 3-5 business days."

Please let me know if the firmware is in fact available in Canada (title fix). I'm willing to be a guinea pig to try out the firmware (provided firmware update doesn't delete anything on my HDD... I have several projects that's yet to be completed on my 640's HDD).Yes, it's available in Markham or Barrie, but not at authorized service centers until next week. (They just got it and tested it in Markham today.)

Good news...I just spoke to Eric at Pioneer Canada here's the scoop:

After the firmware update is applied:

1) Broadcast program names will be used as the program title if available. Eric said of course you can miss the broadcast name if you start the timer too early. I asked if it is tied in to the thumbnail setting, ie 3 minutes into the recording and he said he thinks it is but didn't sound too sure.

2) Only the broadcast program name will be used. Date & Time etc are not added.

3) Titles entered in advance for timer events will be used for recorded programs. :)

4) Unfortunately, no downloads or mailed discs available. You must send/bring the unit to Pioneer or an authorized repair center. I asked why, and he said he's not sure, but probably because they want to test it. (I suppose it may be somewhat valid if you consider how many VCRs are probably still out there flashing 12:00. A failed firmware update can make equipment unusable.)

5) There is no charge for units under warranty, including for the return shipment.

6) Turn-around time is approximately 2 weeks. :(

7) There is no official name for the update...just a firmware update for the DVR-640H-S.

8) EDIT: Forgot to mention HDD contents will not be lost when upgrade is applied.

I forgot to ask if there are any new related preference options in the initial setup menu, but I assume there isn't. Either you want the update or not.

I'll be taking mine to Markham on my nest trip in. Thanks Pioneer, and thanks to everyone who helped make it happen! :)

Yikes! 2 weeks for a firmware upgrade? That's not good :( I'll give them a visit tomorrow and ask whether a quick upgrade is possible.

My 640H is currently sitting on a counter at Staples, waiting to get picked up by UPS in about an hour. BaltimoreStan's comment about the original box it came in made me think--I do want to use the original box this coming summer--so I decided to buy a box at Staples and let them pack it.

Wow! My 640H was packed as if it was a fragile, antique vase. After encasing it in multiple layers of bubble wrap, it was placed in a box that has approximately 4 1/2" of styrofoam peanuts on top and bottom and 3 1/2-4" on either side. It weighed 12.85 lbs. packed and the charge for 13 lbs. ground was $12.86 + $3.20 for additional insurance.

When the woman rang me up she gave me a form to sign. When I asked her what it was she said Staples started doing this (for UPS shipments) just about a month ago. She said it really did not apply to me because they had done the packing.

For anyone who decides to pack the 640H themselves, the woman told me that if an item is damaged during shipping, UPS will now only pay the claim (for an electronics item) if it is either sent in the original box using all the original packing material or packed by Staples (or any other authorized USP shipping place). So... if anyone decides to use a supermarket chicken box, let Staples (or another UPS place) do the packing, even if you have adequate packing materials at home. The $5. charge is well worth the peace of mind.

David: This is out of Pioneer, U.S.A., but I was told nothing would be lost on the HDD. The woman said that only when a HDD is defective and has to be replaced will a person lose recorded programs. Before replying, she put me and hold while finding out [I called today to make sure I should not send the power cord--don't send it or the remote].

Mine should be one of the first to arrive at the Ohio facility. Although it will de delivered Friday, I do not expect it to be even unpacked before Monday.

Oh... Just to make sure I do not face problems if the item is damaged during shipping, I tried to make it clear that the 640H was not 'broken' by have the shipping label printed like this:

Pioneer Electronics
2161 Dividend Drive
Columbus, OH 43228
Att: Repair (Needs firmware update only)

The entire 'Att:' line did not print so the Staples woman printed the last, two words both on the shipping label as well as my receipt.

If indeed the firmware update is installed via disc, then in my opinion this is a poor choice by Pioneer.

Many other companies have successfully distributed firmware updates via the internet. This is usually not something that needs to be handled by a service department. The additional cost of sending the recorder to Pioneer, the loss of the use of the recorder in the meantime, and the potential for damage in shipment is going to keep many people from obtaining the update.

I guess we're going to have to start all over again, phoning Tech Support and asking for the update via download. Pioneer listened to us about creating the firmware update, which surely required some development time. I hope they will listen about the method of distributing it, which should require little to no development time. But I'd give it a couple of weeks yet -- it sounds like the existence of the update isn't even known to all relevant personnel yet.

Heck, I'd pay $10 (including shipping) for a disc, if they insist on sending a disc instead of allowing a download.

I suspect many people will balk at being without their recorder for two weeks (Pioneer's estimate). Myself, I'm capturing /Homefront/, which is broadcast weekly on American Life. Since there are 48 episodes, and we're now on number 33, a lot of work goes down the drain if I can't make the recording every week.

Hummm... your posting prompted a call to Staples, the closest UPS shipping place to me. They will pack something for $5.00 plus the cost of the box. Giving them the dimensions of the 640H's box, the one they have closest in size is 12" high (640H box=6") and costs just under $4.00.

Thanks for this tip -- for something fragile and hard to replace, this seems like a bargain. And IIRC Staples just charges regular UPS shipping rates, no surcharge.

The two times I had to send my 633 to Pioneer, it cost me around $12 or $13 at the Ithaca UPS facility, including insurance.

Can I assume that there is also a fix for the 543-HS as well ?
I believe it's the same as the 640 except that it has an 80 gig drive.

Can I assume that there is also a fix for the 543-HS as well ?
I believe it's the same as the 640 except that it has an 80 gig drive.Although I didn't ask specifically about the 543, I expect they would have a fix for all the 2006 models since they're all in the same boat. I would give them a call first to confirm. (If you do, please report back here for the benefit of other 543 and 540 users.)

Yikes! 2 weeks for a firmware upgrade? That's not good :( I'll give them a visit tomorrow and ask whether a quick upgrade is possible.

They're afraid of users screwing things up, no doubt, creating worse problems. The way to handle this is with a well-crafted, automated-process disc. Such a thing should save the existing f/w somewhere (as a fallback and "retraice your steps in case of disaster" kinda thing) and apply the new f/w. Barring a power failure, it should be a pretty much hands-off no-brainer sort of deal.

I suspect many people will balk at being without their recorder for two weeks (Pioneer's estimate)

Yeah, no kidding.

Wow! My 640H was packed as if it was a fragile, antique vase. After encasing it in multiple layers of bubble wrap, it was placed in a box that has approximately 4 1/2" of styrofoam peanuts on top and bottom and 3 1/2-4" on either side. It weighed 12.85 lbs. packed and the charge for 13 lbs. ground was $12.86 + $3.20 for additional insurance.

Not good enough for me, even free. I just won't risk the very real possibility of damage in transit, warranty or no warranty. Their service center is within a reasonable driving distance for me, and I would arrange to drive it there both ways, but maybe not with a two week layover.

Yeah - they'll resolve it as quick as they resolved the TVGoS (EPG) problem in the DVR-633H.

After reading this I definitely will not pursue having my DVR-633H replaced with a DVR-640H. My old DVR-520H would keep the program titles you entered in the timer, then they replaced that with the DVR-633H and the EPG (which in theory, and when it worked, was better), and now the best Pioneer can come up with as a "new" model is the DVR-640H which neither has an EPG like the DVR-633H, but doesn't even capture a program title set in the timer (or from off air) ? That makes the thing practically useless for someone who records a weeks worth of programming while away from home. Sound like "one giant leap backwards" for Pioneer and only reinforces my decision to replace my DVR-633H with a Panasonic DMR-EH55.
Even though I bought the 640, I agree. They have eben taking AWAY dfeatures instead of adding. There is basically nothing new other than a bigger hard drive (than my 520 I had) and being able to record on DL discs, which cost 7 times as much as SL, with elss than twice the space. I almost wish I kept the 520. I havent even tried this recorder yet though. Iahve had it for weeks and never felt like recording anything.

Yikes! 2 weeks for a firmware upgrade?... .
They're afraid of users screwing things up, no doubt, creating worse problems. The way to handle this is with a well-crafted, automated-process disc. Such a thing should save the existing f/w somewhere (as a fallback and "retraice your steps in case of disaster" kinda thing) and apply the new f/w. Barring a power failure, it should be a pretty much hands-off no-brainer sort of deal.

I have no idea what is involved when the firmware update is installed. What I can't imagine is Pioneer _not_ working on an automated-process disk.

Pioneer U.S.A./Canada received enough calls about the naming problem that it requested a fix from Japan. When Japan was officially asked to come up with a fix and how long it took Japan is an unknown. Also unknown is if the firmware update only available at Pioneer service centers is a temporary fix while Japan continues work required to make the update into an automated-process disk--I am not a programmer so I have no idea how long this step could take.

The problem is all those 640Hs in the warehouses of, being offered for sale by, authorized (and unauthorized) resellers as well as in Pioneer's warehouse in CA (and Canada). No idea if Pioneer has the manpower or whatever to unpack and install the firmware to all the 640Hs in their warehouse, but unless Pioneer recalls inventory from it's authorized resellers, every 640H in the for sale channel is a potential call to Pioneer about this problem.

We, people in the U.S.A.who owned a 640H before the firmware update was made available, are being asked to pay for shipping to OH or CA [Canadians get all shipping picked-up by Pioneer???]. I can only imagine the grief new buyers, people who paid for their machine after the update was received by Pioneer, are going to cause for Pioneer and the resellers from which they received their machines: finally get a DVDR, now have to spend about $20 (insurance added) and be without the machine to fix a 'problem' for which there was a fix before they bought the machine?

The cheapest, most keep-the-customers-from-yelling-and-screaming, way to handle this firmware update, also probably the cheapest way for Pioneer, is to come up with an automated-process disc.


I suspect many people will balk at being without their recorder for two weeks (Pioneer's estimate)
Yeah, no kidding.

The only reasons I am dealing with this in a laid-back way are because:

1. It is a secondary recorder in my primary TV viewing room; the 520H is still here.
2. I have not even used the 640H a month so there is very little on the HDD--it arrived in December, but I went away for Christmas and did not return until the middle of last week.
3. Right or wrong, if it is damaged when I receive it back, I think I am in a position to get a new one, firmware already installed, directly from Pioneer. I hope I do not have to find out if my assumption is correct, but I would not be upset about the loss of any programs on the damaged 640H the way most (all?) others here would.

Had I been faced with something similar with one of my 520Hs after owning it for a few months? Forget it. I would be like a rabid white faced hornet [a vicious insect in it's normal state].

... Their service center is within a reasonable driving distance for me, and I would arrange to drive it there both ways, but maybe not with a two week layover.

The firmware update should not take very long to perform. I wonder whether Pioneer would be willing to let you schedule an appointment so you could bring it in and wait (less than an hour) while it is being updated.

On another thread I mentioned dropping off a JVC DR-10MS at the New Jersey service center a few years ago so the loading bug error could be fixed. I had spent a few days visiting family in PA so dropping it off on my way back home was very convenient. This was a Monday, late morning, and I was told to allow two weeks. Well, I was dumbfounded when the UPS driver knocked on my door Wednesday and handed me a box with the returned 10MS. Ground shipping to here is two days, so JVC had to have fixed and shipped it Monday.

Thanks to a UPS tracking number, I shall know what time Friday the OH service center receives the 640H. Once it's in their hands trhe clock starts to tick.

Neil400 and BASHERS33: You gave away or sold your 520Hs when you got your DVR-633H and 640H respectively? I never considered doing this when I bought the 531H (which was exchanged for the 640H).

A now deceased friend had a brother who lived in CO who had an expression my friend loved: You can take anything I have but my wife and my chainsaw. Despite not having a wife, I would modify this expression to: ... my chainsaw and my 520H.

I just thought surely the model 2-3 years later would be better. Didn't dawn on me, they could be going in the opposite direction. I got a good deal on the 520 back then too so i paid almost as much for the 640 and have less features. Makes tons of sense. But oh well. The widescreen flag problem was obviously going to happen on either. I don't personally care about the timer name issue because I dont record too often. But there are even more drawbacks to the newer version and nothing was even wrong with my 520, I just felt like getting something new and assumed it would be better. Maybe PQ will be better at least...

As Sean mentioned recently in this thread, it would be helpful if someone learns the I.D. # that Pioneer uses internally to describe the 640H firmware upgrade, and posts it here for reference.

As Sean mentioned recently in this thread, it would be helpful if someone learns the I.D. # that Pioneer uses internally to describe the 640H firmware upgrade, and posts it here for reference.I did specifically ask about that at Pioneer Canada, but was told there is no name for it. :rolleyes: Maybe someone at Pioneer USA will be better informed?

I really hope a firmware update disc is made available. I called a store listed on the Pioneer Canada site as an authorized repair centre that is a manageable drive for me and was told that they were NOT authorized to do anything under warrantee. A drive to Markham is not practical for me and I can't see myself without the unit for a week. Sigh.

I am eagerly anticipating the reports of those brave souls who have sent their units in for upgrade. :)

By the way, I complained about this problem to them about the 531 via email 18 months ago. It is too bad the current update would not apply to my 531 also.

I have no idea what is involved when the firmware update is installed. What I can't imagine is Pioneer _not_ working on an automated-process disk.

I'm about 90 % sure I recall reading about at least one other name mfr. doing it that way -- either by a download that gets burned to become one's own upgrade disk, or an already prepared upgrade disk that the user simply inserts into the unit and follows a few prompts. I'm thinking it may well have been Lite-On, seeing as I probbly saved more messages pertaining to models of theirs like the 5005 and 5045 than any others, except for various Pioneer threads of course. These were budget priced units, likely outselling the DVDR sales of Pioneer, JVC, and Toshiba combined . . . and I think they had a number of firmware updates released along the way. Agreed that this has to be a more efficient and cost effective way to go.

There is a HDD in these things, and it must use some type of mini-OS and file system, even if we don't know exactly what it has. Ergo, it must have some Hidden and System files. So, how hard would it be for an automated process to park a safety copy of the firmware being replaced somewhere, out of the way, as a failsafe ? Probably not that hard. It would be quite a small file too, I bet, and so would take up negligible space.

The firmware update should not take very long to perform. I wonder whether Pioneer would be willing to let you schedule an appointment so you could bring it in and wait (less than an hour) while it is being updated.

Yes, hope so. After some user reports have trickled in on this fw upgrade, I expect I'll ask Pioneer if they can do that.

Wow! The UPS receipt I received at Staples on Tuesday gave a delivery date of 01/12/2007 (Friday) as did the tracking number progress page I looked at on UPS's web site yesterday morning. Imagine my surprise when I saw it was marked, "Out for delivery," this morning. A few hours ago it was delivered to Pioneer's dock:

COLUMBUS,
OH, US 01/11/2007 10:54 A.M. DELIVERY
01/11/2007 12:12 A.M. OUT FOR DELIVERY
COLUMBUS,
OH, US 01/10/2007 10:30 P.M. ARRIVAL SCAN
NEW STANTON,
PA, US 01/10/2007 6:37 P.M. DEPARTURE SCAN
01/10/2007 4:43 P.M. ARRIVAL SCAN

Now the clock starts ticking. Mine could very well be one of the first delivered to the repair facility for the update. Let's see how long it takes for me to get it back (and if the firmware update completely resolves the problem).

FYI, I just ran accross this thread and I have been having a similar issue with the timer event title name on my DVR-543-HS. Contacted Pioneer this morning at the 1-800 number and they knew exactly what I was talking about, and refered me to a warranty repair locally where they will be able to apply the firmware update.
Apparrantly they are still getting disks out to the service centres, but the guy I talked to seemed very confident that they would be able to take care of it for me.


BTW, first noob post here . . . Greets to all the members and mods as you have an execellent forum here, with some great knowledgable and experienced people that are a real help to us just starting out.


Cheers!

has anyone in canada dropped it off in markham yet?

Update:

I contacted Pioneer about this problem a few months ago and yesterday I received a call from a Pioneer customer service manager about the firmware upgrade (very impressed by their customer service btw). He left a message with a phone # and my work order #. I called them back today and was told that yes, a firmware upgrade is available and I would have to ship the unit to Long Beach (he discouraged me from dropping it off). Turnaround time is 5-7 working days.

Here is the phone # I was given: (800) 421-1404

Shipping to:

Pioneer Electronics
1925 E Dominguez St
Long Beach, CA 90810

I'll probably wait until winter sweeps are over and then send it.

Good luck everyone!

I did specifically ask about that at Pioneer Canada, but was told there is no name for it. :rolleyes: Maybe someone at Pioneer USA will be better informed?

No I.D. designation # yet, but I bet there will be one in due course.

No - I still have my 520H. The problem it developed was that the audio through the tuner would sort of drift off channel after several minutes, so I moved it next to the satellite receiver where it only uses the S-Video/Audio Line inputs and the fact the tuner screwed up doesn't matter. It still gets fairly heavy use recording shows from satellite.

Okay, so no one has actually got a machine with the fix yet?
Ngohit has one delivered to the service center,and is waiting for a return. ( may be the first to get one?)

No word on disk or internet fix?

So if you wanted to buy a 640 now, would it have a fix, or would you have to pack it off to service?
If you asked the dealer, they may not know?

Just thought I would ask ( if anyone has experience with), if you had an extended warranty, would that suffice for sales slip?

IMO I am with the group not willing to pack it up and do without and all that!
Note:
(some of this is discussed on page 75 of the Pioneer DVR 640h-S user reports )

Ngohit has one delivered to the service center,and is waiting for a return. ( may be the first to get one?)...

Just thought I would ask ( if anyone has experience with), if you had an extended warranty, would that suffice for sales slip?

(some of this is discussed on page 75 of the Pioneer DVR 640h-S user reports )

I just hope the OH facility had already received the firmware update when my machine arrived! I started the clock ticking for turn around time based on the assumption Pioneer OH already had the update.

I did not send anything but a piece of paper with my name, address, phone number, e-mail address (which was not necessary), and largely printed, "Needs Firmware Update Only," taped to the machine. The woman I spoke with at Pioneer on Monday said this was all I had to do. When I asked, she said a return authorization number was not even needed--just send it in and ask for the firmware update. I doubt if this will be the case, however, this time next year--people then might have to submit proof of when they bought it, which an extended warranty would show.

This is really different than a warranty problem so Pioneer probably does not care where someone bought the 640H right now. The manufacture date on the back of the machine will be less than one year. Mine was manufactured in October 2006.

I did not send anything but a piece of paper with my name, address, phone number, e-mail address (which was not necessary), and largely printed, "Needs Firmware Update Only," taped to the machine. The woman I spoke with at Pioneer on Monday said this was all I had to do. When I asked, she said a return authorization number was not even needed--just send it in and ask for the firmware update.

I called Pioneer a few minutes ago to find out how I can check the status of the repair considering I was not given a return authorization number (AR) before sending it to OH. I might have to go out of state this or next week, in which case my neighbors would have to get the machine if it is delivered while I am away (weather damage rather than theft concerns).

The woman asked me for my UPS tracking number. With this number she was able to look it up and gave me the RA number it had been assigned upon receipt.

So, if anyone wants to send their 640H in before I get mine back, there is no need to call Pioneer and get an AR number first (as long as you use UPS and keep the tracking number). Just send it to CA or OH.

I spoke to Pioneer Canada yesterday and they told me to take my unit to Southland Crossing TV (Bay 6, 5708-1st Street, SE; 403-255-9647; southtv@shaw.ca) for the firmware update. The rep suggested that I wait two weeks before calling to ensure they had been made aware of the update.

- Steve

Can you pause live TV instantly with this unit? (i.e. It's always recording vs. having to press a Time Slip button to start recording.)

If it does I'm going to buy it despite the Title Name issue.

Can you pause live TV instantly with this unit? (i.e. It's always recording vs. having to press a Time Slip button to start recording.)

If it does I'm going to buy it despite the Title Name issue.

No.

Can you pause live TV instantly with this unit? (i.e. It's always recording vs. having to press a Time Slip button to start recording.)

If it does I'm going to buy it despite the Title Name issue.

I'd buy it anyway!

Urlee :D :D

Can you pause live TV instantly with this unit? (i.e. It's always recording vs. having to press a Time Slip button to start recording.)Well no, but if you hit "record" and then "Pause" (ie, just two button presses) you get the same thing (except you can't "rewind" beyond the point where you pressed "record").

That doesn't sound so tough. I'd actually prefer it that way instead of having the HDD always grinding away recording.

Well no, but if you hit "record" and then "Pause" (ie, just two button presses) you get the same thing (except you can't "rewind" beyond the point where you pressed "record").

Thank you. Simply pressing Rewind while watching TV is a great feature on my otherwise crappy RCA 8030. (Cheap tuner=poor picture quality) With the Pioneer if I press Record will I be able to change channels while watching TV?

Thank you. Simply pressing Rewind while watching TV is a great feature on my otherwise crappy RCA 8030. (Cheap tuner=poor picture quality) With the Pioneer if I press Record will I be able to change channels while watching TV?

No, once you press Record, the channel is locked while recording. I switch over to my VCR tuner if I want to Record one show and watch another.

Thank you. Simply pressing Rewind while watching TV is a great feature on my otherwise crappy RCA 8030. (Cheap tuner=poor picture quality) With the Pioneer if I press Record will I be able to change channels while watching TV?

Eddiekirstein and the other folks who said "No" are right, but their answers are incomplete.

With the purchase of a HDD DVDR you join the ranks of the "techies". You *can* record one channel and watch another, with some pretty simple cabling. (Restriction: the channel you watch live, not through the DVDR, can only be from among the unscrambled ones. To watch a scrambled channel live you'll need to have the DVDR turned on, but not necessarily recording.)

Hook the incoming cable to a signal splitter, essentially a Y connector (no electrical power needed, maybe $5 at Radio Shack or free if you ask your cable guy). One output goes to the cable input of your TV. The other outpiut of the Y goes to the cable box, and the output of the cable box goes to the input of the DVDR. If you don't have a cable box, then the second output from the signal splitter goes right to the cable input of the DVDR. To complete the hookup, the component output or S-Video output of the DVDR, plus the audio output of the DVDR, go to the "aux1" or "L1" or similar input of the TV.

Now you can set your TV to L1 or aux1 and watch the DVDR's program, or tune a channel directly to watch that channel live regardless of what the DVDR may be doing.

For people who came in late, Pioneer in OH received my 640H last Thursday to get the firmware update and a few minutes ago the UPS driver returned it. That's nine days from when I took it to the UPS desk at Staples.

On the packing list is states under the, "Parts," area:

Comment: Updated Firmware (6.20).
Part number: N/A
Description: No part used

Although I took the 640H out of the box, it is very cold so I shall not be hooking it back up until tomorrow [my plate is full the rest of today/night]. It might not be until this wekend that I check it out.

I was *really* impressed by the way Pioneer pack the machine for shipping. It was packed more like a notebook computer than a DVD recorder. Well cushioned on the bottom and top as well as the ends. The sides were filled with bubble wrap.

I have to run out, but I wanted people waiting until I got mine back to know it's now home, unpacked and getting back to room temperature.

I just ran into something interesting on the Pioneer US website.

It is a guide to updating the firmware on the Pioneer Professional PRV-LX1 DVD recorder. For a look click here. (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pio/pe/images/portal/cit_3424/51071796PRVLX1_UpdateProcedure.pdf)

Apparently, Pioneer feels that firmware updates on its Professional DVD recorders can be performed by the users, but that updates for its consumer DVD recorders must be handled by a service facility. Of course, that might be because only the Professional DVD recorder has this capability...bummer... :(

Added in edit:

I just found this statement in the FAQ file for the PRV-LX1.

Q47: How will Pioneer handle PRV-LX1 firmware updates?
A47: All firmware updates will be distributed by mail to users with registered recorders.

I wonder why this cannot be done for DVR-640H-S users...?

For people who came in late, Pioneer in OH received my 640H last Thursday to get the firmware update and a few minutes ago the UPS driver returned it. That's nine days from when I took it to the UPS desk at Staples.

On the packing list is states under the, "Parts," area:

Comment: Updated Firmware (6.20).
Part number: N/A
Description: No part used

Although I took the 640H out of the box, it is very cold so I shall not be hooking it back up until tomorrow [my plate is full the rest of today/night]. It might not be until this wekend that I check it out.

I was *really* impressed by the way Pioneer pack the machine for shipping. It was packed more like a notebook computer than a DVD recorder. Well cushioned on the bottom and top as well as the ends. The sides were filled with bubble wrap.

I have to run out, but I wanted people waiting until I got mine back to know it's now home, unpacked and getting back to room temperature.




man we are waiting desperately.......let us know right away please....

man we are waiting desperately.......let us know right away please....

It works. I scheduled a program from DirecTV with a title name set (Magnum, P.I.) then went to bed. This morning I checked and the name is there, so the firmware update works.

When I turned on the machine last night I had to go throught the setup menu again to select language, antenna/cable, time, etc. I select antenna, so it doesn't take very long. Next I checked the HDD and everything on it before I sent it in is still there. It was late so I scheduled one program I know is on at 1 a.m.

Thanks, ngohit, for the update.

Good news indeed. Please let us know if the firmware update changed anything else.

Now all we need is for Pioneer to send out the firmware update on a CD, so that we don't have to send it to them.

rgazzara: I did not have the 640H long enough to get a list of things I would like, "Fixed," via an update [the lack of a chapter mark button on the remote is not one]. If there is anything you would like me to check, just let me know.

One thing I see that remains the same, though, is that a title is not automatically generated if I schedule a program to be recorded off the air (rather than DirecTV) and merely input the start/end times. My 520H does generate a title when I do this as did the 531H I swapped for the 640H. Even though I could have scheduled recordings through the TVGuide listing on the 531H, I never did because I found less than a minute of the show would usually not get recorded--so I scheduled programs by start/stop times and did not enter a title name (because the 531H would generate one).

Just hitting the record button (for something off the air) does still generate a title name, though, on the 640H.

Edit: Maybe people did not complain about the 640H not generating a title name if merely the start/stop times were set so that Pioneer did not address this issue in the firmware update??

It works....

Thanks, ngohit, for your diligence in pursuing this.

I got my 640 and was in day 7 of a 7-day evaluation period when my region was hit by a massive ice-storm. I was in the middle of a test when the power went out. That was 7 days ago. The power is still out.

When we get power back, my 640 is gonna wake up and say-- "WTF ? I am going back to Japan where all we have are earthquakes !"

---

Your report that the firmware update has worked is just about the only good news I have had for 7 days !!! (We have been living cave-man style, huddled under covers, using candles to keep semi-warm...kinda)

Thanks !!!!!

...I got my 640 and was in day 7 of a 7-day evaluation period when my region was hit by a massive ice-storm. I was in the middle of a test when the power went out. That was 7 days ago. The power is still out.

(We have been living cave-man style [for 7 days], huddled under covers, using candles to keep semi-warm...kinda)

Thanks !!!!!


If it's safe to drive and a Staples is near (and open), this might be the perfect time to send in your 640H for the firmware update--you can't use it anyway so Pioneer might as well update it.

Even if they are normally sold in your area, you might not be able to get hold of a kerosene pressure lantern right now. If you can, they generate both a lot more heat as well as light than candles. They also burn less oxygen than Mr. Heater's, those contraptions that screw into a propane tank then lights to produce heat (URL only to show picture):

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-MH12T-000-Propane/dp/B00005LEXJ/sr=8-6/qid=1169218348/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6/002-2599265-7144047?ie=UTF8&s=hi

[QUOTE=ngohit]rgazzara: I did not have the 640H long enough to get a list of things I would like, "Fixed," via an update [the lack of a chapter mark button on the remote is not one]. If there is anything you would like me to check, just let me know.

One thing I see that remains the same, though, is that a title is not automatically generated if I schedule a program to be recorded off the air (rather than DirecTV) and merely input the start/end times. My 520H does generate a title when I do this as did the 531H I swapped for the 640H. Even though I could have scheduled recordings through the TVGuide listing on the 531H, I never did because I found less than a minute of the show would usually not get recorded--so I scheduled programs by start/stop times and did not enter a title name (because the 531H would generate one).

Just hitting the record button (for something off the air) does still generate a title name, though, on the 640H.

Edit: Maybe people did not complain about the 640H not generating a title name if merely the start/stop times were set so that Pioneer did not address this issue in the firmware update??[/QUOT


when you sa off the air do you mean by antena? what if you have it pluged into the coaxe for cable will it make a title when you set the timer?

when you sa off the air do you mean by antena? what if you have it pluged into the coaxe for cable will it make a title when you set the timer?

Off the air = antenna. Cable is not available where I live, so someone else who gets the update will have to answer this. I have DirecTV (+ roof antenna).

Don't expect any firmware upgrades. By the time any new model of DVD recorder hits the shelves the engineers are well into working on next year's units. The only time you'll see firmware upgrades is if there's some fairly significant problem with functionality that needs to be fixed. You'll never see a firmware upgrade that adds some function that they didn't originally claim the unit would do.I posted this in the Pioneer 640 users thread several weeks ago, but you guys have certainly made me eat my words! I'm very impressed that you were able to pull this off, and I think that ACPewty deserves a big thanks from everyone here for getting the ball rolling. And I'm amazed that Pioneer actually took the time to do the work, my respect for them has gone up yet another notch.

Congratulations!

you said it works with direct tv if you input the title name ...but will it work with direct tv if you just set the time to start and time to wnd with no title,will the 640 add the title itself? it should this was the big problem that we have and the firmware was suppose it fix it? thanks for your time

Ngohit,
Just curious, as we all are, but does the recorder show the titles when you press "display?"
("display" on the remote)

Quote:

Don't expect any firmware upgrades. By the time any new model of DVD recorder hits the shelves the engineers are well into working on next year's units. The only time you'll see firmware upgrades is if there's some fairly significant problem with functionality that needs to be fixed. You'll never see a firmware upgrade that adds some function that they didn't originally claim the unit would do.

I posted this in the Pioneer 640 users thread several weeks ago, but you guys have certainly made me eat my words! I'm very impressed that you were able to pull this off, and I think that ACPewty deserves a big thanks from everyone here for getting the ball rolling. And I'm amazed that Pioneer actually took the time to do the work, my respect for them has gone up yet another notch.Congratulations!

Takes a real MAN to post that sean, :)
and YES, ACPewty deserves a pat on the back.

Urlee

Ngohit,
Just curious, as we all are, but does the recorder show the titles when you press "display?"
("display" on the remote)

Yes. I had not tried this until you made your posting, but it does.

Which reminds me, I have to set the remote control mode back to Recorder2 from the default (Recorder1), which I had set it back to before sending it in. I use my old 531H remote (same as for 533, 633) for the 640H so that it is easily distinguishable from the 520H remote (also connect to the TV). The red, "TV Guide," logo of the 531H's remote makes it obvious.

rgazzara: I did not have the 640H long enough to get a list of things I would like, "Fixed," via an update [the lack of a chapter mark button on the remote is not one]. If there is anything you would like me to check, just let me know.

One thing I see that remains the same, though, is that a title is not automatically generated if I schedule a program to be recorded off the air (rather than DirecTV) and merely input the start/end times. My 520H does generate a title when I do this as did the 531H I swapped for the 640H. Even though I could have scheduled recordings through the TVGuide listing on the 531H, I never did because I found less than a minute of the show would usually not get recorded--so I scheduled programs by start/stop times and did not enter a title name (because the 531H would generate one).

Just hitting the record button (for something off the air) does still generate a title name, though, on the 640H.

Edit: Maybe people did not complain about the 640H not generating a title name if merely the start/stop times were set so that Pioneer did not address this issue in the firmware update??Wow...lots going on here lately. Thanks for the updates ngohit, and thanks for having the stones to be the first to try the firmware update! I thought it would be me but timing was bad...very busy lately and very frustrated I haven't had time to get mine done yet. :(

So, I'm wondering if it may be possible that you just didn't get the broadcast title name for a timer event because of your settings? The Pioneer Canada CSR said he thought that was addressed with the firmware update but whether or not the 640 captures the title name depends on when the timer event starts, or what your setting is for in Initial Setup...Recording...Set Thumbnail. (He didn't sound too sure.) If you start the event too early, you may miss capturing the program name on most any equipment right, assuming one is broadcast at all?

What setting do you use for Set Thumbnail? If you're not using it, maybe 3 minutes is a good thing to try assuming you aren't starting your recording more than 3 minutes early?

I posted this in the Pioneer 640 users thread several weeks ago, but you guys have certainly made me eat my words! I'm very impressed that you were able to pull this off, and I think that ACPewty deserves a big thanks from everyone here for getting the ball rolling. And I'm amazed that Pioneer actually took the time to do the work, my respect for them has gone up yet another notch.

Congratulations!Thanks Sean, and thanks again to everyone who helped. This was a group effort and couldn't have succeeded any other way. I don't know how much influence this thread had, (it may represent just a small percentage of the 640 owners who actually contacted Pioneer,) but regardless I think it proves sometimes squeaky wheels do indeed get greased, especially organized and coordinated squeakers. :) Thanks again to Pioneer too.

...So, I'm wondering if it may be possible that you just didn't get the broadcast title name for a timer event because of your settings? The Pioneer Canada CSR said he thought that was addressed with the firmware update but whether or not the 640 captures the title name depends on when the timer event starts, or what your setting is for in Initial Setup...Recording...Set Thumbnail. (He didn't sound too sure.) If you start the event too early, you may miss capturing the program name on most any equipment right, assuming one is broadcast at all?

What setting do you use for Set Thumbnail? If you're not using it, maybe 3 minutes is a good thing to try assuming you aren't starting your recording more than 3 minutes early?

Not sure, but I was using 0 for Set Thumbnail, so I change it to 3 minutes (per your suggestion) and just did a quickie test--scheduled 10 minutes of recording Channel 10 to start recording in 2 minutes.

It's still recording as I type, but looking at, "Display," it is named, "NBC." Same if I push, Disk Navigator: It shows "NBC" is recording. I do not think this is a problem, just the way a NBC news program comes through.

I had scheduled weekly recording of NUMB3RS earlier today and entered the name. As a test, I erased the name to see if changing the thumbnail to 3 minutes (from 0) makes a difference again. I'll report on this test later.

Thumbnail timing doesn't affect show title name being recorded.

I noticed that some of my local channels broadcast show names almost all the time, while others don't...and even some I thought did it all the time do it only during certain periods.

Before testing, one way to make sure a title is broadcasting is to start viewing a channel thru the 640 tuner, press Display button three times to get to the third/final detailed display, then go thru the channels with that display on screen. If broadcast, a title will appear in the blue area just under the std dat/time/mode title...not the lower green section that might also appear.

In my area, the channels that seem to b/c titles most of the time are ABC Family, Court TV and Animal Planet...can't even trust PBS to do so.

That was very informative, wabjxo. I have never used the Display button in the way you suggested, but I just did and saw that not all off the air stations had titles. Then, I switched to DirecTV to check a few channels. Bravo does not and neither does Sleuth. ABCFamily, NGC, the few HBO stations I checked do. Spike just gives a name of, "Spike."

I turned my antenna to best receive NBC and CBS tonight, so both PBS stations I can get are very, very fuzzy, the reason neither probably show a name of what's showing.

Not sure, but I was using 0 for Set Thumbnail, so I change it to 3 minutes (per your suggestion) and just did a quickie test--scheduled 10 minutes of recording Channel 10 to start recording in 2 minutes.

It's still recording as I type, but looking at, "Display," it is named, "NBC." Same if I push, Disk Navigator: It shows "NBC" is recording. I do not think this is a problem, just the way a NBC news program comes through.So if I understand you correctly, from a timer event recording you got "NBC" as the title rather than the usual date, time etc? If so then it sounds like they fixed both parts of the timer event issue since you already reported it carried forward the event title name to recordings. Do I understand correctly?

Thumbnail timing doesn't affect show title name being recorded.

I noticed that some of my local channels broadcast show names almost all the time, while others don't...and even some I thought did it all the time do it only during certain periods.My point is if I were programming it I would tie the capture of the title name to the thumbnail setting, so if you set it to 3 minutes into the program you are more likely to get the correct title rather than whatever is broadcast (if anything) between shows, or the title of the preceding show if you start the recording a minute early. The Pioneer CSR I spoke to seemed to think that might be how it worked, although he didn't mention it until I asked. He said it wasn't him that tested it, and he sure didn't sound sure about what the new functionality was at all.

NGOHIT,

CBS is broadcasting the Ghost Whisperer show name tonight, and will prob. do the same for Close to Home and Numbers. Should be nationwide? Check it out?

So if I understand you correctly, from a timer event recording you got "NBC" as the title rather than the usual date, time etc? If so then it sounds like they fixed both parts of the timer event issue since you already reported it carried forward the event title name to recordings. Do I understand correctly?

Yes, you understand correctly. Both issues noted in your original posting, which put a lighted stick under Pioneer, were addressed:

The title name for Timer events only displays the date, time and recording speed used even if the program name is broadcasted and available. Also, if I set a title name for a timer event before the recording, it is not passed on to the recording when it happens.

There is no way of knowing how many people contacted Pioneer as a direct result of reading this thread, but I do believe many, many people would not have called had you not started things rolling. There are approximately 135 postings and 4,367 views of the thread. There must be many, many people who have read about the problem here and contacted Pioneer but never posted (and told people they know who also own a 640H to give Pioneer a buzz).

You can justifiably put this thread in your resume (or curriculam vitae, if an academic) under the, "Community Service," heading.

One thing I see that remains the same, though, is that a title is not automatically generated if I schedule a program to be recorded off the air (rather than DirecTV) and merely input the start/end times. My 520H does generate a title when I do this as did the 531H I swapped for the 640H. Even though I could have scheduled recordings through the TVGuide listing on the 531H, I never did because I found less than a minute of the show would usually not get recorded--so I scheduled programs by start/stop times and did not enter a title name (because the 531H would generate one).

Just hitting the record button (for something off the air) does still generate a title name, though, on the 640H.

Edit: Maybe people did not complain about the 640H not generating a title name if merely the start/stop times were set so that Pioneer did not address this issue in the firmware update??
With this, it sounds as if the "fix" really didn't fix the problem for cable or OTA users. The reason you got a title with your 531 was 'cause it had a TVGOS system supplying the title. I got titles also with my 531 (on analog cable) when my TVGOS was working, EVEV THO' I never used TVGOS to schedule a recording...used manual timer rec entry only. When my TVGOS was "Rebuilding," I only got time/date/etc.

You prob. will get titles when recording from your DirectTV STB since it has its own TVG/TIVO-like system supplying it.

For those of us on cable or OTA-only, your tests of your OTA source will be the one we want to work...but I'm not hopeful since that requires "capturing" the title as broadcast, not as already laid out in a TVGOS system. When my TVGOS system was working with my 531, I got the Gemstar-designated titles...I once used a neighboring zip code and got a "College Football" title on my Soap Opera show 'cause the other zip code had diff. channel nos...these were the pre-designated titles coming from TVGOS, not the titles as broadcast for the actual show.

P.S. I just realized there is another issue your test needs to resolve, and this may be the KEY issue...more important than whether you pick up broadcast titles. I hope you're entering Titles in the Timer Rec menu so we can know whether the fix now allows transfer of that hard-coded title to the recorded show name in Disc Nav.?

If that works, it won't matter if you're recording via cable, OTA or STB-with-its-own-TVG.

NGOHIT,

CBS is broadcasting the Ghost Whisperer show name tonight, and will prob. do the same for Close to Home and Numbers. Should be nationwide? Check it out?

Well, it's not nationwide because Ghost Whisperer does not show on my 640H or my 520H for that matter. 1 vs 100 on NBC does, so I quickly swapped what I had scheduled on the 520 with the 640H (Las Vegas with NUMB3RS).

ACPewty:

My point is if I were programming it I would tie the capture of the title name to the thumbnail setting, so if you set it to 3 minutes into the program you are more likely to get the correct title rather than whatever is broadcast (if anything) between shows, or the title of the preceding show if you start the recording a minute early. The Pioneer CSR I spoke to seemed to think that might be how it worked...

And I'd say this is how it does work. Your suggestion that I change the thumbnail for 0 to 3 minutes made a BIG difference in name accuracy.

This morning I was recording something for background watch/listen. Even though I scheduled it to start 1 minute into the program, the name of the program that had just ended was listed. When I scheduled Las Vegas to record, it started recording just as the program started, but for the first minute or so, the name of the recording was listed as, "1 vs. 100," the previous program. Now, it's, "Las Vegas."

I'm keeping the thumbnail set at 3 minutes.

Edit: ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox are all off the roof antenna. I do not get local programming from DirecTV.

wabjxo: The first thing I tested was to see if a name entered for a scheduled program carried over. This was the most important thing for me.

My point is if I were programming it I would tie the capture of the title name to the thumbnail setting, so if you set it to 3 minutes into the program you are more likely to get the correct title rather than whatever is broadcast (if anything) between shows, or the title of the preceding show if you start the recording a minute early. The Pioneer CSR I spoke to seemed to think that might be how it worked, although he didn't mention it until I asked. He said it wasn't him that tested it, and he sure didn't sound sure about what the new functionality was at all.

In my experience with Pioneer 531/640 recording from cable, the thumbnail capture timing does affect the title name. Mine fills in the title that is in effect at the time of the thumbnail capture. Its gets most of the titles right, if I specify 3 minute thumbnails instead of the shorter options. This is because of the cable network constant slop in not-starting programs on time. PS. I am using external
cable supplied IR blaster recording control not Pioneers internal timer recording.

Of course, the new firmware version may have changed from the way mine currently works.

I love the way the Pioneers fill in the recording title name for me. :) :) :)

wabjxo: The first thing I tested was to see if a name entered for a scheduled program carried over. This was the most important thing for me.
I prob. missed your result...did it transfer to the recorded show?

I prob. missed your result...did it transfer to the recorded show?

Yes.

It works. I scheduled a program from DirecTV with a title name set (Magnum, P.I.) then went to bed. This morning I checked and the name is there, so the firmware update works.

When I turned on the machine last night I had to go throught the setup menu again to select language, antenna/cable, time, etc. I select antenna, so it doesn't take very long. Next I checked the HDD and everything on it before I sent it in is still there. It was late so I scheduled one program I know is on at 1 a.m.
When you said "Yes" to whether the program title entered transfers to the recorded show, did you mean this test, using DirectTV?

Well, this sounds like a great success assuming everything else still works.

Curious: ngohit have you looked in the Initial setup menu to see if there are any other new options regarding title naming? Wishful thinking I know, but again if I were programming it I would give an option on how to populate the title, eg just broadcast name if available, or Broadcast name + Date + Time + bitrate space permitting.

Also, I wonder if the old system was used if no title is broadcast?

Well, this sounds like a great success assuming everything else still works.

Curious: ngohit have you looked in the Initial setup menu to see if there are any other new options regarding title naming? Wishful thinking I know, but again if I were programming it I would give an option on how to populate the title, eg just broadcast name if available, or Broadcast name + Date + Time + bitrate space permitting.

Also, I wonder if the old system was used if no title is broadcast?

Nothing new in the setup menu. The old system is used if a broadcast has no title.

If I had been programming it, I would have made it so people using older remotes could use the chapter mark button!

When you said "Yes" to whether the program title entered transfers to the recorded show, did you mean this test, using DirectTV?

Yes for DirecTV. Also yes for antenna.

Nothing new in the setup menu. The old system is used if a broadcast has no title.Thanks again for all the testing and unselfishly reporting everything so promptly. I for one am a happy camper and look forward to updating my 640s.If I had been programming it, I would have made it so people using older remotes could use the chapter mark button!Time to start a new thread? ;)

Thanks again for all the testing and unselfishly reporting everything so promptly. I for one am a happy camper and look forward to updating my 640s.
That'll be great!

When you get yours back, please do everyone a favor and input a title like "XYZ" for a timer program, timer record it, and see if "XYZ" transfers...without any TVG-capable device in between...pure OTA or cable w/o STB.

That'll be great!

When you get yours back, please do everyone a favor and input a title like "XYZ" for a timer program, timer record it, and see if "XYZ" transfers...without any TVG-capable device in between...pure OTA or cable w/o STB.

Maybe I wasn't clear, but I already did that for off the air (roof antenna). The coax from my antenna is screwed directly into the 520H and out from there to the 640H (then to the TV). Someone else will have to check it out for cable.

Maybe I wasn't clear, but I already did that for off the air (roof antenna). The coax from my antenna is screwed directly into the 520H and out from there to the 640H (then to the TV). Someone else will have to check it out for cable.
That's great!

Maybe you can do the ultimate test: record the same or similar show OTA, but set up the timer program with a show title of "XYZ" and see if "XYZ" transfers, or maybe the show name being broadcast, or ...???

P.S. Maybe I haven't been clear either. If you enter a Title in the Timer Rec menu such as "XYZ," that means the problem is fixed and we don't have to worry about whether or not the show name is being broadcast or supplied by another TVGOS-capable device, such as a STB. Some people might want to be assured that whatever name WE enter for our Timer programs will transfer to the recording.

That's great!

Maybe you can do the ultimate test: record the same or similar show OTA, but set up the timer program with a show title of "XYZ" and see if "XYZ" transfers, or maybe the show name being broadcast, or ...???

That will have to wait until tomorrow morning. I'm recording something on 531 (DirecTV) right now that doesn't end until 1:40 a.m.

Before I schedule a program, I want to make sure the title shows up checking the display. I would be surprised, though, if the name I manually enter gets overridden.

That will have to wait until tomorrow morning. I'm recording something on 531 (DirecTV) right now that doesn't end until 1:40 a.m.

Before I schedule a program, I want to make sure the title shows up checking the display. I would be surprised, though, if the name I manually enter gets overridden.
Actually, an OTA test on a program that is NOT broadcasting a title would be more impressive. It would test the pure ability to transfer an "XYZ" title from timer program to recording, without any other "help."

The test on a program with a title showing in the display would be good to test the "over-ride" possibility, i.e., which title wins.

The key is to input a personal title that couldn't possibly come from anywhere else.

When I turned on the machine last night I had to go throught the setup menu again to select language, antenna/cable, time, etc. I select antenna, so it doesn't take very long. Next I checked the HDD and everything on it before I sent it in is still there.

Thanks, ngohit, for making these reports and being our guinea pig. :)

It's good to know that recorded programs aren't lost. A much less serious issue, but still one I'm curious about: what happened to any scheduled recordings. Btaht I mean, did you have anything scheduled to record every week, and if so were those scheduled events stil scheduled after the update?

Actually, an OTA test on a program that is NOT broadcasting a title would be more impressive. It would test the pure ability to transfer an "XYZ" title from timer program to recording, without any other "help."

The test on a program with a title showing in the display would be good to test the "over-ride" possibility, i.e., which title wins.

The key is to input a personal title that couldn't possibly come from anywhere else.

I spent a **lot** of time typing a reply, but when I clicked, "Preview Post," I got a message that the server was too busy, to try again later. Going back, everything I had typed was gone. AHHHHH! What a waste of time. I won't be retyping what I had wanted to post.

Bottom line: The firmware update is definitely worth getting because now everything works as it should. Being able to enter a title for a scheduled event, especially for those of us who enter episode names, is wonderful. This is more important to me than having a title automatically placed (if available).

... A much less serious issue, but still one I'm curious about: what happened to any scheduled recordings. Btaht I mean, did you have anything scheduled to record every week, and if so were those scheduled events stil scheduled after the update?

I did not have any scheduled recordings when I sent the 640H in. Since entered titles would not be carried over to the recording, I scheduled weekly programs on the 520H. I suspect that any scheduled programs would have been deleted, though, in the process of updating the firmware.

The next person to send one in can test this out. Even if he/she has no interest in the scheduled events, a few can be made just to see if they are still there when the machine is returned.

That's a good thing to keep in mind for the next tester. In case things are not there, one might want to copy down what's in the schedule before packing the 640H up.

[Copying the above in case I get that server busy message again...]

And I'd say this is how it does work. Your suggestion that I change the thumbnail for 0 to 3 minutes made a BIG difference in name accuracy.

This morning I was recording something for background watch/listen. Even though I scheduled it to start 1 minute into the program, the name of the program that had just ended was listed. When I scheduled Las Vegas to record, it started recording just as the program started, but for the first minute or so, the name of the recording was listed as, "1 vs. 100," the previous program. Now, it's, "Las Vegas."

I'm keeping the thumbnail set at 3 minutes.
.

The problem with setting the Thumbnail for 3 minutes is that by 3 minutes into a program most shows have finished with the opening sequence and are into commercials, and that's the image you capture as the thumbnail.

The problem with setting the Thumbnail for 3 minutes is that by 3 minutes into a program most shows have finished with the opening sequence and are into commercials, and that's the image you capture as the thumbnail.

I wonder if this is more a problem for older rather than current programs. Last night I recorded Las Vegas and NUMB3RS. Checking both programs, one has it's first commercial starting just over 4 1/3 minutes and the other, a few seconds more than 7 minutes into the program. Older programs, such as Magnum, P.I. or Family Matters? Definitely watching a commercial at the 3 minute mark.

Even if the thumbnail is set to 3 minutes via the setup menu and does show a commercial, it can easily be changed though the Edit menu (second item, right under Title).

Quick note: The box Pioneer sends the 640H back in has, "RECONDITIONED PRODUCT," on two sides. I did not notice this until I got it off the back porch to put it in the basement.

If anyone thinks he/she might want to some day sell their 640H, you might want to hold onto the box it came in and have it shipped to Pioneer in either one purchased at Staples' UPS desk or obtained somewhere else.

Does the 640H itself have "reconditioned product" on it?

Does the 640H itself have "reconditioned product" on it?

No.

I haven't been following this thread for quite a while. Is there a CD-R version of the firmware anywhere? I can't be without the DVR for 2 weeks.

FYI, authorized repair centres in Vancouver, Canada will receive the CD firmware updates during the next 10 days.


Ngohit,
Did you happen to try any DivX movies out since the upgrade. Other than the naming issues, my biggest issue is the fact that less and less DivX movies are playing properly on the 640. Mostly audio & video sync problems. Pioneer seems unaware of these issues and say they don't support DivX issues.
Eric with Tech. Support in Canada wasn't sure if this problem was fixed in the firmware upgrade. Fingers crossed . . .

I haven't been following this thread for quite a while. Is there a CD-R version of the firmware anywhere? I can't be without the DVR for 2 weeks.Not so far. Maybe we should all start calling about that too?

David, since you are so close I wonder if they would let you pick it up?

...Ngohit,
Did you happen to try any DivX movies out since the upgrade. Other than the naming issues, my biggest issue is the fact that less and less DivX movies are playing properly on the 640. Mostly audio & video sync problems. Pioneer seems unaware of these issues and say they don't support DivX issues.
Eric with Tech. Support in Canada wasn't sure if this problem was fixed in the firmware upgrade. Fingers crossed . . .

No. Actually, I have never watched one (anywhere) and wouldn't even know where to get one. Sorry.

Maybe the next person to get one back from repair will be in a position to answer this question for you.

David, since you are so close I wonder if they would let you pick it up?

I went there the other day with the machine in my hand to drop it off, but they told me to pick it up in approximately 2 weeks :( So I didn't drop it off because I find it ridiculous that it's going to take 2 weeks for something they can do in less than 5 minutes (I even mentioned to them that they don't need to do any detailed testing of the unit, just flash the firmware and be done with it).

I went there the other day with the machine in my hand to drop it off, but they told me to pick it up in approximately 2 weeks :( So I didn't drop it off because I find it ridiculous that it's going to take 2 weeks for something they can do in less than 5 minutes (I even mentioned to them that they don't need to do any detailed testing of the unit, just flash the firmware and be done with it).

Maybe they don't have the firmware update yet? As KvnJmpl wrote earlier today:
FYI, authorized repair centres in Vancouver, Canada will receive the CD firmware updates during the next 10 days.

maybe, but at the same time, usually head office gets the FW first, test them, then snail-mail it to their service depot around Canada creating up to 1-month lag. At least that how it happens at Sony and Yamaha.

I was told on January 9th that they had the update in Markham and had tested it there that day. I think they just always tell everyone who sends in a unit for service it will be a 2 week delay regardless. Standard operating procedure so people don't start calling the day after they drop it off. ngohit you got yours back from Pioneer USA in 9 days (7 business days) right?

I was told on January 9th that they had the update in Markham and had tested it there that day. I think they just always tell everyone who sends in a unit for service it will be a 2 week delay regardless. Standard operating procedure so people don't start calling the day after they drop it off. ngohit you got yours back from Pioneer USA in 9 days (7 business days) right?

Correct, and of those 7 business days I did not have it, it was in the hands of UPS for 4.

I totally agree with your comment about the 2 weeks being a standard reply, ACPewty. A few years ago I dropped off a JVC DVD recorder at their NJ service center on my way home from visiting family in PA. It had the 'loading error' problem (that JVC never completely fixed). This was a Monday, late morning, and I was told, "Two weeks." Wednesday, two days later, I received it back via UPS. As you write, these companies don't want people constantly calling for the status of their repair.

I went there the other day with the machine in my hand to drop it off, but they told me to pick it up in approximately 2 weeks :( So I didn't drop it off because I find it ridiculous that it's going to take 2 weeks for something they can do in less than 5 minutes (I even mentioned to them that they don't need to do any detailed testing of the unit, just flash the firmware and be done with it).

I spoke to Pioneer Canada yesterday regarding the firmware upgrade and my reluctance to be without the unit for 2 weeks. I live 100 km west of Toronto and there is no closer authorized deal than Pioneer in Markham or Argo Electroncs (416)465-5430 in Toronto. I spoke to someone at Argo and they seemed to think that the upgrade could be done while you wait. They advised me to call on a Mon, Wed or Fri, because that is when the specific technician is in the store. Since I am travelling from a considerable distance, they suggested that I call ahead, make sure that he is there that day and can accomodate me.

I will try to coordinate this the next time I have business in Toronto. I don't see myself travelling 3 hours, return, on the highway for just this purpose, however, someone who may live closer may want to consider it and tell us how it went. :D

Hmmmm....

If the upgrade can be done while you wait I may just take the morning off to try out the new firmware (I live out in Mississauga)

I was living without the title name but if it can be fixed quickly wqithout the loss of the unit for weeks I'll try it out.

Dvdiva, can you give me the name of the person at Argo who you talked to.

Hmmmm....
Dvdiva, can you give me the name of the person at Argo who you talked to.

I am sorry that I did not take her name. But I would suggest that you call ahead and ask to speak to the specific tech b4 going to the store. I would prefer to hear it from the horse's mouth.

Talked to Eric at Pioneer Canada head office. He told me the firmware upgrade can be done while you wait PROVIDED you call ahead and set an appointment.

i drove to markham and had my unit done while i waited....call customer service and tell them that you would like to drop it off...make sure it is not during lunch hours though (11:30-1:30)...good luck...ps the update works great....

It's been 10 days since I've sent mine in and I still haven't gotten it back. Mind you, I only live 20 miles from the Long Beach facility. Anyway, I emailed Pioneer about it today and they said it would be another 5 working days. Not too pleased...

Bad news...

Perhaps as the number of units requesting the update increases, the delay will increase as well. Pioneer needs to release the update on CD or put it on the internet.

Bad news... [In reply to SgtBulldog's posting re: the Long Beach service center]

Perhaps as the number of units requesting the update increases, the delay will increase as well...

Or, maybe the OH service center gets to things faster?

Hopefully someone else will send their 640H to OH then report back how long the facility had it.

Well I finally got a chance today to take in one of my 640s for the firmware update. I called Pioneer Canada (Markham) at 9:00am and they kindly agreed (despite short notice) to update the firmware for me while I waited. Arrived at 11:30am and left before noon all done.

I didn't have any recordings scheduled, but I can confirm the contents of the HDD are still intact, and all my setup preferences were retained. Very painless. Thanks Pioneer!

I did ask about obtaining a copy so I didn't have to take in my 2nd 640, (the wife is sick and needed the other 640 to keep my son entertained today,) but the service technician said "it wasn't yet ready for public release." I was going to ask him when he returned with my 640 if he thought it would be available for download in the future but someone else brought it out when it was done. Didn't want to push my luck since he was so nice about accommodating me on short notice.

BTW: it works like a charm as reported by others. :)

So has anyone purchased a new 640 that has the firmware "update?" A Vann's sales person says that the new ones from the factory will have the firmware "fix", that is it would not be a patch, but rather a firmware with the correct function. They did not have any in stock at this time.

I did ask about obtaining a copy so I didn't have to take in my 2nd 640, (the wife is sick and needed the other 640 to keep my son entertained today,) but the service technician said "it wasn't yet ready for public release."

Thanks, AC, for the information.

It's always a little risky to lay too much stress on a casual word, but if the technician said it's not "yet" ready for public release I'm cautiously optimistic that Pioneer are planning to make it available.

That would be very nice indeed for the great number of us that face being without our recorders for two weeks otherwise.

It's been 10 days since I've sent mine in and I still haven't gotten it back. Mind you, I only live 20 miles from the Long Beach facility. Anyway, I emailed Pioneer about it today and they said it would be another 5 working days. Not too pleased...

Your posting was on January 25th. Have you gotten it back yet?

Your posting was on January 25th. Have you gotten it back yet?

No. :mad:

Talked to Eric at Pioneer Canada head office. He told me the firmware upgrade can be done while you wait PROVIDED you call ahead and set an appointment.

After yet another 40 minute wait, Erik told me I had to ship my unit since there were NO authorized repair depots in ALL of Manitoba. He swears that if I ship it attention ERIK, he will ship the unit back the same day. Of course I will have no real way of knowing if it actually happens since it could sit at the depot for days. I plan to get the unit shipped later on this week but, after reading posts of SgtBulldog's experience so far, I am nervous to mail my unit out .

I also asked if the firmware would ever be available on-line or shippable, and he said "No, never" I mentioned what I had read here about the possibility of the firmware being available to end users, and he said that it was not possible . . .

. . . . I am sure someone else at Pioneer will tell somebody else that the above is not true, and that the firmware will be available sometime in the future. sigh.

After yet another 40 minute wait, Erik told me I had to ship my unit since there were NO authorized repair depots in ALL of Manitoba. He swears that if I ship it attention ERIK, he will ship the unit back the same day. Of course I will have no real way of knowing if it actually happens since it could sit at the depot for days. I plan to get the unit shipped later on this week but, after reading posts of SgtBulldog's experience so far, I am nervous to mail my unit out ...

I was bug-eyed to read that SgtBulldog hadn't received his back. Maybe you missed my postings, but mine was in/out of the Ohio facility, send one week, back the next.

Be positive. Assume your experience wilkl be similar to mine.

4 weeks now and still going...

SgtBulldog: I assume you have been calling for updates. What (excuse) is Pioneer giving you?

Really, I am stupified. There is no reason for it to take nearly this long.

They haven't given me any reasons at all, the CSRs just keep saying that it will take another 5 days, another 5 days. I just hope they didn't destroy it...

Maybe a backlog has developed because so many people are requesting the firmware update.

If so, I hope this prompts Pioneer to release the update on their web site, or at least on a CD that they can mail.

Although I didn't ask specifically about the 543, I expect they would have a fix for all the 2006 models since they're all in the same boat. I would give them a call first to confirm. (If you do, please report back here for the benefit of other 543 and 540 users.)

I took my DVR-543HS to Pioneer Canada (Markham) and waited for the firmware update.

-total time : 25 minutes

To the Canadian folks who have driven the unit to Markham - how did you keep the unit from getting cold on the trip? My concern is having to wait around at Pioneer while the unit warms up to prevent condensation. I live near Square One so the trip is likely to take an hour each way.

I figure I'll wrap it in a blanket or two, stuff it in a box and set the box on the passenger-side floor in the car.

......Rob

So has anyone purchased a new 640 that has the firmware "update?" A Vann's sales person says that the new ones from the factory will have the firmware "fix", that is it would not be a patch, but rather a firmware with the correct function. They did not have any in stock at this time.

I'm not caught up in this thread, and it's even worse for the main 640 thread (the AVS database index updating -- which had the site offline for awhile -- was unfortuante timing for me in that regard), so this may have been discussed more recently. But I've just noticed that 1-Call has stopped listing the 640 -- not even an "Out of Stock" notice, I think. Vann's was listing it, but I don't recall if they actually had any in stock. Haven't checked at Amazon or the price compare services yet. So, this may be about the end of when anyone could still buy one of these units new. In that case, it won't matter what rev. of firmware the unit came with. Wasn't there some kind of March '07 deadline for sale of recorders equipped with the old-style tuners ?

Haven't checked at Amazon or the price compare services yet. So, this may be about the end of when anyone could still buy one of these units new. In that case, it won't matter what rev. of firmware the unit came with. Wasn't there some kind of March '07 deadline for sale of recorders equipped with the old-style tuners ?
The March deadline is just for manufacturers, assemblers and importers ("Responsible Parties" per the rule)...they can no longer import them or ship them in interstate commerce.

Retailers can ship, store and sell as long as they have stock somewhere and their selling doesn't involve a "Responsible Party."

You are correct, they are disappearing fast.

B&H Photo still has them available for $339.95, click here. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=PIDVR640HS&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=429920) B&H is an authorized dealer and one that is highly recommended.

To the Canadian folks who have driven the unit to Markham - how did you keep the unit from getting cold on the trip? My concern is having to wait around at Pioneer while the unit warms up to prevent condensation. I live near Square One so the trip is likely to take an hour each way.

I figure I'll wrap it in a blanket or two, stuff it in a box and set the box on the passenger-side floor in the car.

......RobI turned the heat on in the car. :)
Seriously though, I doubt condensation will be a problem since they only need to test with an HDD recording and the HDD is a sealed unit. I drove for 2 hours with no fear of problems. I doubt you need to worry about it for a 1 hour trip even if your car's heater is toast. Just put it in its box, keep the box closed and don't drop it!

...and the HDD is a sealed unit.Largely unrelated to the current discussion, but HDDs are not actually sealed, at least not in the sense that they're airtight. They actually have a filtered air port to allow pressure equalization. This is done so that they don't have to make the casing a pressure vessel that can withstand changes in altitude.

I suppose this could let water vapour inside, but I've never heard of this being a problem.

Has anyone witnessed Pioneer perform the upgrade? I'm wondering if they use some proprietary gadget like a service remote, which might make a DIY upgrade less likely.

A hard drive I pulled apart had a packet of dessicant inside.

A hard drive I pulled apart had a packet of dessicant inside.Interesting. There's usually an internal "scavanging" filter in the airpath to pick up anything that's leftover from the manufacturing process or that somehow makes it's way inside, but I've never seen dessicant.

Largely unrelated to the current discussion, but HDDs are not actually sealed, at least not in the sense that they're airtight. They actually have a filtered air port to allow pressure equalization. This is done so that they don't have to make the casing a pressure vessel that can withstand changes in altitude.

I suppose this could let water vapour inside, but I've never heard of this being a problem.OK they aren't necessarily airtight, but they are designed to be sealed enough to prevent any significant build-up of moisture since even a tiny droplet inside could be disastrous. For the purposes of the discussion I don't think "sealed" was out of line. :)

For the purposes of the discussion I don't think "sealed" was out of line. :)Nope, no problem with "sealed". I just thought I'd pass on what might be an interesting piece of information.

Ok, I finally got my unit back after 4 weeks. I tested it last night and the firmware upgraded worked. I still haven't found out why it took so long, but I'll keep trying.

Ok, I finally got my unit back after 4 weeks. I tested it last night and the firmware upgraded worked. I still haven't found out why it took so long, but I'll keep trying.


. . . . . and meanwhile I finally bit the bullet this afternoon and sent my unit (via FEDEX) to Markham, ON. I didn't even think much about the cold temps when I packed it - I sent it back in its original packaging. Hopefully it will not be an issue which will require the unit to acclimate for hours before being worked on.

Has anyone witnessed Pioneer perform the upgrade? I'm wondering if they use some proprietary gadget like a service remote, which might make a DIY upgrade less likely.I took my 2nd unit in to Markham today on another short notice appointment and had it done in 15 minutes while I waited. :) Thanks again Pioneer.

While there I spoke to a service technician (David) and I asked again why the firmware update isn't available as a download. He said he honestly doesn't know, but he did tell me the update does just come on a disc and no special equipment like a service remote is needed, but you do have to press a specific sequence of buttons to enter a service mode to install the update.

When specifically asked, he did say "he thinks" it will be made available as a download in the future, but nothing is for sure.

BTW: This time I did have timer events scheduled and they were still intact after the update. In fact as far as I can tell this firmware update is completely painless. You don't even have to reset the time. All setup preferences, recordings and events are retained after the update is installed.

Finally, as a side note I asked about new units shipping with the new firmware and as you would expect he said they would have to be manufactured at least 2 weeks after the firmware update was released to include it. He also told me he is quite sure there will be new 2007 DVDR models from Pioneer.

ACPewty thanks for the info

A bit more info. Almost everything was reset on my unit sent to Long Beach. All setup preferences and timer events were gone. All the recordings were still there plus a few additional ones apparently made by the technicians. Strangely, none of them retained the title just the regular time/date...

A bit more info. Almost everything was reset on my unit sent to Long Beach. All setup preferences and timer events were gone. All the recordings were still there plus a few additional ones apparently made by the technicians. Strangely, none of them retained the title just the regular time/date...

Well, there seems to be a HUGE advantage going for users in the general vicinity of at least one of the Canadian service centers. Too bad the situation is much less good over in SoCal. I still would not let my 640 sit there for 2 weeks, and forget about 4. If that's the best they can do, I'll just continue to live with the problem, forcing myself to manually title the recordings within a day or two of when they were recorded -- before I lose track of whatever it was.

I agree. The ONLY reason why I sent it in was because the CSR told me that it would only take 5-7 days. Maybe they meant weeks instead of days though, who knows?

A bit more info. Almost everything was reset on my unit sent to Long Beach. All setup preferences and timer events were gone. All the recordings were still there plus a few additional ones apparently made by the technicians. Strangely, none of them retained the title just the regular time/date...Sounds like maybe you were the Guinea Pig and they made a mess during that long wait. :eek: Ouch. Sorry the experience wasn't more positive for you.

I do not know if this has anything to do with the update or not, but I made a posting to the main 640H user thread (#2426) about a problem I just experienced.:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9768608#post9768608

As I state over there, I just tried to copy a few unedited, LP titles to a DVD-R. Inserting the blank DVD-R in the tray, the machine read, "LOAD," for a short time--then the machine turned off. TUrning it back on, I could copy to then finalize the DVD-R.

Pioneer is now closed so I cannot call.

Anyone else who has gotten the update also experience this?

I do not know if this has anything to do with the update or not, but I made a posting to the main 640H user thread (#2426) about a problem I just experienced.:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9768608#post9768608

As I state over there, I just tried to copy a few unedited, LP titles to a DVD-R. Inserting the blank DVD-R in the tray, the machine read, "LOAD," for a short time--then the machine turned off. TUrning it back on, I could copy to then finalize the DVD-R.

Pioneer is now closed so I cannot call.

Anyone else who has gotten the update also experience this?I just ran a few tests inserting a Verbatim DVD-R in an updated 640 both while in a copy list and not, and no problem at all. Maybe it's your media?

I'd like to express my appreciation to this forum for bringing this "fix" to my attention.

At the same time, I'm really puzzled, but thankful, that Pioneer would bother to fix such a minor functional aspect of the recorder, as return shipping costs must add up for them. I suppose, though, that only the hardcore enthusiasts visiting forums like this even know about the fix, let alone that most users probably wouldn't see the sense of trading off the use of their recorder for many weeks and potential damage during shipping for such a minor fix.

Never the less I want to publicly thank Pioneer Electronics for putting enthusiasts' needs ahead of their own business needs. I am very impressed with Pioneer's response to this issue, it is certainly a refreshing and welcome business approach in this day and age.


P.S.

Has anyone witnessed Pioneer perform the upgrade? I'm wondering if they use some proprietary gadget like a service remote, which might make a DIY upgrade less likely.

The firmware update is a simple process that takes about 3 minutes. A CD is placed in the tray and then the two front panel keys "Rec Stop" and "Play" are pushed simultaneously (I wouldn't advise doing this without the appropriate CD in the tray). The CD drawer closes and runs for about a minute with the word "LOAD" displayed on the front display. Then the CD tray opens and the firmware begins to be loaded into the machine with the word "DOWNLOAD" and a count down timer displayed for several more minutes. That's it, that's all.


P.P.S

My updated machine seems to have survived the "fix" with no ill effects, although I don't use the many features available as extensively as many on this forum. All timer programming and machine settings remained in place. This should relieve any fears that your machine may not survive the "fix". I'd be more concerned about the potential of having the machine damaged during shipping, and the hassle of getting it repaired.

The firmware update is a simple process that takes about 3 minutes. A CD is placed in the tray and then the two front panel keys "Rec Stop" and "Play" are pushed simultaneously (I wouldn't advise doing this without the appropriate CD in the tray). The CD drawer closes and runs for about a minute with the word "LOAD" displayed on the front display. Then the CD tray opens and the firmware begins to be loaded into the machine with the word "DOWNLOAD" and a count down timer displayed for several more minutes. That's it, that's all.

Encouraging news. I'll have to call Pioneer and beg for a way to do this with out sending the unit out. I've already had one unit destroyed in transit. Not eager to make it two.

This bug has really started to annoy me. It's almost certain that it will eventually contribute to erasing the wrong entry.

A bit more info. Almost everything was reset on my unit sent to Long Beach. All setup preferences and timer events were gone. All the recordings were still there plus a few additional ones apparently made by the technicians. Strangely, none of them retained the title just the regular time/date...

A belated thought regarding those time/dates...
Did they play with it shortly after receiving it and it sat around for weeks, or it sat around for weeks then they played with it, or maybe throughout the 4 weeks?

I just bought my DVR-640H last week and I love it but after a week of taping we just can't find a particular program when we want to watch it. I read the thread up to this point but I just don't want to ship my new purchase away for several weeks. I live in Central Canada (Manitoba) and apparently no-one locally would be authorized to update my firmware even though it is a minor procedure.

Would anyone know if this is still a developing issue and that they may issue a downloadable firmware update some day or is it done now and for Canadians you absolutely must mail your unit in unless you happen to live within driving distance of Markham?

I just bought my DVR-640H last week and I love it but after a week of taping we just can't find a particular program when we want to watch it. I read the thread up to this point but I just don't want to ship my new purchase away for several weeks. I live in Central Canada (Manitoba) and apparently no-one locally would be authorized to update my firmware even though it is a minor procedure.

Would anyone know if this is still a developing issue and that they may issue a downloadable firmware update some day or is it done now and for Canadians you absolutely must mail your unit in unless you happen to live within driving distance of Markham?

Talk directly to Pioneer Canada about your concerns. 1-877-283-5901 :)

. . . . . and meanwhile I finally bit the bullet this afternoon and sent my unit (via FEDEX) to Markham, ON. I didn't even think much about the cold temps when I packed it - I sent it back in its original packaging. Hopefully it will not be an issue which will require the unit to acclimate for hours before being worked on.

. . called Pioneer this morning . . was told he had no status for my unit . . assured them it had reached their depot via fedex . . . gave him w/o# I had been told to include . . he found it sitting in receiving (where it had been since last week) . . . he promised he would run the fix immediately and ship it out today. .

Here's hoping . . .

I wonder if SgtBullDog had something similar happen with his unit but to a worse degree? ~ they receive unit & promptly misplace it, perhaps due to the large number of units coming back for firmware upgrades, only to find it finally weeks later.

. . called Pioneer this morning . . was told he had no status for my unit . . assured them it had reached their depot via fedex . . . gave him w/o# I had been told to include . . he found it sitting in receiving (where it had been since last week) . . . he promised he would run the fix immediately and ship it out today. .

Here's hoping . . .

I wonder if SgtBullDog had something similar happen with his unit but to a worse degree? ~ they receive unit & promptly misplace it, perhaps due to the large number of units coming back for firmware upgrades, only to find it finally weeks later.

IT'S BACK!

UPS showed up yesterday when I was not home, but I was able to pick it up today. Everything was still there - titles, recording list etc. It seems to be working OK so far.

Hello! I just bought a DVR-543H-S last week and in my pre-sales research happened upon this issue and the firmware stuff.

Thought I would share my story. I just got off the phone with Pioneer Support in Canada - I managed to wrangle them into shipping me a CD firmware update since I live over a thousand miles from the nearest service center that get the updates (it's in Montreal, I am in Halifax) - apparently only *select* centers receive the firmware update CDs...

I will keep you updated...

Hello! I just bought a DVR-543H-S last week and in my pre-sales research happened upon this issue and the firmware stuff.

Thought I would share my story. I just got off the phone with Pioneer Support in Canada - I managed to wrangle them into shipping me a CD firmware update since I live over a thousand miles from the nearest service center that get the updates (it's in Montreal, I am in Halifax) - apparently only *select* centers receive the firmware update CDs...

I will keep you updated...

You will make a lot of friends if you post an image of the CD somewhere. It will save a lot of time and aggravation for those who do not want to go through the risk and hassle of shipping their's in.

I'll second that emotion... ;)

Would there be any problem in using the Canadian firmware update on a US recorder?

I'll second that emotion... ;)

Would there be any problem in using the Canadian firmware update on a US recorder?

If he posts it, you try it, and let us know... :D ;)

MikeParent if you get it you may have to post an image to avoid gazillions of PM requests for emailing a copy. ;) I wonder Pioneer would be unhappy though. Did they offer it hush-hush, or did you get the impression it's now ready for release?

rgazzara: I doubt there is any difference between Canadian and US models, otherwise there would be different model names/numbers. Most products are the same for Canada and the US since we use the same NTSC/ATSC broadcast standards etc, and there is plenty of cross-border shopping. Also, no indication to date of more than one version of the firmware update, especially considering most Pioneer employees don't even seem to be aware of a firmware update version number. I wouldn't hesitate.

MikeParent if you get it you may have to post an image to avoid gazillions of PM requests for emailing a copy. ;) I wonder Pioneer would be unhappy though. Did they offer it hush-hush, or did you get the impression it's now ready for release?

They didn't explicitly say it was hush hush or anything BUT I did have to escalate it to the service manager to get any love on the issue. They termed it as an "exception" and indicated initially they do not normally do this, though I suspect this is not the first time they have done it. I would definitely say this is not ready for prime time yet.

Regarding making this available - I am anticipatng that there may be some terms attached when I receive the CD, and I will advise you then what it looks like. Obviously I will not do anything that jeopardizes my contract with Pioneer from a warranty perspective.

Let's keep our finger crossed.

Thanks, Mike.

I actually think that Pioneer is being rather paternalistic about this firmware update. Obviously they feel that users are not competent enough to do it themselves. Other manufacturers put their firmware updates on their web sites, and the sky has not fallen (yet).

MikeParent, all the cool people are sharing firmware updates over the Internet. ;)

Title Retention for Dish Users

Just joined the forum. It has been very useful to me in selecting video components. I got my DVR640 a couple of months ago. Hope I am not boring you with repetition, because this information was all gleaned from the forum, but I don't recall seeing it all in one post.

The following information applies to Dish satellite users. It may also be useful for Direct TV users.

Without the firmware upgrade for titles, I am able to record programs and have the correct title appear in the Disk Navigator list. Here are the steps required to make this happen:

1. Set the Dish Network satellite receiver (mine is a Dishpro 301 model) with a VCR code that will enable it to start and stop the DVR640 recordings. In my case, the code is 573.
Menu --> System Setup --> Installation --> VCR Setup --> 573

2. Set the DVR640 to set thumbnails at three minutes into the recording.
Home Menu --> Initial Setup --> Recording --> Set Thumbnail --> 3 Minutes

3. Use the timer function of the Dish receiver to select programs to be recorded. Select "VCR" for the Timer Type. I do not select the "Start One Minute Early" option.

4. Leave the DVR640 "ON" while it is waiting for the programs to be recorded.

5. This may be important: I have a regular RF cable running from the "Ouput to TV" connector behind the Dish receiver to the RF input connector on the DVR640. I think I read that this is the input from which the DVR640 gets the program title information. This input connection is in addition to the A/V connection I normally use for viewing.

That's it. The Dish receiver sends signals to the DVR640 to start and stop recording. There is no separate"IR Blaster" being used. The Dish receiver emits IR remote control signals that supposedly bounce off objects or a wall and reflect back to the DRV640, telling it to start and stop recording. My boxes sit in a cabinet with a slightly tinted glass door in front, and the Dish receiver sits directly on top of the DVR640.

I have noticed that when I use the DVR640 timer to record a program, the title initially appears in the Navigator list, but it is apparently overwritten when the DVR640 timer decides to stop the recording. However, when I use the remote control to stop a recording, the title is not overwritten. This is why having the Dish receiver turn on and of the recording allows the title to be retained.

The three minute thumbnail setting is important because the shorter time settings do not give the DVR640 time to receive title information for the program being recording. That results in capturing the title of the program that was being received immediately prior to the recorded program.

Since I live in a relatively remote area, I rely on Dish satellite for all my TV viewing, so my title problems are solved, without having to upgrade the firmware.

I-R-One
5. This may be important: I have a regular RF cable running from the "Ouput to TV" connector behind the Dish receiver to the RF input connector on the DVR640. I think I read that this is the input from which the DVR640 gets the program title information. This input connection is in addition to the A/V connection I normally use for viewing.


Congrats, Sounds like your setup makes it easy for you to record.

One note, I use TWC cable STB with IR-blaster to control recording on my Pio 640. I use only S-video connection and get program titles just fine without the firmware fix. S-video input gives a better recorded picture for me than just the RF signal. There may be differences in how/where sat./cable pass the program title information but I doubt it.

I have been a long time proponent of setting the 3 minute thumbnail option in the Pioneers to get most accurate title information. Even with the 3 minute option specified, my cable system will sometimes (less than 5 pct%) miss the scheduled program start/end times by more than 3 minutes.

Still it's great not having to key in the title name, or having to set the timer in the DVD recorder..
;)

I think I'm starting to detect the distinct aroma of republican cologne in this thread. ;)

Don't you guys care about leaving your units running all the time, increasing energy consumption and wear-and-tear on the machines? I know the power consumption isn't huge, but multiply that by perhaps millions of users and it is considerable.

I bought an IR blaster for my sat receiver but when I found out I had to leave the VCR or DVDR on all the time, I returned it. I'm no tree hugger and I can certainly afford it, but to me it's just wasteful. Just because we can, doesn't necessarily mean we should.

I phoned Pioneer Canada just a few minutes ago and they are going to send out the CD with the firmware upgrade. They said this method would take a bit more time than sending in the unit -- although I can't imagine why -- but I said that was fine with me. Thanks to this great forum! I guess all the complaints finally drove them to make the update!

The Hans

I phoned Pioneer Canada just a few minutes ago and they are going to send out the CD with the firmware upgrade. They said this method would take a bit more time than sending in the unit -- although I can't imagine why -- but I said that was fine with me. Thanks to this great forum! I guess all the complaints finally drove them to make the update!


This is great news. Now if we can put some pressure on Columbus to do the same for US customers...

I'd even be willing to pay a reasonable shipping cost for the CD, say $5. It would be worth it to me not to be without the unit for weeks and not to risk damage in the mail.

Agreed.

Just called Pioneer customer support again, and after talking to maybe 4 different people I was told they absolutely would not send me a CD with the firmware update and my only option was to send the unit in, so it doesn't look like there has been any policy change.

I phoned Pioneer Canada just a few minutes ago and they are going to send out the CD with the firmware upgrade. They said this method would take a bit more time than sending in the unit -- although I can't imagine why -- but I said that was fine with me. Thanks to this great forum! I guess all the complaints finally drove them to make the update!The Hans

If this CD ever does show up in your mailbox -- and assuming that Hindmost is in the U.S. -- there would obviously be some major disconnect between Pioneer Canada and Pioneer U.S. I think this is a dumb and not very useful policy that is being applied here in the U.S. I can only second the idea that the user community would be most grateful if this f/w managed to "escape into the wild." But, at the same time, no one can or should ask you to do anything that might cause a problem for you. Just a theoretical mention, though, that if this should get out, it would be best served in the form of a Nero .nrg disk image with accompanying size, date, and md5 sum info.

Yes, I am in the U.S. and called the U.S. support #.

Just called Pioneer customer support again...With a handle like "hindmost" you must be a Larry Niven fan! :D

Just a thought here. If you've noticed the links in my sig, I follow the cruise industry fairly closely, and one thing that we are always seeing there is the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. This often takes place when a corporate policy takes a while to filter down to individual ships, and sometimes at different speeds, which occasionally results in different ships of the same line having different policies in place at the same time.

Also, especially for high publicity issues (like this one is for Pioneer), when a customer calls and the rep has not yet been "enlightened" they might tend to be rather emphatic with the facts as they know them, even if we might have some information which leads us to believe that a change might be coming.

So.. I say all that to say... despite emphatic denial by the US crew, hopefully the information we want to hear is on the way, and there will be a policy change. Remember the average Joe Pioneer CS rep doesn't read these boards, so all he has in front of him is a memo, or notes from their last employee briefing.

Theron

With a handle like "hindmost" you must be a Larry Niven fan! :D
Quite true!

So.. I say all that to say... despite emphatic denial by the US crew, hopefully the information we want to hear is on the way, and there will be a policy change. Remember the average Joe Pioneer CS rep doesn't read these boards, so all he has in front of him is a memo, or notes from their last employee briefing.

That makes a lot of sense. Also the average CS employee may have never clapped eyes on a DVR-640 -- after all, they have to support a lot of different products. Speaking as a software tech support guy, even the good ones do have occasional blind spots or forget things or haven't been properly informed by HQ.

Also, especially for high publicity issues (like this one is for Pioneer), when a customer calls and the rep has not yet been "enlightened" they might tend to be rather emphatic with the facts as they know them, even if we might have some information which leads us to believe that a change might be coming.
Theron

You are so right about this! I recall calling Star Choice to change our satellite programming a few months ago. We wanted to make a particular adjustment on our U.S. feeds. We'd changed the East feeds from one group to another earlier that day due to NFL football. Then we called to put them back to the original East feeds we had. The rep *insisted* we could not have East feeds at all because we were in the West. That was true in the "old days" of Star Choice. But we'd had them for years now and changed our programming enough times that another rep at least once would have certainly noticed if that were so. I mean we're talking maybe 20 different reps over the period of time. He absolutely *insisted* we couldn't have the East feeds. He was like, "Ma'am, haven't you ever heard of the CRTC?' He just insisted all the other reps were totally wrong, while he was right, and refused to even consult with anyone else. We terminated the call and he changed them to West feeds anyway.

So we called again, got someone else and moved our feeds the way we wanted them. Reps seem to believe more often than not that the customer knows *nothing* in comparison to them. Despite evidence to the contrary in many cases.

The Hans

Just a thought here. If you've noticed the links in my sig, I follow the cruise industry fairly closely, and one thing that we are always seeing there is the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.Just one example of this in the cruise industry... if you recall, the US Government recently changed the rules to require Passports to enter the US. For a while, the new rule was going to apply to cruise ship passengers, but then they postponed it a year. The cruise lines had changed their requirements to reflect the new rules, then when the rules were relaxed, it took several weeks of utter chaos while the CSRs continued to insist that the line was still going to require the more stringent documentation. Obviously the company is not going to refuse legally documented fare paying passengers, but it took quite a while and much unneeded panic and frustration among passengers before the CSRs caught up with the new reality.

Hopefully this will happen over at Pioneer as well.

Theron

Hopefully this will happen over at Pioneer as well.What, you're hoping that Pioneer customers will go through "several weeks of utter chaos"? ;)

The passport thing is a real bear, it's chaos up here in Canada as people scramble to get passports and the bureacracy struggles to deal with the huge spike of applications. It really doesn't help that they keep moving the goalposts back and forth...

Hello! I just bought a DVR-543H-S last week and in my pre-sales research happened upon this issue and the firmware stuff.

Thought I would share my story. I just got off the phone with Pioneer Support in Canada - I managed to wrangle them into shipping me a CD firmware update since I live over a thousand miles from the nearest service center that get the updates (it's in Montreal, I am in Halifax) - apparently only *select* centers receive the firmware update CDs...

I will keep you updated...

Any sign of the CD yet?

No sign yet...

The rep I got on the phone at Pioneer Canada indicated that the CD could take quite a while to come. He even suggested I should call back in a few weeks to check on the status, as he suspected it might still not be sent out by that point. So maybe it will really take some time -- but in my mind it's still a better solution than sending in the unit.

The Hans

I have satellite in Canada and am unable to get the title to appear automatically when recording, do you know if the title fix will fix this as well or if I should be doing something different?

I have satellite in Canada and am unable to get the title to appear automatically when recording, do you know if the title fix will fix this as well or if I should be doing something different?

I assume if it fixes this for satellite users in the U.S.A., it would in Canada, too.

There are very few things that do not get a title automatically entered since I got the firmware update. SOmetimes, however, one still has to enter a title. Example: TCM had 4 Sherlock Holmes films the other night. Each got titled, "Sherlock Holmes," followed by a few more letters--not enough space for the entire title.

Oh, I have DirecTV..

I assume if it fixes this for satellite users in the U.S.A., it would in Canada, too.

There are very few things that do not get a title automatically entered since I got the firmware update. SOmetimes, however, one still has to enter a title. Example: TCM had 4 Sherlock Holmes films the other night. Each got titled, "Sherlock Holmes," followed by a few more letters--not enough space for the entire title.

Oh, I have DirecTV..

I have Canadian satellite service and the automatic pickup of show titles is still hit & miss for me after the "title fix" was installed. Pioneer Canada was very emphatic to me that the "title fix" only applies to the transfer of preset timer recording titles, which has worked perfectly since the fix was installed.

Weren't most of you guys "certain" pioneer wouldn't even release any kind of firmware update at all? They seem to be taking the slowest possible steps, but at least steps are being made. With enough calls, requests, etc. a CD could come to all of us.

Otherwise, f*ck Pioneer, post the CD (if it ever comes).

Weren't most of you guys "certain" pioneer wouldn't even release any kind of firmware update at all? They seem to be taking the slowest possible steps, but at least steps are being made. With enough calls, requests, etc. a CD could come to all of us.

Otherwise, f*ck Pioneer, post the CD (if it ever comes).

My impression from Pioneer Canada was that the motivating factor for sending out the CD was to save money on return shipping costs, which is a simple business decision. The installation process was known to be glitch free and a low risk operation. Pioneer Canada did ask that I not distribute the firmware update and return the CD (CAN$1), which I did. They are possibly concerned about someone distributing hacked code on the Internet ?

For the life of me I don't understand why Pioneer US has not adopted this policy, but it appears to be a national service manager's decision.

I was very surprised that corporate offered the fix to service managers, because from a business point of view it is difficult to win friends when you ask users to mail in their recorders for the upgrade. It seems like the release of the upgrade was technically ready but the business end was not worked out.

There has to be more than meets the eye here.

I'm not poking any fingers at Pioneer but I recently picked up a Toshiba RD-XS54. I called Toshiba's 800 CS number. Asked if there were any firmware updates. It took 2 minutes to determine what firmware version my machine was running. Found out there was a newer version. 5 days later I received the update CD in my mail box. End of story.

Why mail it instead of posting it online? I think it is the level of control Toshiba decided to institute. Name and address etc as opposed to posting it for the world to download.

Maybe this update possibly requires the service remote? If not then sticking to some poorly thought out corporate policy is literally sticking it to the customer. Enough said. Although not a Pioneer owner I can appreciate the pain.

There has to be more than meets the eye here.

Maybe this update possibly requires the service remote? If not then sticking to some poorly thought out corporate policy is literally sticking it to the customer.

As I've indicated in an earlier post there is nothing more than meets the eye, I've personally done the update with a CD on my machine. You use two front panel buttons indicated in my earlier post, not even the remote.

This whole issue is simply that corporate rolled out a technical fix to national service managers without a business plan, pure & simple. The national service managers are making the business plan for rolling out the fix to customers in their respective regions. It probably indicates some corporate organizational problems, but then who doesn't have them. Most organizational management models work from the top down and it's hard to change course once the ship has left the pier.