I have owned this for a while and I can't believe how many people say how good it is. I wish I had my Pioneer 510 or 520 (whatever it was) back. It's unbelievable to me they don't have an eject button on the remote, you can't make chapter marks during playback, commercial skip doesn't work on dvd playback, and a lot of the most needed buttons are under the annoying cover.

I thought companies' normal plans are to make something better than the previous models, not take away features while adding very little... I've had this for a long time, but I have just become so sick of the inconveniences I am posting about it now. If this is the best current recorder then I am glad I haven't tried other brands.

I don't know why companies "forget" useful features from one model to the next.

It's probably related to the problem that all software developers have: everyone uses junior developers to do most of the work because they're enthusiastic, hardworking, and get paid less. But they also have little experience or history, and they tend to re-invent the wheel on every new project because they hate having to learn the work of previous generations of developers. As more and more of the features on modern electronic gadgets are in the software, they tend to show this problem to a greater extent.

But as for the Eject button on the remote, I say get rid of it. What's the point of wasting limited real estate on the remote with an Eject button? You're going to have to get your ass off the couch anyway to change that DVD.

I really love my 640. It has all of the good points of my 633, minus the flakey and annoying TV Guide. And I can use my 633 remote with it which (IMHO) is much better laid out and has the eject button.

Say what you will about the eject button, but I find it very handy. It means I don't have to wait for the tray to open when I get up to remove a disc, and after I burn a new disc I can remotely open and close the tray to ensure that it's completely readable,

... Say what you will about the eject button, but I find it very handy. It means I don't have to wait for the tray to open when I get up to remove a disc, ...
Which can be a pain if you're bending down (waiting, that is)! FYI all, some remotes allow you to press STOP twice (or hold it down?) to eject the tray.

Bashers33, some people have purchased Pio 633 remotes to use with their 640s, which restore all the features you are missing, except chapter mark during playback. I love my 640, but agree that feature should have been preserved!

I also have a 640-H and very happy with it. But I would like to copy a dvd to the hard drive and I can't seem to do this without going to the DVD disc backup. I don't want to back up my dvd just put it on the hard drive. Is this possible if so what am I doing wrong? The reason I like to put dvd movies I have on the hard drive is so I don';t have to look for the dvd and put it in just go to my hard drive library and watch it. Thanks:D

I also have a 640-H and very happy with it. But I would like to copy a dvd to the hard drive and I can't seem to do this without going to the DVD disc backup. I don't want to back up my dvd just put it on the hard drive. Is this possible if so what am I doing wrong? The reason I like to put dvd movies I have on the hard drive is so I don';t have to look for the dvd and put it in just go to my hard drive library and watch it. Thanks:D
If the DVD is not copy protected, you can use One-Touch Copy. Play the DVD, then at any time, press the One-Touch Copy button under the sliding door. The DVD contents will be recorded to the HDD at whatever rec. mode you have set (in advance).

If the DVD is not copy protected, you can use One-Touch Copy. Play the DVD, then at any time, press the One-Touch Copy button under the sliding door. The DVD contents will be recorded to the HDD at whatever rec. mode you have set (in advance).


When you say sliding door you mean on the remote or the front of the unit itself. Because I have used the one touch copy on the remote and that only did the dvd backup.The dvd is not copy protected.

When you say sliding door you mean on the remote or the front of the unit itself. Because I have used the one touch copy on the remote and that only did the dvd backup.The dvd is not copy protected.
A DVD backup can only be done with the Copy menu... it's one of the selections in that menu.

If you did a One-Touch Copy, that should have placed the DVD title on the HDD.

The One-Touch Copy button is on the remote, under the sliding door, 2nd button down top right.

To do a One-Touch Copy, you have to start the DVD playing, then press the button, and you'll see a message on screen that it's copying. You can stop a copy by pressing and holding the button again.

I seem to recall the one touch copy from dvd to HD is at real time which is a pain. I agree the eject button on the remote is a must as is chapter mark on the remote.

The best DVR I ever used was the Toshiba XS-32 which has all these features and fantastic editing pic in pic and more. It was the 1st one I bought and when it broke down I got a Pio 640 . The PQ is just as good or better but the human interface could be improved a lot. I tried others but no other brand comes close to the Toshiba. The Tos did have some big bigs like the black level which was corrected on the firmware and a real crummy dvd burner which can be replaced by an LG drive.

Oiler1 - The XS32 was the first generation XS series HDD recorder and I agree it was plagued with the burner problems reported. And I also agree that the XS series recorders were also the most feature rich DVD recorders ever released in the consumer market. I still discover capabilities that I was not aware of.

The XS series also was the only recorder I could find that allows you to HS copy a DVD-Video mode finalized disc back to the HDD for jukebox like playing - and still retain the original menus of the copied DVD.

The Pio 640 does have the HS disc copy feature but in this case it copies an image of the DVD to the HDD which cannot be played once copied to the HDD. Still a great feature but not quite the utility offered with the XS series Toshiba.

edit - I'm not sure if the XS series were the only recorders I found that could HS copy a disc back to the HDD and offer jukebox like playing. If I remember correctly the Accurian 3223 was also able to HS copy a finalized DVD back to the HDD and then be subsequently play from the HDD. The Accurian 3223 was manufactured by Lite-On. A brand that is not discussed much in this forum. I cannot remember if the original menus were retained. I don't think so but I could be wrong. In this case the recording format of the finalized DVD that was HS copied to the HDD was the DVD+VR format. And I think other +VR recorders offer this as well. Depending on brand.

A DVD backup can only be done with the Copy menu... it's one of the selections in that menu.

If you did a One-Touch Copy, that should have placed the DVD title on the HDD.

The One-Touch Copy button is on the remote, under the sliding door, 2nd button down top right.

To do a One-Touch Copy, you have to start the DVD playing, then press the button, and you'll see a message on screen that it's copying. You can stop a copy by pressing and holding the button again.

Ok I am coping one now. How does it know when to stop? Also can I stop it at anytime and only have some of the dvd on the hard drive? I have the record time set to 2 hours is that what determines when to stop? I see in the copy menu it has a dvd to hdd but it is shaded and tells me to use one touch copy like you told me. What is the copy dvd to hdd feature for then. Thanks

The copy DVD to HDD feature allows you to copy an image of the DVD to the HDD and park it there. You can then copy it back to other DVD discs.

What you are doing right now is akin to recording something from the line inputs. You can stop it at any time and yeas the recording in your case will stop in two hours it you let it go that long. Nice feature because the copying (recording) is handled internally by the Pio 640. But it is in real time.

Ok I am coping one now. How does it know when to stop? Also can I stop it at anytime and only have some of the dvd on the hard drive? I have the record time set to 2 hours is that what determines when to stop? I see in the copy menu it has a dvd to hdd but it is shaded and tells me to use one touch copy like you told me. What is the copy dvd to hdd feature for then. Thanks
You don't have to (and shouldn't) set any specific record time. The One-Touch Copy will stop when it's over. It's a real-time copy, so it'll take as long as the time on the DVD. You should then be able to see the copied title on the HDD. If you stop the copy before it's done, you'll have nothing on the HDD.

The Copy > DVD to HDD is for a normal copy of a DVD that HAS NOT been finalized. That's why the DVD to HDD option is greyed out... you're copying a Finalized disc. Once a DVD is Finalized, you have to use either One-Touch Copy (using the button) or Disc Backup (which is in the Copy menu).

Thanks wabjxo. I was not aware that with the disc copy feature the discs could only be unfinalized. Interesting. I had the Pio 640 for awhile but did not realize this.

You don't have to (and shouldn't) set any specific record time. The One-Touch Copy will stop when it's over. It's a real-time copy, so it'll take as long as the time on the DVD. You should then be able to see the copied title on the HDD. If you stop the copy before it's done, you'll have nothing on the HDD.

The Copy > DVD to HDD is for a normal copy of a DVD that HAS NOT been finalized. That's why the DVD to HDD option is greyed out... you're copying a Finalized disc. Once a DVD is Finalized, you have to use either One-Touch Copy (using the button) or Disc Backup (which is in the Copy menu).

Great thanks for all your help. I assume it stops after the credits and stuff. How does it know when to stop is there a mark on the dvd or is it when the dvd is completely done. Because some dvd don't stop for a while after the credits.

Great thanks for all your help. I assume it stops after the credits and stuff. How does it know when to stop is there a mark on the dvd or is it when the dvd is completely done. Because some dvd don't stop for a while after the credits.
When there is no more video signal from the DVD, it stops recording.

Thanks wabjxo. I was not aware that with the disc copy feature the discs could only be unfinalized. Interesting. I had the Pio 640 for awhile but did not realize this.
Yea, Finalized discs have to go thru Disc Backup or One-Touch. Using VR-mode discs allows HS copy back to the HDD, finalized or unfinalized. That's another story... for another time! :)

Will the copy> dvd to hdd work on any unfinalized dvd? Like if came from a different dvd record but not finalized would it be able to copy using the dvd to hdd function?

Will the copy> dvd to hdd work on any unfinalized dvd? Like if came from a different dvd record but not finalized would it be able to copy using the dvd to hdd function?
Probably not since the disc isn't finalized. Most or all unfinalized discs generally only play on the recorder that created it, or on an identical recorder. Never hurts to try, but then I love experiments... to others, a waste of time?

Of course, if you finalize the other-recorder disc, you can do what your doing now... or a Disc Backup, which IS better if you don't need a copy on the HDD cause the copy is made at High-Speed and it finalizes the disc automatically... the copies you remove when done are COMPLETE, READY TO PLAY in any other recorder. Pretty cool!

Will the copy> dvd to hdd work on any unfinalized dvd? Like if came from a different dvd record but not finalized would it be able to copy using the dvd to hdd function?

See my answer in post #20, above yours.

Can some one post a link where I can buy a 633 remote to replace the 640 one? Thx.

Can some one post a link where I can buy a 633 remote to replace the 640 one? Thx.
Here's a previous post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=8202845&postcount=18) with links for both US and Canadian sources. Pioneer USA was down when I posted this, but I don't think they ship to Canada anyway. Too bad, because as you'll see the Canadian 3rd parts distributor Argo Nexus charges a premium for the remote, or at least they did when I checked months ago.

Pioneer Canada's standard policy is not to sell parts directly but rather through Argo Nexus, but it's worth a try to call and ask them. I got a remote directly from them when I exchanged my 633 for a 640 and I believe it was only around CDN $36.00 or less, but I think they only did it because they were already shipping the 640 to me anyway, and they just stuck it in the box.

EDIT: Here's a Partstore link (http://www.partstore.com/Part/Pioneer+Electronics/Pioneer/VXX2967/New.aspx)...don't know if they ship to Canada.

Yes, I had heard abut using a 633 remote before. It may be worth me doing that.

Just a few more annoyances to point out though. :p
1. The names not transferring over from timer recording to HDD.
2. The clock still seems to lose time gradually and thus have the wrong time after a while.
3. That annoying message that always comes up saying the HDD is almost full.
4. I just now pressed the power button to turn it off. I did it accidentally. So I pressed it again to turn it on, but it would not turn it back on because it was shutting down still. I had to wait a while befofre I could turn it back on. And also I presed eject while it was starting up (twice) and it wouldn't eject. In other words, with the older Pioneer it would seem to memorize the commands and even if it had to finish loading, it would still have your power on/off or eject command and do it once it was loaded. Now you have to keep pressing it. Plus it seems like you have to be much closer to the recorder for the control to even work.


And by the way as annoying as that almost full message is, you would THINK it would warn me with a message that my quick timer recording setup would make the HDD fill and it wouldn't record the whole thing. But nope. I didn't realize I was THAT close to the end and since I did it with quick timer, I didn't then go check to be sure it said it was ok instead of time over, so now I missed 11 minutes of something I recorded today and I am too lazy to unload this stuff.

Can some one post a link where I can buy a 633 remote to replace the 640 one? Thx.I went to the Pioneer website (the Canadian one, since I'm in Vancouver BC) to get a list of their authorized service centres, picked the one closest to me, and ordered it from them. It was IT Electronics in Burnaby. I ordered the 633 remote as well as a service remote in case I have ever to replace the hard drive on one of my four Pioneer recorders. The 633 remote was Cdn$62 and the service remote was Cdn$68, plus taxes.

This is a link to the Canadian Pioneer service centre locator page, which I found by Googling "Pioneer Canada Authorized Service":

http://www.pioneerelectronics.ca/pna/asc/locator/0,,32171715_32253017,00.html

Since they make you use the console to eject it would have been nice if they hadn't made the Eject button a small black button in a black panel. Same goes for the DVD/HDD button, which is farther away from and less conspicuous than the big button next to the DVD/HDD indicator lights.

Just a few more annoyances to point out though. :p
1. The names not transferring over from timer recording to HDD.
There is a firmware fix for this which also enables capture of broadcast program names if available. Details here. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=8498393&postcount=1)

I recommend the Hints & Tips for PIO640 users (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=9569050&postcount=1) thread which covers this and other things of interest and is much shorter than the user reports thread.

2. The clock still seems to lose time gradually and thus have the wrong time after a while.Funny, I have found both my 640s keep time very well...better than my 633 did and better than most other electronic components. Even after extended power failures. Are you keeping the time set at manual?

Unfortunately since the advent of units that can set the clock automatically, manufacturers seem to have dropped the quality of the clock circuits perhaps because they think most users are on cable and can set the clock automatically. I've noticed this trend for some time especially in Sony products like VCRs. Their clocks are terrible when used manually which is the only option for us satellite users.

This "Wally-world" trend for only carrying low priced components sucks. I suspect the easy return policy prized by so many members here probably has something to do with it. (They don't take as big a hit on returned products if they didn't cost much in the first place.) Everyone keeps shopping at the big box stores in search of lower prices and then the ma & pa shops that carry the quality products end up going out of business and we all end up unable to find quality products locally. :(
3. That annoying message that always comes up saying the HDD is almost full.I have never seen that, probably because I try to avoid filling the drive too much since that is when people have trouble with their DVDRs. Try not to let it get too full or you may have worse problems than an annoying message.

4. I just now pressed the power button to turn it off. I did it accidentally. So I pressed it again to turn it on, but it would not turn it back on because it was shutting down still. I had to wait a while befofre I could turn it back on. And also I presed eject while it was starting up (twice) and it wouldn't eject. In other words, with the older Pioneer it would seem to memorize the commands and even if it had to finish loading, it would still have your power on/off or eject command and do it once it was loaded. Now you have to keep pressing it. Plus it seems like you have to be much closer to the recorder for the control to even work.
There is a delay in startup and shutdown for any component that has a hard drive. Aren't you glad it doesn't take as long as your computer?

I would check for obstructions or dust where the IR sensor is near the top right-hand corner of the unit. My remotes work great from 12ft or more away from the unit. Maybe try fresh batteries?

Just a few more annoyances to point out though. :pMaybe you should just sell your unit to one of the folks here who are desperately trying to get one...:p

I ordered the 633 remote as well as a service remote in case I have ever to replace the hard drive on one of my four Pioneer recorders. The 633 remote was Cdn$62 and the service remote was Cdn$68, plus taxes.
This is a link to the Canadian Pioneer service centre locator page, which I found by Googling "Pioneer Canada Authorized Service":
http://www.pioneerelectronics.ca/pna/asc/locator/0,,32171715_32253017,00.html

Do you know if replacing the HDD in the Pioneer 640 is as tricky as in the 520?
I read a thread a couple of years ago where in addition to the service remote, a special disc was also required, and (from memory) it was sort of a complicated procedure. Do you know if this is still the case?

I wouldn't mind ordering the service remote as well, provided it comes with instructions on how to setup/initialize a new HDD - or are instructions for doing that found elsewhere on the net? --thanks.

Search "hkan". hkan has the "unofficial" pioneer web site that will walk you through it.

Do you know if replacing the HDD in the Pioneer 640 is as tricky as in the 520?Have a look at the Pioneer FAQ (http://www.pioneerfaq.com/) web site run by HKan, it has all the information you need to know.

Have a look at the Pioneer FAQ (http://www.pioneerfaq.com/) web site run by HKan, it has all the information you need to know.
Sean, that link's the wrong site.

Here's Hkan's site (pioneerfaq.info (http://www.pioneerfaq.info/)).
.
.

I have looked at the pioneerfaq.info site, but I'm not clear on the requirements for that "Data Disc" mentioned in various forums. Is the "GGV1273 Type 2" disc the same as the "newpio.iso" [pioneer4(1.30).zip] mentioned on the pioneerfaq.info site?
If not, what is the difference, and where is that "GGV1273 Type 2" disc available? --thanks.

I have looked at the pioneerfaq.info site, but I'm not clear on the requirements for that "Data Disc" mentioned in various forums. Is the "GGV1273 Type 2" disc the same as the "newpio.iso" [pioneer4(1.30).zip] mentioned on the pioneerfaq.info site?
If not, what is the difference, and where is that "GGV1273 Type 2" disc available? --thanks.
I think you can ask questions that Hkan will answer thru his site (in case you don't get an answer here).

I think you can ask questions that Hkan will answer thru his site (in case you don't get an answer here).I second this. HKan has been very helpful, you can e-mail him at: support@pioneerfaq.info

Thanks ACpewty for all of the information.

Now I can't even find my instruiction manual and forgot the max speed diosc that can be sued on this and the max record speed. Ahhhhhhhh. I always lose manuals when I ened them and am all organized when I don't need them. I couldn't quickly find the limitations online either. lol

Yes I try not to fill the HDD, but I am way too lazy and now it is almost full to the very verye nd too. One time on my 510 or 520 (w/e it was) when I let it fill it madfe it where I couldnt delete things. And somehow I got around it.

And eys the clock is set to manual. Auto NEVER has worked for me on any unit, vcr or dvd recorder.

Also that download says it is only for Europe. Is the only way to get it done in the U.S. still to ship it? I don't want to bother with that.

Hello.

Hello.
Hello.

Go to the pioneerfaq.info website here (http://www.pioneerfaq.info/index.php?question=Firmwares), and scroll down till you see the following:


"Canada/US
DVR-540/543H/640H
Firmware 6.20* ONLY Region 1 US/Canadian version ONLY
Instructions in the file! Install it on your own risk! The *.MEM file must be the only one on the CD-RW."


That's the U.S. Region 1 Pio 640 FW update. Download and follow the instructions for unzipping and creating a data disc. Takes ~2 minutes to install.

Thanks.

Well even though it says install at your own risk, I assume others here have done it and everything went well?

Also I wonder if there are any updates that can be done for the 510 or 520? I'll try to find it on the site. I am assuming older models wouldn't have anything currently downloadable which can add anything to it though.

Thanks.

Well even though it says install at your own risk, I assume others here have done it and everything went well?

Also I wonder if there are any updates that can be done for the 510 or 520? I'll try to find it on the site. I am assuming older models wouldn't have anything currently downloadable which can add anything to it though.
The 640 US update is very easy and fast. Many people have installed it and no one has had a problem...except me...I didn't unzip the files before burning my data disc and tried to install those unzipped files. The 640 just kept grinding away until I stopped the disc, with no harm done.

The unzipped file name and size should be:

SR06A620.MEM 12,482 KB

ok I GUESS this worked. I put the disk in, followed the instructions, and when it ejected the disk it said "download 2" on the front of the recorder then after a while it powered off.

To clarify, was this only to fix the titles carrying over? I assume nothing else was fixed and all I could do for the other things bothering me is order the other remote and then it would have the chapter mark button and commercial skip working on discs?

...order the other remote and then it would have the chapter mark button and commercial skip working on discs?If you're talking about the 633 remote, it doesn't have a commercial skip button. What it has that the 640 remote lacks is an "eject" button and a better (IMHO) layout without some of the buttons hid behind a sliding door.

If you're talking about the 633 remote, it doesn't have a commercial skip button. What it has that the 640 remote lacks is an "eject" button and a better (IMHO) layout without some of the buttons hid behind a sliding door.I suspect you meant the 633 remote doesn't have the chapter mark button right Sean? It does have the commercial skip button, and it works better than the 640 remote because commercial skip also works for finalized DVDs.

Say what you will about the eject button, but I find it very handy. It means I don't have to wait for the tray to open when I get up to remove a disc, and after I burn a new disc I can remotely open and close the tray to ensure that it's completely readable,

Sean,
I COMPLETELY AGREE with you on this.
I haven't had the pleasure of having the remote with that "Reject" ah, er, Eject button, but experienced having to WAIT and felt how NICE it would have been to have the tray already out by the time I got up to take the disk out. And close from the remote!
Sincerely,
Urlee;)

I suspect you meant the 633 remote doesn't have the chapter mark button right Sean?Whoops, there goes another neural fuse! Yes, the 633 remote has eject and commercial skip buttons but no "chapter mark" button.

I thought someone specifically said it had the chapter mark button or that my old controller for the 510 or 520 would work properly with the chapter mark button. Maybe I should go all the way back to the 510 and find someone with that remote becuae it had the chapter mark button, eject button, the better layout of buttons, and a properly working commercial skip button. So assuming its chapter mark button works on this recorder, it would have everything I assume.

Whoops, there goes another neural fuse! Yes, the 633 remote has eject and commercial skip buttons but no "chapter mark" button.
Sean, I knew that 30th bday pic you use as your Avatar would come back to haunt you someday!

You need to update it with last year's 50th bday pic so we'll have more sympathy for you. :D

Sean, I knew that 30th bday pic you use as your Avatar would come back to haunt you someday! You need to update it with last year's 50th bday pic so we'll have more sympathy for you. :DYou're thinking of the old picture, the one you're seeing now was taken within the last year after my 52nd. If anything, blame Urlee for "doctoring" it up. ;)

It's amazing what you can hide in an image that's only 53 pixels wide... :D

You're thinking of the old picture, the one you're seeing now was taken within the last year after my 52nd. If anything, blame Urlee for "doctoring" it up. ;)

It's amazing what you can hide in an image that's only 53 pixels wide... :D
I asked my wife to look at your pic and she guessed "late 20s"... man, you really CAN hide about 25 years in a pic only 53 pixels wide... :)

Shrink your pic to 26 pixels wide and you'd be in 1st grade! :D

Maybe I should go all the way back to the 510 and find someone with that remote becuae it had the chapter mark button, eject button, the better layout of buttons, and a properly working commercial skip button. So assuming its chapter mark button works on this recorder, it would have everything I assume.I seem to recall that someone tested a 510 remote with the 633 and found that it would not respond to the chapter mark button. If that's true then the 640 isn't likely to either.

I definitely recall that someone tested the chapter mark button on a 640, and it did not respond. If it had, I would have such a remote by now!