Wanna fix for the Pioneer DVR-640H-S timer event naming issue?

[ACPewty]

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 Customer Support Form

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!

[ACPewty]

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.

[Seeker47]

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.

Did you have an e-mail form or petition going on this ? In other threads, I've seen where users had contact with some regional Pioneer Customer Service, but wound up feeling *they* (the users) knew more about the DVR models than whoever they were talking to. Maybe it is better in Canada . . . .

[ACPewty]

Did you have an e-mail form or petition going on this ? In other threads, I've seen where users had contact with some regional Pioneer Customer Service, but wound up feeling *they* (the users) knew more about the DVR models than whoever they were talking to. Maybe it is better in Canada . . . .

No this plus the same thread posted on the AVS forum is the first time I have posted regarding this. Maybe this thread can be used as leverage if enough people reply. I know some people won't want to call especially if there is a long wait on hold which I have heard can happen especially in the US, but hopefully those people will at least post their sentiments here and that can be used.

I agree, there doesn't seem to be a lot of certainty in Canada either regarding technical issues, but it doesn't take a lot of technical knowledge to relay a message from end users.

[ACPewty]

Update: As of January 2007 a firmware update is now available from Pioneer to fully address the title name issue. I have it installed and it works very well.

More info: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8498393&&#post8498393

Many thanks to Pioneer and all the members over at the AVS forum who helped in obtaining the update!