Hacking Pioneer DVR-5100H (DVR-510H)

[canadateck]

They did somthing like this with (Sampo DVD Players), But I doubt it would work on a Pioneer.
Google Sampo.

[blinky88]

deleted

[kanipek]

I justed wanted to share some current information with everyone. I recently upgraded my Pioneer DVR-510 to a 400GB HD. I used the informational steps found here and in the 520 thread with the Pioneer Sevice DVD and service remote. Took all of 10 minutes to do and I now am getting 171+ HRs in SP mode.

I used a Seagate 400GB IDE drive - 16MB cache and 7200 RPM's.

I would be happy to share any further details that I am leaving out here just PM me and I'll get back to you.

So using 300GB+ HD is possible.

All of you guys ROCK....keep up the good info!

[dman_warlamas]

Help! Been lurking around this forum since the vcdhelpdotcom days, but had to re-register to post this?

Anyway, the DVR-106-XA drive in my DVR-510HS has apparently died. It won't read any blank dvd-r's or play a commercial dvd title. Pioneer wants $304.80 for a replacement drive.

I've been scouring around the board and found that it can be replaced with another drive, but haven't seen instructions for doing this.

Also, I read that it can't be upgraded, but what do I do if I can't find a DVR-106-XA drive? I've seen pics of this model with a DVR-107-XA? and a DVR-R09-XP (possibly a 533 model) Can the unit be fooled to let me use a retail/oem 106/107/109/110/111 drive?

Or can a I buy a cheaper 310/320/420 recorder without a HDD and use it's DVR drive?

If so how do I do it (in 15mins)? Keep it simple please.

Thanks for all the gr8 info and hard work represented in this site!!!

[kanipek]

These are my findings:

I have the DVR-510HS and I have replaced out of curiosity my DVR-106XA with a DVR-109. It works just fine, but sadly my DVR-510HS will still not support any Dual Layer recordable media. For EVERTHING else it works fine.

I had recently upgraded my HD to a 400GB disc, so I had the service remote and the Pioneer Service DVD. I simply followed the same procedures for replacing the HD and it worked great. Took all of 15 minutes to do it.

These are the procedures I used:
1. Change HD

2. Power ON

3. Confirmation of the CPRM ID No. as follows:
Press ESC then STEREO, take a note of the 9 digit number,
you will need it later (same No. is on the back of recorder),
Exit this mode by pressing CLEAR.

4. Deletion of the CPRM ID No.:
Press ESC then STEREO; input the same number as the ID number (using the number keys) and press STOP. (this happens on the LED display).

5. Input of the CPRM ID No. and ID data:
Press ESC then STEREO, input 9-digit ID number then press SEARCH to register ID. (again, this is on the LED display).

6. After this recorder's display indicates "INSERT ID",

7. Open the disc tray with recorder's OPEN/CLOSE button and insert ID disc (Pioneer Service DVD).

8 .With recorder's OPEN/CLOSE button close the disc tray.
After recorders display indicates "ID DATA OK" press CLEAR button.

9. After step 8 power down using the ON/OFF button on the unit. Then power up, go to recorder's menu and initialize disc.


I took the "ornamental" front off the original drive and used it to replace the front that comes standard on a DVR-109.

I priced a standard 106 drive and they are upwards of $130, new DVR-111 can be had for around $40.

If you have any questions just PM me.

[dman_warlamas]

Arrghhh...

OK, I bought a new Pioneer 111D drive to replace my faulty 106XA, but the new drive doesn't have a SPDIF connector!!! So, I looked at the other Pioneer drives on Newegg and they don't have a one either.

Do you guys (& dolls) think I need this if I'm only using the drive to record and not play back?

Thanks for ur time!

D-man[WarLlamas]

dvr-111d%20rear2.jpg

[dman_warlamas]

OK - Fixed the DVDR in 5 mins, but the HDD is seeing stars!!!

Got a remote and a service disc today (Thanks **). I fixed 1/2 my 510 in 5mins using the info from this thread. I had to use the 106XA drive from my 210, because the 111D drive doesn't work in either unit. Display says 'OPEN' when I power it up and the drive sounds like it's trying to spin up or close but never does. (May be a bad drive?)

Also, I still have the HDD ERROR msg on the 510.

What's the 'COMPARE' >********* line in the service menu? Seems like the unit lost its HDD info? Does the unit thinks it's ID is ********* instead of 0004.....? See Pic.

So, here's the scary question. If I re-enter the HDD ID info do you think I'll have to initialize (format) the drive? And since it's full of shows waiting to be archived because of the bad dvdr, that would be a disaster!

Any advice?

Thanks,
D-man[WarLlamas]

id_info_censored.jpg

[kanipek]

Try reversing the cable on the 111D, sounds like it was on backwards. Which you shouldn't be able to do.......but it DOES happen.

When I was doing the experimenting on the 510 I have, I did the HDD swap several times. Including back to the original. After installing the original disc and inputting the CPRM everything was still there as far as recordings go. I had taken the precaution of transferring everything to my Media Center computer ahead of time. As I said I was experimenting - lots of conflicting info here and other places.

I think reinputing the CPRM will solve your problem. When I did these experiments I did not have to re-initialize the original drive. I THINK this occurs only when a blank drive is used, at least that is the way it appears to me.

Kind of strange about the HDD error occuring after replacing the burner though.

Let us know what happens.

[Robbins1940]

Is there anything cheaper than a Philips Pronto remote to upgrade the HD in my Pioneer DVD recorder? Don't want to spend £150 to £300 on a remote I will only use maybes once.

[dman_warlamas]

Update: My 510HS is back up and running! Thanks 'Ed', 'Kanipek', and the nameless others.

The HDD ERR was a bit of a mystery to me too. Apparently it was because I was a bit of a chicken with the DVDr replacement process. I unhooked the power to the HDD to be safe while screwing with stuff that I'm not supposed to screw with. So when I hooked the HDD back up the machine thought it had a ID of "*********". All I did was reset the ID info again (with the drive powered up) and it's all happy again.

However, my new Pioneer 111D drive does not work in the 210 or the 510. It does work fine in a PC though. So I don't know whats up with that. I just ordered a 109 off the shelf, so I'll see if it plays nice.

Thanks for all the info here.

And don't be chicken while screwing with stuff that you're not supposed to screw with!

D-man[WarLlamas]

[Hkan]

Is there anything cheaper than a Philips Pronto remote to upgrade the HD in my Pioneer DVD recorder? Don't want to spend £150 to £300 on a remote I will only use maybes once.

WinLirc will work.

[Robbins1940]

Is there anything cheaper than a Philips Pronto remote to upgrade the HD in my Pioneer DVD recorder? Don't want to spend £150 to £300 on a remote I will only use maybes once.

WinLirc will work.

Thanks, I will have a look.

Edit: No good, I am not any good with building electronics. I took Technology Design at school and got a U. It was the only subject I was crap at but it was the only one in the options block that I could take.

[dman_warlamas]

Update#2: My 210 is back up and running too!

I got a DVR107 drive today and installed it in my DVR-210. I did have the same problem as with the 111D drive (trying to close/spin up but doing neither). When I removed the drive I noticed that the MA-SL-CS jumper was not installed. I set the drive to 'Master' and it started behaving just fine.

I may take the 111D out of my PC if/when either one of these fails or if someone can get DL recording to work.

Thanks to all you smart folks who figure this stuff out!

D-man[WarLlamas]

[kooman]

Good to know lots of people can successfully upgrade the HDD. However can anyone kindly share the link to get the "Service Disk (GGV1179) so that the rest of the fans can enjoy the same. Appreciated!

All thebest!

[emptyhen]

My DVR-106-XA is starting to fail in my DVR3100S. Has anyone managed to get any other drive eg. DVR110 or DVR111 working in a DVR5100/DVR3100?

For those wanting a service remote, I found that you can use the CCF files from http://www.remotecentral.com/files/index.html with TVRemote from pdawin. Only helpful if you happen to have a comptible PDA, but I found but works great with my unit.

On a different note, has anyone had problems with the sound breaking up on the digital audio out?

Mark

[hclark]

My DVR-106-XA is starting to fail in my DVR3100S. Has anyone managed to get any other drive eg. DVR110 or DVR111 working in a DVR5100/DVR3100?

For those wanting a service remote, I found that you can use the CCF files from http://www.remotecentral.com/files/index.html with TVRemote from pdawin. Only helpful if you happen to have a comptible PDA, but I found but works great with my unit.

On a different note, has anyone had problems with the sound breaking up on the digital audio out?

Mark

I'm in this boat too.
So I guess we'll be need ing a "Service disk" too.

[hclark]

Update#2: My 210 is back up and running too!

I got a DVR107 drive today and installed it in my DVR-210. I did have the same problem as with the 111D drive (trying to close/spin up but doing neither). When I removed the drive I noticed that the MA-SL-CS jumper was not installed. I set the drive to 'Master' and it started behaving just fine.

I may take the 111D out of my PC if/when either one of these fails or if someone can get DL recording to work.

Thanks to all you smart folks who figure this stuff out!

D-man[WarLlamas]

Did you find that the DVR-210 accepted more media types with the new drive? I'm particularly thinking of 4X -RW (as 2X -RW is getting rocking-horse-***-like).

[nrobinson]

looking for beg/borrow/rent of Pioneer service remote and Service DVD to repair DVR-420H

anyone know which drive is inside?


Nicholas Robinson (UK)

efmiwg7(at)bcs.org.uk

[shoemaker]

Hi all,
carried out conversion yesterday:

1st Plextor PX-755A, to mounting several minutes display loading, then (controlled through the recorder !) => open compartment =>close compartment => several minutes display loading => open compartment => close compartment => several minutes display loading and so on, and so on ....
result: does not function, neither master, slave, cable select or without!

2nd Plextor PX-708A, to mounting several minutes display loading, then (controlled through the recorder !) => open compartment =>close compartment => several minutes display loading => open compartment => close compartment => several minutes display loading and so on, and so on ....
result: does not function, neither master, slave, cable select or without!

3rd NEC ND-3540A, to mounting following goes: functioned DVD-RW in the VR mode, DVD-RW in the video mode; DVD-R and DVD-R-DL not recognized, backup of DVD-RW and DVD-R not possible!
result: functions limitedly only with DVD-RW in VR and Video mode !

4th NEC ND-3550A, to mounting following goes: functioned DVD-RW in the VR mode, DVD-RW in the video mode; DVD-R and DVD-R-DL not recognized, backup of DVD-RW and DVD-R not possible!
result: functions limitedly only with DVD-RW in VR and Video mode !

Both NEC´s without input of the ID immediately executable!!!
digital audio not connected (is not necessary), brought only "CPRM mistakes".

Question is now, with a Pioneer 111 writer or a Sony DVD writer the functionality of the
DVD-R writing is possible?
Who has the familiar one and tests too?
Best regards
Shoemaker

[hclark]

Hi all,
carried out conversion yesterday:

(snip)

4th NEC ND-3550A, to mounting following goes: functioned DVD-RW in the VR mode, DVD-RW in the video mode; DVD-R and DVD-R-DL not recognized, backup of DVD-RW and DVD-R not possible!
result: functions limitedly only with DVD-RW in VR and Video mode !

Both NEC´s without input of the ID immediately executable!!!
digital audio not connected (is not necessary), brought only "CPRM mistakes".

Question is now, with a Pioneer 111 writer or a Sony DVD writer the functionality of the
DVD-R writing is possible?
Who has the familiar one and tests too?
Best regards
Shoemaker

Sounds interesting. Did you try DVD-RW 4x disks at all? (the drive fitted to these things only works with DVD-RW 2x)

[shoemaker]

[quote="hclark"]

Sounds interesting. Did you try DVD-RW 4x disks at all? (the drive fitted to these things only works with DVD-RW 2x)

Only DVD-RW 2x works

I think another DVD writer would work better, but I did´nt know which.

May be a Sony or a new Pioneer?

Regards
Shoemaker

[zeppelin1975]

Hi all,

I´ve a Pioneer DVR-3100 and DVR-320, I can switching drive dvr-106-xa for dvr-11d?

Somebody can explain me the process or if it´s possible?

Thank´s in advance.

P.d: Sorry for my english.

[CommanderShroom]

Sorry about the necroposting here.

But I am working on a 510H myself. I have located (finally) a DVR-109 drive.

My big question, what kind of rewiring am I looking at? Is this a relatively plug and play swap, or will I have to do some cutting and and soldering? Any links or guides would be great.

[PMA]

Dear friends!
Its all clear about HDD change for Pioneer DVR family. But as for me ( and for others)
its hard to understand how to replase DVR-unit. What model can we use? How to change them?

Please, help do do it!

[CommanderShroom]

Well in a run of daring or stupidity as it may be. I just did a straight swap.

I located a DVR-109 from an Apple reseller of all things. It "appears" that it will work. There is a two wire connector that I found in the original drive that has no equivilent on the new drive. So I let it be. To no (known) negative results. Otherwise it was a direct swap.

Now I have to find the utility disk to reset the security. And of course acquire either a service remote or the files to use a Palm Pilot to act like one.

If there is something I am completely missing, could someone yell at me and let me know what it is?

[mtncat]

For Palm

This CCF file works:

serviceremoteggf1381.ccf

You'll also need CCF to PDB converter and Omniremote from:

http://www.pacificneotek.com/downloadMost.htm

good luck

[CommanderShroom]

Thanks for the links.

I have located the disk I need. And am going to start on this project next week.

I am gonna cross my fingers and hope for the best.

[javanni]

I have the Pioneer DVR-510H. Used it/Loved it for my biz PerfectPopcorn.com but the damn DVD drive went out on me. I ordered a replacement DVD drive but after installing, I'm now getting a Firmware error when the machine boots.

I spoke to a service tech at Pioneer and he says the reason I'm getting that error is because anytime you install a replacement DVD drive in the Pioneer DVR you must then insert the FIRMWARE CD to make the connection between the DVR and the new drive.

However, he said Pioneer will NOT give out the firmware CD. What the heck?

So now I'm stuck with a really cool machine (and a $150 new DVD drive). I also have a ton of really cool edited video on the HDD that I can't access until I either get this firmware issue fixed or have 2 days to pull the HDD and access elsewhere.

Can anyone help?

Tim / Javanni, Inc.
President, CEO
www.PerfectPopcorn.com

[dslrwalker]

Thanks for the links.

I have located the disk I need. And am going to start on this project next week.

I am gonna cross my fingers and hope for the best.

Hi CommanderShroom,

Is it possible for you and other big brothers to share the Serivce Disk link? Many Thanks!

[javanni]

Please do share the link where you got the service disc. I am only interested in loading the firmware for my Pioneer recorder after replacing the DVD-R drive. You can also email me at javanni@carolina.rr.com - I would appreciate this so much! My DVR has been collecting dust for over 6 months now and I LOVED IT. I just need the firmware to get it back up and running again. - Tim / www.PerfectPopcorn.com