Pioneer Tips

[WH]

I have a Pioneer DVR-320-S and I like it a lot.

I've done some tests to see what kind of video/audio each manual mode produces. The owners manual doesn't really tell you enough info.

All the tests were done with 1 minute clips so the average bit rate results may not be that accurate. I don't have time to test longer clips.

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note:
SIF = 352x240
Half D1 = 352x480
Full D1 = 720x480

format:
manual mode, time, resolution, audio, avg bit rate

MN01, 6h00m, 352x240, AC3 256 Kbps, 1340, EP MODE
MN02, 5h45m, 352x240, AC3 256 Kbps, 1440
MN03, 5h30m, 352x240, AC3 256 Kbps, 1578
MN04, 5h15m, 352x240, AC3 256 Kbps, 1550
MN05, 5h00m, 352x240, AC3 256 Kbps, 1598
MN06, 4h45m, 352x240, AC3 256 Kbps, 1676

MN07, 4h30m, 352x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 2002
MN08, 4h15m, 352x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 1962
MN09, 4h00m, 352x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 2096, LP MODE
MN10, 3h50m, 352x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 2136
MN11, 3h40m, 352x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 2087
MN12, 3h30m, 352x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 2258
MN13, 3h20m, 352x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 2273
MN14, 3h10m, 352x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 2167
MN15, 3h00m, 352x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 2403
MN16, 2h50m, 352x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 2382
MN17, 2h40m, 352x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 2599
MN18, 2h30m, 352x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 3108

MN19, 2h20m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 4038
MN20, 2h10m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 4405
MN21, 2h00m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 4617, SP MODE
MN22, 1h50m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 4664
MN23, 1h45m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 4495
MN24, 1h40m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 4744
MN25, 1h35m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 4469
MN26, 1h30m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 5010
MN27, 1h25m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 4854
MN28, 1h20m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 5227
MN29, 1h15m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 7033
MN30, 1h10m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 7452
MN31, 1h05m, 720x480, AC3 256 Kbps, 8100

MN32, 1h00m, 720x480, LPCM 1536 Kbps, 7285, FINE MODE

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As you can see, all modes produce DVD-compliant discs, no weird resolutions or anything.

I've read that some older Pioneer models (maybe DVR-210) produce non-DVD-compliant discs using modes between 2 to 4 hours.

[WH]

Tip - Highest bit rate mode?

MN31 actually has the highest bit rate and sharpest picture quality. So if you don't care for PCM audio and want the highest bit rate then use MN31 mode.

This is a great mode to record really old VHS tapes that have poor picture quality.

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Tip - Best mode for recording TV shows?

352x240 resolution is unwatchable for me, too much pixilation. So I use MN07. It gives 352x480 resolution which is sufficient, and has the most recording time (4h30m) at this resolution.

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Tip - Where is the MON-FRI option when scheduling a recording?

Yes, I know this is a stupid tip, but I was stumped myself for a while. The manual doesn't mention this, unless I overlooked it totally.

Anyway, the answer is simple. When you schedule a recording and choosing the date, press the down arrow on the remote and it will cycle through the MON-FRI option along with others like EVERYDAY, EVERY MON, etc.

[Frobozz]

Thanks for reporting your research, WH. Good info to know.

[lumis]

i could have swore there was a 2 hour & 55 minute mode.. i'm using a 220 (225), so maybe its slightly different..

about the whole between 2 & 4 hours producing an incompliant disc is true, but it can easily be avoided.

if you record between 2 & 4 hours in DVD-VR mode the video resolution is 544x480.. but if you record in DVD-VIDEO mode you'll get either a 720x480 or 354x480 mpeg.. i think i'm the one who started that rumor.. sorry :P