Hard Drive upgrade for Pioneer DVR-520H

[mtncat]

Bought a Refurbished DVR-531H and the TvGuide and Timer Record functions aren't functioning, guess the techs don't know how to fix it. Seems like there is only a small community of people who do 8)

I can at least use timer record through DishNetwork (I think Pioneers are the only DVR that can be controlled through DishNetwork VCR codes) Although depending upon the size of your room, you might have to move the DishNetork receiver around to get the Pioneer to recieve the IR signals.

For Dish Network Receivers:
System Setup>Installation>VCRSetup> code: 573

When you schedule a recording event, select VCR under Timer Type.


Pioneer DVR helpful tip: Under Initial Setup, set up your thumbnail image delay to 3 minutes, this will help assure your recording's Title information is correct. Besides grabbing the thumbnail 3 minutes into your recording, it also waits 3 minutes to retrieve the Program Title Data.

[Hkan]

Just an update:

The new data disc is part# GGV1256 (not sure what the difference is)

http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/

That disc has been out for a long time now, You will not be able to buy it from Pioneer.
It is 4GB so it is 2GB larger then the GGV1179, the diffrence I do not know.
I do got the GGV1256 but GGV1179 will do the job for you.

[eddie_the_buzz]

Hello all,
I am new here. Got a DVR 530H and wish to replace the harddisk with a bigger one. I tried to BT download (3331089) the service DVD, but seems no luck. Can anyone help to "contribute" the file? Thanks in advance


Thanks to Hkan for the pointer. I am downloading the file from megaupload.

[jcuervo811]

I appreciate all the work everyone has put into this topic. As mentioned before, I have a Region 1/US Pioneer DVR-530h-s with 80GB harddrive. I have finally acquired all the necessary tools:1)bootable Linux cd, 2)Pioneer Service Disc, 3)NetRemote software for PPC with Pioneer Service Remote GGF1381 file, 4)Multi-Region Firmware 3.53, 5)Pioneer4.iso file. I have tried to follow the guide on PioneerFaq.info but it seems to get a bit confusing for US models. Here is what I have tried to without success:

First, I tried to make my unit region free and well it did make it region free but then I lost the Timer Record and VCR Plus capabilities. After countless hours of searching, I finally acquired the other software to try to correct my problems. Next, I connected the harddrive to my computer following Step 4 from the PioneerFaq's guide. Did all that without any problems. Then, after I reconnected my PVR back together, I ran Step 2 from the guide to reload the ID number. From there I loaded in the Service Disc without any problems. Next, I powered off then back to on. Then I went into HomeMenu-->Disk Setup-->Optimize HDD(There is not an option for Initialize HDD)-->Start. This took about 15 minutes or so. Now, everything seems to go without a hitch except that there doesn't to be any change to my unit. I still cannot function the Timer Record and the VCR Plus. These two buttons lock up my unit and I have pull the power cable to turn it off.

Now I realize all of my problems are due to putting in the Region Free firmware that was intended for Region 2 machines. At this point, I do not have a default Region 1 firmware. I do have a default Region 2 firmware but after accomplishing all the steps above with this firmware as well, I still receive the "HDD Error" and I still do not have Timer Record and VCR Plus. Does anyone see anything in my procedure that I might have missed or did something in the wrong? Does anyone have a default Region 1 firmware for the DVR-530H/80GB? Again thank you to all who have contributed so much.

JCuervo811

[eddie_the_buzz]

Hello all,
I am new here...

I had replaced my DVR-530H with a WD3200JB. Now it has 140hr of storage for SP mode recording.

However, every time I power up the machine, it shows "HDD ERR" in the LED display, and "Hard disk drive info is incorrect" in the screen. But the timer recording, disk navigation, ... all features are functioning as before. I tried to repeat the steps, but the "Disc Setup > Initialize HDD" option never show up again.

[mtncat]

First, I tried to make my unit region free and well it did make it region free but then I lost the Timer Record and VCR Plus capabilities

Just a thought on this... I think the the Pioneer4.iso contains data for TVGuide. Could be that the the 530H contains the VCR+ data on the firmware CD. If you have copied the Pioneer4.iso data to the harddrive, maybe the TVGuide timer data creates an error.

I had been wondering if the VCR+ and TVG systems were interchangeable, anyone know about this for sure?

[jcuervo811]

First, I tried to make my unit region free and well it did make it region free but then I lost the Timer Record and VCR Plus capabilities

Just a thought on this... I think the the Pioneer4.iso contains data for TVGuide. Could be that the the 530H contains the VCR+ data on the firmware CD. If you have copied the Pioneer4.iso data to the harddrive, maybe the TVGuide timer data creates an error.

I had been wondering if the VCR+ and TVG systems were interchangeable, anyone know about this for sure?

I don't know if they are interchangeable at all either. I honestly can live without the VCR Plus or TV Guide functions but I desperately hope to get back my Timer Record function. I used to use that more than anything.

Here is another option I might have: I am looking at purchasing another new DVR-530H. I would like to extract the firmware and also the file with the VCR Plus and Timer Record functions. Then I can share these files with Hkan so he can put these files on his site. Does anyone know how I might be able to do this so that I can restore my unit back to its default settings and I can return the new unit back to the store?

JCuervo811

[Corona]

Hello all,
I am new here...

I had replaced my DVR-530H with a WD3200JB. Now it has 140hr of storage for SP mode recording.

However, every time I power up the machine, it shows "HDD ERR" in the LED display, and "Hard disk drive info is incorrect" in the screen. But the timer recording, disk navigation, ... all features are functioning as before. I tried to repeat the steps, but the "Disc Setup > Initialize HDD" option never show up again.

eddie,

I had a similar problem, to solve it, I removed all partitions and cleaned the hard drive, followed the procedures in the Pioneer Faq, wrote Pioneer4.iso to the disk, then after doing the ID write using GGV1179 and going to the Disk Setup "Initialize HDD" showed up, after doing it once, it is now replaced by "Optimize HDD" . I'm guessing but think the HDD boot sector may get a flag set by the ID write, it may be what allows the "Initialize HDD" function for that one time operation. My recorder is Region 1.


Corona

[Corona]

I appreciate all the work everyone has put into this topic. As mentioned before, I have a Region 1/US Pioneer DVR-530h-s with 80GB harddrive. I have finally acquired all the necessary tools:1)bootable Linux cd, 2)Pioneer Service Disc, 3)NetRemote software for PPC with Pioneer Service Remote GGF1381 file, 4)Multi-Region Firmware 3.53, 5)Pioneer4.iso file. I have tried to follow the guide on PioneerFaq.info but it seems to get a bit confusing for US models. Here is what I have tried to without success:



First, I tried to make my unit region free and well it did make it region free but then I lost the Timer Record and VCR Plus capabilities. After countless hours of searching, I finally acquired the other software to try to correct my problems. Next, I connected the harddrive to my computer following Step 4 from the PioneerFaq's guide. Did all that without any problems. Then, after I reconnected my PVR back together, I ran Step 2 from the guide to reload the ID number. From there I loaded in the Service Disc without any problems. Next, I powered off then back to on. Then I went into HomeMenu-->Disk Setup-->Optimize HDD(There is not an option for Initialize HDD)-->Start. This took about 15 minutes or so. Now, everything seems to go without a hitch except that there doesn't to be any change to my unit. I still cannot function the Timer Record and the VCR Plus. These two buttons lock up my unit and I have pull the power cable to turn it off.

Now I realize all of my problems are due to putting in the Region Free firmware that was intended for Region 2 machines. At this point, I do not have a default Region 1 firmware. I do have a default Region 2 firmware but after accomplishing all the steps above with this firmware as well, I still receive the "HDD Error" and I still do not have Timer Record and VCR Plus. Does anyone see anything in my procedure that I might have missed or did something in the wrong? Does anyone have a default Region 1 firmware for the DVR-530H/80GB? Again thank you to all who have contributed so much.

JCuervo811

Don't think Pioneer4.iso can work with region free firmware, it came from a region 1 unit, extracted from the hard drive of a 531h DVR by trhouse. Firmware is written to the DVR ROM not the hard drive, I don't think region 1 firmware is publicly available and extracting it may be a formidible task. A solution for you might be to put Region 2 back on your machine, then have someone with a Region 2 DVR make an .iso of the first 4MB's of their hard drive and mail it to you. That should get you the Timer Record function back. My belief is that firmware interacts with the programs on the hard drive and they must match.

Corona

[Hkan]

Hi

[mtncat]

Don't think Pioneer4.iso can work with region free firmware, it came from a region 1 unit, extracted from the hard drive of a 531h DVR by trhouse. Firmware is written to the DVR ROM not the hard drive, I don't think region 1 firmware is publicly available and extracting it may be a formidible task. A solution for you might be to put Region 2 back on your machine, then have someone with a Region 2 DVR make an .iso of the first 4MB's of their hard drive and mail it to you. That should get you the Timer Record function back. My belief is that firmware interacts with the programs on the hard drive and they must match.

My DVR-220 (region1) uses the VCR+ system and doesn't have a harddrive, so I can only assume that it would be the same for the 530H (region1) with a hard drive.

I wish i had a better understanding of what the region free firmware does.. Like, does it write anything to the HD?

[trhouse]

I have used microcontrollers but I cannot think of a way to access firmware without a development system or programmer for the microcontroller in question. Development systems are designed so the software developer can easily upload and download code for testing and verification purposes.

In the past when the firmware was not embeded with the cpu, it was possible to, for example, remove a EPROM and use a device programmer to read the contents. That presumes you can remove the chip but if it is a soldered in surface mount part, it will not be easy. Pioneer would have to provide a means to access the existing code if the chip is not to be removed but it is hard to imagine why they would do that.

[edit]Have you tried asking the people who supplied the region 2 firmware if they can supply region 1?

[mtncat]

Is it is safe to say that any Pioneer Region 1(North American) DVR should NOT install any Muti-Region firmware in the Hard Drive upgrade process?

From what I understand, those Region 1 units with the VCR+ systems may lose the ability to use the VCR+ and Timer Record functions after upgrading the Hard Drive, as there is not currently available any Region 1 firmware to restore those functions.

Those Region 1 units with the TV Guide systems are upgradable and can restore the TVGuide and Timer Record functions with the process using the Pioneer4.iso described at Hkan's site: http://pioneerfaq.info

[jiver]

I am having difficulty with the stereo button on any remote. I can use the audio on normal remote and go to model id but not CPRM id. I have tried 2 pda's, i have programmed the buttons into my learning 8in1 remote but no response from any stereo button from the pda. it does not seem to send any information for this button. i am using novii remote on toshiba e800.
I am assuming the stop, play and clear are the same on the normal remote and should work. just don't have the stereo.
I am trying to upgrade a 530H to a 320GB HD.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,

[Robbins1940]

I am having difficulty with the stereo button on any remote. I can use the audio on normal remote and go to model id but not CPRM id. I have tried 2 pda's, i have programmed the buttons into my learning 8in1 remote but no response from any stereo button from the pda. it does not seem to send any information for this button. i am using novii remote on toshiba e800.
I am assuming the stop, play and clear are the same on the normal remote and should work. just don't have the stereo.
I am trying to upgrade a 530H to a 320GB HD.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,

No you need the service remote.

Your normal remote won't work for the hard drive upgrade.

[jcuervo811]

This may be a dumb question but does anyone know how format the orginal harddrive in the DVR-530H? I know I can go through and delete each program that I have recorded one at a time, but there has to be a way wipe the drive clean. Anyone?

JCuervo811

[Seeker47]

This may be a dumb question but does anyone know how format the orginal harddrive in the DVR-530H? I know I can go through and delete each program that I have recorded one at a time, but there has to be a way wipe the drive clean. Anyone?

JCuervo811

If that is really what you want to do, and are connecting up the drive to a PC, there are a number of programs or utilities that can write zeros all throughout the HDD, and that is a clean wipe. One such program is the shareware DFSEE. But, if you scrub the DVR's drive clean, and there was anything proprietary on there from Pioneer that you need, including the type of drive formatting . . . . Anyway, I hope the process your will be following is well-proven, and takes this all into account.

[jiver]

To upgrade the HD in dvr-530H to 320GB with service remote buttons.
I have downloaded 3 types of .ccf and i have 4 .pdb to use on my pda. All .ccf files have now output from the irda on 2 different pda's under any programs used. The most i have been able to get is with novii remote and dvr_pioneer_service.pdb but the keys are labeled wrong for esc and i cannot find any stereo button to use.
Does anyone have the .pdb to be used with novii remote or program to download and the layout/codes for either Toshiba e800 or HP ipaq hw6965 pda's?
Cheers,

[Hkan]

Is it is safe to say that any Pioneer Region 1(North American) DVR should NOT install any Muti-Region firmware in the Hard Drive upgrade process?

.......................................
.......................................

Yes it is safe to say that a region 1 player shouldnt use ANY multiregional firmware for a HDD upgrade prosses.
You shouldnt mix any firmware at all. When mixing recording systems it just creates havoc in the DVR, as well that you got diffrent terminals and so on the diffrent DVRs released in diffrent countrys.

All is stated in the guide found at: PioneerFAQ HDD Guide. Here it says what steps you need to follow to have a succesful HDD upgrade.
Make sure you have the latest as it is changed now and then due to that new instructions/models are supported.

[Hkan]

This may be a dumb question but does anyone know how format the orginal harddrive in the DVR-530H? I know I can go through and delete each program that I have recorded one at a time, but there has to be a way wipe the drive clean. Anyone?

JCuervo811

Hi
If you have the Service Remote you can wipe the HDD totally clean.

Have alook at :PioneerFAQ --> PDF Files --> Service Mode.

If you dont have it, theres no way to do it.

[Hkan]

To upgrade the HD in dvr-530H to 320GB with service remote buttons.
I have downloaded 3 types of .ccf and i have 4 .pdb to use on my pda. All .ccf files have now output from the irda on 2 different pda's under any programs used. The most i have been able to get is with novii remote and dvr_pioneer_service.pdb but the keys are labeled wrong for esc and i cannot find any stereo button to use.
Does anyone have the .pdb to be used with novii remote or program to download and the layout/codes for either Toshiba e800 or HP ipaq hw6965 pda's?
Cheers,

I dont know if this is the case, but some PDB files seem to bee wrongly mapped:
You could try this:

for ESC use EXIT
for STEREO use F1
for SEARCH use F2
for CLEAR use CLEAR
for STOP use Stop (black square)

[jcuervo811]

This may be a dumb question but does anyone know how format the orginal harddrive in the DVR-530H? I know I can go through and delete each program that I have recorded one at a time, but there has to be a way wipe the drive clean. Anyone?

JCuervo811

Hi
If you have the Service Remote you can wipe the HDD totally clean.

Have alook at :PioneerFAQ --> PDF Files --> Service Mode.

If you dont have it, theres no way to do it.

HKan,
I do have the service remote. Would it be safe to say that by doing this reformat on the original harddrive of the DVR-530H would not be any different from simply putting in a different, reformatted harddrive into the system?

JCuervo811

[Hkan]

Hm , actually to correct my self it is only for testing the HDD.
it is a writing, reading and comparing test across all sectors of the HDD, this takes a long time to do, approx 11hrs/160GB

What I can see in the Service Manual there is no other way to wipe it clean.

[PuzZLeR]

You know what guys? This is all nice and all, but I'm getting a headache just reading about all the frustrations and complications regarding this procedure.

I would really love to have 300GB on my Pioneer 520H, which I already love as is, but I know there are new models always coming out, with new features and big, big hard drives ready.

They are getting cheaper all the time, and I think I would be much better off just buying a later Pioneer model (after of course reading the reviews) and still saving money, let alone the agony.

As well, if you want to use it to convert VHS tapes, you don't need higher quality, and more disk space than SP mode in my experience. Anything higher, with more HDD space would be a waste.

I also congratulate the ones with the success stories and wish all others luck in their efforts. I however, will just wait a bit longer and buy the next Pioneer.

It's only a few bucks, and you could work an extra shift at your job if you have to, but you'd at least have peace of mind.

Good luck all.

[jcuervo811]

Ok, I have almost given up with my unit but just thought I would post my last bits of information that maybe someone can shed some light on. I have gone through all the procedures again just triple checking to see if anything helps. What I have noticed is that when load any of the firmware discs, it goes from LOAD->DOWNLOAD-1->DISC DOWNLOAD(eject disc)->DOWNLOAD-2->DOWNLOAD-3->DOWNLOAD-5->then closes eject tray and powers down. The service manual says that it should go to DOWNLOAD-4 after DOWNLOAD-5 but my unit doesn't with all of my firmware discs that I have. Here is what my unit shows under the Service Mode maybe someone has an idea that I have tried with my previous posts:
[img]https://forum.videohelp.com/images/guides/p1591923/


JCuervo811

[jcuervo811]

I do know that the IRCON showing a "NG-" is not good but I cannot get anything to load into that field. I am almost sure that is problem for causing my unit to lock up and not operate properly when I try to schedule recordings.

JCuervo811

[maya2000]

Hi I'm new to this forum. I read the whole thread which took me 3 hours or more and it makes a good read.
I need some advice abot Pioneer DVR units.
What is the different between the Pioneer DVR 420H and the 520H?
I've a Pioneer DVR 420H and I want to make it multiregion.
Multiregion:
What software do I need? Can I use the regfree520_720 software or do I need a special version?
Service Remote CGF1381:
I also want to know what file to use with my Palm IIIc & OmniRemote? I've tried the file which was posted in this forum converted it and transfered back into my Palm but I got no reponse from my Pioneer unit. Maybe someone can post a working file for me.
As I told you I am very new to all this. Anyway I thank you in advanced

[yungwun]

Hello,
I am new to this, but I've been researching how to upgrade my HD on the 420.
So, the equipment i need is:

service remote GGF1381
Service manual for DVR-510H (part # RRV2855)
disk part# GGV1179

I was wondering if anyone knows where I can purchase the remote. I don't have a palm pilot to use, but I might just purchase one to get the job done. Also, for the service manual and service disk, does anyone know where I can download or if they can seed it, that will be greatly appreciated.

I've been reseaching this for weeks, but just don't know any resouce to purchase or obtain the items. Couldn't find it on ebay either, and at www.nationalpartsupply.us/shop/nps/ sells the remote is about $90, which is way too expensive.

If anyone can help me THANKS in advance.
yungwun619@hotmail.com

[yungwun]

hey maya2000,
I also have a 420 want to make my dvr region free. You can go to this link https://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks.php?select=Pioneer+DVR-420H
and it explains how to do it, but you need a disk. I haven't tried it, but I downloaded Pioneer DVR-220 region free disk and if anyone knows if that will work on the 420. Let me know thanks.

[trhouse]

Start here,

http://www.pioneerfaq.info/english/dvr630.php?player=DVR-630H&question=replace_hdd