Hard Drive upgrade for Pioneer DVR-520H

[VoR]

Louis,

Hopefully Hkan, or someone, will correct me if I am wrong, but I do not think you will need the pioneer4.iso. I am new to this, and I could be wrong, but this is how I understand it. As far as I know, the iso is only for machines that use TVGuide. My 640 (and the 540, I think) has VCR+.

I think the X40 series is a little more user friendly. You still need the service disc and the service remote, but I don't think you need any additional files to complete the install.

Hopefully I understand this correctly, and I hope this helps you. Good luck.

-VoR-

[Hkan]

Pioneer4.iso is not needed on DVR-440/540/541/543/545/640/645H(X) It's only needed for the 2005 models (DVR-530/630/531/533H), but not the DVR-433H

Please read the guides at www.pioneerfaq.info , click on the English flag at DVR-530/630H, this pages also contain info about how to replace the HDD in other Pioneer DVRs

[FredZebo]

I have the DVR-540H and my hard drive crapped out on me. I read all the posts and collected the manual, the codes for my Palm, and pioneer_service.nrg. After switching the drive and following the instructions for the use of the remote I get an error. It says “wait ROM writing” first and then it say “ROM write NG!” and eject the disk. I think I may have the wrong version of the service disk. Is there a way to tell which one you have? Is there a way to get the correct disk without going to Pioneer?

[Hkan]

You can test it in a computer (windows based)!
If it's unreadble it is the old service disc and not the one you need.
The type2 disc is readble in a computer.

You find guides at: PioneerFAQ

FredZebo I just sent you an PM

[Nandesco]

Hi everybody

I am chatting from Brazil and i would like to introduce myself.My name is Fernando and I have two device recorders Pioneer (DVR520HS e DVR540HS).The first one have 250 GB of HDD and the second 160 GB (original).

It is possible to change the hdd from the Pioneer 540 bypassing the protection id thru the Pioneer 520?

I make this question cause i have the service disk type 1 and the service remote emulate (pronto) from a Palm which works great with Pioneer DVR 520.

Where i can get the service dsik type 2?The first one i downloaded from emule pioneer_service.nrg.

Thanks in advance for all members from this forum who help me to upgrade my first recorder (520)

Fernando

[FredZebo]

Hkan is the man,

Just over 24 hours and I got my DVR-540H fixed. It is a very easy process, you just need the right tools.

Thanks Hkan

[agdex]

Upgrading of the 540 Hard Drive
Hi everybody:
I succesfully upgraded the HD of my 540 (manufactured June 2006).
The process is very simple, and it may take 30 minutes, but you need the right tools.
If I could be of any help, send me an PM.
Louis

[Nandesco]

Agdex,

Thank you very much for your help!

Fernando

[Sean Nelson]

Howdy all. I've hung out on AVSForum for quite a while but this is my first post on VideoHelp. This seems like the active Pioneer HDD upgrade thread so I'll post this question here.

I have two North American Pioneer 533/633 and two 640 DVD recorders, and I want to protect myself in case of eventual hard drive failure (I've already had one failure that's been covered by my extended credit card warranty). So I'm looking to get the service remotes and ID discs necessary in case I ever need them.

From HKan's material on PioneerFAQ I gather that the 533/633 require ID disc GGV1239, and the 640 requires GGV1273 Type 2. My question is this: Is the GGV1273 Type 2 a "cumulative" update that not only includes the 640 info, but also supports previous models such as the 533? In other words, can I get away with just the GGV 1273 Type 2 disc for both my x33 and 640 models?

...thanks - Sean

[Sean Nelson]

FYI, HKan has let me know that the newer ID disc will only work with the 640, so for those of us with both a 633 and a 640, both discs are required.

Thanks, HKan!

[Robbins1940]

Is this remote any good for using to program a Pioneer DVD recorder after changing the HDD?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PHILIPS-HIGH-QUALITY-3-IN-1-UNIVERSAL-REMOTE-CONTROL_W0QQitemZ23...QQcmdZViewItem

[Sean Nelson]

Is this remote any good for using to program a Pioneer DVD recorder after changing the HDD?

I'm not the most knowledgable person on remotes, but it doesn't look like it to me. That remote can probably learn codes from other remotes, but I think what you need is a remote that allows you to download codes from the Internet via your computer. Something like a Harmony or Pronto.

[emil.....]

Hi everibody....
first of all sorry for my imperfect english.i'm an italian guy.
thi is my problem: i have a pioneer dvr 520h recorder.all was ok for 3 years really good product.
but some days ago the burner doesn't work anymore but the hdd yes.
the warranty is expired then i took the dvr 520h to one friend of mine, a technician.
he did some test but now also the hdd doesn't work it give the message "hdd error".
the question is:what tools i need to reset the hdd?
i read in this forum and in the pionnerfaq guide that i need the:
-sevice recover dvd disk
-pronto.zip
-a palm
(something else?)

i downloaded the pronto but i can't find the service recovery disk:where i can find it?
and what version i need?
furthermore if i haven't a palm what i can use?

thanks in advance

emil

p.s. for the burner a specialized center ask me 270 euro(around 240$), can i use a compatible burner?or where i can find the original?

[Robbins1940]

emil it may be cheaper just to buy a new DVD recorder.

[emil.....]

not properly Robbins1940.....
my dvr520h has in/out dv.
to have the same in a new model of pioneer i must spend about 700euro

[Robbins1940]

you are probably right if you want the highest spec machine.

[emil.....]

tnx for the reply...but in order to the dvd recovery service disk?

[Sean Nelson]

tnx for the reply...but in order to the dvd recovery service disk?

Hakan who manages the pioneerfaq web site may know where you can find one. You should be able to e-mail him at support@pioneerfaq.info.

[achoofa]

Hi all,
I just want to verify that with the GGV1273 type2 disk & Logitech Harmony525 I was able to successfully revive the HDD my Australian DVR-640H. The errors at startup are gone, and it recognises the hdd again.
Many thanks to Hkan & this forum.

Achoofa.

[Gypsy898]

Is the Pioneer GGV1273 Data Disc compatible with the Pioneer DVR-520H or must I try to get the Pioneer GGV1179 disc?

[Sean Nelson]

Is the Pioneer GGV1273 Data Disc compatible with the Pioneer DVR-520H or must I try to get the Pioneer GGV1179 disc?

I can tell you that the GGV1273 is required for the 2006 North American models (ie, Pioneer 640), and the GGV1179 is used for the 2005 models (ie, Pioneer 633). This suggests that at the very least that the GGV1273 would not be compatible with the even older 520, and I'd guess the GGV1179 wouldn't be either.

[Hkan]

Is the Pioneer GGV1273 Data Disc compatible with the Pioneer DVR-520H or must I try to get the Pioneer GGV1179 disc?

For the DVR-520H you need GGV1179/1256

[Gypsy898]

Well because of my mistake getting the wrong disc. My mom (in the States) is ordered for me the GGV1302 disc since the GGV1256 seems to be out of stock. It isn't confirmed to work with the 520-H. Does anyone have any knowledge if it will?

[donglejack]

Hi Gipsy, according to Pioneer's website, it is the right replacement part.

See: http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/part.asp?productNum=GGV1256

Status: Temporarily Out

E.T.A. More than 60-days

Substitute: [ GGV1302 ]

Please note, when part # GGV1256 becomes unavailable at time of shipment, a compatible part may be substituted instead in order to avoid unnecessary delays with your order.

I'm very interested in to know that, despite we may NOT find it in France (You're very lucky to have your mother in US ). If someone has an idea on how to get it, it is welcome!

Just a last remark, Gipsy: be very careful about zone of this service disk and zone of your recorder. They MUST be the same.

[Gypsy898]

I bought the 520 when I still lived in the United States, it is a region 1. Thanks for thinking of me !!!

[anthonyphua]

Hi all

I'm trying to test the emulation of the service remote before embarking on the harddisk upgrading.

I'm using the CCF template provided by robke51 and Vito Remote on my HP Ipaq 1950.

I pressed the ESC followed by STERO keys but did not get a response showing the CPRM ID screen.

Can someone confirm if this is correct?

Thanks.

[Hkan]

Esc then STEREO is correct! Try some of this comands in this file: http://www.pioneerfaq.info/filer/DVR-630/Service_Mode.pdf

[anthonyphua]

Here's an update.

I suspected the problem lies with VitoRemote on my ipaq 1950 and I was right!

I got myself a 2nd hand palm and loaded it with OmniRemote. The infrared worked fine.

So fellow forumers take note. Ipaq 1950 with Vitoremote does not work.

Hi all

I'm trying to test the emulation of the service remote before embarking on the harddisk upgrading.

I'm using the CCF template provided by robke51 and Vito Remote on my HP Ipaq 1950.

I pressed the ESC followed by STERO keys but did not get a response showing the CPRM ID screen.

Can someone confirm if this is correct?

Thanks.

[emminem17]

Newbie question: I'm not sure if my problems with my 633H-S require that I replace the hard drive. The burner still works, but I now can't use either the "Timer Rec." or "TV Guide" functions. When I press either of those buttons, the current date does show up in the display window on the unit, but nothing displays on the TV screen. I already reset the machine, but those two functions still don't work. I was hoping that maybe I could just upgrade the firmware, or maybe reinstall the current firmware (I checked. It's version 1.30), and this would hopefully fix the problem. Is it possible to do this? I'd appreciate any help that anyone can provide..

[Sean Nelson]

now can't use either the "Timer Rec." or "TV Guide" functions. When I press either of those buttons, the current date does show up in the display window on the unit, but nothing displays on the TV screen.

Have you tried the TVGOS reset procedure as described here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6656805&&#post6656805

It seems very unlikely that you would need to replace the hard drive. When my hard drive failed the machine kept cycling with "LOAD" and the date/time showing alternately in the flourescent display and it refused to do anything at all.