Hard Drive upgrade for Pioneer DVR-520H

[mikel]

I seem to recall reading that the transmitter power & distance increased
the longer it was powered up. It runs on capacitor "stored" power instead of
a battery. You might try moving it closer.
Mikel

[sapulidi]

do you have test using desktop computer? or operating system not supported?

[3to4]

However, the flashing seems much weaker than my original remote control.

I have finally succeded in upgrading my DVR-520H with a Maxtor Maxline 3
250GB.

The IR Transmitter, which did not seem to be working, worked finally. Maybe it was because it took more time to charge than they say on their web site (15 minutes). I used WinLirc and pioservrmtggf1381.cf. In the "reconfigure" dialog box of WinLirc. I checked the check box for AMIMAX (enable DTR) Otherwise I left the default settings. What was difficult was to input various commands. As sometimes a command did not work immediately, I increased "repeats" to 9. Sometimes "9" would put the same nomber 2 or 3 times. So, I had to go back to 3 or 4. Also, it seems that there is a certain way to click on the "SEND CODE" button.

I noticed that the power rating of the new hard disk is much bigger than the original disk, but I hope this is not much of a problem.

Thank you, especially, Bill Gates and NeilD.

PS: I disabled the laptop's built-in IR device in the device manager.

[3to4]

You might try moving it closer.
Mikel

Yes, I placed the transmitter very close to the IR receiver of DVR-520H like 10 cm with the "repeats" set to 9. Then, it worked the first time.

Thank you anyway.

[3to4]

do you have test using desktop computer? or operating system not supported?

I used a laptop (Toshiba Tecra 9000), which is one of my old computers. (New computers don't have a serial port.) Os is Windows XP without service packs.

Thank you anyway.

[Bill Gates]

I noticed that the power rating of the new hard disk is much bigger than the original disk, but I hope this is not much of a problem.

It's a good idea to buy a HDD specially desinged for PVR (Personal Video Recorder) instead of buying a HDD designed for PC.
All the HDD's in PVR's are special PVR types, designed for the special requirements in a PVR. The requirements in a PC and a PVR are different as you can read below.

I think the easiests PVR HDD to get as an end user is the Maxtor QuickView series.
QuickView is a HDD series optimized for HDD recorders.

Other brands like Samsung, Seagate, Western Digital etc. also makes special PVR HDD's. You can try to search for their PVR / Consumer Electronics models to see if you can find one for sale.
Seagate's current 3.5" PVR series is called DB35, but this series is not sold to end users I think, but Maxtor QuickView is.

Just Google for Maxtor QuickView to find someone that sells it. The price is about the same as for a PC HDD of the same size.

Links:
Seagate DB35
Maxtor QuickView
Maxtor QuickView datasheet

Read more about Maxtor QuickView here: http://www.weaknees.com/maxtor_quickview.php

Quote:
Maxtor QuickView Hard Drives - Built for your DVR, PVR and Consumer Electronics Devices



Maxtor QuickView hard drives are drives specifically manufactured for the PVR market. Originally Quantum QuickView drives, these drives have shipped in 70% PVRs to date, and in most TiVos shipped to date. QuickView drives are not available in retail stores, and can only be purchased through authorized Maxtor VIP resellers, such as WeaKnees.com.

QuickView drives have a few key differences from normal desktop drives that make them far superior to desktop drives for PVR usage:

* Thermal Control: On board sensors monitor temperature and adjust characteristics as necessary to keep the temperature optimal.
* Durability: These drives run at 7200 RPM - more than fast enough for every PVR (providing about three times the necessary peak throughput) but not fast enough to wear out sooner.
* Acoustic Management: Maxtor QuickView drives are specially tuned to run as quietly as possible.
* A/V Streaming: QuickView drives have been optimized and tuned to provide consistent data to the PVR processor. Standard desktop drives can hang while retrying drive reads - QuickView drives know to move ahead and provide more data to keep video smooth.
* Error Recovery: Desktop drives retry on errors to make sure that your Excel spreadsheet is exactly right - it's imperative. But when watching video, if one block of data is bad, you may not even notice a dark spot on one frame for 1/30th of a second. So these drives are tuned to move past errors faster, putting the stream of data as top priority. Where desktop drives often cause stutters, these drives run smooth.

More information about Maxtor QuickView drives is in this PDF.

WeaKnees currently has QuickView drives in stock in 120GB, 160GB and 300 GB sizes.

Looking for a bare drive? We sell individual, unformatted Maxtor QuickView hard drives.

[NeilD]

All the HDD's in PVR's are special PVR types, designed for the special requirements in a PVR. The requirements in a PC and a PVR are different as you can read below.

I suppose later models have, however my 5100H had a WD800 which is anything but "PVR" friendly the WD2500 SE Caviar is much more suited, half of the current at startup and lower running current even though its a 7200rpm (the WD800 is a 5400rpm)

The later models do have 7200rpm drives.

@3to4 Glad to hear you have done it, The IR device seems to work better on a desktop machine, I think there may be voltage/current problems on laptop computers

[barabba1966]

Hi,


I have a Pioneer dvr 5100h-s and I would update the hd and the dvd recorder.
I would now if this is possible and how

Thanks in advance

Ugo

[NeilD]

Hi,


I have a Pioneer dvr 5100h-s and I would update the hd and the dvd recorder.
I would now if this is possible and how

Thanks in advance

Ugo

This thread tells you its possible to update the HD and also how to do it, I have just updated my 5100h (P Pal Version), The DVD recorder hasn't been done yet as far as I know

Read all of the posts and refer to Bill Gates posts

[Mark_Venture]

FYI, while I haven't attempted the HD upgrade yet... I did take the cover off my DVR531-H.

The hard drive is a Seagate U9 Series 80 GBytes model: ST380012ACE +5V 0.72A, +12v 0.35A.

From what I can find on the internet this is a 5400RPM with 2meg cache.

[m3]

As the Pioneer 3100 was the same as the 5100 (minus the HDD), is it possible to fit an HDD into the 3100?

Would I need to update the firmware of the 3100 to 5100 firmware to be sure the HDD is recognised?

[NeilD]

@m3

Does it have a IDE interface ???

[m3]

@NeilD

I don't know as I haven't opened the unit!

I'm hoping that someone else who has already opened it could maybe tell me that one!

[NeilD]

@NeilD

I don't know as I haven't opened the unit!

I'm hoping that someone else who has already opened it could maybe tell me that one!

Have you had a look yet

[BitBasher]

If anyone is interested, the COMPLETE Pioneer Service Remote (GGF1381) IR codes are available over at http://www.remotecentral.com. Both flavors are available, PCF and CCF, depending on which Pronto unit you have or can emulate.

A warning: Don't just press buttons on the service remote hoping the unit will behave. It's best to have the Service Manual (RRV2963) which does a reasonable job of documenting many of the service remote features.

With all the IR codes for the service remote, you can get some pretty wicked technical details from the unit.

Bit.

[sync]

Can the service manual be downloaded?

[gshelley61]

Can the service manual be downloaded?

http://www.getmanual.com/

They are $15 (a fraction of the printed version)

[HaCKer_52]

Hey, someone that has a manual can you scan it and put it on the fourm

Thanks
HaCKer_52

[rhegedus]

Oh yes, I've got one.

It's about 200 pages long, so yes, I'm really going to scan in 200 pages just for you to save $15.......

p.s. It's also copyrighted material.......

[pendu2004]

Can some one please help me obtain the disk or the image 'pioneer_service.nrg '? Please PM me if you can sell me a copy or the original. I am in more serious trouble than most of you. My 80GB HDD has many bad sectors. If I am to replace I'd rather do it with a 300GB disk. Please help!!

[NeilD]

Can the service manual be downloaded?

http://www.getmanual.com/

They are $15 (a fraction of the printed version)

Can't see the 5100H service manual there, I have already upgraded my HD but would love a copy all the same, can you tell me which one to buy and also has anyone brought one on here?? if so what are they like I see some say its not the full manual

[NeilD]

Can some one please help me obtain the disk or the image 'pioneer_service.nrg '? Please PM me if you can sell me a copy or the original. I am in more serious trouble than most of you. My 80GB HDD has many bad sectors. If I am to replace I'd rather do it with a 300GB disk. Please help!!

How do you know it has bad sectors ????

[pendu2004]

Can some one please help me obtain the disk or the image 'pioneer_service.nrg '? Please PM me if you can sell me a copy or the original. I am in more serious trouble than most of you. My 80GB HDD has many bad sectors. If I am to replace I'd rather do it with a 300GB disk. Please help!!

How do you know it has bad sectors ????

The recorded stuff hangs while playing in many locations. I have to close and restart the DVR. I assume it is bad sectors in the HDD.

Anyways I got the service manual today and am almost ready with the Palm to act as the remote. The only thing remaining is the DVD. If anyone is willing to share the service disk I can share the PDF (online) version of the service manual. please IM me via Windows Messenger (imran-saeed@sympatico.ca) or PM me.

[n|trous]

Has anyone upgraded a DVR-531H recorder?
I've tried with a Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250gig HD without success.

Thanks
Doug

[mitchelln]

Is there any Windows or Linux tool that will bit copy the data off the original drive onto the new 250GB drive I'm putting into my 5100H?
I have a number of recordings on the disc that I'd like to keep on disc.

Cheers.

[STJEPO]

The "Pioneer-Dvr-520 Service Manual.pdf" is available using any P2P downloader and uploader. Still need someone to seed the "pioneer_service.nrg".

¿Is it necessary an specific HDD or any brand will do?

Regards

[pendu2004]

I bought the Service Manual PDF for 15USD. Anyone interested in buying from me let me know. I'll sell for 5$ via paypal and email it to you.

I also have the service disk now. PM me we can make some arrangement for that as well.

Thanks.

[pendu2004]

WOW. all it took was 5 Minutes. Successfully upgraded HDD to WD 320 GB.

70 Hrs in Fine or 137 Hrs in SP.

Any one need disk or manual let me know.

[ddog524]

For those of you that are familiar with JP1 remotes, or are willing to learn how to program your remote control. There is a an upgrade file for the Pioneer Service Remote GGF1381 located at this link
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload.php?action=file&file_id=1367

Many "Radio Shack" and "One For All" universal remotes can be programed using the JP1 interface connecter. Start here
http://www.hifi-remote.com/jp1/index.shtml

You will need a JP1 cable which you can order for about $14.

You will need the free software tools and help file tutorials located here.
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload.php

To be honest, it takes a little while to puzzle out how to do all this stuff, but it is very rewarding in the long run.

I have a URC-9910, One for all remote. It is is both an IR and radio transmitter. The radio signal is relayed to base station that points at my home theater. I can be anywhere in my house or even outside my house and perform any remote command. I love it.
http://www.ofausa.com/remote.php?type=URC%209910

As for programing the remote, just learn all the ir buttons from your existing remotes, copy the remote commands into the software. Map the commands to any button you like on the JPI remote, save the file and download it to the JP1 remote.

I like this part too because most of the setup codes supplied with universal remotes skip some of the buttons or map them in an awkward fashion. With JP1, you get to decide what goes where and how.

I don't have a pronto but I suspect that learning to program your remote with JP1 will be more difficult than the pronto initially.

Lastly, there is a Yahoo JP1 group that you can join for free that is another good source for file and info.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jp1/

ddog524

[Zen of Encoding]

Is there any Windows or Linux tool that will bit copy the data off the original drive onto the new 250GB drive I'm putting into my 5100H?
I have a number of recordings on the disc that I'd like to keep on disc.

Cheers.

Just wanted to bump the above question. Can one just remove the
original HD, connect it and a new 500 Gig HD into a Linux OS computer,
format the new drive and then copy the entire contents of the original
HD into the new drive, and finally reinstall the new drive into the 520H?

Or does this seem like *way* more work then just getting the service
disc and manual?