Hard Drive upgrade for Pioneer DVR-530/630H

[Hkan]

Download this PDF to learn how you in a secure way can upgrade your HDD in the DVR-530/630H. This is for the European region 2 version of the DVR-530/630H that comes with Guide Plus+.

How to replace your HDD

EDIT 4/16
Now updated with info on how to make the HDD work with the international versions aswell.

EDIT 7/22
Updated with info for Australian/NZ owners of the DVR-5/630H Region 4

[Mark_Venture]

I have everything...

Just need to know, would this process work on a US DVR-531/533H-S?

i.e. is that "region free" cd ok to use on a US DVR-531h?

And does it actually "update the firmware" of the recorder? or does it just install the code needed to get past the TV Guide OS guide after the HD swap?

[Hkan]

I have everything...

Just need to know, would this process work on a US DVR-531/533H-S?

i.e. is that "region free" cd ok to use on a US DVR-531h?

And does it actually "update the firmware" of the recorder? or does it just install the code needed to get past the TV Guide OS guide after the HD swap?

Yes it should work on a DVR-531/533H
I cant say if the "regionfree" cd would work on a DV-531H.
What firmware version does it carry now?

It installs the firmware version 3.34. That CD is a 'complete' firmware version, not just an update. installing just an update will not work.

But again this guide and what to do is for the European DVR-530/630H that carries Guide Plus+ . For US DVR or any other I cant say.

/Håkan

http://www.pioneerfaq.info

[Mark_Venture]

I cant say if the "regionfree" cd would work on a DV-531H.
What firmware version does it carry now?

It installs the firmware version 3.34. That CD is a 'complete' firmware version, not just an update. installing just an update will not work.

How do I check what firmware is on it?

[Hkan]

Via the remote, from the Home Menu, go to Initial Setup, then select Audio Out, select Digital Out, highlight the "On" setting (i.e. don't click enter just make sure it is highlighted), then press the Angle button, the firmware versions are now shown.

[Mark_Venture]

Ok, it says....

Version: 1.27
Syscon:Release_239
Tuflcon: 849.00 *
Drive:1.54a *
Device: Prism2 ES2
Region: 1

[Hkan]

The (multiregional) CD is only for the European versions of DVR-530/630H.

[Mark_Venture]

The (multiregional) CD is only for the European versions of DVR-530/630H.

Ok, then its safe to assume we US users can't use this way to upgrade the HD in our units?

[Hkan]

You need a firmware for your machine. It would be possible to install the 'firmware' in to your DVR, but I cant say what happens after that as I do not have any US model to test it on.

Feel free to inlight us all


/Håkan

[Mark_Venture]

...but I cant say what happens after that as I do not have any US model to test it on.

Feel free to inlight us all

If I had the money to replace this recorder.. I would be more than willing to try it.. but, as of right now.. If I break it.. I can't afford to buy a replacement

[Paul_Smith]

Ok, I can verify this DOES work on the US Pioneer 420h...

I just finished doing it...

All I was trying to do was increase the number of hours by installing a new larger hard drive.

I was not trying to do anything with regions...

The member that helped me (Kanipek) has done his 533...

I was sweating bullets the whole time but it worked perfectly...

No more wories about running out of space or what to do when the hard drive fails...

I did use a hard drive that had previously had Windows on it and that did worry me but I used Partition Magic to delete the existing partitions before dropping it into the 420...

Kanipek was so helpful that I want to return the favor and help other members...

(I only check messages every few days but I will answer all)

[Robbins1940]

Does this work with the pioneer 433h too?

And where can I buy the service remote and service disc from?

[Hkan]

Yes it workes for the DVR-433H as well , but you do not need to install a firmware as 433H do not have the Guide Plus+ system.

EDIT: Service Remote should be downloadable in a CCF file, the service DVD is a little more complicated as it is nearly 2GB.

[Robbins1940]

Yes it workes for the DVR-433H as well , but you do not need to install a firmware as 433H do not have the Guide Plus+ system.

EDIT: Service Remote should be downloadable in a CCF file, the service DVD is a little more complicated as it is nearly 2GB.

Thanks for that. I didn't know you could download the service remote but how do I get it from my computer to the dvd recorder?

[Hkan]

The problems that occur on DVR-530/630H, and maybe DVR-533/633H, when you replace the HDD might be due to that a old DVD Recorder Data Discs is used. I'll try to confirm this asap. The Data Disc that is called GGV1179 , does anyone know if it is actually GGV1179 or is it older than that?
The new Data Disc (GGV1256) is 3.9GB

[Hkan]

French version off Remplacement du disque dur des enregistreurs DVD Pioneer DVR-530/630H

Thanx to Christophe OLIVIER.

Probely next week I'll be replacing the HDD in a DVR-630H with a 500GB HDD.
I'll after that, if needed update the 'Guide'

/Håkan

[Robbins1940]

Just in case anyone is wondering there is an auction on Ebay right now for 500gb IDE hard drives for £130.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=8808612132&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Just wish I had the money. Why do offers only happen when you are skint? grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Hkan]

Quick guide with pics on the replacment of HDD inside the DVR.

[Robbins1940]

Which hard drive make is better, Seagate or Maxtor?

[Hkan]

A DVR-533 is now updated with a 300GB.
More info will follow soon.............

[Hkan]

Guide is now updated with info for Australian/NZ owners of the DVR-5/630H Region 4.

New info is also added according to what FW you need to restore the Guide Plus+/G-Code, it seems that an FW Updating Disc workes OK.

For the Guide see http://www.pioneerfaq.info/click/click.php?id=45 <-- Right click and choose ' Save Target As....'

[kofola]

Now are firmwares officialy for download directly from Pioneer.eu
http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/content/support/support/update/DVR.html

[kofola]

Pioneer service disc GGV1179
http://www.dvdboard.de/forum/showthread.php?t=121319

[Tano V12]

HI...sorry for my worst english
I have DVR 433 and I have to replacing my HDD 80Gb with another HDD more big size.
Please...help me how I must to do to replacing and which model of HDD I need.

Thanks a lot in advance

[kofola]

Updated
GGV1179 here (Rapidshare/Filefactory links), also other info and service manuals
http://www.dvdboard.de/forum/showthread.php?t=121319

[fido666]

Hi,

I have a DVR-630H with 160GB HDD (AU model). I have read the guide but am a bit confused about "service remote GGF1381/GGF1595". I thought this was a hardware device but then read in this topic that it can be downloaded. I have a Harmony 880 universal remote if that helps plus the original remote that came with the recorder.

Also what is a Pioneer DVD Recorder Data Disc? The PDF guide mentions GGV1239 being required but then in the topic another model is mentioned, GGV1179. Which do I need and how do I get it? The German site linked in the topic seems to be down.

In the topic there is a link to the Pioneer Europe site for downloading firmware but is this only for EU models?

Other than needing an IDE drive to replace the existing unit are there any other restrictions (i.e. 5400RPM vs 7200RPM)?

Thanks for any help you can give.

[Hkan]

What ever you do do not use the firmwares from Pioneer EU, they are only for European models.
You will be fine using the GGV1179, unless your DVR is manufactured in 2006. Then you need a newer disc, such as GGV1239 or higher.

[fido666]

What ever you do do not use the firmwares from Pioneer EU, they are only for European models.
You will be fine using the GGV1179, unless your DVR is manufactured in 2006. Then you need a newer disc, such as GGV1239 or higher.

OK thanks. Unfortunately my DVR is manufactured in Feb 2006. I tried going to the German site that was linked but it seems to be offline.

Correction: Site is now up but it's in German and I can't read it so well (my high school German is long forgotten). I have managed to download the service manual but that is all.

[Bagheera]

Ok,

I might be stupid here, but can someone that knows a little bit more than me explain what the hell "Tuflcon" is?

Sorry, just not up on everything. I know a fair amount about electronics. However, until recently, I haven't heard this term used.

Thank you in advance.

[wabjxo]

Here's the nomenclature as used in a Pio 640:

VERSION: 6.17 <---- Version of the recorder software
SYSCON: RELEASE_259 <--- Revision No. for System-control computer software
TUFLCON: 485.000 * <--- Version No. of the turner microcomputer ["tuner" ?]
DRIVE: 1.04 * <--- Information on the built-in drive
REGION: 1 <--- Region number