Pioneer 530 Won't Record on +RWs? & Question about Rec Modes

[Benn_Black]

I just got a Pioneer 530 and I can't format (initialise) +RWs in Video Mode or VR Mode :

Cannot make this setting with the currently loaded disc type or setting.

Also I have recorded in SP and XP and both give the same video bitrate (9500kbs) so I'm confused, the difference seems negligeble?!?!?

[Seeker47]

I just got a Pioneer 530 and I can't format (initialise) +RWs in Video Mode or VR Mode :

Cannot make this setting with the currently loaded disc type or setting.

Also I have recorded in SP and XP and both give the same video bitrate (9500kbs) so I'm confused, the difference seems negligeble?!?!?

Someone just posted the specs / announcement link for the forthcoming 640H model, in another thread here. This appears to be the first of the Pioneer recorders that will record using the +R / +RW type media. (Or have I missed something ?)

[FulciLives]

I just got a Pioneer 530 and I can't format (initialise) +RWs in Video Mode or VR Mode :

Cannot make this setting with the currently loaded disc type or setting.

Also I have recorded in SP and XP and both give the same video bitrate (9500kbs) so I'm confused, the difference seems negligeble?!?!?

This model will only record on DVD-R, DVD-RW or DVD-R DL (Dual Layer). It will not record on any of the DVD+R formats.

To be "safe" always use DVD Video mode instead of VR mode.

The AVERAGE bitrate used for XP and SP are very different however both will occassionally "peak" very high such as 9500kbps. Play back a recording made at XP and then another at SP and use the remote function called DISPLAY which will put the bitrate currently being used on the screen. You will see that the XP recording will stay very high for most of the playing time where as the SP recording will be up and down and will only occassionally peak very high.

Don't feel bad about the lack of DVD+R recording. I have the Pioneer DVR-531H-s (which is very nearly similiar to your model) and it truely is one of the better DVD recorders out there.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Benn_Black]

This model will only record on DVD-R, DVD-RW or DVD-R DL (Dual Layer). It will not record on any of the DVD+R formats.

Bugger.

To be "safe" always use DVD Video mode instead of VR mode.

Thanks.

The AVERAGE bitrate used for XP and SP are very different however both will occassionally "peak" very high such as 9500kbps. Play back a recording made at XP and then another at SP and use the remote function called DISPLAY which will put the bitrate currently being used on the screen. You will see that the XP recording will stay very high for most of the playing time where as the SP recording will be up and down and will only occassionally peak very high.

SP goes from 5-7000kbs and XP as you say seemed a constant 9000+. SLP was awful, in the 2s and 3s.

Don't feel bad about the lack of DVD+R recording. I have the Pioneer DVR-531H-s (which is very nearly similiar to your model) and it truely is one of the better DVD recorders out there.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I've had a Phillips non HD model for almost 18 months and plenty of DVD+RWs left over which I was hoping to use, that's why I'm a bit annoyed!

[FulciLives]

Well that is why one should always do research before buying anything.

Had you done the proper research you would have found out (rather easily actually) that the Pioneer DVD recorders do not suppor any of the DVD+R formats.

If you are annoyed by this then it is not Pioneer's fault ... it's your fault.

The good news I suppose is that since the Pioneer has a built-in HDD you really only need a couple or so DVD-RW discs. I bought a 5-pack for under $10.00 US Dollars. I use DVD-RW discs because I like to record programs to that type of disc so I can rip it to my computer and create a custom made DVD-R using my computer burner as I can use my choice of DVD Authoring software to make a nice custom menu etc.

Since I only use DVD-RW to "transfer" from the Pioneer to my computer I do not need all that many. Having a built-in HDD of course helps since recordings can be "stored" there instead of having to store them on a disc ala a DVD recorder without a built-in HDD.

Another solution ... copy to a DVD-RW then rip it to your computer with DVD Decrypter using the ISO READ MODE then burn it to a DVD+RW using DVD Decrypter in ISO WRITE MODE. In fact this might come in handy if the HDD is filling up and you only want to buy a couple of DVD-RW discs.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[BobK]

I have a Pioneer 420 and no matter what setting I use to record, the bitrate shows up as 9500 when I load the file into various programs on the computer.

[Benn_Black]

Well that is why one should always do research before buying anything.

Had you done the proper research you would have found out (rather easily actually) that the Pioneer DVD recorders do not suppor any of the DVD+R formats.

If you are annoyed by this then it is not Pioneer's fault ... it's your fault.

I checked on here and DVD+RW was listed as being supported, I assumed recording as well as playback. not that it would have effected my purchased in any way it's just that I ordered some DVD-Rs the same day....

Another solution ... copy to a DVD-RW then rip it to your computer with DVD Decrypter using the ISO READ MODE then burn it to a DVD+RW using DVD Decrypter in ISO WRITE MODE. In fact this might come in handy if the HDD is filling up and you only want to buy a couple of DVD-RW discs.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

There is zero point in burning from the HD onto DVD+RWs, I should have the +RWs by the weekend. How many times have you had to optimise your HD?

[FulciLives]

How many times have you had to optimise your HD?

I've yet to encounter any issues and I record a lot of stuff ... I always record straight to the HDD ... then I record to a DVD-RW to take to the computer. After that I delete the recording on the HDD since I don't need it anymore.

There have been times where my HDD has been almost completely full and there have been times when it was under 50% full. Ever since I first started using it I never go much below 50% full since I am always recording something from cable TV it seems LOL

So the good news is that so far I've yet to have any issues with corrupted recordings etc.

I have tried to OPTIMISE the HDD a few times but it never works LOL

It will "start" to do it and say something like it will take 181 minutes or something like that (that was the most recent figure I guess it depends on how much is currently on the HDD) but then it just turns itself off after a minute or two.

I have no idea why.

I've heard other people say the same thing has happened to them.

Since I don't seem to have any problems with any of my recordings I'm just not going to worry about it.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Benn_Black]

I must say I'm disappointed with the record quality, my Philips DVDR70 gave better results in high quality mode. There's minor pixilation on bright images, I've tweaked the settings but it hasn't made a great deal of difference.

[FulciLives]

I must say I'm disappointed with the record quality, my Philips DVDR70 gave better results in high quality mode. There's minor pixilation on bright images, I've tweaked the settings but it hasn't made a great deal of difference.

Try reducing the CNR and YNR to NONE (Far Left) ... also play with the DETAIL setting ... I tend to leave mine right in the middle.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[strongbad]

I must say I'm disappointed with the record quality, my Philips DVDR70 gave better results in high quality mode. There's minor pixilation on bright images, I've tweaked the settings but it hasn't made a great deal of difference.

Try reducing the CNR and YNR to NONE (Far Left) ... also play with the DETAIL setting ... I tend to leave mine right in the middle.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

You put the the DETAIL in the middle? Doesn't that control sharpness? The CNR and YNR I put it one bar to the right, same with the DETAIL or sometimes I just use the default at off on everything and I can't tell the difference most of the time. I think those customizable settings only make minimal adjustments unless you push the CNR and YNR's all the way towards the right then it looks blurry.

[Benn_Black]

I must say I'm disappointed with the record quality, my Philips DVDR70 gave better results in high quality mode. There's minor pixilation on bright images, I've tweaked the settings but it hasn't made a great deal of difference.

Try reducing the CNR and YNR to NONE (Far Left) ... also play with the DETAIL setting ... I tend to leave mine right in the middle.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I found changing the black levels makes the biggest difference. I'll play around with the other settings.

[FulciLives]

Well the Pioneer DVR-531H-s has two black level settings so I would assume your model is the same.

For Japanese NTSC and for PAL you want to set it for 0.0 IRE BLACK
For all other forms of NTSC other than Japanese you want to set it for 7.5 IRE BLACK

I'm talking about the input here of course.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Benn_Black]

Well the Pioneer DVR-531H-s has two black level settings so I would assume your model is the same.

For Japanese NTSC and for PAL you want to set it for 0.0 IRE BLACK
For all other forms of NTSC other than Japanese you want to set it for 7.5 IRE BLACK

I'm talking about the input here of course.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I had it set to 0.0, couldn't notice between that and 7.5. My TV doesn't have progressive scan, how much of a difference does that make?[/list]

[FulciLives]

Well the Pioneer DVR-531H-s has two black level settings so I would assume your model is the same.

For Japanese NTSC and for PAL you want to set it for 0.0 IRE BLACK
For all other forms of NTSC other than Japanese you want to set it for 7.5 IRE BLACK

I'm talking about the input here of course.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I had it set to 0.0, couldn't notice between that and 7.5. My TV doesn't have progressive scan, how much of a difference does that make?

It is essential to get it correct and it has nothing to do with progressive scan.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Benn_Black]

It is essential to get it correct and it has nothing to do with progressive scan.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I meant how much of a difference does progressive scan make in terms of picture quality? From what I could tell when viewing on other sets it makes a notiecable difference.

[FulciLives]

It is essential to get it correct and it has nothing to do with progressive scan.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I meant how much of a difference does progressive scan make in terms of picture quality? From what I could tell when viewing on other sets it makes a notiecable difference.

If you have a TV that supports PROGRESSIVE SCAN then yes ... you should use it ... but only if you know the DVD is in fact PROGRESSIVE video. Only very expensive DVD players such as those with the DCDi Faroudja processor are good with INTERLACED video while the DVD player is in PROGRESSIVE SCAN mode.

So unless you have a steller DVD player sometimes it is better to leave the player in interlaced mode and let the TV handle the 3:2 pulldown etc. as a quality HDTV set may beat the DVD player (unless again you have something really steller in quality).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman