Pioneer 533h-s (firmware)

[garman]

Two weeks ago I had to send my unit in for repairs. I lost the ability to access the tv listings menu and subsequently I lost the use of the timer option.
I recall flipping through my programs I recorded to HD and the unit locked up. After it powered it self down that's when the problem occurred. So I sent it in for repairs, still under warranty and when I received it today they said that the firmware was lost and they replaced the it with a new version (1.31) I think.
Does anyone know what the new firmware entails. Can't really find much info on the net. Thanks. -garman

[Mark_Venture]

I'd be curius to know if it fixes the HD optimizatoin problem...

[garman]

I asked a pioneer tech today what the new firmware does. "I don't know". Anyway I started up my dvd recorder today after the repair and to my surprise, same F#$%'n problem. I called them up. They thought I was complaining about the epg info disappearing and suggest that they would upgrade my unit with the 640, but the 640 does not support any epg information. I am also getting the impression that 533 users will be upgraded to the 640 if they complain enough about the epg data. I foolishly declined because I like the TV guide feature. Anyway it is now being repaired once again. (another 2 weeks) I sort of wish that they can't fix this so I can get the upgrade. One more thing I hope the new firmware does not disable the epg guide, then the repair for the 533 was for not. I'll keep things posted. -garman

Regarding the Optimization, my problem is.... does not work. Just powers down when run. Is yours the same?

[Mark_Venture]

Regarding the Optimization, my problem is.... does not work. Just powers down when run. Is yours the same?

Yeah, Unit resets when trying to optimize...

I reported this problem to the back in september.. and after phone, then emails... they wanted me to call back in... probably to send in.. but they didn't give me a warm feeling of knowing what the issue was... as the techs I spoke with/emailed seemed to feel it was working "normally"... so I never called back in/sent the unit...

Now I'm coming up on 1yr... (end of warranty)...

[garman]

Regarding the Optimization, my problem is.... does not work. Just powers down when run. Is yours the same?

Yeah, Unit resets when trying to optimize...

I reported this problem to the back in september.. and after phone, then emails... they wanted me to call back in... probably to send in.. but they didn't give me a warm feeling of knowing what the issue was... as the techs I spoke with/emailed seemed to feel it was working "normally"... so I never called back in/sent the unit...

Now I'm coming up on 1yr... (end of warranty)...

Well if you call them and complain enough they may replace it with the 640. Try to include the tv guide problem. The bad thing with the replacement is... The 640 does not have tv guide information like the 533. I really like this option. -garman

[Mark_Venture]

Well if you call them and complain enough they may replace it with the 640. Try to include the tv guide problem. The bad thing with the replacement is... The 640 does not have tv guide information like the 533. I really like this option. -garman

No, I want the TV Guide feature... that is the MAJOR reason I bought this recorder...

I have the TVGuide On Screen (Gemstar Guide Plus+ System as it was formerly called) on my Sony SLV-M20HF VCR and made extensive use of that for recording shows to tape...

The only time the DVR-531H has lost its guide data for me, is the same time the Sony VCR has too... i.e. cable related... Just ONCE in the nearly 1yr that I've had it...

HOWEVER, once the feed was back, the Sony VCR started picking it up again automatically... But for the Pioneer, a couple days later, it still hadn't received the data... So, I tried powering it off, unplug (the AC cord), count to 20, re-plug.. then reset the unit (was that Power & Stop at the same time??) go thru the initial setup again... Two days, more still no data... So I just left it.. a few days later, I noticed the hard drive chatter.. so I checked... it was pulling down the data again

In the how many years?? that I've had the sony VCR, its only lost the Guide data feed now TWICE... once when I was in Hershey, PA. (lasted for just over a month, and the cable company had no clue)... and now about two months ago here in Delaware.. (lasted for about 3 weeks)...


BTW, did you mean, you have the same HD Optimzation problem too? was it still there with the newer firmware?

[garman]

Well if you call them and complain enough they may replace it with the 640. Try to include the tv guide problem. The bad thing with the replacement is... The 640 does not have tv guide information like the 533. I really like this option. -garman

No, I want the TV Guide feature... that is the MAJOR reason I bought this recorder...

I have the TVGuide On Screen (Gemstar Guide Plus+ System as it was formerly called) on my Sony SLV-M20HF VCR and made extensive use of that for recording shows to tape...

The only time the DVR-531H has lost its guide data for me, is the same time the Sony VCR has too... i.e. cable related... Just ONCE in the nearly 1yr that I've had it...

HOWEVER, once the feed was back, the Sony VCR started picking it up again automatically... But for the Pioneer, a couple days later, it still hadn't received the data... So, I tried powering it off, unplug (the AC cord), count to 20, re-plug.. then reset the unit (was that Power & Stop at the same time??) go thru the initial setup again... Two days, more still no data... So I just left it.. a few days later, I noticed the hard drive chatter.. so I checked... it was pulling down the data again

In the how many years?? that I've had the sony VCR, its only lost the Guide data feed now TWICE... once when I was in Hershey, PA. (lasted for just over a month, and the cable company had no clue)... and now about two months ago here in Delaware.. (lasted for about 3 weeks)...


BTW, did you mean, you have the same HD Optimzation problem too? was it still there with the newer firmware?

Originally I have that problem with the optimize, shuts down when trying to use. After the fw update, I never got a chance to use it, because I was still pissed about the tv guide menu not appearing. I shipped it back asap. I should be receiving my recorder within a weeks time. I'll post soon. -garman

[Mark_Venture]

Originally I have that problem with the optimize, shuts down when trying to use. After the fw update, I never got a chance to use it, because I was still pissed about the tv guide menu not appearing. I shipped it back asap. I should be receiving my recorder within a weeks time. I'll post soon. -garman

Thanks, I just looked at my receipt last night... I'm 3 days over 1yr...

I'm going to try calling them anyway because I did report the issue back in september... maybe they'll at least be able to tell me if a firmware upgrade is all that is needed.. Just have to get time to call them..

[garman]

Originally I have that problem with the optimize, shuts down when trying to use. After the fw update, I never got a chance to use it, because I was still pissed about the tv guide menu not appearing. I shipped it back asap. I should be receiving my recorder within a weeks time. I'll post soon. -garman

Thanks, I just looked at my receipt last night... I'm 3 days over 1yr...

I'm going to try calling them anyway because I did report the issue back in september... maybe they'll at least be able to tell me if a firmware upgrade is all that is needed.. Just have to get time to call them..

I'd hold off on that firmware upgrade. Since my upgrade I have lost the "MN" feature when recording. So now I don't have any flexibility to fit long movies or shows on a DVD. -garman

[FulciLives]

My Pioneer DVR-531H-s was bought on September 10, 2006 from WALMART (authorized Pioneer seller) and this past week I can't get it to burn anything to a DVD disc. Actually I had one DVD-R that did work but several that did not (including DVD-RW discs).

Seems the burner is toast although I haven't tried a lens cleaning DVD disc ... yet.

I called Pioneer and it was all automatic and gave me a phone number to a (somewhat) local authorized repair place.

How do I get to talk with someone at Pioneer?

Man I wouldn't mind an upgrade to the 640 model LOL

I do think it is a good piece of equipment ... excellent quality ... easy to use ... but the burner thing has me worried.

Plus the HDD optimise has never worked ... it always just FAILS.

Plus the EPG thing not working although I could care less about that as I just program manually anyways. Non-issue for me. But I'll complain about it if it gets me a 640 model LOL

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[garman]

My Pioneer DVR-531H-s was bought on September 10, 2006 from WALMART (authorized Pioneer seller) and this past week I can't get it to burn anything to a DVD disc. Actually I had one DVD-R that did work but several that did not (including DVD-RW discs).

Seems the burner is toast although I haven't tried a lens cleaning DVD disc ... yet.

I called Pioneer and it was all automatic and gave me a phone number to a (somewhat) local authorized repair place.

How do I get to talk with someone at Pioneer?

Man I wouldn't mind an upgrade to the 640 model LOL

I do think it is a good piece of equipment ... excellent quality ... easy to use ... but the burner thing has me worried.

Plus the HDD optimise has never worked ... it always just FAILS.

Plus the EPG thing not working although I could care less about that as I just program manually anyways. Non-issue for me. But I'll complain about it if it gets me a 640 model LOL

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

John, you need to make it clear that the EPG is a hassle, grievous, continously losing epg info, whatever it takes to make them upgrade also mention the burner problem. I'm assuming the purchase was Aug of 05 rather 06. So you can't return it to walmart and pay for the upgrade. One thing It's a real hassle to get tech support over the phone. I had to wait 20 min to talk to a human body. Can't wait to air them out about the firmware upgrade, if someone picks up the phone. -garman

[FulciLives]

Oh yes I see I got the date wrong ... it was September 10, 2005 that I bought it ... not 2006.

I don't think WALMART is selling the Pioneer 640 model ... or are they?

Guess I'll try to get a Pioneer tech on the phone soon ...

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Krusher67]

I have the Pioneer 533H-S and had the same guide problems earlier this summer. Then the timer record function stopped as well. I don't care about the EPG (although it was nice, most of the stuff I record is via my cable box, so it's a manual record anyways). Took it back to Futureshop, who in turn sends it to their depot, then it goes to some authorized repair facility. I figured they would send it back to the location in Markham...not sure what they did. Looks like I'll be out my recorder for a few weeks, which sucks. Hopefully they offer the upgrade that was discussed in the above posts...no EPG but everything else... sounds OK to me...bring it on. I miss my recorder! It's an insult to use the VHS. (yuck)

:P

crossing my fingers,

Ken

[Krusher67]

So, it's been 3 weeks..got my Pioneer 533 H-S back...report said something in code
about the FIRMWARE.

Still has same problem of the TIMER RECORD function not working...and the guide (EPG) is not loading at all...not even trying. So much for going through FUTURE SHOP...I can't believe nobody tested the unit after it was supposedly fixed. Went through 3 or more people. duh. Back to square one on this issue..on HOLD right now with Pioneer in Markham, yet to talk to a human. Hopefully if I complain enough to them I can get a replacement, the 160 GB HD unit is on sale for less than what I paid for this one...(by $50) this week at....Future Shop. Dang.

Maybe I'll have to go into Future Shop and make a scene.

8)

Anyone else having this problem??

K

[FulciLives]

Well as far as the EPG thing goes ... as much as I hate to say it ... do not expect that to ever work as promised. It just doesn't work well.

It's the one "bug" that is inherit to the design of the unit.

However everything else should be working A-OK and even if you ignore and do not use the EPG you can still set manual recording times with the timer.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Mark_Venture]

...and the guide (EPG) is not loading at all...not even trying. So much for going through FUTURE SHOP

The EPG stuff is very dependant on the cable company...

When I hooked up my parents 27" RCA Tv with Guide Plus+ system on it (Service Electric Cable).. it took 3 or 4 days to pull in the channel list... then we had to select from multiple lists for the area (prompted with questions like... is your PBS on chanel 13?).. then it took another few days for the guide listings to come in...

If the cable company blocks the TV Guide info (like Suburban did for that month my VCR didn't pick it up when I was in Hershey), your unit will never get it... and calling into MOST cable companies, they have NO IDEA what it is, or what you are talking about... and will be completley clueless...

Also, if you feed your cable line through another device, there is a chance it will block the guide data... i.e. feed your cable thru a VCR first, then to the DVR...

The TVGuide On Screen (as its now called) is a GREAT idea, but too many things can go wrong on all sides to mess it up and make it not work.

But when it works... its VERY NICE!!!