A Couple of Pioneer 540H questions

[Brent G.]

1) How do I copy a DVD-RW to a DVD-R? I need to get some stuff off of DVD-RW's to DVD-Rs. The Pioneer 540H says the DVD-R in the recorder is the wrong format when I try and copy the DVD-RW. Or can I copy it on my computer? If so, what software can I use?

2) My Pioneer 220s used to have a history of DVD titles that have been played. I can't seem to find that on the 540H. Has this feature been discontinued?

TIA
Brent

[trhouse]

Are you trying to use the copy function to make a backup of a dvd-rw? That function on my 531 only works with dvd-video modes disks. If the dvd-rw was recorded in VR mode it will not work. I used to create dvd-rw's in VR mode to offload content from the hdd when it became full because the VR mode disk could be uploaded to the hdd later without re-encoding which would happen if it was a dvd-video mode disk.

[Frobozz]

Assuming these are VR-mode DVD-RW discs, just follow the instructions in the manual for Copying from DVD to HDD. You create a playlist of what you want to copy from the DVD and then High-Speed copy it to the HDD. Once there follow the instructions for Copying from HDD to DVD, except this time you are copying to a video-mode DVD. Be sure to finalize your DVD-R when the copying is all done.

I don't have your 540 but the listing of titles recorded to VR-mode discs should be in a Disc History window. The manual for my 510 has an entire chapter about this menu.

[Brent G.]

I don't have your 540 but the listing of titles recorded to VR-mode discs should be in a Disc History window. The manual for my 510 has an entire chapter about this menu.

I checked the manual and couldn't find any reference to Disc History for the 540H. I also checked the online manual http://www.auctionking.com.au/DVR640H,DVR540H-001.pdf and there is no reference to disc history. I called Pioneer and sure enough, the unit doesn't have it. Oh well.

I'll tackle the DVD-RW to DVD-R tonight. I'm told by Pioneer that it should work via high speed copying.

Brent

[trhouse]

What Pioneer and Frobozz described is correct. You can upload the dvd-rw VR mode disk back to the hdd in high speed mode then burn as dvd-video mode disk but a few caveats.

There are two VR modes, plus and minus. The mode is independent of the media. For example, a recorder like the RCA 8030N records +VR mode to both dvd-rw's or dvd+rw's.

The Pioneer records to dvd-rw in -VR mode. If you created these dvd-rw VR mode disks elsewhere and it is +VR mode, it will not work as described.

[Brent G.]

I got it to work as you described. My caveat was I had originally chosen a DVD-RW that was recorded in Video Mode from another machine (Pioneer 220-S), so I could not use high speed copy to the HD. I had to let it record the whole 6 hours. I'll never use Video Mode again. :P

Brent

[FulciLives]

If you care about making a 100% compliant DVD Video then you will use DVD Video mode only ... VR mode is a half assed format that often times is not 100% compliant for the DVD Video specification.

VR mode is to be avoided unless you only intend to use it for "time-shifting" purposes. For long term archival use you are best to use DVD Video mode. As indicated you can use DVD Video mode with -R or -RW discs (at least when using a Pioneer stand alone DVD recorder).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[trhouse]

VR mode is a half assed format that often times is not 100% compliant for the DVD Video specification.

That is +VR mode which is how Lite-On's, Polaroid's, and the RCA 8030N records.

The Pioneer creates -VR mode disks which are 100% non-compliant and will playback on very few recorders. I just tried a Pioneer dvd-rw (VR) mode disk in a Panasonic and RCA. Strangely enough, the Panasonic gave a "this disc can only be played" message but it worked. The RCA responded with "Disc Problem". Both played the same dvd-rw when it was recorded on the Pioneer in dvd-video mode fine and the Pioneer will accept it for high speed backup copying.

a DVD-RW that was recorded in Video Mode from another machine (Pioneer 220-S), so I could not use high speed copy to the HD.

You can high speed copy a finalized, dvd-video mode dvd-rw disk to the hdd using the backup copy mode. The problem is that that you cannot view or edit video placed on the hdd using this mode. It does allow you to make copies of the original disk if not copy protected.