Pioneer DVR 545 HX-S update firmware

[josef2010]

Hi,
I updated firmware to DVD recorder Pioneer DVD 545 HX-S from CD but the updade has been interrupted during the operation. The DVD recorder works almost right but it stops working sometimes during play DVD or HDD and it's necessary unplug. I would like to update the firmware again but it doesn't start automatically when the CD with firmware is loaded because the version of the firmware in DVD recorder and on CD is the same.

The version of firmware is 2.21.

Is possible to start up the u pdate of the firmware from CD manually again (use some buttons)?

Thanks for your help, Leos

[orsetto]

According to the Pioneer service bulletin I've seen, you can try the following steps to correct an interrupted firmware update. It works in most cases, but if this doesn't solve your problem after two tries, the interruption ruined your firmware chip and the unit must be serviced by Pioneer.

TO CORRECT AN INTERRUPTED FIRMWARE UPDATE FROM CD-ROM::

1) Power unit on and open disc tray.
2) Place the disk into the disc tray.
3) Press and hold the STOP REC and the PLAY buttons on the front panel of the unit at the same time for several seconds.NOTE: The tray will close and re-open automatically within about 30 seconds.
4) Remove the disk. DO NOT CLOSE THE TRAY. At this point, the download will initiate. It will run for several minutes. When complete, the tray will close automatically.
5) Press Home Menu to return to normal operating state.

If "WRT FAILED" or "Can'T USE" appears on the front panel display, try this corrective procedure again. If it still doesn't finish properly, or the machine still behaves strangely, the recorder firmware chip was corrupted during the first failed update and needs to be reprogrammed at a Pioneer service facility. You will need to bring the machine in for mfr service: there is nothing else you can try at home.

[josef2010]

Thanks, but I pressed and helt STOP REC and the PLAY buttons at the same time for several seconds and nothing happened The disc tray was still open.

I also tried use STOP REC and the OPEN/CLOSE buttons (I red about this), but it also doesn't work The disc tray was still open too.

Do somebody has other idea?

Thanks, Leos

[Hkan]

Use the Keys on the front of DVR:
Load the disc to tray, dont close it.
Press and hold STOP (not STOP REC) then press A.TV/D.TV

or

press and hold STOP then press OPEN/CLOSE

Hope this will help you!

[josef2010]

Unfortunately both combinations (STOP + A.TV/D.TV and STOP + OPEN/CLOSE) closed the tray but the updade wasn't activated. The unit writed "CD" on the display after closing the tray only.

I have CD with update file (DVR_545HX_Ver221 = firmware ver. 2.21) downloaded from the web pionner.eu only.

Thanks for other tips, Leos

[Hkan]

If it says CD, you might have burnt the CD the wrong way!

[josef2010]

I have burnt the firmware's CD-R with settings from the web pioneer.eu again ... still the same. The update wasn't activated

Settings: ISO 9660, mode disc-at-once and finalised.

May I download the firmware to the unit via USB cable from PC?

Leos

[orsetto]

josef2010, I know this is not what you want to hear, but there really is nothing else you can do: you must bring the recorder in for Pioneer service. There is no special secret way to get the update re-loaded: the CD-ROM is the only method you can do yourself. The firmware chip in any recorder is very fragile and not really designed for anyone but the mfr service technician to modify. Updating from CD-R is very risky, because the slightest flaw in the CD-R media can damage the update and corrupt the recorders firmware chip. Once the chip is corrupted, it can only be restored by connection to a proprietary Pioneer chip programming interface, this is not available as a USB connection. Most often Pioneer simply removes the chip and installs a new one. This information comes direct from Pioneer service publications.

I strongly advise against do-it-yourself firmware upgrades for recorders: they are easily ruined and expensive to fix. A dvd recorder is not like a PC: there are no "second chances", do-overs or recovery methods from upgrade failures: if the upgrade does not execute perfectly the first time, you have a bigger problem than you started with. Unless you have a major functional issue that prevents you from operating the recorder, it is much better to leave it alone and live with any minor quirks: forget about doing firmware upgrades. Otherwise send it to the mfr service center and have them do it: better safe than sorry.