Problems in using different media on Pioneer DV-454

[nsrkiran]

Hello,

I recently bought a Pioneer DV-454 (code free done by the vendor) after going through its features and capabilities in the pages on this site. THE DVD handling of the player is really good. Unfortunately, when it comes to other media, I am having some difficulties in playing them.

I've tried the following on my DVD player and the problems I face.
1) JPGs on a CD-RW - Before putting the JPGs, I reformatted the disk (used earlier) on Nero and copied some random images onto it. But the player failed to recognize the disc.

Also, I tried a picure-CD (not Kodak CD, but provided by another studio Photo-dose, here in Germany) without any luck to view the pictures.

2) The player fails to recognize CD-RWs containing MP3 files which were being recognized by Aiwa XD-DV370 (had this DVD player earlier)

3) Most VCDs have played well, but some of them (pre-recorded) are rendered in black and white. I've tried changing the video output to all formats, video, s-video, RGB. Also tried in 4:3 mode and 16:9. Again, these played well on the Aiwa.

The doubts I have are
a) Have I got a bad piece, or are there any basic things I am missing. For testing the photo CD, should all the pictures be on the root folder, or can the CD have a folder structure?
b) for the MP3 CDs, I've read that this player does not support multi-session CDs. Will it read atleast the first session?
c) For testing purposes , can I burn both MP3 and pictures onto the same media, so that I can try the different media faster.
d) I could not get hold of a different region DVD (currently located in Germany- region code 2). Can I test if the player is really multi-region (codefree) capable?

Any suggestions are very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ravi

[Baldrick]

ignore me...(thought you were talking about the dv-444)

[mage813]

Well i have DV454 too and problems too.
I made back up DVD movie with A05 Pioneer.
2 different 1) Zone2 2) Zone 0

Those worked on Pioneer AO5, Toshiba 1712 on my PC and in home Helios (A Trend).

But DVD 454 says for the 2 : Not Lisible.

What can be the reason a UDF problem?

[mage813]

I just saw there is a Post it on the front of the DVD 454.
it says

DVD/CD/CD-R/CD-RW, VCD compatible MP3

But it doesn t say play DVD-R

[mage813]

From Pioneer Europe site

Key features DV-454-S
MP3 Playback
CD-R / RW Playback
DVD-R / RW Playback: finalised discs for Video, recorded in Video mode!
New and Improved Graphical User Interface
New and Improved Remote Controls

Technical Features DV-454-S
Playback Discs DVD/VCD/CD/CD-R/ CD-RW

Comment : LOL not really clear. Just looked at my DVD-R back up movies. They ISO/UDF could be the the problem.
Pioneer could request "pure" UDF. But which one 1.02 1.05 other?

[nsrkiran]

Ist it possible to check the firmaware of the player? Could it be a problem with it.. I've seen reports saying it plays most VCDs well.. I too am having problems with VCDs...



On the whole , this player does not appear to meet the expectations of the ratings given earlier..

[nsrkiran]

How does this player compare with a Sony NS-405. What r the pro's and con's..

Thanks,
Ravi