Info and forum posts by 'Raffles'

RE: Pioneer DVR 530 - faulty or just me-update

Now getting to grips with this recorder; recording to hard drive is great - no more searching for a blank bit of VHS tape! Unfortunately I am not able to get Guideplus properly. I can get the first page with all the programmes going over 7 days; the 2nd page gives me a few programmes and then nothing. I have contacted the Pioneer helpdesk again in case it was the connections but they say it is connected properly, we have gone through all the initial settings again and they are correct. I have left it on standby overnight on ITV, then on Eurosport (although the helpdesk guy said it would find it`s own source) and then on an analogue station but still no change. I don't understand why I get some schedules, if it wasn`t connected properly I wouldn`t get any- would I? . I can scroll down to a blank screen and press enter which brings up the programme which is currently playing. I get a rolling message at the top of the screen saying trying to download or something - it goes too quick for me to read - but according to the helpdesk I am doing everything properly.
If anyone can give me any other suggestions I would be grateful as it seems like an excellent way of setting a recording with little or no effort.
Any advice gratefully received, thanks.

RE: Pioneer DVR 530 - faulty or just me?

Hi Mike
Many thanks for the advice. I messed around again last night and got a wee bit further but still not working properly although I could record and play back both on the hard drive and disc :) .

Telephoned Pioneer and "Richard" was very helpfull; first checking all the connections were correct (they were not !) :B and then guiding me through the initial set up (which I had already done). At the moment it is downloading GuidePlus so we will see what happens next then it`s back to the manual for the next stage.

My VHS is not connected though but once I am sure everything else is ok I will have a go at connecting that to the system as the main reason I bought this model was so I could copy my collection of VHS tapes.
My TV is too old for progressive scan but I can live without that.
Thanks again

RE: Pioneer DVR 530 - faulty or just me?

Thanks for replying Mike.
I did follow the on screen messages (while matching it up with the manual). I was able to tune using the auto scan but when I tried to set the auto clock (using BBC1) said auto set failed, tried again using a Sky News station and again failed, I was able to set the time manually so that bit went ok.

I am sure I must have the connections wrong (I am a complete numpty with anything technical that why I was using the manual and reading each instruction s l o l w l y).

I have tv, vhs, sky box and the new dvdr. I have been using a Pioneer DVD player with no problems at all and I just replaced the player with the recorder and thought it would work - fool that I am :( .

If you can think of anything else I would appreciate it. Thanks again

Pioneer DVR 530 - faulty or just me?

Can anyone who has this model please help
After much dithering about I finally bought the above DVR and received it Tuesday. Spent Wednesday reading the manual - so I wouldnt make any mistakes - and Wednesday trying to set it up : Nae luck :(
On the initial set up there are several features (according to the manual) that simply do not appear on screen, eg screen type does not have the options as stated in the manual; progressive scan does not even appear to allow me to see if my TV has the capability and as far as setting up the Guide Plus I can`t select my Sky box from the list of models as there is no list! and I just seem to be going round in circles.
I have emailed the Pioneer Support site but have had no response so far.
Any advice anyone?
Thanks
Raffles

RE: Pioneer DVR 520/530

Hi Mike

Yes this is a great deal. I phoned LX direct to find out whether it was multi-region. The person I spoke to said they didn`t know but I could return it if my discs bought abroad didn`t work. I contacted Pioneer who replied as follows:
Pioneer does not produce any of our players or recorders as multi region products, we are aware that some vendors do offer modifications to enable multi region playback.

If anyone knows how to make it multi-region I would also be grateful for that info.

I have just ordered the recorder from LX direct, earliest delivery is 27th July but for a total price (including delivery) of £273.49 I am happy to wait :)

This item was edited on Tuesday, 5th July 2005, 14:13

RE: Pioneer DVR 520/530

Thanks patr26; it gets better. Before I order can you tell me about the discount codes, where can I get one?

If not it`s still a great deal

Thanks :)

RE: Pioneer DVR 520/530

That`s brilliant, thanks :) - I know it`s about £100 more than I hoped to pay but it does seem to have a lot more going for it. The price will probably go down a fair bit but I don`t want to mess about any longer.

Once I am up an running (hopefully) I will give a review

Thanks again

Raffles

RE: Pioneer DVR 520/530

Thank you very much for responding Nostalgiadvd - do you know where I would be able to buy the Pioneer 420 as I have had no luck trying to track one down?

Thanks again, much appreciated :)

Raffles

Pioneer DVR 520/530

After lots of helpful advice from this forum I decided to go for the Pioneer 520 only to find this model has now been discontinued!! :( I did see it on one website but it was a couple of hundred pounds more than I could have paid if I hadn`t wasted so much time.

I understand the 520 is being replaced by the 530; advertised for sale at £449 on www.Avland.co.uk but this is much more than I want to pay.

Does anyone know whether this is worth the extra or should I forget it and go for the Panasonic DMR EH50? :/

I will be grateful for assistance and promise not to dither about spending my hard earned £....

Thanks
Raffles

R+ plus or R-minus ?

Can someone advise me what the difference is between R plus and R minus. I wanted to buy a Pioneer 520 but was advised not to buy a recorder which was not R+.

I want to be able to copy from my camcorder to a hard drive then make copies for family. Would they need to have the same type of DVD as me?

Clearly I am without any technical knowledge and would appreciate any advice.

Thanks :/

RE: Help! - which DVD recorder with HDD...?

I have been reading all of this with interest as I wanted to ask the same question! I was about to purchase the Pioneer 520 based on the information above but then someone told me I should not consider a dvd recorder which was minus-R. and I understand this is what the Pioneer is. What does this mean?

I want to be able to record all my videos on to dvd. Copy from my camcorder (to the hard drive?) and then make several copies for the family. The Pioneer 520 seemed to do all of this - am I correct? I have an 8 year old Hitachi TV and have Sky - not Sky+

I would appreciate any advice. Thanks

RE: Advice re DVD recorder

Thank you for that - told you I was easily confused !!!

RE: Advice re DVD recorder

EH ?

Advice re DVD recorder

All the searches I have made to find the most appropriate DVD recorder to meet my needs have only confused me - nothing new there - . :/
I would like a DVD recorder which would allow me to record from TV, Sky (not Sky+), copy from a Sony camcorder and allow me to transfer all my video tapes to DVD.
I honestly don`t understand all the abbreviations and the technical stuff and would be grateful for any advice from someone who can translate into "idiot speak" for me.
I can spend up to £200
Thanks in advance