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Important Firmware Update (FAQ)

DVD-R/RW RECORDERS and DRIVES REQUIRE FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR NEW HIGH-SPEED MEDIA

Consumers are called upon to implement a simple update to prevent potential recorder/drive malfunction when using new high-speed media

Frequently Asked Questions(updated 20/09/2002)

Q1: What is the background of this update request? Is the cause of the issue situated inside Pioneer's DVD-R/RW Recorder / Writer drives? Where lies the responsibility for this problem: inside Pioneer's products, or with the soon-to-be-released new high-speed media (specifications)?

Q2: Which Pioneer DVD-R/RW Recorders and Writer drives may need to be updated? How can I tell if my Pioneer DVD-R/RW Recorder / Writer drive needs the update?

Q3: What is "firmware"? How can I check the firmware version of my Pioneer DVD-R/RW Recorder, and how should I proceed? Where can I download a firmware update utility for my Pioneer DVD-R/RW Writer drive?

Q4: What could happen if I accidentally load a blank "high-speed" disc in my Pioneer DVD-R/RW Recorder / Writer drive prior to updating it, and what should I do in such case?

Q5: Are there risks for personal injuries or material damage related to this issue?

Q6: Is there a risk for loss of content already recorded on a "high-speed" disc?

Q7: Earlier this year (June 12) Pioneer launched a request to its customers in Europe to update the Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorder. How does this relate to the current update? Do I need to have my DVR-7000 updated again?

Q8: Was the present problem known when the (DVR-7000) update request was launched in June? Why did Pioneer not include DVD-R/RW Writer drives in its update request issued in June?

Q9: Will I get new functionality after applying the firmware update to my Pioneer DVD-R/RW Recorder / Writer drive? Will I be able to record at higher speed?

Q10: I have a DVD-R/RW Writer drive which I believe to be originating from Pioneer, though it doesn't feature the Pioneer brand name. Does this firmware update request also apply to me?

Q11: I have a DVD-R/RW Writer drive that has become locked to region "x". If I apply the firmware update will the drive allow me once again to play movies from different regions?

Q12: What if I have more questions about this?

ANSWERS

A1: This update request is launched because Pioneer found that the firmware of some of its DVD-R/RW Recorder / Writer drives contains a "bug" (malfunctioning code). The issue was discovered recently following the approval of the new high-speed (re)recordable media specifications by the DVD Forum mid-August.

This problem is caused by a firmware "bug" inside Pioneer's DVD-R/RW products. It is not caused by the soon-to-be-released new high-speed DVD-R/RW media or the related new high-speed (re)recordable media specifications established recently by the DVD Forum.

Q2: Which Pioneer DVD-R/RW Recorders and Writer drives may need to be updated? How can I tell if my Pioneer DVD-R/RW Recorder / Writer drive needs the update?

A2: The models affected are the following:

Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorder
Pioneer DVR-A03 / DVR-103 DVD-R/RW Writer
Pioneer DVR-A04 / DVR-104 DVD-R/RW Writer

Whether a specific Pioneer DVD-R/RW Recorder / Writer drive needs to be updated depends on its current firmware version:

Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorders:

units with a firmware version earlier than 1.60 must be updated
units with a firmware version equal to or later than 1.60 do not require the update

Attention: this information applies only to the European versions of the DVR-7000; a European DVR-7000 can by identified by the presence of 2 EuroSCART ("AV Connector") sockets located at the rear of the unit.

Pioneer DVR-A03/DVR-103 & DVR-A04/DVR-104 DVD-R/RW Writer drives:

DVR-A03 ( DVR-103) drives with a firmware version of 1.80 or earlier, must be updated.
DVR-A03 / DVR-103 drives with a firmware version equal to or later than 1.90 do not require the update
DVR-A04 ( DVR-104) drives with a firmware version of 1.20 or earlier, must be updated.
DVR-A04 / DVR-104 drives with a firmware version equal to or later than 1.30 do not require the update

Attention: this information only applies to the above DVR drives, if your drive came installed in a PC you will need to contact that specific PC manufacturer for assistance.

A3: In simple terms, firmware is the internal software code of a DVD-R/RW Recorder / Writer drive that realizes the proper behaviour of the actual hardware.

Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorders: please follow this link for detailed instructions on how to visualise the firmware version of your European Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorder:

How to visualise the firmware version of your European Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorder (pdf)

If your European Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorder has a firmware version that requires the update (see above): please contact your local Pioneer organisation, which will provide details for updating the firmware and provide answers to any questions you may have.

Following Utility can be used to check if the drive needs updating or if it is an OEM drive:
Download Utility

Pioneer DVR-A03 / DVR-103 & DVR-A04 / DVR-104 DVD-R/RW Writer drives:
Download firmware updates

Q4: What could happen if I accidentally load a blank "high-speed" disc in my Pioneer DVD-R/RW Recorder / Writer drive prior to updating it, and what should I do in such case?

A4: Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorders: after inserting a blank "high-speed" disc, in some cases the Recorder might stop responding to all operation commands with the disc loaded inside the tray. In case of such a suspicious hang-up, it is important to disconnect the unit from the power outlet as soon as possible. After waiting a few moments, plug in the power cable again, switch on the power of the Recorder, and immediately push the "open/close" button. The tray will now open and the disc can be removed.

Please note that when the DVR-7000 is left for a certain period of time in this "hang-up" status, the "pickup" part may be damaged and become unable to read or write discs. In addition there is a possibility that the inserted disc will then be damaged.

Pioneer DVR-A03 / DVR-103 & DVR-A04 / DVR-104 DVD-R/RW Writer drives: after inserting a blank "high-speed" disc, in some cases the drive might stop responding to all operation commands with the disc loaded inside the tray. In case of such a suspicious hang-up, it is important to shut down the computer as soon as possible. After waiting a few moments, re-boot the computer again, and immediately push the "open/close" button. The tray will now open and the disc can be removed.

Please note that when your DVD-R/RW Writer drives is left for a certain period of time in this "hang-up" status, the "pickup" part may be damaged and become unable to read or write discs. In addition there is a possibility that the inserted disc will then be damaged.

Q5: Are there risks for personal injuries or material damage related to this issue?

A5: Pioneer has thoroughly investigated this matter, and found that the issues described above do not pose any risk to customers, nor do they invoke any smoke or fire hazard.

Pioneer's tests have shown that - should any product damage occur following a product hang-up as described above - this will be limited to the Pioneer DVD-R/RW Recorder / Writer drive, and in certain cases also the inserted blank "high-speed" disc.

Q6: Is there a risk for loss of content already recorded on a "high-speed" disc?

A6: The potential problem only occurs with blank (empty) "high-speed" discs.

A7: The previous update request for the DVR-7000 (launched June 12) focussed on solving a malfunction of the DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorder, leading to inoperability of the product after a certain number of operational settings changes. This malfunction was caused by a firmware "bug" related to the unit's memory processing.

Pioneer fixed this problem in June by reviewing the whole memory processing section of the firmware. Since both product lines share basic components, this revision of the firmware impacted both the DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorder and some DVD-R/RW Writer drives.

In August, when the specifications for the new high-speed (re)recordable media were approved by the DVD Forum, Pioneer discovered that the pickup part of the DVR-7000 and some DVD-R/RW Writers drives may be damaged when used with the new high-speed blank discs (possibly also damaging the inserted blank disc). At this point, Pioneer's test revealed that the totally reviewed firmware created in June equally addressed this new problem.

Therefore, DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorders whose firmware was updated following the update request launched in June do not need any further updating. In case of doubt, users can verify the firmware version of their European Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorder as described above.

Consequently this update request is geared towards all users of the DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorders who have not yet executed the free-of-charge firmware update following the request launched in June.

Q8: Was the present problem known when the (DVR-7000) update request was launched in June? Why did Pioneer not include DVD-R/RW Writer drives in its update request issued in June?

A8: Pioneer only became aware of the present problem in mid-August, following the approval by the DVD Forum of the specifications for the new high-speed DVD-R/RW (re)recordable media.

Pioneer then discovered that the pickup part of the DVR-7000 and some DVD-R/RW Writers drives - specifically the models DVR-A03, DVR-A04, DVR-103 and DVR-104 - may be damaged and become unable to read or write discs, when used with the new high-speed blank discs (possibly also damaging the inserted blank disc).

At this point, Pioneer's test revealed that the reviewed firmware created in June - following an issue related to the DVR-7000, as described in the previous section - equally addressed this new problem (note: since both product lines share basic components, this revision of the firmware impacted both the DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorder and the aforementioned DVD-R/RW Writer drives).

In June Pioneer was not aware of the present media related problem, because then the DVD Forum had not yet approved the new high-speed media specifications. Pioneer discovered that the pickup part of the DVR-7000 and some DVD-R/RW Writers drives may be damaged and become unable to read or write discs, when used with the new high-speed blank discs (possibly also damaging the inserted blank disc) in mid-August - following the DVD Forum's approval - and at this moment Pioneer consequently addresses both the DVD-R/RW Recorder and the DVD-R/RW Writer drive users.

Q9: Will I get new functionality after applying the firmware update to my Pioneer DVD-R/RW Recorder / Writer drive? Will I be able to record at higher speed?

A9: Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorders: The Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-R/RW Recorder always records at "real time" (1X) speed. Applying this firmware update will not change the functionality of the Recorder. After applying the firmware update recording at "real time" (1X) speed on "high-speed" certified media will be supported.

Pioneer DVR-A03 / DVR-103 & DVR-A04 / DVR-104 DVD-R/RW Writer drives: Applying this firmware update will not change the functionality of the Writers. After applying this firmware update writing to "high-speed" certified media will be supported; please note that you will only be able to write at 1X with the "high-speed" media.

Q10: I have a DVD-R/RW Writer drive which I believe to be originating from Pioneer, though it doesn't feature the Pioneer brand name. Does this firmware update request also apply to me?

A10: The above issue affects all Pioneer DVR-A03 / DVR–103 & DVR-A04 / DVR-104 DVD-R/RW Writer drives including similar drives delivered to computer (peripheral) manufacturers for integration into their products.
Users who think they own a DVD-R/RW Writer drive that possibly may originate from Pioneer are requested to contact the computer (peripheral) manufacturer of the product featuring the drive.

Q11: I have a DVD-R/RW Writer drive that has become locked to region "x". If I apply the firmware update will the drive allow me once again to play movies from different regions?

A11: If you apply the update to you DVD-R/RW Writer drive the firmware will be updated, but the region status will remain the same.

Q12: What if I have more questions about this?

A12: Please contact your local Pioneer organisation, which will provide answers to any questions you may have related to this issue.