Pio DV-563A firmware fix (1 Viewer)

[Paul.S]

So, Craig, it looks like BB's PSP doesn't provide for getting a new player, even on a whim, the way PRP does. You would have to have a problem with the unit, have them service it and then still have an issue in order to get a new player under PSP.

I think GG's ESP works the same way: DVD players are in a product class that is not just summarily replaced. Its serviced first.

Further sauce for my goose: I swung through my local Good Guys yesterday for the first time in about 6 months. They're no longer carrying Tosh. So it looks like the SD-4960 won't be showing up there.

Its remarkable how the DVD product line has shifted towards recordability, whether its DVD recorders or PVRs. At least at GGs, the shift is very much away from hi rez: there were two players with hi rez playback capability on two walls full of players.

-p

 

[Ted Lee]

paul, you do have an "out"...even with the psp.

it's called the "no lemon guarantee".

essentially, if you have the *same problem" three or more times ... on the fourth carry-in, you automatically get a new unit -- or a comparable unit if yours is unavailable, or has been upgraded, etc.

 

[Paul.S]

But Ted, that's not quite the same as being able to walk in and just say you want a new whatever, just because.

-p

 

[James W. Johnson]

So Pioneer is making us pay for shipping to get a player with a design problem fixed?

I called Pioneer and was instructed to send it to some third party repair facility in Colorado. I called this company today and they told me to send it in but the person I spoke to knew nothing about these probablematic players.

I'd much rather just repair this myself, I might try calling Pioneer and get them to send me the part and I'll solder it in myself or whatever is required , at least it won't cost me $15 in shipping this way.

 

[Paul.S]

You're assuming its a solder issue. If this is a circumstance wherein the firmware could be upgraded via CD-R, then clearly its not a solder issue, no?

And you understand that your opening the unit voids your warranty, yes?

-p

 

[gregD]

Paul.S... nicely analyzed and explained... thanks!

The other sad big-picture fact is that increasingly all this HT gear has become more computer than audio gear... it's more about media management (and protection, as you noted) than audio quality.

And as anyone who uses a PC (or even a Mac) knows -- hardware and software is continually rolled out with the expectation that it will be buggy, or incompatible with last year's HW/SW to some degree... and we're just expected to live with it and keep investing in it... it's a worst-case planned obsolescence nightmare that's become the norm.

And it's not just Pioneer... virtually all manufacturers experience glitches now.

I still think I'll wait awhile to see if the firmware fix becomes more widely distributed (on the premise that there have been many units sold that need attention), so I don't have to actually ship the box anywhere... although the local 'authorized' Pioneer repair facility leaves much to be desired.

Too bad... we almost had a $150 world-beater there for awhile...

 

[Paul.S]

Thx for the props, Greg.

You make an excellent point in your third paragraph above re a "worst-case planned obsolescence nightmare that's become the norm." I think it is a not-talked-about-often-enough ramification of all this ballyhoo'd digital convergence.

Frankly Greg, if I were you, I'd be taking a serious look at Tosh's SD-4960, supposedly streeting in June. Not that it won't have any possible firmware upgrade issues, but perhaps there will be some benefit in getting an even newer model (from a major DVD Forum manufacturer).

-p

 

[Jacques C]

I just saw the affected list of titles. I tried setting after setting for literally hours trying to get my copy of Capricornia to work. I sure hope that the firmware fixes this disc.

Take care.

 

[Mike Co]

I'm in Georgia and Pioneer had me send mine to Michigan (ABL Electronics). I asked Pioneer if they would arrange a pick-up and they did (UPS)with a pre-paid shipping label. ABL finished the job last Thursday, said it would ship Friday and I'm patiently waiting...
So, if you push a bit Pioneer will pick up the tab for shipping.

 

[James W. Johnson]

I sent mine to Tele-Vue services in Colorado...$9.80 for Fedex Ground insured.

Not a bad price to pay as long as this fix works.


:star:

 

[Tod Golden]

I just contacted an authorized Pioneer service center here in Minnesota. They said that they are just waiting for the firmware upgrade disc from Pio, which hopefully would be here in a couple of weeks.

Since I don't have any of the discs in question, I guess waiting a couple of weeks is no big deal for me.

Tod

 

[gregD]

Yup, I think I'll wait too... not urgent... don't buy that many hi-res discs.

I have to think that they've sold a lot of 563a's that need this repair, and that it would be in everybody's best interest to get as many CD-Rs as widely distributed as possible, if only to all authorized repair centers and / or retailers with repair centers... should not be difficult to get this fix installed.

My local 'authorized' Pioneer repair shop is crappy, but at least it's nearby... I'd like to forgo the trouble of shipping... guess I don't mind going to the local shop and explaining 3 times what needs to be done.

Maybe they'll just let me do the fix there!

 

[Paul.S]

Right on. By all means, trackable/traceable w/ insurance.

-p

 

[Paul.S]

Any one else having problems playing the Tommy DVD-A? It apparently is one of the affected titles. -p

 

[Wayde_R]

Anyone in Canada know where we can send our 563a in for repair?

Any Canadian with a DVD-audio player will want to flip the top half of their heads up and down to Neil Young-Greendale eventually.

 

[James W. Johnson]

Yes it is one of the affected titles, it wont play without the firmware upgrade.

 

[Craig_ON]

Here is the canadian address for dv-563a upgrade:

Service Dept
Pioneer Electronics of Canada, Inc
300 Allstate Parkway
Markham, ON
L3R 0P2

Make a note to the attention of Service Dept that you require a firmware upgrade.
Takes them two weeks to do the fix and time to ship it to your address. I shipped it from NL Canada next day and got it back three weeks to the day.
Every now works on the unit. I had the "Brian Wilson Live at the Roxy" and it now plays fine. The disk sucks but it plays fine now.

 

[Paul.S]

Any one just buying a new unit and returning the 'old' one now that the 563A is apparently clearance priced at Best Buy since the new Pio 578A is now hitting shelves?

Of course, no guarantee that the unit will still not need upgrade.

It will be interesting to see if the 578A has firmware issues, either similar or different.

-p

 

[Jerry Klawiter]

For those looking for a fast 563A firmware update, check the Pioneer data base for local repair shops.
My longtime shop here in the Minneapolis area "COMPONENT ASSEMBLERS" received the update disc "May 04" and upgraded my unit while I stood there and watched.
Its completely automated 11 or 12 step process without the need of user intervention.
Took more time having him fill out the workorder to get paid by Pioneer than the two minute update.

 

[Citizen87645]

I just bought a disc that has a DVD-A playback problem in the 563a (Crystal Method's Legion of Boom). I called my local service center and they said since the player is out of warranty I'll be paying 37.50. Were others' players still under warranty or should Pioneer be compensating the service center?