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Q.
Is there any cost associated with upgrading the
firmware in my DVD drive or stand alone DVD recorder?
A.
No, the firmware update download and/or disc is FREE.
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Q.
Is there any way the drive can catch fire or cause
physical damage to my computer?
A.
No, the drive has been thoroughly tested and there is no risk of fire
or physical injury to the end user.
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Q.
My Pioneer DVD drive is working perfectly. What happens if I don�t perform the mandatory update?
A.
High speed discs (4X DVD-R and 2X DVD-RW) may cause damage to the
media and drive if this simple update is not completed.
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Q.
What Pioneer DVD drives require the mandatory firmware update?
A.
Models requiring the mandatory firmware update are:
-
Pioneer
DVR-7000 DVD Recorder
-
Pioneer
PRV-9000 Professional DVD Recorder
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Pioneer
DVR-A03 Computer Drive
-
Pioneer
DVR-103 Computer Drive
-
Pioneer
DVR-A04 Computer Drive
-
Pioneer
DVR-104 Computer Drive
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Q.
Will the new Firmware update allow my DVR-A03/103 or DVR-A04/104 to
record to the new high speed DVD-R media at
4X ?
A. No, the new firmware update does not enable recording beyond the
specified maximum of these drives
(i.e.,
2X).
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Q.
When will the firmware update disc be available?
A.
The firmware update disc usually ship within 7 to 10 days after request
via UPS Ground.
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Q.
What will be on the DVR-A03/103 and DVR-A04/104 firmware update disc?
A. The firmware update disc will
contain a PC version of the firmware update utility for the DVR-A03/103
and DVR-A04/104.
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Q.
How do I update the firmware for my Pioneer drive?
A.
Firmware updates can be accomplished in the following two ways:
Log
on to http://pioneerelectronics.com/hs/
and click on the appropriate DVD-R/RW update
utility icon
An
update disc for either product type can be obtained via Pioneer�s
website
(http://pioneerelectronics.com/hs/
)or by calling toll-free 800-421-1623. For computer drives, the
update disc can be run on the host computer to complete the update.
The update disc for standalone DVD recorders (PRV-9000 and DVR-7000)
can be inserted into the disc tray to automatically complete the
update.
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Q.
What firmware updater do I use if I have a Compaq, Apple, NEC, Sony
computer?
A.
Go to the http://pioneerelectronics.com/hs/
web page. Click on the brand of computer you own.
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Q. What will happen if I use
Pioneer's update utility for Pioneer-branded drives/recorders on a
non-Pioneer branded drive ( such as a Compaq, Apple, Sony computer
system)?
A. The firmware update utility will report "Model name of kernel part
is not matched" and will abort. If you have an OEM drive that
originally shipped in a branded system such as Compaq, Apple, Sony,
etc., go to the
http://pioneerelectronics.com/hs/
web page and click on the brand of computer you own.
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Q.
What are the new firmware versions?
A.
The firmware version for the DVR-A03 and DVR-103 is version 1.90. The
firmware version for the DVR-A04 and DVR-104 is version 1.32. OEM products
may have different firmware version numbers.
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Q.
How can I tell if I have a DVR-A03/103 or a DVR-A04/104 and what
firmware version it has?
A.
Please download the instructions titled, "Instructions
for Firmware Checker Utility"
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Q.
What is the difference between the DVR-103 and the DVR-A03?
A.
The DVR-103 does not display the Pioneer logo on the drive�s front
bezel. The DVR-103 can be shipped to system integrators who use the drive
in computer systems or sold in the after market. The DVR-A03 displays the
Pioneer logo and is usually purchased through retail or after market
channels, ships in a Pioneer branded box and comes bundled with basic
software to use the drive. Both the DVR-A03 and DVR-103 are listed as
DVR-103 under System Properties.
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Q.
What is the difference between the DVR-104 and the DVR-A04?
A.
The DVR-104 does not display the Pioneer logo on the drive�s front
bezel. The DVR-104 can be shipped to system integrators who use the drive
in computer systems or sold in the after market. The DVR-A04 displays the
Pioneer logo and is usually purchased through retail or after market
channels, ships in a Pioneer branded box and comes bundled with basic
software to use the drive. Both the DVR-A04 and DVR-104 are listed as
DVR-104 under System Properties.
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Q.
Can I use the same firmware updater for either the DVR-103 or DVR-A03?
A.
Yes, there is only one firmware version available for either the DVR-103
or DVR-A03.
Note:
This does not apply to OEM drives that were originally shipped in a
branded system such as Compaq, Apple, Sony, etc. If you have such a
system go to the
http://pioneerelectronics.com/hs/
web page. Click on the brand of computer you own.
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Q.
Can I use the same firmware updater for either the DVR-104 or DVR-A04?
A.
Yes, there is only one firmware version available for either the DVR-104
or DVR-A04.
Note:
This does not apply to OEM drives that were originally shipped in a
branded system such as Compaq, Apple, Sony, etc. If you have such a
system go to the
http://pioneerelectronics.com/hs/
web page. Click on the brand of computer you own.
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Q.
Can I use the DVR-A03/103 firmware updater for the
DVR-A04/104 drive? A.
No, you must use the DVR-A04/104 firmware updater for the DVR-A04 or
DVR-104. If you try to use the wrong firmware updater for your
drive, no damage will occur. However, the firmware in your drive
will not be updated.
Note:
This does not apply to OEM drives that were originally shipped in a
branded system such as Compaq, Apple, Sony, etc. If you have such a
system go to the
http://pioneerelectronics.com/hs/
web page. Click on the brand of computer you own.
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Q.
Can I use the DVR-A04/104 firmware updater for the
DVR-A03/103 drive? A.
No, you must use the DVR-A03/103 firmware updater for the DVR-A03 or
DVR-103. If you try to use the wrong firmware updater for your
drive, no damage will occur. However, the firmware in your drive
will not be updated.
Note:
This does not apply to OEM drives that were originally shipped in a
branded system such as Compaq, Apple, Sony, etc. If you have such a
system go to the
http://pioneerelectronics.com/hs/
web page. Click on the brand of computer you own.
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Q.The
firmware update utility reports, "No target device found" and/or
"Update program terminated by occurring error".
1. Double check that you used the proper utility for your drive. If you
have a DVR-A03/103 drive use the
RT3A190.EXE updater. If you have a DVR-A04/104 drive use the R4TA132.EXE
updater.
2. Perform the update
using a DOS-bootable diskette. See
PIB 155214 for more information.
3.
You cannot update a non-Pioneer branded drive using this utility.
This includes OEM drives that were
originally shipped in a branded system
such as Compaq, Apple, Sony, etc. If you have such a
system
go to the
http://pioneerelectronics.com/hs/
web page. Click on the brand of computer you own.
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Q.
What do I do if I have problems updating the firmware in my
drive or recorder?
A. If you are having trouble updating the firmware for either the DVR-A03/103 or DVR-A04/104 check the following:
1. Remove any media in the drive and retry the firmware update
2. If you are using a CD for the update, copy the contents of the CD to the hard drive,
remove the CD
and run the firmware update from the hard drive.
3. Raid controllers are not supported. The drive must be on an either the Primary or Secondary IDE
channel.
4. Exit ALL programs before running the firmware update utility.
5. Perform the update using
a DOS-bootable diskette. See
PIB
155214 for more information.
6. Read this FAQ.
7. If your problem is not listed here call 1-800-421-1623.
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Q.
If I have a duplication system, how do I perform the update?
A.
Contact the duplication system manufacturer for information on updating.
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Q.
Will the update work if I have a Pioneer DVD drive connected to a
Macintosh using a Firewire connection?
A.
No it will not work. You will need to connect the external Pioneer DVD
drive to a Windows PC or contact the manufacturer to make arrangements for
an update.
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Q.
Can I install the new firmware if my Pioneer DVD drive is connected to my
Windows PC using either Firewire/1394 or USB-2 interface?
A.
Yes you can update your Pioneer DVD drive if you have Windows ME,
Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
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Q.
Can I upgrade my drive if it's installed on a RAID controller?
A. No, the drive must be installed on the Primary or Secondary IDE
controller to be recognized by the firmware update utility.
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Q.
I�ve already updated my PRV-9000 and/or DVR-7000 using the
DVD-RW firmware update disc.
Do I need to perform this new update also?
A.
No, if you've already updated your PRV-9000 and/or DVR-7000 with the
DVD-RW update disc, you do not need to perform the update again. The
firmware update utility for the PRV-9000 and DVR-7000 already includes
a fix for the high speed media issue.
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Q.
When will the high speed media be available?
A.
We expect the high speed media to hit the market sometime in the next
few weeks. Therefore, Pioneer recommends you perform the firmware update
now.
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Q.
Is there any problem with existing 1X/2X DVD-R and 1X DVD-RW media?
A.
No, using existing 1X/2X DVD-R and 1X DVD-RW media will not cause any
problems in the Pioneer computer drives or standalone DVD recorders.
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Q.
How do I update the firmware in my drive if I have a Windows
NT or Linux operating System?
A.
Perform the update using a DOS-bootable diskette. See
PIB
155214 for more information.
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Q. How do I update the firmware in my DVR-A03/DVR-103 or DVR/A04-DVR-104
if it's installed in an Apple computer?
A.
Go to
pioneer.html
and click on "Macintosh Updaters (Aftermarket Drives Only)"
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Q. I'm trying to update
my DVR-A04/104's firmware but get one of the following
messages:
A. Your DVR-A04/104 drive was
not intended for the U.S. market. The DVR-104SA and the DVR-104NECCI are not
sold in United States. Click on the appropriate link below to update the
firmware in your DVR-A04/104 drive:
Note: There are no instructions with
these downloads. The links provide downloadable firmware files only. However,
the process is similar to running the standard DVR-A04/104 firmware updater.
Instructions for running the standard firmware update are available from the
Pioneer
High-Speed webpage. Click on "Instructions for Updating
Drive".
NEC Japan
http://121ware.com/download/pc/module/pc98-nx/winxp/drive/104E130/104EA130.EXE
SOTEC (Japanese domestic market)
Sotek firmware for the DVR-104SA is no longer available from the web
site listed in FAQ support page for firmware updates. It can be
found at the following web site, which list all OEM uses of the
DVR-104. Please refer customers to this site. http://forum.firmware-flash.com/dl_firmware.php?category=4&manufactor=25
To check the kernel on your drive, refer to the
Pioneer High-Speed webpage. Click on "How to Check for Firmware and Drive Model Number"
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