Q2: Where can I get a User's Guide for the Veritas PrimoDVD program bundled with my drive?
A2: The User's Guide for PrimoDVD is included on the Software Installation CD shipped with the DVR-A03. After installing the program on to your computer, click on Go To Full Application. Click on HELP from the main menu bar at the top of the window and select Index. Troubleshooting Drive Error Codes is also available from the HELP menu.

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Q3: How can I get the full 4.7 GB of data on a disc?
A3:The total disc space available on 4.7GB DVD-R/RW media is 4.4 Gigabytes. The term Gbyte refers to one billion bytes in DVD Forum specifications. However, if the operating system is Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98, the program limits the maximum amount of a single file to 4.0 GB.

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Q4: Can I play back a video on my player if the DVD-R or DVD-RW disc was recorded on the DVR-A03?
A4: Yes, as long as your player recognizes DVD-R and/or DVD-RW media and the disc was correctly authored according to DVD Video specifications. Check with the player manufacturer or refer to websites with DVD compatibility information. Some of these sites are DVDMadeEasy.com, Apple.com, Proh.com, and homemovie.com.

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Q5: Who makes approved 2X DVD-R media for the DVR-A03?
A5: The Pioneer engineers have tested media from the following companies and received satisfactory results. The media manufacturers other than Pioneer are TDK, Mitsui, Hitachi Maxell Limited, and Mitsubishi Chemical. For additional information, go to the 2X DVD-R Media statement on this website.

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Q6: Does the DVR-A03 support both data and video creation?
A6: Yes. The bundled software packages support data writing and CD/DVD video creation.

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Q7: Can I use the DVR-A03 to back up my hard drive?
A7: Yes. However, for automated backups, you will need a third-party software package. Check with your preferred software application manufacturer.

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Q8: How long can my video run on a DVD disc?
A8: The bitrate affects the production length. Encoding content at 10 Mbps provides approximately 60 minutes on 4.7GB DVD-R/RW media. Encoding at 5 Mbps will provide about 2 hours on 4.7 GB DVD-R/RW media.

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Q9: How long should it take to finalize a disc?
A9: To fill a single-sided disc requires about a half-hour at 2X or about an hour at 1X. Depending upon the amount of data to be burned to the disc, it may take up to 12 minutes to finalize. As a general rule, the more data on the disc, the less time it takes to finalize.

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Q10: Can the Pioneer DVR-A03 play DVD-RAM media?
A10: No, the technology is incompatible.

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Q11: Can I record using +RW media?
A11: No. The technology is incompatible. The DVR-A03 is write-compatible with DVD-R and DVD-RW media ONLY. The +RW format can only be used with machines that will burn +RW media.

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Q12: If I burn MP3s on DVD-R/RW media, will it play back on another device?
A12: Yes. The media plays back on a computer but it fails to play back on set-top players. However, MP3 files created on CD-R/RW media play back on MP3-compatible set-top players.

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Q13: Why can't I use the DVD-R 4.7GB Authoring (A) media with the DVR-A03 drive?
A13: Authoring media was created for the DVR-S201 which uses a 635nm laser to burn discs. The DVR-A03 uses a 650nm laser to burn to General (G) media. Most DVD hardware manufacturers now design their equipment to use General media. For more information about Authoring and General media, please refer to the DVD-R General vs. Authoring White Paper on this website.

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Q14: What can I do if the drive won't read/write encrypted files?
A14: More than likely you have a file called SCSI1hlp.vxd on your system. Search your hard drive for this file and rename it to SCSI1hlp.old. However, if you are working with a protected disc or a disc with CSS encoding, this action will not open the files for copying or editing.

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Q15: What do I do if I get an error that includes the statement, command:2A sense 04 ASC: 08 ASCQ:01?
A15: The error code refers to a setup issue with the DMA. Disabling the DMA in the operating system usually solves the problem. However, there are situations that require DMA to be enabled. For more information, please read Product Information Bulletin (PIB) #222501 on this website.

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Q16: Does the DVR-A03 support Ultra DMA (UDMA)?
A16: No. Pioneer recommends using a standard 40-pin / 40-conductor ribbon cable in a Master/Slave configuration.

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Q17: Why does my Operating System show blank DVD-R/RW media as a single-track CD Audio disc?
A17: Your Operating System was not programmed to recognize the media type. This is normal and does not cause problems. The Application still recognizes the media and allows proper recording.

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Q18: How many times can I rewrite a DVD-RW disc?
A18: The media is rated for 1,000 rewrites.

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Q19: Does Pioneer provide an external enclosure with IEEE 1394 (firewire) connections for the DVR-A03?
A19: Pioneer does not build,provide, or support an external IEEE 1394 enclosure. However, several third-party vendors provide the DVR-A03 drive in an IEEE 1394 enclosure or sell stand-alone enclosure kits. Most of these vendors include installation assistance and technical support.

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Q20: Can I use stickers or labels on my DVD-R/RW discs?
A20: Labels can cause the disc to become unbalanced and are not recommended. This imbalance may damage the drive. Pioneer recommends the use of printable DVD-R/RW media.

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Q21: If the region code is set on my DVD recording drive, does that mean the DVD video I create has a region code?
A21: No. Setting a region code on the drive applies to playing DVD Videos only. Your DVD Video production will not include a region code unless your authoring software provides a method for adding one.

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Q22: Can the DVR-A03 write a multi-session disc or packet-write a disc?
A22: The drive is capable of this type of writing but additional software is required. Many third-party software applications support incremental writing on the Pioneer DVR-A03 drive.

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Q23: What do I do if I have problems with my VOB software application?
A23: Please contact the application manufacturer, VOB, for assistance.

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Q24: Do I need any special drivers for the DVR-A03?
A24: No. The DVR-A03 is plug and play. There are no specific drivers required. The unit is designed to use generic Microsoft Windows DVD-ROM drivers. Writing functions are supported by application software.

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Q25: Can I play a DVD movie from my DVR-A03 drive?
A25: With the addition of a decoder (hardware or software) installed on your computer, the DVR-A03 will play a DVD-compliant movie. Cyberlink's Power DVD (a software decoder) is included in the bundled software (must meet minimum system requirements).

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Q26: Can I put 96 kHz/24 audio bit on a DVD-R disc and have it play back at the original 96 kHz/24 bit rate?
A26: Yes, but you need 3rd party hardware/software that supports this sample rate and bit depth. Contact your preferred software manufacturer for support.

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Q27: Can I use DVD-R media to make DVD Audio Discs - not CD audio files on a DVD but a true DVD Audio disc which needs a DVD Audio player to playback?
A27: Yes, as long as your audio program is capable of creating the proper DVD-Audio file structure. In addition, you need a DVD Audio Player that supports DVD-R playback.

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Q28: Why won't my drive wake up from sleep mode (Energy Saver) on the MAC?
A28: The MAC operating system will sometimes report kernel panic errors when the Energy Saver mode is used with non-Apple drives. In most cases the disc in the drive is no longer accessible and can't be ejected. To access the drive, reboot the computer and turn off the Energy Saver option so the drive does not go to sleep. Follow the steps below to turn OFF the sleep option.
1) Launch System Preferences (located under the Apple Menu).
2) Double-click on Energy Saver located under the Hardware section.
3) Click on the Sleep tab.
4) Uncheck the "Put the hard disc to sleep when possible" box.
Another option is to use the slider under "Put the computer to sleep when it is active for" and slide the arrow to 3 hours or Never.

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Q29: How do I stop the kernel panic message from popping up on my MAC?
A29: The MAC operating systems will sometimes report kernel panic errors when the Energy Saver mode is used with non-Apple drives. In most cases the disc in the drive is no longer accessible and can't be ejected. To access the drive, reboot the computer and turn off the Energy Saver option so the drive does not go to sleep. Follow the steps below to turn OFF the sleep option.
1) Launch System Preferences (located under the Apple Menu).
2) Double-click on Energy Saver located under the Hardware section.
3) Click on the Sleep tab.
4) Uncheck the "Put the hard disc to sleep when possible" box.
Another option is to use the slider under "Put the computer to sleep when it is active for" and slide the arrow to 3 hours or Never.

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