Another kick in the groin for Pioneer 563A owners

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=190559

This one hurts since my SACD copy is cracked...
Looks like it is a Pioneer problem not Warners

 

I used to have a Panny RP91, and replaced it with this. On the RP91, there was a way to check which firmware version was on the machine. Is there a way to check on the 563a?

 

It is a Pioneer problem and they aren't aware of the problem. They need to know if you are having a problem yourself and then they will find out if it is a problem with the software or the firmware.

 

Talked to Pioneer a few minutes ago. They said to throw the Gaucho DVD-A into a computer and see if it takes you to their web-site as he suspects that is the problem and it sounds like a firmware up grade.

 

I just got off the phone with Pioneer and reported the problem. The tech told me that they were aware of the Warner problem but Gaucho is a new one. He told me that it will be a month (mid April)before they decide what to do. I suggest us owners of the 563a call Warners and Universial and complain. For me this is a nightmare...Gaucho is in my top ten list and I bought the SACD but it is cracked/unplayable.

 

I dont think this is a huge problem. New technologies always have this type of problem. Upgrading the firmware in your DVD player is no different than upgrading the firmware in your PC DVd player. Once you do it, your problem is solved.


Pioneer is a reputable compnay, they WILL address the problem.

They might even put out a replacement for the 563-A and let you swap your unit for the new one. I say that because of the low price on the 563-A. I'd love to get a new unit ...and in black this time to match the rest of my Home Theatre.

 

This has to be a hardware issue. Why would these discs play fine in other machines?

 

I read on HTF that a lot of times, the buyer often gets screwed by customer service when it comes to midline product and that the best customer service is when it involves Elite product.

 

If there was a firmware update to the 563, would that involve taking it in to be serviced or is that something that can be done at home?

I updated the firmware on my DVD burner without having to tak it in.

 

I had a Pioneer Elite DVR-7000 DVD Player/Recorder that needed a firmware upgrade. Pioneer just sent me a DVD-R. I put it in, pressed play, and it updated the firmware.

Pretty easy.

 

Bob in Atlanta on the HTF was able to play Gaucho on his Panasonic and not his 563A and said that Pioneer will for sure test the disc on the 563A right after he got off of the phone with a Pioneer rep which will take about a month or so. If a firmware upgrade eventually gets sent to you guys (if this is the case), I'd like a DVD-R copy of the firmware from one of you. If it is a hardware issue, I'll have to tell my mother.

 

I supervise DVDA production for Universal Music Group.

This is what I posted in another online forum, but it is relevant here:

Posted by jimby (P) on March 24, 2004 at 19:10:42

So we have been investigating the Pioneer 563A issues, and one of our DVDA authoring facilities has discovered that the Pioneer 563A player has a problem with DVDA discs authored with the latest revision of the MEI/Sonic authoring software. No other players seem to be affected by this rev, so our initial assumption is that it is a firmware issue in the 563A that somehow is triggered by disc authored with this latest revision. We won't know for sure until we perform more tests.
I will let you know as soon as we find out more info.

---since that was written a couple of days ago, Pioneer has contacted me and their engineers are looking into the matter.

Regards,
Jim

 

What's the phone number?

 

DV-563A and DVD-Audio problems

I'm having problems playing the high-resolution portion of several
newer DVD-Audio discs on Pioneer's DV-563A universal player and it
turns out I'm not alone. Turns out there are increasingly more titles
coming out on DVD-Audio that will not play on this unit and Pioneer is
dragging its feet on the issue. Apparently Steely Dan's GAUCHO, Neil
Young's GREENDALE, Brian Wilson's LIVE AT THE ROXY, T. Rex's ELECTRIC
WARRIOR and many more recently released DVD-Audio titles were authored
or mastered using new software that the 563A is incompatible with. The
discs all play fine on other DVD-Audio players. For details, go to
www.audioasylum.com and click on "DVD-Audiobahn." Here's what I did:
Called Pioneer's 800 number and first spoke with a repair technician
who said he knew nothing about the problems with the 563A and newer
DVD-Audio titles. Then I spoke with a customer service rep named Henry
who said he'd never heard of the problems either and told me to take
the player to a Pioneer service facility. In other words, I got the
big blow-off from Pioneer. When I told these folks what I'd read at
Audio Asylum regarding a Pioneer "firmware update," they knew nothing
about it. In fact, I had to keep correcting customer-service rep Henry
when he continually referred to my problems with "movies." Clueless
idiot. I guess those of us with 563A players and unplayable DVD-Audio
discs are screwed. Unless, of course, we all call Pioneer en masse.
Pioneer doesn't care and needs a little encouragement on this issue.
Call Pioneer toll-free at: 800-421-1404.

 

There are a LOT of posts about this over at QuadraphonicQuad as well.


:-jon

 

Quote:
>>Originally Posted by Bobou2
>>I suggest us owners of the 563a call Warners and Universial and complain. .


>>>What's the phone number?


DON'T call Universal or Warner to complain. Both companies already know about the problem, and there is nothing they can do to fix it. It will require either a rev in the firmware of the Pioneer 563A or a rev to the MEI/Sonic authoring software, neither which is under the control of the music companies.

Thanks,
Jim

 

Three possibilities:

1. The firmware is user-upgradeable with a disc
2. The firmware requires a service center to upgrade
3. The entire player is replace with a later version


It will be up to Pioneer to determine the best way to handle this.

Regards,
Jim

 

For the record, my 563-A will not play the multichannel portion of Queenryche's "Empire" DVD-A.

 

Jim....It's good that you are at the helm. I thought if we complained to Uni/Warner they would lite a fire under Pioneer's *** and get my(ours) player working. I have a feeling Pioneer will do the right thing.....

 

Okay I just talked to Pioneer and they are SUPER nice, and they know about the problem, and they will make an adjustment to the player that will make it play the warner DVD-As!!

they have a factory in Long Beach where you can take the player or you can simply send it to them.

you have to call the number that the guy put up there and get an RA from them though.

I don't think this is the last time this will happen. I think it's war, and we're going to be seeing it from warner and from Sony too!!!! I think they are trying to attack the universal players so you will have to choose format.

-s

 

Every bad mastering job or faulty mastering software doth not a CONSPIRACY make.
In other words, it's an oops, not a plot.
Thanks for the info about sending 'em back!

 

I admit it

I'm a paranoid

BUT - I have Harvest and Road Rock on DVD-A from the same label, and they play fine. Then the new one comes out and it doesn't. It also has no special features that aren't on the others: both of those other CDs have videos, interviews, movies, lyrics, photos, etc. They are about the same.

Except for the not-playing part.

Well maybe it's just bad mastering, like you said. However, you must also remember that the Greendale DVD-A release kept getting delayed. All the other ones (On the Beach, etc.) are supposed to be out tomorrow. I will be really interested to see if there are the same problems. Those releases were also delayed.

Of course, I, myself, will not be buying them until Pioneer either moves its checker to the square ahead of Warners' checker (my version) or fixes their player's malfunction (your version). Either way Pioneer is helping out and I REALLY REALLY want that On The Beach DVD-A so I HOPE it works!!!!!!!

-s

 

Steve, do you have a persons name at Pioneer?