Pioneer DV-563A firmware campaign

[BrownRB]

I really would have thought that the firmware upgrade would have been bootlegged by now and available on the web, but so far nothing.

 

[trekkerj]

I have been informed that ALL Pioneer service centers in the country can do this upgrade now. I emailed Pioneer yesterday, got a response it literally 60 seconds, and they gave me the address of a center 5 miles from my apartment. I called them up, and they said they didn't have it. I emailed Pioneer and they contacted me and said they had arranged for the center near my apartment to have the upgrade, and I'm bringing it in ASAP. I'll let everyone know how it goes. This is good news.

 

[trekkerj]

The upgrade took 45 minutes (they called me back as I was coming in the door from dropping it off). Worked like a charm. This is good news. If there's a service center that does Pioneer anywhere near where you live, contact Toshiba, tell them you want the upgrade and request that the location nearest you be given the upgrade. I imagine they let them download the software directly to the store now.

 

[Nova74]

The firmware upgrade IS a disc. Don't know if it's DVD or cd though. I called my nearest Pioneer service center (only 30 miles away) and the guy told me they had just got the disc, and it would only take about 15 minutes to load it.
Good luck all,
Ryan

 

[mikey5967]

I just called Pioneer, and they blatantly refused to send me any discs. They INSIST I bring my unit to the service center. The one near me takes a week to do anything.


This sucks.

 

[mikey5967]

I really dont want to be without my player for a week.

I might just wait it out and see if that software ends up on the web.

 

[trekkerj]

The place I brought it to was done in less than an hour. Surely you can find someplace close by that can do it quick. Just call them and tell them you don't want to wait a week. It's either they do it in a timely manner, or they don't get your business. At least you don't have to ship it across country.

 

[dr8track]

The place I brought it to was done in less than an hour. Surely you can find someplace close by that can do it quick. Just call them and tell them you don't want to wait a week. It's either they do it in a timely manner, or they don't get your business. At least you don't have to ship it across country.

I've only followed this thread off and on, but maybe someone can tell me, is the firmware upgrade necessary for every 563A? I don't use mine all that much, but as of yet, I haven't had any problems w/ playback. Was there a specific date of manufacture when the updated firmware was installed on the 563A, or do they all have to go back to the shop?

OK, I went back and re-read the entire thread. Sounds like somewhere around Jan or Feb of 2004 is where the updated versions begin. Correct?

 

[bobou2]

Got my player upgraded yesterday. Nice to have the ability to play all those great new DVD-A releases . So it seems much easier for us in the US to get our players done...so if you haven't go do it soon.

 

[FenderP]

The player I got is from January 2004, and I've checked the firmware version-it's the latest one. I was just at Best Buy yesterday, and all the players there (at least at that store I checked) had January 2004 dates. They've also marked them down to $139.99. What have you got to lose?

I just got an open box special made in January 04. What firmware rev should I look for and which menu?

 

[neil wilkes]

I can also add The Who's Tommy Deluxe DVD-A to this.
It will not play in Multichannel or Stereo on the 565A (UK Version) yet a $50 piece of software will play it.
All Pioneer GB say is to send the disc & player to a service centre for repair.

A second chap I spoke to is saying they are aware of the problem but it is not with the 565 but the disc itself.
And to take it up with the record company......

Meanwhile, I am down on a disc bought in the usa, I cannot return it and I cannot play it.
This is so pi55poor it is almost like sabotage.
How the heck is DVD-A/SACD to survive when manufacturers cannot make a player properly?
Either that, or Sonic Solutions software stinks.

 

[speedking]

Neil, I had similar problems with the 565 trying to play Greendale, currently ythe only DVD-A I own. I contacted Pioneer and they gave me address of service centre nearby. My player has been sent in for repair to them.

Meanwhile I had spoken to a friend who had same problems, he just took his back to Richer Sounds and they replaced it with another 565 with a more recenr manufacture date (March 2004), now his works just fine, I dont know if he has the Tommy disc though.

I contacted the service centre and told them to return my player, then called Richer Sounds. They are gonna replace my unit too, although it looks like i'm gonna go for the newer 575 model instead of another 565.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

Word is out that Pioneer downgraded to low-budget DACs in the 575, not capable of "True DSD". On the other hand, I've heard it has better bass management than the 565.

Cheers
AL

 

[neil wilkes]

Yet more issues after the firmware "upgrade".
No more multi region - so half my discs now will not play.
Glitching is disgraceful - every single disc now glitches, and the longer the player is on the worse it gets.

Some Upgrade!

 

[BananaSlug]

I've been having problems with SACD playback on my 563a. I don't really know if it started at the time I got it back from the firmware upgrade or not. But, I get momentary pauses during sacd playback - especially during Elton John's GYBR. I took it in yesterday. Today I was told that they upgraded my firmware. I am hoping that there was a flaw with the last firmware and this will fix it, but am not holding my breath. Unfortunately I have to drive 45 mins. and cross the Golden Gate Bridge ($5) to go see if it's working or not... this is going to get old (and expensive) in a hurry if the problem persists. I will let you know if this fixes the glitches... Pioneer, is that Japanese for 'pain in the ***'?

 

[bobou2]

My 563a pre-upgrade it would sometimes have a short "dropout" during SACD play back but after a few months it went away. No problem with my GBYBR SACD.

 

[zabble]

I got so fed up with this ******** that I took the law into my own hands. Went to the same retailer I'd bought my DV-563A from in January and asked 'em to get me one with the latest manufacturing date, which is printed on the box. "February 2004" it said, so I bought it. Brought it home, verified it would play the DVD-Audio titles (it did), put the "old" unit in the "new" box, sealed it up and returned it for a full refund the next day. Bada-bing! Sorry it had to go this way. **** Pioneer.

Who would've guessed it would be so easy.

 

[BananaSlug]

That was my original plan... but the local Best Buy had two units, each manufactured in Oct 2003. I guess I've got the Pioneer curse. I won't be buying any more of their stuff.

 

[ress4278]

Can anyone give me the number for Pioneer so I can locate a repair center near me. When I checked on their website for service centers, it kept coming up as unavailable.
I'm in Pennsylvania.

 

[BananaSlug]

(800) 421-1404

The web site also told me there were no repair facilities within 100 miles of here - maybe the web site needs a firmware upgrade.