Pioneer PRV-9000 User Manual

Business Solutions Division

What type of recordable DVD media is supported on the PRV-9000?

The PRV-9000 DVD-Video Recorder is a DVD-R and DVD-RW device. It can
record on to DVD-R for General (write-once) media or DVD-RW version 1.1 or
higher (re-writable) media.

What type of video formats can be recorded on the PRV-9000?

The PRV-9000 DVD-Video Recorder records two different video formats. It can
record the DVD-Video format onto either DVD-R or DVD-RW media, as per
above. And it can also record the VR (Video Recording) format onto DVD-RW
media.

What is the playback compatibility of the DVD-Video format on DVD-R
media?

Most DVD players and DVD-ROM drives will play DVD-R media. If the
player/drive plays DVD-Video content that has been authored and copied onto
DVD-R media then it will play DVD-Video content that has been recorded and
finalized onto DVD-R media with the PRV-9000.

When addressing playback compatibility there are always two issues to consider:

1) will the device play the video file format of the recorded content and 2) does
the device support and play the recordable DVD media format?

Both the DVD-Video file format and the DVD-R media format are part of the DVD
Forum’s specification. Therefore,

1) Any DVD player or DVD drive/computer system that plays replicated DVD­Video discs will also play the DVD-Video content recorded and finalized
on the PRV-9000.

2) Any DVD player or drive that supports and plays DVD-R media will play
DVD-R discs recorded and finalized on the PRV-9000. *

* DVD-R media is currently compatible with most DVD players and DVD-ROM
drives. Pioneer fully expects this number to increase to nearly 100% over the
next year.

PRV-9000 FAQ

(Frequently Asked Questions)

PRV-9000 FAQ 1 of 7 Last Revised: 11/15/01

What is the playback compatibility of the DVD-Video format on DVD-RW
media?

Many DVD players and DVD-ROM drives will play DVD-RW media. If the
player/drive plays DVD-Video content that has been authored and copied onto
DVD-RW media then it will play DVD-Video content that has been recorded and
finalized onto DVD-RW media with the PRV-9000.

However, the same two issues above also apply to this question. While the
DVD-RW media format is also part of the DVD Forum’s specification, it is a more
recent technology so it does not yet enjoy the same level of playback
compatibility as the DVD-R media format.

As per Pioneer’s technology assessment, DVD-RW media can be played on
many DVD players and DVD-ROM drives. Pioneer fully expects this number to
significantly increase over the next year.

What is the playback compatibility of the VR format on DVD-RW media?

All new Pioneer DVD-Video player models bearing the “RW Compatible” logo will
play VR format as well as DVD-Video format on DVD-RW media. However,
many DVD players and DVD-ROM drive player software, even if they play DVD­RW media, may not play discs recorded in the VR file format.

Therefore, even if your player plays DVD-RW media containing DVD-Video
formatted content, it may not play VR formatted content on DVD-RW media. In
this instance the media format is supported but not the video file format. The
best thing to do is test playability of a VR formatted DVD-RW disc on the
intended playback device.

Why use VR format if it will not play on other DVD devices?

Obviously, the PRV-9000 will play a VR format recorded DVD-RW disc with the
full range of playback and basic editing features build into the recorder. There
are some applications that require record and play to occur in the same device.
Instant replay at sporting events or video surveillance for security, are two
examples. In this case, The PRV-9000’s VR format offers more flexibility in
record time and video encoding rates (32 settings), allowing 1 hour to 6-hour
record times on the DVD-RW disc.

Note: All new Pioneer DVD-Video player models with the “RW Compatible” logo
will play back DVD-RW discs recorded in the VR format.

PRV-9000 FAQ 2 of 7 Last Revised: 11/15/01

Can the PRV-9000 be set to record in multiple bit rates in DVD-Video
format?

Yes, in DVD-Video format the PRV-9000 recorder has two MPEG2 CBR video
encoding bit rate settings. Mode #1 (V1) is 9.78 Mbps and allows one hour of
recorded video on a single-sided 4.7Gbyte DVD-R or DVD-RW disc. Mode #2
(V2) is 5.11 Mbps and allows two hours of recorded video on a single-sided

4.7Gbyte DVD-R or DVD-RW disc.
You can change the DVD-Video format bit rate setting for each record session.

However, you cannot use more than one bit rate setting in the same record
session

What is the pixel resolution of the video recorded in DVD-Video format?

The pixel resolution of V1 mode (9.78 Mbps) is 720x480.
The pixel resolution of V2 mode (5.11 Mbps) is 720x480.

How is the audio encoded in DVD-Video format?

The PRV-9000 can accept two channels of unbalanced audio. This audio is
encoded as Dolby Digital (AC3) 2-channel audio (16bit-48kHz-256kbps) for both
DVD-Video bit rate settings.

Can the PRV-9000 be set to record in multiple bit rates in VR format?

Yes, in VR format the PRV-9000 recorder can be set to one of one of 32 video
encoding bit rates. The highest quality setting is 10.08 Mbps and allows for one
hour of recorded video on a single-sided 4.7Gbyte DVD-RW disc. The lowest
quality setting is 1.73Mbps and allows for six hours of recorded video on a single­sided 4.7Gbyte DVD-RW disc.

You can change the VR format bit rate setting for each record session. However,
you cannot use more than one bit rate setting in the same record session

Note: When using the DV IEEE-1394 video input you cannot set the VR bit rate
below 2.60Mbps.

What video compression attributes are applied in VR format?

All but the lowest six VR bit rates settings use MPEG2 compression. The lowest
six VR format settings utilize MPEG1. Also, depending on the bit rate selected
either VBR or CBR is applied to offer the best possible quality video and audio
signal at the selected bit rate setting.

What is the pixel resolution of the video recorded in VR format?

The pixel resolution of video recorded in VR format differs based on video bit rate
setting selected for that record session. The highest bit rate settings, from one
hour to two-hour recording modes, offer 720x480 pixel resolution.

PRV-9000 FAQ 3 of 7 Last Revised: 11/15/01

How is the audio encoded in VR format?

The PRV-9000 can accept two channels of unbalanced audio. At the highest VR
video bit rate setting (10.08Mbps) the audio is encoded as Linear PCM (16bit­48kHz-256kbps). In all other VR video bit rate settings the audio is encoded as
Dolby Digital (AC3) 2-channel audio (16bit-48kHz-256kbps).

Why does the PRV-9000 record in 30 second intervals when recording the
DVD-Video format?

The DVD-Video format DVD Forum specification requires DSI (Disc Search
Information) data to be contained on the user data stream of the DVD-Video disc.
The DSI must include the end time data associated with the video. When
authoring a DVD-Video disc with a computer-based system, one knows when the
video will end because it has pre-recorded, so it is clear on how to set this data in
the DSI.

However, when recording in real time one cannot predict exactly where the
conclusion of the video will be on the disc. But in order to adhere to the DVD­Video spec, the DSI data must be present. Therefore, the PRV-9000 adds this
data every 30 seconds in the record process and recording must be done in 30­second intervals. If the user stops recording between 30-second intervals, the
recorder will continue to record until it reaches a 30-second point in time.

This procedure is designed to insure content recorded by the PRV-9000
maintains maximum playback compatibility of DVD-Video format.

Why does the 30-second record interval not apply when recording in the
VR format?

The VR format is also a specification created by the DVD Forum. It is designed
as a simple way to record video and audio data onto a DVD. It does not require
much of the logical layer data included in DVD-Video formatted content. As
such, the DSI end point data is not required in the VR format.

Since the DSI end point data is not required, the PRV-9000 does not need to add
it and the recorder does not need to record VR formatted content in pre-defined
intervals. When the user stops the record process in VR format on the PRV­9000, the recording process stops.

PRV-9000 FAQ 4 of 7 Last Revised: 11/15/01

How long does it take to finalize a disc in DVD-Video format on DVD-R
media or brand new DVD-RW media?

The DVD disc specification requires that lead in and lead out data must be
written to the disc. In addition, the DVD Forum states that a minimum of 35mm
of data, starting from the inner radius, must be recorded onto the disc to meet
specification. The data size of a recorded segment is dependent on the bit rate
set for that segment and the length of the segment

Therefore, finalization time is based on how much data is recorded to the DVD-R
or DVD-RW disc. On the PRV-9000, finalization times for video recorded in the
DVD-Video format range from 3 minutes to 14 minutes, depending on the bit rate
and running time of the all the video recorded onto the disc.

Finalization time is not dependent on disc media; the time it takes to finalize a
disc is the same for both DVD-R media and a brand new piece of DVD-RW
media.

(See DVD-Video Finalization Times Chart.)

Do finalization times differ when using a previously recorded and finalized
DVD-RW disc on the PRV-9000?

Yes, when using DVD-RW media that has been previously recorded and finalized
on the PRV-9000, the finalization time is always 3 minutes. This is because the
newly recorded content is written over the existing content and the lead in/out
and minimum data requirements (outlined in the answer above) have already
been met. If you take that DVD-RW media and completely reformat it in a
DVR-A03 drive, then it will be treated by the PRV-9000 as a brand new piece of
DVD-RW media and the finalization times in the chart will apply.

Is there a difference in finalization time based on bit rate settings and
number of record sessions?

Yes, finalization time is based on how much data is recorded to the disc.
Therefore, a ten-minute segment recorded at 5.11Mbps will be a smaller data file
than a ten-minute segment recorded at 9.78Mbps. As a smaller file it would
occupy less space on the disc and may take longer to finalize. The more record
sessions on the disc, the more data, and therefore, the finalization times
decrease until the minimum of 3 minutes is reached.

When recording DVD-Video format to a DVD-RW disc, can you un-finalize
the disc to record additional content? Without losing the original content?

No, when you un-finalize a DVD-RW disc recorded in the DVD-Video format the
original content will be overwritten when recording new content. Therefore, you
cannot add information to the previously recorded DVD-RW disc in DVD-Video
format if it has been previously finalized.

PRV-9000 FAQ 5 of 7 Last Revised: 11/15/01

When recording VR format to a DVD-RW disc, can you un-finalize the disc
to record additional content? Without losing the original content?

Yes, you can add content to the DVD-RW disc that has been recorded in VR
format without un-finalizing the disc.

What happens if disc finalization is cancelled or interrupted before
completed?

The disc will not be finalized and you will need to resume the process from the
beginning.

Is external DV camera control possible via IEEE-1394 connector on the
PRV-9000?

Yes, a DV camera can be controlled with the PRV-9000 remote control unit if the
camera is connected to the player via the IEEE-1394 interface. If there is a DV
tape in the camera the functions available for camera control are Start, Stop,
Pause, Fast Forward and Rewind.

Is external DV computer control possible via IEEE-1394 connector on the
PRV-9000?

No, this external computer control via the IEEE-1394 interface is not available on
the PRV-9000.

How many characters can be used to label the disc name? How many
characters can be used to label the Title Menu Buttons?

When recording a disc in DVD-Video format, a maximum of 32 characters can be
used to create the disc label and for each button in the title menu.

When recording a disc in VR format, a maximum of 64 characters can be used to
create the disc label, and for each thumbnail picture button in the Original Title
Menu and for each thumbnail picture button in the edited Play-List Menus.

Does the PRV-9000 provide progressive scan output?

Yes.

Can the PRV-9000 output video from the DV, component, S-Video,
composite outputs simultaneously?

Yes, the PRV-9000 can display video from all output connectors simultaneously.

Does the PRV-9000 record in both NTSC & PAL video standards?

No, the PRV-9000 records only NTSC video.

Does the PRV-9000 play DVD-Video discs in both NTSC & PAL video
standards?

Yes, the PRV-9000 can play replicated DVD-Video discs and previously recorded
DVD-Video programs on DVD-R and DVD-RW discs in both NTSC & PAL video
standards.

PRV-9000 FAQ 6 of 7 Last Revised: 11/15/01

Can I record Linear Time Code to one of the audio channels on the PRV­9000?

Yes, Linear Time Code (LTC) can be recorded as an audio signal to one of the
two AC3 Dolby Digital audio channels the audio track. This LTC audio signal
allows archiving the original SMPTE LTC with the associated video. It cannot be
used to search for content on the DVD disc.

(See PIB#190001 “PRV-9000 Time Code Support”)

Will Closed Captioning data on line 21 of the video signal be encoded,
recorded and passed through on the PRV-9000?

If Closed Captioning data is present on line 21 of the original video source, the
PRV-9000 will pass and encode it onto the recorded DVD-Video program. When
this DVD-Video disc is played back via the PRV-9000 or other DVD player and
the video is passed through a CC decoder the Closed Captions will be present
on the video display.

How many separate titles can be recorded by the PRV-9000?

Each record session is recorded as a separate title by the PRV-9000. According
to the DVD-Video specification a maximum of 99 titles can be included on one
side of DVD-Video disc. Therefore, as per the spec, the PRV-9000 can record a
maximum of 99 titles (or separate recording sessions) provided there is space
available of the disc.

Can chapter marker points be set in the video with the PRV-9000?

Yes, chapter marker settings can be selected by the user from the on-screen
user interface. The user can select chapter marker points to be inserted into the
video at 3, 5, or 10-minute intervals. The user can also choose to have only one
chapter per record session (title).

Can the audio recording level be adjusted on the unbalanced audio inputs?

Yes, using the front panel Function button and the jog shuttle knob you can
adjust the recording levels of the unbalanced audio inputs.

Can DV audio recording level be adjusted on the DV input?

No, the audio level is fixed to the source DV audio input level.

Can one record a single audio channel to both channels?

Yes, in the Audio Input section of the recorder’s Initial Settings choose Dual
Mono and select either channel 1 or 2 for the audio input. Following this
procedure will record the same audio signal to both channels.
Note: Dual Mono recording can only be achieved in DVD-Video format, modes
V1 & V2, or in VR format at the highest bit rate setting in one hour mode (MN32).

PRV-9000 FAQ 7 of 7 Last Revised: 11/15/01