Digital Trends

Pioneer DVR-633H-S

September 19th, 2005 | by Douglas MacLean

Installation

The most logical place to install your new 633 H-S is in replacement of your current VCR.  Most of the outputs and inputs required for basic function are the same as a typical video tape recorder.  If you still need to keep your VCR around for all those legacy tapes you've collected over the years, there are easy provisions to chain the 633 inline with the VCR.  This will also expedite transferring those rapidly deteriorating tapes to DVD. 

On the input side, the most fundamental connection will be to your cable television box.  This can be made with either the standard coaxial cable or Audio/Video inputs 1 and 3 provided for the standard two connection audio inputs, and either composite or S-Video video inputs.  There is even an RF input to connect an external antenna so you can get broadcast channels directly. 

For outputs, you have a wide selection of formats to choose from.  There is the coaxial output direct to the television, composite A/V, S-Video and component video, and digital audio output. 

Full installation diagrams are provided for basic cable and satellite installations as well as through most modern audio/video receivers.  The provided instructions are easy to understand and follow.  With all the connectors available, you have enough room to also add a secondary input source such as a VCR, DVD player, your computer or DV camera. 

One connector I found very clumsy to use is the G-Link that connects the unit's on-screen programming guide to your cable box.  This is to allow programs selected on the 633 to be coordinated with the programming function of the cable box.  The problem is the G-Link depends on a wire that plugs into the 633, while the other end is a LED that flashes the cable box.  Unless this is almost perfectly aligned, it will not work properly.  A little jostling of this thin wire will throw the connection off.

After the physical connections are made, an initial on-screen menu comes up to allow you to select the proper operating environment and a few personal selections.  Among the required selections are:
- source of terrestrial stations cable/antenna;
- time setting automatic (if EPG is present) or manual; also basic clock settings;
- TV Guide program selection setup;
- select hard drive or DVD for playback and recording.

At this point, you are ready for your first recording.