dvd recorder keeps destroying my recordings

[postie1392]

i used to have an lg dr4912 dvd recorder, but after about a year it began to damage my discs and recordings so i bought a toshiba dr17dt to replace it.
this has been fine for about a year, but, now that the warrantee has run out it too has begun to totally bugger up my discs and recordings.
i tend to use the lowest quality setting when recording as picture quality is not important to me. i use a variety of makes of disc, philips, jvc,maxell, samsung and others.
i usualy record on dvd-rw discs in video mode.
some times i have to attempt to load a disc 2 or more times before it will recognise it.
other times i have recorded a complete disc of tv only to have the machine damage it so much that the disc is completly unreadable even by isobuster
am i just unlucky or am i doing something wrong.

[redwudz]

Does it work properly with a regular DVD disc? If so, I would try a different brand of RW disc.

[jjeff]

It sounds like the spindle may need to be cleaned. If a disc slips when writing it it (including the autocalibration thing that's done every time a recordable disc is installed in your machines) it's bound to screw up your disc.
Does anyone in your household smoke, to you have excessive dust or do you handle your DVDs by the center hole? Any of these can cause the spindle to get prematurely dirty causing disc slippage.
Some machines are easier than others to clean the spindle. It usually means taking the cover off the unit and then the DVD drive itself. Cleaning discs do nothing to the spindle, they only clean the lens.

[Snaque]

postie1392, I feel your pain, Bro' ....Listen to jjeff, he knows his onions...

[jjeff]

Here's a link to the best post I know talking about cleaning the spindle, no onions needed
http://club.cdfreaks.com/f106/fixing-your-panny-when-theres-fault-lens-cleaning-doesnt-help-210507/

[postie1392]

Thank jjeff, i have followed the link that you have so kindly left, and this definitly sounds like this is the problem. i will try cleaning the spindle and let you know how i get on.(i may even get my old lg out of the loft and clean that too)
with kindest regards and much respect.

Thank you Snaque for sharing my pain, it makes life more bearable knowing someone cares

[postie1392]

wow!!! thank for your help.
spent an hour last night cleaning the spindles in both dvd recorders. so far they both seem to be working as new, but the problems were irregular so i will give it a few days before i say that the problem is solved.

when i opened the toshiba the actual dvd drive was integrated into the machine as a part of the unit. and could not be physicaly removed as a seperate unit.
but when i opened the lg on the other hand, the dvd drive was identical to those installed in a pc.
could you tell me, is it possible to replace the dvd drive in the lg with another dvd rewriter, and if so would i have to get a particular make or model?

[jjeff]

I'm not very familiar with LG DVDRs but some DVDRs use standard drives but many do not. You'd probably want to search here or on AVS for your LG model number to see what others have found.
Panasonics use very proprietary drives while Liteon or even older Toshibas use more of a PC drive.

[postie1392]

bugger!!!! the lg has started acting up again, but at least the toshiba seems to be behaving itself.

perhaps i didnt do a thorough enough job on the lg, ill try again