Alba 114 won't read CD-R

[Ice Cream]

I bought my Alba 114 on 15th Nov. It won't play anything on CD-R discs. Not VCD nor MP3 or even music CD-R. However CD-RW work a dream VCD and MP3 are fine on these.

I understand that DVD laser is not compatable with CD-R, but a number of people are reporting (in the reviews) that CD-R works in Alba 114. Are there different versions?

[karateman6913]

i bought my alba dvd 114 from argos bout 6 months ago and in the catalogue it clearly stated it played vcd,s,mp3,cdr,cdrw
now if you look in the argos book all those have now been removed i believe they have done the same to the alba as they did to the one in tescos and have updated the firmware to stop them playing vcds due to copyright i believe.
i am sure there is a firmware hack around for this machine so it will play them

also my alba dvd114 will play svcd,s but you dont get any sound with it?
vcds are fine though so if anyone knows a way around this then i would be very grateful

[Craig Tucker]

I bought 3 alba 114's only a couple of weeks ago from Argos in Swindon. They are listed in the catalogue as 108's but they supply the 114 which is a better player. 3 of my friends also bought 114's, that is 6 players in total and they all play everything. The store staff make a point of stating that the machine will not play VCD and that there is no s-video out. Well they do play VCD, (along with just about every other format) and there is an s-video out socket.

If you have a machine that won't play CDR's then I would say it is faulty and you should thake it back for a replacement.

[Craig Tucker]

i bought my alba dvd 114 from argos bout 6 months ago and in the catalogue it clearly stated it played vcd,s,mp3,cdr,cdrw
now if you look in the argos book all those have now been removed i believe they have done the same to the alba as they did to the one in tescos and have updated the firmware to stop them playing vcds due to copyright i believe.

The alba DVD114 isn't listed in the argos catalogue they only list the DVD108. They are supplying the 114 as a replacement for the 108. Even the 108 clearly states that is plays CDR/CDRW

[Ice Cream]

I am returning to this topic as I have seen new stock in the store where I got my Alba 114.

The new models are packaged in a a blue printed cardboard box marked DVD/CD/MP3. Underneath they have a label with the following info -
SAP NO: 10012703 10/02
Also underneath is a label that says it will play VCD

My machine came in a plain cardboard box marked DVD/CD/VCD. The label underneath is marked-
SAP NO: 10012703 02/02

I assume the last figure is a date.

As my machine won't play anything on CD-R I was wondering if anyone who has a machine (or three - Craig?) that does play on CD-R could give me the equivalent info.

Thanks

[Craig Tucker]

I can give you the information from one of the players, unfortunately the other two are wrapped up under the Christmas tree.

On the label under the player it reads

Alba DVD/VCD/CD Player
2410 Alba DVD114 2CH DVS M.Silver

SAP No. 10012703 09/02.

They came in a Blue cardboard box with DVD/CD/MP3 player on it.

There is no mention of VCD on the box.

[Ice Cream]

Thanks,

I'll change mine and report back

[Ice Cream]

I have now changed my Alba 114 for what I assume to be a later unit (marked "10 02"). This now works with everthing I have tried, including CD-R's for MP3, CD and VCD.

I am really happy now! :P

Although the unit looks identical to the earlier one (appart from having a silver rather than black remote), there are a number of minor differences:

The new unit has an on/standby switch, the power light is always on - just turning to orange for standby.
The older unit's power switch pressed in futher, turning the power light completely off. Standby was achived via the remote or ejecting a disk.

The tray is a different moulding. And it opens more gently than the prior model.

Selection of an item from a DVD menu, such as a specific sceen or extra footage, gives an almost instantaneous start. The prior version I had took a few seconds to find the correct place and start playing.

There are slight differences in the menu displays e.g. the initial display for a CD/MP3 shows a count of tracks, and for MP3 the initial screen gives info on the navigation options. Also the CD/DVD logo is displayed at top left (don't remember seeing the CD logo before).

This would all suggest that there are hardware and firmware modifications (different laser to probably). There might be intermediate versions?

Hope all this is usefull to someone!

[Craig Tucker]

Sounds like you have the same one as my three now. :P :P Top player for the money.