Liteon 5005 problem - audio recording crashes

[lcb]

I ordered a Liteon 5005 from Amazon and it came this last week. I set it up and started recording off the Duckman episodes that are filling up my Tivo box. So far so good - until today.

One of the reasons I got this particular recorder was its ability to record stereo audio to CD-R/RW discs.

So I stuck in a CD-R disc and started recording. After about 6-8 tracks I got a "WRITE FAIL" error. Okay, so I tried a CD-RW disc. I formatted it using the guide in the recorder menu, then started recording. Same problem.

So I tried to read either disc on my computer. No luck. Tracks are there but they won't read. So I tried again and again, trying various different things, such as recording one long track, etc. - each time the recorder would get a "WRITE FAIL" error after recording for abour 20-30 minutes. If I kept the recording short (a couple of 5 minute tracks) I could playback the second track but not the first (which would have a bunch of skips in it).

I was using generic media, so I tried some name brand fresh media I had just bought (CD-RW). Same problem.

Also, when it gets to a certain point, if I tell it to stop recording, it will say "Stopping" and then the recorder locks up. The only way I can then get it to do anything is to unplug it.

Anybody else having these problems? Suggestions?

[lcb]

Okay. At this point I cannot in good conscience recommend this recorder to anyone. Yes I am only a sample of one, but this one sample sucks!

I tried downloading a firmware upgrade, following their (poor) instructions on their website. The recorder read the upgrade, counted up to 99 twice, then locked up. I waited for half an hour before having to pull the plug to get the recorder to do anything. Yes I know pulling the plug probably wasn't a good thing, but it was probably screwed anyway.

Now the recorder won't boot up - nothing works.

So now I am going to have to find some way of sending this back to either Amazon or Liteon - and hope I get my money back. From now on I am goingto think twice before buying a non main brand piece of electronics.

[lcb]

Hasty amendment. The upgrade either took or it didn't, but the recorder reset to composite video so I wasn't seeing anything when it booted (I have it hooked up via s-vid). Once I got it setup properly it now boots and plays. I will try the audio recording again, although I have no idea if the upgrade actually loaded properly as there is no way I can see to tell what version it is at.

[lcb]

Okay. The firmware seems to have worked and I can now record audio discs without the recorder locking up.

Still, a consumer should get a working unit out of the box.

[lordsmurf]

Okay. The firmware seems to have worked and I can now record audio discs without the recorder locking up.

Still, a consumer should get a working unit out of the box.

I disagree. That's utopian. This is new tech, bound to be bugs.

[vcdforme]

No problems with mine.
Great, right outta the box.
(can't say that about my Panasonic though,
hardly compatible with anything)
I'd take it back and get another one.
Maybe yours was dropped or damaged or something.
Lite-on is quite good about their warranty.
good luck.

[lcb]

Okay. The firmware seems to have worked and I can now record audio discs without the recorder locking up.

Still, a consumer should get a working unit out of the box.

I disagree. That's utopian. This is new tech, bound to be bugs.

I develop software, I know about bugs. I don't mind minor bugs, but being unable to record an audio disc as advertised without locking up the recorder is a major bug. It is not utopian to expect something to work as advertised with regards to major features.

[lcb]

No problems with mine.
Great, right outta the box.

Have you tried recording an audio disc?

I'd take it back and get another one.
Maybe yours was dropped or damaged or something.
Lite-on is quite good about their warranty.
good luck.

It works now - the firmware upgrade fixed it. There was mention in the errata that came with the upgrade about something along these lines.