LiteOn 5101 has green tint.

[Brent G.]

I received a LiteOn 5101 for XMAS and I noticed there is a green tint to the shadows. I have it connected to a sat receiver using AV cables and I also tried COAX and S-video cable and it is still green. Apparently the recorder is altering the input signal and turning dark portions of the screen green. If I send the signal SAT->1501->TV then the shadows have a green tint. If I bypass the recorder as in SAT->TV using the same cables then the color is fine. Needless to say everything recorded has a greenish shadow so if I play the DVD in another machine, it too has the greenish shadow.

I returned it to WalMart and got a replacement and it also has this annoying green shadow. I did a firmware update and reset, and it is still there. I contacted LiteOn and they're willing to RMA it, but will they be able to fix it? Or should I just return it to WalMart and get my money back? This is my first DVD recorder and apart from this Kermit "I hate being green" problem, it's not a bad recorder.

[HumbaJT]

I got the same recorder from Sams a few weeks ago. I also have the 'being green' problem, not to mention everything is just dark. Mine will be going back to Sams tomorrow, along with the 50 pk of coasters I had someone pick up for me. (never send someone else to buy your media)

[Brent G.]

My problem is the only other DVD recorder up here in Canada that I've found is Panasonic and that is $450 compared to the $195 LiteOn. (There are other recorders priced slightly higher than the LiteOn but they have even worse reviews.)

So I need to know from somebody if I get an RMA and return it to LiteOn, can they get it fixed? Or do all the LiteOn 5150's have a green shadow?

The easiest way to test this is to run AV's from your satellite receiver to the recorder and also coax from the satellite receiver to the TV and switch the TV between the two. There is a significant difference between the two signals. The signal going through the LiteOn is a bit darker and the shadows are greenish. If all 5105's have this problem I'm surprised more people haven't complained about it.

[Brent G.]

Oops, I meant Liteon 5101 in my previous post.

I'm running out of time to return this recorder and need to know if the green tint is fixable. I don't mind RMA'ing it to Liteon but only if they can fix it. I don't want to get it back only to find out I still have greenish shadows.

So if anyone is using a 5101, have you tried comparing the original signal to the signal running through the recorder? In dimly lit scenes I find people's faces and shadows have a greenish tint to them. Just have your TV flip back and forth between the two signals to see if there is a difference. Try different channels and you should notice it.

I'd like to know by this weekend before it's too late to return it. TIA

Brent

[HumbaJT]

Hmm... don't you belive me??

[Brent G.]

Well, you do look a little green yourself so how could you tell?

I wanted to know if the problem is widespread and if can be fixed. If 100% of the recorders exhibit this problem, then I'll return it. If it is only in 10% of the recorders, then I'll let LiteOn repair it.

So I really need to know how widespread the problem is. If everyone else in the forum has the same problem, please let me know. Thanks.

[lordsmurf]

The 5001 and 5005 do not do this.

[Marco33]

Actualy my 5005 does this. It plays greenish, doesn't seem to record greenish.

[Brent G.]

Lordsmurf & Marco33,
Has anyone noticed a color depth problem with LiteOn's video signal? When my 5101 is using the AV from a satellite receiver, any solid color that is bighter in one area, say a light is shining on a blue wall, then there are thick bands (donuts) of different (5 or 6?) shades of blue. If I bypass the recorder and put the signal directly to the TV, then I get a true gradient of dark blue to light blue. Like I said, this is the video signal and has nothing to do with the recorded image.

Is this normal, or can it be corrected? TIA

[Marco33]

Seems like their players have a passthrough problem.

[Brent G.]

I need some help here.

I'm on my 3rd Liteon 5101 recorder since XMAS and I'm still trying to find one that works. I've tried 2 that were manufactured in August 2004 and the last one was manufactured in November 2004. As you may have read from my previous posts, I'm having a problem with a greenish tint when the AV or S-Video signal is run through the recorder. (A DVD doesn't not have to be in the drive; it's the pass through signal that is the problem.)

Dimly lit scenes like in the Matrix, instead of being grey or blue, turn greenish. The black and silver armor in Troy looks like greenish rubber. The gravestones in a cemetary at night (Resident Evil 2) instead of looking like black or grey granite, looks like it's covered in moss. Blond or grey hair has traces of green in it. People's faces instead of being pinkish, have a yellowish cast.

I'm using AV or SVideo from a satellite receiver. Switching the TV between the satellite coax and recorder AV/SVideo shows the difference. The coax feed is fine with true blacks & greys. The recorder shows greenish blacks and greys. Recording the signal onto a DVD and then playing the DVD on another DVD player and TV shows the greenish tint, so this eliminates the TV as the problem.

So before I pull out any more of my hair, I would like anyone who has a Liteon 5101 who thinks it is working properly, to try the same test. Switch the TV input between the direct satellite signal and the signal coming from the recorder (no DVD is needed; we're just testing the signal). You should notice a difference. Please post your results to this thread.

I'm under the impression that all LiteOn 1501's have this problem because I can't believe all 3 units have this same problem. It took me about 3 weeks to realize it because I thought there was something wrong with my satellite receiver.

The best movies to test it is Troy (I know it's a hardship that I don't want to put people through, but it is for a worthy cause ) or one of the later Matrix movies or Resident Evil 2.

Thanks for your help.

[Brent G.]

Attention

LiteOn is working on a firmware update for the 1501 that is intended to fix the green tint problem and maybe some other problems. It should be available sometime in mid February.

That is all..

[Marco33]

How do you know this?

I can't seem to be able to contact them.

[Brent G.]

Oops, I meant it will be available in mid March (about 2 weeks). Gosh, is it March already??

>>How do you know this?
I can't seem to be able to contact them.<<
I talked to second level support today. I was on hold for at least 30 minutes before I finally got through. They claim the next firmware update will solve the green shadows effect. There are some other fixes thrown in too (solving lockups?). I guess I'll know in 2 weeks.

LiteOn should at least play some muzak on the phone instead of the female "voice" saying you have "1 minute to wait" 30 or 40 times.

[Marco33]

If they fix the green that would be great.


How about if the girls voice said,

"One minute and I'm all yours, baby"

[Kingnog]

I have the 5005, it plays green but records fine (when i play it in my other standalone)

[Marco33]

I have the 5005, it plays green but records fine (when i play it in my other standalone)

Same here, that's why I'm not that upset. I only use the 5005 for recording, I have another player for watching.

[Brent G.]

>>Kingnog wrote:
I have the 5005, it plays green but records fine (when i play it in my other standalone)

Same here, that's why I'm not that upset. I only use the 5005 for recording, I have another player for watching.<<

Gee I guess people who buy a Liteon 1501 should also buy a player too.

I took your suggestion and compared the DVD I recordered of Resident Evil from satellite to the live broadcast from satellite and synchronized the two. There is still a green tint to the night scenes on the LiteOn DVD when played on another DVD player/TV.

Oh well, I'll wait a couple of weeks to see if they solve the problem. (Fingers crossed, toes crossed, eyes crossed, teeth gnashing)

[spiritgumm]

Just got the 5005, made test record on a +RW from VHS deck, and noted washed out or muted colors (even slightly greenish). This is confirmed (not a play-through problem) when I played it on another dvd player. And of course, the tray won't open unless I use the remote.