Is this the most buggy DVD Recorder ever released on the general public?

I have fallen victim to the infamous "BLOCKED" system message meaning that the DVD tray refuses to open even if you power on or off. Philips customer support are no use whatsoever, their only recommendation is that I send the DVD halfway around the country (I bought it on the web).

Does anybody know if there is any way of overcoming this. I find it incredible a system becomes totally unusable because it won't allow the DVD tray to open - UNBELIEVABLE.