stupid question about JVC out-of-warranty

[moxiecat]

I have a JVC DR-M100S that is still having trouble loading DVD discs of all types. I posted about this a few weeks ago, and the problem temporarily went away, but today I can't get any DVD to work in it. Regular CDs seem to play fine though.

Since I bought this machine in spring 2005, it's definitely out of warranty now. All of the information in the instruction manual seems to apply to repairs under warranty. My question is--has anyone had a JVC recorder repaired by JVC when it's out of warranty? What's the process? Is it worth the money? I like the recorder a lot so I'm willing to get it fixed. (I put "stupid question" because I'm wondering if you just send the recorder into a JVC center and wait for an estimate when it's out of warranty--it would be nice if JVC said that on their website though.)

Second question: What is decent, easy-to-get replacement for this machine while it's being repaired? I really like the quality of the JVC so I'm interested in this whole LSI chipset business. I see that the LG DR-1F9H also has the LSI chip and is available at my local Best Buy. Would that be a good temporary replacement for my JVC?

Insights are most welcome into both of these issues. Thanks.

[piano632]

First thing I would do before sending it in for repair, is try a laser lens cleaning disc. It could be something as simple as a speck of dust on the lens.

[moxiecat]

Thanks. I actually have tried two laser lens cleaning discs already though--one a DVD-player-only disc that wouldn't work, and the other a CD/DVD cleaning disc that did load (because it's a CD, apparently).

When I put a store-bought movie in after each cleaning, it still didn't work. The disc doesn't even try to load, and when you hit "play", the DVD player says "no disc." So unfortunately, I don't think a laser lens cleaning disc is the answer.

[geospart]

Here are some things that worked for me in the past on some DVD recorders and players.

- Try a CDR/DVD cleaner with the brushes, drop it in many times, not just once but like a freaken ton of times....

- Try canned air, open the tray and blow some short bursts of air using the straw nozel, be careful with this as the straw does not touch anything vital, and do not put the can upside down as you will freeze the insides of the drive.

- Most of these have standard computer drives in them, you might be able to get a cheapo drive and replace it...it might take a bit of gerry rigging to get it going, and in most cases you need to remove the outer case of the new drive to make it fit in the unit.

[RabidDog]

Household insurance covers items that go wrong (in some cases) maybe you could claim on that. Most people seem to completely ignore this aspect of their insurance, believing that device malfunction is never covered, only device damage, destruction or theft. Try the shop you bought it from, they might be willing to repair it or replace it?

[victoriabears]

did you buy it with a credit card that has extended warranty coverage.

Try a brand new dvd-r, will it record?,,if so,not much wrong with it.

My jvc m100s was sent back by jvc under warranty saying it was dodgy media that caused it.

[lordsmurf]

The M100S does not experience 'loading' issues like the M10S did. Anything 'loading' on newer models tends to point at issues with bad media or damaged drives (cigarette smoke, dust, or even simple malfunction).

[moxiecat]

Good you asked about where I bought it! I looked in my files and it was purchased from B&H--on 12/12/05! So it's still within a few weeks of the JVC year-long warranty! Don't know why I thought it was so much longer ago.

I will get a DVD cleaner with liquid--haven't tried that yet. Also the canned air.

I can't get a pre-bought DVD to work in it--shouldn't that be easier to load than a blank DVD-R?

I don't smoke, but of course it could be dust. This machine has not been used very hard either. I really don't understand why it's giving me this kind of trouble outside of simple malfunction, as you said, LordSmurf. But if I can't get it to work with a DVD after trying the cleaning, I will cash it on it still being under warranty (at least for parts). I only have a few weeks after all!

Is it relatively simple to send a JVC in for service? I had a nightmarish experience doing that with Philips when a Philips 985 was my primary recorder. Thanks to all for the advice, much appreciated.

[victoriabears]

You should be able to get a local jvc repair centre to deal with it,look at www.jvc.com enter your zip code and it will advise you where this is:-
http://maps.jvc.com/cAscList/mqlocator.exe?link=index

Also, have you tried unplugging for 24 hours and re-setting it by plugging it back in?,,mind you if under warranty,get them to do all the hard work.

My jvc service centre was very helpful,it takes time but be patient.

[lordsmurf]

I don't think unplugging it will do anything. That fix was for heat issues not found in new models. The new models would only be other issues, and a direct repair would likely be needed. I imagine the laser is having issues, be it dirt, discs or the laser itself gong out. It's really the first time I've heard a DR-M100S user having a problem, where a quick cleaning or media change did not fix it.

Remember that "loading" is a generic error code. It could be anything. But I bet on dirt, disc or drive.

[moxiecat]

I had it unplugged for 12+ hours the other night to see if that would help....nada.

I've tried different store-bought DVD discs, blank DVD media, and DVDs that have been recorded in the machine. When I put a DVD in, the message on the screen and machine says "disc loading" for a long time and there is a sort of clicking noise (as the disc spins around, I guess). Then after awhile it just gives up, the message disappears, and nothing more happens. If you push "play" then, it tells you "no disc."

I have tried two different DVD cleaning discs, to no avail. One is a CD/DVD cleaner and so that one loaded fine, but it didn't seem to have any effect on the machine. I have not tried a liquid cleaner because I don't have one. And if it's under warranty, I think I'd rather JVC just took a look at it at this point. I could use a liquid cleaner, and it might work, but then this might happen again in a few weeks--when it's out of warranty!

No local repair center for me though. The closest is the one in New Jersey, but that's about a 2-hour drive one way for me. So I guess I'll be sending it in.

Thanks for the help.

[moxiecat]

What do you know...you keep searching these boards and you find something useful!

I found this thread, where a JVC DR-M100 user also had a disc loading error and it was a misalignment of the DVD tray mechanism:
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=303221

So maybe that's what's going on. If it comes back with an explanation about what was fixed, I will post it here for others who may have the same problem. Thanks.[/url]