RCA Recorder Returns Errors for Good Discs

[ROTY]

I have owned a Symphonic DVD recorder (VCR/DVD combo) for about a year and a half now. It is virtually an RCA recorder with a new label on it (it looks, acts, and operates just like my friend's RCA recorder so I am going to go out on a limb and say they are the same thing.)

It has given me only a minute amount of problems in the last 19 months, but they are becoming a little more frequent and I was wondering if anyone might know why.

Ever since I got it, a few discs in every spindle would get to a point while dubbing or recording a program in which it would stop and give an error message saying that the disc was not recordable (as if it had gotten to the end of the disc or was already filled up, even though the register clearly showed anywhere from 2 to 3 hours left.) This usually occurred towards the second half of the disc.

In February it got to the point that no disc would record at all. I was about to give up on the recorder when I ran a lens cleaner through the system just on a whim. After that it began working perfectly again.

I have started running a lens cleaner through the machine once every other week now, however last week I began getting those similar errors. They tend to pop up most often while I am using Maxell or Sony discs, however Imation and Memorex will occasionally give me issues as well so I can not pin point a certain type of disc that causes these problems.

In extreme cases the recorder will not even want to finalize once it hits the error point, and basically becomes a dead disc with playback only available in the recorder itself.

What is really bothering me is the fact that it seems to do this at random times. I can go days with continual errors, sometimes fighting the disc so long that it starts working out of the blue. Meanwhile, some days it works fine.

With all that being said, is this indeed a problem with dust or debris getting on the lens and I need a better lens cleaner or is this something more technical?

I am doing my best to hold out on this DVD recorder until at least November when I can justify using Christmas money to buy a replacement. So any help on keeping this thing working seven more months would be a big help.

Thanks in advance from a board newb. Hope I get some help, and maybe I can be of service to some other while I am here.

[Krispy Kritter]

If it is in a really dusty environment or is exposed to smoke (cigarettes for example), then it could in fact be a dirty lense. You could open and clean the lense and entire unit with canned air. You can also clean the lense with q-tips and alcohol.

It's also possible you have a failing lazer. They often lose their power over time, especially if they get a lot of use. The only fix is to replace the recorder.

Aside from cleaning, your only other option would be to try a known quality media such as Verbatim. In a perfect world, media wouldn't be an issue, however, it is proven time and again, that quality media will solve many burning and playback problems.

[ROTY]

After a busy weekend I am going to try and clean the lens tomorrow evening. However, I thought it would be worth mentioning that I don't believe the laser is becoming weak. It continues to play discs just fine, and I managed to record two different programs on discs that previously had recording on them just two hours ago.

The problem just seems to be the recorder's inability (most of the time) to recognize the start of a disc to be recorded. Almost like it has to be pointed in the right direction or it gets lost and just declares the disc to be busted.

I will try the route of dust removal via q-tips and air however, I am afraid that will be a dead end as well.

[lordsmurf]

Those "disc cleaners" often do more damage than not. You're actually killing the machine by using it so often. They are abrasive and don't do much.

Also, about the media:
Maxell - likely CMC or RITEK these days, not good
Sony - should be good, but I've seen the RCA burner reject them
Imation - likely CMC or RITEK these days, not good
Memorex - likely CMC, not good

You're not using good media. SONY is good, but just not with the burner used in the RCA. I've mentioned this same problem myself, in the past. Not all burners like all discs, even all good discs, so something you have to just live with, and not use Sony in it. INFODISCA1 DVD+RW work well (old discs I happen to have), as well as Verbatim 16x MCC004 DVD+R media.

You can over-clean equipment, beware.

[tac7]

If you decide to clean the lens manually with alcohol, it is better to use a foam tip, rather than a Q-tip. When you look at the lens with a microscope after using a Q-tip, you can see all kinds of fibers left over from the Q-tip, unless you have a can of compressed air to blow it off.

I used to use Q-tips before, but after switching to foam tips, the units worked just like new again, provided the laser wasn't failing.
Those "disc cleaners" may brush off large, loose debris and so help the laser work better temporarily, but they may also smear stuck-on dust all over the lens and make it more prone for failures in the long run.