LiteOn 5005 doesn't recognize firmware update

[tryintoo]

Just thought I'd report my experience when trying to upgrade the firmware in a LiteOn 5005A. I bought the recorder at Wal-Mart (11-26-04) for a Xmas gift. Maufacture date September 2004. Went to LiteOn site given in manual http://www.liteonit.com.tw/liteweb/csd.htm and put in a long number and downloaded the firmware that was for this machine.

I burned it to a cd-rw, dvd-r, and dvd+rw (just to make sure it wasn't a disc recognition problem) and the machine just spins up and then sits there. A samll box was suppose to come up on the tv screen and if I clicked OK it would update. But it didn't.

The upgrade has the name/number
LNFA1091.ESU.0102.184x.rar

I've used the machine a couple of times and it works fine. I am guessing maybe it's already updated or I'm doing something wrong. Anyone else have this problem?

Another question while I'm here. I have read enough to understand that bitrate is important in quality and the longer the time needed to record the lower the bitrate in many dvd recorders. If I set the timer for a 3 hour recording, will the bitrate used by this machine be the same as having the firmware update that includes the 3 hour recording?

Thanks for all your help.

[tipstir]

Looks like you had gone the TW site instead.

Try this firmware update link for your model: LVW-5001/5002/5005/5006

http://www.liteonit.com/DC/english/download/index.asp

[tryintoo]

Thanks tipstir. I just used the web address given in the manual on page 30, "user may choose to update the latest firmware from...."

I will download from the address you gave me and report back.

Appreciate it.

[tryintoo]

No luck with that file either. It was the same number as the other one, but I went ahead and downloaded it and burned to a cd-rw. The recorder reads it as a data disc and then just sits there with FILE on the front.

Guess I'll just wait and see if anything else shows up here about it.

[tipstir]

This file: LNFA1091.ESU.0102.184x.rar is compressed file you will need to WinRAR to decompress it. Have you done that first before you burnt it to CDR?

Firmware Instructions Link
http://www.liteonit.com/DC/english/download/udcp.htm

[belder]

I know I'm crazy, but does Wal-Mart sell Liteon 5005's? I thought they only sold iLO DVDR04 which it the 5001? If that's the case any new firmware would be at ilohelp.com. The US version of Liteon firmware updates would be at Liteonamericas.com

[tipstir]

Did you try burning it to a CD-R?

I know some Wal-Mart stores don't carry the same products. ILO, Sanyo, Emerson, Pioneer, Panasonic DVR well the ones in my area. His or her area must be carrying Liteon also?

What does the box say for the model you have? You say 5005A?

[tryintoo]

Sorry, I got my "marts" mixed up. It wasn't Wal-Mart, it was K-Mart. No, I didn't decompress it. I saw where it say unzip, but I am only familiar with WinZip. So I will look for the program you suggested to "unzip" this. I will report back when I get that done.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions.

The 5005A is off of the sticker on the back. It is the Model Name. The box just says 5005.

[tryintoo]

Well, I keep waiting for someone to tell me I'm too dumb to own a dvd recorder. In my defense the manual said all the files would be in PDF format and since that wasn't the case I thought maybe, since I didn't recognize .rar that they weren't "zipped" up either.

I found WinRAR, downloaded the trial version, opened the compressed file and burned the opened file to a cd-rw. The recorder then proceeded to update itself. The end.

Thanks for all the help. I just looked briefly at the setup and I didn't see any 3 hr record mode. Only the same ones that were on there before all of this.

The manual also says you should use the upgraded firmware as it is "refined for greater stability and compatibilty." And as I'm not real sure just what I did, if I broke it I'll let you all know.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

[lordsmurf]

A PDF is a Portable Document Format. Like a manual or paper or something.

[monkeyking]

I just unboxed the 5005 I bought two weeks ago at Costco. It has a July build date and no 3 hour recording selection. Does that mean this unit will take the 3 hour and no MV firmware hack if I don't do the latest factory update? I don't need either, but would be nice to have it.

Meanwhile, I used the 5005 to copy a VHS tape. Screen went blue after 10 minutes. Argh! Lite-on down! Then I saw whoever gave me that tape only put 10 minutes of material on it. LOL. Other than that, the 5005 seems to work as advertised.

[rckowal]

"The upgrade/update dialogue box on my LVW-5005 DVR doesn't open when the CD containing the LNFA1076.DSU file is loaded. I started by pushing the "source" button on the DVR, then loaded the CD into the tray until the DVR display said "File"! On the TV monitor, the Liteon logo wallpaper can be seen but there is no dialogue that says "System will be upgraded. Press OK to proceed or Cancel to abort."!

The software which matched my "Setup Menu" was downloaded from the Liteon website & extracted to a file folder using Winrar. I followed the installation instructions very carefully and burned it to the CD using Nero."!

What is wrong with this upgrade & how can I get it to work? Your help will be very much appreciated.