JVC and Toshiba DVD Recorders not accepting -RW's. Why??

[rbatty11]

My JVC DRM100 stopped accepting -RW's and some -R's ("disc error")--worked fine for ~1yr or so. So I bought a cheap Toshiba DR5 replacement (another mistake).. same thing, it wouldn't accept -RW's. I tried Fuji's, TY's, TDK's and Verbatim's (all combo of -RW's and -R's). I bought an open box JVC DRM100 online and ... same thing.. won't accept any of the above combo of -RW and -R's. Wtf?!?

I've tried power-recycling, factory default reset, cleaning lens cd's, etc. Nothing..

I'm seriously thinking some of these companies make sure these damned things stop working after a specified period of time, as well as limiting which discs they will accept.

Any suggestions aside from returning the units?

[trhouse]

You mention many disk brands but not if, for example, you used TY dvd-r, X4 then changed to TY dvd-r, X16 or TDK dvd-rw, X2 then changed to TDK, dvd-rw, X4. I have found that the faster media does not always work because the recorder's firmware is not setup for it.

[deuce8pro]

Use Sony 16x brand in the drm100 or taiyo yuden.

[oldandinthe way]

I'll be the one to tell you to read the manual.

Are your recorders supposed to accept -RW?

Do you have to set a different record mode for -RW?

Is the brand of media you use on the manufacturer's recommended list?

I just bought another recorder, a private label unit made by LG. It was an Ebay purchase so no manual. I founds the manual on the web, downloaded it, and after two weeks have not made it through the entire manual. Fortunately the design was intuitive enough so I could use the unit, but I was missing many subtle aspects of tthe operation and features because the information was scattered about the manual.

Comment on media, when in doubt use media on the manufacturer's recommended list. Generally these media are there because the recorder maker has tested them.

[rbatty11]

Thanks for the responses. I've used TY -R's at 4x, 8x and 16x; Verbatim -R's 8x and 16x. -RW's were TDK (1-4x) and Fuji 2x (the Fuji's worked perfectly with my first JVC DRM100). I even stooped to Prodisc's in desperation. What's odd is that I can't even get -R's to work. very frustrating.. guess it pays to go beyone entry level model recorders.

The JVC accepts -RW's for sure in either VR or Video modes.. I always used Video mode.. even if only VR, I can't even get to the menu where i asks which option to format the disc to.. The manual recommends JVC media.. um.. never heard of 'em..??
Anyone? I'll buy 'em--no questions asked. Anyone know where I can purchase? Again, thanks.

[oldandinthe way]

Given the fact your toshiba is only spec'ed to burn -R or -RW, I'd say its broken. Is there any reason to believe it isn't other then the weasel words in the spec sheet.

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/dvd/product.asp?model=d-r5

I also suspect your JVC is too, not uncommon to see the same failure in multiple units of a model. Ad an open box unit is often a defective return./

[lordsmurf]

Do you smoke?

[rbatty11]

Not cigarettes, cigars or pipe tobacco.. . jk.. No, I do not smoke, BUT I do run a humidifier once in a while but always close my door to the room where my video/audio equipment is.

What's strange is that last nite, I decided to throw in another DVD lens cleaner in the JVC, then threw in a Fuji -RW.. It actually recognized it and asked whether to format to VR or Video mode. I opted for Video and began recording a program.. ~1hr later, it just shut off by itself (i did not use timer). i turned it on and tried to play the DVD and nothing.. disc error again.

Guess will have to bite the bullet and get a quality JVC, Toshiba or Pioneer (non-entry level). aarghh!

[StuR]

Try a lens cleaner disk, the type that look like a regular DVD but have little brushes on the underside so cleans of any dust which sends the laser wonky.

[FKrueger]

I just used an Imation -RW in my DR5 last night, worked fine, didn't catch its speed, but just bought them from target. Was a 3 pak for $5.99

[Marvingj]

Both Toshiba & JVC says in Manual that they used & response better to certain DVD Disc so why aren't you going by the Manual HUH!!!@! Stop B'tch when it doesn't work.....