DVD tray won't eject...

[zowiemagic]

I have a 2-year-old JVC DR-MV5 dvd recorder. Recently after I'd finished recording something, I went to eject the disk, but the disk tray wouldn't budge. It flashed OPEN on the display and then started reading the dvd... and that's what it's continued to do every time I try to eject. I've followed the instructions in the JVC manual's troubleshooting section for this situation, but no luck. It'll read and play the disk, no problem, but it would appear that whatever mechanism opens the tray is either stuck or has given up the ghost. Might anyone have any ideas as to how I could fix it or should I just go ahead and get a new dvd recorder?

And if I need to get a new dvd recorder.... I have a lot of partially recorded, unfinalized dvds. Would I need to buy another JVC machine in order to be able to finish and finalize them or would any dvd recorder do?

Any and all help will be vastly appreciated...


Laurie

[jman98]

In your case, the repair job, if even possible, would likely cost as much or more than a new DVD recorder. I'd advise not repairing it. If you can't live without the disc that's stuck and you have a friend who's REALLY good at computers, especially someone who builds PCs, there are things they can do to potentially get the disc out. Destroying the drive to get the disc out is another option, but I'd get a guy to do it. Men are better than women at this kind of destructive thing.

In theory, your discs should be able to be finalized on a PC or another player, but DVD recorders are weird. I don't have any because I record to my PC (long story short - I have more control over the process that way), but I can tell you from dealing with other people's recorders that it wouldn't surprise me if in reality you have problems finalizing these discs on a non-JVC recorder. In theory that shouldn't happen, but in reality it may.

[aedipuss]

to get the disc out. press open and then use a metal nail file to pry at the opening between the tray and player until it opens. if it still won't budge take out all the screws on the outside of the player and remove the cover. the dvd should be visible and you can remove it. then toss the player.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Doesn't the tray have a little hole in the front into which you can poke a paper clip? This is the common means of opening a tray - best done with the power off.

[redwudz]

Generally the first thing to try is to unplug the DVR for a while, then after plugging it back in while holding down the eject button, power it on. Works sometimes.

If it has a eject hole like JohnnyMalaria mentions, that's a good way.

If that fails, I would also try some way to 'Gently' open the tray without damage to the mechanism. If it's unplugged, you may be able to pry it open enough to pull the tray out with your fingers and extract the disc.

After that, try a old disc that is known good and see if it behaves the same. If so, start shopping for a replacement.

These days they are rarely worth the cost of repair.

[zowiemagic]

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTH ANKYOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTH ANKYOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTH ANKYOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTH ANKYOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I say thank you?

I unplugged the JVC, unsuccessfully tried to open the tray with a paperclip as suggested (there's a little slot in the middle of the tray that I hadn't seen before) and then went ahead and plugged it back in, holding down the eject button (as suggested) while it powered back on. Lo and behold, to my total disbelief and absolute incredulous amazement, the tray suddenly shot out... and continues to open and close just as nice as you please as if nothing had ever been wrong. The only thing I can think of is, perhaps, the tray somehow got jammed and, what with all my poking and prodding, I unwittingly got it properly realigned. Just a theory.... but who cares? IT WORKS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laughing

Thank you, EVERYONE, for all your advice - that's what made the difference!!!!!!

A Happy Dancing Laurie

[redwudz]

Good news. I wouldn't put that particular disc back in there. Sometimes the disc themselves or the data on them can cause the lockup. Don't know why exactly.

I had a older DVD player ram the disc out the backside of the DVD drive. That was fatal for both the disc and the drive.

The paper clip sometimes needs to be fairly long, about 2 inches, to reach the mechanism.