Samsung DVD-VR330 drive replacement

[knights89]

Hello All,
I have had this unit for approximately 6 years. Even though it has received a number of negative reviews, it has served me well up until a few weeks ago. I started to record a football game in SP mode. I use Verbatim DVD+R discs. As I approached the 2 hour mark, I stopped recording, finalized the disc, and inserted another. The unit asked me to initialize the disc, which I did. After a few seconds, the unit responded "Could not initialize disc. Error detection." I tried several more, all with the same result. I had some cheap memorex discs, same thing. I looked up possible issues with the unit, but couldn't find a fix. I let the unit sit for a few days, and tried to record again - It worked. It initialized the disc, and recorded. When I tried a second disc, I received the error detection message again. I tried cleaning the lens with no change. Has anybody tried to change the drive out? I've done a few drive changes with some Lite-On units, but this unit only has 1 flat ribbon wire connection - the Lite-On units have IDE connections. unless someone can give me direction on making a connection to the Flat connector? Thanks.

[jman98]

No harm in asking. Most DVD recorders use non-standard connectors to the burner and you'd have to replace the burner with the exact same model. Those old models are likely not made any more and if you can find them at all, you roll the dice that the used one you bought on Ebay will last more than a few months. If others know anything specific about your situation, they'll post.

[fzabkar]

Service manuals:
http://elektrotanya.com/samsung_dvd-vr330_chassis_andes_3rd-generation_sm.pdf/download.html
http://elektrotanya.com/samsung_dvd-vr330_vr335_vr345_chassis_andes3rd_gen.pdf/download.html