Lite On LVC 9016G Problem

Hi I bought a real lite on machine back in April-May 06 which was a DVD Recorder, player and VCR all in one. I converted my tapes to DVDs and at some points went wild. I know its on it's last leg but I was wondering where they sell these anymore? I got first one from QVC. Also I want to see if I can burn maybe 5 more discs before trashing it.

I originally used memorex discs and it worked. Then it kept saying error and couldn't read blank discs.

I did a firmware update and it fixed it. Then the memorex version didn't work anymore.

So then I bought some sony dvds about 2 months ago. It worked fine but now its not reading a whole bunch of blank discs again.

I always buy DVD + R.

Is there something I can do to get it to read blank discs. This is not a computer thing, its the real machine. I only want to convert like 5 more tapes to DVD and lite on is so easy to use. So if anyone can help me let me know.

And if it is broken tell me what stores I can buy a new one or what brand to buy that has vcr/dvd all in one and is easy to use.

Thanks.

Change the burner. Lots of info here to help you. Just make sure you get an IDE not a SATA burner.

Uh I have no clew what you mean? Do you mean buy a new VCR/DVD player and recorder? If so what brand is good and easy to use? I like liteon.

Some Liteon standalone recorders have DVD burners which can be replaced by IDE burners made for computer. You could also try cleaning the lens.
LG RC797T is a good combo unit that is EZ to use but will need a video enhancement device to copy your tapes.

I, too, experienced the same problem(s) with my LiteOn LVC-9006 DVD/VCR Combo as I see many others on this forum have. The DVD blank media I was using would format and record just fine - then upon playback I'd get the "invalid disc" message. I changed blank media 5 times (Memorex, Sony, etc.) giving away the remainder of each spindle to a neighbor - very costly. Here's what worked for me (temporarily each time):

1. DVD Cleaning Disc (the kind with brushes).
2. Then, because I noticed how hot the unit always seemed to be, I'd leave it unplugged (not simply "off") for a minimum of 12 hours.
3. Then I upgraded the firmware (liteonamericas.com).
4. And now the latest thing I've done is to take the unit apart and clean the blue DVD lense with a q-tip and 99% alcohol (2 silver screws on each side of the silver case, then 4 black screws on the rear, then 4 silver screws on the metal sheath that holds the DVD burner in place, then 4 black screws holding the black plastic body of the DVD burner together). Since doing this, I've had no problems for the past 3 months.

P.S. - the only blank media that has never failed is Memorex DVD+RW Rewritable (yellow label), but obviously too expensive to use for each and every recording.

Take a look on newegg. They have Ridata DVD+RW 50pk for about $28 delivered. I've using them for about 3 mo. now and they are as good if not better than the nore costly media on the market. The other thing you might want to consider is changing the burner.

I originally used many brands of discs and they worked. Now it often says INVALID DISC, or FAILED, and can't read the blank discs or some of the recorded ones.


I am having the same problem as I am reading about here. I have two different LITEON units. The DVD VHS recorder LVC-9016G unit, from QVC; and a LVW-5005 the simpler DVD recorder player with no vhs capabilities, from Costco. Both seem to have similar disc reading problems.

The LVW-5005 DVD Recorder came with a list of recommended brands for each type of disc, and they are all different in all categories. Some brands are recommended for CDs, some for DVDs, etc. They are not the same in any catagory. Most of the ones I bought were not on the list, because I couldn't find those listed anywhere in my neighborhood here in California. Some worked before, but are not working well now. Some have never worked, and some are failing intermittently.

The INVALID DISC message comes up on both units often, but when it comes up on the LVW-5005 unit the DISC eject feature will not eject. The open close door stays shut and says it is open, but sticks and keeps trying to reread the disc. You actually have to tip the machine down to let gravity help, and then turn it on and off and on and off and it finally opens and drops out the invalid disc.

The LVC-9016G unit says "change disc", or gets stuck on "Preparing". Sometimes it prepares, and then I can actually record, but when I try to load it later..... FAIL! This too is INTERMITTENT. GOD I HATE THAT WORD!!!!

I am not good a taking machines apart, and I have a MAC system 10.5 computer, and the firmware update seems to be geared to the WINDOWS PC. HELP?? Is there anything I can do.

Also IS THERE A LIST OF PREFERRED BRANDS of the media for the LVC-9016G model. It may be the same as the list for the LVW-5005 unit, except the that unit is supposed to record on CDs as well. NOT SURE> None are working consistantly.

The other idea that I had is that the newer DVD-R and DVD-RW or the DVD+R and DVD+RW discs have a heavier technology and these older burners (2 years makes it older, I guess....) and seem to no longer like them.

The 6 hour SLP I always set them to record on in the past, may no longer be valid. The 4x, 8X 16X etc. may not work either. Since I don't understand what that means, and we only have access to what is available to buy, I am at a loss there too. I am logical, but not technically educated in this technology. I come at this with psychology, not technology... :-)

I have the LVC-9016G for 2 years, and the other bought at COSTCO only a year ago. Is $300 worth of equipment already obsolete?

I have not hacked or touched anything. I may need to buy another lense cleaning disc. I have a memorex one, but when I put that in it said INVALID DISC, and will not work either. Won't read or spin.

I am frustrated...http://club.cdfreaks.com/images/smilies/6/eek.gif.

Candy

For some reason LiteON lenses on their dvd recorders seem to attract more dirt, so a clean usually helps. If not then a Drive replacement maybe in order.

I have 2 9016 and I installed the Sony dru190 in each of them. It' s the LMU-713, the same drive that you will find in the 760/740 HDD models, which obviously was failing.

Pretty easy replacement. Just had to remove the old drive, removed the bezel and faceplate off the Sony and had to do a bit of trim on the clip points in front of the tray and a bit off the bezel for the tray to accept the 9016 bezel.

I just put two-sided tape on the platform that the drive sat on, some duct tape on the side of the drive and platform. I would suggest a thick two-sided tape, I used a thin one and seems a little light to me.

Once I've prepared the drive (taking it to the PC, setting the region, updating the drive's firmware and playing a commercial dvd) it takes me about 20 minutes to do the job, no real challenge. That would be the best solution and give the 9016 a new life.

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Last edited by CrazyCanuck; 11-01-2009 at 17:43. Reason: more ifo

Thank you so much!!

This is the best set of instuctions I have seen. Is the Firmware upgrade that necessary. I have an IMAC and the download is "PC based", I can not use it from the MAC at all, I don't think. I can do everything else. Is there someone out there who would consider mailing me a DVD with the firmware burned on it? Or tell me if it will work, just downloading it and copying it. I can not read any instructions from the MAC if it is within the download, because I can not open an .exe.

My unit currently can only read the DVD+RW, but today it got to the INVALID DISC message after that disc was almost filled, but not finalized. I may have lost it all. I will try another cleaning, and shutting off the unit. If I power off the unit for a period of time with it lose its memory? That could actually be a good thing. I read somewhere that the Liteon "learns" which DVDs you use, and when the memory reaches capacity it does this INVALID DISC thing. If that is true clearing the memory, like clearing cache, would be beneficial. Not being a tech, I am at a loss. I learn just enough to get into trouble, and not enough to do much about it.
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It gets me crazy. I am thinking of just going back to using only VHS tapes. The more technical it gets, and the more we love the new technology, the more it hurts when it QUITS on us!

The other option is to buy a new couple of DVD recorder combos, maybe PANASONIC? My other TVs and VHS recorders are PANASONIC and they work wonderfully!

To offer the LITE ON freedom to use multi media that will quit in 2 years and not allow any of your discs to be read sucks!

HMMMMM??

Candy

Great instructions, but you stopped one instruction short to get to the blue DVD lens:
Remove the 4 brass screws holding the black plastic cover of the lens case, remove and dust all pieces, now clean the blue DVD lense with a q-tip and 99% alcohol or camera lens cleaner.

GREAT tips, worked great for us!