Replacement Drives for Liteon 5xxx Recorders

I just picked up a SOHW-832S drive from ComputerGeeks.com which is $29.50 ($38.79 with tax and shipping for me).

It was a little painful for me upgrading the firmware, but that was my own issue since my home PC had its power supply die so I had to go elsewhere to get the firmware upgraded. I also had problems with the straight factory firmware upgrade, which I think was due to it being an OEM model so I went to the Code Guys instead to get a firmware upgrade (CG5M) at:

http://codeguys.rpc1.org/firmwares.html#SOHW-832S

Set my region by playing a DVD in the drive, and then put it in my DVD Recorder. It seems to work fine for the most part.

I had only one case at the very beginning (might have been a screwed up DVDR) where the copy to the disc hung. It was one of the very first two or three burns of titles I did. It toastered the disc, but ever since then, it's been 100% successful on everything else. I think early on I was putting in discs that I'd put in my earlier drive, which I think had something to do with them being messed up.

Fast forward seems to be OK, and I can put in DVDRW DVDs as well as upload tracks onto the HD and not have to do it in real time, like I believe other newer drives are reported here to require to happen.

The only issue I have left is how to get it so that it fits in the enclosure well and doesn't just sit on top of the inactive old drive.

If others have good pointers on what to do and not to do, let me know. I definitely don't want to " toast" my newer drive by opening it up if I don't have to, but perhaps if there's a quick and known way to adapt it to the older housing so that it fits in the drive well, I'd like to hear about it.

Also, one thing to note is don't use the drive's eject button to eject a DVDR that's in the drive instead of the DVD Recorder's eject button(s). It will confuse the drive into thinking that a newer DVD you put in has the older DVDR's content on it. A power cycle solved this issue and no damage to the newer disc.

With a cat in the house, I definitely want to find a quick solution to getting the drive to go into the housing. Don't want to have to undo it each time I leave the house.

Your lucky you were able to find this drive as they are difficult to find. Mine failed a little while back and I have replaced it with a dvd8900.

Mine failed due to taking the bottom casing off to get it to fit in the A970GX. I did get it to fit perfectly, even with the A970GX's front bezel attatched. Openened and closed perfectly. But by taking the base casing off it put too much compression on to the drive which caused it to fail eventually. I will get round to re-attatching the casing and testing in the pc.

Since then I have replaced the drives in my A970GX and 5055GDL+ and have both recorders bezels fitted and they both open and close perfectly.

I did not take the casings off either drives. Instead I shortened the four metal posts inside the Litons that the dvd drive rests on. They need to be shorter so the top of them is at the same height as the bottom of the opening ( into which the front of the new drive is inserted) at the front of the liteons. The best way to achieve this is to drill the posts from the top using a 6mm metal drill bit. This will shorten the post easily. Only about 4-5mm of drilling is required. If a smaller diameter drill bit is used then you will create a tube in the four post which can be removed with some wire cutters or pliers. You can smooth the top of the posts with a diamond file afterwards.

The opening in the liteons for the dvd drive has metal lugs or flaps which need to be bent round using some pliers so the new drive slots in nicely. You do not need to cut anything hear as others have done.

You need to have the new drives tray open before fitting into the liteon so that its bezel can be clipped on after the notches on the front of the tray have been widened usind a stanley knife (craft knife). This is needed in order that the bezel fits the new drive. If the bezel catches the front of the liteon when tray is opened or closed you need to either shorten the posts a little more or pack them to either raise or lower the drive. It may be that only one or more of the posts need adjusting and not all four.

I have not had any problems doing these mods and cannot see why others have decided to leave the bezels off their replacement drives as I have done this mod about four times and each time the bezels were fitted and the drives open and close properly.

I have made photos of the process and will post them at some point.

tazprime

Taz,

Thanks for the notes. Hoping you get the pics up soon. I've been holding off on getting my drive installed into the machine until I'm sure I know what I'm doing. So far it's been still working pretty nicely.

About the only problems I think I have now that I didn't have earlier I think are due to my upgrading the HD A760GX firmware. I upgraded that earlier on the chance that the newer firmware might help with the problems I was getting that later became clearer that they were a hardware problem on the old drive.

I really haven't seen what the newer firmware has bought me (unless it helps with the compatibility with this newer drive, which is hard for me to tell now as I didn't try to use the newer drive with the older firmware.

But here are the downsides I think that exist with the newer firmware that I didn't have before.

Older firmware:

1 Could copy tracks from Go-Video recorded DVD+R discs, even those that haven't been finalized yet. (I have a lot of these from my earlier adventures with one of these lamer DVDR machines). Wasn't a complete good solution for this, since there were side effects, though side effects that I could live with and work around:
a) It would only let you copy one of the tracks off one of these discs. If you tried to copy a second track, it would give you an error. I worked around this by restarting the Recorder, which would reset some state which would now allow you to get the second track. Restarting would be needed yet again to get additional tracks. Ultimately though you could get all tracks off a disc, albeit somewhat painstakenly.
b) If you tried to get DVD tracks that were like 4 hour DVD tracks (EP equivalent), the icon image would be screwed up once it was uploaded. Trying to edit and reset to a new one wouldn't work (they'd always be "cut in half"). Equivalents to 2 hour mode tracks worked fine though and could be reset with the editor to a newer frame in the track on the HDD.
c) If you recorded this imported track (2 hour mode) to a DVD+R reimported it to the HDD, the icon image would get screwed up, though in this case would look pixelated. so 2nd or 3rd generation copying doesn't really work.
d) Don't try joining these tracks (as the rest of the track after the join is inaccessable to the player (doesn't work).

Newer Firmware:
1. Trying to import tracks from Go Video discs doesn't work at all. Often times these discs just "hang" in the drive if you try to look at their menu and you have to do a hard power down pulling the power cable, etc. to get it out of this state. I've not tried it yet with finalized Go Video discs, which might work better. If the drive doesn't hang, it will sometimes just show a "?" where the DVD type is shown in the left corner, much like what happened with my older drive when it couldn't read discs. But the drive works fine with DVD+R's that it created or the older drive created (instead of the Go Video recorded discs). My one last effort is to see if I can at least work with finalized discs. If this doesn't work, I'm strongly considering trying to revert to the older firmware if that's possible.
2. With newer firmware, can't REALLY remove chapter marks on tracks on the HDD. Once you delete them, you can't recreate them again. It will give you errors if you try to recreate them in the same spot they were before. It looks like a "deleted" mark stays there and can't be removed or tweaked to be "undeleted" again once its there. You used to be able to "recreate" them, but you can't with the newer firmware.
3. Sometimes it will give you these errors in random parts of the recording as well. You might have to try multiple times before getting a chapter mark to register. Don't know if this helps with avoiding "maxing out" the chapter count that happened sometimes if you're not careful with the older firmware so that you could no longer add it to a DVD+R.

Anyone know if it's possible/practical to switch back to the older firmware?

Simply flash the drive with desired firmware. I flashed a LiteOn SHM-165P6S to latest MSOR firmware but flashed back to MSOP firmware when I discovered I got less good SL results with MSOR.

I did in fact flash the firmware that was on the newer DVDR drive I put in the DVD recorder, so I can revert to that if I need to, but that doesn't seem to be the issue. it is the HD A760GX DVD Recorder box's firmware itself that is of issue I believe, that in fact I didn't flash before updating it. I know that's probably the issue for the restoring of the chapter marks issue, which has nothing to do with the DVDR drive itself. But perhaps it might be worth trying to revert the DVD recorder itself as well if that might fix the ability to read the Go Video discs problem.

I'd earlier updated the HD A760GX firmware without flashing the older version first (big mistake). Just wanted to see if there was some other place I could get that older firmware to flash it back. And of course I'm not exactly sure what the older firmware that was on there earlier was either, which probably also doesn't help. I'd done this before getting on this site and leaning about these "advisable" steps later.

I'd like to first revert to the older Recorder unit firmware if I can get the older version someplace to see if that fixes both problems. If that doesn't fix both, I might try reverting the DVDR firmware after that at that point.

Hi guys I`m new on the scene but I`ve already found some interesting and possible solutions to my problem with my LVW -5006 LIETON DVD RECORDER , it`s started to not recognise dics i.e. FAIL and so on . In my opinion this is one of the easiest machines to use , basically one touch recording..... I`ve noticed Sony DRU -120c menti oned as a replacement for my ailing drive - it would be a pity to dump the machine because of the drive.
I live in the U.K. has any one an idea where I can get the above drive

sorry I couldn`t fit all I had to say in the box - but I would really appreciate any help on this problem ......... thanks in advance

JOEDEE

I just replaced the drive in my Liteon LVW-5007 with a Sony DRU-710A I got off of e-bay. It works great, with FF also working. At the begining of this thread is a list of all the drives that work.

Some of them will not give you the FF mode it will freeze up when used. But the discs that you burn will have the FF work on other players. Plus to save the drive from wear in the Liteon I play my discs an another player. Hopes this helps.

FYI the Sony DRU-120C is retail version of DW-G120A OEM drive. Also both LiteOn SHW-160P6S and SHM-165P6S may be cross flashed to Sony DRU-120C (DW-G120A) to gain normal fast forward function in case you may find 1 of those LiteOns if you can't find the Sony. About a month ago I cross flashed my LiteOn SHM-165P6S to Sony DW-G120A to gain normal fast forward function.

Hi gash44, I too have a number of 5007, 3 to be exact, which I need to replace the drives. You state a Sony DRU-710A, or is it by any chance the 170A?

edit, It's ok, I initially thought it was a typo but I see that sony has both a 710 and a 170. Thnks for the heads up on the 710A.

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Last edited by CrazyCanuck; 08-05-2008 at 20:48. Reason: new info

The Sony 840A doesn’t work on my LVW-5005X but a Memorex MRX-530L does work including FF.
The MRX-530L (frys 5282927) was $40 after rebate but it’s now $50. (a little over-kill but it’s new and
works great)
I had some longer cables so I just ran the cables out the back and put the drive on top.

I just wanted to add another drive replacement that works great. It is the Liteon SHOW-1633S. It works with all functions including FF. Put it in another 5007 I have.

In fact took the mother board out of a defunct 5005 put it the 5007 that had a bad mother board and all works great.

I got the drive off of eBay. There seems to be a few around. One guy is sell a few with Gateway face plates on them. But the drives are labeled Liteon SHOW-1633S.

Thanks to all who have put so much info on this thread. It has enabled me to fix my Liteon's and build a few also.

FYI 1693 and older LiteOn models are fully functional replacements as many know, and the Benq 1620 is as well. The Sony DRU-120C aka DW-G120A has no fast forward issues and lacks only VCD recording which most don't do anyway including myself. This Sony and the 2 LiteOns in my post #109 that may be cross flashed to this Sony may be easier to find since they are newer than the older 1693 and previous models.

More on drives for the Liteon 5xxx.

I have just picked up two Liteon SHM-165H6S drives. I installed one into a 5005 worked great but no FF. I then installed the other and that also worked great and had the FF feature.

I looked again at the model numbers and I found that the one that worked with the FF feature was Model No. SHM-165H6S04C made in July of 2005.

The drive that had no FF feature was Model No. SMH-165H60S5C made in July 2006. Thought I would pass this on.

Assuming you meant SHM-165H60S5C and not SMH-165H60S5C, that drive should be cross flashable to Sony DRU-120C also to gain FF since the SHM-165H6S is same drive as SHM-165P6S but with light scribe added.

Yah I meant the SHM-165H6S. Just a typo. Just wanted to let others know that there are other drives that can be picked up without having to cross flash the drives firmware. Not everyone is comfortable cross flashing.

If you look hard enough on eBay you can find a number of these Liteon's and Sony's that are out of production for sale at reasonable prices if your willing to bid on them. Even some selling them with the buy now feature.

In the past two weeks I have picked 2 Sony DRU-120C's, a Sony DW-G120A (yes I know its the same as the DRU-120C), a Sony DRU-710A, 2 Liteon SHOW-1633S most of them new and in their boxes. All these drives work with the FF feature. They are out there if you look for them.

Thanks

Not sure how true this holds for other LiteOn DVD Recorders but in a LVW-5007 I just picked up that would no longer prepare discs, my NEC ND-3520AW burner works just fine as a temporary replacement. Haven't tried fast forwarding yet, but recording is no problem. Also, region free/no macrovision/3 hour record firmware went without a hitch. Best part is I only paid $10 for the LiteOn.

Fast Forward & Rewind work just fine. Now to experiment with using an 80 conductor cable instead of the standard 40 conductor IDE cable.

This is second post I've seen on NEC-3520AW burner replacement in LiteOn recorders which I'm glad to see FF works because the first post user didn't say if that worked. About 3 months ago I got a rebadged Benq DW-1620 for $25 from Staples for LiteOn recorder burner replacement since it's 1 of the fully functional replacements, but I liked the Benq performance in the PC so much that I decided to keep it in the PC and put the NEC-3520AW it replaced into a LiteOn LVW-5005 instead.

I don't know why some are reluctant to cross flash since it's just another firmware flash with patched firmware. It seems there are 2 things that can cause bad flash which are flash with wrong firmware and interrupted flash due to power failure or other cause. This can happen with official firmware flash just as easily as with cross flash. I've only cross flashed once but had no problem at all. To me cross flashing a burner is little different from flashing a LiteOn recorder with hacked firmware to gain 3 hour mode, region free and remove macrovision copy protection which many have done and continue to do. Anyway it's good to learn some drives are still available that don't need cross flash to get FF to work.

BIG THANKS ,
to GASH44 for replying to my question - cheers mate but I tried ebay u.k. and couldnt find any SONY DRU710As must only be on U.S. market but I`m gonna try a liteon DH-20A4P -09C if it doesnt do I can always use it for my p.c. lol.
One more point guys I`m hoping to mount this new drive internally so has any one removed the existing bezel off a LVW 5006 without smashing it or can it not be done.
I would really like as much info as possible as I`m a newbie to this field - but I was a t.v. engineer but now retired , thanks again in advance

JOEDEE

To remove the bezel:

1- press eject and unplug, this leaves the tray open without it reacting to being pulled and pushed.

2- you'll notice that the bezel is attached to an extention (1/4 " or .5 cm) which clips onto the front of the tray so pull the extension from the bottom while at the same time pushing the extension up to release it from the tray.

3- Plug back in and close tray, now you can remove the drive.

4- You'll most likely need to trim, with a very sharp craft knife, the clip points on the front of the tray of the new drive to accomodate the extension.

In my case I also had to add spacers between the extension and the bezel, for spacers I sliced up a stick pen, kept the springs and used longer thinned shafted screws on the extension, not too long as to prevent the extension from clipping back on the tray.

The DH 20A4P will work except for the fast forward on DVD+Rs and commercial DVDs, it does FF on RWs, it freezes up, you most unplug or press both Power (remote and recorder) at the same time to shut the recorder down, annoying, I just chapter up and rewind if I need to, I use other players anyways to watch.

Todays drives are faster than what the board in the recorder was intentially built for (4x and 8x), some models up to 16x are fully compatible but that's when we also start to see other 16x that are not, anything past 16x do not fast forward.

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Last edited by CrazyCanuck; 18-05-2008 at 21:03. Reason: more info

Big thanks to Crazy Canuck for your great information on the DH-20A4P I fitted it into the LVW 5006 after removing the existing pillars and replacing them with 2 pieces of wood (planed all round) which are 7 and 1/2 long and 3/4" deep ( really need 20 cms but about 22cms at front to get tray to function properly.
Ijust aligned the unit and drilled four holes to accept 4 flat head screws of suitable length ( 65cms ) and screwed them tightly - 2 each side to secure the unit - good job I`m back recording again!!
I agree the downside with this replacement drive is as Crazy said it wont f.f. on commercial dvds but just use chapter and rew up to 16 times to go back.
The main use of my LVW-5006 was recording of RWs of favourite programs each week so I`m very pleased with the outcome!!
I took some photos of the proceedure if anyone wants to see them
then just let me know how to post them lol! and I`ll gladly do it
Once again guys thanks to all who replied to my questions and I hope I can be of assistance at some point for others.
BTW I bought a SONY DU -190A as well as a back up for another LVW -5006 I have so when it packs in at least I can sort it too

many thanks

JOEDEE

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Last edited by JOEDEE; 22-05-2008 at 02:47. Reason: STRAY WORDS

Great to hear that you got it working again. One question for you now !!! Did you test the Sony (DRU190A?) drive in the 5006 to see if it works like the DH-20A4P?

To post photos click "Go Advanced" to find attachments option at bottom of page and attach files from there. I'd like to see the drill holes and screws part if you photographed that.

CrazyCanuck asked a very good question since some of the newer Sony drives are made by NEC and Samsung which have failed to work when tried by others. You may want to return it and get another LiteOn if it doesn't work.

Hi guys,
haven`t managed to try sony drive yet - enjoying recording again but will post asap meantime here is a link to some of the photos of the process for bevills1 enjoy mate.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...5&id=544029258