Magnavox DVDR: tray stuck and "Blocked" message...

I have a Magnavox MRV660 that I bought 45 days ago from Best Buy in Topeka. They were out of the DVD player/recorder that I wanted but the guy suggested the Magnavox. My gut feeling was NOT to buy it but it was a few days before Christmas. Now I'm thinking I should have gone with my gut feeling. They aren't even on the top 10 list. I should have done my research before hand. I can't find much on this player on the internet. I have a DVD stuck in the tray. It says blocked. I thought could take the top case off myself but you can't and I don't want to force it. I called Magnavox and I have to call back during a weekday with the reference number they gave me. I will see how the service goes before I complain any more. I'm worried that they will send me back to Best Buy which is an hour away. I don't have a repair shop around where I live.

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Last edited by imkidd57; 22-02-2006 at 11:57. Reason: Split from 'Philips issues' thread...

Thanks for joining the forum , and sorry to hear you're having problems.

The 'BLOCKED' message refers to the fact that the tray opening mechanism isn't able to operate. There's a couple of things you could try, although I haven't seen exactly the recorder model you own. In the sticky thread 'Read this: Philips DVD Recorder firmware: upgrades, downgrades...' on this sub-forum (click here), right at the bottom there's some instructions for restarting Philips recorders with the <RECORD> and <EJECT> buttons held in. If that doesn't work, then have a careful look round at the underneath of the recorder's disc tray opening; there may be a slot with a catch that can be moved sideways to mechanically release the tray.

I just had the same problem. Restarting with the buttons pushed did nothing. I found the slot in the bottom, but I had to break through a thin sheet of paper or tape to push the bar over. The drawer opened, and we were able to remove our DVD, but the drawer still does not activate as it should. There is definitely a malfunction. We will take this back to Best Buy (we bought it less than a month ago) and ask for our money back. Good luck, right?

I would strongly discourage anyone from buying this model of DVD recorder.

Hi. I'm a UK expat based in Italy. I bought a DVD3365/19 on 3rd December 2005. After about one month it started giving the "blocked" message and I was unable to open the DVD drawer. I took it back to the shop who sent it to the nearest Philips repair centre and received my machine back repaired after about 3 weeks. It worked again fine for another month or so but then the same thing happened again! That's twice in a little over 3 months! Needless to say, I've taken it back to the shop again and am hoping they solve the problem this time.

Any further advice from people in the forum would be most appreciated. Thanks.

There's always a few Philips DVD recorders that this seems to happen to, but mainly these have been machines that are some years old. Notwithstanding the unfortunate experiences related by the contributors above, I would say it's comparatively rare for this to happen to a new-series machine.

I don't think there's much we can advise you to do, except keep returning the machine to the dealer/repair centre under the terms of warranty. After two or three times you might get fed up and be entitled to demand a replacement, or a refund (Italian local trading standards law may be different, of course).

I have same problem This machine is not very reliable. I've had it since 10/05 and other than trashing many discs when I 'finalize' it has been ok until now.
Past week it has been giving me the 'blocked' message.
I went to the Phillips website for help and it is useless.
Their customer service is non-existant.
Don't plan on buying another Phillips product again.
In the meantime, I guess I'll see what repair I can get under the warrenty.

You should certainly pursue the 'repair or replace' option.

Well, I took the MVR660 back to Best Buy. After waiting half an hour they told me they would ship it back to the manufacturer, but charge me $24.95 for the shipping. I called the Magnavox number and after about 30 minutes of handoffs made it to the 'repair' return center and got a number to ship it back. They said it woudl be replaced wtih a refurbished or new unit. I"m reluctant to throw good money after bad. They will not give out any information on what is wrong with these units. Don't think I will buy another Phillips product again, but that's just the state of the industry. Probably all cheap junk.

Your retailer should not be charging for anything if the machine is under warranty, so I agree you should not be paying.

I also have the "blocked" message three weeks into owning a MRV660. A couple days ago, I started getting "No disc" messages, despite the presence of a disk, and I put in a new disc. Since then, I get the blocked message and can not open the player. I'll try to take it back to Fry's, I guess. I'm not going to do anything that will hinder my ability to return this product (like breaking that seal on the bottom of the player).