JVC DVD Recorder Problems DRMV7

you can do the following to try and salvage it.

1) insert a cleaning disc, even if it doesn't read the disc the brushes should hit the lens a few times while it is trying to read, do this 4-5 times or until the disc reads.
2) if that fails (even if it doesn't fail) open up the case and use canned air to clean the components, these units are dust magnets.
3) i believe this unit uses a hitachi drive, once you have the model of the actual dvd drive, you should be able to order a replacement if it is indeed bad.

9 times out of 10 it isn't the firmware thats failing, it's either the lens assembly losing alignment, or bad dust accumulation, other than that, sometimes the boards fail on the dvd drive itself, so replacing it usually clears up the issue.

hope this helps,
trin

Same frustration here. I have found that disconnecting and reconnecting the power to the unit forces a reboot of sorts and usually works fine after that. Simply turning the power switch off and on doesn't work. If it's plugged into a power strip or surge protector, turning the power strip switch off for a few seconds usually seems to work.

I've had same problem, mine plays up constantly, I gave it a clean out of dust about 3 or 4 months ago then it worked better till today. I was annoyed that I was putting a 2 hour programme onto disc & after the 2 hours elapsed it wouldn't burn it to disc, thefore I am this minute retrying the same recording again (just as well I wasn't too quick to delete it from the Sky+ planner. It is definately the cooling fan that is loading all the dust into the unit, its like a mini hoover unfortunately. By the way my model is a Toshiba but then I guess they are all built with the cooling fan & will always need a good clean out every 3 months or so :( Just another one of lifes requirements "Happy Burning"

Mine too does this exact thing. I have taken it apart many times as it's out of warranty. Simple to take apart and clean the lens yourself. The actual DVD driver is idential to a store bought unit. I'm thinking of taking my DVD burner driver and swapping it out as it has all the idential connections. I have had success cleaning the lens by compressed air and also cleaning the lens directly. I cannot believe JVC is so out of touch with the problem of this unit. BTW: when it clean it and it's taken apart still...works awesome. I have noticed that when it gets warm is when it acts up too but this time I take it apart, I'm unplugging their cooling fan and I will relocate the drive outside my entertainment unit to see if that helps. If dust is the probelm, maybe turning off the fan just behind the DVD drive part might prevent dust from sucking in too. I will keep you posted.