Won't work with the same kind of discs i've used before

I not sure as to which type of Discs that you are refering to (ie DVD+R or DVD+RW). This player will only recognize 4x (max) DVD+RW and 8x (max) DVR+R discs. If the DVD+R Disc is 16x, the DVD recorder will not recognize it once you start to record. The player will read the blank Disc and give the impression that it will record on it. I have noticed that when a 16x speed Disc is in the Drive, The recordable hours for the disc seems to double. The normal 6 Hour recording length comes up as 12 Hours when you hit the info button. Since the 8x Speed (max) discs are not available any longer, I found it best to use the DVD+RW 4x Discs and make it compatible. I then copy the compatible DVD+RW disc to a 16X DVD+R disc using my computer DVD burner. The DVD+RW disc can then be erased so that it can be reused.