We need to buy tdk -rw 2x or jvc -rw 4x discs -- can't find them !

Your combo device will accept all bands of recordable DVD but only the minus R or minus RW not the plus R nor the plus RW I've had great success using Staples brand of DVD-R/RW and is usually very competitively priced if its in stock but I've found that Maxcell & JVC brand are often on sale at some of the major big box MEGA stores nationwide that is also an awesome and reliable disc that I use and can recommend

Have you've tried cleaning the laser with a cleaning disc?

Failing this it may be worth removing the cover and cleaning the lens directly with a QTip and some lens cleaning fluid. Only use a drop and then wipe off with a clean dry QTip.

The other option is that you are using an incompatible format of blank DVDs. I've heard of people having problems using DVD-R & DVD-RW and although it is lised as being suitable for all types of recordable DVDs I belive you're best using DVD+R & DVD+RW.

The Manual states

Recordable disc

• We strongly recommend for good recording quality:

SONY DVD+RW 4x, MAXELL DVD+R 4x/8x/16x, SONY DVD+R 4x/8x/16x, TDK DVD+R 4x/8x/16x,

MAXELL DVD-RW 4x, MAXELL DVD-R 8x/16x

• Discs that have been tested and are proven to be compatible with this recorder:

VERBATIM DVD+RW 4x VERBATIM DVD+R 8x
VERBATIM DVD-RW x VERBATIM DVD-R 8x JVC DVD-RW 4x MAXELL DVD-R 16x

Below is a list of discs that should or should not be used with the DVD recorders.
DVD-R
4x can be used
8x will result in a disc error.
DVD-RW
2x can be used
4x will result in a disc error.
The following discs have been tested and are proven to be compatible with our DVD recorders.
MEMOREX DVD-R
FUJIFILM DVD-R
FUJIFILM DVD-RW
IMATION DVD-RW
IMATION DVD-R 2.0
TDK DVD-RW 2X
TDK DVD-R 2X
The following are brands of discs we DO NOT recommend:
MEMOREX DVD-RW
SONY DVD-RW
SONY DVD-R
TDK DVD-RW 4x
TDK DVD-R 4x

Please be aware that a free software upgrade is now available to customers. This upgrade will enable your unit to recognize the (DVD-R 8x) discs. To obtain a copy, please call 1-800-242-7158. Customer service by phone is available 7 days a week 6:00am to 9:00pm pacific time.

In order to receive the upgrade we need to know what firmware version your unit requires. First you need to access the DVD recorders service mode. Turn on the DVD Recorder and the Television, make sure the unit is on the DVD side. You may access the service mode by pressing the CMSKIP button on the remote control. Once you press CMSKIP you must press the numbers 1,2,3. You must do this quickly so it may take a couple tries. The model name will appear on the screen followed by Firmware Version. I need to know the serial number next to FE:
Press the RETURN button to exit screen.


Brian W.
Customer Support
Funai Corporation
19900 Van Ness Avenue
Torrance, CA 90501
1-800-256-2487 Customer Support
1-310-320-0571 fax

Need a firmware upgrade. Emerson will charge you for it. Otherwise you need to find Dvds it will accept. Hard to do with all of the newer dvds. -RW only 1Xor 2X. -R 1X-2X. Memorex would not work for me. Multi- speed dvds over listed speeds will not work. Maxell -R 1X-4X worked for me. Good luck finding any.

I have found that the DVD recorder in this unit will not recognize a DVR+R disc greater than 8X speed. Therfore 16X discs are not an option. Like you already know, it likes DVD+RW 45X speed discs but it is selective. I have been using Maxell DVD+RW 4x and have found that Verbatim DVD+RW 4X and Sony DVD+RW 4X work just as well.

Refer to your user manual for error codes and troubleshooting tips.

If you cant find the error code then please kindly forward the following:

Disk Type:
Recording Device:
Hardeware Specifications:

Technically, E25 is a copy-protection error, but I have some additional background on this issue. On the one hand, it could be a legitimate copy-protection error - you are trying to record from a copy-once or copy-protected source - this is especially true if you are trying to record from a Cable/Satellite Box that has a DVR box - since copying to the DVR is considered the first "copy," the Magnavox will not allow you to make a "second" copy.

On the other hand, Magnavox/Funai players see all programs recorded in V mode (as opposed to VR mode) as "copy-prohibited". It records all +R discs in VR mode automatically, so the solution in this case would be to record on a compatible -R disc (or vice versa).

There are two simple fixes for this issue in either case:
1) If you are using a +R disc, switch to a -R disc. If you are using a -R disc, switch to a +R disc. Simply switching the disc type will "fix" Magnavox recorders (long story).
2) If your TV has a "Video Out" or "Monitor Out" (most TV's don't), you can connect a yellow video cable from the OUT of the TV to the Video IN on the back of the Magnavox. This will permanently resolve your problem by fooling the recorder.

Here is additional info about the type of disc to get:
IDiscs that have been tested and are proven to be compatible with this recorder:
VERBATIM DVD+R 8x, VERBATIM DVD+RW 4x
VERBATIM DVD-R 8x, VERBATIM DVD-RW 2x, MAXELL DVD-R 16x, JVC DVD-RW 4x
IWe strongly recommend for good recording quality:
TDK DVD+R 4x/8x/16x, SONY DVD+R 4x/8x/16x, MAXELL DVD+R 4x/8x/16x, SONY DVD+RW 4x,
MAXELL DVD-R 8x/16x, MAXELL DVD-RW 4x

Good Luck!

-Tha Mp3 Doctor

Hallo everybody,

this guy "mysus" is a genius! I have had above problem on a Samsung HR-725 (160 Gb Version of the HR-720) now for approx. 1 year. I´ve called the Samsung Hotline and tried other dealers - nothing worked. Today I came accross this help and tried it out immediately - and it works perfectly. However, you do need to know a little about PCBs and electronics.
I used a variety of different -R DVDs and they all seem to work now. Many thanks once again for this fantastic link.

Make sure the discs you are using are the same as the ones listed as compatible in the manual:

• DVD-RW ver. 1.1 / 1x / 1x to 2x, ver. 1.2 /
2x to 4x / 2x to 6x
• DVD-R ver. 2.0 /1x / 1x to 4x /
1x to 8x / 1x to 16x, ver. 2.1 / 1x to 8x / 1x
to 16x
• DVD+RW 1x to 2.4x / 1x to 4x / 3.3x to 8x
• DVD+R 1x to 2.4x / 1x to 4x / 1x to 8x / 1x
to 16x
• DVD-RAM ver. 2.0 / 2x, ver. 2.1 / 2x / 2x to
3x / 2x to 5x, ver. 2.2 / 2x / 2x to 3x / 2x to 5x
• DVD-R DL ver. 3.0 / 2x to 4x
• DVD+R DL 2.4x / 2.4x to 8x

Any brand can be used.

get the maxell dvd-rw 4.7 gb ( 2x ) or the (4x) the 8x won't work , only the maxells worked no other brand would. you can buy em at sears 10/24/2011