Disc Protection Hey, I have put in a new DVD-R (4.7GB 8x) into the DVD recorder, and when I click record it says "this disc is only available for playback, cannot record". When I go into Functions, it says not finalized, disc protection on. When I remove the disc and put in a DVD-RW (4.7GB 4x) I can record on that. I have recorded on the DVD-R discs before though. What do I need to do? Do I need to change it to disc protection off? If so, how do I do that? Thanks :)

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

E4 error code means that the disc isn't being read, because the unit is dirty or the optical eye is going out .You have to get a cleaning kit and then proceed.

you may try this:
unplug from wall, wait 15 minutes, plug back in, and reset the clock,
or
The disc must be DVD-R with an R4.7 under the logo and they MUST be 4X or 8X specific .... the cannot be 1X - 8X or 1X - 16X or note up to 16X .... the disc box must state 4X or 8X ONLY .... and yes they are hard to find for sure

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.

Yes,
In the Disc Management options you should have the option to change whether disc protection is on or off.

Also, if you have one of the double-sided discs - they look like large computer floppy discs and can be inserted either way up into the machine - some of these have a "write protect" tab just like a floppy disc. Check to see if yours has one and whether it is set in the protect position.

This is a Samsung DVD recorder - I've had the exact same problem - By the way, don't you mean "this disc cannot be recorded" ? These DVD recorders are known to reject certain type of discs.

* Have you updated your Samsung with the latest firmware ?
http://www.samsung.com/ca/support/download/supportDown.do?group=&type=dvdplayers&subtype=recordable&model_nm=DVD-R155&disp_nm=DVD-R155&language=&cate_type=all&dType=D&mType=FM&vType=&prd_ia_cd=03010300&model_cd=&menu=download

Follow the instructions carefuly and please understand the risks involved in flashing your drive - Do not interrupt the process, it can take long.

* here are the brands of DVD-R I have used successfuly with this recorder int he past:

Taiyo Yuiden DVD-R 4x / 8x (the optical drives used in those recorders are outdated, their writing strategies are never up to date and may not recognize some type of discs)
Maxell DVD-R 4x / 8x
Verbatim DVD-R 4x / 8x

Try another blank disc - maybe it will accept it - if it keeps rejecting all your blank DVD-R no matter what brand, you have a bad drive inside your recorder - the samsung recorders are **** - I have ever since gotten rid of that piece of **** and now use a Sony HDR-780 HDD/DVD recorder, uses pioneer components and is great !

Avoid those lens cleaners - they can do more harm than good!

I hope this helps.

Try different brands of DVD-R, avoid the cheap generic **** - drives like best Taiyo Yuden & Verbatim media id codes - they should recognize Maxells, verbatims, sony, taiyo yuden, ritek. if it keeps spitting out all discs you use, you have a defective unit. The latest firmware on that drive should also help !

Good luck :)

Try the next disc in the stack, and see if it will recognize the next one. If not, the problem is most likely the recording speed of the +R disc. Before you go changing disc types, however, I would also check the Record Mode you have set for the dub - if the REC Mode is set for XP, try changing the mode to SP and see if you have any luck. If it still won't work, try one of the tested +R discs:
SONY (2.4x, 4x, 8x, 16x)
TDK (4x)
Mitsubishi (4x, 8x)
Ricoh (2x, 4x, 8x)

-Tha Mp3 Doctor

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

Jan 17, 2009
I posted this Jan 3, 2009 and seem to have a solution.
Similar problem. E4 54037380 Can not record on this disc. Even though it is from the same package of DVD-Rs that I have successfully recorded to previously. Contacted them about 9 months ago without a successful resolution so I am trying again. Unit will play any DVDs, will record and play back DVD-RWs but will not record on my imation DVD-Rs 8X discs that worked fine in the past. Starts to record for a few seconds and then the error message appears (sometimes with slightly different final 4 digits of error number). Other postings have suggested: maybe a firmware update is available (I requested and we will see Emerson's response), trying slower speed discs (I am skeptical since these 8x imation discs in this same package previously worked, and the instructions say 1-16x for DVD-Rs), unplugging the unit for 1/2 hour to reset the unit (did not work), playing the last disc recorded to the end and then trying a new disc (now it recorded for about 30 seconds rather than 10 seconds but then got E4 54043E02 error message, different but still did not work). So I am hoping for something more productive out of Emerson this time.
Update Jan 17,2009. Bought a CD and DVD cleaner disc with the little brushes on it. Cleaned the EWR20V5 per the cleaner instructions and tried to recod on the imation DVD-R 8X that I had used successfully in the past, no luck, same error message. So I bought another brand, maxell DVD-R 4.7GB up to 16X and IT WORKED. The instructions on pg 25 say for DVD-R "up to 16X" may be used but "4X-8X disc is recommended". Go figure, no idea why the 16X worked but they did in this case. So just a suggestion to try other brands. Someone else had suggested that also so I gave it a shot. $8 of new discs and $13 for the cleaner and I've back in business.

Unfortunately without a firmware upgrade the only disks you can use are DVD-R or DVD-RW. The tricky part is that you can ONLY USE 2X speed. Per my conversation with Sylvania there is a firmware update that will allow you to use up to 8x disks, but they are charging $17.00 for it.

try mr dvd-r discs from poundland.
They work with the funai machine.
Its worth a try.