DVD Recorder LVW5101. Unit records ok but will not play back material it has just recorded

I would start with the dvd format used for recording, the simplest being dvd+r and dvd-r. Does the unit play a pre-recorded dvd and/or cd? If not, the laser assembly would be the first suspect. The delay in reading discs can be a sign of a borderline laser. Is your record overwrite function turned on, this overwrites previous material when starting each new recording when using +-rw discs. Verify if a format is required for the type of disc used for recording, page 45. Is the correct country/region selected?

It claims to play -RWs finalized in DVD-VIDEO format, not VR. If a disc is recorded/finalized on a different recorder, not all players can play it. This is the price we pay for the convenience of the digital system.

This model (PY90DG) DVD recorder supports the following disc recording formats: DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD+R/DVD-R for everyday video. These should record fine. The RW discs are for repeated recording/erasure while the R discs are once-only recording types - the R discs must be finalised in this deck to make them playable on other DVD players. DVD-RAM discs are NOT supported by this unit. This recorder will play MP3 files on a CD-R or CD-RW (not DVD-ROM) just fine as well, but will not record them.

Best discs to buy for this type of recorder are DVD-R (recommended brand - Verbatim or TDK if you can get them, but not Memorex). These are OK.

possible playback head damaged
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Insert one of the recorded disc and try to finalize. If it accepts, that means they are not finalized.

Switching off DVD & disconnecting at mains cured the problem.

Samsung dvd sh-855 i have the same problem wiht freezes when recording on timer mode.Recording in timermode with TV on is OK. But only connected whit HDMI cable, Component is OK in all modes!!!
My recorder is a XXE model = scandinavian.
Do anyone have a solution Please

Put the disc back into the recorder.
Goto the setup menu.
Select Disc Edit. Press OK
Select Finalise. Press OK

Your DVD player is made by Funai (for future reference)
The User manual can be downloaded HERE. You need page 38.

before you can watch a recorded DVD on another DVD player you must finalize the disc. to finalize the disc put the recorded disc into the DVD recorder, when the DVD loads it will show the titles that are recorded on the DVD on the screen
push the stop button it is the button with the square on it. the screen will go blank or it may let you watch whatever tv channel you are on if you have your tv ran through the recorder, push the setup buton a new screen will come up, with the arrow down button scroll down and highlight disc edit, press ok another screen will come up, with the arrow down button scroll down and highlight "finalize", press "ok" it is the button in the middle of the arrow keys
scroll up and highlight "yes" press "ok" the recorder will finalize the disc and it can be watched on any DVD player, just remember when you finalize a disc you cannot add anything else to the disc.

On page 45 of the user manual it says this:

Both the HDD & DVD RECORDER and the discs are coded
by region. These regional codes must match in order for the
disc to play. If the codes do not match, the disc will not play.
The Region Number for this HDD & DVD RECORDER is
described on the rear panel of the HDD & DVD RECORDER

If you changed the region codes on your player it will not work. They should be set back to 1 or whatever your model says on the back of the unit.

If this unit was purchased outside the United States, it may not work in the United States.

Here is a copy of the manual if you need it:

http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200506/20050618115856781_HR720-00758C-XAC-Eng_0519.pdf