Home > Consumer Reviews > Lite-On AllWrite LVW-5005 DVD/CD Recorder

This is the dream machine I was looking for! It can record on all DVD and CD media and the recording quality is very good even for the 6 Hrs SLP recording.

I use this device to convert all my old songs collections from audio cassettes to audio CDs too.

It's the best bang for the buck!

I have had the same problem "David" describes. I Have had the 5005 for less than a month and it is starting to "ACT" up. I just filled out a return request with Amazon for a replacement (before I read the recent postings), otherwise I might have asked for a refund. I created about 20 discs with no problem. First ones were direct from my DBS DiskDrive. I then started the process of converting Family VHS tapes to DVD. After a couple of Discs, I had my first problem. I hit stop to start a new Title and the unit would not stop. When it finally did stop (had to power off), the last Title segment was missing and the other segments had the sound out of sync. I thought I must have done something wrong the firse time, but after a couple more good recordings it hapened again. The last straw was when I spent two hours taping of an SP VHS tape (no stops or pause until the end), and it locked up at the end! I too bought this unit beccause it records in both formats (plus & minus), and it PLAYS all those formats and more (JPG file of vacation pictures looked great). I was using Imation +R Discs and had created one -R just to test on my computer that did not read the +R.
Before I rack up any more bad discs I am returning the unit. If the replacement has the same problem, then I will get a refund and start my research all over again! After reading the other note about sync problems, I will go back and check my 15 or 20 successful recordings to make sure they are ok. I really like all the features and JUST HOPE I got a bad one. With all the other great reviews, I can only hope. I too just wish my unit WORKED!!
lpbenson@insightbb.com

I just had my third LVW 5005 fail. The LVW works great for anywhere from 1 to 5 weeks. Then it gradually turns into a piece of junk. I have only used Lite-on recommended media (RitekG04). But sooner or later the recorder will stop reading disks that it burns. You may record something by setting the timer, after it's done recording the unit turns off. When you turn it back on the unit can't read the disk it just burned. This failure starts out randomly, but quickly gets to a 100% failure rate. Eventually it won't even recognise blank disks. Tech Support is stumped as to what causes this. So they tell me to send it in and they send me a new one. But they have eached failed also. All in the same way. I can't believe that I had the only three units made that fail this way. The LVW 5005 has turned out to be a very expensive lesson in not buying Lite-on products.

I purchased this product about 18 months ago , like several others of you. And all the sudden it has stopped working. I had noticed that some of my recorded shows were not coming out with sound but thought it was just the player. I went out and bought another player. Same problem. Now I have no picture on my TV. This unit had been professionally installed. I know it was done correctly. Now I have to go out and purchase a new recorder. So don't think you are getting a good deal with this unit. Your deal is only going to last a year! And then it will cost you more in the long run. I have e-mailed cutomer support and will report back with the outcome of my e-mail. Until then I suggest spending the extra $50.00 bucks for a good unit.

I thought this product worked VERY well for the first several months I owned it. The only problem was that the tuner NEVER worked from day one, but as I used the cable box anyway, and had mainly bought it to transfer old videotapes to DVD, that wasn't a major problem for me, considering the price.

However, after 6-9 months, it began having problems. The first problem was it would take several tries to get it to load partially-recorded DVD-RW discs. It would give the message, "No disc." Then it wouldn't load them at all. Then, it began doing the same to partially-recorded DVD-R discs. It was fine if I finalized the recording immediately afterwards, but if I turned off the player or removed the disc, I'd get "No disc" or "Invalid disc" when I put it back in the player... EXACTLY the same problem other Amazon reviewers have reported.

Now, in the past few days, it will not even FORMAT a new, blank disc for recording. It runs and runs, saying it's formatting, then after about ten minutes it says, "Invalid disc" and I have yet another coaster. Player still works fine, but the recording feature is completely broken and unusable.

Thumbs down... don't buy it.