Samsung DVD-R145 DVD Recorder

I purchased this unit in October and have not had much opportunity to use it, but my daughter has complained from day one about the unit crashing during recording. Since then I have tried to tape 3 programs, only one successfully. While taping the other two programs, the unit froze halfway through recording and displayed the message, "updating disc information, please wait". I had to unplug the unit to reset it. I did not do anything different while attempting to tape the three programs. The discs were new, clean, and formatted.
The other problem is that the unit will not play certain discs through.(Seems to be those with multiple titles) The playback freezes, then says there is no disc. Some of these discs are commercial, brand new, and clean discs. The same discs play on an inexpensive portable player with no problem.
Customer support told us "to clean the unit with a laser cleaner, because it's probably been in the factory too long and is dirty. (A brand new recorder!) If that doesn't work, send the unit for repairs, if MULTIPLE repairs don't work, then they will replace it, not before!
I am very disappointed in this recorder. I had a Panasonic recorder previously and was happy with that one. I decided on a Samsung because all the other Samsung equipment we own, including our television, has been reliable. What a shame!