The disc drawer won't open. I tried the remote open/close button and the open/close button on the unit itself. neither opened the DVDR disc drawer.

There are some ideas in the link, but you probably need an audio tech. RCA are a fairly 'budget' unit.

https://www.google.com/search?q=RCA+1245+5+disc+changer+audio+system+opens+the+disc+drawer+whenever+the+power+is+turned+on

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Sometimes DVD player drawers get stuck closed because the disc inside isn't seated properly. At other times the player may have another problem. The first step in discovering if it is the disc or another issue is to remove the disc. Most DVD players have a secret eject button. It allows you to open the drawer when a disc gets stuck and cannot be ejected normally.
For this you'll need a standard size paperclip.

1. Unfold the paperclip and make it as straight as possible.
2. Look closely at your DVD player . Push the tip the paper clip into the small hole on the tray cover on the front of the Toshiba. The hole is on the right side of the cover.
3. Press inward gently with the paperclip until you feel a slight resistance, then continue pushing to engage the internal eject button. The tray should pop open partway.
4. Gently pull the drawer until it's fully retracted. Be careful not to pull too far.
5. Remove your disc from the drive.
6. Before you reinsert another disc, use the remote and/or buttons on the player to close the door, and reopen it. You can also press carefully with your fingers. If you cannot open/close the drawer normally at this point, do not put in a new disc until you have repaired the problem.

What You Need

It sounds that the laser pickup unit of the DVD player have damaged. Check and replace it.

Half the battle can be won by just dropping a CD in and pressing Play. It WILL close.

Thanks for understanding. Please let me know if you require any clarifications.

turn it off then unplug the dvdr then after a while plug it again and turn on, now press the play button after a while press the stop button then next is the eject button. if still the tray won't eject unplug the dvdr use a philip screw driver unscrew to open the cover. look for the plastic motor gear then manually turn it with your finger to eject the tray now you can get your dvd. place back the cover and plug the unit and then turn on to check if its working again and eject the tray. thanks i hope it will help you good luck.

I found a solutoin over here:
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks/philips-dvdr3380/7083

Illustration:
This usually happens when you close the drawer with no disc in it. There is a strong magnet inside the DVD-drive that keeps the spinning disc in the correct position. But when the drive is empty, the magnet is connected to tough to its counterpart (no disc in between) and the worn out motor and/or transmission (belt) is not able to pull them apart in order to open the disc tray.

How to fix - "brute-force-attack":
Press OPEN and give the disc draw a couple of decent slaps (or snap at the tray cover with your forefinger) until it opens. Repeat procedure, if motor stops before drawer is open.

How to fix - "high-tech-approach":
Disconnect power chord. Locate the slot provided at the bottom of the device, near the smaller, left clip holding the front panel. Insert a screwdriver into it at the far right (when viewing from the front), so you can push a small white plastic-lever-thingy (can be seen thru the slot) to the far left. Now the tray is partly opened and can be pulled out completely.

Future outlook:
Don't you never ever close your old machine with no disc in the tray - or just start over again...

Open Disc Drawer
Press 99990
Close Disc Drawer
or

Open Disc Drawer
Press 99990 and then press enter/ok button (!)
Tray was closed independently by itself

and that's it. Enjoy!

open the case take the metal piece with disc spinner of {one screw}then pull drawer out then push drawer back in and assemble the unit plug power back in and try again