Dual Layer discs for RDR-HDX995

[ccarmock]

I have a Sony RDR-HXD995 HDD/DVD recorder, and am tryign to use it's HDD to DVD dubbing option.  This works fine for a DVD +/-R and DVD +/-RW disc.   However when I try to use a DVD +R DL or a DVDV -R DL I am unable to get it to recognise these are valid discs to record on, despite the specifications & manual saying it is compatible with dual layer DVD discs, (but not dual layer RW discs)

Does anyone know of a brand of DL disc that has been tested to work in this unit?

So far I have tried Philips DVD +R DL  and Verbatim DVD -R DL

Verbatim DVD -R discs work fine, it's just the dual layer ones I am having issues with.

The recorder is running the latest 1.24 firmware.

Any help or advice appreciated.

[EdwinaU]

Hi there,

We will check this and let you know what we find.

In the meantime, some of our members may have some advice to share.

Best wishes,

Ed

[The_Black_Rose]

Hi ccarmock,

That's a bit strange. I've checked the device manual and dual layer discs should be supported. If you've tried more than one disc and it's the same on all of them I believe it might not be able to read the discs anymore. So, I'd actually say it may require work shop attention. I found this link on the Sony website to locate the nearest repair center to you: https://bit.ly/2H5EK5U.

Cheers,

The_Black_Rose

[ccarmock]

I opened a Sony support case to ask which Dual Layer discs are known to be compatible.  They weren't able to tell me, but did suggest that the laser in the DVD drive has likely degraded and while it's able to write to single layer discs can no longer write to dual layer discs.  They then referred me to a Sony Service centre to explore repair, but said not many spares are likely to be available due to the 'seniority' of this model.

The issue is Sony doesn't sell up to date equivalent devices in the UK any more (yet do in Japan), so I am keen to keep this one running.

I spoke to a Sony repair centre who looked it up and told me DVD drives for the unit are still showing as available, and are willing to sell me one to replace myself.

I just wondered if anyone here would agree that this looks to be a failing drive?    I had assumed not since it writes to single layer discs without problem.

[The_Black_Rose]

Hi ccarmock,

I'd recommend getting the recorder inspected by the service center as well to be honest with you.

Cheers,

The_Black_Rose

[ccarmock]

You could be right as I have now read that if you swap the DVD drive the unit won't recognise the hard drive without a reformat using the service remote, though people have successfully managed to do it by swapping the boards within the DVD drive.

My fallback is there appears to be a PC application that can extract the contents of the hard drive so they can be saved.

[The_Black_Rose]

Hi ccarmock,

I'd suggest using the dubbing process to transfer the files from the HDD to an external DVD. I found this process explained on page 89 of the manual available through this link: https://bit.ly/2ojRpcD.

Cheers,

The_Black_Rose

[ccarmock · Accepted solution]

On further testing I have found that Verbatim DVD+R DL  Azo discs do work correctly in this recorder.  

They are available from Amazon.