DVD Reorder RDR-HXD870 recover programs

[duncanr]

I have an old RDR-HDX870 dvd recorder (a brilliant but now aging product). It now has a number of issues, before I risk repair I would like to know if it is possible to copy off the recorded content from the HDD. The obvious answer is to use use DVD +/- RWs but the DVD drive had trouble reading disks (it plays content from the HDD and records)

Is it possible to connect the HDD to a PC and copy off the data ?

I understand from a few of old forum posts on the web that the HDD may use a 'possibly' proprietary linux format that is not recognised by windows, but there is no further information. Any help would be much appreciated

[Mooly01]

One possible way may be to connect the Sony to another recorder using Scart or the AV conections and (assuming the Sony doesn't add any weird copy protection) you should be able to copy the programs that way.

The file systems on the HDD are non standard and so I wouldn't like to say if data could be extracted from them. I would guess not, and in any case you would need some means of decoding the data to make use of it.

If the problem is solely the DVD drive playing up, then it is possible to perform a proper lens clean using cotton buds and fluid however you must be aware of the cautions in the manual. The tray should be empty and closed and the machine disconnected from the supply. 

It is possible to remove the top cover of the DVD drive to easily access the lens assembly. When cleaned, just replace the cover.

Other common issues are not running the latest firmware causing various operational issues, particularly regarding Freeview usage and timer/guide recordings.  

From the manual... 

NOTES DURING THE FORCED EJECTION
1. If the forced ejection is executed while a blank disc media (DVD±RW, ±R) exists on the tray
• Insert a DVD-ROM (DVD test disc, DVD software available on the market, or the like) in the tray and then close the tray.
Note1: If you close the tray while it is empty, ejection of the tray becomes impossible.
Note2: If you close the tray with a CD disc inserted in it, the CD can be ejected. However, if you close the tray while it is empty, there can be a case that
ejection of the tray becomes impossible.
Note3: Even if you replace the DVD drive unit while the tray remains under the state as described above, the situation cannot be improved.
2. If the tray cannot be ejected while the disc is not inserted
• Execute the forced ejection.
• Insert a DVD-ROM (DVD test disc, DVD software available on the market, or the like) on the tray and try to close the tray.
(There are cases that it recovers the trouble.)
3. Contents of forcedly ejected blank disc media (DVD±RW, ±R) can be damaged. (There can be a case that initialization is also impossible.)