I am able to record on Philips, Intenso and Sony DVD+RW / +R with no problems on my Sony Digital Video Recorder. But I have just tried to use the DVD-R format without any luck. I am using Maxell 1-8x DVD -R. The recorder loads the DVD and automatically prepares the disc. Using the Tools "Disc Info" the DVD is identified correctly as a DVD-R. Then when I start to record/dub something the "DISC IS DIRTY" error message is displayed and nothing else happens!!!! (They are brand new discs.)
The operations manual page 8 lists usable DVD-R as 16x or slower version 2.0/2.1.
I expected the Sony to record on this well known named brand.
Purchased DVD films on DVD-R play ok.
Does anyone know what the "version" is referring to?

Any ideas anyone or shall I just stick with the +R format. If so I have a pack of 50 coasters going cheap!!!

PC

using phillips dvd-rw so far ok ( still waiting on my manual )

Thanks Hoppy

Yes I am happy with the Philips DVD+R so I think I will look out for Their -RW and -R DVD's. I suppose I could get Sony DVD-RW and -R and use that as a bench mark to confirm hopefully not a hardware problem.
It is nice to have someone elses experiences. This gives me choice as I hate being locked into one supplier.
I don't really know which format + or - is really the best. I originally was told + as I have a Philips TV with a built in DVD player. But s it turns out the internal player works with both formats.

Hope your manual helps when it eventually turns up.

PC

Tried Sony media 1-8x DVD-R and it works phew!!!.

Took the pack of 50 Maxell back to Argos (UK high street shop) and even though I had opened the pack they refunded my money. Argos are very good handling returns.

Thanks Hoppy for the Philips DVD-R advice. As I have used Philips DVD+R successfuly I will try them.

I wonder if a STICKY posting at the beginning of each manufacturers sub headings, listing the media that is known to work (thru inputs from members) be useful?

PC

do you have any problems with sky thru the dvd recorder? mines continually displays in the smart mode. maybe something to do with my connections. scart 1rgb on tv> tv line 1 scart on recorder, vcr scart on digibox > line 3 vcr scart on recorder. is this the right way ? my tv has 3 scarts only no 1 rgb. not in use tv scart on digibox....then i have the ariel in and out of dvd recorder. so now i dont get an ariel picture to my second tv upstairs from my rf 2 out on digibox...........

not sure what you mean in smart mode I am afraid.

Perhaps if I detail my set up and the only problem I have to be careful about is to not play the VCR when recording a satellite program. The VCR has priority and overrides the Satellite and I end up having another copy of the VCR program on HDD...... You have to be here to see what I mean!!!!

Right here goes.-

TV EXT 2----Line 1{SONY}Line 3----VCR----Satellite----TV EXT1

My Sky box is only a really old Pace box long before the days of Sky+

You could try leaving your aerial connections as it was before getting the SONY .
Then from the aerial socket at the back of your main TV connect a spur "Y splitter" This shares the TV socket allowing the original aerial to still be connected and a seperate cable then can go down to the AERIAL IN of your SONY.
No need to connect anything out of the SONY as you do not need to LOOP THRU " aerial in and out of dvd" this way.
My Sony is fed this way because I used to have a Liteon 5045 and the loop thru really deteriorated my TV pcture and haven't bothered to change it.

Sorry I may not have understood your problems to well, my set up seems to be really basic and easy.

PC

With my HX900 (previous generation) I connect TV out of Digital cable (set to RGB) to Line 3 and Line 1 to IdTV Line 1 in.(all set for RGB). It happily passes all RGB signals from the Dcab box including aspect switching to the TV except whilst dubbing which is easily corrected by pressing the TV/DVD button. The VCR scarts on STB's usually only carry composite video.