Pioneer DVR-520H Can't finalize.

[PuzZLeR]

I have a Pioneer DVR-520H. It recently stopped finalizing discs. I usually use DvD-RW to transfer content to my PC for editing anyway, and NeroVision extracts the files without finalizing, so that's not the problem.

But, more so than not, I can only fill 20-30% of the disc. The transfer, according to Nero and even IsoBuster gets corrupted. The portions that I do recover are fine, even though some are missing video at the end. Re-burn, re-burn, re-burn and I get my video. Editting does the rest.

Even though I do end up recovering all my video it's getting painful doing this almost file-by-file.

Repair places have been useless. They tried a firmware upgrade that (sort of) worked for a month or so, but again the same problem. Replacing the burner part is not an option since it would cost more than the unit itself.

Any advice from someone knowledgeable or someone who's solved this? Anything I can download and try?

Or should I just bite the bullet, accept its demise and get another one... this post is a last hope, just in case.

Thank you for reading.

[PuzZLeR]

Well, Lo and Behold! Problem solved.

Since nobody was able to help, I will update this thread for the sake of completion and in case someone else needs similar help and their search leads here.

I bought a disc cleaner from Maxell - a disc with a brush attached - and it solved the problem! Wow!

I always thought these things were bullspit, but not this one, and I will say a nice word for the company just for that. (I even called to thank them.) So it was just a dirty lens problem all along... sorry to trouble the forum with this, but hopefully it helps someone else.

Everything works fine now. Problem solved!

I also thank FulciLives for his post here, which has some valuable info on this subject.

[psymaster]

Well, Lo and Behold! Problem solved.

Since nobody was able to help, I will update this thread for the sake of completion and in case someone else needs similar help and their search leads here.

I bought a disc cleaner from Maxell - a disc with a brush attached - and it solved the problem! Wow!

I always thought these things were bullspit, but not this one, and I will say a nice word for the company just for that. (I even called to thank them.) So it was just a dirty lens problem all along... sorry to trouble the forum with this, but hopefully it helps someone else.

Everything works fine now. Problem solved!

I also thank FulciLives for his post here, which has some valuable info on this subject.

Sounds like you might want to find a DVR-107 just in case. The disc cleaner will work for awhile.

I have a line on some replacement drives. See this link, http://forum.videohelp.com/topic303341.html

NEW.

PsyMaster