Sony RDR-HXD890. DVD+/- RWs : Format Failed.

[Mr Mooney]

Hi. I seem to have an issue with my DVD recorder and wondered if anyone could possibly help or has come across this issue before.

Basically I bought the HXD890 in February this year after the DVD drive packed up on my 2 year old Philips 3570h. Since day one Ive always used Verbatim DVD+RW and Tevion DVD-RW discs. About a week ago I go to do a HDD to DVD transfer and get the message : Cannot Format ("FAILED" appears on front display). This is using the same discs Ive always used, both +&- RW's. I open a new tub of the same RW discs, which results in the same "Cannot Format / FAILED" message.

What is strange is that it still records to (burn once) DVD-Rs without problem.

To try and solve the RW problem I did a Factory reset of the machine which did absolutely nothing to fix said RW problem.

Im really starting to lose faith in "todays manufacturing standards". Philips machines I had three in 3 yrs, two replaced under warranty. Put me off Philips for life. And now only 4 months since buying the Sony and already its acting up.


Any advice would be welcoming.

[usually_quiet]

Has the DVD drive been making an unusual moaning noise? That could indicate a dirty spindle that causes the disk to slip while spinning, making it harder to format. If that's not happening then check to see if there is a firmware update. The only other correctable thing that I can think of that might cause the problem you have is a dirty laser lens.

Other than that, the only explanation is the same one you came up with -- the build quality on some of today's models is just not as good as earlier DVD recorders. Based on some comments I have seen here at VideoHelp, Sony DVD recorders do not have a lot of fans among the membership of the site.

[Mr Mooney]

Thanks for your time.

Theres no unusual noises and unfortunately no FW updates either.

Went out and bought 3 different makes of branded DVD -RW discs today, all failed format.

Ive had it, machine is going back for replacement or repair...

[orsetto]

The current Sony x90 models are a variation on Pioneer dvd recorders: Sony and Pioneer collaborated on much of the engineering (or did, until Pioneer tanked a couple months ago). Similar Pioneer and Sony machines with HDD sold in Canada the last couple years have significant performance variations and different reliability rankings, with Pioneer taking a dramatic lead over Sony. The Pioneers use more sophisticated circuits and a better-grade burner, they are the "Audi" to Sonys "Volkswagen". If you return your Sony 890, see if you can find a good closeout price on one of the final Pioneer LX or 560 models with the tuner specification you need (DVB-T, etc).

[Jef Worldwide]

My Sony RDR-HX710 got the identical problem. I had been using Sony DVD-RW without any problems till it could no longer format any disk from the remainder of my last stack, nor any disk from a brandnew stack of Emtec DVD-RW. It still formats and writes DVD-R without a glitch.
Upon inserting a DVD-RW, the recorder mentions this sequence of messages on the TV screen [here translated from the set-up language]|on its own display [invariably in English]:
1. Loading. Please wait...|LOAD 2. Formatting. Please wait...|FORMAT 3. The disk is dirty.|extremely briefly C 1300 and then DISC ERROR 4. This disk cannot be played|DISC ERROR 5. Cannot format.|FORMAT FAIL
Of course, none of the disks were dirty: all fresh from the spindle. Using a cleaning disk (that simply brushes the laser lens) did not help, neither did a cold reboot (unplug/plug-in the AC mains). The error occurs regardless whether Set-up Option 'DVD-RW formatting' is set to create a VR mode disk or a Video mode disk. My recorder is several years old and out of warranty... HELP!