DVD not recognized by burner (Sony DRU-500A)

[dphirschler]

I have a Sony DRU-500A DVD burner. When I recently went to copy a DVDR that was sent to me for copying (I don't know if it is a +R or -R), the comuter drive fails to recognize a DVD in the drive. My standalone Pioneer player will play it though. DVD Decrypter won't rip it because it does not see a disc in the drive.

My first thoughts were that it might be a DVD RAM, except my Pioneer player is pretty old (three years or so).

Anybody have any ideas? The disc is plain. I don't know how to identify it if the drive refuses to recognize it. Do you think the drive might recognize it if I change firmware versions? I've never done that because I never had a problem before. Perhaps it's time. Which firmware is recommended?


Darryl

[psx_pirate]

i had this problem with Go DISC dvd-r my sony dru 500a would burn to the disk no problem but it couldnt read the disk afterwards i just got drive is not accessible but they could be read in a pioneer 105 (they wouldnt play in any standalone that i tried either). It could therefor be the media you are trying to read i dont know what the media codes are for the go disks as i threw them in the trash when they didnt work ... i have had no problem reading any other brands of disks (including unbranded cheapo's) maybe you have some unbranded go disks hence why they cant be read by the sony drive .... if you have access to another dvd rom drive try reading the disk with it

[psx_pirate]

ps if you can find a way to read the disk download a copy of advd info and select the "pre-recorded imformation in lead in" option and hit read dvd struct button .... this will display the manufacture codes. then go to dvd media section of this site and do a search for that code

[dphirschler]

Thanks psx. I tried to rip it on my laptop dvdr drive and it also did not recognize a disc in the drive. This is so frustrating!

I am considering updating my firmware to the 2.0 version. Do you think I should?


Darryl

[psx_pirate]

i have upgraded to firmware 2.0f however i cant seem to tell the difference from the 1.0g that i was using before i upgraded (i think it only adds support for more types of media) and i still cant burn riteks at 4x (only 2x). it a matter of personal preference there are many people on this site that have upgraded and many who havent so its really your choice.

[handyguy]

Those 500s don't read cheapo media unless you get a right proper firmware.

[dphirschler]

Hi guys. I upgraded the firmware and it read the disc just fine. Everything else seems fine too. Sorry for the late reply.


Darryl