DVD minidiscs not being read

C

copernicus

New Member
Hope someone can help me here. I recorded an event at work using the work supplied Sony minidisc camcorder. Because the event went on for about 2 hours, I used 4 different minidiscs of 30 mins recording times. The problem I have is that none of the discs will play back, not even in the camcorder. I know that there is data on the discs as they are full and as I was recording i could see the timer counting down. I have been on a Sony site and apparently when you fill a disc with data you have to finalise it before you remove it from the camcorder, which not knowing I had to, I did not.
Is there anyway of recovering these discs or finalising them. I have tried imageburn and a couple of other programmes but the problem I have is that no PC will read the discs and insist that they are blank.
Not knowing which forum to put this on I have also added it to the Camera forum as well.
Thanks for any help
 
Can you put the disks back in the camcorder and finalize? This is different to trying to play. Check the menus or manual. Model number?

I'm not familiar with the camcorder but it may allow multisessions and you finalize when you are done (separate task).

Edit: I downloaded a Sony manual (model selected at random) which just said put the disk back in, select P-Menu, Finalize. It could be different in your camcorder.
 
Last edited:
Of the 4 discs I have 2 can be played in the camcorder the other two won't read although they are full of data. Of the two that can be played both have been finalised but will still not play in anything other than the camcorder.
 
If these were regular dvds I would suggest try using another dvd writer. Sometimes the lasers go off and cannot read the disks any more. Finding similar camera models you can try is an unlikely option. You could check to see if the laser is dirty, not very probable.

I could not find a manual for your model. The closest model number only has s-video output. If you output the 2 playable disks to a PC via s-video and record, you will lose quality. That is at least an option. You could try playing those disks on other PCs - any at home or work. You may find one that will read them. You can then transfer the files (eg burn to a standard dvd).

The 2 unfinalized disks you will have to find a camera or PC that will read them. There's no way round that. You could check to see what professional help is available in your area.

A long shot is to try dvd recovery programs like Isobuster. That is free but the pro version has far better data recovery ability and is payware. There are a number of other dvd data recovery apps, all payware. You could look for any that have demo versions that will show you what could be recovered. No guarantee of success. All these apps have to be able, as a minimum, to recognize that the mini-dvd is present.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top