DATA RECOVERY

Not sure if I have chosen the right forum yet, but here goes.

I have the HDD from my SONY RDR-HXD710 which has been scrapped.

I want to access the 80 GB of recorded TV programmes on the HDD, preferably in a format that could be used on my new Panasonic DVD Recorder.

I found a firm willing and able to recover the files and write them to a separate hard disk drive - Apex Technology Limited.
Seems OK BUT the cost of £400 + VAT = £480 is on the high side for a pensioner's budget.

Any ideas on a cheaper reliable alternative?

What is the ACTUAL make and model of the drive?

If you can provide that, the interface can be identified. You can then get a caddy to hold it or an interface device to allow you to read the drive from your PC. Might cost you £20 which is a lot less than £480.

Then someone may be able to suggest some video reformatting software which will convert the files - if required.

It's not obvious from what you say, has the hard drive failed in some way? If it's very easy to connect the drive to your new computer by USB using any one of several options. An external HDD enclosure is probably easiest and will cost just a few pounds.

p.s. what part of the country are you in?

Edited by longedge (Sun 26-Apr-15 11:36:19)

Not as easy as it sounds, the files may be written in a format that cannot be decoded.

In reply to a post by MHC:

What is the ACTUAL make and model of the drive?

If you can provide that, the interface can be identified. You can then get a caddy to hold it or an interface device to allow you to read the drive from your PC. Might cost you £20 which is a lot less than £480.

Then someone may be able to suggest some video reformatting software which will convert the files - if required.

Here are the marked details.

HDD MAKE/MODEL IS

WESTERN DIGITAL
WD1600
WD Caviar SE
Enhanced IDE Hard Drive
Drive Parameters: LBA 31258 1808 160.0 GB
WD P/N: WD 1600JB - 98GVCO

S/N: WCAL98163465
MDL :WD1600JB-98GVCO
DATE: 26 JAN 2006
DCM :HSBHCTJAA

In reply to a post by longedge:

It's not obvious from what you say, has the hard drive failed in some way? If it's very easy to connect the drive to your new computer by USB using any one of several options. An external HDD enclosure is probably easiest and will cost just a few pounds.

p.s. what part of the country are you in?

No failure of HD - the fault was the DVD transport mechanism.
The repairer could not get [ or could not be bothered to get ] replacement parts so scrapped the whole DVD recorder. Fortunately still under JLewis warranty.

The HD has been installed in a caddy but connecting to Mac [mine] or PC[another repairer] does not reveal any readable files.
Presumably SONY proprietary format.

Location NW England / Manchester.

In reply to a post by Brunel:

Not as easy as it sounds, the files may be written in a format that cannot be decoded.
[/quote

Agreed - that is the crux of the problem.

What does the drive say in terms of actual capacity and free capacity?

Have you tried looking for "hidden files"

Even if you do locate them, you might have a problem decoding them. Samsung, for example, encode the files using a key based on the TV's mother board so they can only be replayed on that TV - and if the board is changed, the files cannot be decoded. Sony, given their history of DRM, may do something similar.

In reply to a post by DIOGENES:

Presumably SONY proprietary format.

From this post it seems likely to be formatted as UDF, all you have to do is find something that can read it- I couldn't (with a quick search), maybe someone else can?

http://www.isobuster.com/udf-reader.php

https://www.roxio.com/enu/support/udf/software_updat...

etc

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

http://www.isobuster.com/udf-reader.php

I should have qualified my comment- "that was free"

https://www.roxio.com/enu/support/udf/software_updat...

Missed that one

OOps - I've got a Sony HDD/DVD recorder myself which makes the fact that I just assumed it was a laptop or PC that was the subject of your post even more embarrassing for me. Sorry I can't add anything useful.

Think you may be on a hiding to nothing to find suitable software to decode the files.
Surely the easiest way is to buy another working SONY RDR-HXD710 on eBay, swap the drive out and record to DVD. Seem to be around £75 for a working model.
Once you've backed up to DVD to use on your new Panasonic, you can resell the Sony for a similar amount, less fees of course. Only other cost is 20 odd DVDs, which are as cheap as chips nowadays.
Probably the easiest, cheapest and least stressful solution to your problem.

In reply to a post by rogerfp:

Think you may be on a hiding to nothing to find suitable software to decode the files.
Surely the easiest way is to buy another working SONY RDR-HXD710 on eBay, swap the drive out and record to DVD. Seem to be around £75 for a working model.
Once you've backed up to DVD to use on your new Panasonic, you can resell the Sony for a similar amount, less fees of course. Only other cost is 20 odd DVDs, which are as cheap as chips nowadays.
Probably the easiest, cheapest and least stressful solution to your problem.

THAT IS JUST BRILLIANT!
Why did I not think of that?
My brain must have gone into neutral - age related decay?
MANY THANKS.

You are most welcome.
Sometimes I think we all try to overthink things. I know I've done it many times.
Then suddenly there is that "lightbulb" moment and everything becomes clear.
Nothing to do with age, I assure you.