Operation. Sony DRX-S70U-W

B Operation

Using the Drive

Use the supplied software to read and write to CDs and DVDs. Refer to the documentation of each software for details about their operation.

Supplied Software

The supplied software disc contains the following software.

Nero StartSmart Essentials

Nero StartSmart serves as the command center to quickly start all the software of the Nero suite.

Nero Express Essentials

Nero Express is a disc writing application that allows you to create CDs and

DVDs through a simple step-by-step process.

Nero Vision Essentials SE*

DVD-Video and video CD authoring software.

Nero ShowTime Essentials*

DVD-Video and video CD playback software.

Nero CoverDesigner Essentials

CD and DVD cover and label creation software.

Nero MediaHome Essentials

This software allows you to share video and audio files among several computers on a network connection and to play back such files seamlessly from any of the connected computers.

Nero Toolkit

The utilities of Nero Toolkit provide information about the system and more.

Nero DiscSpeed tests the speed of the existing drives. Nero DriveSpeed adjusts the write speed to minimize drive noise. Nero InfoTool provides the main characteristics of drives, the discs they contain, and the installed software.

* This software is a trial version with a 30-day usage restriction. You can lift this usage restriction by purchasing the additional DVD Video Multichannel Plug-in.

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Using Generic Software with the Drive

Using software other than the supplied software (such as generic software, shareware, or freeware) to write data to disc with this drive is not under warranty and Sony offers no customer service if problems arise from using such software.

Make sure that the supplied writing software and generic writing software do not coexist on your computer. Taking appropriate steps to avoid this situation, especially in the case of packet writing software

1)

or format utility

2)

will help prevent erratic operation of the software and/or computer.

If the generic software you are using does not detect the drive correctly, visit the Web site of the software manufacturer and update the software, as this may solve the problem.

1)

2)

Such as Roxio’s Drag-to-Disc, BHA’s B’s CLIP, and Sonic’s DLA.

Such as BHA’s DVD-RAM Driver and Panasonic’s DVD Form.

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Compatible Discs

The following discs are compatible with the drive.

DVD

Disc types Logo

DVD+R

Read Write

DVD+R DL (Double layer)

DVD+RW

DVD+RW (High Speed)

DVD-R

DVD-R DL (Dual Layer)

DVD-RW

1)

DVD-RAM

2) 3)

DVD-ROM —

DVD-Video —

1)

This drive is compatible with the DVD-RW disc displaying “

2)

This drive can read DVD-RAM discs displaying the “ operation is not supported.

” mark.

”mark. However, the write

3)

Use a non-cartridge-type disc or a cartridge from which the disc can be ejected.

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CD

Disc types

CD-R

CD-RW

CD-RW (High Speed)

CD-RW (Ultra Speed)

CD-ROM

CD-DA (audio only)

CD Extra

Video CD

CD TEXT

Photo CD

Logo Read Write

DVD

CD

Disc diameters

12 cm

8 cm

12 cm

8 cm

Read Write

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Notes

• Only round discs should be used with this drive. Attempting to read odd-shaped discs

(stars, hearts, card shape, etc.) may damage the drive.

• Operation is not guaranteed when writing to or playing back 99 minute discs.

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—

—

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Recommended Writable Discs

We recommend that you only use discs for which operation has been guaranteed. You can obtain the latest list of writable discs for which operation with this drive has been guaranteed at the user support Web site address (see

page 22 for details).

User support Web site

Insert the supplied software disc into the drive, and in the [Menu Selection] screen, click [User Support Web Page]. You can also directly type the user

support Web site address (see page 22 for details) in the address box of your

Web browser.

Note

You can safely use most disc formats that comply to the appropriate standards with this drive.

However, bear in mind that some generic discs do not comply to quality or performance standards necessary for safe use with this drive. If you use such discs, the drive may automatically adjust the writing speed, writing errors may occur, and discs that have been written to may generate reading errors, etc.

Writable CDs and compatibility

The drive can write to CD-R and CD-RW discs, when used with writing software.

To play back (read) these CD-R and CD-RW discs on other CD-ROM drives, make settings on the writing software according to the purpose of the data.

CD-R Discs

Data can be written to this type of disc only once, and once it has been written, it cannot be erased. Music CDs created on CD-R disc media can be played on standard CD players.

CD-RW Discs

Data can be written to and erased from this type of disc repeatedly. Typically, a new CD-RW disc can be rewritten about 1,000 times.

Music CDs created on CD-RW disc media cannot be played on a CD player unless it is designed to be CD-RW compatible.

High Speed CD-RW Discs

The drive can write to High Speed CD-RW disc media. Data written on High

Speed CD-RW discs can be read by standard CD-ROM drives.

Note

Drives that do not have the High Speed CD-RW logo cannot be used to write to High Speed

CD-RW discs. When writing or adding to such discs with a drive other than this one, make sure that the drive has the High Speed CD-RW logo. Also, always set the writing speed to that specified for the particular High Speed CD-RW disc media being used.

Ultra Speed CD-RW Discs

The drive can write to Ultra Speed CD-RW disc media. Data written on Ultra

Speed CD-RW discs can be read by standard CD-ROM drives.

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Note

Drives that do not have the Ultra Speed CD-RW logo cannot be used to write to Ultra Speed

CD-RW discs. When writing or adding to such discs with a drive other than this one, make sure that the drive has the Ultra Speed CD-RW logo. Also, always set the writing speed to that specified for the particular Ultra Speed CD-RW disc media being used.

Writing Speed

When writing to CD-R and CD-RW discs, set the writing speed to that specified on the disc. Change the writing speed on the writing software.

About playback/reading compatibility in CDs

CD-R and CD-RW discs created with the drive can be read on most CD-ROM drives. However, some older CD-ROM drives cannot read CD-RW discs.

In addition, CD-R music discs created and finalized with the drive can be played on most CD players, however, there are some CD players and automobile CD players that do not guarantee playback of CD-R discs.

Also, CD-R music discs created with the drive can be played back on many standard CD players. However, depending on the type of your player, playback of CD-R and CD-RW discs may not be supported.

Further, because of the differences in quality and characteristics between various CD-ROM drive, CD player, CD-R disc, and CD-RW disc manufacturers, playback may not be possible depending on the combination.

Writable DVDs and compatibility

The drive can write to DVD+R DL, DVD+R, DVD-R DL, and DVD-R discs, as well as to DVD+RW, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM discs, when used with writing software. The playback (read) compatibility of data written by this drive depends on the capabilities of the DVD-ROM drives or the DVD players and on the logical format selected when the disc is recorded (written).

DVD+R DL/DVD+R/DVD-R DL/DVD-R Discs

Data can be written to this type of disc only once. Once it has been written, it cannot be erased. Playback (read) compatibility of DVD+R and DVD-R discs depends on the capability of the DVD-ROM drive and the DVD player and on the logical format selected when it is recorded (written).

DVD+RW and DVD-RW Discs

Data can be repeatedly written to or erased from this type of disc. Typically, a new DVD+RW or DVD-RW disc can be rewritten about 1,000 times.

Playback (read) compatibility of DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs depends on the capability of the DVD-ROM drive and the DVD player and on the logical format selected when it is recorded (written).

DVD-RAM Discs

Data can be repeatedly written to or erased from this type of disc. Typically, a new DVD-RAM disc can be rewritten about 100,000 times. To play back (or read the data on) a DVD-RAM disc, a DVD-ROM drive or DVD player that supports DVD-RAM discs is required.

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About playback/reading compatibility in DVDs

DVD+R DL/DVD+R/DVD-R DL/DVD-R discs, as well as DVD+RW and

DVD-RW discs created and finalized with the drive can be played back on almost all DVD-ROM drives. However depending on the type of your drive, playback of DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, and DVD-RW discs may not be supported.

In addition, some drives do not support multi-session (DVD+R DL/DVD+R/

DVD+RW) or multi-border (DVD-R DL/DVD-R/DVD-RW). In these cases, you can only play back the disc in single-session (DVD+R DL/DVD+R/

DVD+RW) or single-border (DVD-R DL/DVD-R/DVD-RW).

Also, DVD-Video discs created with the drive can be played back on many standard DVD players. However depending on the type of your player, playback of DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs may not be supported.

Playback of DVD-RAM discs is only supported for DVD-RAM compatible

DVD drives and DVD players.

Further, because of the differences in quality and characteristics between various DVD-ROM drive, DVD player, DVD+R DL disc, DVD+R disc,

DVD+RW disc, DVD-R DL disc, DVD-R disc, DVD-RW disc and DVD-

RAM disc manufacturers, playback may not be possible depending on the combination. (Playback compatibility is not under warranty.)

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Precautions on Writing/Playing Discs

Write speed and compatible discs

• When writing data to disc at high speeds, you must use the appropriate type of disc.

• Configure the writing speed through your writing software. For details about the setting procedures, refer to your writing software documentation.

• When writing data to disc, the drive may adjust the writing speed to the quality of the disc in the drive. Depending on the transfer rate, there may also be limitations on writing speeds.

DVD region codes

The playback of DVD-Video (DVD discs) is protected and controlled by a region code setting. For the drive to play back DVD-Video, the region code on the DVD disc, the region code of the drive, and the region code of the

DVD-Video software must all match.

With this drive, the region code can be set up to five times, including the initial assignment (RPC phase 2

1)

standard). After setting the region code five times, the setting becomes permanent and can no longer be changed. From this point on, you are only able to play back DVD-Video whose region code matches the one set the fifth time.

Do not attempt to make unauthorized changes to the region code. Any problems resulting from doing so are not covered by the warranty.

Hint

You can change the region code of the drive on it’s properties dialog box accessible from the

Device Manager.

Precautions when playing back DVD-Video

DVD-Video disc playback conditions are sometimes determined by software manufacturers. Because the drive plays back discs as determined by software manufacturers, some drive functions may not always perform as expected.

When playing back DVD-Video, refer to the documentation accompanying each disc.

DVD copy protection technology

Most DVD-Video discs on the market are protected against unauthorized copy. Attempting to copy protected discs violates copyright laws.

1)

Region Playback Control (RPC) standard.

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Copy controlled CDs

This product is designed to play back discs conforming to the compact disc

(CD) standard. Audio CDs encoded with copyright protection technology are now marketed by various record companies. Be aware that some of these discs do not conform to the CD standard and you may not be able to play them back with the drive. When using the drive as an audio CD player, only use audio

CDs with the following mark. Some of these discs are encoded in such a way as to prevent sampling and/or copy, while others can only be played back under certain conditions. For details, refer to the documentation of your audio

CD.

Attention Regarding DualDisc Software

A DualDisc is a two sided disc product which mates DVD recorded material on one side with digital audio material on the other side.

However, since the audio material side does not conform to the Compact Disc

(CD) standard, playback on this product is not guaranteed.

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Maximizing Performance

Reaching the Highest Possible Data Transfer Rate

Make sure that you use High Speed discs for which this operation has been certified by Sony. For the latest information about these discs, visit the user support Web site. When using discs other than those mentioned above, the drive may limit writing speed to preserve a good reading quality.

Updating the Firmware

We recommend using the drive with the latest firmware as some problems encountered when using the drive can be solved simply by updating the drive

firmware. Firmware updates are available on the user support Web site. see page 22 for details.

Hint

The firmware is the built-in software that makes the drive work.

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