C13 disc error

[TOC Reading]

I have always had problems with brand new TDK MD-RXG discs in the Sony MDS-JB920 deck. Often, if not always, the "C13 disc error" is displayed and the disc ejected. Re-inserting the disc SOMETIMES works, but with a recent pack of brand new discs it has not. Does anyone know a trick to overcome this? If not, I may have to abandon the MD-RXG discs and look for a blank disc that doesn't have this frustrating tendency.

[sfbp]

I just had a drive with the C13 error fixed. Usually (and it did in this case) it means the laser is on the way out. The previous owner reported differences between brands, though by the time I got there it barely read the TOC of a single disk.

Where are you located? You need some repair options, sounds like. RXG's have a clear window and you can see the surface even when the shutter is closed, correct? If I had playback problems (C13 means you cannot read the TOC) it often seemed to be with disks that had very light coloured plastic. Maybe when the laser is borderline, disk casings that don't allow stray light to get in will work better.

[TOC Reading]

You could be right about the laser being borderline, but the deck (which is 13 years old but has only had light use) has no other symptoms to suggest this. It plays and records all discs perfectly, and it reads all TOCs as long as there is a TOC to read - the problem is strictly getting it to give a 'blank disc' TOC to a virgin disc - once it has initially done that it will always read that disc subsequently with no problem.

Recently I found a trick which doesn't always work, but may increase the probability of C13 not appearing: before inserting the disc, press record (so the display shows AD-DA). Then insert the disc. I just tried this with a reluctant TDK MD-RXG and it failed on the first 2 attempts, but succeeded at the third!

[sfbp]

I think you're going to have to learn how to service it.

But ANY error increases the chance that the adjustment needs to be done. Once you're floating on the edge of the servo system(s)' tolerances, the likely wear will be increase.

Yes, those "see through" TDK's have caused me trouble sometimes. But never in the way you describe. There's a "stray light offset adjustment" probably relevant, FOR PORTABLES only. Not sure how the deck handles it.