I cannot format either dvd-r or rws with this machine.

You don't format CD-RWs or DVD-RWs. Just burn data to them.

It sounds like you need to clean u'r lens in the DVD player. You can buy discs that will do that for you. Hope this helps

Either a DVD with the wrong region code has been loaded, and your player doesn't recognise it, or you have inserted a disc which is either rewritable (or an incompatible format for your player), a blank DVD or CD, or the disc has not been finalised in a DVD recorder. It depends on the disc(s) you have, whether they are region coded or those using a compatible playback format (finalised DVD-Rs are the best as far as burned copies go).

Examples of incompatible formats for your player may include;
DVD-ROMs
DVD-RAMs (which are the wrong version/speed for your unit)
Mini-DVDs/CDs
CD-RWs
DVDs with a different region code to your player or rewritable discs

* When using shop-bought DVDs, including those purchased online, make sure their region code matches your player.

According to page 30 of the operation manual, the following information may help;

DISCS THAT CAN BE USED IN THIS RECORDER:

4x-speed or slower DVD+RWs
2x-speed or slower DVD-RWs (version 1.1, 1.1 with CPRM) (Content Protection for Recordable Media)
4x-speed or slower DVD-RWs (version 1.2, 1.2 with CPRM)
16x-speed or slower DVD+Rs
16x-speed or slower DVD-Rs (version 2.0, 2.0 with CPRM, version 2.1, 2.1 with CPRM)
2.4x-speed DVD+R DL (dual layer) discs
(when using DVD+R DL discs, see the instructions supplied with them prior to use)
4x-speed or slower DVD-R DL (dual layer) discs

DISCS THAT CANNOT BE RECORDED ON:

DVD-RWs (version 1.0)
DVD+RWs that are not 2.4x-speed compatible
8 cm discs (mini-DVDs)
DVD-RAM (any speed/any version)
DVD-R DL (dual layer) discs in VR mode

A free pdf copy of the manual for this model can be downloaded online.

Hopefully that provides some insight to your question.

Hi,

Your DVD /VCR says unknown disc because the
dvd which you have inserted is not of the supported format by player.

If you insert unsupported formats only it will say as unknown disc.This is not related with disc cleaners.

Please insert the supported formats and it will play the disc.

Thanx

To resolve this issue, try one or all of the following:

• The Wave® music system is designed to play commercial CDs, CD-Rs, MP3-encoded CDS and CD-RWs. If your system has trouble playing MP3 CDs, make sure the discs were recorded with compatible formats. See Cannot play MP3 CDs



• The system may not be able to play certain CD-RW discs. Playability is dependant on how the disc was recorded, including the format it was recorded in and the actual disc used for recording.
  Note: iTunes defaults to AAC as the encoding format. In order to use iTunes to make CDs that will play on the Wave® music system, you’ll need to change the format to MP3 How to Choose Import Options



• Different brands of CD-Rs and CD-RWs use different materials which may affect the ability of a player to read them. If you are burning your own CD-Rs or CD-RWs, experiment with different brands of discs



• If a commercial disc won’t play, check for scratches, fingerprints or other physical damage. Try the CD in another player. If it still won’t play, there may be a problem with the disc



• Reset the system by disconnecting the power cord from the wall for one minute, then plug the system back in

This is Disc Access Error, Disk Access Error, Check disc error, Check disk, C error unreadable, disc error code 13, disk error code c1302, c:13:O2 DISC ERROR, Disc Error C:13:02 message Sony mini dvd finalize error code C1302 DVD not finalised, Rec Disabled Record Disable after dropping the camera, DVD not finalized, DVD Disc not finalized, DVD Disk not finalized, DVD Disc not finalised, DVD Disk not finalised, Disc won't finalize, Disk won't finalise DVD Disc Error, DVD Disk Error, DVD Disc Format Error, DVD Disk Format Error, Rec. Disable, not correct disk, the disk in drive is not formatted do you want to format it now.

Not all media discs are playable in all machines.Not all formats are supported in all machines.Coppied and Bootleg discs will not play on expensive players.Dirty,figerprints,badly scratched,all will have problems.Use a disc cleaner (liquid,and fine cloth) to remove scratches.Buy a $ 25-35 cheap player they play anything.Good Luck.

CDs and DVDs don't need to be formatted, unless you're using a DVDRW (Rewritable) and want to erase what's on it. Regular CDs and DVDs are single-write onl, and don't need to be formatted before burning.

I guess the DVD player that you are using is incompatible of playing DVD -R
Please check if it can.
:)