Need to replace Sony DVO-1000MD with something cheaper

You have a specialized need, there are no "bargains" available that will replace the functionality of your Sony DVO: absolutely none. So-called "medical" recorders with device interfaces and automated finalizing are ultra-niche products with low sales volume and high markup: your Sony probably cost in excess of $1500 when new and is unlikely to be replaceable for less than that today. Coupled with the fact that DVD recorders in general, industrial or consumer, are deader than dead product lines nowadays means there's not even a choice of suppliers anymore: I think there's only one OEM mfr in North America that repackages standard recorders into an RS-232 chassis for medical, surveillance and pro users. Sony and Panasonic have either dropped this market entirely or are charging sky-high prices thru medical/industrial equipment vendors.

The symptom of rejecting all media is typical behavior of aging Sony recorder burners: the recorder itself is fine, just the burner module is worn out. It works in your PC because your PC burning software is "smarter" and can work around some media issues with dying burners. You cannot self-repair your Sony by installing any random generic PC burner. All DVD recorders from name brands like Sony, consumer or industrial, use proprietary custom burner models with embedded anti-piracy chips- the recorder will not recognize any other burner and will simply fail if you install one. Unfortunately Sony no longer stocks any spare burners or parts for recorders made prior to 2007, so repairs might be difficult. Try contacting the supplier who installed this sono system and see if they offer service or replacement options for the Sony DVO recorder, they may have a separate OEM relationship with Sony and access to parts normally considered unavailable. You will definitely need their help if the Sony is unrepairable: any replacement recorder would need to be custom programmed to work with the sono station in the way you are used to. Like it or not, medical equipment suppliers assume a medical office is making money hand over fist and can afford to write off hardware expenses: you are not going to make this problem go away cheaply unless the sono installer can repair the old recorder with a new burner (generally $250-300 for the part plus $100 labor charge).

The spec sheets on the DVO-1000MD indicate it officially uses DVD+RW only, which is why it apparently doesn't need to finalize. RW media does stress the laser more, so there's a small chance you could keep the recorder going by switching to JVC/TY Premium Silver Lacquer 8x DVD-R media: this specific DVD-R type is the one most recorder mfrs optimize their burners to use. (Assuming your particular DVO-1000MD will recognize -R media and provides you with a prompt to finalize it.) "Slower" -R media is only sold via online dealers like supermedia.com or rima.com, costing about $25-30 per 100 dvds incl. shipping to your office. The 16x blank media sold in stores and catalog websites is optimized for PC burning: used in standalone DVD recorders it behaves like a "poison pill", slowly destroying the burner. Since 2006 there has been a huge disconnect between DVD recorders and commonly available retail media; its like they're allergic to each other. Whether you repair the Sony or replace it, using the TY/JVC media to extend your recorder lifespan.[/quote]