DVD Recorder problems (Pan E50)

[delbert]

Bought a Panasonic DMR E50 at the weekend, as I wanted a fairly cheap DVD recorder that uses DVD-R. All setup OK and recordede a couple of home movies from VHS to disc. Now these were 3 hour tapes, full to the brim so I set the unit to record in LP mode (the 4 hour setting).

When I went to play these on a normal DVD player (after finalising), they wouldn't read at all on my Alba player downstairs (which normally reads everything I put in it). So I tried my the Cyberhome player in my bedroom, and they played, but every few minutes the picture and sound would just freeze, although the counter on the player kept ticking away merrily. I had to skip to the next chapter to get it running again.

Any ideas why this might be? I'm using DVD-R's with the Ritek G04 dye, as I heard this was the most reliable. I have used these to make DVDs on my PC and they have always worked a treat. Have I got a duff recorder?

Delbert

[nwgarratt]

It probably the Ritek discs. They are the best for PC's The E50 seems to have different drives in some of them, some of them don't like Ritek discs. Also you will probably find Ritek G2 discs work better, rather than G4. I wouldn't bother with 4x media.

I use JVC DVD-R's and they work all the time. maxell discs are also fine. Stay away from Princo's.

By the way, you can use the flexible recording mode to put 3 hours on a disc. You don't have to use the default quality settings.

[delbert]

OK thanks nwgarratt - I'll look out for some different discs.

Delbert