using DVD-rw (1 Viewer)

Hi—and thanks for opportunity to post.

I have finally bought a DVD recorder (Panasonic---DMR-ES20) in an attempt to wean myself off of my VCR.

I have a question involving DVD –RW (this unit can use +R, DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-ram): I have set the unit up to tape 2 hours worth of news from mon-fri (10 hours per week) using SP mode on the disc (2 hours).

Now---for VHS, every two days I merely rewind the tape and the VCR tapes over the data.

For DVD-RW---what do I need to do—if anything?

Will the DVD recorder recognize that the disc is full and start over by itself OR do I need to do something to the disc ( a method which replaces rewinding a VHS tape?).

The owner’s manual talks about formatting (I formatted the disc prior to setting up my timer recording). It also talks about deleting “titles”.

So I am asking: Do I need to reformat this disc every time it gets full and/or just delete titles (I guess it has to be the most recent titles if more space is to be provided).

Thx for any help!


PS: Once finalized----to use on other recorders---can the disc be re-formatted to use again?

Either "Reformat" the disc or "Erase The Titles" on it so there will be room to record your next newscast.

I not sure on your second question but over at www.avsforum.com there are a lot of Panny owners who I'm sure can tell you everything that you ever wanted to know about your Panasonic Recorder & more

Hey Bill:

Thx for that reply.

To add to the question-----once you finalize a DVD-RW------can you than at a later date reformat and reuse?

Thx again

Bill: here's a couple of sites which have been a big help to me. I just got my first DVD Recorder a couple of weeks ago.

VideoHelp.com

and, DVDDemystified.com

BillCR,I don't know if you can Reformat after you Finalize a DVD-RW but ask over at AVS or give it a shot yourself.

Just don't record anything that you want to save incase it does reformat because you will loose whatever was recorded.

Mike, Yep those are good site's too I just prefer using AVS first.

You can always erase an RW, and reuse it for whatever. Even if it is finalized. If the DVD recorder refuses to do that for whatever (unlikely) reason, someone with a DVD burner can.

Before a disc is finalized, you can add more content. Once it is, you have to erase and start over.

If you ever need to start over, you can always read the files (they're called .VOB, "video object" I believe), extract the video from them, and then rewrite onto another disc, without any loss in quality. This is somewhat technical, though. (In theory, you can do the same thing with DVDs you buy, but since their content is encrypted, it is illegal.)

My Friends:

Appreciate the help----very, very informative---cleared a lot of questions!