Transfer recorded programs from DVD-RAM to DVD-R for archive

[Chris B]

Hi to All

I am completely new to DVD and am looking at buying a Panasonic DMR-E50 to compliment / replace my ageing VHS recorder. I will also be purchasing a Panasonic LFM621 DVD-RAM drive for my PC (separate office, not part of the living room setup).

I wish to use DVD-RAM disks in the DMR-E50 for day to day recording of TV / Cable programs to watch once and delete or for timeshift viewing. I would like to also be able to record a program on the DMR-E50, edit out the commercials and then use the drive in the PC to make a permanent copy of the edited recording to DVD-R using the drive in the PC. This recording must be playable on the DMR-E50.

Could anybody here tell me the following:

If I record a program on DVD-RAM, can I edit out the commercials using the DMR-E50?

Can I use the drive in the PC to convert / copy the recorded, edited program from the DVD-RAM disk created in the DMR-E50 to a DVD-R that will play back on the DMR-E50?

If it is possible, will I need specific software to do this?

Many thanks for any help.

Chris

[elkfir]

This has been discussed a fair amount. Try searching on "DVD-RAM" using the forum search.

Short answer is "yes" to all of the above.

The following DVD authoring programs can import the VRO files that you've edited on your DMR-E50:

TMPGEnc DVD Author
Ulead DVD Movie Factory 2

TMPGenc Author probably works the best, but Movie Factory 2 works as well.

[elkfir]

Quick followup:
MovieFactory2 will probably create a separate title based on each edit point in your VRO file, this can be a pain. I think you might have better control over the imported video when using TMPGEnc DVD Author. Both programs have 30 day trial periods.