Questions -----

I wanted to use the VR Mode on my Pioneer 7000 so I could get the benefits of variable rate recording with the dvd-rw disc. BUT, I can't "build" any menus in this mode - have to use Video Mode, thus losing the variable bit rate recording benefits, just to get a title menu.

I am recording 5 sections of video about 20 minutes long each, and need "title access" to each entry. I could do a master manually with a dvd-r, but the 30 second recording blocks become a real nuisance if you just want to watch the disc straight thru, and not access the titles via the menu. AND, I can't get the benefits of the variable bit recording if I could use a dvd-rw in VR Mode...

Do I need to get a recorder with a HardDrive, or just what is best for this situation. (Don't Want to go the PC Route)...Quality is a MUST, as I need to keep this recording as near the master as possible!

I would really like the benefits of the VBR Recording with dvd-rw - AND, the Thumbnails you could build for each title on the 7000 in VR Mode is great, but if I can't get them on a menu, it does me no good...!!!

***From what I read here:

the E-100 (not sure about the E-85 as info is just starting to leak out on this unit) offers a HS Playlist dubbing option which would allow you to avoid both the pause and the reencode.....***

Can I take like a Pansonic E-100 and -RAM, and record a master. Then, make up the menus and thumbnails for the 5 titles I need - Then rip it to the HD. If I THEN use High Speed Dub to go back to dvd-r, will the titles and tumbnails thus showup on the -R ??? Or do I need to do the editing on the HD ? I am trying to figure how to use the VR Mode for best quality, and access the editing features for title menus, and to produce a finished -R with 5 seperate titles, at the best quality I can get????

Any suggestions guys?

Thanks for your time!

Richard