Adding menu to unfinalised DVD-R on DVR-5100

[vb1966]

I've just bought a new Pioneer DVR-5100 and am very happy with it. It is very easy to introduce new chapters and perform other simple editing task and write everything on a DVD-R. The only thing missing is a chapters menu. When one finalises a disk, you can only insert a title menu, but not a chapters menu.

Did anybody figure out how one can finalise such a disk on a computer while at the same time inserting chapter menus?

What I am doing at the moment is that I am writing everything on a DVD-RW. Finalise the disk. Then import the titles on the computer using DVD-Author (including the chapters). Use DVD-Author to build the chapter menus and then write everything on a DVD-R disk.

Has anybody figured out a better way?

[hech54]

I have a Philips +R recorder. I use RW's then I use Ulead Movie Factory 2. It has an "Edit Disc" function that does all of the menu changes right on the disc.
But sometimes MF2 gets a little weird....so I use your method. MF2's "Edit Disc" function is, in my opinion, the ONLY thing good on MF2....but you can pick it up for about $5 on Ebay.
The complete name is Ulead Movie Factory 2 SE.

[vb1966]

Thanks for your advice. I tried to use the trial version (version 3). But the edit disk feature does not work with the unfinalised disk and when I finalise the disk, the video is actually copied to the hard disk first and I am not allowed to re-write to the disk. Maybe it is because my recorder is -RW and not +RW?

[rhegedus]

Thanks for your advice. I tried to use the trial version (version 3). But the edit disk feature does not work with the unfinalised disk and when I finalise the disk, the video is actually copied to the hard disk first and I am not allowed to re-write to the disk. Maybe it is because my recorder is -RW and not +RW?

Which hard disk is it copied to - PC? Just burn it again.

[hech54]

Thanks for your advice. I tried to use the trial version (version 3). But the edit disk feature does not work with the unfinalised disk and when I finalise the disk, the video is actually copied to the hard disk first and I am not allowed to re-write to the disk. Maybe it is because my recorder is -RW and not +RW?

My advise should have read "....for future reference" actually. From now on I personally would use an RW disc....then try something like MF2 or MF3. Sorry....I should have made that a bit more clear.
In either event....MF3 in my opinion is NOT worth the money and effort. Ulead has royally screwed up MF3. With "this" upgrade you get this but loose this.....with the next upgrade you loose that but get this...it is really DUMB.
For just the Edit Disc function....MF3 is not worth the money and headaches....and the rest of it's features are done just as easily with better cheaper software.
If you want to experiment with Movie Factory's Edit Disc possibilities....just get MF2 and NEVER update it... The updates for MF2 will leave you with no AC3 passthrough....meaning you will end up with very pretty discs with no audio. Just remember the "read time" from a DVDRW compared to data on your HD is horrendous....the reaction time is VERY slow. That is MF2's Edit Disc functions major downfall.