Panasonic DMR-E55 and TDK 8x DVD-R

[Worfy]

Hi all, i was hoping you might be able to help.

I have a DMR-E55 and i have found that with some new TDK 8x DVD-R disks, there are a couple of problems. Firstly, i saw in the manual it says up to 4x disks, but i emailed panasonic and they told me disks up to 8x should work, as long as they are for dvd video boxes (which they are).

The problem is when i want to start recording on a blank 8x disk in XP quality mode, the disk will stop at around 23 seconds (with it still recording apparently, but the timer stops going up), and it either creates a new title after a few seconds, and carries on, or sometimes the recorder will turn off and make the disk unsuable. Also even if it does create a new title, i have lost a film when its done that as well (it wouldnt see the title after the recorder was turned off). This problem also occurs if i set the recorder on FR Mode on a blank disk, and set the time to under 2 hours.. i think its probably around 1 hour and a half it might go wrong (has the same problem). Obviously this isnt a nice prob if all i want to do is record a movie in FR mode for say an hour and 45 mins etc.

I have tried the same recording settings on a blank tdk 4x disk, and i have no problems at all.

Is there an official firmware update for my UK recorder which will fix this disk problem? Anyone know why the 8x are doing this.. id think they arent very different.

Also while i'm here.. A question about the new Panasonic recorders with hard disks - if on one of those i record something onto hard disk.. i could then copy it onto a dvd-r right? and would it just copy it as a title so i could then continue to record things onto that dvd-r until its full ??

Thanks for your help.

[TBoneit]

FWIW I had probelms with TDK 8X only DVDs in a 4 X writer too. I solved that by using discs that were 2/4/8 X for example. I ended up using them in the computer a lite-on and it didn't like them either, finally with a Pioneer 109 burner and then they more or less worked ok.

If yours are 8X only good luck I made mental note to steer clear of TDK unless they are MIJ. I think I toasted a laser in 4X burner with them too.

Good Luck

[Worfy]

So u think it could also damage my dvd set top recorder ?

Also what does MIJ mean?? and FWIW ? :S.

I would assume that the disks are any speed up to 8x.. because it looks like u cant get the 4x disks as easily now, if at all, i thought because they've just been replaced.

I emailed panasonic asking them about it, seems they said 8x disks should work, but i suppose the best thing to do would b to see if the TDK 4x disks are still availible - will have a look now, or i guess Panasonic disks are prob best! lol.

Thanks for your help, and just to confirm - u say uve tried the disks in a set top dvd recorder then, they didnt work, so u used them up in ur pc burner, right?

I might just use my 8x in my pc too. Thanks

[handyguy]

I found what disks work best with this link
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdrecorders

Just find your recorder & see what people use. Mine likes Accu disks.

[ofbarea]

Some problem could be fixed with a firmware upgrade:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=271274

[Worfy]

There is no page on the UK Panasonic website for firmware, and the only firmwares there are, are US or Japan which use NTSC, but here we record in PAL, so i'll wait and see what Panasonic say.. see if theres a uk firmware update. I'd only update the firmware if its for the uk!

[tony blaze]

I cant find 4X media anymore so i tried the 8X and the worked every time but they high speed dub in 4X speed only. I have a panny but they have compatibility issues if you record straight to a disk or if u use XP. If you have a hard drive , put the movie there first so it doesnt have to rencode and never change record settings from hard drive to dvd. Use only SP or FR. (no more than 2hr50min in that speed to keep SP resolution.

[Worfy]

What do u mean "they high speed dub in 4X speed only" ?

My recorder doesnt have a hard disk, it is straight onto the disk. I only have problems at the very start of the disk in XP and FR, after the first minute has cleared (In SP mode etc, one that works fine), it's fine in XP mode or FR (Under 2 hours) from then on.

I need to use XP so its not a solution to not use it. I guess i'll just have to waste the first minute of the disk then use it.. or find some other make of disks that work better. Panasonic's disks are actually 1-8 now, but seems they make them maybe i'll try those too.