Panasonic FR mode...

[MeekloBraca]

Is it normal to get better quality out of standard 4 hour mode than using the FR mode?

[lordsmurf]

Anything on a Panasonic longer than 2 hours pretty much sucks. Expect blocks and mosquito noise. On many of them, even 2-hour mode has a "splotchy" (posterizing) effect going on. The encoder inside is just crappy, not much to do except go 1-2 hours and deal with it, or just buy another recorder that can do 2-4 hours just fine (JVC, LiteOn, Pioneer, Toshiba, etc).

[MeekloBraca]

Well I have a JVC, and the 4 hour mode on it is very very very good, all depending on how good the tape its playing off. I had someone burn me a tape or two using his Panasonic FR mode and it was 2 hour 30 minute roughly and my god, my JVC's 8 hour mode is almost as good.

[ofbarea]

Just avoid using FR recordig. The predefined ones are better. 2 hours is great, 4 hours is bad, but better than FR (at least with my machine).

[handyguy]

For me it depends on what the source is. Sourcing from a dvd player in LP mode, that's 4 hours looks fine to me if you don't put your nose against the screen.

[a529612]

Should I use FR or LP if I want to record a 3 hour movie? Thanks!

[lacywest]

Should I use FR or LP if I want to record a 3 hour movie? Thanks!

Myself personally ... I would use Flex Record.

Does it have commercials .... pause them out ... most commercials last 3 minutes ... at least.

And choose a shorter length