JVC DR-M100S Recording questions?

[Denvers Dawgs]

I have been PMing lordsmurf for the past week or so, and feel bad for doing it so many times so I'd rather try and get help for others instead of bugging him so much (feel free to post though LS....lol)

The damn manual for this recorder is confusing as all hell, I can usually decifer manuals to figure out what I want to do, but not this time.

1. I want to record 2-30min shows, and 2-one hour shows on one dvd in video-mode. How? Can I do this by using the vcr+ option and have all the shoes record onto the same disc?

2. what the hell is the fr185(example) #'s? is it the total running time for all shows to be recorded? Is this how I shold be recording instead of my #1?

3. When I chose to have the clock set to auto it's not correct? I just shut off the recorder and the auto time began, when finished it says the time is 5:54pm (eastern) It is only 2:40pm (eastern) Why won't it auto set? When I first manually set the recorder the shows all recorded a few minutes into the shows, even though I set the time to be 3mins fast. (Clock said 8 really was 7:57)

4. Finally, currently I have 3 shows to be recoreded. I used the vcr+ to set this up. I didn't choose the FR(#). Under program after each show it says SP. Will all the shows be recorder onto this same disc how I have it set up?

Hope I can get a few of these answered, thanks?

[rbatty11]

Not an expert, but I do own the M100S.

#1. Just throw a blank DVD-R in the JVC and select FR180 (or whichever is closest to 180 minutes or more--I forgot all the FR time options). Just don't finalize the disc until all 3 shows have been recorded. (I haven't used VCR+ in years).

#2. Yes, I believe the number that follows FR"xxx" refers to total recording time in minutes. There s/b various options for runtimes between 2-4hrs (LP mode enters at 4hrs).

#3. My auto feature for setting clock worked from initial plug-in. I'd say just manually go into menu/clock settings and set the correct time.

#4. If 3 shows you want to record do not exceed 120mins (2hrs), then SP mode will work. If more than 2hrs/120mins, FR mode option that closely matches total runtime of your 3 shows will have to be selected. The recording speed mode button on the remote is at the very bottom left. When you select FR mode, hit the the left/right arrow selection buttons on the remote to decrease/increase recording length, respectively. If the 3 shows total 4hrs+, then LP mode...

[spectroelectro]

The FR mode is a high-quality variable rate mode. It typically uses 352 x 480 to reduce the filesize and thus lengthen recording time without sacrificing quality. If you want to record > 2 hours on a DVD-R, use the FR setting but don't go beyond roughly FR 200. FR 240 = LP setting.

One tricky thing about the JVC is that even if you set the main recording mode to FR or SP, you must also set the recording mode when using the timer. It's entirely possible to set the machine to record manually at FR180 and yet have it record at SP (2 hour mode) when setting the timer. Remeber to check the mode when you set the timer.

My JVC never picked up the time from cable TV automatically so I always have to set it manually. Some cable systems work with JVC to set the time automatically, some don't. Manual time setting is under INITIAL SETUP.

[Denvers Dawgs]

Ok I just checked out what I want to record under the program check (program button) I have 3-1hour shows to be recorder, but the recording mode on all say SP (2hr?) Now would I go back and change each one to say FR65 (65/each or FR190 for all)? Or will they still be recorder fine under the SP?

I am not going to watch this dvd until all three are recorded then I'm goin to finalize.

[piano632]

No, not SP - that will only give you 2 hours total. You have to add up the total minutes for all the shows you want to record to the same disc and set them all to that time. If you want 3 hours on 1 DVD, then set all recordings for that disc to FR180. Actually the JVC machines tend to give you 5-10 min. extra time than you need, so you'd probably be safe to set it at FR170 or FR175. Keep in mind that the FR setting is the total running time for the whole disc, not each program.

[lordsmurf]

I use FR185 99% of the time.

[Denvers Dawgs]

So do i need to set each programs FR individually or just schedule the recordings and set the whole disc up for FR185?

[lordsmurf]

Each program is set up individually on timer. There is no way to do anything else.

[trhouse]

I would be careful about relying too much on VCR+ for accurate times. This past Sunday, I was asked to record the Academy Awards show. The guides I checked seemed to indicate it was three hours long but by the time the final credits were finished, it was 3 hours and 33 minutes long.

[piano632]

The Academy Awards is a live program and is notorious for running overtime, just like a live sports event. So you can never go by what the guide says.

[Denvers Dawgs]

Well, my first show seemed to have recorded fine, tonight I'll see if the other 2 record correctly. Luckily I am also, recording these shows with my tivo, just incase I did not program it correctly....