Panasonic DMR-E50 stopped recording/finalizing

[Jayworld]

I've had my Panasonic DMR-E50K since November 2005. Overall, it has worked flawlessly. I have used it predominately to get my VHS collection (hundreds of stuff I've taped over the years) onto DVD-R before the videotapes become unwatchable.

Last week, I inserted a Fuji DVD-R that I had previously recorded onto in the SP mode (I only use Fuji brand media and the SP mode), with 41 minutes remaining. Now, my recorder will no longer record. It starts recording for approximately 31 seconds, then a small DVD icon appears in the window (flashes twice), then the recording stops, and the "BYE" appears on the window readout, then the recorder has the "Error has occurred message onscreen." I press ENTER on the remote, then the recorder goes into recover mode, then everything comes back as per normal. Also, it will no longer finalize, either.

Last night, after having the recorder unplugged and unhooked for six days, on a whim I plugged everything back in, and it DID record and finish out the DVD-R, and it finalized it, too, but then went back to the Non-record situation after that. I tried four different brand-new Fuji DVD-R discs, and none of them worked.

Has anyone else had this problem? It is a bummer, as I only have about 10 VHS tapes left to go through to have everything on DVD-R.

Thanks,

[CrayonEater]

First of all, check your discs. Most recorders are somewhat picky about media. I'd stick with Verbatim or genuine Taiyo-Yuden for DVD work. Second, the E50's last firmware updates was almost two years ago, so it may not support many 16x discs. I know Taiyo-Yuden Premium 8x DVD-Rs, MID code TYG02, work flawlessly and TY is said to be the best media available (as opposed to Fuji, which is often Ritek or Ricohjpn). They are available from Rima.com. I have never had a failure to finalize and only had one coaster with the TYs out of about 150 recorded.

An alternative is to get a DVD-RAM-capable dvd drive and some DVD-RAM discs. Record on the RAM discs and import the VRO file from the recorded RAM disc into Nero or MPEG Video Wizard. You can then erase and reuse the RAM discs as much as you like. That's what I do now, and I use fewer discs because I edit out commercials, unwanted stuff, etc. DVD-RAM discs are written in the VR format so they don't have to be finalized.

[handyguy]

Yeah, I agree, try some other disks. I have pannys, I use Verbs with 100% success. Don't ever put disks back in that do that to your recorder if you can avoid it.