Editing DVD-R/RW or DVD+R/RW

[bdt]

I have an RCA DRC8030N 'set top box' which can record to DVD discs or to an
internal HDD. I typically use it to time shift TV and record almost exclusively to
the HDD and delete the file once I've viewed it. It has very limited editing
capability and sometimes I want to split shows when I've recorded multiple
shows together or I have something that I might want to keep sans commercials
so I'm looking for a way to take one of these home recorded DVDs and edit it on
my PC for later viewing from any DVD player connected to a TV.

I normally record on DVD+RW, but I think that the unit will also record on
DVD-RW as well. I have tried to read one of these DVD+RWs on my PC, but the
disc doesn't even show up in the Windows Explorer. I am using Windows XP
Home and I'm not even sure what kind of video software came installed on my
1-1//2 year old Compaq PC.

So, can someone give me some instructions or point me to a good website or
even suggest appropriate software for the task at hand?

thanks in advance.

[Baldrick]

If you can't see any files you can't do much. Have you tried with different dvd+rw media? Does other dvd+rws work on your computer?

Some tools can edit directly from dvd recorders dvdrws like tmpgenc dvd author, most ulead video products.

[lordsmurf]

What version of Windows?

Do this:
http://digitalfaq.com/dvdguides/edit/dvdrecorder/recorderedit.htm

Edit:
http://digitalfaq.com/dvdguides/edit/editmpeg/removecommercials.htm

Author.
I use DVDWS2, SVCD2DVD, TDA and DVDSP.

[bdt]

Lordsmurf, Baldrick:

Thanks for the info. I'm using Win XP Home. These sites should get me started. Some of the referenced apps are way too expensive for the ocassional use I anticipate, but there is a lot of material to wade through, so I should get some ideas.

cheers, BDT