Panasonic DMR-E30 Users

[ejai]

I recently purchased a Panasonic DMR-E30 and noticed something that bothered me about it. I was not able to create my own chapter points. I would prefer to create my own chapter points on my DVD-R disks. If there is a way, please let me know.

[bskousen]

I also own the unit and I don't think you can. It automatically creates chapter points when it is finalized. Yes, I think this is a weak point. I AM impressed with the quality of the disks though. In fact, EVERY disk I make has been readable in every DVD player I have tried, unlike ones I have authored on my computer with my Pioneer 104. If you find a work-around, please post it!

[ejai]

Thanks for the reply bskousen,

I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said about the recorder. I will post any info I find about manipulating the chapters. If you find anything please let me know. When you take into consideration the quality and ease of use, chapter creation is a very minor concern.

Thanks,
ej

[mcpix]

Unfortunately there is no way to create chapter points. You can create different "programs" that show up as titles on the main menu. The way you do this is to start and stop at each point you want a new program.

For example: You have a tape that has a B-Day party, a B-Ball game, and a Horse Race. If you have a VCR with a timer, time each segment exactly. Start recording the B-Day party. When it ends (or a few seconds before) press stop (on the DMR-E30). Now cue up the B-Ball game on the tape. Start recording again and press stop when it is over. Finally do the same with the horse race. Now you can go in and edit the titles of each "program". This will give you a DVD-R with 3 titles you can access from the main menu. Depending upon how long each program is, the DMR-E30 will place a chapter point every 5 minutes within each segment. It's not the easiest thing to do, but it works.

-Max

[thxkid]

Or you can if you got the extra bucks I have the E-10 ($399) and the E-20($499) and I use Ram discs at the 1 hr mode and edit my disc down to perfect - in and out points, delete scenes, rearange those scenes then copy the Edited Ram over to a DVD-R, if you use the 1hr. mode you see no difference in your finished product.
or sometimes I just dump what I want to do on my computer, do it all there in avi, encode to 9000 bitrate MPEG2 at DVD resolution and use my MPEG2 decoder card to dump back to the E20, now I only use this if I plan to use Uleads Media Studio pro 6 with hollywoodfx transitions to make a very professional looking video, other than that just use the 2 DMR's for simple editing. when the prices drop to $200 or less for a DVD Burner I will get one, just to fill in the gaps the DMR's can't handle, but there is no way I would ever replace a stand alone DVD recorder with a burner, the ease alone beats the burners hands down.

[ejai]

Thanks for responding,

I have one one question, how can I make a dvd-ram that I can edit on my computer. I own a Pioneer A03 but it doesn't read DVD-ram disks, so I am unable to transfer the files to my computer for editing.

If you have a work around please let me know.

Thanks in advance
ej

[SyN]

Ejai,
if the DVD-RAM carts you have are of the removable type the cheapest option would be to get a DVD-ROM unit that can read RAM.
From memory the Pana SR-8588, LG's new x16 speed one (It's a Hitachi drive) and the new Toshiba. If they mention Multi-read somewhere in the drive blurb, this is the DVD-Forum standard for reading DVD-R/RW/RAM apart from all the usual stuff.

Once you can transfer the .VRO files to your HDD you are left the problem of conversion, since atm to best of my knowledge there is no software that allows direct editing and reauthoring of VRO format to VOB DVD-Video format. What most people do is rename .VRO to .VOB , stick it in flaskmepg (www.flaskmpeg.net) and convert to an AVI to edit and reauthor. There are a few other methods using vobtool and vobrator to split the file out into a video and audio file, but have never tried it myself.

Theres a fair bit of conversion stuff over on www.avsforum.com which is full of people who have too much money to spend on video equipment

[rinkel]

For transfer from e20/e30 to pc see my posting (i have been doing this for several months now, without capturing):
http://www.vcdhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=117466

The problem with RAM is that every movie you recorded will be marked as a chapter, not as a movie.


Rinkel

[SergeantD]

the ease alone beats the burners hands down.

The ease of what beats the burner? I have both and use the burner 20x more than the standalone. If you are into copying VHS or TV shows then yes the standalone is better. But if you want to reproduce a DVD than the burner is by FAR better.

[ejai]

I have to agree with Thxkid,

I have both as well but love the ease of use the standalone offers. How many people actually study the menus on a DVD? Most people I know want to get the start of the movie (myself included) as soon as possible.

I sometimes use the burner for video I need to edit, but for basic capture from a video tape, satelite and cable nothing beats the simpilicity of the DVD standalone.

I love the quality and less hassle that I can get from the standalone. I remember borrowing a video from a friend and using my burner in my computer to create the disk, I let it render overnight just to find the next morning a frozen screen and error message.


I borrowed it again and in 2 hours using my standalone I had the video recorded to disk with labels and case. I love my burner but I'm spoiled by the standalone.


Ej