Panasonic E-50 only records to 1x media?

[sadbugger]

Hello

I've been told by friends who own E-50s that they can only record on 1x discs.

If this is true can anyone suggest a way around it?

Thanks

[andyp1]

If you have a DVD recorder you are going to be recording in real time.
So it would be 1x. You can use discs rated higher ie 2.4x but you still would record in real time.

Its not like a DVD+/-R/RW drive on a PC

[handyguy]

Its a bonus since 1x media is so cheap now. I only use Accu media, works great, about $60/100. dvdrm does 2x though cause its needed for time slip,

[sadbugger]

Thanks for the replies. From what they tell me only 1x media works reliably on their E-50s and they have real problems with other speeds.

This is ok as long as they can still buy 1x discs but these are becoming harder to find and if what they say is true then their Panasonic machines will be useless if 1x discs are not available?

[Barnabas]

sadbugger,

The E-50 has poor firmware, which can't even be updated, so there is a limited number of disks out there that it can even see. As 1x disks have been out the longest, they are more likely to be in it's firmware. Recording in real-time has to be 1x any how.

[Synergy]

Thanks for the replies. From what they tell me only 1x media works reliably on their E-50s and they have real problems with other speeds.

This is simply not true at all. All 4X-8X DVD-R media are backward compatible with lower 1X record speed. It's true that the earlier firmwares of the DMR-E50 are quite picky with DVD-R media, especially cheap ones because Panasonic prefers their customers to use high quality discs, such as made by Panasonic, Taiyo Yuden, or Maxell. There are ways to circumvent this inconvenience, as discussed often by Panasonic users. One of them is to add a title name to the blank disc before actually recording anything on it. Another is to update the firmware at any Panasonic service center, which is usually done for any repair work.

[chas0039]

I agree totally with the last post; I ALWAYS add a title before I use any DVD-R. As well, my E-50 has worked well with Ritek G04s. They are plentiful and cheap at around 69 cents each. They also have the benefit of working at 4X in computer drives so if you stock up and later upgrade to faster equipment you won't be stuck at 1X.

[Capmaster]

My E50 loves these 1-4x discs from Optodisc:

http://www.meritline.com/optodisc-4x-dvd-r-dvdr-blank-media-disc-discs-bulk.html

However, the disc compatibility table clearly lists the LF-D311 burner as being compatible, but mine won't burn a single one.

[handyguy]

yes, meritline.com always keeps a list of what works with what writer/recorder. Also, this forum, left column, dvd writers, also should have an extensive list. right now beAll at meritline seem to be a nice idea, they are tested by the govt & do 1 to 4x, 15% off & free shipping. but OOS yesterday.

[Mechworker]

I've used nothing but 4x disks since I got my E50 in February.

It's been giving me next to no problems. One or two coasters, but that's about it.

I never enter a title on any of my disks.

I use Maxell -Rs almost exculively, although I've burned 4 Memorex disks successfully. So far, 1 Maxell Coaster, 3 Memorex coasters, and 1 Maxell that wouldn't finalize.

[Bob W]

Never had a problem or a coaster with my E50 and I use all kinds or media brands and speeds.

[spiderman2k1]

I have the Panasonic E80 my burner is not picky with any media.

[Alzarius]

Question: how does adding a title help with the burn?

I just bought an E80, and have been thinking about using my RitekG04 in it. However, I remember that when I use the G04 in my PC Burner (Liteon-411), they burn best at 4x instead of 1x. Since the E80 also burns at 1x, doesn't that mean the quality/reliability of the burn isn't as good? Or maybe it doesn't matter for standalone recorders.

I might buy some other cheaper 1x brands to test, but I actually prefer Ritek discs. Hope they're not "too good" for the E80.

[handyguy]

1x = real time, so no need to go faster than that because they record in real time. If you did it in 2x you would be going twice as fast as reality.

Those with a HD can do it faster, maybe up to 4x but thats off the hd, however, but since you recorded it to the HD first & then have to write to disk, it's a two step process & that's more time.

[chas0039]

Question: how does adding a title help with the burn?

.

This is purely anecdotal evidence and could well be a myth that is perpetuated without proof.....but, I have found a number of different media that were not recognized on the first try with my E-50, especially after I switched from a RAM disc. After going through the long drawn out process of getting the drive out of recovery mode I found that burning even a short title first semed to reset the type of media with the drive. I also found that this was a good way of testing new media as any type that would fail part way through the burn would many times not allow me to add a title at all. Saved me a lot of time and many times allowed me to burn to a disc that otherwise appeared unrecognizable.