Timer recordings vs manual recordings in Fr mode for E-80

[tider]

I read on another forum that you have to do a manual recording in fr mode instead of timer mode to be able to trick the machine.

I.E. - - 3 one hour episodes to 1 dvd, set fr to 2:15 for each episode and do a HS dub to dvd once commercials are edited out.

Can anyone comfirm this? The other forum said if you burn an episode in fr mode using the timer recording it sets it to fill up the disc with that one recording.

The reason I ask is I recorded an episode using the timer function to utilize the fr method. Am I forced to burn one episode to a empty disc now?

Comments.

[erayboul]

I have the Panasonic DMR-HS2. I haven't tried it, but I would imagine if you are first recording to the hard drive in FR mode, it will try to use as much hard drive as it can, however, I would assume that the recording quality will never exceed XP mode. If you have plenty of room on the hard drive, record the episodes in XP mode, edit out the commercials, and then dub to the DVD-R in FR mode. It will attempt to use the entire disk. I've done timer recordings in all speeds/qualities. You only need to use FR mode when space is limited, such as on a DVD-R.

[shutterbug]

I think I understand your question and I'm pretty certain this is how it works...Yes, FR mode will attempt to fill a disc. When you record in FR mode, your E80 will choose a resolution and bit rate that will equal 4411MB's of programming based on the amount of time you set. This way, your FR recorded program would fill the entire blank DVD disc. If you set FR mode for 3 hrs, your deck will most likely record in LP resolution with a slightly higher than normal bit rate (for standard LP mode).

If you are recording 3, one-hour programs that have commercials, you're probably better off using SP mode. You'll get about 42 mins of programming and can delete 18 mins of commercials--and you don't have to stand by to stop recording. Then burn all 3 episodes (126 mins) in HS mode to a dvd.

If you record a 1 hr program in an FR mode of 2:15, you're losing Half the picture resolution you could achieve.

[tider]

One last question on this matter.

I moved two survivor episodes and a 7 minute interview with Rudy over to the dubbing screen. It told me that it was taking up 3730 MB of space.
I am planning on trying to put one more episode on this dvd. If it tells me it's going to take over the 4411MB of space, should I not record the last episode to the disc and put some fluff to get the total near 4411 MB.

I didn't think of looking how many MB the episode took up, so I'm not sure if the 3rd one will fit or not.

It gave me the option to high speed dub, so I guess I'm doing it correctly.

[FulciLives]

Editing on the HDD of the Panasonic DVD stand alone recorders (such as the DMR-E80) can cause unexpected results.

In my opinion, as previously noted by erayboul, I would record to the HDD using XP mode then edit on the HDD then transfer to a DVD-R or DVD-RAM at FR mode.

If you like to put stuff on DVD-RAM for computer import but want to edit first then this method is the best method since the transfer from HDD to DVD-RAM will not suffer from any of the editing that you have done.

Of course this forces a re-encode but that is the method that "smooths" out any errors you would later yet from the editing.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[shutterbug]

Tider, when you get your next episode edited on your hard drive, pop a blank disc in and add the additional program as if you were going to burn it to dvd with the others. You don't have to start burning, but you can check the amount of space to see if you're over the 4411MB limit.

Another thing you can do. just put any blank or Ram disc in the deck and choose just one episode as if you were going to HS dub it to the disc. you can see how big the file size is and use that to estimate the amount of space each episode uses. If your recorder says 1 edited episode is 1000MB's in size, you know you can fit an average of 4 episodes per disc.

It's just my opinion, but I'd reccomend against re-encoding if possible. Can't say I've ever seen a digital image increase in quality when it's re-compressed. Plus, HS dub mode will never take more than 1 hr to burn an entire disc. Re-encode 4hrs of programs and it will take you four hours.

[tider]

I don't believe another full episode with commercials edited is going to fit.
I did some testing last night.

Should I go ahead and try to burn that disc at the 3730MB mark or should I just add some filler material so it will fill up the disc?