Hi,

Getting increasingly frustrated by my Panasonic DMR-ES10.

I have had problems getting discs to be read by my PC (I convert the DVD-R discs from the Panny's finalised format via my PC and DVD Shrink into Region 0 discs to avoid compatability problems) - but have had several discs which cannot be read or contain CRC errors somewhere.

So, I'm considering the GX-210 and wanting users' views.

I have "rented" one off Argos today (on the 16-day period) and found setting up VERY fiddly (initially couldn't find the 'setup' button on the remote - it's behind a sliding panel at the bottom of the remote which ISN'T MENTIONED in the manual - or at least I couldn't find it). Had to phone SONY CS to be told about the flap ("Lots of people don't know about it" he said!!)

The Setup screen is grey (with a very snowy background) and so difficult to see clearly, however impressed by the clarity of the recordings so far.

Thoughts people?

PS I heard that it is a badged LG - is this true?

Zaph

Hi Zaph
I have one and yes, I would, but it hasnt got RGB loop through and flexy record as the Panny DMR-ES10 has so I bought one of those too.

I use the Sony in the kitchen for temp. recordings off a Fusion 200, and the Panny for perminant recordings off another 200, in the living room, which I have "edited" on the 200, using flexy record all the time.

No problems with DVDs from the Panny on a PC but I use Nero to edit and transfer to DVD-R/+R (even with RAM discs).
And RGB does make a difference to the picture quality. Saying that I use component cable from the Panny, I got it because the flexy record is so good.

Only used DVD Shrink with commercial discs.

Martin

Hi Martin,

Presumably you finalise the discs in the Panny before copying them via Nero on your PC?

I've tried reading DVD-RAM discs on my pc but with no success - even though the drive accepts -RAM discs (it's an LG). I edited out the ad breaks then popped it in the PC but no joy - the PC kept insisting that the drive didn't have a disk in it Anything that I should have done?

P.S. it was a Panasonic DVD-RAM disc that I used

Z

Hi Zaph,
You cant finalize a RAM disc it does not require it, just record-stop-eject then put in PC and open the disc, drag and drop the VRO file to the desktop then place it where you want. Then change the VRO extension to MPG it will then play in your normal player or Nero will "see" it.

But your PC cant see the disc, try a new disc ie. not used befor, or format the old one in the Panny, you normaly dont have to do this with RAM discs because they dont require it.

I tried to errase a RAM disc (recorded on the Panny) on my PC it caused untold problems, locked disc drive etc. eventualy it locked the whole PC = reboot.
Formating disc on the Panny fixed it.

I only use Panasonic RAM disc because sofar I've had no problems with them (so now sods law will come into play)

I use LG drives and I have updated the firmware, if all else fails try this.
Hope this is of some use

Martin

Hi Martin,

I knew that you coundn't finalise the RAM disc but didn't know how to open the disc in Nero.
The disc WAS a brand new (and un-used) Panasonic RAM disc. The DMR-ES10 recorded it without any problems so I don't think the disc is the problem. I've just bought a second LG DVD writer (for another PC) so I'll try reading it in that one to see if it is the old drive.

Either that or I've done something dumb

Thanks for the info tho'. Will report back in due course!

Zaph

Hi Zaph

Just found this info on another forum


"i use nero, if you want to get the movies or programmes off the ram disc, open up nerovision, click on make DVD video and then you will get another screen.

After you have done that click on import disc and it will show all of your programmes on the disc, then you can select what you want to import and save.

Once you have selected them and press ok it will import them and show up the the screen ready to make your dvd movie. If your click save the project, it will save your imported video files in the nerovision folder in my documents and you can also use them in another movie making software application or you can of course carry on using nerovision to make and edit the movie and burn to disc."


I havnt tried it this way but I will give it a go when I get 5/10 minutes to spare.
But it doesnt solve your problem of not seeing the disc.

Martin

P.S. maybe Nero will "see" it this way

[quote] "popped it in the PC but no joy - the PC kept insisting that the drive didn't have a disk in it"

Can it see other types of discs or is it only RAM discs it cant see
Last edited by MARTIN WEDGE : 31-07-2006 at 12:43

I have just tried it this way and it works a treat, it saves the file ( where you specify) as an MPG.

Martin

Cheers Martin.

Will try this myself too in a bit (going away next week with the family - Whoo!) and see how I get on.

I don't know about you, but the whole DVD-recording business seems riddled with problems. Umpteen formats, incompatability between manufacturers (my Panny records and plays back anything but discs that the Panny has recorded - and finalized - will only play back on other Panasonic equipment. My Sony doesn't want to know and neither does my Dell laptop!) etc, etc.

At least VHS recorded on one manufacturer's machine played back on another !

Zaph

Hi Zaph

I cant understand why you are having the problems you are.

I have done some tests on both machines, Sony and Panny,
Having read your other thread, I recorded 2 hours on standatd play on the Sony and yes it did mess up, it locked the recorder and had to unplug to get it going again, put the same disc into the Panny, it said the disk was no good, this disc was a VERY cheap one off the local market.
I then did the same test with a quality disc and I had no problems.
All the discs I record ie. -r,+r,-rw,+rw, if finalized will play on all my machines, pc,Sony, Panny,cheap DVD player,portable player,and laptop,but this is an old laptop with only a DVD ROM drive and it wont read RW discs.
The Panny wont record +rw soI cant test this out. So my findings are dont use the realy cheap discs but others I have got at a cheaper price are ok.
I have bought a lot of discs from http://www.247discs.com and no problems at all with the discs.
I am going away myself tonight for a few weeks, when I get home I will do a bit more testing and see what comes up.
Have a good one.

Martin

P.S. just a thought, I seem to recall reading something about not recording right up to the edge of a DVD because the recording layer could be a bit iffy there,perhaps very cheap discs are more iffy. The Panny wont let you record to the edge(2 hours only) but the Sony will fill the disc (2hours 7mins)
Last edited by MARTIN WEDGE : 08-08-2006 at 19:43

Hi Martin,
Yes I'm puzzled too. Have tried an unbranded white label -R (x4), Philips -R (x8) and Sony -R (x8) and all won't play on my Sony DVD player (DVP-NS700) after finalizing, nor on my laptop DVD drive (an LG) , but they will on my desktop DVD drive (also an LG)! I usually fill a DVD -r disc (3 x episodes of 24, BSG or Lost) and usually the Panny is OK but occasionally either the disc won't finalize or if it does the third prog appears in the menu but won't play.

The Sony GX-210 appeared to record OK until it got to 2hrs, then stopped (and as far as I can remember as this is 2 weeks ago) and locked up. Upon re-inserting the disc, it wouldn't see it (or something like this) and wouldn't play.

I wonder how these companies have managed to "hoodwink" us into buying these products which (to my way of thinking) are "quirky" to say the least. I'm sure that we wouldn't have bought a product knowing that if we recorded a full disc it would effectively "wipe" our recording?
Its the same as if a VHS machine when getting to the end of its tape didn't simply stop recording but scrunched the tape up so it couldn't be viewed. Why do we put up with DVD recorders effectively doing this [/rant]

Thanks for your advice - have a good holiday.

Zaph