I have a Panasonic DMR-ES15, which I have had for about 6 months now and I use Maxell 1.4x speed rewritable DVD+RW 4.7gb disks.

Occasionally when I switch the machine on, after recording a programme, it comes up with an 'Unformatted Disk' error message. I then (obviously) have to format the disk and lose the programme that it recorded - assuming it recorded the programme in the first place.

Has anyone any idea why it does this and is it a problem with the machine or a disk problem?

Any help on this would be appreciated.

It is probably a simple disc reading problem. .. Due to any number of variables - Dirt ... Mild incompatibility ... Disc / Laser ageing.

Rather than submitting to a format - your could open the tray and then close again to force the disc to reinitialise. - You may have to do it a few times but you might get a lucky initialisation that would then allow you to access the contents.

But take it as a warning and consider discarding discs that do this.

Note that support tends to be generally better for - type discs rather than + type in Panasonic machines.

Use Taiyo Yuden discs if you can find them.

Thanks for the info - I'll try that next time it errors

I have had this problem this evening (again with a +R disc) - the only reason I opted for the panny was that it was supposed to be able to record to both -R and +R discs.

It would appear this is not really the case - it doen't even seem to want to format the +R.

Also I now believe it will only record +R in 4:3 - what a load of cr@p.

Why do you want to use +R discs?

Because I have a stock of around 100 +R discs and 10 +RW disks which I had to use on previous DVD recorder.

Panny is supposed to be able to use either - however it seems not to like +R discs.

Let's get even more basic - and don't laugh - what IS the difference between +RW and -RW anyway??

The only difference I can see is that, when 'fast forwarding' +RWs only had 3 onscreen speeds arrows wheras -RWs show around 4 or 5!!

I only used +Rs on my ES15 and never had a problem with them. +RWs too and not a problem.

I stuck to the + format as my other DVD player in the livingroom didn't like the - format. Though I did like the fact that you did not have to format them first.

In my EX77 -R are perfectly ok (no need for format) machine indicates +R needs formatting - but left it overnight so say doing so without any success.

My EX77 shows the message that the disk needs formatting and I set it going and it does it within a minute or so, no problems. Might be a duff disk if it does not format.

The principle difference is that DVD+RW allows random access , which -RW does not... In practice this means data can be added and removed.

With -RW, a disc has to be erased and recorded from scratch.

It requires a double confirmation: 'Yes' then 'OK'

Maybe you omitted to push OK.

Possibly I will give it another go later, currently recording - thanks for the info

Used 1 +R disk ok - camr up with the formatting screen, did it in a minute or so then used ok

This time I tried, I cannot get the correct 'format disc' screen to appear - any ideas how I get to it please?

Possibly you had the hard drive selected as the drive?

The DVD drive should be selected... then goto: Functions / To others / Disc management

Thanks - that is of course the answer - am now able to format +R discs at will.

Have to say the EX77 is brilliant - haven't had any disc writing failures at all - much improved over my old philips.

The hard drive is an added bonus.

Editing is fairly easy - although it would appear that once edited a recording can only be copied to dvd in real time whereas unedited recordings can be transferred much quicker.

I'm pleased to hear you are getting better acquainted with it.

The high speed limitation applies when using +R discs. You'll find it will be possible when you come to use -R discs.

There are a vast number of IF's and BUTS that can prevent high speed copying.
See page 50 of the manual for more detail.

You may be right - but I would swear I have done high speed copies to +R discs.

Editted programmes on HDD seem to want to copy to dvd using FR mode which leads on to doing it only at normal speed.

page 50 seems to suggest that 16:9 progs are only copied in normal speed to +R - does that mean the others were in 4:3? (they don't appear to be in 4:3??)

They probably were - but it depends how your TV is handling them as to how they 'look'

Regarding the mode of copy... It is always generally better to use advanced copy [ Functions / to others / advanced Copy / ] as it gives you much greater control... and in that process you will come to the parameter of 'Copy mode' at which point select the High Speed option.