Hi

Sometimes, the programs I record off the TV can be copied to DVD in "High Speed Mode".

Mostly though, they have to be copied in real time i.e. 2 hour program takes 2 hours to copy.

I've got a Panasonic DMR EX thingy with a 250GB HDD. It's not for lack of storage space, it's just the inconvenience of having to wait for the appropriate 2-4 hour gap when I have nothing else set to record.

Is it something to do with widescreen 16:9 ?

Or has it got something to do with whether it was widescreen when it actually started recording (during the adverts or trailer) even though the program recorded was in 4:3 ?

I've tried clipping the start off the recording (through Edit, Partial Delete) but that doesn't appear to solve it.

Anyone any ideas on whether anything can be done ?

Thanks in advance.

You will have to specify exactly which EX model is involved as different generations have different behaviours in this regard.

Note also that the kind of disc blank format that you copy to impacts on whether high speed transfer is possible.

If you can't high speed copy just set it going before going to bed and it will be finished in the morning.

As long as you don't have any timers set of course

Almost sure it's a DMR-EX87EB-K.

I'm using DVD +Rs and the "Copy" items list tells me whether they can be copied fast or real time so I don't think the media is the key.

Yes, I could set it going before I retire or on my way out in the morning. Already considered.

Thanks

See Page 50 of the manual where it says that titles recorded in 16:9 aspect cannot be copied to +R, +R DL, +RW using the high speed mode.

Bummer !

Thanks Adrian_F - thought it might be something to do with that. I just need to RTFM a bit more carefully.

thanks again

Good luck with the manual !

Another problem that you might have is that your recordings are to large to fit on the DVD for the Recording Mode chosen and thus will have to be re-encoded in real time.

XP = up to 1 hr; SP = up to 2 hr; LP = up to 4 hr etc.

If you know that your recording will fall in between these times, then you should use FR Mode which will record at such a rate as to completely fill the DVD in the best possible quality and you should then be able to high speed copy.( See Page 20 of the manual.)

It is always better to use '-' format discs in Panasonic machines.

They will do + types , but support is deeper in - types.

Adrian_F & Gavtech

Thanks for the hints and tips.

I've only ever used +R so at somepoint in the future I will give -R discs a try.

I only ever record in SP format as it's a Freeview signal which (and I stand to be corrected) will not benefit much from recording in XP.

I can usually get 4 hours onto the +R discs in FR mode which suits me fine.

Thanks again for your assistance

Gavtech

Thanks for that note about -R DVD discs - I bought a pack of Verbatim and 2 advantages

1. Don't need to be formatted prior to copying
2. Will copy in high speed mode irrespective of what the DVD recorder tells you

Thanks Again
John R