I'm a little disappointed with some of the funtionality of the above. I thought I'd get to do chapter points but this is only available with RAM discs.
I'm transferring loads of camcorder tapes to DVD and just using normal DVDs.
If I use RAMS they are a) dearer and b)unable to play on other DVDs.The way I see it Rams are for rewriting and using the unit as a PVR.
Is this right or am I missing something?
regards,
Richard

i have this model,i use dvd-rw rewriteables,the panasonic creates chapters throughout the recording,after finalising i then transfer the rewriteable to the pc,copy all the content to my hard drive and edit the disc,and i can put chapters where i want with video editing programmes.

This is where it is beneficial to have an integrated HDD as editing and chaptering can be performed on the material prior to high speed copying the result to DVD-R. [ Also in the case of RAM discs - Lossless 'bouncing' is possible ]

In a DVD only recorder you have correctly identified the limitations when not using RAM.. and the drawbacks of using RAM.

Note that with other disc types [R's and RW's] that the discs are auto-chaptered at the finalisation stage.

Chapters are inserted every 5 minutes with '-' type discs and every 8 minutes with '+' types.

Where possible, endeavour to use '- ' types in Panasonic machines as support is deeper for that type.

Even with a hard drive recorder,which i used to have, i'd still do the exact same as i do now, i'd edit the disc on the pc,i haven't seen any recorder precise enough to do cuts to perfection from tv material so i'd rather do it perfectly on the pc.

It is actually possible to be frame accurate on a Panasonic HDD DVDR but it depends on recording mode.

However I agree that the editing on DVDR's is rudimentary and for any serious editing you have to use a PC...It can just be an additional hassle getting the material there.

Most common programme editing is just topping and tailing and removal of adverts when necessary.
A DVDR is up to that task.

so gettting back to the original question - why use Rams for archiving when they are so expensive? Is the only reason coz of the chapter business?
It would appear a waste if Rams are rewriteable.
thanks for helping so far.
Richard

There is no particular good reason for using them for archiving when you have a Non-HDD DVDR... other than perhaps they are a fairly robust form of storage and as they tend to be made by only the better makers are always likely to be good quality discs.

But good quality DVD-R's are cheap - considerably cheaper than RAM's and they are a flexible [ play elsewhere] medium.

Given that you have to make a not insignificant investment in your time making the originals, if you worked with DVD-R, it would be worth making straight copies of your final production disc on PC using a direct copy utility.... to save as backups.

DVD-R's are cheap enough to do this without thinking about it...unlike RAM's