I have Sky+ and a Panasonic EZ47 combi and use both for recording programmes (using DVD RAM disks in the Panasonic). With the Sky+ I almost never have any problems missing the start or finish of programmes but with the Panasonic I often lose the last couple of minutes.

Is there a way round this? I always just click on the programme in the guide and then "OK" it to save the recording - is there no way to synch the recording to the programme (like PDC) or to add padding at the end? What do other owners do to prevent this problem?

When you click on a programme in the guide you should be taken to a Timer Recording screen where all the details can be checked and altered. I always add a few minutes to both the start and stop times in case the programme starts early or finishes late, before pressing OK to accept the recording details.

Add at least 5 minutes to the end time as some programs start and finish late. That way you shouldn't miss anything.
Dave

... but you have to do it manually for every recording?

Yes, there is no automatic program padding as with most pvr's, but it's not hard to do and will soon become second nature.
Dave