Confused with DVD Recorder!

[originalang]

Had some really helpful advice here on Saturday about buying a dvd recorder. We're learning slowly how to use it but the instructions really blind us with science or we're thick! Theres a few things we're unsure about but could anyone explain this please. I've recorded a programme sucessfully and played back. Now how do we record over it rather than use another dvd. we have bought -RW discs, haven't taken it out of the player or finalised it. Would really appreciate your help. Thankyou.

[bravejordy]

When I want to re-record over a DVD+RW or DVD-RW I have to completely erase the disc first. I'm not sure if the same would apply to your machine but I imagine it would.

Unlike VHS tapes where it was a simple matter of recording over whatever you'd recorded, DVD+/-RW discs need to be wiped clean first.

[originalang]

Now that makes sense, thanks, can I bother you to ask how I erase then please, sorry to be a pest.

[ChuckFickens]

How to erase them depends on what DVD recorder you have, although they will all do the same thing how to access the functions will differ from brand to brand.

You need to be looking either in the manual or through the menus to find something that either says erase disk or format disk.

if you post back with the brand and model number of the recorder someone may be able to point you towards the correct direction.

[Panic Button]

The key word is Format. To erase the disc you need to format it.

On my Sony you select disc information and there is a format option there.

[Panic Button]

What confused me was there is also an option to 'erase title'. However this simply stops that programme being displayed in the list of items on the disc.

Say you had 4 programmes on a disc and it was full, if you erase one of the 'titles', the disc would then appear to have only 3 on it. However it would still be full as it only deletes the link.

[originalang]

Thanks folks I'll have another look at manual now you've explained what to look for and come back tomorrow if still stuck . Much appreciated.

[Hugh Spencer]

I have recently replaced my failed recorder with a Toshiba HDD-DVD Recorder and found that procedures are broadly the same but differ in detail, e.g. I use one touch recording now and stop it when the programme ends, when deleting I select Title Delete for one recording.
I, too, found the new manual confusing so I write out the instructions for an easy and quick reference instead of ploughing through the relevant pages again.

[shylock73]

Posting make and model would help ABer`s to make a better answer as there are so many on the market.

[romko]

dvd recorders are one of the most irritating and unreliable pieces of technology there is. they are very fussy about which make of discs they read, which format , etc etc. and take time to initialise after inserting a disc.....

You'd probably be better off with a video recorder, if all you want is to tape stuff off tv to watch later! a lot easier.

[bravejordy]

I disagree. I've had my DVD recorder for almost six years now and never had a problem with it. Fair enough, discs might take a couple of moments to initialise when you first insert them, but that's just a small inconvenience... Far better than having to tediously Fast Forward or Rewind through bulky old tapes to find the start of a programme, don't you think?