Calling all technophiles: DVD-RAM compatibility question

[DemonLlama]

OK, I've spent the last hour trying to read what largely is more confusing than ancient Greek to find an answer to this question, so I thought I'd see if any DISers can help me.

I have a Panasonic DMR E55 DVD Recorder. We plugged the VCR into it and recorded all our home movies onto DVD-R.

Problem is, these disks are ONLY readable by the Panasonic.

Put the disk in the laptop or on any other DVD player and it can't read it.

I'm thinking it can't be the media, can it? I mean, a new Dell E 1705 DVD burner should be able to read a basic DVD-R disk, right?

So is it the format that Panasonic uses to encode the disk?

If so, is there any way to change it to be read by the computer (or other DVD player)?

If not, the manual says we can also use DVD-RAM disks in the recorder.

Would DVD-RAM be readable on the laptop?

From what I could tell, the DVD-RAM disks are an older technology and not as easy to find, but if it would mean I could make DVDs that weren't tied solely to the one player to enjoy them, it would be worth it.

Anyone know the answer?

Thanks!

 

[tigger_68]

I also own a Panasonic DVD recorder (not sure what model to be honest) and DVD RAM disks are Panasonic ONLY

However you can get DVD R discs that can be made to read in any DVD player.

The only catch is that with DVD RAM discs, you can watch and erase the discs.

Once you record and convert a DVD R for watching on other players it is no longer erasable.

 

[BunsenH]

DVD-R should be readable in any DVD player. It sounds like a step is missing in the recording process. With a CD-R, you need to "close the session" for it to be universally readable. I have the same DVR, but never tried a DVD-R in another player.

I use DVD-RAM disks to operate the DVR like a VCR to time-shift TV. They can hold up to 8 hours.

 

[Tigger By The Tail]

Did you finalize the DVD-R disk? I know many dvd players won't regognize the disk until it is finalized. You should be able to do that from the menu option on the DVD recorder.

 

[DemonLlama]

THANK YOU!!

I feel like such a dope, but that's all it took. Finalized and playing!

Thanks again!