My recorder doesn't always record, plus when I use catch-up, a couple of thing will be recorded then it says it initialising try again later, Why

Some VCR's will stop if the signal is not there. Retune the set if it uses Freeview. The broadcasters and those who are in charge of Transmitters like to mess around with the stations from time to time. This will effect the recording if you are using a model with the Guide Plus system. If you are timer recording it make certain that the settings are good. If it is an older model, make certain a thing called PDC is not on.

Hello! Daniel Busa with Dish Network here! Most likely your reciever is using our record plus feature. This sets the record default to always being on tv1 or always being on tv2. To fix this hit menu 8-5 go to disable hit select, go to done hit select delete the timer and set it up again.

can i suggest you record vhs tapes on maxell dvd-r or tdk dvd-r (if you wish to keep them) used the dvd-rw to record those sporting events / movies or specials that you might not be around for....(because any one can accidently erase an dvd-rw).......now that formatting dvd-rw issue. i found that dynex http://www.dynexproducts.com/c-11-storage-media.aspx dvdv-rw works best with toshiba . i record all the ultimate fights erase (format) after i look at and on to next good luck

VR mode or Video Recording mode is a feature on stand-alone consumer and computer DVD recorders that allows video recording and editing on a DVD rewriteable disc.
In VR mode, users can create and rename titles for the scenes. Also, if a scene is deleted, the space allocated by it will be utilized later without the need of reformatting a disc.
If the user would like to record on the same disc again in later time, on VR mode, users may eject the disc and it will not be finalized by the recorder until it is manually initiated. For the sake of comparison, any DVD disc recorded in VR's competitor V mode (or Video mode) will be automatically finalized before it is ejected by the recorder. Disc finalization is still required if the disc formatted for VR mode will be played in another DVD player.
Currently, users can only record in VR mode with the use of DVD-RW, DVD-RAM and DVD+RW discs, (updated in 2000 to accommodate DVD-R (General)) [DVD players marked “RW compatible” and “DVD Multi” can play DVD-VR recorded discs] and on some recorders, also on hard-disk drives.
Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD also support VR mode-like features.

Accordingly when DVD recorders became a viable option the features offered by <Video Mode> were minimal - the linear structure did not allow post recording editting or non-linear playback. Thus the DVD Forum devised Video Recording (VR) mode.

Unlike DVD-Video this uses a much simplier file structure that allows non-linear modification to the recorded data. This means features such as partial erase, editting, playlists, simulataneous record/playback, mixing of different media types (JPEG, MPEG1/2/4, MP3, WMA, WMV etc) and, in future models, dual record are all possible."

That basically summerises the differences: video is a linear recording that should end up DVD-Video compatible, VR is a digital recording mode that allows HDD-like functionality on disc.

Do you need to always be able play your recorded DVD-RW discs on other DVD Players? If yes you have to use Video Mode, although some players will play VR mode discs, and you can test this easily by giving it a go.

The main differences are:

DVD Video mode on DVD-RW

Plus points: Provides good compatibility (70% plus). That’s the only plus, plain and simple.

Negative Points: Only simple linear editing possible, really just hiding a title. You can reuse space only when you delete the last title or completely reformat but lose everything in the process. No defect management. Requires finalisation to play in other DVD Players. No possibility of time-slip, i.e. recording and playing back at the same time.

DVD VR mode (Video Recording)

Plus points: Better use of recording rates by having intermediate resolutions. Defect management so reliable. Time-slip on 2 speed media if supported by the recorder, allowing record and playback at the same time. Non-linear editing. Any space freed is reused automatically (think hard-drive or Mini-Disc) and added to the remaining time.

Negative Points: Not very compatible with existing DVD Players, plain and simple.

Of course if you have a hard-drive based recorder then all the negatives are wiped out, as you use VR mode on the hard-drive which gives you all the pluses of VR mode, then record to DVD-RW in Video Mode to give you the compatibility to play the disc elsewhere.
- A recording on DVD-RAM will always use VR mode
- A recording on DVD-R will always use Video mode
- A recording on DVD-RW can be either Video or VR depending which is set before the recording is made.
- A recording to DVD+RW or DVD+R will always use Video mode
- Many HDD/DVDR combi recorders will record to the HDD in VR mode and allow you to dub (digitally) to DVD-R in Video mode.

Here is your manual:
http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/d/dvdr3545v_37/dvdr3545v_37_dfu_aen.pdf

Try this:


Models supported:

DVDR3570H
DVDR3575H
DVDR3577H

DVDR3590H
DVDR3595H
DVDR3597H

DVDR5520H
DVDR5570H

1. Power on the recorder
2. Wait for player to initialise.
3. Press [HOME] on the remote control.
4. Press [PLAY / PAUSE]
5. Key in 1 5 9 1 2 1 2 1 2 0 0 5 2 5 5 – The numbers will appear in the display of the recorder.
6. Press [PLAY / PAUSE]

If the recorder goes into browser mode during the procedure, then it will need to be re-started from the beginning.


If at any point the recorder is reset to factory settings, then the procedure will need to be carried out again.

Have you initialised the disk? The manual states that for the first use a DVD-RW has to be initialised first.

The first thing to try is cleaning the lenses,sounds obvious,but i think thats why its continuing to try :initialising: if that fails the lense that reads the disc or both likely need realigning most problems that acure whith any cdplayers ect are down to the lenses.

Hi

This is probably caused by an irregular magnetic encoding pattern being generated by the tape itself. If the DVD recorder does not fully recognise the code, it may incorrectly interpret it as copy protected. If there is any tape flutter or there are tape edits, these can contribute to the problem. In addition to this magnetic imprinting can occur on old tapes that have been stored for a number of years without being spooled. basically wrong bits of the tape get magnetised. You can sometimes hear an echo on old tape recordings caused by imprinting.

You could try the following:

1) If available, try using a different video machine to play back and record from.

2) Whatever video machine you use, put your tape in, fully fast forward and rewind a couple of times, then try your recording again. This is particularly important if you haven't used the tape for some time.

3) If it fails again, check to see if it always fails at the same point.

4) If it does, try winding forward a little and then try to resume recording.

5) If you can record it means that a short section of tape is giving a spurious code to your dvd recorder and confusing it.

6) Use a re-recordable dvdrw to make a master. You won't keep wasting discs if the recording stops. You will also be able to produce another dvd from your master and edit it if your recording ends up in a number of segments.

7) Always use the highest quality setting possible when producing a master.

8) If all else fails, if you have a friend with another dvd recorder, maybe try that.

Have fun....

throw it in the trash- I got 1 from costco, liked it so much, bought another a week later. First one started giving me the "invalid" msg, 2nd one did the same 1 wk later, so I guess they're programmed to do so after so many hours after being plugged in. Too bad, cuz it was the easiest to use of 5 previous models I tried. Their easyguide onscreen menu was the greatest, plus the status of time, pause & recording indicator, which you could turn on or off as needed, were very useful.
A real shame to have to throw in the trash. Won't ever buy another thing from them.

Try cleannng machine with dvd cleanner if u have staples surplus near u it only costs 10 can cn twice thiswoked for me had a same promblem.