Discs I always used -R discs & recorded tv programs fine. I just bought Sony DVD +RW discs so I could write over the programs I record & the recorder won't use them. It says - cannot use this disc. The manual says I can use them. What can be the problem? Also, I couldn't play a new DVD of Talledega Nights I borrowed recently. I can play other movies I buy or rent. Lynnette

Unfortunately, the EWR20V5 does not handle DVD +R or DVD +RW discs for recording. It can play back some of these discs, when recorded and finalized on another recording device. However, it may not recognize some DVD +R/+RW discs at all. This recorder recognizes all DVD -R/-RW discs. This is a common manufacturing design for DVD/VCR recorders.

See the first page of the Quick Guide for the EWR20V5 for the disc limitations: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/46971/Emerson-Ewr20v5.html . I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

It depends on what you are trying to record on them. These machines have copy protection built in. So if they detect that they won't let you record on the disc.

If you get a disc error, it could be dirt on the lens. So you should try cleaning it. Generally this effect all discs, but your player might be sensitive so only does it on new discs. You could have a bought a bunch of fake discs too, looking genuine, but useless!
Lastly a fault on the player.

DVD-RW discs are ideal for temporary video recording and data backup, but they are not recommended for successful finalising, as there is no guarantee that the disc will work in another device.

Have you tried using DVD-R discs? these CAN be recorded in video mode AND finalised for compatible playback in other players. I assume the DMR-ES30V is a DVD/VCR combo unit - if so, the DVD recorder will not recognise RW discs; only DVD-RAM and DVD-R.

DVD-R discs are recommended for video recording and finalising in this model. (later model Panasonic DVD recorders allow RW disc recording).

Recordings made on DVD-RW discs cannot be played in other players, including many PC DVD-ROM drives; incompatible format. If you had recorded your TV/video material onto a DVD-R in the recorder, for example, then finalised the disc, it would work in your PC and any DVD player.

But since you used a re-writable video/data DVD, it won't work outside of the recorder - that's why you can't play it (or if it was written on your PC, your recorder won't read it - incompatible disc).

If you don't wish to finalise the RW disc (I don't recommend it - plus I wouldn't blame you for not wanting to do that), you could copy it from one recorder to another, unless your PC has a capture card - which allows the outputs of your DVD recorder to connect to the PC inputs. Using relevant DVD software (for example, ULead DVD factory), you may be able to 're-author' the contents of your recording, and create a DVD-R copy which WILL work in all players that way - use DVD-R (or DVD+R if your PC and other players allow that format) for 'permanent' video recording - use re-writable discs for backups, test recordings, temporary stuff, and PC data files. There are many inexpensive software programs available. Have a look sometime at your leisure. See what they are like.

Even if you could copy the DVD contents in a Windows program, regardless of the software used, there is no guarantee that the copy you make will work outside of the player and/or original recorder, because it would require a lot of time and effort to achieve, and unless you know what you're doing with the program, you could waste a lot of time (and blank discs) in the process - it only adds to the frustration.

I am glad to hear your recorder has no major faults at present - that's great. No expensive workshop repair cost headaches; just frustration with discs (especially if they become drink coasters).

DVD-RW is ideal for test video recordings and PC data, but is limited when it comes to compatible playback/usage outside of the device it was written/recorded on.

DVD+RW discs on the other hand, when titled/ top menu created, can be played on a PC or player without finalising. You can even direct copy a DVD+RW straight to a DVD-R - it works in most cases.

The upshot of this is you haven't lost anything, and with the exception of perhaps a few dollars for a pack of either DVD+RW, DVD+R, or DVD-R discs (any brand), it didn't cost a fortune. You can also retain any DVD-RW discs you have previously used.

The simplest and cheapest options are often the best ones.

This model (PY90DG) DVD recorder supports the following disc recording formats: DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD+R/DVD-R for everyday video. These should record fine. The RW discs are for repeated recording/erasure while the R discs are once-only recording types - the R discs must be finalised in this deck to make them playable on other DVD players. DVD-RAM discs are NOT supported by this unit. This recorder will play MP3 files on a CD-R or CD-RW (not DVD-ROM) just fine as well, but will not record them.

Best discs to buy for this type of recorder are DVD-R (recommended brand - Verbatim or TDK if you can get them, but not Memorex). These are OK.

Hi Tony
Although I am a member of this site I came across your post while searching Google for answers to the same issues as you are having.
From what you say and what I have tried I can only put fault with the DVD recorder itself and probably the LASER.
This thing just seems to hate reading recorded media of almost any format including those which it's stickered front panel boasts about. It also doesn't leave you with many other options as there is no USB port either.
I dont use the unit to record or the Freeview facility and never have as we have Sky+ and no TV ariel.
I bought it for the varied formats of video it says it can play but out of 6 different formats that I recorded onto DVD with my PC (and I am an advanced user and work in I.T) it only played back one and badly which was a mpeg-1.
I put the same 6 disks into my sons (apparantly DVD only) player bought from ASDA for £15 and it played 4 of them perfectly as good as the originals!
Logically this would suggest this model is a Lemon. I just hope your not a £130 light lemon as I am!

Hi

You might like to know that this recorder works well with DVD+R, DVD-R and DVD-RW but is known to not work well with DVD+RW. This is likely to be the main cause of your problem if you experience these problems and find it happens mostly with DVD+RW.

If the problem occurs across all formats a DVD cleaning disk should help the problem.

Hope this helps. Please do rate my answer. Thanks.

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

are you using + or - discs and are they the same type of disc which your programme was originally recorded, as a minus pre recording will not be able to be written to a plus disc so make sure both formats are same