My panasonic dmc-tz5 software will not allow me to burn a CD or DVD. I have tried several programs to burn and they give an error message on the Sony DVD attached to the TV. I have a 64 bit Dell Inspiron and the instructions say that it won't work with 64 bit Vista Home. Any suggestions?

OK, it sounds like you'd like to burn videos captured on your panasonic camera & watch them on your sony dvd player.

I have above average experience with video formats on the computer, and for dvd, & I can help you.

First of all, unfortunately, I must tell you that sony dvd's are fussier players than average. Maybe its because Sony is in the movie production business too, i couldn't say. But from experience, I know that what runs on brand X doesn't run on a sony.

That said, the first decision you need to make is 'What is the output format of my video going to be?'

Older sony's will play vcd format, but newer especially blurays will not. They also tend not to play Divx or Xvid, only AVCHD (essentially just the high-def version of divx.).

So if you are wanting to burn a disc that will play on a newish sony bluray for example, you need to choose between AVCHD and standard ISO DVD modes. Standard ISO dvd's will be made by programs like the Nero suite, and many others, but they will not be 16:9 ratio ie not fill a high def tv screen.

Your Lumix may have shot your video in 720p High def, in which case you might want to think AVCHD.

Regardless, maybe start with standard DVD video, just to see it work, then try to make HD (AVCHD) work properly. Starting a DVD project with your video software of choice should begin with setting up a menu screen. Select no menu or only the most basic menu for your first try, again just to simplify and make it work before you make it more complicated.

Import your video from the Lumix camera card into the video software & before you start the software converting the video, make sure you have selected NTSC DVD as its output format. It will be outputting some small files and .VOB files, which are the DVD format. Tell the software to output your project into a new, empty directory. If you have the choice for advanced video options, choose 2-pass video encoding as it is of a higher quality.

Once your software has processed your video project into its new directory, try running dvd video software to view your project before you burn it. Most PCs ship with a dvd viewing software, and you will find you can direct this software to load a directory rather than a disk. This lets you confirm your video has been successfully encoded for DVD playing before burning.

When ready to burn, choose a new DVD-Video selection in your DVD burning software. There will be many options, but you'll need to be specific, especially with a sony player.

I hope that helps.
Burning DVD's of family is priceless and worth pursuing.