Hmmmmm....getting into this recorder business now - I have a Panasonic DMR-E55. All the DVD-RAM bit is fine and I'm more than happy with it - my problems seem to be around finalising a DVD-R disc to use on other players.
  Firstly I burned a disc with a few bike clips and then a kids movie for the little cherub. Finalising the disc failed 
 
  Manual is no help - no humans can be contacted at Panasonic so I make one of two assumptions: 
 1) Faulty DVD media (as DVD-RAM discs work fine) 
 2) Its failed because I mixed recording modes when recording (I think I used SP and EP modes). 
 Any ideas guys.... 
 Ive tried filling up another DVD-R from the same pack of discs BUT ONLY USING ONE RECORD MODE....and its worked a treat - GREAT !!! 
 But - I recorded FIVE movies one after the other from my PC and then found out that I cant create additional chapters on DVD-R to seperate them (only on DVD-RAM is that allowed)  


 
  The joys of new technology. 
 Erm.....any other hints well appreciated please 
 Franko