Panasonic DMR-ES35VS incompatibility?

[bobarnett]

I purchased a Panasonic DMR-ES35VS. After installing, it I inserted a +RW disc that I had previously recorded using a GoVideo unit. I expected the unit to play the disk but instead a message came up saying that the disc was not properly formatted and asked if I wanted to format it. I thought that was odd and thought maybe that the disc was actually blank. Instead of saying yes, I inserted another home recorded disc and got the same message. I tried a commercially recorded disc and it started playing just fine but every home recorded disc I tried gave me the same "format" message.
I delved into the manual and found on page 25 I found this:
"When you insert a new disc and a disc recorded on a computer or other equipment, a format confirmation screen might be displayed. Format the disc to use it. However all the recorded contents are deleted."
Does this mean that none of my 600+ previously home recorded +RW discs can be played on this unit? Was this unit designed for only first-time dvd recorder owners? If this is true then I find it very strange that there wasn't a more prominently displayed caveat concerning this rather important limitation.
I have sent an email to Panasonic support with a similar inquiry and if they don't have a way to rectify this major drawback, I will return it.

[Anole]

There are a lot of low cost DVD recorders on the market, and I would take my DVD to a store and try some.

I do wonder, though... how were all these RW discs made, and do they play properly on the vast number of DVD players?
I don't have any specific knowledge of the GoVideo unit, but I have to wonder about its compatibility.

Most DVD recorders need as a last step, some sort of finalizing function.
That is where they put a compatable directory onto the disc.
Did you do this with your Go unit ?
I sort of suspect these discs won't play in anything but your Go unit - have you tested them?

Also, considering the historic cost of RW media, why would you have a library of 600, when the standard +R or -R cost so much less?
(one tenth as much)
Perhaps it was to allow for on-disc editing as you go??

[bobarnett]

A lot of the discs were recorded directly from the GoVideo unit to a disk but most were recorded and then, using DVDDecrpter, VideoReDo, SVCD2DVD and ImgBurn, I captured them to my PC, took commericals out and re-burned them to the disc. I started using the +RW discs because, being such a novice, I was making way too many coasters and then, like you say, I was also then reburning them after editing.

"Most DVD recorders need as a last step, some sort of finalizing function. That is where they put a compatable directory onto the disc.
Did you do this with your Go unit?"

The GoVideo Recorder manual says that +RW discs don't need to be finalized to play on other players. As a matter of fact the Panasonic manual says the same thing about it's recorder.

I have two other DVD players; a Sony and a cheapo portable one that both play these DVDs fine.

[phd]

Sadly, you may need to return the unit. I have happily been using the same brand of DVD-R disks for a number of years. I found the to be compatible with all of my DVD players and friends DVD players.

I recently replaced the el cheapo unit with a Panasonic DVD player and could not play all of the disks. However, I have another Panasonic unit they will play OK.

I would suggest returning it and bringing a couple of your DVDs to the store to try the replacement unit before you buy.