As per title.

I have a Panasonic DMR-E100H (UK model) and a Win2K PC with an LG-GSA4167B
burner. Disks are Philips DVD+R Double Layer.

As an initial experiment, I have made a trial DVD+R DL with existing
software on my PC that I have been using successfully for single layer
disks - files were prepared with TMPGEnc DVD Author 1.5.20.62 (ignoring
over-size messages), and burnt with Nero 6.3.1.20. When I compared the
files on the DVD with those produced by TMPGEnc, VIDEO_TS.IFO and
VTS_03_0.IFO are different, presumably because Nero has adjusted them for
dual layer, the others are all identical.

When the DVD is first inserted into the PC, for a minute or so Cyberlink
PowerDVD almost locks the PC solid with the CPU virtually maxed out (I've
read elsewhere that it might be trying to access the internet, but I can't
see any reason why it should be trying to do this) but eventually it
displays the DVD's opening menu and plays it without problems.

When the DVD is inserted into the Panasonic, the display briefly says
'CLOSE', then 'READ' for quite a while, and finally 'NO READ'. As the
latter comes up the following message is displayed on the TV: "Cannot read.
Please check the disc."

Does anyone know whether the Panasonic DMR-E100H (UK) can read home burnt
dual-layer disks at all? If so, how would I get it to happen, preferably
using my current setup, or free software, or the software that came with the
burner:
Cyberlink DVD Solution 1.0
.... which seems to comprise ...
Nero Express 6.6.0.15
.... and as yet unknown versions of ...
InCD 4
Power DVD
PowerProducer Gold

I have explored various forums and searched for "dual layer" "panasonic
DMR-E100H" on the web, but have found neither a conclusive answer nor a
comprehensive procedure, but as a result have installed PGCEdit.

TIA

Java Jive wrote:
Almost any program like that automatically logs onto the Internet to
make sure your copy is legal and check for updates.

"Anthony Marsh" <anthony_marsh@comcast.net> wrote in message
news6Gdncyej5mvpAHYnZ2dnUVZ_o_inZ2d@comcast.com. ..
Programs like what? Please give some examples because I've never seen a
program automatically log into the internet to make sure it is a legal copy
and only my anti virus software checks for updates on it's own. I have
Cyberlink PowerDVD and it starts playing a movie dvd within seconds of
inserting it.

"Java Jive" <java@evij.com> wrote in message
news:xI2dnabAEdcYVgbYRVnysgA@eclipse.net.uk...
[snip]

I think it probably is trying to access the internet (but is being prevented
by strict firewall rules), but the question is why it should do this only
for DL disks, and not for others?

Today a belated reply from Panasonic CS, on whom I'd long since given up all
hope:

"""

ISSUE DESCRIPTION: EMAIL REQUEST: Subject - CONTACTUS INTERNET/
DVD, VIDEO AND DIGITAL STILLS CAMERAS/DVD RECORDER/
OPERATIONAL / QUALITY / SPECIFICATION/3/19/195
... [snip] ...
1) Can the Panasonic DMR-E100H read Philips dual-layer DVD+R disks
prepared in a PC. If so, do I have to take any unusual steps to prepare
them?

2) Can the machine record directly onto such disks from its own hard
disk.

3) When is Panasonic going to provide us with a firmware that allows to
change the Hard Disk with a bigger one when it goes down?

At the moment, as minimum HD sizes seem to be ever increasing, we are faced
with the prospect of having to buy larger HDs and using only a fraction of
their capacity, which is an intensely irritating waste of money, leading to
bad customer relations for you.

ISSUE RESOLUTION:
... [snip] ...
[blah] apologies for the uncharacteristic delay [blah]

In response, the DMR-E100 is not compatible with dual layer disks. I am
sorry for any disappointment this may cause.

[blah] I trust that this information has been of assistance to you. [blah]

"""

(Note that they ducked that maddening HD issue!)

However, in reality, after two more coasters (that is: readable only in PC,
so still useful as file backups) I got it to work using PGCEdit and ImgBurn.

I eventually found and followed a good set of instructions here ...
http://tinyurl.com/ygfoee
.... standing in for ...
http://www.digital-digest.com/~bluta...pgcedit_v2.htm

The result plays back ok, but doesn't FF very well, so those coaster backups
may yet prove useful ...

I suspect the crucial point is that ImgBurn allowed me to change the
book-type to DVD-ROM, thus conning the DMR-E100H into thinking it had a
normal commercial DL DVD-ROM rather than a new type of media it had no
programming specifically to handle. If the DVD drive in the unit had been a
more recent model already aware of DL DVD+Rs, presumably this ruse
would not have been necessary.