Burning my first DVD

[markly darkly]

Hello

I've just got my first camcorder (Panasonic SDR-S7) and have managed to burn a DVD video onto a disc. A few questions though. I notice that the capacity of the disc is 4.7Gb and that only gives about 50 miutes or so of video. Is that normal - how come DVDs normally hold a lot more time?

Secondly, using the Panasonic SD software it does suggest that the the actual capacity is 8Gb. Does this mean that it is burn Dual layer automatically. Does it need special discs to do that.

Sorry lots of confusing questions, but do you get the idea of what I am asking?

Thanks

[chrishull3]

[QUOTE=markly darkly;8463435]Hello

I've just got my first camcorder (Panasonic SDR-S7) and have managed to burn a DVD video onto a disc. A few questions though. I notice that the capacity of the disc is 4.7Gb and that only gives about 50 miutes or so of video. Is that normal - how come DVDs normally hold a lot more time?

Secondly, using the Panasonic SD software it does suggest that the the actual capacity is 8Gb. Does this mean that it is burn Dual layer automatically. Does it need special discs to do that.
I dont know what quality setting you are using
4.7gb blanks at normal setting hold 66mins of video,regarding the 8gb it does sound dual layer but you do not have to use the panasonic software to make your dvds as any software can be used
http://audiovisual.kelkoo.co.uk/sbs/.../19041082.html

[WarPig843]

I guess that if your camcorder has a capacity of 8GB and you record until the memory is full, you may have to slpit the recorded footage into more than one scene.

You might be able to do this on the camera itself, or by using some editing facility.

On my previous camcorder I used to play the recording into my DVD Recorder via the red/white/yellow leads, which allowed me to do all sorts of editing such as split scenes, create chapters, give titles etc. After editing I would burn to disc.

Or have I misunderstood your question?