if i tape a programme on a dvd ram disk and put it on my dvd burner and do a straight copy to a dvdrw disk will it work or do i have to fiddle with the ram disk to get it on a dvd rw disk
DVD-RAM only records in the .VRO file format. Now you can copy this to a DVD-RW straight off but the DVD-RW will then be in 'VR Mode' which isn't widely compatible.
Thus you'll need to rename the .VRO file to .MPG, download a programme such as TMPG Encoder, use the 'MPEG tools' and run a 'simple demux' on the file (which will split it into it's native .msv and .ac3 tracks) and import it into an authoring package of your choice. You can then add custom menus (animated menus etc depending on the authoring package), respecify chapter points etc and burn to DVD-R and DVD-RAM.
I can guide you though this process step by step if you need help. If you use your DVD burner in conjunction with your new E50 you can make DVD recordings to rival commercial disks.
If you just want to make recordings to lend to your friends (i.e. you don't want to spend ages authoring them) - can I suggest you do what I do and have a spindle of 100 dirt cheap DVD-Rs and just treat them as throw away media.
You'll need to experiment with how the machine will serve you best but I would suggest:
1) For timeshifting always use RAM due to the fact it's re-writeable, you can benefit from Timeslip etc
2) A programme you want to archive - again I suggest you use RAM. Record, edit as required and then follow the process I've outlined above to convert to DVD-R.
3) For quick copies of programmes for friends etc use cheap DVD-Rs.