Thanks guys. I haven't switched between mpeg 1 and 2 - I wouldn't know how to (is that on the camcorder or the DVDR?). Anyway, seems like the main culprit could be the hybrid bit rate. I looked into this previously and, from memory, my options in the Hybrid Resolution are 'fixed' or 'variable' (or is that 'automatic'?). I currently have it set to fixed though.
I thought of going this route because it seemed easier to put all the recording onto a RAM disk (in SP mode), chop out the boring bits and then copy the RAM to DVDR. Then it does this!!!
I have also tried doing it on the PC - but an AVI file will only get about 20 mins on one disk. I also tried capturing it as 'DVD' using Ulead Video 7 last night - and that got the whole 1hr 15 min of footage down to 4.3Gb, but I don't seem to have sound. Doh! The programmes I have are Windows Movie Maker, Ulead Video 7, TMPGenc DVD author and Ulead DVD Maker (or something like that). To be honest, I'm fumbling in the dark as I'm a newbie to video (been more of a stills man!). Anyone know of a tutorial I can follow that keeps it simple. Goodness knows how the average person in the street goes on; I like technology, but am drowning a bit with this one!