I've had a Pany ES40VS. I've never been able to figure out how to use the flexible recording. I can do the regular flexible recording by going through the setup and then specifying the duration and then clicking on "start".

However, the manual states that I can use the flexible recording (FR) for timer recordings too. When I choose FR as the speed, I cannot find anywhere how to set the duration. If anyone has a Panasonic and have figured out how to do this, please write. Thanks.

In the SCHEDULE menu after you set the actual beginning and ending time you will then select the speed. One of the speed options will be FR (Flexible Record).

For the FR to function correctly there must be enough recording time remaining on the DVD for your recording. The functional limits for FR are between the XP and EP speeds (the eight hour per DVD setting). In the SCHEDULE menu the column at the right will confirm that there is sufficient space on the DVD to carry out the recording.

The DMR-ES40V does not have the Flexible Recording feature for use with dubbing.

Thanks DigaDo. I saw that the FR duration changed on the top screen depending on the start time and end time of the scheduled recording.

What I was hoping do do was to record two separate one hour TV shows on one disc recorded at different times. Because I can't get the clock setting to match exactly with the TV station, I usually start one minute before and one minute after to make sure I record everything. Doing this, I'm four minutes over the two hours at the 2 hour mode. I thought I could get both shows in one disc.

What I found out is that the FR duration becomes 1 hour 2 minutes on the first schedule and the second schedule has an error (! message). It appears that the FR setting will set for the exact time (as long as it is over 1 hour... one hour for recording less than one hour) for the first schedule only.

Looks like I can't do what I was planning on doing. I'll have to stick to recording on my Philips 3505. At least with this recorder, I get 2 hours and 4 minutes at the two hour setting.

In your situation you would record the first one hour and two minute program at SP and the second one hour and two minute program at FR to fill the disc. The picture quality of the second program will be very much the same as the first program.

If you record the first program at FR it will fill the disc with that one hour and two minute program.

If you schedule more than one program on a disc the FR program has to be the last program you expect to fit on the disc.

Now why didn't I think of that! DigaDo, your suggestion is perfect.

Here is how to conceptualize Flexible Recording:

Flexible Recording will fill or fit a recording to a blank or partially filled DVD and provide the best picture quality possible depending upon the recording space available on the DVD.

I also do the same as DigaDo.

What you are trying to do, record several programs onto a single DVD, is very easy to do with a hard drive recorder.

1. Record each program starting 3 minutes early and ending 5 minutes later.
2. Delete beginning and ending junk and commercials.
3. Select programs to be recorded onto the DVD-R or +.
4. Select menu type, recorder will determine recording speed and begin dubbing.

I do this type of dubbing everyday, Survivorman, Man vs Wild, AXMen, etc., etc. and combine 3 or 4 programs onto a DVD-R. Video and audio quality is excellent and the menu screens are really neat showing the various thumbnails.