I can't seem to find this anywhere and the manual says one thing but doesn't seem to adhere to what's explained.

Problem:
I can't seem to make 'high speed' dubs from HDD to DVD-R. I have some shows in the hard drive which averages about 2h:15m each that I wanted to transfer them to DVDs. It seems like the only option around here is if I wanted to record in 'high speed', it is only dedicated to 'XP' mode, but that only limits to 1 hr on a DVD-R and 1hr45m on DVD+R DL. When I select 'SP' to get more; then it only records in real time and I'm losing all my chapter marks and resulted in one big file like a video tape, not to mention a waste of time. It took me 4 hours to transfer a 3hr show to DVD+R DL yesterday.

Has anyone dubbed high speed in SP or even LP mode or is the function only good in XP?

High speed mode copying will require that the original recording fit onto a single blank disc. So, what record mode did you use when you made your original recordings? A 2hr and 15 min recording made in XP mode, will not fit on a blank disc, and will need to be dubbed in real time, in order to reencode the program down to the appropeiate file size, with the picture quality taking a hit, and chapter presets eliminated (ch marks go bye-bye when doing real time dubs).
A 2hr 15 min SP mode recording wil also not fit onto a single 4,7 dvd either, forcing a real time dub also. If you ever need to record a show to the hdd and you know it's longer than 2 hrs, then you should set the recording mode to FR-which is Flex Recording. FR mode will record the show, altering the rec mode while it records, to create the best pic quality possible, at a file size that will fit on the dvd. Add your ch markers and that's it. Then you'll be able to hi speed dub that to disc.

So remember to set the rec mode for the shows, before you record. And you won't get stuck tying up the unit with real time dubs.

Don't all Pannys have a menu setting you have to turn on BEFORE recording to HDD to allow HS dub later???

^ Yes...So if that was already set, then all current recordings on his hdd can be hi speed dubbed. If he didn't have it set, then everything he's recorded thus far, can only be real time dubbed. Yikes. :o

Unfortunately, if the video file on the drive is over 2 hours you will have to dub in real time, unless you recorded in LP. LP will record 4 hours of video/audio to a DVD.

I don't recommend recording in LP because that defeats one major advantage of the hard drive. The drive allows recording at the highest quality for SD which provides better dubbing. I do allot of dubbing in real time with excellent results because the source material is recorded in SP.

.....If you ever need to record a show to the hdd and you know it's longer than 2 hrs, then you should set the recording mode to FR-which is Flex Recording. FR mode will record the show, altering the rec mode while it records, to create the best pic quality possible, at a file size that will fit on the dvd. Add your ch markers and that's it. Then you'll be able to hi speed dub that to disc.

So remember to set the rec mode for the shows, before you record. And you won't get stuck tying up the unit with real time dubs.

Thanx guys - for all your responses.
Yes, I did have Enable High-Speed Mode set under Functions. There's an option where if you hit Other Functions afterwards; the Flexible Recording tab is available on the right, it gives you the option to set/squeeze recording time into a slot, but then that's for recording shows on the spot.
Most of my shows are unattended 'timer' recordings, am I gonna need to: select Schedule from the menu or on my remote>Edit recording to Schedule recording>then select quality to choose FR mode? I had this on XP at all times, it was on SP by default from the factory so I've changed it to reflect high quality recordings.
I'm looking at my schedule recordings and there are no Max recording time set option like how they have it on the Flexible Recording tab - only start or end time. Should I just change all that to FR mode regardless? Would the HDD recognize this or am I be able to transfer them in high speed mode to DVDs?

I'm looking at my schedule recordings and there are no Max recording time set option like how they have it on the Flexible Recording tab - only start or end time. Should I just change all that to FR mode regardless? Would the HDD recognize this or am I be able to transfer them in high speed mode to DVDs?
When you program for a timer recording, set the start time, then the end time, source-the hdd, and then Rec mode to FR. That's it. The resulting file size will fit a single 4.7 blank dvd, with the best possible picture quality.
a 1hr 15min show recorded @ FR mode, will produce picture quality between XP and SP-closer to XP, since it's only 15 mins more...A 2 hr15 min movie @ FR yields PQ between SP & LP-again, closer to SP, since it's only 15mins over..
You would set for FR, only for shows that are longer than 2 hrs at SP mode. Or even a 90 min movie/program. That means the unit will record the show at a PQ between the highest XP, and the next mode SP.

When you program for a timer recording, set the start time, then the end time, source-the hdd, and then Rec mode to FR. That's it. The resulting file size will fit a single 4.7 blank dvd, with the best possible picture quality.My bad...I was reading too fast at multiple reponses . I'll try this for an upcoming show. Thanx!

......You would set for FR, only for shows that are longer than 2 hrs at SP mode. Or even a 90 min movie/program. That means the unit will record the show at a PQ between the highest XP, and the next mode SP.For the 90 min (1hr:30m) movie/program; not unless I intend to transfer this into a dual layer disc (yields 107 min in XP/Fine mode) I can elect NOT to record in FR mode (but in XP) and CAN still dub this in 'High Speed' transfer under XP mode since it seems to fit everything in one disc, correct?
Sorry, I've never recorded into DVD discs before until now since the drive is getting a bit populated.

^^ If dual layer disc permits close to 2 hrs on XP mode, then yes, a 90min program you know you're going to place on a d/l disc, can be recorded in XP.

If you have commercials on your recording. Edit them out and you should be good to go high speed. It should take you under 2 hours after taking out the commercials