I need a DVD recorder that does not force a menu. I want to record 30 seconds to two hours and have someone put in the DVD and all that comes up is a black screen until they hit "play". Does anyone know of a brand that will do this?

Thanks,
Mark

Many DVDRs use a static 1st frame as the default menu index pic, so you can start a title with black and that's all the viewer would see. Other than that, maybe a Toshiba can create NO menu?

In the finalization menu Panasonics may be set to have the DVD play the first title upon insertion without showing any menu. Panasonics may also be set to show thumbnails of titles (Top Menu) in the same finalization menu. Once a disc has been finalized after changing the setting the new setting becomes the default. To change it back just change the setting and finalize a disc. Of course, the full title menu may be displayed by pressing Direct Navigator.

Whatever setting has been chosen in the finalization menu determines how that disc will be read in Panasonics as well as other brand machines.

Toshibas can also make it play upon insertion. (So it's not EXACTLY what you say -- it does play immediately.)

Toshibas can also make it play upon insertion. (So it's not EXACTLY what you say -- it does play immediately.)

What he says, or...

with some Toshibas (e.g., the RD-XS35), you can capture any image to save and use as a background for your menu, so save any black frame from your video and use that as your menu background. You can also chose the thumbnail for your video, so again you could select any black frame in the video, and the title name can be edited to nothing, so you would have a black thumbnail with no text on a black menu background until someone hits play and your video starts.

Or . . .
All my DVD-R burns are made to play upon insertion -- no menu. Just press the stop button after the tray loads and it will sit there forever until you press play.