Dvd recorder won't record on DVD-RW disc.

Rule of thumb. a DVD-R is the most reliable and will work in ANY DVD RECORDER. ALL RW discs are hit or miss and not reliable, no matter who makes them. DO NOT BUY discs made by Maxell or Memorex. They are **** and should be illegal to sell. Verbatim brand is by far the most reliable. If you are buying RW's because you want to reuse them over and over...give up and use -R's. your life will be much happier.

- RecordNow! can record only to the same disc type
it records from. For example, you can record a
DVD only to a DVD+R or DVD+RW disc, and you
can record a CD only to a CD-R or a CD-RW disc.
you were using DVD-R, so it won't work.

hope this helps

This model (PY90DG) DVD recorder supports the following disc recording formats: DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD+R/DVD-R for everyday video. These should record fine. The RW discs are for repeated recording/erasure while the R discs are once-only recording types - the R discs must be finalised in this deck to make them playable on other DVD players. DVD-RAM discs are NOT supported by this unit. This recorder will play MP3 files on a CD-R or CD-RW (not DVD-ROM) just fine as well, but will not record them.

Best discs to buy for this type of recorder are DVD-R (recommended brand - Verbatim or TDK if you can get them, but not Memorex). These are OK.

According to the user's manual, for DVD+RW or DVD-RW discs, it may take some time for the disc to be recognized and then it has to format the disc prior to using it. This should be an automatic process when the disc is inserted (looking at page 17 of the owner's manual). If this is not happening, you may need to clean the DVD with a DVD cleaner (a DVD disc with tiny brushes that wipe the lense on the unit while the disc spins). You could first try using a can of compressed air and blowing any dust/dirt out of the DVD slot (with the tray open).

I not sure as to which type of Discs that you are refering to (ie DVD+R or DVD+RW). This player will only recognize 4x (max) DVD+RW and 8x (max) DVR+R discs. If the DVD+R Disc is 16x, the DVD recorder will not recognize it once you start to record. The player will read the blank Disc and give the impression that it will record on it. I have noticed that when a 16x speed Disc is in the Drive, The recordable hours for the disc seems to double. The normal 6 Hour recording length comes up as 12 Hours when you hit the info button. Since the 8x Speed (max) discs are not available any longer, I found it best to use the DVD+RW 4x Discs and make it compatible. I then copy the compatible DVD+RW disc to a 16X DVD+R disc using my computer DVD burner. The DVD+RW disc can then be erased so that it can be reused.

can i suggest you record vhs tapes on maxell dvd-r or tdk dvd-r (if you wish to keep them) used the dvd-rw to record those sporting events / movies or specials that you might not be around for....(because any one can accidently erase an dvd-rw).......now that formatting dvd-rw issue. i found that dynex http://www.dynexproducts.com/c-11-storage-media.aspx dvdv-rw works best with toshiba . i record all the ultimate fights erase (format) after i look at and on to next good luck

Try a DVD-R or DVD-RW that are only are for 2X speed and no faster.

VR mode or Video Recording mode is a feature on stand-alone consumer and computer DVD recorders that allows video recording and editing on a DVD rewriteable disc.
In VR mode, users can create and rename titles for the scenes. Also, if a scene is deleted, the space allocated by it will be utilized later without the need of reformatting a disc.
If the user would like to record on the same disc again in later time, on VR mode, users may eject the disc and it will not be finalized by the recorder until it is manually initiated. For the sake of comparison, any DVD disc recorded in VR's competitor V mode (or Video mode) will be automatically finalized before it is ejected by the recorder. Disc finalization is still required if the disc formatted for VR mode will be played in another DVD player.
Currently, users can only record in VR mode with the use of DVD-RW, DVD-RAM and DVD+RW discs, (updated in 2000 to accommodate DVD-R (General)) [DVD players marked “RW compatible” and “DVD Multi” can play DVD-VR recorded discs] and on some recorders, also on hard-disk drives.
Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD also support VR mode-like features.

Accordingly when DVD recorders became a viable option the features offered by <Video Mode> were minimal - the linear structure did not allow post recording editting or non-linear playback. Thus the DVD Forum devised Video Recording (VR) mode.

Unlike DVD-Video this uses a much simplier file structure that allows non-linear modification to the recorded data. This means features such as partial erase, editting, playlists, simulataneous record/playback, mixing of different media types (JPEG, MPEG1/2/4, MP3, WMA, WMV etc) and, in future models, dual record are all possible."

That basically summerises the differences: video is a linear recording that should end up DVD-Video compatible, VR is a digital recording mode that allows HDD-like functionality on disc.

Do you need to always be able play your recorded DVD-RW discs on other DVD Players? If yes you have to use Video Mode, although some players will play VR mode discs, and you can test this easily by giving it a go.

The main differences are:

DVD Video mode on DVD-RW

Plus points: Provides good compatibility (70% plus). That’s the only plus, plain and simple.

Negative Points: Only simple linear editing possible, really just hiding a title. You can reuse space only when you delete the last title or completely reformat but lose everything in the process. No defect management. Requires finalisation to play in other DVD Players. No possibility of time-slip, i.e. recording and playing back at the same time.

DVD VR mode (Video Recording)

Plus points: Better use of recording rates by having intermediate resolutions. Defect management so reliable. Time-slip on 2 speed media if supported by the recorder, allowing record and playback at the same time. Non-linear editing. Any space freed is reused automatically (think hard-drive or Mini-Disc) and added to the remaining time.

Negative Points: Not very compatible with existing DVD Players, plain and simple.

Of course if you have a hard-drive based recorder then all the negatives are wiped out, as you use VR mode on the hard-drive which gives you all the pluses of VR mode, then record to DVD-RW in Video Mode to give you the compatibility to play the disc elsewhere.
- A recording on DVD-RAM will always use VR mode
- A recording on DVD-R will always use Video mode
- A recording on DVD-RW can be either Video or VR depending which is set before the recording is made.
- A recording to DVD+RW or DVD+R will always use Video mode
- Many HDD/DVDR combi recorders will record to the HDD in VR mode and allow you to dub (digitally) to DVD-R in Video mode.

Here is your manual:
http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/d/dvdr3545v_37/dvdr3545v_37_dfu_aen.pdf

mine was doing the same thing.and we found out that if you recorded something and dont finalize it will not recored anything else till you finalize what you recored then it works again

I had that exact same problem. I would record a bunch of dvds with no problems for months and then some and one day it doesn't work. Only this showed up E4 EA03738B. However I've found the solution. Instead of going out and returning the recorder or buying new dvds just purchase a Laser Lense Cleaner. It's a dvd cleaner. Works like a charm.