First, some info and my recording habits...

I have two Panasonic DMR-ES20's that I bought out of box at circuit city late March and late April. I record 2 to 4 hours each day (just about) because I tape alot of sports (massive VHS collection dating back to 1989), and would like to dub alot of my VHS tapes over but am currently afraid to due to fear of wearing out recorder.

Now my questions....

1. What would be considered overuse and what can I expect lifewise from my units due to daily usage?
2. I have noticed that when I first started using my recorders, my discs would finalize in a matter of 10 seconds where now it seems to take a minute to a minute and a half (the on screen disclaimer says it can take up to 15 miniutes). Should I worry?
3. Have been using Nextech discs and have had good luck with them. Anybody have any problems?
4. I notice that the Targets and Wally Worlds are now stocking Hewit Packard blank discs at a decent price (10 pk for $5 at Target, 3 pk DL for $10 at Wally World). Not having bought them yet, can anybody tell me their track record with HP discs?

Prob have more questions but will leave it here now. Appreciate any and all feedback.

Never use any DL's other than Verbatim. Can your recorder even record using them?

I'd check DVDRHelp.com for advice on blanks.

I have an ES-10, the predecessor model. I'm pretty sure the ES-20 doesn't use dual-layer blanks. I've used a small variety of +R and -R. I prefer the Sony+R MIJ (made in Japan). I've had an occasional Value Line 4x TY-R choke on me though (wouldn't finalize). I'm a light user, an occasional TV program and recently converting some old LDs. I bought one for my dad at the same time and he's used his more, mainly home videos and dubbing some VHS stuff for me. He's had a couple TY problems too.

1)I'm not made of money, but as far as the overuse issue goes, I had the same concerns at first, but after a year and a half have burned about 500 discs. I also use the recorder for daily recording (ESPN sports talk block, prime time programming) on RAM five nights a week. I've had one coaster in all that time. My machine works as well now as the day I bought it, and with the machines being so inexpensive now, overuse became a non-issue.

2)My discs generally take a minute to finalize - I've read that the time it takes depends on how much disc space was used, but I don't see any real difference.

3)Just personal taste, but I only use Sony. I bought a cake of TDK on sale and all but 8 would stop recording about a minute in (1:15 seconds, consistently - however, they burned fine in my computer) so I went back to sony for good

I have the ES10 and it always takes the 4 minutes it claims to finalize. They must've made it variable for the ES20. I always use Taiyo -R, although I used TDK at first. Both have been perfect, never not worked, and I haven't found a player that finalized discs didn't work on. And I've tried them on many. I've done a couple tests with some TDK -RW, which also worked fine.

I haven't burned nearly as much as you guys. Several dozen, not 100 total, yet.

1. I've had two Panny recorders. E30 and E85. Burned more discs than I care to count. Don't wiorry about it.
2. The more unused space on a disc the longer it takes to finalize. Use the flexible record mode to try and maximize disc space. Don't worry about.
3. Panny really likes Sony, Fuji and Verbatim. For some reason it doesn't lioke Tayo Yudin, at least mine doesn't. Fails to read them half the time. It's important that the discs will play in other players. Just because they play ok in the recorder doesn't mean you won't have problems with other players. Stick with a high quality media.
4. $2-3 per blank disc is highway robbery. You can get a spindle of 50 Sony at Wal-Mart for $29. Better yet watch for sales. Best Buy just had spindles of 50 Verbatims for $15. Stock up and by the time you start running out they'll be on sale again. You still have to get some kind of case. I buy regular dvd cases at 100 for $25. Slim jewel cases run about 30 cents a piece. Still cheaper than buying discs that come in regular jewel cases for $2-3. When I first started burning in 2002 spindles of 50 ran almost $100.

[QUOTE=Spiky] never not workedQUOTE]

Double negative...nice

I have a Gateway DVD recorder and it takes about 2-3 mins.