Blu Ray Question

[Petrushka]

Is there a Blu ray player available that can play DVD RAM discs? Still got my Panasonic DVD recorder which is fine but the future looks bleak for my large DVD RAM collection should it pack in. Don't went to convert them, just want to know if there is a blu ray player that plays them!

[Braunschlag]

Interesting you ask. I was sorting through some ‘homemade’ discs last week and found some DVD RAM discs and they definitely won’t play on my newer cheap Sony so do beware.
I can’t recall if my now departed Oppo read them but I suspect it didn’t. Like your good self I used DVD RAM discs for its flexibility and it was easy to copy chapters using a former Panasonic machine (they are/were very flexible friends!).

[Braunschlag]

A quick fumble around a few forums reveals this unwelcoming info :

‘Panasonic DVD recorders and cameras record to DVD-RAM in VR format. There is no industry standard controlling VR mode recording as there is with DVD video, so generally speaking DVD recorders and DVD players from one manufacturer won't play recordings on DVD-RAM that were created by a recorder or camera made by a different manufacturer. Panasonic dropped DVD-RAM support from their DVD players and Blu-Ray players a few years ago and they don't make DVD Recorders for N. America any more.’

You might have difficulty in finding a universal player that will do it. I believe some PC external drives might but that’s not much help really. Maybe it’s time to transfer them to DVD R. I’m assuming you have one of those Panasonics with a built in HDD. If not....open a bottle:)

[Petrushka]

A quick fumble around a few forums reveals this unwelcoming info :

‘Panasonic DVD recorders and cameras record to DVD-RAM in VR format. There is no industry standard controlling VR mode recording as there is with DVD video, so generally speaking DVD recorders and DVD players from one manufacturer won't play recordings on DVD-RAM that were created by a recorder or camera made by a different manufacturer. Panasonic dropped DVD-RAM support from their DVD players and Blu-Ray players a few years ago and they don't make DVD Recorders for N. America any more.’

You might have difficulty in finding a universal player that will do it. I believe some PC external drives might but that’s not much help really. Maybe it’s time to transfer them to DVD R. I’m assuming you have one of those Panasonics with a built in HDD. If not....open a bottle:)

This was what I was trying to avoid! However, yes, my Panasonic does have a built in HDD so it looks like a bit of hard work is in store. Never understood why DVD RAM didn't become the standard format, it's so easy to edit.

[richardfinegold]

A quick fumble around a few forums reveals this unwelcoming info :

‘Panasonic DVD recorders and cameras record to DVD-RAM in VR format. There is no industry standard controlling VR mode recording as there is with DVD video, so generally speaking DVD recorders and DVD players from one manufacturer won't play recordings on DVD-RAM that were created by a recorder or camera made by a different manufacturer. Panasonic dropped DVD-RAM support from their DVD players and Blu-Ray players a few years ago and they don't make DVD Recorders for N. America any more.’

You might have difficulty in finding a universal player that will do it. I believe some PC external drives might but that’s not much help really. Maybe it’s time to transfer them to DVD R. I’m assuming you have one of those Panasonics with a built in HDD. If not....open a bottle:)

If Oppo wouldn't play them, I doubt any other BDP would. I tried checking an Oppo dealer but now they just list the products as unavailable, although I just received the 203 yesterday but I haven't unboxed it. My advice would be to try and pick up another Panasonic player like your current one on eBay, and keep it somewhere as insurance. Either that or convert your discs.