Panasonic DMR-ES30VS DVD Recorder / VCR Combo

Once I got the machine set up...only 17 pages, I tried to tackle the "one touch" transfer of VHS tapes to DVD disc.
The instructions are on page 57 and once you get the basic stuff setup it is a one touch operation. I burned a disc and took it to my living room to view on my old DVD player. It wouldn't work. I had a feeling something was missing so I went back thru the 80 page manual and found that back on page 31 there was a half page about how to
"finalize" a DVD. How did I know you have to finalize a
DVD before it could be played somewhere else? I'm a dummy about this stuff as I bet 50% of people who buy these things are. Why not write the manual with the entire procedure in one spot? The machine is great. Recording quality is beautiful. Has way more features than I'll ever use. I just want to save my old VHS tapes from 20 years ago and it's the best in the world for doing just that.