My Panasonic Dmr E55 was struck by lightning is this fixable or garbage?

Your unit is most likely fried from the surge. Fixable but cheaper to replace.

hi larry.
see if this link helps you for the manual.
panasonic dmr e55 service manual Google Search

You may be able to download a free pdf copy of the manual online from the following site:

http://www.retrevo.com/support/Panasonic-DMR-E55-DVD-Players-manual/id/312dj185/t/2/

(just follow the prompts)

Pages 6 - 9 of the manual show connection of this unit to a TV and/or other equipment in some detail.

If the freeview box has a SCART output, connect that to either AV1 or AV2 on the Panasonic. To record, select either AV1 or AV2 as the input. Use the other AV to connect to the TV to playback.

HOLD or X HOLD? If the latter - which is most likely - then the Child Lock has been activated! Press and hold ENTER and RETURN simultaneously until HOLD disappears!

You will have no problem playing your non finalized discs on any of the Panasonic DMR range including the DMR EZ28 series. The DMR E55 can also easily be repaired if you can use a soldering iron and a little care. Please checkout my other postings for full repair details.
Cheers...

Easy to fix. The DMR E55 has 3 remote control code settings and your remote can be set for any one of them. The error you are getting at the moment means that your remote is set for one code but your DMR E55 is set for another. Why do Panasonic do this? The reason that Panasonic do this, is because if you have several Panasonic units, you can operate one of them from your remote without all of them responding at the same time. Ok, so how is it fixed? Turn on your DMR E55 and press FUNCTIONS then select SETUP. Then select OTHERS. You will see the remote option on the right which will say DVD 1 or DVD 2 or DVD 3, Try setting it to a different code and press return. You should get it to work...

A manual can be found here Panasonic DMR-E55 DVD Recorder User Guide
Or if you prefer, you can visit the Panasonic product support website ( just use google to find it) and look for the manual for your machine.
Best wishes...

http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMRE55.PDF

I have been told that panasonic now have a faster speed disc on sale to suit the newer dvd recorders that dmr-e55 cannot record on as they are too fast. You have to buy the slower speed ram discs to suit the dmr-e55.