20 Most Recent Panasonic DMR-E50 DVD Recorder Questions & Answers

The DMR-ES15 is a later model (around 2006/07) than the DMR-E50 (2003/04), but essentially both should do the same job so technically - a good equivalent in terms of recording and same brand so yes. The connections on the rear (of the replacement recorder) should suit and work with your other devices just as the old one did. According to some other online reviews, the DMR-E50 has had a few issues with recording, and finalizing certain discs. I'd say go for it - accept the replacement - as long as it comes with some kind of guarantee, works fully and has all the accessories (including remote, instructions etc.) you should be good. Contact the store and seal the deal. I hope you can get this in time for Christmas.

Hi

I don't know if you've sussed this one out yet but it sounds like you have the child lock on. Just press enter and return at the same time for a few seconds and that should sort it.

Mel

I found the problem and it was not a disk problem, instead it was a mechanical problem.

.Before you start taking the unit apart open the disk tray and unplug the unit, as the tray needs to be out of the way.

You need to take the unit apart to gain access to the top side of the disk mechanism. To do this remove the 3 phillips screws on the top back of the cabinet, on the side of the cabinet there should be 1 larger phillips screw on each side. Once you remove the screws you will have to work the top off as it can be tight. Once you have done this remove the face plate which is held be 3 plastic clips on the bottom and one on each side. When you have these released slowly pull the face plate towards you till it comes loose, on my unit all the connections are made with multi pin connectors that remain in place on the chassis and faceplate circuit board.Next you have to remove 4 small phillips screws from the top of the disk area. Once inside you should see a 2 piece plastic disk that has a small magnet in the middle and is on a flexible piece of metal that is underneath a piece of bent metal to limit its upward travel. If this plastic disk is loose carefully snap it back together by holding one finger underneath applying pressure with your other hand from the top. Check to make certain it turns freely and push down slightly on the metal to make sure it moves up and down. If it does now is the time to look inside with a flashlight and locate the laser lens, as this is the perfect time to clean it as suggested by someone on this board. Now put everything back together and unless there is a further problem in the unit you should be back in business.

This tip was given to me by a technician for Hewlett Packard who I was chatting with while traveling to the San Francisco area by train several days ago.

Linda

Check and clean the remote control. Visit the site "Electro-help"

If the power supply is part of the main board, then a tech needs to troubleshoot with a schematic to the component level. That is expensive. Replacing the main board is expensive. Here is the part number for the main board from Panasonics web site. Nice price! REP3497B MAIN PCB 303.72 * Having worked on instrumentation grade switching power supplies, I can tell which parts are the main culprits. Electrolytic capacitors ( those are the tall ones that have a polarity marking on them, diodes ( strangely enough it is often a protection diode that shorts ), regulators, and switching transistors. If it is a capacitor they will sometimes but not always leak. The fan not running usually means you have no 12VDC. That said, I wouldn't stick my hand in there if I didn't know what the design is like. Some I have seen step the 120VAC line voltage up to +/-160V DC before dropping it down to +5V, -12V, etc. The sad part is that these parts are usually pretty inexpensive and many are available at Radio Shack. The cost is the labor to figure it out what went wrong.

there is a problem with the disks

The remote and the DVR are not paired correctly. This is a feature which allows the use of 2 units from the same manufacturer without each remote controlling both units. There will either be a small switch in the remote's battery compartment, a sequence of button pushing on the remote or an option to pair the remote in the DVR's menus to change from remote 2 back to remote 1.

The disc tray loading belt - this part should be available from Panasonic directly; just quote your DVD recorder's model number, and order the belt if you can fit it yourself. Shouldn't cost too much for a loading belt, and, as I said, if you can fit it yourself, you save on expensive workshop repair costs.

In USA, you can contact Panasonic support by phone:

Product Support and
Technical Assistance 1-800-211-PANA (7262)
quote your model number, and ask about a tray loading belt for your (or similar) model. Forget their parts and accessories site - it offers zero help. There may be a generic belt kit (including a similar sized belt for your tray) to suit your model from places such as Radio Shack which could be closer to home.

Just one idea, or you can have a look at this:

http://www.kenselectronics.com/lists/belts.htm

I don't know how much use that will be to you, but worth a look. (you may need to remove your old belt and measure its circumference for an approximate generic replacement size)