Reading input I am suddenly having problems with my unit. FIrst it was refusing to format a variety of DVD types; however it seemed to accept one today. WIUll try the laser cleaner. However, now I can't seem to record any input. I am connection coaxial directly into the unit and have tried several cables. Is the machine simply getting old?

SOURCE: Trouble with my Panasonic DVD recorder DMR-E55EB

Hi Dengle

The heat is caused by IC001 which is a regulator that is mounted on a completely inadequate heatsink on the power board. This component gets very hot during normal operation.

The regulator will usually last a couple of years, depending on how often the machine is used and then start playing up. The symptoms are intermittent operation, continuous self checking and rebooting, not being able to read discs and so on.

Eventually the component can short-circuit, burn out and take other components with it. The on-board fan is thermostatically controlled. It does not operate all the time, only when the unit gets hot enough. By using an external fan, you are keeping the unit cool enough for its own fan never to cut in. The additional cooling is probably squeezing a bit more life out of the regulator and is stopping its own fan from operating.

I have repaired lots of these and have never found a faulty fan, or fan switching fault. There's always a first time of course.

It is more likely that the regulator IC001 is faulty and if you are technically skilled, I would suggest you seriously consider replacing it. Use some heatsink compound and an extra heatsink, and it will probably do the trick. The regulator is an STRG6353. You can get these easily online from a number of outlets. Don't attempt a repair if you are unsure of what you are doing. Regards..

SOURCE: DVD recording problems

I have the same unit with the same exact problem. I ended up taking it in for repair and it's now working perfectly. I paid $100 for the repair. I dropped the unit off and picked it up myself. I think $30 additional is charged for shipping and handling in US.
PANASONIC CAMERA & DIGITAL SERVICE CENTER
1590 Touhy Ave
Elk Grove, IL 60007-5319
EMAIL camerarepair@us.panasonic.com
888-439-2676
Part Number
RFKNEH75VP
Description
RAM/DIGITAL PCB MODULE

SOURCE: "NO READ" on Panasonic DMR-EZ27 DVD Recorder

good day 2 you,, ,, i have some little advice on you,,

just open the top cover of your player and check the RIBBON WIRE of the LENS/EYE part then clean theGOLD FINGER/LINES
and get some clean cotton buds and a lighter fluid 2 clean the lens,,,,,ok,,

PS. dont use cd cleaner fluids,,, that wont clean, , , , , ,just lighter fluid ok!!!

GODBLESS U

SOURCE: On my DMR-ES35 Panasonic after perfect operation for 18 months, I'm getting a NO READ message, on disks already recorded on this unit,and several new disks of different makes. The main sympton now is

Same problem. "NoREAD" after about 15 months of moderate usage. Cleaned laser eye thoroughly. Solution is a class action lawsuit against Panasonic.

SOURCE: DVD recorder continually stuck on a loop trying to read disk.

Hi again

Well done!

I am so pleased to hear that you have restored the DMR E55 and for taking the trouble to let me know. It's always satisfying to achieve something like that and I guess you'll get even more pleasure from using it now than you did before. They are good machines and well worth the effort to keep them going.

Thanks again and kind regards