I just got a used Panasonic DMR-ES35V, and I'm afraid the thing's got me feeling rather stupid. I've hooked up other brands of DVD players, and a couple of DVD recorders, and had no problems...but this has got me stumped! I've also tried it on two different televisions to make sure the TV's not the issue. I hooked it up using just the coaxal...then tried using the AV cables...and nothing. I get no menu on my television, or even a blank screen showing that something is communicating to my television. There are no error messages showing on the recorder unit, either. I am missing the remote that comes with the unit, but have a universal that allowed me to plug in the code and does basic functions on the recorder...but still nothing comes up on the television...just the static screen. I was about ready to order the brand remote, so that I can attempt to get to a menu, but I don't know how that will help if it's not communicating with my TV. I did see there is a firmware update install on the Panasonic website...but could that really be the issue? Would not having installed that keep my unit from sending info to my TV? I hope someone can help...I hate to spend the money sending this to an electronics shop if it's something simple. Thanks in advance! ;)

I would first try a "hard reset" on the machine.
First turn it on, after it's done with it's startup routine(30 seconds) hold both the CH up and CH Down on the main unit for 10 seconds. This will return the unit to close to "out of box state".
Off hand all I can think is maybe the previous owner turned OFF the RF modulator in the setup(I do this all the time). In this case you would see nothing using the RF cable.
You "should" always be able to see signal via the composite outputs though so I'm not sure what's going on there for you.
Try the reset first.

Without a remote that gives access to various menus a DMR-ES35V (or any other Panasonic DVD recorder or combo recorder) would be very difficult to make useful in any but the most basic way. The FUNCTIONS menu provides access to all the setup menus and many of the options, including finalization settings. The SCHEDULE menu provides access to programming recordings. The DIRECT NAVGATOR provides access to viewing the various titles on a DVD. REC MODE allows one to change recording speeds. Universal remotes seldom provide access to these and other essential commands.

The best solution is to obtain a genuine Panasonic remote from any 2005-2007 model DVD recorder or combo recorder. These remotes will have model numbers beginning EUR7720 (on a 2005 model) or EUR7659 (on 2006-2007 models). The model numbers are found on the front of 2005 model remotes and on the rear near the battery cover release on the 2006-2007 model remotes. (Your DMR-ES35V is a 2006 model.)

Philips makes two inexpensive Universal Learning Remotes, one for six devices and another for eight devices. For less than $10 I purchased the Philips Universal Digital DVD Learning Remote, model PMDVD6, at a local Kroger-owned store. If you may borrow a genuine Panasonic remote you may teach the Philips to control the essential commands you need to control your DMR-ES35V.

With the borrowed remote you may set up your DMR-ES35V. If a borrowed remote does not control your machine the remote and your machine might not be programmed to the same operating codes. By pointing the remote at your machine and pressing any button the machine's display will show the machine's code (#1, #2 or #3). The remote may be reset to the machine's code by holding down the ENTER button and the #1, #2 or #3 number button at the same time for several seconds. (Operating codes are explained in more detail in the "When other Panasonic products respond to this remote control" section on page 19 of the Operating Instructions.)

If your machine was found to be using operating code #2 or #3 you should go back to the setup menu AFTER setting up the machine and change the "Remote Control Code" to #1. Then change the borrowed remote's code to #1. Do this BEFORE you attempt to teach a Philips learning remote the codes from the Panasonic remote.

The Phillips remote's Panasonic DVD recorder code 0340 corresponds to the Panasonic #1 operating code. Start by programming the Philips with the basic Panasonic commands by entering that 0340 code. After that teach the Philips the other essential codes. I added or reassigned the Philips with these commands:

Fast/Slow Forward and Fast/Slow Back (in addition to the Skip Forward and Skip Back that the Philips already operated); DIRECT NAVIGATOR; SCHEDULE; FUNCTIONS; REC MODE (recording speed); STATUS; RETURN; INPUT SELECT; CANCEL; AM/PM (actually this is the same as the PAUSE button). Some of these commands were reassignments of unrelated Philips buttons and some were assignments of similarly-named Philips buttons. (I re-labeled the Philips with a Sharpie fine point. Rubbing alcohol will remove the ink if you make a mistake.)

If you change the code on the borrowed remote be sure to change the remote back to the code that operates the lender's Panasonic.

If you need the DMR-ES35V manual it may be downloaded as a PDF file and saved to your computer hard drive through this link:

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Operating-Instructions/details-DMR-ES35VS

I would first try a "hard reset" on the machine.
First turn it on, after it's done with it's startup routine(30 seconds) hold both the CH up and CH Down on the main unit for 10 seconds. This will return the unit to close to "out of box state".
Off hand all I can think is maybe the previous owner turned OFF the RF modulator in the setup(I do this all the time). In this case you would see nothing using the RF cable.
You "should" always be able to see signal via the composite outputs though so I'm not sure what's going on there for you.
Try the reset first.

I had downloaded the user manual when I realized I wasn't getting anywhere...and came across the instructions to reset. I tried that several times, but the machine didn't respond to it...it didn't turn off as it stated it would do. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

The unit HAS to be on for the reset to work, and again the CH up CH down have to be pushed at the same time and held for 10 seconds min. If this does now work(unit should turn off and go to flashing 12:00) I would suspect a major problem with your machine, which would require service.

Without a remote that gives access to various menus a DMR-ES35V (or any other Panasonic DVD recorder or combo recorder) would be very difficult to make useful in any but the most basic way. The FUNCTIONS menu provides access to all the setup menus and many of the options, including finalization settings. The SCHEDULE menu provides access to programming recordings. The DIRECT NAVGATOR provides access to viewing the various titles on a DVD. REC MODE allows one to change recording speeds. Universal remotes seldom provide access to these and other essential commands.

The best solution is to obtain a genuine Panasonic remote from any 2005-2007 model DVD recorder or combo recorder. These remotes will have model numbers beginning EUR7720 (on a 2005 model) or EUR7659 (on 2006-2007 models). The model numbers are found on the front of 2005 model remotes and on the rear near the battery cover release on the 2006-2007 model remotes. (Your DMR-ES35V is a 2006 model.)

Philips makes two inexpensive Universal Learning Remotes, one for six devices and another for eight devices. For less than $10 I purchased the Philips Universal Digital DVD Learning Remote, model PMDVD6, at a local Kroger-owned store. If you may borrow a genuine Panasonic remote you may teach the Philips to control the essential commands you need to control your DMR-ES35V.

With the borrowed remote you may set up your DMR-ES35V. If a borrowed remote does not control your machine the remote and your machine might not be programmed to the same operating codes. By pointing the remote at your machine and pressing any button the machine's display will show the machine's code (1, 2 or 3). The remote may be reset to the machine's code by holding down the ENTER button and the 1, 2 or 3 number button at the same time for several seconds. (If you change the code on the borrowed remote be sure to change the remote back to the code that operates the lender's Panasonic. Operating codes are explained in more detail in the "When other Panasonic products respond to this remote control" section on page 19 of the Operating Instructions.)

Start by programming the Philips with the basic Panasonic commands by entering the 0340 code. From there teach the Philips the other essential codes. I added or reassigned the Philips with these commands:

Fast/Slow Forward and Fast/Slow Back (in addition to the Skip Forward and Skip Back that the Philips already operated); DIRECT NAVIGATOR; SCHEDULE; FUNCTIONS; REC MODE (recording speed); STATUS; RETURN; INPUT SELECT; CANCEL; AM/PM (actually this is the same as the PAUSE button). Some of these commands were reassignment of unrelated Philips buttons and some were assignments of similarly-named Philips buttons. (I re-labeled the Philips with a Sharpie fine point. Rubbing alcohol will remove the ink if you make a mistake.)

If you need the DMR-ES35V manual it may be downloaded as a PDF file and saved to your computer hard drive through this link:



Well, it's good to know that the remote is essential. I kind of got the picture when I was reading the user manual (I had downloaded that before posting, when I realized I was so baffled) that there were unique buttons I would need for various functions. However, I really hate to spend the money for a remote just to find out I still don't get a signal to the TV... (I couldn't find a Kroger store near me, and on the net the lowest one I could find would cost 30 bucks after adding shipping) But thanks for clearing up the remote debate for me, if I get it working at least I know it'll be important to spend that money, anyway.

The unit HAS to be on for the reset to work, and again the CH up CH down have to be pushed at the same time and held for 10 seconds min. If this does now work(unit should turn off and go to flashing 12:00) I would suspect a major problem with your machine, which would require service.

Oh, ok....well since the unit didn't turn off by itself as it stated in the manual it would do, I assumed it didn't work... But when I turned it off with the power button it WAS flashing the 12:00... so I guess the reset must have worked! Still no communication with my either of my TV's though... :confused:

Milleniumgirl67,

If you borrow a Panasonic remote you may attempt to set up your machine to see if it's fully functional. If not you may not want to spend any more money on a non-functional machine.

Well, it's good to know that the remote is essential. I kind of got the picture when I was reading the user manual (I had downloaded that before posting, when I realized I was so baffled) that there were unique buttons I would need for various functions. However, I really hate to spend the money for a remote just to find out I still don't get a signal to the TV... (I couldn't find a Kroger store near me, and on the net the lowest one I could find would cost 30 bucks after adding shipping) But thanks for clearing up the remote debate for me, if I get it working at least I know it'll be important to spend that money, anyway.
As mentioned above, you can't go through the unit's setup without a remote to access the Functions menu. Here is a site that sells Panasonic remotes.
http://www.partstore.com/Part/Matsushita/Panasonic/DMRES35VS/Matsushita/Panasonic/EUR7659Y70/New.aspx
I'm curious though. Can you put a disc in and see if it will start playing, even if you can't see it onscreen? At least you'll have some idea whether the thing works, or is actually faulty. Setup menu requires that you set output to channel 3 or 4, like vcrs required.
Without the remote, you can't tell whether it's good or bad. If the recorder is faulty, then you can always return the remote for a refund.

As mentioned above, you can't go through the unit's setup without a remote to access the Functions menu. Here is a site that sells Panasonic remotes.

I'm curious though. Can you put a disc in and see if it will start playing, even if you can't see it onscreen? At least you'll have some idea whether the thing works, or is actually faulty. Setup menu requires that you set output to channel 3 or 4, like vcrs required.
Without the remote, you can't tell whether it's good or bad. If the recorder is faulty, then you can always return the remote for a refund.

Yes, I see that both the vhs tape and the dvd are playing, it shows that on the unit itself. It allows me to switch back and forth between the two with no problems, and play, stop, rewind the tape, etc...just no picture on the televisions. I saw on the unit where it showed "ch 6" when I inserted the dvd...so I changed my channels to 6, just static. I tried ch 3, 4, and the aux channels that each tv has. :( Btw, I found a remote for 30 bucks total, which includes shipping... the retailer you included in this link would be even more than that after shipping...just an fyi. Thanks!

Milleniumgirl67,

One of the setup options lets you choose between antenna or cable reception for your machine. The incorrect setting may be part of the problem. Is your TV set to the Input that the DMR-ES35V output feeds?

If you borrow a Panasonic remote you may find your machine set for code #2 or #3. Once you have set up the machine you should go back to the setup menu and change the "Remote Control Code" to #1. Then change the borrowed remote's code to #1 (as mentioned in my earlier post). Do this BEFORE you attempt to teach a Philips learning remote the codes from the Panasonic remote. (The Phillips code 0340 for Panasonic DVD recorders corresponds to the Panasonic #1 operating code.) I shall revise my earlier post to incorporate this clarification.

In my area the Fred Meyer chain is owned by Kroger. My Philips PMDVD6 was $9.74 on sale. The regular price is $12.99.

Kroger-owned stores may be found under several names:

http://www.thekrogerco.com/

Milleniumgirl67,

One of the setup options lets you choose between antenna or cable reception for your machine. The incorrect setting may be part of the problem. Is your TV set to the Input that the DMR-ES35V output feeds?


Ok, guess I'll go back to both TV's to see what the input settings are on... I don't know someone to borrow a remote from, but I supposed I could call the Kroger that's an hour away from me to see if they have one. Thanks for your help... ;)

Milleniumgirl67,

Google lists the PMDVD6 learning remote as low as $9.80:

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=philips+pmdvd6&um=1&ie=UTF-8

Amazon lists the PMDVD6 learning remote from one seller as low as $8.68.

If you were to get one of these and give your general location perhaps some local Panasonic user may offer to help you set up your DMR-ES35V and teach the learning remote its commands.