Does anyone know of this place, selling the EH55? I am told that this model would work with analog, no cable-box cable.

From the web site:

With a built-in PAL TV tuner, clock/timer, the DMR-EH55 gives you familiar recording features often found on VCRs — plus a whole lot more.

No NTSC TV tuner means NO analog cable recording...sorry.

If its anything like the grey-market EH67, it will record cable or satellite in NTSC thru its line inputs (requiring a cable box). It just can't tune American OTA channels or their corresponding cable channels. For the price, I'd look for a leftover Canadian Panasonic with full NTSC capabilities and TVGOS: a stripped grey-market Panasonic really offers no particular advantage over any other DVD/HDD recorder. Or go with a current, more available Canadian Pioneer model with similar DVD-RAM and HDD features. The new Canadian Sony 780 is a Pioneer clone.

There are a great many people here obsessed with the notion of "cable without the cable box". Y'all need to get over that one, because that kind of service tier will rapidly disappear after the analog shutdown in February 2009. Yes, there is clear QAM and regulations and blah blah blah: forget it, the cable monopolies do whatever the hell they want to do regardless of what the feds and local regulators say. They view the analog shutdown as their chance to drop all their non-box customers or force them into getting a box. Cable profit versatility requires the client to have a box, straight-wire cable severely curtails their ability to sell you stuff. Even if they have to provide the box free to get you to take it, one way or another we'll all have a box by 2010.

There are two versions of the DMR-EH55; a 200GB HDD for N. America and the other for parts of Europe and other Asian countries with only a 160GB Hard Drive. There are a handful of these importers in the states that sells them, usually modified or 'chipped' so you can have both NTSC/PAL and so forth. If they come equipped with NTSC which they usually do, many of these will work in North America with no problems, if not, then you'll have to fork out some $$$ for a converter, but then, you'll face another dilemma in March 2009 if you live in the states. Another thing, the firmware that controls the GUI might be different, ie: features and/or languages. Also, you'll get those funky looking 1970s computer looking (SCART) plugs in the rear which serves you no purpose. For these units, it is only beneficial to buy a 'player' as appose to a 'recorder'.

My advice is if you really want an EH55; order the one from Canada before it's gone, or worst, as the price gets even higher! I bought mine back in May '08 from the seller that was mentioned here through ebay and the recorder is no different than any other EH55 in the U.S.; right down to the AC plug, other than the designated 'S' - which meant 'Silver'. I get full TVGOS listing, it records EVERY show so far from regular t.v., cable and dubs (transfered) just about every VHS tape from my Toshiba VCR.

In my opinion, the Panasonic DMR-EH55 (200GB HDD) is by far one of the best, if not, the best DVD/HDD recorder that was ever mfg up to date, because there weren't anymore that's being produced at the moment nor in the near future to rival this unit - at least not in North America. Oh, and forget about BLU-RAY recorders, your recordings can only be as good as what the cable companies allow to air - which is pretty crappy if you ask me, or from any other source for that matter. For the prices above $1,000, I'd rather buy the original DVDs.
As for the Panasonic DMR-EH55: I am one fortunate s.o.b. and one happy camper to own a piece of history.

80'sGuy -

You do have the option of setting up with Dish or Direct in the TVGOS setup menu with that Canadian EH55, don't you?

(Just want to make double-sure, in case I order one - I would be using it with Dish, as I do now with my EH75V.)

80'sGuy -

You do have the option of setting up with Dish or Direct in the TVGOS setup menu with that Canadian EH55, don't you?

(Just want to make double-sure, in case I order one - I would be using it with Dish, as I do now with my EH75V.)I have Cable through Charter Comm (Time Warner) and the menu on mine accepts all zip codes and I get the 7-8 days schedule downloaded in about 24 hours. The list also gives me the option to choose my surrounding cities, so it does recognize where I'm at. I'm not sure how the DISH works.

Yes it gives the choice for Dish or Direct. I think it says it will only get TVGOS directly from one or the other. I think it's Dish and if you use Direct you need to get TVGOS OTA. I believe the Canadian EH-55 has the same TVGOS as in the US EH-55 and US EH-75.

The Canadian EH55 is essentially - a U.S. EH55, no questions about it. It's got the same casing, same tuner, same remote (it even have the 'TV GUIDE' logo etched on it) , same user interface, same language and right down to the same voltage and prongs to connect into your household electrical outlet. In reality, the EH55 is made for U.S and Canada just like most other electronics and appliances.

Thanks. Where is the best place to buy a Canadian EH55?

As for the Panasonic DMR-EH55: I am one fortunate s.o.b. and one happy camper to own a piece of history.


I thought I have a HDD recorder, but, WOW, I own a piece of history!:D;)

The Canadian EH55 is essentially - a U.S. EH55, no questions about it. It's got the same casing, same tuner, same remote (it even have the 'TV GUIDE' logo etched on it) , same user interface, same language and right down to the same voltage and prongs to connect into your household electrical outlet. In reality, the EH55 is made for U.S and Canada just like most other electronics and appliances.
I beg to differ. Mine came with an English AND a French manual. :D I bet the American version did not have that French manual, did it? So there is a difference, that being the included French manual.

Thanks. Where is the best place to buy a Canadian EH55?

I'll let you know if Thunder Bay ON. has any left.
Headin' out for my yearly vac. 4am tomorrow:eek: Future Shop here I come:cool:

There are a great many people here obsessed with the notion of "cable without the cable box". Y'all need to get over that one, because that kind of service tier will rapidly disappear after the analog shutdown in February 2009. Yes, there is clear QAM and regulations and blah blah blah: forget it, the cable monopolies do whatever the hell they want to do regardless of what the feds and local regulators say. They view the analog shutdown as their chance to drop all their non-box customers or force them into getting a box. Cable profit versatility requires the client to have a box, straight-wire cable severely curtails their ability to sell you stuff. Even if they have to provide the box free to get you to take it, one way or another we'll all have a box by 2010.

You're forgetting cable cards. That is a way to get the functionality of the box without the box.

(I don't have cablecards, nor a cable box.. Even though I was the one who got cable in our house well over a decade ago, even I am thinking more seriously about going 'back' to OTA + netflix plus possibly even something like web-viewing for things like the Daily Show.. Not anytime soon.. but if EVERYTHING goes digital and the price goes way up.. yes..)

I beg to differ. Mine came with an English AND a French manual. :D I bet the American version did not have that French manual, did it? So there is a difference, that being the included French manual.

Yes, this can be be an valuable feature (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13749964#post13749964).:)





Note: Before attempting the last one, you should gain her trust well first.

The Canadian EH55 is essentially - a U.S. EH55, no questions about it. It's got the same casing, same tuner, same remote (it even have the 'TV GUIDE' logo etched on it) , same user interface, same language and right down to the same voltage and prongs to connect into your household electrical outlet. In reality, the EH55 is made for U.S and Canada just like most other electronics and appliances.

Except for one thing......

No warranty or support from Panasonic in the US! :eek:

There's a member here who reports success (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14636372#post14636372) in having "the good folks at Elk Grove Village (...) honor Canadian warranties as well -- free o' charge, including shipping BOTH WAYS!)."

Except for one thing......

No warranty or support from Panasonic in the US! :eek:I'm not sure about the warranty, but I did call tech support about minor issues and they'd mentioned about some 'firmware update' and opted to send me the revision via parcel, 10 minutes later after I got off the phone with them, I received an e-mail confirmation regarding the order along with an order number. I received the disc in 2 days from New Jersey; needless to say, I didn't update anything since I already figured out the small problem.

I'm not sure about the warranty, but I did call tech support about minor issues and they'd mentioned about some 'firmware update' and opted to send me the revision via parcel, 10 minutes later after I got off the phone with them, I received an e-mail confirmation regarding the order along with an order number. I received the disc in 2 days from New Jersey; needless to say, I didn't update anything since I already figured out the small problem.


Did they say what the FW was for? My unit keeps getting an error message when it's hooked up via HDMI. Everything seems to work, but the flashing display is annoying.

Details are below. The disc that was sent to me contains the 'UP-317' version. I believe it also overwrites all older versions. UP-316 would probably rectify your dilemma.

*****Firmware_History*****

UP-317
1.Countermeasure of freezing or picture darkness on DVD playback through STB BOX MADE BY Scientific Atlanta as Model#:SA3250.

UP-316
1. U71 message is deleted due to avoiding for issue of HDMI connection with Philips TV.

UP-315
1. Improved drive firmware. (to S211 from S210).
Improved temperature problem of motor driver IC for over 6x.

UP-312
Performances improved are
1. Correspondence to Playback of DVD-Video for +RW disc.
2. Countermeasure against matter which DIGA turns on VIErA's power by HDAVI control at completion of COPYING or at completion of finalizing during TV is set to standby.
3. Countermeasure against matter which Set Clock Manually Tab is gray out after power failure.

UP-306
For MP1st.

Many thanks. Yes, the latest FW usually contains all the fixes in previous updates.

I'll let you know if Thunder Bay ON. has any left.
Headin' out for my yearly vac. 4am tomorrow:eek: Future Shop here I come:cool:

:(No EH-55s to be found. They had a couple of Pios., a Sony as well as a LG all with hdds.

Still looking for a Panasonic, with hard drive, that would work with American analog cable. Any ideas?

eBay (new: item #170264830458).

I just checked, and eBay has three EH55s, and one EH75 (with less than an hour on until the auction is over). They can be gotten, though one was ~$700. A little steep for most of us.