Well, after all this time with Panasonic DVD recordes, I finally had my first failure. I was burning a +R DL disk, these always take a long time, and left for church. When I got back about two hours later, the EH55 was powered off, which I thought was suspicious. When I powered it on, there was a message saying the copy was unsuccessful due tot he disk, and it suggested I try another one. It would not recognize the new disk I put in, so I put in a normal -R blank. It didn't recognize that either. That was when I realized it was making an unusual series of "beeping" noises of differing pitches, AND it thinks a disk is predent in the DVD drive when it is empty.

No error code is displayed, but the DVD drive is useless.

The HDD works fine, and all other functions seem intact.

After eight DVD recorders, I was probably due for a failure of some kind.

A trip to the repair center is called for I guess. Is this the correct address?

Panasonic Service Center
1590 Touhly Ave
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
1-888-439-2676

That is almost identical to what happened to my EH-75 that I started in another post.

Well, after all this time with Panasonic DVD recordes, I finally had my first failure. I was burning a +R DL disk, these always take a long time, and left for church. When I got back about two hours later, the EH55 was powered off, which I thought was suspicious. When I powered it on, there was a message saying the copy was unsuccessful due tot he disk, and it suggested I try another one. It would not recognize the new disk I put in, so I put in a normal -R blank. It didn't recognize that either. That was when I realized it was making an unusual series of "beeping" noises of differing pitches, AND it thinks a disk is predent in the DVD drive when it is empty.

No error code is displayed, but the DVD drive is useless.

The HDD works fine, and all other functions seem intact.

After eight DVD recorders, I was probably due for a failure of some kind.

A trip to the repair center is called for I guess. Is this the correct address?

Panasonic Service Center
1590 Touhly Ave
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
1-888-439-2676

The usual error code might be U61 without a disc in the DVD drive or U88 with a disc in the DVD drive. If those errors were shown on the machine's front panel it might indicate a problem with the laser assembly or the Digital PCB.

If there are loud clunks from the DVD drive I would again suspect a dirty lens or failed laser.

Perhaps the beeping noises are related to DVD drive motor operations, one for the motor that spins the shaft that causes the laser assembly to run up and down the rods, another that spins the spindle, and another that operates the disc tray mechanism. A less likely problem is a failed ribbon cable contact between the DVD drive and the Digital PCB.

Have you attempted to play a commercial DVD or a burned, finalized DVD?

With these hard drive models the best approach is the $130 flat-rate repair through the Panasonic Service Center in Elk Grove Village. The street name has no "l" in it. Otherwise the information is correct.

That is almost identical to what happened to my EH-75 that I started in another post.

Information concerning the best place to have a Panasonic serviced is found here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14451738#post14451738

I have opened it up and observed what it's doing, and it moves the optical head four times, back and forth. It starts slightly away from the center hub, and then moves until it contacts the hub, then moves back again. After four of these back and forth movements, the spindle motor engages for a moment (diffferent sound). then it does it all again. All the while, as long as the tray is not open, the machine thinks there is a disk in the drive. Manually moving the read mechanism to either extreme or a center position had no effect. There has been NO error message on the display, unless it cam and went very quickly.

I haven't tried to put in a finalized or commercial disk, so I should do that, but it seems rather hopeless to me at the moment. I'll try it thought. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

This sounds like a sensor failure in the drive, and that I presume is not exactly a fix-it-yourself issue. Assuming no one has any brilliant insight into resetting this macine, I plan on sending it off as soon as I get all the content off it. Yes, it means playing it back and re-recording it on another machine, but it's better than losing the content, and it HAS to be much better than the VHS transfers I have been doing lately.

One other thing to try is a CD. I had a combo player give out the other day. It wouldn't read DVDs of any type but did read CDs. I know this isn't a good option for you but you might want to try it for the heck of it. The read head on my player does just what yours does. Either way I think sending it in for repair is in your very near future.

When I call Elk Grove Village, all I get is a recording. I have left messages to have them call back but they haven't done so yet. It has been more than a day since my first message. Am I making a mistake? Should I be selecting a number rather than just leaving a message?

Any help?


A number of other posters have had some difficulty getting through. If their phone system is automated you may want to try a "number" to see if you may get a "live" person. I wonder if front office staffing has been cut back.

So, do I keep trying or is there better advice? Someone with recent out-of-warranty repair experience?

Well, after all this time with Panasonic DVD recordes, I finally had my first failure. I was burning a +R DL disk, these always take a long time, and left for church. When I got back about two hours later, the EH55 was powered off, which I thought was suspicious. When I powered it on, there was a message saying the copy was unsuccessful due tot he disk, and it suggested I try another one. It would not recognize the new disk I put in, so I put in a normal -R blank. It didn't recognize that either. That was when I realized it was making an unusual series of "beeping" noises of differing pitches, AND it thinks a disk is predent in the DVD drive when it is empty.

No error code is displayed, but the DVD drive is useless.

The HDD works fine, and all other functions seem intact.

After eight DVD recorders, I was probably due for a failure of some kind.

A trip to the repair center is called for I guess. Is this the correct address?

Panasonic Service Center
1590 Touhly Ave
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
1-888-439-2676How long have you owned this DVD Recorder?

I've had the EH55 about a year and a half. My E85 is a lot older and still working fine.

I was in the process of writing a nasty-gram to Panasonic Customer Care about the lack of getting a person at Elk Grove when I got a call fro mthem, finally! They gave me instructions, which amounted to put it in a box and send it in, no RMA, no accessories. Include a page with contact information and a detailed description of the problem and $130 payment, and that's IT!

Okay then.

She DID say that they have been overwhelmed with telephone calls since the week prior to Thanksgiving, and there have been few people assigned to phone call follow-up. Go Fig! I guess you don't really have to call, just send 'er in.

Crap, just had the drive failure as well with the repetitive grinding noise and then indicator showing media inside when it's empty!

Crap, just had the drive failure as well with the repetitive grinding noise and then indicator showing media inside when it's empty!

Grinding or scrubbing noises usually indicate that it's time for the DVD drive's rubber hub to be cleaned.

Clunking noises usually indicate that the lens is dirty or has failed.

Hub cleaning advice and photos are found in this and the following posts:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14479898#post14479898

The UPS web site told me that my DVD recorder was received by Panasonic, Elk Grove Village, on Dec 19th. I had included a personal check with the unit for the $130.00 flat-rate repair. I just got a letter from them saying that I need to give them a credit card for any repair cost in excess of the $130, plus tax and shipping/handling.

Is this new, or did I do something wrong? I obviously want my recorder repaired, but I thought the $130 covered the repair cost plus the shipping. Is there tax on the repair from the state of California?

Any ideas?

Luke

The UPS web site told me that my DVD recorder was received by Panasonic, Elk Grove Village, on Dec 19th. I had included a personal check with the unit for the $130.00 flat-rate repair. I just got a letter from them saying that I need to give them a credit card for any repair cost in excess of the $130, plus tax and shipping/handling.

Is this new, or did I do something wrong? I obviously want my recorder repaired, but I thought the $130 covered the repair cost plus the shipping. Is there tax on the repair from the state of California?

Any ideas?

Luke

Others have reported receiving this form letter when the office staff does not read your letter advising them that:

1-you want the $130 flat-rate repair for which you have enclosed payment, and
2-you provide a description of your machine's problem(s).

Contact them at 1-888-439-2676 (or whatever inside contact number they have given you) to call their attention to your request for the $130 flat-rate repair. You must insist upon the $130 flat-rate repair. Do not agree to an estimate as that leads to being charged at the actual parts, labor and shipping rate that can easily escalate into a very expensive repair.

The $130 should cover everything, parts, labor and return shipping. There should be no tax as you are not an Illinois resident.

Now I am even more uncertain. I called the repair center and mentioned that I got this letter and before I could say anything else, I was told to forget about it. The unit was being repaired. I started to say that the letter said if I didn't respond within 15 days the machine would be returned unrepaird, but the lady on the phone interrupted and said disregard the letter. A heck of a place they're running! I DID get an e-mail address for the Elk Grove Village location.

camerarepair@us.panasonic.com

Just in case anyone is interested.

By the way the only mention of Elk Grove Village, IL, was the return address on the envelope. The envelope said "Panasonic Camera & Digital Service Center" and so did the letter.

DigaDo, thanks for the information! Really!

I sent Panasonic an e-mail asking for a clarification because of the contradictory information I got from phone conversations and the letter. Here was their reply:

Good Morning,
The status of your unit at this point is that your unit has been completed and repaired and it's in Quality Control. Quality Control is in charge of checking every detail function the unit has to make sure it's working properly. Once the unit passes QC it will be shipped out to you. We are looking at your unit being shipped out no later then early next week, due to the holidays coming up. There will be no charge to you for this repair. If you have any further questions, comment or concerns feel free to email or call us at 888-439-2676.

Thanks for your time and support
Panasonic Digital Service Center

I assume that they mean no FURTHER charge. This is very good news indeed.

I sent Panasonic an e-mail asking for a clarification because of the contradictory information I got from phone conversations and the letter . . . I assume that they mean no FURTHER charge. This is very good news indeed.

Thank you for sharing that e-mail. This provides insight, reinforcing our confidence that the technical experts at the Panasonic Digital Service Center are conscientious, competent and thorough.

The front office staff still need to work on their operational/processing procedures.

Panasonic repair got it wrong again.:D this time in my favor! They said that they expected to have mt EH55 shipped no later than early next week. Well, it arrived TODAY. Unless they sent it by Relativity-Express, it must have been shipped before that e-mail was sent to me.

I have been extremely busy, so I haven't been able to test it yet. I'll let you know tomorrow.

Well, I've run it through it's paces, at least the ones I use, and it has passed completely. The hard drive contents were intact.

The paperwork inside claimed the drive and control board were replaced. The $130 was listed as payment, and no further payment was required. That was pretty fast service right in the middle of the Christmas season.

The only thing that I use that I haven't tested yet is +R DL recording. I do it so rarely, it might be a while before I have some content to test it on. With -RAM reads and writes, and -R writes working, I have little fear.

It's nice to hear about good experiences with repairs for these machines. The burner on my Toshiba RD-XS35 was also successfully repaired last year, but not nearly with the celerity you experienced (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11347052#post11347052).

Well, I've run it through it's paces, at least the ones I use, and it has passed completely. The hard drive contents were intact.

The paperwork inside claimed the drive and control board were replaced. The $130 was listed as payment, and no further payment was required. That was pretty fast service right in the middle of the Christmas season.

This is very good. The corporate Panasonic Digital Service Center at Elk Grove Village Illinois is the only place to have a high-end Panasonic repaired.

What might the replacement of the DVD drive and the Digital PCB cost at a local "authorized" repair shop?

First they would have to order a DMR-EH55 Service Manual through Panasonic Parts, probably priced around $80, a cost that would have to be passed along to the customer. While they wait for the Service Manual to arrive (and since they've never seen an EH55 before) they would have to figure out how the machine is supposed to work. They downloading and study the Operating Instructions. Then, after the Service Manual arrives they would have to study it, say two or three hours to wade through the awkward translations. Then, hopefully, they already have the correct diagnostic jumper/extension cables and the correct diagnostic devices. Then there would be more study of the Service Manual. Once they managed to figure out what parts are needed they would have to order them from Panasonic Parts, more waiting.

What do those parts cost a local "authorized" shop? The DVD drive (Panasonic calls it a RAM Drive) and the control board (the Digital PCB portion of the "module") are listed this way on the Panasonic Parts order page:

RFKNEH55P RAM/DIGITAL PCB MODULE 633.20

$633.20! Then there's the waiting until the parts arrive. Then it's back to the Service Manual for more study. Then there's the installation with testing to follow.

The $130 flat-rate repair through the Panasonic Digital Service Center is a bargain. The experts and all the parts to restore a Panasonic to new functional condition are located at Elk Grove Village.

Agreed. Absolutely.

For flat cost repair, is it possible to use Panasonic account for shipping to IL, if so how?

Pack the dvdr up, with a letter describing its problem and that you want the flat rate repair, include $130 payment, and take it to a UPS STORE, where they should have a shipping account number. Note, the STORE is NOT the same as your regular UPS agent or office. You can find your nearest UPS Store on line, I don't remember whether the Panasonic website or ups search.

Correct. The UPS stores should have the corporate account available for you to ship your unit back. I live in a town far from (80+ miles) the nearest store, so I just paid for the shipping to them myself. They did not charge me anything for return shipping, which means the $130 covered that too.

Just as a final follow-up, it took a while but I eventually got some program material that required a DL disk (or two regular ones) [gotta love PBS Masterpiece Classic!]. If you remember from the original post, my EH-55 "broke" or quit working while making a DL disk, so there was a slight concern. Well, the process of making the DVD +R DL went, as expected, painfully slow, but it worked exactly like it was supposed to. The Elk Grove Village repair department did well, at least by me.

Well I`ve had my Panasonic DMR-EZ28 DVD recorder for over a year and up until earlier tonight it performed very well. I tried to put in a blank DVD-R and it didn`t load up like normal. The drive made a clunky clunky noise with a sound like errrnt errnt errnt ...errnt errnt. Home from a gig (it`s early, or is that late?!) I took the cover off and the sound is actually accompanied by serious clunky vibration. Even opening and the drive closing with no disc the same thing happens and it says in the display cannot read disc or something (some disc error note). I think I may have worn the thing out! Before the gig I did go back to Best Buy and bought another one, same model for $235, and now I have this broken one which I`d like to get fixed as I`m sure the new one will go out someday just like the old one. Though I think $130 is kinda high for a repair, the drive does look expensive with all the circuitry on the bottom. I was hoping to just buy a replacement drive and plug it in (I can do that as long as the multi pin connector comes off easily without breaking the many pin contacts). I guess $130 IS cheaper than the $235 plus tax fro a new one. But damn, I was thinking a new drive for it can`t cost more than 60 bucks! ...ohh well, what can ya do? *sigh*

I had a real nice Sony RDR-GX7 $800 DVD recorder (when they first came out) too that the drive went out and said disc error messages. I swear that unit is much higher quality than anything they make these days, the unit is just so solid and much more to it on the inside. When it was working it made such high quality recordings, even in standard mode, let alone high quality mode. Things are made cheap these days, less circuitry, let alone heft (I may be wrong but that`s my opinion). I still have it. I wonder if it would be worth the cost to get that one fixed?

BTW, I stumbled upon this site by googling for Panasonic DVD drive repair, heh. : )

If I had to venture a guess I'd say your spindle needs cleaning. If anyone smokes in your house, you have excessive dust or you handle the disc by the hole in the middle of the disc, any of these activities can contribute to a dirty spindle. The + side is it's relatively easy to clean once you've taken the cover off the unit and then the DVD drive. Here's a link talking about spindle cleaning, IMO it should be done yearly, maybe more often depending on use.
http://club.cdfreaks.com/f106/fixing-your-panny-when-theres-fault-lens-cleaning-doesnt-help-210507/
Agreed you could send it in for $130 and that would be cheaper than the $235 new but for less than 1/2 hr you should be able to get things working again.

jjeff has given you the info on how to clean the Panasonic: this is a very common issue with that brand and cleaning usually does get them up and running again. The Sony RDR-GX7 is another story: I'm afraid you have a paperweight on your hands, since Sony no longer stocks repair parts for the burner. When initially sold, the Sony had problematic firmware and it was ridiculously picky about what discs it would burn, and as they age these problems intensify. Try looking at other AVS threads and see if you can snag the firmware upgrade from someone, I think that thread was updated last week. Also, try ordering some TaiyoYuden (TY) Premium 8x DVD-R media online from supermedia store or rima: your Sony was engineered specifically for the TY dye formula and if its functional at all should still be able to record on it. The 16x media sold in stores today is incompatible with almost everything other than new PC burners, if thats what you're using the Sony probably can't digest it.

Well I`ve had my Panasonic DMR-EZ28 DVD recorder for over a year and up until earlier tonight it performed very well. I tried to put in a blank DVD-R and it didn`t load up like normal. The drive made a clunky clunky noise with a sound like errrnt errnt errnt ...errnt errnt . . . I took the cover off and the sound is actually accompanied by serious clunky vibration. Even opening and the drive closing with no disc the same thing happens and it says in the display cannot read disc or something (some disc error note) . . . Though I think $130 is kinda high for a repair, the drive does look expensive with all the circuitry on the bottom. I was hoping to just buy a replacement drive and plug it in (I can do that as long as the multi pin connector comes off easily without breaking the many pin contacts). I guess $130 IS cheaper than the $235 plus tax fro a new one. But damn, I was thinking a new drive for it can`t cost more than 60 bucks! ...ohh well, what can ya do? *sigh*

When "no read" is displayed and you hear "grinding" or "scrubbing" noises that usually indicates that the DVD Drive's rubber hub needs cleaning. Jeff has given you a link to the procedure. Be sure to position the roller/slider (at the rear of the disc tray) to the far left before securing the DVD Drive lid. More advice and photos are found in this and the following posts:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14479898#post14479898

If you hear "clunking" or "chugging" noises, especially with U61 or U88 errors, that usually indicates that the lens is dirty or the lens assembly itself has failed. The lens may be cleaned during the rubber hub cleaning procedure. Other less likely problems may be with the Digital PCB or a ribbon cable (if one has been disturbed) or a power supply capacitor. All these problems and their remedies are described in other threads.

Panasonic calls the DVD Drive a "RAM Drive." Here is the part number and the replacement cost for the DVD Drive if purchased through Panasonic Parts Company or a local "authorized" repair shop:

VXY2010 DVD-RAM DRIVE $382.02

The $130 flat-rate repair through the Panasonic Digital Service Center in Elk Grove Village Illinois includes parts, labor and shipping. If you ship your EZ28 to Elk Grove be sure to describe the all the problems with the machine so they will find and correct everything that's amiss. Elk Grove is the only place that has Panasonic experts that return a machine to new or better than new functional condition in a prompt and efficient manner:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14451738#post14451738

The VXY2010 DVD Drive is used on other 2008 model year Panasonics (DMR-EZx8x models) so these interchange with a DMR-EZ28. Parts machines may often be found on eBay at a reasonable cost. Read condition descriptions very carefully. Remember the distinction between "grinding/scrubbing" and "clunking/chugging" when considering a parts machine.

Thanks for the posts all :)
Yeah I do smoke in my room but I do have a hefty air cleaner/hepa filter, and that does help the smoke issue. The Panasonic does indeed make a clunking/chugging vibration accompanied by the errnnt errnnt sounds, and the chugging is rather intense when I took the cover off (let alone when I took the drive off and held it by it`s sides).

The price of buying a new drive for it doesn`t seem practical at all for a brand new whole unit costs less than that. From what I remember from looking at the drive itself, it didn`t seem too user friendly as to taking it apart. I don`t remember seeing a bunch of small phillips head screws, I could be wrong. I`ll take it apart and see if I feel like getting into it. I will if it seems like something I can do. Does the flat ribbon wire with many multi connectors just pry off the PC board easily? I actually tried unplugging it but it didn`t come off easily. The other two wire plug has an actual connector that looks like it does come apart more easily. I`d hate to break the damn thing trying to get the drive clear of the unit! lol

I used to clean all my cassette decks (pinch roller,capstan,heads) easy enough as well as minor repairs like a drive band coming off or breaking, and I`m pretty good with a soldering gun, heh. I`m fairily hands on in other words. I`ll try cleaning what looks like needs cleaning but the sounds/chugging it`s putting out is terrible. Sounds like the mechanism is trying to turn and there`s a stick in it`s spokes- in other words.

Also with the extremely high cost of a new drive for the Panasonic, how could the "flat rate repair" of $130 cover that? That is, if that`s the problem. If a new drive is needed, no cleaning this or that as to a quick/easy maintenance fix.

Now the Sony RDR-GX7 DVD-R had no problems for around 3-4 years recording with those DVD-R`s that one can easily buy at Walgreens or wherever (the one`s that say 1-16X 4.7G). Got to the point where even discs recorded and finalized on that unit, it couldn`t read and displayed errors. And even brand new clean discs it said the dreaded "dirty disc" errors. How frustrating was that?! The drive finally died I think as it wouldn`t even eject the disc and it`s still stuck in the unit! I was mad cause of how much the unit cost me and that it was indeed a very high quality player and recorder (I loved the classy screen fades it did too).

Indeed maybe I have a big clunky heavy paper weight on my hands now. Maybe I should just rip into it breaking apart the drive just to get my disc out (seems such a waste though!). I would think that if I buy another cheaper Sony that does work properly it should be able to finalize all my unfinalized discs that I made on the GX7. And I have a bunch, so people don`t be lazy. Finalize when you`ve filled up the disc! Don`t be like me and have 200 unfinalized discs. Which makes me wonder; How many recorded discs or what is a general lifespan for DVD recorders? From my experiences, not more than 300, and they go poof. May as well buy el cheapos if that`s the case.

I do know that any unfinalized Sony made discs can`t read in the Panasonic, so I kinda have to buy another Sony (or another that uses the same encoding method or what not). ...yeah it`s frustrating, companies can`t agree on a standard format. These recorders and their drives don`t even have a good shelf life as to operation and longevity. I`ve got a 20 year old Onkyo Integra tape deck that still works, and a Pioneer turntable, and Onkyo Integra amp and pre amp, and ...
You get my drift! Newer technology may have it`s "pro`s", merits and convenience and all, but it comes at a price of reliability me thinks (con`s).

I`ll check out the links you`ve provided as to tearing the Panasonic apart and cleaning. I hope it works but I`m not banking on it.

Thanks for the posts all :)
Yeah I do smoke in my room but I do have a hefty air cleaner/hepa filter, and that does help the smoke issue. The Panasonic does indeed make a clunking/chugging vibration accompanied by the errnnt errnnt sounds, and the chugging is rather intense when I took the cover off (let alone when I took the drive off and held it by it`s sides).

The price of buying a new drive for it doesn`t seem practical at all for a brand new whole unit costs less than that. From what I remember from looking at the drive itself, it didn`t seem too user friendly as to taking it apart. I don`t remember seeing a bunch of small phillips head screws, I could be wrong. I`ll take it apart and see if I feel like getting into it. I will if it seems like something I can do. Does the flat ribbon wire with many multi connectors just pry off the PC board easily? I actually tried unplugging it but it didn`t come off easily. The other two wire plug has an actual connector that looks like it does come apart more easily. I`d hate to break the damn thing trying to get the drive clear of the unit! lol

I used to clean all my cassette decks (pinch roller,capstan,heads) easy enough as well as minor repairs like a drive band coming off or breaking, and I`m pretty good with a soldering gun, heh. I`m fairily hands on in other words. I`ll try cleaning what looks like needs cleaning but the sounds/chugging it`s putting out is terrible. Sounds like the mechanism is trying to turn and there`s a stick in it`s spokes- in other words.

Also with the extremely high cost of a new drive for the Panasonic, how could the "flat rate repair" of $130 cover that? That is, if that`s the problem. If a new drive is needed, no cleaning this or that as to a quick/easy maintenance fix.

Earlier posts in this thread answer most of your questions or provide links to other posts that answer your questions.

Be sure to disconnect the AC cord well before opening a Panasonic's case. Do not touch internal components unless you have gronded yourself to the case. Avoid unnecessary touching of internal components.

Panasonic DVD Drives have four small phillips screws securing the lid. There is no reason to remove the DVD Drive from the machine or disturb the ribbon cables when opening the DVD Drive for lens and rubber hub cleaning. With DVD Drive "clunking" or "chugging" noises your lens is dirty or has failed. Gently clean the lens. Also clean the rubber hub atop the spindle. You must position the roller/slider at the rear of the disc tray to the far left before securing the DVD Drive lid. Earlier posts in this thread provide links to more details and photos. I regularly clean the lens and rubber hubs on my Panasonics at eight to ten month intervals, more often with heavy use.

I strongly discourage removal of ribbon cables from the connectors due to the possibility of damage to ribbon cable contact strips. Ribbon cables with plastic tabs near the plastic connectors may be removed from the plastic connectors. The plastic tabs are gripped with the ribbon cable facilitating removal and insertion of the ribbon cable into the plastic connector. It seems to me that you were describing an effort to remove the ribbon cable connectors from the circuit board, a serious problem if you damaged a connector's soldered contacts!

If the lens cleaning does not correct the "clunking" or "chugging" then you most likely need a laser assembly replacement. Panasonic does not approve of laser assembly replacement in the field even though laser assemblies may be found in the secondary market (in Scotland).

For 2005, 2007 and 2008 models with failed laser assemblies Panasonic replaces the DVD Drive. For 2006 models Panasonic replaces the DVD Drive and the specially configured Digital PCB as a "module." All these parts are very expensive if purchased from Panasonic Service and Technology Company in Kent Washington (the source of parts found on the Panasonic website).

Earlier posts provide more information about the $130 flat-rate repair that includes parts, labor and return shipping through the corporate Panasonic Digital Service Center in Elk Grove Village Illinois. The Panasonic experts at Elk Grove Village quickly and efficiently return a Panasonic to new or better than new functional condition.

It is your decision as to how cost effective it is to use the $130 flat-rate repair or purchase another machine.

As to longevity, six of my 2005 and 2006 model year Panasonics have accumulated between 3,000 and 4,300 recording hours per machine. The 2005 model that now has more than 4,300 recording hours had a laser assembly failure after eleven months of very heavy use. Panasonic replaced that DVD Drive under warranty. All six of my "highest mileage" Panasonics were fully functional at last use before they were set aside for standby service. Between my sixteen functional Panasonics of the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 model years and my Philips 3575 and Magnavox 2080 and 2160 HDD/DVD recorders I have recorded perhaps 4,800 DVDs since September 2005. My DVD index currently has 22,229 titles.

I write from experience. Do not shut DVD recorders up inside cabinets, do not smoke in the same room with DVD recorders and do not handle discs through the center hole.

I will try cleaning the drive (the lens, and spindle/hub thing) with cassette head cleaning fluid, and I guess one can leave the drive in to do that (cool).
And I do think the $130 flat repair rate is the cheapest fix if all else fails. It sure beats paying $250 or so for a new one. I would imagine that the drive is the most mechanical of any aspect to the operation of these recorders and is the main thing that ever goes out on these, other than maybe caps or a power supply. But usually it takes years and years for those to go bad or past their expiration date- so to speak, heh. My recorder may need a heart transplant, lol.

You`re right, I tried to unplug the multi pin strip plug off the PC board. Didn`t pull off easily so I didn`t force it much. I thought it would come off similarly to DIMM memory for a computer. Good to know I don`t have to risk breaking anything to get the cover off the drive.

I also have a Harmon Kardon CDR 30, a dual well CD recorder/burner. A relatively high quality unit (paid around $550 after tax for it, $600 list). I`ve had it for several years now (5+?) but I swear the use on it is very minimal, like 30 hours total use. And that`s maybe, so having it start malfunctioning is depressing. I may have copied 15-25 discs and played a few just for listening (I have another CD player for the bulk of that). The last time I used it it worked perfectly and sounds great, but it is having problems now (out of nowhere) with disc tracking as the sound breaks up with pauses/glitzes.

With me smoking in my room I do notice that if I clean any of my stereo/video gear front panels once a year or so (with paper towels and Windex), that the paper towels are light brown from the cigarette smoke. Worse/dark brown if I clean say the exterior of my Sony TV, which I rarely clean of course. Maybe the smoke also gets inside the units and dirties/gums up the drives and/or the lenses and thus the reason why a seldom used unit is malfunctioning?

I`m going to try cleaning the lens and spindle/hub ...anything in there that looks like it could benefit from some cleaning and see if that helps! I hope it`s that easy, like cleaning and demagnetizing my cassette decks when I used to use them. I wish I had an air vac system to suck up and out of the house, the smoke. The beefy air filter helps I`m sure, but it`s not the same as an air vac sytem. Some may say just don`t smoke in the house but it`s easier said than done for a smoker (I`m not in a public building!).

Yes tape head cleaner should work fine for the spindle, it shouldn't leave any residue. AFA smoking, I'm sure it doesn't help matters but no one in my household smokes and it seems I need to clean the spindle about yearly. Dust gets everywhere no matter how much someone cleans things.