Wow, whats the deal with these Panasonic ES15 recorders? They're being snapped up quickly and at relatively high prices on eBay and Amazon Marketplace, even some listed as being broken and in not-so-good condition. Same with the older Sony models like the GX330. I would have thought the demise of analog would reduce the desire for these DVD recorders. Personally I use mine for offloading content from my DirecTV HDTivo receiver but would think I'm in a minority.

Nope, the '15s are great basic, non-HDD recorders without the glitches and bugs that plague the later EZ-series. If you're recording from a cable/satellite box, you don't need a tuner, so the soon-to-be useless NTSC tuner in the ES-15 isn't a handicap. I've got a couple I picked up before I got my Pioneer HDD models. If they're selling well on evilBay, maybe I should put 'em up.....

Wow, whats the deal with these Panasonic ES15 recorders? They're being snapped up quickly and at relatively high prices on eBay and Amazon Marketplace, even some listed as being broken and in not-so-good condition. Same with the older Sony models like the GX330. I would have thought the demise of analog would reduce the desire for these DVD recorders. Personally I use mine for offloading content from my DirecTV HDTivo receiver but would think I'm in a minority.

The DMR-ES15 produces recordings of outstanding picture quality. The ES15 does not suffer from many of the bugs and design flaws of the later EZ series Panasonics. Since the ES15 doesn't have a cooling fan it should not be closed up in a cabinet.

The demise of analog does not render an ES15 any less useful. Satellite and cable provides digital and analog output signals so the ES15 makes a great "line in" recorder. For OTA use just connect a good CECB, like the Zenith/Insignia twins or a Zinwell (with eight event timers) to an ES15. The ES15 RF input provides a pass through to the RF output.

Why buy a "broken" ES15 model? PARTS! The DVD Drive, DVD Drive parts, and some other parts interchange with other 2006 model year Panasonics.

Panasonic owners often give up on their machines when they see "no read" messages. Those machines end up on eBay or in thrift shops.

What does "no read" or "strange noises" mean? It depends on the type of "strange noise." "Grinding" or "scrubbing" noises most often indicate that the DVD Drive's rubber hub needs cleaning, "so easy a cave man can do it." "Clunking" or "chugging" noises most often indicate that the lens is dirty or has failed; or perhaps the Digital PCB has become problematic. Lens cleaning is easy enough. If the lens assembly has failed a correct replacement lens assembly may be purchased on the secondary market. Lens assembly replacement requires some skill. The Digital PCB may not be repaired, it must be replaced with that from another ES15. Panasonic advises that a 2006 model DVD Drive and Digital PCB must be replaced together as a "module," usually expensive ($150-$630 depending upon model) when purchased from the Panasonic Parts Company. Other problems may be a failed capacitor in the power supply section, requiring a $2 replacement capacitor and extensive disassembly and simple soldering skills.

One of my ES15 models was purchased with a bad analog tuner but that ES15 has had regular use enslaved to a Comcast digital cable box. One of my ES15 models has accumulated more than 3,000 recording hours, the other two have accumulated recording hours in the 1,000 to 1,200 hour range.

Sale of parts that are no longer required by normal people.
http://www.imagehunt.info/nytrolic/pixel4.JPG
http://www.imagehunt.info/nytrolic/pixel3.JPG

I guess I got something right:cool:
I bought (2) when they were regularly being sold for $99 NIB towards there end of run. As others have said they're really pretty bullet proof and make great line input recordings. The DVD drive is compatible with the much more expensive EH-55 and EH-75 recorders w/hdd.
If you keep the spindles clean you should be able to get 1000's of hours of recordings on a ES-15.

I just came across this forum while searching out a possible fix for the problem I encountered last night when going to use my Panasonic DMR-ES15. First of all being a newbie here let me say hello to everyone. To make a long story as short as possible I purchased my Panasonic DMR-ES15 brand new maybe 2 or 3 years ago. For how much my family uses it, it has worked flawlessly until last night. It is not used everyday and the last time I viewed a movie on it, it was maybe 2 weeks ago. I had recorded a Movie some months ago and viewed it then. I left it inside the player. Last night I wanted to view another home recorded movie recorded some time ago on the same ES15. I pressed the button for the eject and after taking out the previous DVD I inserted the other one. At first nothing happened, it would not play so I ejected the new DVD and closed the DVD Drawer and tried to open it again when the U99 error code came on the screen. No matter what I do it won't go away and it has made my ES-15 useless it seems. I disconnected the power for 30 minutes but it did nothing to help the situation. I was hoping it would reset the unit. My question is where do I go from here? Any ideas? I am sure it would probably cost me more then the unit is worth to send it in for a repair. I have read on the net that plenty of Panasonic DVD recorders have gotten this U99 error code but I have found no self fixes. Can someone help me out with this problem?

Find and buy a Panasonic DMR-EZ28K DVD Recorder from £132 to £179. ... in the UK
. £149.99. (P & P not available). at Amazon Marketplace ... DVD Players & DVD
Recorders Buying Guide. at eBay ... panasonic dmr es15, cheap recordable
freeview box, dmr ez 28, dvd recorders ... Popular Products | by Title | by
Category ...

I just came across this forum while searching out a possible fix for the problem I encountered last night when going to use my Panasonic DMR-ES15. First of all being a newbie here let me say hello to everyone. To make a long story as short ................. Any ideas? I am sure it would probably cost me more then the unit is worth to send it in for a repair. I have read on the net that plenty of Panasonic DVD recorders have gotten this U99 error code but I have found no self fixes. Can someone help me out with this problem?

You may need to clean spindle, there are lot of info on the forum, please search ...

Our Panny Guru DigaDo may be able to assist you if you cant find it.

Find and buy a Panasonic DMR-EZ28K DVD Recorder from £132 to £179. ... in the UK
. £149.99. (P & P not available). at Amazon Marketplace ... DVD Players & DVD
Recorders Buying Guide. at eBay ... panasonic dmr es15, cheap recordable
freeview box, dmr ez 28, dvd recorders ... Popular Products | by Title | by
Category ...Don't be a plonker all your life Rodney!

This morning I took the cover off to take a look around and with my limited electronics experience over the years everything looks like brand new inside the cabinet and clean as a whistle from what I could see. I even lifted out the DVD unit after taking out 3 screws holding it in to look around. Took the 4 screws off the lid of the DVD unit also to look around but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Put everything back together, plugged it back in getting the same code U99. Press and hold the power button for a few seconds and I get all Zero's. I then press the Open/Close button and it reads (HELLO) and within a second or so reads code U99 once again and makes a noise coming from in the area of where the DVD tray should be coming out of my ES-15.

To make a long story as short as possible I purchased my Panasonic DMR-ES15 brand new maybe 2 or 3 years ago. For how much my family uses it, it has worked flawlessly until last night. It is not used everyday and the last time I viewed a movie on it, it was maybe 2 weeks ago. I had recorded a Movie some months ago and viewed it then. I left it inside the player. Last night I wanted to view another home recorded movie recorded some time ago on the same ES15. I pressed the button for the eject and after taking out the previous DVD I inserted the other one. At first nothing happened, it would not play so I ejected the new DVD and closed the DVD Drawer and tried to open it again when the U99 error code came on the screen. No matter what I do it won't go away and it has made my ES-15 useless it seems. I disconnected the power for 30 minutes but it did nothing to help the situation. I was hoping it would reset the unit. My question is where do I go from here? Any ideas?

:( Unplugging it should've helped..Can you (have you) try pressing the power button on the unit, and hoding it down for over 10 seconds, and see if it will reset that way? Will the tray open at all?
Perhaps the 'force tray open' procedure might do something. For that you turn the recorder off, and then press and hold down both the power button and channel up button on the unit for 10 secs. Give it a try at least. :o

Edit-I began this before your above post-I got called away, so this may no longer be something that'll work after your inspection of the interior...

According to the DMR-ES15 Service Manual, the U99 error indicates that a communication error has occurred between the Main microprocessor and the Timer microprocessor. No resolution is noted in the manual.

Probably unplugging the unit will not help, because the unit has an internal battery to keep its settings.

However, there is a procedure to reset the Timer microprocessor. There are two pins on the Main circuit board that are labeled TL7506 and TL7507. While the unit is powered on, you can short these two terminals which will reset the timer.

This might help clear up the U99 error. Remember, you do this at your own risk.

Please let us know if this resolves your problem.

Did all that last night. Unplugging it makes no difference. Neither does holding the power button down. I just called Panasonic and they basically told me it needs to come in for repair that the problem is a combination of 2 things. Something to do with the timer and another part. I should of wrote it down rather then try to remember at my age 58. Anyway they want $135 from the get go to send it in for repair. I told them I was going to hold off from doing that because I remember not paying much more maybe around $200 or so brand new for my ES-15. Funny thing my ES-15 was manufactured in February 2006. It lasted only 3 years before the dreaded U99 Code came up. To tell you the truth my ES-15 still could pass for a new unit as there isn't a scratch on it. It really didn't get any hard use at all. Most of the time over the 3 years we would only view a movie maybe once or twice over a 2 week period. I can honestly say I only recorded maybe 30 DVD's with it over the 3 year span. Hoping someone here will save my day and offer me a self fix for my U99 code problem or a cheaper way of fixing its problem.

According to the DMR-ES15 Service Manual, the U99 error indicates that a communication error has occurred between the Main microprocessor and the Timer microprocessor. No resolution is noted in the manual.

Probably unplugging the unit will not help, because the unit has an internal battery to keep its settings.

However, there is a procedure to reset the Timer microprocessor. There are two pins on the Main circuit board that are labeled TL7506 and TL7507. While the unit is powered on, you can short these two terminals which will reset the timer.

This might help clear up the U99 error. Remember, you do this at your own risk.

Please let us know if this resolves your problem.

I think I will hold off from doing that right now until I hear more from others to see if there is a self fix. I am all ears today.

Main microprocessor and the Timer microprocessor are the parts that the Panasonic customer service person mentioned about for sure. Does anyone have a picture that shows both of these parts? Just wondering if I can purchase these parts and do the replacement myself unless it is beyond what I can do.

It is almost never cost-effective to buy the official spare parts to do your own repair: individual parts costs are ridiculous, because mfrs no longer want to bother with out-of-warranty repairs. Buying the microprocessor for your recorder would be like buying an airbag for your used car: the airbag costs $2300 while the entire car is only worth $3000. So he microprocessor is likely to cost more than an entire functioning second hand recorder of the same model. You would also need to know if the processor is socketed or surface-mounted: surface-mount you need to replace a complete board, not just the "microprocessor". In most cases, harvesting the parts from another used machine is way cheaper than getting new parts from the mfr, with the added bonus of many other spare parts in the chassis you can also set aside.

I think Digado has posted the specifics on what can cause a U99 but I can't seem find his exact post. I did one time get a U99 after I ejected a disc and then closed the tray on one of my ES-15s. It came up with u99 forcing a shut down (hold power button in for 10 seconds) turned the unit off but upon turning it back on it would come up with u99. In desperation I unplugged the unit for 10 seconds and when it plugged it back in it was fine. This was several months ago and I have yet to get the u99 again. It's always in the back of my mind though, when I close the tray with no disc installed.
The ES-15 is quite bullet proof but it's one dreaded problem seems to be U99.

I think Digado has posted the specifics on what can cause a U99 but I can't seem find his exact post.

The U99 is described as a “hang up” that is “displayed when communication error has occurred between Main microprocessor and Timer microprocessor,” DMR-ES15 Service Manual, page 11. That Manual also suggests “U99 . . . displayed is left until the [POWER] key (button) is pressed.” That POWER button is the one found on the machine itself.

The main CPU is found on the Digital PCB, the green circuit board with the banded heat sink. There are top and bottom views in the first two attached photos.

The communication error may result from any number of other reasons:

1. A poor quality, defective or failed DVD.

2. Read, write, or finalizing failures caused by the DVD Drive’s dirty or failed lens or dirty rubber hub atop the spindle. This post has cleaning advice and photos:

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

3. A problem with the Digital PCB. If this is the problem there may be no option other than replacement but this may not be cost-effective with a DMR-ES15, even with the $130 flat-rate repair through the corporate Panasonic Digital Service Center in Elk Grove Village Illinois. With the 2006 model year Panasonics the DVD Drive and the Digital PCB are sold together as a “module” since the DVD Drive controller is incorporated into this circuit board. (With earlier and later model years the DVD Drive controller circuit board is installed on the underside of the DVD Drive itself.)

4. There may be a problem with the largest electrolytic capacitor in the power supply section, seen toward the upper right in the third attached photo. The fourth photo shows a DMR-ES15 with the DVD Drive and Digital PCB in place. For more capacitor information and photos see this and other posts in the “Whither the Capacitors” thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14452857#post14452857

According to the DMR-ES15 Service Manual, the U99 error indicates that a communication error has occurred between the Main microprocessor and the Timer microprocessor. No resolution is noted in the manual.

Probably unplugging the unit will not help, because the unit has an internal battery to keep its settings.

However, there is a procedure to reset the Timer microprocessor. There are two pins on the Main circuit board that are labeled TL7506 and TL7507. While the unit is powered on, you can short these two terminals which will reset the timer.

This might help clear up the U99 error. Remember, you do this at your own risk.

Please let us know if this resolves your problem.

Tomwil,

I've located TL7506 and TL7507 in the timer section schematic on page 45 in the Service Manual, but I've not been able to locate these test locations on the Main Board itself. The DMR-ES15 seen in the attached photo is of September 2006 production.

My thought is that ffas23 may also be having some difficulty locating these test locations. Perhaps it might be helpful to describe some nearby "landmark" with reference to the photo.

As soon as I could locate TL7506 and TL7507 I will try shorting the two out. Great picture of the ES-15 circuit board by the way. If someone could point me to the vicinity of where TL7506 and TL7507 are located it would be a great help. I had to reconnect the ES-15 in order to watch some TV last night. Still have the U99 code though. Hopefully shorting out TL7506 and TL7507 will do the trick for me. If it does I will surely let everyone know here. I really have nothing to lose by doing so. I will wait for Tomwils or Digado's help in pointing out the location before I attempt the procedure. Just for the heck of it I plan on just using a Alligator clipped wire of maybe 18 gauge as I use them to test wiring on my automotive repairs at times. I figure on using a pin or small paper clip in each alligator clamp unless told otherwise here. I had electric shop in high school during the 60's. ;)

As soon as I could locate TL7506 and TL7507 I will try shorting the two out.

In studying the printed board diagrams (pages 49-52 in the service manual), and the pic that DigaDo has kindly provided, the TL7506 and TL7507 appears to be located at the red ellipse noted on the attached pic.

However, those test points must be located on the BOTTOM of the main circuit board, as DigaDo's pic clearly shows there are no test points at that location on top of the board.

I cannot readily look at my unit, but is there a removable plate underneath the unit that can facilitate access to the bottom of the main circuit board? Otherwise, it appears that circuit board will have to be removed from the base in order to reach the bottom of the circuit board.

In looking through http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1055111 , I found a pic from DigaDo that shows the underside of the main circuit board of the DMR-ES15.

I have circled the TL7506 and TL7507 location on the attached pic, that I believe is the location. I could not see the lettering on the circuit board from the pic provided, so please verify that TL7506 and TL7507 is written on the circuit board before shorting them out.

Hope this helps!

In looking through http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1055111 , I found a pic from DigaDo that shows the underside of the main circuit board of the DMR-ES15.

I have circled the TL7506 and TL7507 location on the attached pic, that I believe is the location. I could not see the lettering on the circuit board from the pic provided, so please verify that TL7506 and TL7507 is written on the circuit board before shorting them out.

Hope this helps!

There is no access plate on the bottom of the DMR-ES15 case so it will be necessary to remove the main board from the machine.

Removal of the main board will require removal of the front panel and Digital PCB. Then the main board may be removed from the machine.

For those wanting more detail as to disassembly steps see this post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14452857#post14452857

A few photos showing disassembly of a DMR-ES15 may be found in this and the next post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14959722#post14959722

There is no access plate on the bottom of the DMR-ES15 case so it will be necessary to remove the main board from the machine.

Removal of the main board will require removal of the front panel, the DVD Drive and Digital PCB. Then the main board may be removed from the machine.

Since the service manual mentions that the unit has to be powered on before shorting out the test leads, I wonder how that can be done, if components are removed first?

Can the main board be raised with the components still attached?

I think if I ever need to service my unit, I will cut out a section on the bottom so that I can access underneath the main circuit board without removal.

Since the service manual mentions that the unit has to be powered on before shorting out the test leads, I wonder how that can be done, if components are removed first?

Can the main board be raised with the components still attached?

I think if I ever need to service my unit, I will cut out a section on the bottom so that I can access underneath the main circuit board without removal.

As technology is not my field I would not know if the test locations retain enough "residual current(?)" from capacitors to respond to shorting.

I would think that there is too much chance of shorting some main board part against the case unless the board has been removed from the case and then reconnected to the power cord. Perhaps there are other considerations as well.

Just as there are provisions for a case fan on a DMR-ES15 but no power connector for a fan, there is a place set aside for a battery on the main board but there is no battery holder.

Those with a sharp eye will notice that the fuse had been removed before I took the main board photo last evening. As my camera had dead batteries I inserted other batteries and hastily set its clock with a 2008 date.

If those test points go through to the top side of the PCB then you could access from the top. IOW they may be attached to a resistor or other component where you can get at the part or copper path topside. Of course you may have to gain access to the bottom in order to figure out where the paths go to on top. Then put it back together & power it up.

This may or not be beyond my skills but I will give it a shot as time allows, hopefully this weekend at some point. My thoughts now are if I need to do the shorting under the board especially when hooking back up to power. Hopefully I will be able to turn it over and lay it on something in order not to short out the whole board or at least mark the location on top of the board after viewing under it. I have some rubber from and old tire tube that I can cut up for the board to sit on how ever I need to place it. Well its no use thinking to much about it until I get to it I guess. As I said earlier I have nothing to lose but a little bit of my time. Again I will keep everyone here informed as to how I make out with this procedure.

One question to those who have done such a thing. How will I know I shorted TL7506 and TL7507 out? Will I hear a little pop or will it be that I hear nothing when I touch the 2 points together? I guess if its the latter knowing I touched both together that will be enough and then its just a point of reassembling everything and turning the power back on to see if the U99 code was reset.

This may or not be beyond my skills but I will give it a shot as time allows, hopefully this weekend at some point. My thoughts now are if I need to do the shorting under the board especially when hooking back up to power. Hopefully I will be able to turn it over and lay it on something in order not to short out the whole board or at least mark the location on top of the board after viewing under it. I have some rubber from and old tire tube that I can cut up for the board to sit on how ever I need to place it. Well its no use thinking to much about it until I get to it I guess. As I said earlier I have nothing to lose but a little bit of my time. Again I will keep everyone here informed as to how I make out with this procedure.

One question to those who have done such a thing. How will I know I shorted TL7506 and TL7507 out? Will I hear a little pop or will it be that I hear nothing when I touch the 2 points together? I guess if its the latter knowing I touched both together that will be enough and then its just a point of reassembling everything and turning the power back on to see if the U99 code was reset.

Another of the considerations might be to refit the Digital PCB to its large connector before reconnecting the power. I would think that a main board powered up without the Digital PCB would be enough to return a U99 or some other error for that reason alone.

Perhaps the same would be true with the DVD Drive as well. With the DVD Drive there may be a grounding issue as the ribbon cables may not provide a substantial or satisfactory ground. Notice in the photo of the main board in post #19 that there is a grounding strap that contacts the DVD Drive chassis.

Since technology is not my field I am unable to give you any reassurance that these procedures will be effective or not cause damage to your Panasonic.

I decided to wait another week or so to operate on the ES-15 as I just purchased a refurbished Panasonic DMR-EZ48 over the weekend so I can replace the ES-15 in the system without missing any TV. The price was right on the EZ48 at almost 2/3 less then buying one brand new. Cost me $132.50 including shipping and 90 day warranty. Pany wanted $135 up front to look at my ES-15.

In the mean time I just don't feel like detaching and reconnecting wires in order to watch TV. Knowing that I have about a 50/50 chance of ridding the U-99 code on my ES-15 I figured I better get something to replace it with just in case. If I cure my U-99 problem I can always use it elsewhere for sure. Was looking at some used ES-15's on Ebay without any guarantee going for between $58-$75. At those prices it was not worth it for me especially knowing that dreaded U-99 Code could already be on the used ES-15's advertised on Ebay and without a guarantee I would be in the same situation as I am presently.

Pany wanted $135 up front to look at my ES-15.

Local "authorized" shops charge whatever they please. They may charge $135 to "look at" an ES15 and another $500 to "repair" an ES15 that sold new for less than $150 back in 2006.

The $130 flat-rate repair includes everything, parts, labor and return shipping, and is found only through the corporate Panasonic Digital Service Center in Elk Grove Village Illinois.

Ok guys I am back. Sorry for the delay as it was under uncontrollable circumstances. My Dad passed away after a long illness at 87 and I have been dealing with more then I can handle lately. Getting back to where I was with my Pany ES-15 a little over a month ago. Sunday night I took the unit apart and right now I have the circuit board turned over and pretty much everything out of my way to do the job. I found what I was looking for being the TL7506 and TL7507. The only way to get to both is from the bottom. There is no where on top of the board from what I was able to see to do what is needed. What I decided to do is cut a hole in the bottom of the unit. I have some pictures that I will post here. Once I get the metal cutting done at some point this week I will let everyone here know before I proceed maybe posting a few more pictures showing my access from the bottom with everything put back together.

One question? As we all know after cutting out a hole in the bottom of the unit I will either have to stand the unit up on its side to short out TL 7506 to TL7507 or turn the unit completely over to do so. Does anyone think this will cause any problems once it is powered up? Just curious to your thoughts. I figure if this all works out in the end I will just use a piece of Silver Duct Tape to cover the hole for easy access just in case I need to do this again down the road. I figure when I do the shorting I will just lay electrical tape on the edges of the metal in the opening so as not to short out against the chassis. Could probably use 1/16" Automotive Vacuum line hose split on one side with a Razor as a grommet also to protect the area. Will have to see what will work best being I only need to touch both soldered joints together with the power on. Should be no big deal. Let me know your thoughts about this procedure. As you can see there is a piece of rolled up Green Tape. I put this tape onto TL7506 and TL7507. They are located almost in the middle of the board. Once I set the circuit board down on the chassis the tape grabbed onto the chassis. Using a popsicle stick I held the tape down on the chassis as I lifted the board back up to get an idea of where to cut.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z223/ffas23/0406090349.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z223/ffas23/0406090347a.jpg

ffas23 -

First, sorry about your father. I hope you are doing well.

Thanks for keeping up with this. You are probably the first one we know of to attempt this repair, so you are treading on new ground.

It should be ok to attempt the shorting of the terminals while the unit is not horizontal, but be sure there is no disc inside the drive, and that everything that could be loose is buttoned down.

The hole in the bottom is a great idea, and hopefully the shorting will bring your unit back to life. If it works, it opens a whole new avenue of U99 machines for us to obtain and restore.

I wish your pictures were larger and clearer. They are pretty small to make out anything.

Also, the pics of your cars on your photo album are awesome!!

Please continue to let us know of your results. Thanks!

Sorry about the 2 pictures. I used my cell phone to take the pictures and apparently my cell doesn't take a good close up. I used the smaller setting at Photobucket. I will post 2 larger pictures. Let me know if you can see them better. The circle and arrow shows TL7506 and TL7507 as both solder joints sit vertical on the board one just above the other towards the middle of the board.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z223/ffas23/TL7506TL7507-1.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z223/ffas23/0406090349-1.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z223/ffas23/TL7506TL7507-1.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z223/ffas23/0406090349-1.jpg

I edited my post as I learned how to paint this morning and circled and pointed out where TL7506 and TL7507 is located on the circuit board. Once I get a chance to cut out a square access hole I show marked in Black Magic marker on the bottom of the unit I should have easy access once everything is put back together to get to the 7506 and 7507 solder joints to short them out to hopefully restore my ES-15 back to normal operation and rid my unit of the dreaded U99 error code. I am going to try to find some time in the next day or so to make the cut as I have been pretty busy with work and family matters.

Ok fellows I made my cut earlier Tuesday into the base of my Pansonic ES-15 and put the unit back together. Plugged it in before doing anything else and still getting the U99 error code. With it all buttoned up and taped around the edges of my square cut hole at the bottom of its base with clear access to solder joints TL7506 and TL7507 I turned my unit over, peeled back the tape, turned it on and proceeded to short both solder joints using a cut paper clip formed into a U shape using a pair of needle nose pliers. I am sorry to report all was a failure. When I released the paperclip after a second or so the ES-15 made a faint noise the same noise I was hearing before when just holding down the power button back in February. A lot of work and no prize to take home but this is how we learn am I correct? Well I am still open to suggestions on ideas to rid my ES-15 of the U99 error code. I don't plan on giving up just yet!

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z223/ffas23/0408090009a.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z223/ffas23/0408090055.jpg

ffas23 -

Nice try. Thanks for keeping us up on your wonderful progress. I wish that what you had tried had worked.

Although it appears that the timer microprocessor is on the Main circuit board, I could not readily determine where the main microprocessor is located. It is probably also on the Main circuit board, but also could be on the Digital circuit board. Maybe check the connections between those two boards.

Here is a link to the service manual here (http://www.rc5.ru/upload/panasonic_dvd_DMR-ES15.pdf). Maybe someone could give more insight to this problem.

Although it appears that the timer microprocessor is on the Main circuit board, I could not readily determine where the main microprocessor is located. It is probably also on the Main circuit board, but also could be on the Digital circuit board. Maybe check the connections between those two boards . . .

Maybe someone could give more insight to this problem.

The attached photos are of a DMR-ES15 model sold in the North American market.

The first photo shows a top view of the Digital PCB with the main Panasonic chip under the heatsink.

The second photo shows a bottom view of the Digital PCB.

The third photo shows a top view of the main board.

The fourth photo shows a bottom view of the main board.

Tomwil,
Thanks for the link to the service manual. It will be a good thing to have on hand. Reading through the manual it really didn't tell you what to do if you had the error Code U99. They just called it a hang-up.
From the ES-15 Service Manual:
U99 Hang-up Displayed when communication error has
occurred between Main microprocessor and
Timer microprocessor.
No display
Displayed is left until the
[POWER] key is pressed.

I am curious about the litium batteries they speak of in the unit. I wonder if they were disconnected if it would reset things once put back in? What about the service mode setting? Not knowing really much about this I would assume it would wipe the code out of the system for the time being. These are just some questions going through my mind.

I may need to look for a used ES-15 defective unit out there for parts. Hopefully one that doesn't have U99 on the display when plugged in. I could then swap out the RamDigital P.C.B. Module to try in my unit or the main circuit board just to see if the U99 code is eliminated.

What do you fellows think?

I am curious about the litium batteries they speak of in the unit. I wonder if they were disconnected if it would reset things once put back in?

I may need to look for a used ES-15 defective unit out there for parts. Hopefully one that doesn't have U99 on the display when plugged in. I could then swap out the RamDigital P.C.B. Module to try in my unit or the main circuit board just to see if the U99 code is eliminated.

What do you fellows think?

There is a place for a battery but no battery holder is fitted to the DMR-ES15 US model. See photo three in my above post where the place for the battery holder is indicated by the circle with red markings at the center of the main board.

The RAM Digital PCB "module" consists of the DVD Drive and the Digital PCB. If the Digital PCB has gone bad you may try swapping it with one from another DMR-ES15. There is always the risk that the board you swap in may also be defective.

Be sure to examine the contact strips on the ribbon cables for damage. I had one damaged when a contact in a Digital PCB ribbon cable connector drifted forward scoring the ribbon cable contact strip. I drifted the contact back into place and trimmed the damaged ribbon cable contact area back to provide uniformity. That corrected the problem.

DigaDo,tomwil, Mike99 & other members on this forum:

Well I haven't given up as of yet. I just purchased a used (As Is) ES15 unit on Ebay for $1.95 plus shipping. Total Cost $20.90. As I mentioned it was advertised as is. The advertisement mentioned that it powers up but won't read DVD's. I am hoping to make one good ES-15 out of 2 bad ones or at least swap some parts around to see if somehow I could rid the U99 Code out of mine. Any ideas you want to throw my way before it is shipped to me please chime in. Just curious as to what you would do first if this (As Is) unit powers up without a U99 Code on the display?

Here's the Ebay Ad:

Panasonic DMR-ES15 DVD Recorder
AS IS

This Item Is Not Working

Manufacturer: Panasonic

Mfg Item Number: DMR-ES15

Original List Price: $199.99


Product Condition Notes :

Overall Condition: Tested , Not working ( won't read DVD's )

Power On : Yes

Cosmetic Condition : Some scratches and/or signs of use

Testing Notes: This item is Not working. This item is AS IS and not in the original box.





Items Included:


Panasonic DMR-ES15 DVD Recorder






Items NOT included:


Manual

Original Remote

Power Cord

Accessories

DigaDo,tomwil, Mike99 & other members on this forum:

Well I haven't given up as of yet. I just purchased a used (As Is) ES15 unit on Ebay for $1.95 plus shipping. Total Cost $20.90. As I mentioned it was advertised as is. The advertisement mentioned that it powers up but won't read DVD's. I am hoping to make one good ES-15 out of 2 bad ones or at least swap some parts around to see if somehow I could rid the U99 Code out of mine. Any ideas you want to throw my way before it is shipped to me please chime in. Just curious as to what you would do first if this (As Is) unit powers up without a U99 Code on the display?

Since a dirty lens or rubber hub is often the only thing wrong when a "no read" condition is present the first thing to do is clean the "new" machine's lens and rubber hub. Advice, instructions and photos are found in this and following posts:

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

Following the lens and rubber hub cleaning close up the ES15, connect it as normal to your signal source and TV and power up. If all is well go through the setup menus and make this your functional machine, retaining your original machine for parts.

If you hear "clunking" or "chugging" from the DVD Drive it may have a failed laser assembly so that DVD Drive is a no go.

At this point you may want to swap in your original ES15 model's DVD Drive to see if the "new" machine may serve as your functional machine.

When removing the DVD Drive ribbon cables from the Digital PCB gently grasp the ribbon cable with their colored tabs near the connectors and pull straight up.

If this "new" ES15 is a no go it may have other problems but it may still have a good Digital PCB.

Since your original ES15 model's U99 error may be caused by a bad Digital PCB the next procedure is to swap in the "new" ES15 model's Digital PCB in place of the one in your original ES15. After swapping in the Digital PCB with its platform close up the ES15, connect to the signal source and TV and power up.

DigaDo,
Sounds like a plan to me. I will use your advice from the get go and of course let you fellows know exactly how I make out in the process. Thanks!
Hopefully since I just made the purchase Sunday night I should hope to have the (AS IS) Pany ES15 by the end of the week. One way or the other I sure hope to have one good ES15 by next weekend. :)

Panasonic ES-series machines have the same problem as JVC machines that show "loading" errors (a generic error message) -- the capacitors have bulged and/or busted. It's really a simple fix, less than $5 in parts, and some skill with soldering. I paid a local guy $25 to fix my Panasonic ES10 last year, it works great now.

If your unit has errors of any kind, open it up, look closely at all the caps. I've posted about this on videohelp.com many times, complete with photos or what to look for, and some before/after shots.

Others have done the same with JVC units.

Just cheap crappy Chinese parts. It plagued many devices in the 2003-2006 era, all kinds of devices, from motherboards in computers to component boards in products like DVD recorders.

Not a big deal, really.

If you need to clean the DVD drive, do it this way: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/showthread.php/clean-dvd-cd-423.html

Panasonic ES-series machines have the same problem as JVC machines that show "loading" errors (a generic error message) -- the capacitors have bulged and/or busted. It's really a simple fix, less than $5 in parts, and some skill with soldering. I paid a local guy $25 to fix my Panasonic ES10 last year, it works great now.

If your unit has errors of any kind, open it up, look closely at all the caps. I've posted about this on videohelp.com many times, complete with photos or what to look for, and some before/after shots.

Others have done the same with JVC units.

Just cheap crappy Chinese parts. It plagued many devices in the 2003-2006 era, all kinds of devices, from motherboards in computers to component boards in products like DVD recorders.

Not a big deal, really.

If you need to clean the DVD drive, do it this way: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/showthread.php/clean-dvd-cd-423.html

Yes, capacitors that are failing or have failed are a problem for many devices. Power supply capacitor replacement advice from Panasonic owners experienced with replacement procedures may be found in other Panasonic threads. A number of those posts include step-by-step instructions and photos covering the variety of Panasonic configurations.

Your information concerning cleaning the lens in computer drives is helpful for those devices but the instructions do not address cleaning the rubber hub atop the spindle in Panasonic ES and EZ series DVD Drives. This is the most common cause of reading, writing and finalizing failures in Panasonic DVD recorders. Again there are posts with step-by-step instructions and photos in other Panasonic threads.

I must caution against random manipulation of interior parts in Panasonic DVD Drives as this may certainly lead to a number of serious functional complications. Remedial measures and photos addressing disassembly/reassembly errors and photos showing realignment/reassembly procedures have been posted in other Panasonic threads.

Well-tested advice/procedures found in a variety of Panasonic threads is usually based upon extensive personal experience with ES/EZ series Panasonics.

lordsmurf
As I have mentioned earlier in this thread I had the complete ES15 apart when I needed to make the square access hole at the bottom of the pan. I did this to gain access to short the 2 solder joints TL7506 and TL7507 from underneath while the ES15 was turned on as suggested earlier in order to try to reset the ES15 to rid the U99 error code but had no luck in doing so. I checked everything in the circuit board very closely beforehand and it was as clean as a whistle. I saw no leakage whatsoever or bulging of capacitors. Actually the whole machine from when I first opened it was very, very clean on the inside since the unit in 3 years really did not have much usage through February of this year when it developed the U99 error code. I am just hopeful that once the (AS IS) Pany arrives that I will be able as mentioned to have one good ES15 going at some point. If anyone can direct me to some pictures showing a Panasonic with bulging or leaking capacitors I would really like to see them here in this thread.

If anyone can direct me to some pictures showing a Panasonic with bulging or leaking capacitors I would really like to see them here in this thread.

ffas23,

See this thread for descriptions and photos:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1055111

Notice this group of photos linked in a post in that thread:

http://vassfamily.net/projects/DMRE85H/dmre85h.html

Other threads have also addressed capacitor replacement in Panasonics.

Searching the threads at AVS often turns up little as the default search setting goes back just thirty days. When searching be sure to set the date criteria back far enough to locate threads that may not have a post that recent.

DigaDo,
Thanks for the link to the pictures of the leaking compacitors. That is definitely not my problem in my ES15 for sure. The capacitors in the picture stick out like a sore thumb. Mine are clean and everything looks new on my circuit board. Other then the access hole that I cut into the bottom of the pan my ES15 looks like new outside and inside. Circuit boards look the same. Some good news I recieved an email today that my (AS IS) ES15 is on its way by Fedex. Again hopefully there are enough good parts left inside if someone didn't mess with it already. I should know something from the get go by just plugging it in. If it powers up and I don't see the dreaded U99 on the display I have a chance.

Thanks for the link to the pictures of the leaking compacitors. That is definitely not my problem in my ES15 for sure. The capacitors in the picture stick out like a sore thumb. Mine are clean and everything looks new on my circuit board.
I have the similar problem (U61 error code). Some users of Panasonic recorders report the power supply malfunction without visible damages (eg. dried-out capacitors).
AK

Slight bulges can also be hard to detect, if you're unfamiliar with this error.

Slight bulges can also be hard to detect, if you're unfamiliar with this error.Thats what I found with my DirecTivo (HR10-250) receiver. I had to look very closely to see the slight bulging on the tops of two capacitors that are known to cause problems. After I repaced the power supply the problems I was encountering went away.

Got my (AS IS) Pany ES15 delivered to me on Friday. Took the power cord from my other ES15 last night to plug it in since it came shipped with nothing else. Luckily for me so far, no U99 Error Code on the (AS IS) unit. Looked like it was having some other problems from the get go as (Please Wait) would stay in the display for quite a while blinking on and off. Then it would read the Channel,DV or INI then something about READ. Unlike my other ES15 with the U99 Code this unit will at least let the DVD tray come in and out when the open/close button is pressed. Anyway this morning I found time to clean the lens and rubber hub and spindle on both units.

Further testing with hook up as I can find more time today.

DigaDo and others. Cleaned the rubber hub and lens in the (As IS) Pany ES-15 but it still doesn't read the disc the same reason why it was sold as it. Looking to start exchanging some parts from both machines as time allows now to possibly have one good working machine. Will be going down DigaDo's list as what I will do next. Will keep everyone here up to date with my project as it goes.

ffas23. Could You check the power supply (DC voltages, the presence of glitches)?
AK

ffas23. Could You check the power supply (DC voltages, the presence of glitches)?
AK

I have no idea how to directly check it since electronics is not my line of work. I did check capacitors very closely on both ES15's and see no leakage or bulging. Remember I have 2 ES15's and 2 different problems here as one unit displays the U99 error code and basically does nothing but shut on and off and the other one I just purchased (AS IS) shows it will not read the disc. At least in this one I can open and close the DVD tray using the push in switch. Hoping to exhange DVD drives today if I can find the time to do so to see where I will be then.

Hi,
I did check capacitors very closely on both ES15's and see no leakage or bulging.
The dried-out capacitor looks like a new (no leakage or bulging), but weights less. The various kinds of errors (like U61 or U99) may be caused by the disturbances in output voltages of the power supply.
f.

Ok I found some time this late afternoon to switch DVD Drives in both ES15 units. The (AS IS) ES15 unit is now up and playing DVD's. With the DVD Drive from my other unit installed inside it seems to be working fine as I put a DVD+R DVD inside of it previously recorded on the other ES15 now with the U99 Error code. Played the DVD fine, also put in a store bought DVD and plays it just as well. Haven't recorded with it yet though. Don't know much about DVD drives but based on what I have read on this forum being I cleaned it well the other day including the lens I would have to guess the laser (lens) must be shot in it since it won't read. It is now sitting in the unit displaying the U99 Code. For the heck of it I also plugged this U99 coded ES15 in again. Of course no change. I am a happy camper somewhat now being I have one good unit out of two. I still would like to know why the one unit has the U99 code in it and which one of the two circuit boards left is the bad circuit board. Its either got to be the one that connects to the DVD drive or the one that sits on the bottom of the pan that is for sure. All thoughts here are welcome.

Ok I found some time this late afternoon to switch DVD Drives in both ES15 units ...

ffas23, thanks for keeping us up to date on your progress.

I am slightly confused on one point ... when you swapped DVD drives, did you also swap the digital circuit board that was attached to the DVD drive? I believe it was mentioned that both were needed together to keep the calibration of the drive intact.

ffas23, thanks for keeping us up to date on your progress.

I am slightly confused on one point ... when you swapped DVD drives, did you also swap the digital circuit board that was attached to the DVD drive? I believe it was mentioned that both were needed together to keep the calibration of the drive intact.

Since ffas23's original ES15 DVD Drive seems to be functioning well in the "as-is" ES15, his original ES15 model's U99 error may have been caused by a bad Digital PCB. Of course there may be other problems related to the main board's power supply capacitors or other components.

That the "as-is" machine is now the functional machine after the DVD Drive swap indicates that the original DVD Drive in the "as-is" machine was that machine's problem.

The "official" Panasonic position found in the 2006 model year Service Manuals is that the DVD Drive and the Digital PCB "have to be replaced together. If the pairing is changed, RAM Drive unit has to be re-aligned. Because the alignment data for RAM Drive Unit is stored in Digital P.C.B." (DMR-ES15 Service Manual, front cover and page 21). Unlike other recent Panasonic model years (2005, 2007, 2008) the 2006 model DVD Drive controller circuitry is incorporated into the Digital PCB. The 2005, 2007 and 2008 model DVD Drives have an onboard drive controller circuit board.

The reality is that I have swapped DVD Drives--by themselves without also swapping the Digital PCB--between 2006 DMR-ES15 and DMR-ES35V models with no subsequent operational complications.

In the next week I expect to swap a DVD Drive (thought to be in good condition) from a "dead" DMR-ES46V "parts machine" into a DMR-ES35V (as its DVD Drive has a failed laser assembly). These are 2006 models.

Panasonic DVD Drives may not be swapped from one model year to another model year. See this thread for more information:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1082922

... Played the DVD fine, also put in a store bought DVD and plays it just as well. Haven't recorded with it yet though ...

The reality is that I have swapped DVD Drives--by themselves without also swapping the Digital PCB--between 2006 DMR-ES15 and DMR-ES35V models with no subsequent operational complications.

Although the replaced DVD seems to play fine, it will be interesting if ffas23 runs into any problems while trying to record, or playing back that recording.

I wonder what that alignment means ... whether it is the calibration of the laser power, or is it the laser tracking?

I wonder what that alignment means ... whether it is the calibration of the laser power, or is it the laser tracking?

The Panasonic 2006 model service manuals don't give a clue as to what is entailed with this "alignment." This text (at page 7 in the DMR-ES15 Service Manual) explains the lack of information in this way:

"1) This service manual does not contain the following information, because of the impossibility of servicing at the component level.

-Schematic Diagram, Block Diagram and P.C.B. layout of RAM/Digital P.C.B. Module.
-Parts List for individual parts of RAM/Digital P.C.B. Module.
-Exploded View and Parts List for individual parts of RAM/Digital P.C.B. Module.

2) The following category are recycle module part. Please send them to Central Repair Center.

-RAM/Digital P.C.B. Module . . ."

I would think the "alignment" would be accomplished in much the same way as a firmware update. That's just a guess; I don't have that information.

Mickinct reported replacing bad Panasonic laser assemblies with new Panasonic laser assemblies purchased in the secondary market. Mickinct provided me with a link to one such eBay seller, gazglasgow, located in Scotland.

Although the replaced DVD seems to play fine, it will be interesting if ffas23 runs into any problems while trying to record, or playing back that recording.

I wonder what that alignment means ... whether it is the calibration of the laser power, or is it the laser tracking?

Just to update everyone concerning Tomwils question above. This morning I recorded a movie off of HBO. My ES15 seems to be working fine. Recorded the 2 hour movie, finalized the disc and all is well and the recorded disc plays well. Even recorded to a Off-Branded DVD+R (Starlogic) of which I picked up a hundred pack from Office Max a couple of years ago. The (AS IS) ES15 seems good to go and works as well as my (U99)Coded ES15 previously did before the dreaded code came on the display back in February. Still I would like to find a fix for the U99 Coded ES15 at some point down the road. At the very least I still have a parts machine to play around with if needed I guess.

Want to also say thanks for the help from Digado and others on this forum. Hope my experience here helps others out with ES15's and some other Pany models out there.

Before I forget I also want to mention that my original ES15 was manufacturered in February of 2006 where as my (AS IS) ES15 was manufactured in March of 2006 if it means anything to anyone here.