Is it possible to replace a DVD drive in a Panasonic recorder with a drive from another Panasonic? A drive from a dmr-es15 would be going into a dmr-e50.

Chances are no...if I'm correct on this their is special software coded into the drive for each particular unit...I know for a FACT with the es35 you have to replace the drive with the digital PCB at the same time otherwise you run into problems...

I have found that Panasonic DVD drives may be swapped between models of the same model year and year of manaufacture.

If you have a DMR-E50S it is a 2002 model. If you have a DMR-EH50S it is a 2005 model. The DMR-ES15 is a 2006 model. These drives are of different design and specification. The DVD drive controller circuit boards are different as well.

I have swapped DVD drives between DMR-ES35V and DMR-ES15 models; both are 2006 models. Both use the same DVD drive controller circuit board VEP79132 mounted below the DVD drive on a DMR-ES35V or beside the DVD drive on a DMR-ES15.