Anyone know where I can get one (that doesnt cost more than the whole unit)?

Mine just died and I would hate to trash the whole thing. It only 2 yrs old. 2nd panasonic dvd drive that has died after a short time. I had that pany dvd player that was so popular a few years ago, forgot the model number.

You might want to consider calling Panasonic to arrange for an out of warranty repair. They charge $130, including shipping, no matter what the problem is as long as they can fix it.

I've had my E500 and an EH75 fixed by them under that program.

thanks for the advice. didnt realize it would be that cheap.

Please let know what happens if you go for the one-price repair. It would be nice to have confirmation that Panasonic still offers it

will do

btw: that $103 is for a diag, it does not include parts which from what i have read will cost more than a new unit. im done with panasonic.

btw: that $103 is for a diag, it does not include parts which from what i have read will cost more than a new unit. im done with panasonic.

Not unless they changed the policy in the last 2 months.

First, it's $130, not $103.

Second, the bill is for $100 PARTS and LABOR, plus #40 shipping back to you. Panny pays the shipping to them.

Third, I had a board replaced in my E500 which lists on the Panny site for over $450, not to mention the labor. The bill was for $130.

Finally, I had an EH75 break out of warranty last December and again the bill was $130.

Oh, and I've spoken to the people who work at the service center who were very nice and confirmed the amounts over the phone because I couldn't believe it.

So if you've gotten new info on the changed policy since Dec '07 that trumps me.

That's precisely what I'm trying to find out -- has the policy changed.

I wonder if the correct repair site was called.

Steve1214,

This is the corporate Panasonic Service Center that offers the flat-rate repairs for $130.00:

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

By calling them today, 2/1/2008, I confirmed the $130,00 flat-rate service.

This is prompt Panasonic factory service, returning your Panasonic to new condition with a minimum of down-time.

Don't confuse the factory Panasonic Service Center with privately-owned Panasonic Authorized Service locations that service many brands, specializing in none. These operations are expensive and time-consuming, especially if parts are needed. They may not even have a Panasonic Service Manual for your model.

Good thing you mentioned that, because I, and I know at least a few others here, always thought that it was the Elgin, IL center that did it.

I agree Ramm, that's what I have always read too. Elgin Il. I wonder if they moved? I tried to find out on there joke of a web site Panasonic.com and could find nothing about factory repair. They only kept wanting my zip code to direct me to a local service center.
They sure don't want to promote there own service center. I spent 15 min. on there site and basically found nothing. Good find Digido.

Steve1214,

This is the corporate Panasonic Service Center that offers the flat-rate repairs for $130.00:

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

By calling them today, 2/1/2007, I confirmed the $130,00 flat-rate service.

Thanks, DigaDo. Just what I wanted to hear.

Just used this repair facility for my DMR-ES15, they replaced the DVD Drive in that one as well, in warranty repair though, but knowing the $130.00 flat rate still exists if another machine acts up, will definitely use them again. Only minor issue i had with mine is they lost the receipt that was in the box with the machine, but a quick fax of it over, and it was repaired within a week, and shipped out quickly.

As for how the machine is working now--alot better, no more grinding noise on DVD's, and finalizing works perfectly.

I assume that the Panasonic Service Center moved from Elgin to Elk Grove. In August 2006 the Elgin location replaced the DVD drive in my original DMR-ES30V under warranty. They paid shipping as well.

I agree Ramm, that's what I have always read too. Elgin Il. I wonder if they moved? I tried to find out on there joke of a web site Panasonic.com and could find nothing about factory repair. They only kept wanting my zip code to direct me to a local service center.
They sure don't want to promote there own service center. I spent 15 min. on there site and basically found nothing. Good find Digido.

They did move. In fact, they had my unit during their move. The Panny customer service sent me a prepaid UPS label to use to send back my unit. The address on it was for Elgin.

Weeks went by and I heard nothing. I called and found out they had moved and the unit was lost somewhere in the confusion of getting everything rerouted to the new address.

Once they found it I had it back within 2 weeks.

Guys, Thanks for the info. I called panasonic directly not the repair center mentioned above. I will give them a call shortly and post what happens.

Getting a Panny HDD repaired for $130 is a no brainer.

I just called the number above and confirmed that the repair cost is $130. As stated, a no brainer. When I get the unit back I will post the results. Thanks again to everyone for their input and steering me in the right direction.

My BIL just got his E85 back from "Panasonic Camera and Digital Service Repair Center" (must be their official name, same tel. # as posted), and they replaced six components, incl. the HDD and DVD burner, for $130, with all shipping paid by them.

Good deal. Let's hope that they continue this service.

Guys,

Just confirmed that my device will be repaired for the $130 flat rate and returned to me shortly. Awsome. Again, thanks for all the advice.

Too bad they don't do Toshibas with the same deal.

This is an awesome bit of news!

Question, though...anyone know if this deal is available outside of the US?

I live in Canada and just bought a used "in good working condition" EH75V from eBay USA and it's not reading DVDs ("NOREAD" error), so if I can't find a solution between myself and/or the former owner, the factory repair would be a great option.

Barb

Rather than spend $130, when the drive died in my dmr-eh55, I went out and bought a panasonic dmr-es15 at circuity city and just swapped the drive unit.

My local CC recently still had some new in the box for about $100. But I bought the floor model with no remote for $25. Swapped the drive and it works fine..

Such a good price, I went to another CC and bought a spare...

Not sure what other models will work. I am pretty sure the dmr-eh25 will also work, but its a bit more expensive.

I have swapped DVD drives and DVD drive controller circuit boards between my DMR-ES35V and DMR-ES15 (2006) models. I have serviced drives on my DMR-ES30V (2005) and DMR-ES17 (2007) models so I have observed various differences between DVD drives and DVD drive controller circuit boards.

A 2005 drive is a large black plastic assembly largely open on the underside. 2006 and 2007 drives have metal cases much like DVD drives found in computers. 2006 drives have four ribbon cables attached to the bottom, three in a recessed black plastic area and one to a circuit board visible through an opening in the case. 2007 drives look very much the same as the 2006 drives but have a power connector on the left side of the case and may have different cables on the underside.

From these observations I would say that DVD drives may be swapped between models of the same year of manufacture. (The first number in the Panasonic serial number indicates year of manufacture if the year is not stated on that sticker.) DVD drives from different year models may not be swapped.

Just got my unit back and it works perfectly. Well worth the $136.

I just got mine back today also. It is calling for a SETUP... and my remote does not work now? Any ideas?

I just got mine back today also. It is calling for a SETUP... and my remote does not work now? Any ideas?

When you hit any key on the remote a CHK Remote message with a number should show up on your display (on the unit itself). That is the remote code the unit is currently set at. Hold the Enter key down on your remote and press the button corresponding to the number on the display. This should fix your problem.

I had to go through setup again as well. They probably reset everything to factory before shipping. Mine also came back with 2 episodes of Jerry Springer recorded to the hard drive.

Makes sense to me. Somehow your remotes and unit must have gotten setup for something other than the default remote code 1.
Too bad the tech's didn't have access to PPV. Then maybe you'd have something decent to watch:D

My POS Panasonic DMRES45V didn't work right from the get go.......tried to get RS to fix it, they won't, past the thirty day warranty, Panasonic wants nothing to do with it either, but will sell me a new DVD/RW drive for right around 450 bucks, to replace the one that never worked........I'm done with crap made in China, wish some of the old USA companies, RCA, Magnavox etc would move back here and start producing some quality AV equipment, I'ld be more than happy to pay a little extra so I didn't have to throw something into the landfill every few months..........

Aloha from Maui

If your DMR-ES45V was purchased new it came with a one year warranty that includes shipping both ways to the Panasonic Service Center in Illinois.

If your machine was refurbished by Panasonic and sold by an Authorized Panasonic Reseller it came with a 90 day Panasonic warranty but that does not include shipping.

If your Panasonic is still under warranty call Panasonic Customer Service at 1-800-211-7262 for a RMA for warranty service.

If your machine was purchased used there is no warranty but Panasonic does offer the $130 flat rate repair that includes shipping both ways.

This is the corporate Panasonic Service Center that offers the flat-rate repairs for $130.00:

Panasonic Service Center
1590 Touhly Ave
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

1-888-439-2676

The corporate Panasonic Service Center has parts on hand and provides quick turnaround. My DMR-ES30V required warranty service. From Oregon to Illinois for service and back to Oregon took less than two weeks.

"Panasonic Authorized Service" are privately owned businesses that may charge whatever they please to repair out of warranty products. Often these businesses service many brands, specializing in none. Perhaps they may not even have a Service Manual for your DMR-ES45V. If you need parts expect to wait.

I have the dmr-eh55 and I have to noread error.(just over the waranty)
Is there a way to transfer video from the unit to a computer?
Is the non waraty repair cost of 130$ eligible to canadian?

thanks