Panasonic 2006 and newer DVD drive hub/spindle cleaning and reassembly complications

[DigaDo]

The post originally found here has been consolidated with the third post in this thread.

[DigaDo]

This post provides some advice for cleaning the hub/spindle and related parts of Panasonic DVD drives that evidence of intermittant "no read" situations due to a dirty lens or a soiled hub/spindle area.

The DVD Drive may make "grinding" noises with a soiled hub/spindle area or "clunking," "chugging" or "errrp" noises with a dirty lens or a failed laser assembly. If the "no read" situation persists after the lens and hub/spindle cleaning, there are "clunking," "chugging" or "errrp" noises and/or U61, U88 or U99 errors reported on the front panel display, parts replacements are indicated. Panasonic offers a $130 flat-rate repair through their Elk Grove Village or Elgin Illinois Service Centers. For current information see the "Panasonic Repairs" thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1056657

The 2006 and newer drives have lids that are anchored at the front and lift from the rear; the 2005 and some older drives have lids that are anchored at the rear and lift from the front. The different Panasonic case and DVD Drive designs require somewhat different access and opening/closing procedures as detailed below.

If you are hesitant to open your Panasonic's case and the DVD drive itself, see this post from Jeff:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/f106/fixing...ml#post2105204

If you are willing to proceed with the Saint Baz Procedure (the screen name of the person originally describing the hub/spindle cleaning at the CD Freaks/MyCe Forum) it is strongly suggested that you disconnect your Panasonic from AC power several hours before opening the case.

Before beginning the procedure be sure to touch the metal case before touching interior components.

First, let us deal with another matter of concern to Panasonic owners, capacitors.

POWER SUPPLY CAPACITOR EXAMINATION for leakage or bloating may be done while the case is open. Some Panasonic models may have a cover or partial cover over the power supply section. Use caution whenever working in or near the power supply section. If necessary remove the cover in order to examine the capacitors. Notice that the cover’s rear edge may have to be fitted between the Panasonic’s rear panel and the rear wall of the power supply for correct reassembly. If capacitors are observed with leakage or bloating see this thread for more information:

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

THE SAINT BAZ HUB/SPINDLE CLEANING PROCEDURE is found here:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/f106/fixing...t-help-210507/

Following Saint Baz' detailed instructions clean the lens, rubber and plastic spindle parts and hub area, and the circular guide wheel in the DVD drive lid.

Due to the possibility of damaging ribbon cable contacts I discourage removal of DVD Drives from their machines.

Do not extend, remove or otherwise disturb the DVD Drive disc tray while the drive lid is open--complications will result. The roller/slider MUST be positioned to the left at the rear of the disc tray before replacing and securing the DVD Drive lid. If there are reassembly complications see the remedial measures found in my February 2009 posts in this thread.

PANASONIC 2006 AND NEWER DVD DRIVES are easy to service. Remove the case top cover for access to the DVD drive. Then remove the four small Phillips screws and lift the DVD drive lid from the rear. Then clean the drive according to the instructions in the CD Freaks Saint Baz link.

When viewing the DVD drive from the front (where the tray rolls out) notice the roller/slider assembly at the rear of the disc tray. This mechanism must be positioned to the left corner before reassembly so these parts will be correctly aligned to the guide rail on the underside of the drive lid. Take care that the drive lid is correctly seated and secured. The four drive lid screws are placed near the corners of the drive lid, not at the center positions.

With the 2006 and newer models opening of the Panasonic case, removing the DVD drive lid, cleaning the drive, closing the drive lid, examining the power supply capacitors, and closing the case takes around fifteen minutes. Add another five minutes for cleaning the heads and tape path in the VHS mechanism (if present).

PANASONIC 2005 AND OLDER DVD DRIVES may require a somewhat more labor intensive service procedure. Remove the case top cover for access to the DVD drive. It may be found necessary to remove the front panel assembly in order to give enough clearance to allow removal of the DVD drive lid.

The front panel may have an anchoring screw near the top center. After removing this screw, if present, the snap-clips at the top and sides need to be released, then press the retaining tabs along the front panel's bottom and gently remove the front panel.

Remove the four small Phillips screws, lift the drive lid at the front, slide the lid forward allowing the rear to disengage, and then lift the lid off. Then clean the drive according to the instructions in the the CD Freaks Saint Baz link.

When viewing the DVD drive from the front (where the tray rolls out) notice the roller/slider assembly at the rear of the disc tray. This mechanism must be positioned to the left corner before reassembly so these parts will be correctly aligned to the guide rail on the underside of the drive lid. Take care that the drive lid is correctly seated and secured.

Allow around 35 minutes for opening the case, cleaning the DVD drive, examining power supply capacitors, and reassembly. Add another five minutes for cleaning the heads and tape path in the VHS mechanism (if present).

VHS DOOR LIFTING MECHANISM ALIGNMENT. If the front panel has been removed on a combo recorder take care to hold the VHS door open as the front panel is fitted back to the case. This will assure that the VHS door lifting mechanism is correctly aligned with the door itself.

When the front panel snaps into place without the use of force this will correctly align the contacts between the chassis motherboard(s) and the front panel circuit board(s).

NOTE: The attached photos show a DVD drive that had been removed, due to laser failure, from a 2006 model year Panasonic. It is not necessary to remove most recent DVD Drives from the recorder for cleaning. Newer Panasonic DVD Drives are similar in appearance to those pictured. See the more recent posts in this thread for additional photos, including photos of the DVD Drive used in the 2005 model year. Most older Panasonic DVD Drives are similar in appearance. Some earlier model DVD Drives have a thin metal "sub-lid" below the black plastic lid. Some very early Panasonic DVD Drives may be encased in a surround structure. See this DMR-E100H thread for more information concerning encased DVD Drives:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1207391

[DigaDo]

The AC cord should be disconnected any time the Panasonic case is opened. This is especially important if the DVD drive lid is to be removed for the hub/spindle cleaning procedure. See the second post in this thread for general advice and a link for the actual hub/spindle cleaning procedure.

If the AC cord is connected to the machine when the DVD drive lid is removed various complications may arise. Some reassembly complications may arise if the drive lid cogs at the front side edge are not correctly aligned with the guide posts on the DVD drive case sides at the front, the roller/slider assembly at the back of the disc tray is not positioned to the far left before reassembly, the roller/slider assembly has been dislodged from its platform at the left rear of the disc tray, or the drive lid is not fully seated with the four screws near the corners of the drive lid.

If a malfunction of the DVD drive occurs following reassembly recheck the DVD drive lid for proper seating/securing. If complications are found, make corrections, if possible, when the disc tray is fully retracted into the DVD drive.

If the roller/slider is not correctly aligned with the guide rail on the underside of the drive lid then that situation must be corrected before the drive will function. When the disc tray is fully retracted into the drive the correct alignment has the roller/slider at the far left position at the rear of the disc tray. When the disc tray is extended out, up to about half way, the correct roller/slider position is still to the far left position. The roller/slider veers toward the right as the disc tray is extended out more than half way. As the disc tray becomes fully extended the roller/slider follows the guide rail channel as it approaches the DVD drive's front to rear centerline.

If the disc tray is locked into an extended position or the disc tray continually opens and closes, there may be a problem with a ribbon cable connection or the "Digital PCB" that are the "brains" of a Panasonic.

If the DVD drive had been opened for cleaning but reassembled incorrectly, open the case cover, remove the DVD drive lid and reposition the roller/slider to the left. In the event that the roller/slider has been dislodged, reinstall it atop its platform, as shown in the first post, at the left rear of the disc tray.

During DVD drive operation the hub/spindle assembly moves upward to lift the DVD off the disc tray and clamp the DVD against the circular guide in the drive lid so that the DVD spins freely in order that the lens assembly may correctly read/write/finalize the disc. Before the disc tray is opened the roller/slider movement to the left rear corner of the disc tray causes the hub/spindle assembly to descend to a point below the disc tray allowing the disc tray to open.

The manual release will allow the disc tray to be slid out, an action that will also cause the hub/spindle to descend to allow the disc tray to extend. Retracting the disc tray will cause the hub/spindle to rise.

Disc tray manual release locations, cautions and procedures are found in this post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...6#post14709306

The photos show a typical DVD drive found on 2006 models.

In the first photo notice the guide rail on the underside of the DVD drive lid. Observe the guide rail's relation to the roller/slider mechanism at the rear of the disc tray. When the disc tray is in the retracted positon the roller/slider mechanism must be positioned to the far left when the drive lid is fitted back to the DVD drive case. On 2006 or newer DVD drives take care to anchor the cogs at the front side-edge of the lid to the pivot posts at the front of the drive case before lowering the lid into position.

The second photo shows the correct screw positioning not far from the drive lid corners on 2006 and newer DVD drives.

2005 and older DVD drive lids anchor at the rear and lift at the front. The screws securing the drive lids on those models are more centrally located.

[DigaDo]

With 2005 and earlier Panasonics the DVD drive lid is hinged at the rear and lifts from the front. The machine's front panel must be removed to provide enough clearance to lift the DVD drive lid, slide it forward somewhat and lift the lid off the DVD drive. The photos show a DMR-ES30V combo recorder from the 2005 model year.

The first photo shows the tight DVD drive clearance at the front panel.

The second photo shows the DVD drive lens and hub/spindle area.

The third photo shows the correct far left positioning of the roller slider at the rear of the disc tray. This will correctly align the roller with the guide rail on the underside of the DVD drive lid as the drive lid is secured.

If the front panel is removed on a model with a VHS mechanism take care to hold the VHS door open when fitting the front panel back to the case, as shown in the fourth photo. This will correctly align the VHS door lifting mechanism.

[DigaDo]

If the front panel is removed on a model with a VHS mechanism take care to hold the VHS door open when fitting the front panel back to the case. This will correctly align the VHS door lifting mechanism.

The photos show a 2006 DMR-ES35V combo recorder:

[DigaDo]

The following descriptions and photos depict a 2006 Panasonic DVD Drive. Interior views of later Panasonic DVD Drives will be similar.

When the DVD Drive disc tray roller/slider has been dislodged from its platform it must be correctly repositioned on that platform as seen in photo 3.

In order to reinstall a DVD Drive disc tray that has been removed from the DVD Drive, see the five photos for the correct positioning and alignments. The photos are keyed to these instructions:

1-This photo shows the “Slide Cam” (the white part) positioned to the right where the spindle is in the high position for clamping a disc to the guide wheel on the underside of the DVD Drive lid in order to spin the disc on the black rubber hub for read, write and finalizing operations. The disc tray can not be correctly aligned and reinserted when the spindle is in the high position. (Notice at the upper right of the photo the roller/slider’s positioning at the far left and its relationship to the white guide rail on the underside of the DVD drive lid.)

2-With a small, flat-bladed screwdriver placed through the disc tray manual release access hole drift the slide cam to the left until it stops. Do not force the slide cam beyond the stop position.

3-With the slide cam in the left-most position extend the disc tray side rails and place the disc tray in the EXACT position seen in the photo. Notice the disc tray’s position in relation to the slide cam (seen just beyond the back edge of the disc tray) and the belt wheel (seen through the opening in the disc tray floor). This EXACT position allows the left and right flanges at the lower edge of the front half of the disc tray to align with the guide pegs on the side of the DVD Drive case (as seen in photo 4).

4-Slide the disc tray back into the DVD Drive. If clicking is heard while sliding the tray into the DVD Drive, the disc tray has not been correctly aligned. Go back through the above instructions and repeat the procedure. Notice that the pencil points at the guide posts correctly aligned with the disc tray’s lower flange.

5-This photo shows the disc tray locked into its place in the DVD Drive.

You may want to confirm the correct operation of the disc tray before reinstalling the DVD Drive lid. To do this reinsert the screwdriver in the disc tray manual release access hole and unlock the disc tray. With your hand, steady the disc tray in its position and move it outward an inch or two. If whirring is heard the disc tray is correctly reinstalled. Slide the disc tray back into the DVD Drive until it is in the locked position. If clicking is heard while sliding the disc tray outward, the disc tray has not been correctly aligned. Again, it will be necessary to repeat the procedure.

Once the disc tray has been correctly aligned and reinstalled take care that the roller/slider mechanism is positioned to the far left and place the DVD Drive lid in position. Take care that the DVD Drive lid cut outs at the front side edges correctly engage the posts at the front sides of the DVD Drive case, place the screws in their positions nearest the drive lid corners and tighten the screws.

[DigaDo]

Originally Posted by DigaDo

The . . . descriptions and photos depict a 2006 Panasonic DVD Drive. Interior views of later Panasonic DVD Drives will be similar.

When the DVD Drive disc tray roller/slider has been dislodged from its platform it must be correctly repositioned on that platform . . .

In order to reinstall a DVD Drive disc tray that has been removed from the DVD Drive, see the five photos for the correct positioning and alignments. . .

The photos attached to the above post depict a DVD Drive that had been removed from its machine.

To the question “Is it necessary to remove the DVD Drive from the machine in order to realign/reinstall a DVD Drive disc tray?” the answer is no, removal of the DVD Drive is not necessary.

Rather than finding and opening a machine set aside for standby service, and in order to promptly respond to another board member’s immediate problem, I found it more expeditious to open a boxed “parts” DVD Drive, remove the disc tray, take a series of photos of the realignment/reinstallation procedure, select and name the photos, write the narrative to accompany the photos, and submit the post.

I generally discourage removing a DVD Drive from a Panasonic due to the likelihood of damage to the ribbon cable contact strip(s) and other complications.

The contacts in Digital PCB connector(s) have a tendency to drift forward as the ribbon cable is removed. When that happens the Digital PCB contact may damage the ribbon cable contact strip(s). The remedy is drifting the connector contact back into its proper position and trimming off the damaged portion of the ribbon cable’s contact strip. One of my DVD Drives/Digital PCB "modules" had this problem upon removing a ribbon cable.

Two other DVD Drive problems may occur if the DVD Drive is turned upside down with the drive lid removed. The roller/slider may become dislodged from its platform and the lens assembly mounting panel front edge post may be dislodged from the slide cam’s guide channel. The remedy for the former is to reposition the roller slider as shown in the photos in the earlier post. See the remedy for the latter described and illustrated in this Service Clinic DMR-EZ47 post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post15746105

It may be somewhat difficult to have sufficient clearance to realign/reinstall the DVD Drive disc tray with the machine's front panel in place. That’s why I suggest removing the machine’s front panel to gain better access to the DVD Drive. Most combo recorders have a single front panel anchoring screw at top center. The attached photo shows my little yellow gripper tool for final screw removal and initial screw threading being used on the front panel anchoring screw on a DMR-ES35V combo recorder. DVD recorders do not usually have a front panel anchoring screw. Panasonics front panels have clips that release by lifting just a little with a fingernail or lifting/pressing with a flat-bladed screw driver. These clips, some of which are delicate, may be found at the front panel's top, sides and bottom. Loosen these and remove the front panel for access to the front of the DVD Drive.

After disc tray realignment/reinstallation fit the front panel back to the case. On models with a VHS mechanism be sure to hold the VHS door open to correctly align the VHS door lifting mechanism. The front panel clips should snap back into place easily, as long as there has been no damage to the case.

If the case has been damaged there may be difficulty realigning the front panel circuit board contacts (if so equipped) with their guided connections on the chassis motherboard(s). If the case has been “bowed” it may need straightening before these contacts may be realigned. One of my combo recorders (purchased used) required case straightening before the front panel buttons would function correctly.

[DigaDo]

I encourage searching AVS Forum threads for advice based upon experience rather than experimentation that leads to additional complications.

[cbrillow]

Kudos to DigaDo for his diligence in getting the word out on Panasonic DVD Recorders that can be spared a trip to the service depot by cleaning the hub inside of the DVD drive. Thanks also to the original poster of this cleaning technique and for others who have reported successful use of the procedure.

Now, you can add me to the list. I have a DMR-EH75 that was about to make its 3rd trip to Elk Grove due to its failure to write and finalize discs. I was intrigued after joining the forum several months ago and seeing these posts about hub cleaning, and, after trashing 3 brand new disks from a new pack of 100, tried the 'saliva test' on number 4. It worked! Hurray!

Took the top off the drive today and cleaned the internals per the procedure, and burned another without problem!

This machine, with TVGOS (when it's working) is the absolute greatest consumer toy I've ever purchased and I'm happy that it can stay home rather than going back for repair again.

FWIW, I've been very happy with Panasonic's service dept. I bought a 3-year extension to the original warranty for $109, and it's been worth every penny so far, with two repairs covered at 100%, including shipping both ways.

Wish I could get another one!

[Chingu808]

Originally Posted by cbrillow

FWIW, I've been very happy with Panasonic's service dept. I bought a 3-year extension to the original warranty for $109, and it's been worth every penny so far, with two repairs covered at 100%, including shipping both ways.

Wish I could get another one!

So Panasonic doesn't offer that 3 year warranty for $109 any more? I brought one for my Eh-500 about 3 years ago. It will expire in Aug 2009.

Maybe I should send my unit in any way. It has never been worked on since I brought it in June 2005. But now it grinds like hell when finalizing a dvd-r. I get a failure maybe once every 3-5 dvd-r's our of a 50 pack. I also started using TDK dvd-r and it will finalize the dvd-r ok. I hit enter after finalize and it will say check the disc. The EH-500 will not play it. But every other dvd player and computer plays it. Plus I can rip it without any problems/errors. Also lately when recording to the HD and I hit the stop button the unit will not respond to the remote. It will not respond to any of the buttons on the remote except the power button. I can hit the power button and it will power off. But if I power the unit back on and start recording once again it will not respond to any buttons on the remote. I have to unplug the power cord and this clears up the problem. I have a new EH-75V in the closet so may be time to break that out and send in the EH-500.

[jjeff]

I would sure send it in. It sounds like it needs a spindle cleaning at the least.
I'm not sure if Panasonic will just clean the spindle or they may possibly replace the DVD drive. Give them a detailed description of the problem and even send them a 1/2 dozen or so of the discs that give you the most problems.

[cbrillow]

Originally Posted by Chingu808

So Panasonic doesn't offer that 3 year warranty for $109 any more? I brought one for my Eh-500 about 3 years ago. It will expire in Aug 2009.

Don't know. I've been wondering if I'll get a note from them when the expiration date nears. Looks like you may find that out first, as your contract will expire before mine.

[videobruce]

Excellant thread, posts and pics.
I wish someone would do the same for the cleaning procedure for the lens assembly for Mits DLP TV's.

[jimleslie]

My Panasonic burns unevenly with a circular pattern about 2 inches from the hole. This pattern has two equal semicircular components, one being offset from the other by a millimeter or so. The ends of the two semicircles taper almost down to a point. These arcs are about a millimeter wide and look to be unburned area. I suspect the drive mechanism for the laser.

The DVD drive bears the following numbers: VXY1945
06927A030

This first began several months ago, so I quit using the machine for burning. I tried it again a couple of days ago and got good results for two or three DVDs but now it produces this pattern on every attempt. The resulting DVDs hang up when the read laser gets to this part of the disc.

I've tried cleaning the spindle and the laser comes up as a 0 in the power test mode.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I'm a newcomer to this forum; thanks for establishing it and allowing me to post this query

[DigaDo]

Originally Posted by jimleslie

My Panasonic burns unevenly with a circular pattern about 2 inches from the hole. This pattern has two equal semicircular components, one being offset from the other by a millimeter or so. The ends of the two semicircles taper almost down to a point. These arcs are about a millimeter wide and look to be unburned area. I suspect the drive mechanism for the laser.

The DVD drive bears the following numbers: VXY1945
06927A030

This first began several months ago, so I quit using the machine for burning. I tried it again a couple of days ago and got good results for two or three DVDs but now it produces this pattern on every attempt. The resulting DVDs hang up when the read laser gets to this part of the disc.

I've tried cleaning the spindle and the laser comes up as a 0 in the power test mode.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I'm a newcomer to this forum; thanks for establishing it and allowing me to post this query

The 2006 DVD Drive VXY1945 is commonly found in the DMR-EH75 model. It is mentioned and pictured in this thread:

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

Interpretation of laser power reports is found on page 29 in the DMR-EH75 Service Manual, see the attached scanned image. (For easier viewing I suggest going to Print Preview to enlarge the image or viewing the images attached to my 9/4/2009 post found below.)

As to appearance variations of the burned surface of multi-title discs, I've occasionally observed pronounced variations between titles. I've always attributed these variations to the use of inferior DVD media. I've yet to observe appearance variations of burned surfaces when using Taiyo Yuden Premium Line 8x DVD-R media.

[jimleslie]

thanks for the comments.

I'm using only taiyo-yuden media

The pattern seems to be the same regardless of the file being burned

I suspect a mechanical problem in the mechanism that moves the laser, but without a service manual, I don't know how to proceed

[DigaDo]

Originally Posted by jimleslie

thanks for the comments.

I'm using only taiyo-yuden media

The pattern seems to be the same regardless of the file being burned

I suspect a mechanical problem in the mechanism that moves the laser, but without a service manual, I don't know how to proceed

The Service Manual has only limited diagnostic information. There is very little information concerning servicing of individual assemblies/components such as DVD Drives and Digital PCBs as it is Panasonic's policy to replace assemblies/components that demonstrate any performance issue/failure. The following post provides more specific information:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post16832715

[jimleslie]

Digado

Thanks for your helpful responses to my queries.

Are you the same person who was looking for used EH75 machines on Craig's list recently?

[DigaDo]

Originally Posted by jimleslie

Digado

Thanks for your helpful responses to my queries.

Are you the same person who was looking for used EH75 machines on Craig's list recently?

I happened to see an EH75 listed on Craig's List in Seattle. I posted a link to the listing as an example of a seller not aware of the going price of this model (and in the event that an AVS member in the Seattle area might be interested in it). I'm in the Portland/Vancouver area, about a three hour drive to Seattle.

[DigaDo]

Originally Posted by DigaDo

The 2006 DVD Drive VXY1945 is commonly found in the DMR-EH75 model. It is mentioned and pictured in this thread:

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

Interpretation of laser power reports is found on page 29 in the DMR-EH75 Service Manual, see the attached scanned image. (For easier viewing I suggest going to Print Preview to enlarge the image.)

The scanned image attached to the earlier post isn't really satisfactory. For that reason I just photographed that page, upper and lower portions, and attach these photos here:

[DigaDo]

This post appeared yesterday in the CD Freaks Forum:

“I have the Panasonic dmr hs2 for many years, with no problems. Now i have the problem that the DVD drive stuck. I have to hit it hard at the right time so it slides out the DVD. Some times it doas not suck in the DVD total to the end also.
I contactd a repair shop , and they repleide that there is repair kit for it. But the shipping is more than the labor and parts. together $89.00.
if I had the repair kit I can do it my self. Any help out there??”

Here is my response, slightly edited:

According to Jeff’s Panasonic recorder reference post (in the AVS Forum) the DMR-HS2 is a 2002 model. I have no personal experience with the Panasonic DMR-HS2 or other Panasonics of that vintage.

My Panasonic experience begins with the 2005 models. The following observations are based upon 2005 and newer models. It is most likely that these more recent Panasonics share a number of DVD Drive design characteristics with earlier models.

If your DMR-HS2 model's DVD Drive was recently opened for routine cleaning of the lens and hub/spindle, was the roller/slider at the rear of the disc tray positioned to the far left as shown in the first attached photo? (The photo shows a 2005 model DVD Drive.) In order for the disc tray to function properly the roller/slider must be positioned to the far left so that it will run in the guide channel on the underside of the DVD Drive lid.

Misalignment of DVD Drive operating mechanisms may occur when the disc tray is extended while the drive lid is removed. I've posted detailed descriptions and photos (at the AVS Forum) demonstrating procedures for correct realignment and reassembly of 2006 and newer DVD Drives with those problems. (Those are posts #6 and #7 found above.)

Another possible problem is wear to, or failure of, the rubber belt in the DVD Drive disc tray open/close mechanism. The second attached photo shows this belt running from the large white wheel to the small white wheel (just to the right) as seen toward the bottom center of the photo. (The photo shows a 2006 model DVD Drive.) If belt replacement is needed the disc tray will need to be removed to gain access to the belt. Since 2005 and older DVD Drives differ somewhat from those in 2006 and newer models, posts #6 and #7 should be viewed as a general guide but there may be differences in reassembly/realignment details for 2005 and older DVD Drives.

As to a "kit" I'm not sure what might be included; perhaps just the rubber belt and instructions as to its replacement. The belt itself may be of generic design and purchased at a nominal cost. If the belt is the problem the major expense is the labor to open, disassemble and reassemble the DVD Drive.

Panasonic’s National Parts Center still lists many replacement parts for the DMR-HS2. Among those parts these are listed:

VXY1748 DVD RAM DRIVE $662.61

RFKNE30BELT SQUARE BELT $1.47

The “square belt” may or may not be the one found in the DVD Drive. It is Panasonic’s usual practice to replace the whole DVD Drive if there is a failure to any DVD Drive internal parts.

Panasonic offers a $130 flat-rate repair through their corporate Service Centers in Elgin and Elk Grove Village Illinois. The service center in Elgin Illinois is the current location for repair of hard drive equipped Panasonic recorders. The current information is found here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1056657

[DigaDo]

A groundbreaking project with a (circa 2003) DMR-E100H DVD Drive is reported in this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1207391