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Swapping Panasonic DVD Drives, Compatibility Considerations - Page 3

post #61 of 96
5/5/10 at 5:08pm
^^Thanks. For clarification, let me say that, looking at the board, I assumed the ribbon cables were like the cables that are like a pc dvd drive, the flat cable with the connector that you plug or unplug. But as I discovered, the ribbon is just that, a ribbon, the flat plastic 'head' is attached to the board itself and not the end of the ribbon. That's what had me scratching my head. I honestly thought I'd torn the thing when it the copper ribbon came sliding out (I wasn't pulling on it). Note to any others who may wish to swap drives-it;s best not to unscrew the board from the drive, leave it screwed to the drive and remove the ribbons first. It was harder for me-a first timer at least, to figure out when I unscrewed the board first, expecting to disconnect the cables with ease afterward.

And the final results. Installed the VXY1961, screwed everything back into place and plogged in...the ez48 works again. Thus far, I played a RAM disc, and it's recording right now, tested chase play, commercial skip while chase play, stop playback while recording, and everything's working..,

Many thanks to Digado, Wilmorr and all other contributors to this servicing thread. Great advice and direction found here on the mighty AVS Forum.
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post #62 of 96
5/19/10 at 11:35am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DigaDo View Post

Wilmorr,

Your successful swap of a good 2008/2009 VXY2010 DVD Drive fitted with the on-board controller PCB from your 2007 DVD Drive VXY1961 confirms that these model DVD Drives will interchange as long as the on-board controller PCB is also swapped between those different model-year DVD Drives...

Those swapping DVD Drive controller boards should notice that the connector for the laser assembly ribbon cable has a flip-up locking/unlocking mechanism... Also notice the ribbon cable grip-tab orientations... three... ribbon cables have their colored grip-tabs facing outward while the... copper colored ribbon cable grip-tab faces inward...

I have a 2008 DMR-EZ28 that has the VXY2010 DVD Drive. Should it have a laser assembly failure it's good to know that VXY1961 and VXY2010 DVD Drives interchange as long as the original on-board controller PCBs are swapped between these DVD Drives...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Westly-C View Post

^^Thanks. For clarification, let me say that, looking at the board, I assumed the ribbon cables were like the cables that are like a pc dvd drive, the flat cable with the connector that you plug or unplug. But as I discovered, the ribbon is just that, a ribbon, the flat plastic 'head' is attached to the board itself and not the end of the ribbon. That's what had me scratching my head. I honestly thought I'd torn the thing when it the copper ribbon came sliding out (I wasn't pulling on it). Note to any others who may wish to swap drives-it;s best not to unscrew the board from the drive, leave it screwed to the drive and remove the ribbons first. It was harder for me-a first timer at least, to figure out when I unscrewed the board first, expecting to disconnect the cables with ease afterward.

And the final results. Installed the VXY1961, screwed everything back into place and plogged in...the ez48 works again. Thus far, I played a RAM disc, and it's recording right now, tested chase play, commercial skip while chase play, stop playback while recording, and everything's working...

Many thanks to Digado, Wilmorr and all other contributors to this servicing thread. Great advice and direction found here on the mighty AVS Forum.

I've just come across these 2008 and 2009 photos. The first photo shows closer detail of DVD Drive ribbon cables/connections in my DMR-EZ28. Notice that the copper colored ribbon cable has a different grip-tab orientation than the other ribbon cables and that the widest ribbon cable with the green grip-tab has the locking/unlocking type connection while the other ribbon cable connections are of the the direct insert type. The second photo shows DigaDo grasping the ribbon cable and grip-tab in order to disconnect the ribbon cable from its connection on the Digital PCB in a DMR-EZ17.
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post #63 of 96
8/13/10 at 8:50am
Thread Starter 
I've made additions, clarifications/corrections to the text in several of my posts in this thread and I've added a photo of the VXY1872 DVD Drive used in the DMR-EH50 HDD/DVD recorder to the post with 2005 model year DVD Drives.
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post #64 of 96
10/4/10 at 1:12pm
Thread Starter 
It appears that there have been some recent policy changes with Panasonic service. More later...
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post #65 of 96
11/21/10 at 2:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DigaDo View Post

It appears that there have been some recent policy changes with Panasonic service. More later...

Another poster has reported sending a DMR-EH55 to Elgin on 1 November 2010. The RAM Digital "module" (the DVD Drive and Digital PCB) was replaced. So, perhaps, that's one approach to obtaining service through Elgin.
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post #66 of 96
8/25/11 at 5:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rgazzara View Post

Great info, thanks.

Do you have any information on the 2004 model year?

Today jayney1961, in the MyCe forum, posted this photo showing the VXY1814 DVD Drive in a 2004 DMR-E85H:
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post #67 of 96
8/26/11 at 3:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DigaDo View Post

Today jayney1961, in the MyCe forum, posted this photo showing the VXY1814 DVD Drive in a 2004 DMR-E85H:

What, CDFREAKS not good enough for them anymore? They decided to go the way of SciFi to Syfy, and Sleuth to CLOO?
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post #68 of 96
10/23/11 at 7:30am
Although this thread seems to dwell on 2005 and later Panasonic DVD Recorders, I have successfully repaired two 2003 Panasonic DMR-E80H recorders by using DVD drives from 2003 DMR-E50 and DMR-E60 recorders.

Even though the DMR-E50 and DMR-E60 does not have high-speed copying, they do use the same drive as the DMR-E80H. The 2003 DMR-E100H uses a different uncompatible DVD drive.

History: Had two DMR-E80H recorders basically non-functional. One displayed "HARD ERR", and the other would not recognize a TY DVD-R (although it did recognize a pressed DVD video). The "HARD ERR" reflects a problem with the DVD drive, not the hard drive.

(Note that the spindle and laser cleaning had been performed, but did not solve the DVD-R recognition problem).

Solution: Purchased a DMR-E50 and DMR-E60 cheaply off eBay. The DMR-E50 had the same problem of not recognizing DVD-Rs, but the DMR-E60 worked fine.

One repair involved just swapping the DVD drive from the working DMR-E60 into the DMR-E80H that originally did not recognize DVD-Rs. The DMR-E80H works fine now.

The other repair involved solving the "HARD ERR" problem on the other DMR-E80H. Because the DVD drive laser from the DMR-E-50 was bad, I removed the circuit board from that bad drive and reused it in the DMR-E80H "HARD ERR" drive. The DMR-E80H works fine now.





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post #69 of 96
11/6/11 at 4:00pm
I have a Panasonic DMR-EH67 and on my DVD unit it says VXY1992. Is it possible to just replace the DVD unit or must I also get the PCB as well? Or can I replace the unit with that of another model?

And another quick question:
Where can I buy a replacement DVD unit for my DRM-EH67?

Thanx.
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post #70 of 96
11/6/11 at 4:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by okizen View Post

I have a Panasonic DMR-EH67 and on my DVD unit it says VXY1992. Is it possible to just replace the DVD unit or must I also get the PCB as well? Or can I replace the unit with that of another model?

And another quick question:
Where can I buy a replacement DVD unit for my DRM-EH67?

Thanx.

The first remedial measure for Panasonic DVD Drive read, write or finalizing failures is the routine lens, rubber hub and spindle area cleaning:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post14479898

That post provides some basic diagnostic information.

DVD Drives seldom need replacement. It's more common to replace a failed laser assembly.

If the laser assembly has failed send a private message to mickinct for more information.
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post #71 of 96
12/9/11 at 5:36pm
hi there. I followed all of the above steps and believe that i need to replace my laser assembly. My DVD played makes 4 quick and short sounds. The disc unit wants to spin, starts for a second and quits. I messaged the above and have no yet received a response. Is there something generic typed up that you are sending out?
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post #72 of 96
12/10/11 at 5:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by needhelp1983 View Post

I messaged the above and have no yet received a response. Is there something generic typed up that you are sending out?

I'm not sure what you mean by that but you'll want to PM MICKINCT. Mick is just an individual so he may be on vacation, etc. and it might take him a while to get back to you.
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post #73 of 96
12/12/11 at 4:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by needhelp1983 View Post

hi there. I followed all of the above steps and believe that i need to replace my laser assembly. My DVD played makes 4 quick and short sounds. The disc unit wants to spin, starts for a second and quits. I messaged the above and have no yet received a response. Is there something generic typed up that you are sending out?

There are two videos of malfunctioning Panasonic SVS recorder that are exactly the sounds that three of my DVD recorders have made, all of which were bad optical pickups. All of them were brought back to perfect working order by the replacement of the optical pickup. Two of these were repaired by Panasonic, but they (apparently) don't do that anymore so the latest one was repaired by the formerly mentioned MICKINCT. If your machine is making the noise in this video, or this one, then you need a new optical pickup. PM MICKINCT.
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post #74 of 96
12/14/11 at 10:58am
I have seen so many posts on this series DMR-E50# machine regarding the recovering issue on DVD-R discs I decided to dig one out of the grave yard and solve it. A failed 330uf 6.3V SMD capacitor on the REP3496 LASER drive sister board was at fault, it is not a dead capacitor but has lost value and has a high ESR. There is no location number for it on this board. It is mounted on the underside of the board and is the only one of its size and type. It is the largest single cap on the board and is near the rearmost screw hole directly under the board identification ink stamp. It can be replaced with any type of good quality capacitor, as there is lots of room and it has no special attributes.
The machine now sucessfully records all 3 of the discs it had previously refused to.
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post #75 of 96
1/29/12 at 9:39am
According to this post, a DVD drive from a DMR-E30 or DMR-HS2 can be used in a DMR-E80H.
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post #76 of 96
2/7/12 at 9:02pm
Hello,

I have the same situation as a few others on the board with my 2006 Panasonic DMR-EH55S Panasonic DVD recorder. I brought it in to a local authorized Panasonic repair dealer, and it needs a new digital drive.

I'd like to buy a used 2006 Panny DVD recorder (with a well working digital drive)from eBay or elsewhere, and replace the digital drive to the DMR-EH55S. From what I've been reading here, I understand it's possible to do so. True?

Which specific 2006 Panny DVD recorder models can I use for this "swap".

Thanks in advance for the info.

Marshall
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post #77 of 96
2/7/12 at 9:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marshfish View Post

Hello,

I have the same situation as a few others on the board with my 2006 Panasonic DMR-EH55S Panasonic DVD recorder. I brought it in to a local authorized Panasonic repair dealer, and it needs a new digital drive.

I'd like to buy a used 2006 Panny DVD recorder (with a well working digital drive)from eBay or elsewhere, and replace the digital drive to the DMR-EH55S. From what I've been reading here, I understand it's possible to do so. True?

Which specific 2006 Panny DVD recorder models can I use for this "swap".

Thanks in advance for the info.

Marshall

See the advice in this earlier post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...4#post21177124

Compatible DVD Drives are found in models DMR-EH75 and DMR-EH55.
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post #78 of 96
2/7/12 at 10:19pm
Thanks DigaDo. I appreciate the info.

Marshall
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post #79 of 96
2/7/12 at 11:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DigaDo View Post

See the advice in this earlier post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...4#post21177124

Compatible DVD Drives are found in models DMR-EH75 and DMR-EH55.

Another question I hope you don't mind me asking, DigaDo. I see a couple of Panasonic DMR-ES25 DVD Recorders from 2006 for sale on eBay. By some remote chance would their Digital/DVD drives be compatible with my DMR-EH55S recorder?

Mashall
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post #80 of 96
2/8/12 at 4:47am
Nope, it would have to be a HDD Panasonic, non HDD units use a different drive. Now it is possible that you could use parts from the non HDD drive, but don't expect the whole drive to swap.
Both the EH-55 and EH-75v are quite rear and finding one cheap is all but a dream. Personally I'd PM member MICKINCT who has been known to repair drives in older Panasonics.
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post #81 of 96
2/8/12 at 10:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjeff View Post

Nope, it would have to be a HDD Panasonic, non HDD units use a different drive. Now it is possible that you could use parts from the non HDD drive, but don't expect the whole drive to swap.
Both the EH-55 and EH-75v are quite rear and finding one cheap is all but a dream. Personally I'd PM member MICKINCT who has been known to repair drives in older Panasonics.

Thanks JJeff. I appreciate the clarification. I'll contact MICKINCT, too.

Marshall
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post #82 of 96
3/15/12 at 2:15pm
Hi,

thank you to everyone who contributed to this post. My DMR EH-56 had a DVD drive with failed laser assembly (clunking sounds; 4 higher ones, then 1 deeper one). The info on this site encouraged me to not through my Panny away but rather try fixing it.

I bought a used DMR EH-55 and simply swapped the DVD drive while leaving its digital PCB in place.

Everything worked fine again and is in fact still working now after several weeks.
Would be happy if this encourages other people to do the same.
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post #83 of 96
3/15/12 at 2:28pm
Eh-56 How does that differ from the EH-55 and what country are you from?
Cannibalizing a EH-55(probably the top Panasonic model made for N. America) would be kind of a sacrilege here Glad it worked out OK for you though.
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post #84 of 96
3/15/12 at 3:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjeff View Post

Eh-56 How does that differ from the EH-55 and what country are you from?
Cannibalizing a EH-55(probably the top Panasonic model made for N. America) would be kind of a sacrilege here Glad it worked out OK for you though.

Yeah, I thought the same thing. That, and where does one get a used EH55? I don't know what an EH56 is, so exactly, how is it superior to the EH55? According to my research (very superficial) it has a 160BG hard disk where the EH55 has a 200GB, it has two SCART connectors, but no HDMI output. If you are in a position to ship via UPS or Fedex, you could arrange with MICKINCT to replace the bad laser pickup for you. Then both of the machines would work. If you don't want the now not working EH55, I'll take it!
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post #85 of 96
3/15/12 at 6:10pm
According to this manual the EH-56 is basically a clone of the international EH-55, maybe the EH-56 was sold in warehouse clubs? Either way the EH-55/56 international Panasonic is not to be confused with the N. American EH-55 with the 200GB HDD and HDMI upconverting.
https://support.panasonic.co.nz/docs...structions.pdf
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post #86 of 96
3/20/12 at 11:28pm
You are right, jjeff, the two machines are basically identical. The EH56 is "Made in Germany", has a 160 GB HDD and was bought there in 2006. The same model seems to have been called EH55 in most other countries.
The EH55 is "Made in China" and was bought in New Zealand. I hope that solves some of the confusion.
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post #87 of 96
4/5/12 at 11:49am
Saw this eBay auction, where the seller is offering Panasonic NOS DVD drives for the 2004 and 2005 year models for $90, minus the digital board.

Quote:


These are compatible with the following OEM DVD drives: VXY1794, VXY1813, VXY1814, VXY1855, VXY1867 & VXY1872.

Compatible models: DMR-E55, DMR-E65, DMR-E75, DMR-E85, DMR-E95, DMR-EH50, DMR-ES10, DMR-ES20, DMR-ES30, DMR-ES40 & more.


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post #88 of 96
8/16/12 at 11:41am
I've got a '05 E50 with the VXY1872 DVD drive. During power-up (plug in), it boots only to the point where the dvd laser bumps the spindle (once) and the laser lights up. Then the display freezes at "Hello" and shows the channel (5). The HD lights cycle, but, while DVD is shown, it doesn't cycle lights (don't know if it's supposed to). No buttons are operational except hard reboot with power button held down for x seconds reboots from 12:00, but freezes at the same place. HD sounds like it's spinning up fine.

Disassembly of DVD drive shows all well and connected. I cleaned the lens/spindle - no change. If I manually extend the tray (power off), plugging the unit into power will cycle the tray back into the rest position, then laser bumps spindle once and shows light, then nothing. No unusual noises. Tried to remove DVD drive from startup process (unplugged power and/or signal) because I just want to use it as a DVR, but it won't undergo the boot process at all.

1. Does this sound like a DVD drive problem problem? Or other? If DVD, laser? Other?

2. What new drives will swap with the 1872 and where do I get them? (Ebay deal is over)

3. Does this sound like a repairable issue?

4. Is there a way to bypass the Dvd drive so I can use the unit as a DVR?

Thanks for any guidance, and the posts to date are much appreciated.
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post #89 of 96
8/18/12 at 9:35am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dvdr1 View Post

I've got a '05 E50 with the VXY1872 DVD drive. During power-up (plug in), it boots only to the point where the dvd laser bumps the spindle (once) and the laser lights up. Then the display freezes at "Hello" and shows the channel (5). The HD lights cycle, but, while DVD is shown, it doesn't cycle lights (don't know if it's supposed to). No buttons are operational except hard reboot with power button held down for x seconds reboots from 12:00, but freezes at the same place. HD sounds like it's spinning up fine.

Disassembly of DVD drive shows all well and connected. I cleaned the lens/spindle - no change. If I manually extend the tray (power off), plugging the unit into power will cycle the tray back into the rest position, then laser bumps spindle once and shows light, then nothing. No unusual noises. Tried to remove DVD drive from startup process (unplugged power and/or signal) because I just want to use it as a DVR, but it won't undergo the boot process at all.

1. Does this sound like a DVD drive problem problem? Or other? If DVD, laser? Other?

2. What new drives will swap with the 1872 and where do I get them? (Ebay deal is over)

3. Does this sound like a repairable issue?

4. Is there a way to bypass the Dvd drive so I can use the unit as a DVR?

Thanks for any guidance, and the posts to date are much appreciated.

I'm sorry for the delay in responding. Due to substantial demands upon my time I've been unable to visit and participate in this Forum as often as I wish.

Your HDD/DVD Recorder is a DMR-EH50, not a DMR-E50.

1. The laser has most likely failed or no longer performs at an acceptible level.

2. & 3. The VXY1872 DVD Drive is specifically designed for the DMR-EH50. For repair information send a private message to mickinct.

4. No. The self test will not complete without a functional DVD Drive in place.
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post #90 of 96
8/18/12 at 9:38am
This member is sending the unit to me for repairs.
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