Panasonic DMR-EH75VS w/out RF blaster

Go to ebay and search "IR blaster". The cables are universal and are less than $10 delivered.

You can usually order them from the company website, too, but they are muy expensive that way. Last time I checked (which was over a couple of years back), Sony wanted at least $25.00 for one. But then again, that's Sony.

It's good to hear someone agree that they are universal. I have always found that to be the case myself. Someone here was arguing with me awhile back about that and insisted they weren't. I've done plenty of interchanging and never had a problem.

As far as the OP's last question, the 9th gen. TVGOS in the EH75VS is compatible with digital and analog cable, and satellite, and I also believe that it will be upgradable to get the guide info digitally through OTA and cable, when that is put into place. At least that's what some people over in the Sony DVR thread said they heard when inquiring Sony directly about that unit's 8th gen. guide.

So in that respect, it'll still be pretty future-versatile. And I don't think too many models even have an IR blaster now. At least the Pannies don't.

I'd definitely grab that unit. It's a great model, and that's an excellent price for sure.

http://www.pasc.panasonic.com/Epartr...istChoice.asp?

K2ZZ04C00001 IR BLASTER/RECEIVER $14.23

Thanks for that information.

Where are these stores located, so the people here know where to look?

I'm brand new here - but it was this thread that helped me locate a DMR EH 75V at Circuit City...I thought they were all gone, barring the few that pop up on ebay and one for $1.9K on Amazon...

Suffice to say that these machines are definitely still out there - I got mine for $207. at Circuit City in San Rafael, CA. No Remote, No manual. Found those at the Panasonic online parts store, including tax and shipping for $46.

One thing that you can try is to set the Panny up to send a 4 digit signal to your STB (e.g., sending 0054 instead of 54). This may help in avoiding the dropped digits.

If you are ever looking for part, they can be found on Panasonics website. And cheaper than eBay.
Just go here and type in the model number.
www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Supplies-Accessories.75619

I bought (4) of the DMR-EH75VS from Circuit City as open box/clearance/display. I love these things.
I check every Circuit City I see. On business trips, I checked in Ohio, LA and Chicago. When I hit a different city, I print out a map and hit everyone I can.
BTW, there is none left in Orange County, CA. I hit everyone. Also two in San Bernardino County and three in LA County.
The lowest price I paid was $99 and the highest is $350 (all depends on the manager). Two of them didn't come with any accessories (got everything from Panasonic). IR Blaster, power cord and remote for $50 shipped. You can download the manual.

I've seen non-working one go for almost $400 on ebay and working ones go for $800+.

I agree, but FOUR? That is conspicuous consumption, or are you reselling them on Ebay for big bucks. I just this week found one at Beach Camera. I honestly thought it was a mistake, and that they would tell me that they were sorry but it was out of stock. When I arrived, I was very happy. It was advertised on their web site as new, in a factory sealed box, but since some of the setup options were not on the factory defaults, and the time was set, I can safely assume it was either a return or a demo. There wasn't a mark on it though, and it all works, so I am satisfied. Having a backup one of these is a relief since I have almost 1000 VHS cassettes on my shelf, and I want to save the content of at least 1/4 of them.

I really like them also.

I picked up an EH55 from Beach last week. It was also listed as new, but the box was resealed, and get this - inside the box was a letter written to Beach from the previous owner describing how the unit didn't work and why he wanted a refund!

I installed the new firmware and it works great, and I guess at those prices we can't complain, but they were certainly NOT new.

So you hung in there and finally found one?! Good work!

(What does the new firmware do?)

I sent Beach an e-mail about the previously open box, listing everything I could to "prove" it was not new, and I got this reply:

A "form letter" reply, which means that either they don't read their mail, or that they just don't get it. Still, I wanted a backup unit, and I got one, so I am happy. It has been working well, so I have no complaints.

I was amazed when I saw them on their site, and at $439 with no tax or shipping it was a no brainer. Plus it said they were new, but as we've discussed here, they clearly weren't, but as long as it works I'm happy.

I have no idea what the update did. I saw it on the Panny site and decided to try it. When I loaded it, it showed a lot of updates being done to various aspects of the unit, but they were in shorthand or abbreviations or something so I don't know what most of them stood for.

Exactly my feelings. It works, it was cheap, and I got one. Plus it has the one year Panny warranty.

I wonder whether that mack 4 year warranty Beach sells is worth it?