[MichaelD]

I am new to this forum, but would like to ask if anybody else has both the Panasonic DMR-E20 and Panasonic DVD-LA95 portable DVD player. The LA95 is a great unit, with a 9 inch screen and the ability to playback DVD-RAM discs as well as DVD-R and commercial DVD's, etc. I bought the portable to be able to play back DVD-RAM and DVD-R's that I record on my DMR-E20 and be able to take with me. The DVD-R discs work perfectly. I have been using mostly Meritline cheapo's (under 2 bucks) and have had no problems whatsoever. The weird thing that at first almost had me return the unit, however, was playback of DVD-RAM's. I had recorded on several Panasonic recommended LM-AF120U 4.7GB non-cartridge discs. They record and play perfectly on the DMR-E20. On the LA95 they will not load 80 to 90 percent of the time. I put in a call to Panasonic technical support and they are supposed to be getting back to me with an aswser, but it has been 5 business days and no answer. I have had luck however, by buying Imation 4.7GB Type 2 removable discs. I removed the disc from the cartridge and recorded on DMR-E20, and played back perfectly on the LA95. It will playback playlists as well as full movies recorded from TV, etc. So I plan to keep it, but I wonder why the non-cartridge DVD-RAM's do not work. Anybody had any similar experiences?

 

[vferrari]

Michael,


Did you ever hear back from Panasonic? I am considering the LA95 as well to play back DVD-RAM disks recorded off the E20 and I almost exclusively use the Panasonic not cartridge DVD-RAMs. Also, I was considering the unit for playback of DVD-RAM back into the E20 for conversion to permanent archiving to DVD-R. I am concerned however because it appears that the LA95 does not have S-video out, only composite. Is this true? Thanks for any info you or others can provide to help me decide whether this purchase would be worth it for what I want to do.


Thanks,

Vic

 

[MassRocket]

I have the LA95 and the E20.


I plan to test LA95 (DVD-RAM disk) to E20 (DVD-R) recording later today (after the battery charges for the first time on the LA95). Source discs will include recordings on Memorex DVD-RAM and CompUSA DVD-RAM (both popped out of their Type 2 housing) made by the E20 from source material recorded on a DirecTivo.


Also, I just noticed in the manual for the LA95 that it does have S-Video OUT. It is via the same yellow jack as composite video OUT, but with a special cable (not included - part number RFX4139). Examining the picture closely, it appears that the mini-plug for the S-Video cable has three contacts while the composite cable (which I can also see physically) has only two contacts (as you would expect). The picture is accompanied by the following statement: "Use the S video cable when connecting the unit to a TV set equipped with an S video input terminal for the best picture clarity possible." Of course, since I presently lack this cable, the test I mention in the previous paragraph will not produce the best quality possible. You would think for almost $900 the [email protected] would include the S-Video cable...


BTW, some of this is repetitive of a response I just made to you in the E20 and DVDJr thread. Sorry for the repetition--I didn't see this thread until I had already posted.

 

[vferrari]

Rocket,


Thanks for the info once again. I replied to this post in the other E20 thread I started. I agree that it was pretty bad of Panasonic not to include the S-video cable. Still wondering if this is true S-video out or just a composite adaptor that allows connection to an S-video input. Anxiously awaiting the results of your DVD-RAM to DVD-R copy testing. I'll monitor the other thread for your results.


Take care,

Vic

 

[MichaelD]

MassRocket,

You seem to be familiar with both the DMR-E20 and the LA95 since you have been posting test results. I have tried playing several Panasonic LM-AF120U 4.7GB non-cartridge discs recorded on the DMR-E20 that either will not load on the LA95 or playback with lots of garbage. I had voiced my concerns on this forum about the LA95 not being able to playback non-cartridge DVD-RAM discs that were recorded on the DMR-E20. I called Panasonic technical support, and wrote 2 emails explaining the problem, and didn't hear back until today. The response they gave me was as follows:


Thank you for your inquiry regarding the DVD-LA95 and playing DVD-RAM disc,

recorded on Panasonic

LM-AF120U DVD-RAM discs on the DMR-E20. We apologize for the delay in

providing you an answer to your inquiry, and we hope that this delay has not

caused you any inconvenience.



We cannot tell you why these disc are not playing on your DVD-LA95. The

LM-AF120U DVD-RAM disc should play in the DVD-LA95.


Please provide us as much information regarding the recordings on the

LM-AF120U DVD-RAM discs that will not play on your DVD-LA95:


* Signal source to the DMR-E20, cable, satellite, camcorder, VCR

* What speed was the program recorded at?

* Are there any finger prints, smudges, scratches, or dust particles

or other foreign material on the DVD-RAM's surface?

* Any other information on the disc or the recording process that you

feel is noteworthy.


With more information we can research your problem to try and find a reason

or solution to your problem.


Best regards,

Panasonic Customer Call Center

Panasonic Customer Products 22


I have found that Imation 4.7GB Type 2 removable discs work fine in the LA95, so that is the only saving grace. I also thought I would have no trouble with Type 4 discs removed from their case and used. However, I bought an Optodisc 9.4GB Type 4 and it records fine on DMR-20, but plays with lots of artifacts and noise on the LA95. All DVD-R's that I have recorded on the DMR-20 play great on the LA95. It looks like the 4.7GB Imation Type 2's are going to be the only trouble free DVD-RAM's I can use on the LA95. I would really like to know if anyone else has experienced the same problems.


Thanks...

 

[MassRocket]

MichaelD,


I have some Optodisc 9.4GB discs arriving soon from Shop4Tech (about $11 each--wow). I will try one and see if I also get artifacts. I don't know how to find a "naked for life" DVD-RAM disc--I haven't seen any. I would be happy to invest $10 bucks or so to test one if you can tell me who sells them (individually). Also, have you tried Memorex DVD-RAMs? They seem to be pretty reliable too (slightly more expensive than the Imations but they do come in a cool blue case).

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks MassRocket...... I bought the "naked for life's" ha at BestBuy and payed way too much for them, probably $20 each. But since they are genuine Panasonic you'd think there would be no problem. I wll probably try the Memorex DVD-RAM's in the shell, since they are the same price as the Imation's at CompuUSA here. I love the LA95, but am a little dissapointed in the DVD-RAM playback inconsistency.


MichaelD