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DVD-R's compatible with Panasonic DMR-E80H

951 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Kelson, Feb 20, 2014

mikegno

Discussion Starter · Feb 20, 2014

I hope I'm not duplicating other threads but didn't see any exactly like this.

The old machine is still cranking away, the main problem being the remote buttons are wearing out. Or that was the main problem. My wife is a French buff and really only watches and records TV5 through our cable box. She likes to collect shows, burn them and then can watch them later. I even started ripping them to my home server for easy access.

The immediate, serious problem is finding DVD-R's that are compatible with the recorder. I've tried a couple of different types from Microcenter. They were brands I used to use successfully. No luck. I tried downloading and installing the firmware update but it says it doesn't need it.

Would appreciate anyone posting what brands/types DVD-R's they are currently successfully using. I don't mind paying a little extra to keep the wife happy and I don't care that much about longevity as I can rip them fairly soon after burning. I found a thread about DVD's for Magnavox machines but don't know how relevant that is to mine.

One last thing which I haven't found in my searches: Is there any other relatively easy way to get video from the machine to a PC other than DVD's or running a cable to a video input an HTPC (currently don't have one).

Thanks.

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DigaDo

· #2 · Feb 20, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by mikegno /t/1518906/dvd-rs-compatible-with-panasonic-dmr-e80h/0_60#post_24384104

I hope I'm not duplicating other threads but didn't see any exactly like this.

The old machine is still cranking away, the main problem being the remote buttons are wearing out. Or that was the main problem. My wife is a French buff and really only watches and records TV5 through our cable box. She likes to collect shows, burn them and then can watch them later. I even started ripping them to my home server for easy access.

The immediate, serious problem is finding DVD-R's that are compatible with the recorder. I've tried a couple of different types from Microcenter. They were brands I used to use successfully. No luck. I tried downloading and installing the firmware update but it says it doesn't need it.

Would appreciate anyone posting what brands/types DVD-R's they are currently successfully using. I don't mind paying a little extra to keep the wife happy and I don't care that much about longevity as I can rip them fairly soon after burning. I found a thread about DVD's for Magnavox machines but don't know how relevant that is to mine.

One last thing which I haven't found in my searches: Is there any other relatively easy way to get video from the machine to a PC other than DVD's or running a cable to a video input an HTPC (currently don't have one).

Thanks.

Your vintage DMR-E80H likely has two issues when recording to DVDs. The first is media. The second is cleaning of the laser lens and rubber hub atop the DVD Drive spindle (turntable).

The E80H was designed for use with DVD RAM or 8x DVD-R blank discs. I suggest using only the best quality 8x DVD-R media. That would be JVC/Taiyo Yuden Premium Line 8x DVD-R media sold by SuperMediaStore, Rima and a few other online stores. This is what I use in all my Panasonic, Magnavox and Philips recorders:

http://www.supermediastore.com/product/u/jvc-taiyo-yuden-jdmr-zz-sk8-silver-lacquer-8x-dvd-r-media-premium-line-tape-wrap-100pk

The usual way to service a DVD Drive in Panasonic recorders involves removing the outside case cover and the DVD Drive lid. With 2004 and more recent Panasonic recorders the procedures are simple enough. Not so with earlier models that have the DVD Drive contained within a metal surround structure. For that reason I refer you to the advice found in this post:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1256876/panasonic-dmr-e80h-dvd-recorder-problem/0_60#post_18790361

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Kelson

· #3 · Feb 20, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by mikegno /t/1518906/dvd-rs-compatible-with-panasonic-dmr-e80h/0_100#post_24384104

One last thing which I haven't found in my searches: Is there any other relatively easy way to get video from the machine to a PC other than DVD's or running a cable to a video input an HTPC (currently don't have one).

No, none.

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mikegno

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 20, 2014

Thanks for the quick reply. After leaving the previous message, I came across an old blank DVD-R. It was branded Phillips and said 1-16x. It looked like the old ones I had used and was probably 2 years old. DVD identifier said it was made by CMC. I tried it and the recorder recognized it. I trimmed and recorded 5 episodes of C'est Pas Sorcier (pardon the French), sort of a modern Mr. Wizard that looks pretty impressive in terms of being chock full of science though I can't understand it. They seemed to have recorded perfectly. I finalized it and stuck in in my laptop and WMC played it fine.

I think there may be something to your idea that the laser is a little dirty. It was a little balky in recognizing the finished DVD. I guess I'll look into that aspect after I order the new DVD-R's.

I did see that Amazon is selling some Magnavox recorders for about $200. While I think the Panasonic is maybe one of the most useful and durable pieces of electronics I've owned, I figure over a decade out of it might be pushing my luck.

Do you or anyone else have any opinions on the comparative merits of the two machines?

Thanks again.

Mike

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Kelson

· #5 · Feb 20, 2014

http://www.avsforum.com/t/940657/magnavox-537-535-533-515-513-2160a-2160-2080-philips-3576-3575/0_100

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