I just got the Panasonic DMR-E75V VHS/DVD combo. I've tried 2 brands of blank DVD+R discs (Verbatim and HP). The macine will not accept either, giving me an error message saying they're not recordable discs. Could someone with experience with this machine advise me on what brand of bland media I should buy? Thanks, chase
Chase. The advice given by Icanbe is 100% on-target particularly on this occasion. As detailed in your User Manual on page 18 under "Discs you can use," the unit's firmware only supports "DVD-RAM" and "DVD-R" discs, as programmed at the factory. Further note, as explained on page 19 under "Discs that cannot be played" the unit's firmware doesn't support reading or writing of DVD+RW, DVD-RW or DVD+R. DVD-R is the oldest type of recordable blank media being why it'll work in any brand/model DVD combo or recorder regardless of how old or new. Having been around the longest it's also the least expensive. But DVD-R does have certain intrinsic limitations as compared to DVD+R and RW media relative to the unit's potential capabilities. If you never received or have since lost the original manual it can easily be downloaded in PDF file format using the address provided below. Panasonic DMR-E75V User Manual (PDF 6.23mb) <--- click to begin immediate download
Thanks Mike I figured this was the problem, Have quite a few friends who have had problems with +r discs, Told them to try some -r discs and their problems went away.
You're welcome ICB! I was really surprised to discover the DMR-E75V not only doesn't support DVD+R discs (which isn't particularly shocking) but neither of the RW type media also! I was fully anticipating it'd support DVD-RW discs (given the DVD-R support) but was downright shocked the manual explained otherwise. Athough realizing the DMR-E75V isn't exactly Panasonic's latest-and-greatest model it's all quite understandable. Anyway, you're advice was deadly accurate. I just hope Chase didn't already purchase a 100-spindle of DVD+R discs! It definitely "pays" to read the User Manual.
I hope he didn't either, that would really, well to put it in laymans terms "suck" Let us know how you make out Chase.
I've tried 4 different brands of DVD-R blanks. Same error message on everyone, not a recordable disc. Is there a setting I'm missing or something?...any help? Thanks!
Chase. What specific error code is displayed on the unit's front panel when you try to record? (U61, F58, UNSUPP, NOREC, etc) Does the unit play commercially recorded discs without any problem but only give you trouble when attempting to record? Check the date of manufacture by placing the unit in service mode. See below for the full details on how to do this. If the year was prior to 2006 the unit's firmware would only support up to 4X speed blank discs as it was the fastest speed blank disc made back then. This is a very common problem with DVD recorders and combo manufactured prior to 2006. You can determine if this is what's causing the problem by purchasing one of the older 4X DVD-R blank discs and try making a recording. If the test recording is 100% successful you can download the 8X or 16X recording support software from Panasonic's support webpage and perform a firmware upgrade. In most cases, simply applying the latest firmware upgrade they have available for your DMR-E75V will have this support as part of the upgrade. Once having performed the firmware upgrade you should then be able to use any current blank media you like regardless of brand or grade. Another common reason for the error you're receiving is when someone has attempted to hack the unit's REGION code contrary its original factory setting, or has attempted to make it region-free. This will cause the exact same error you're receiving when trying to record. You can check the unit's region code by placing it in service mode. Did you or anyone else attempt to alter the unit's region code? Did you buy the unit new or used? If used, someone may very likely have attempted to hack it's region code which would explain exactly why you're receiving this error and unable to record. If you bought it for an unbelievably low price off eBay this is likely the problem. Check to determine what region code the unit's set to while in service mode and make sure it matches the region code printed near the Panasonic logo on the unit's back panel. The region symbol looks like a globe with lines of latitude and longitude and region code printed in the center. The standard remedy for this problem is setting the unit's region code back to its original factory setting. For North America and Canada it should be set to Region 1. If this was what has occurred, once having restored the unit's region code it'll record properly again without any problems. How to put the unit in Service Mode When the power is OFF press the [STOP], [OPEN/CLOSE] and [VHS to DVD COPYING] keys simultaneously for 5 seconds. How to exit Service Mode Press the power button on the unit's front panel or remote control. Display the unit's version information Press [0] [2] using the remote control while in service mode. The unit will display a series of settings each for 5 seconds on the unit's front panel display as follows. Region code Main firmware version Timer firmware version DVD drive firmware version ROM correction version VHS microprocessor version VHS ROM correction version Display the unit's production date Press [6] [1] using the remote while in service mode Reset parental control mode to ADULT (for unrestricted viewing) Open the DVD tray and press [REC] and [PLAY] simultaneously for 5 seconds. (this should be performed in normal rather than service mode) Delete the Last Drive Error information stored on the DVD Drive Press [9] [6] while in service mode.
Chase. Based upon what you've just conveyed to me relative to performing a transfer from VCR to DVD, it strongly suggests something you may well be overlooking possibly due to inexperience. All commercially recorded DVD and VHS tapes contain Macrovision copy-protection encoding embedded in the video portion of their signals. The express purpose of which is to prevent us from being able to easily transfer them onto a blank recordable disc or tape, despite the fact it's entirely legitimate to do so as long as the duplicate is for "personal use" and not resold. Any attempts to reproduce copy-protected content will immediately be sensed by the unit's internal Macrovision detection circuitry upon which the recording will be abruptly terminated. It's designed to render either of the end results completely unusable and in the case of a DVD will turn it into a permanent "coaster" as intentional punishment for attempting to violate the inherent copy-protection. If this is indeed what's causing the problem, the way you tell with absolutely certainly is to simply attempt making a recording of something off one of your (non-premium) CATV, DTV or OTA channels. I suggest using a PBS station since they're guaranteed free to the public-at-large and completely devoid of any embedded copy-protection signals of any kind. If the test recordings are successful you've uncovered the source of all your past difficulty. Barring that possibility, you've already done an outstanding job of eliminating all the other most common causes responsible for the specific error message you're receiving. A very common problem also capable of causing the same error is when the laser-pickup assembly bubble lens has become defiled and needs to be cleaned. But were this the case, the unit would have equal difficulty playing commercially pre-recorded discs, this being why I asked you that specific question in our last communication. Thus we've ruled-out this possibility. Along this same line, it's also possible the laser diode's become electrically damaged and can no longer go into the "high-power" mode necessary for burning a disc, hence the terminology "burn." Playback mode is performed in "low-power" mode which uses profoundly less power, very much on the same order of magnitude as the amount produced by a typical laser pointer, typically being 5mW or under. This would also explain why you can play discs successfully but not record. However, assuming the unit's less than 10 years old it's highly unlikely this is the source of your problem. We know the unit was manufactured in 2004 by having examined that information permanently burned into its internal ROM storage. Thus we've ruled-out this possibility. Based upon the unit having been manufactured in 2004, it's virtually a certainty the problem you're encountering is entirely due to the internal firmware not supporting the more recent 8x, 16x and 32x blank DVD media. Once again, the best way to make this determination with absolutely certainty is by purchasing a few blank 4x DVDs (you can still obtain thru online mail-order) and making a few test recordings. If all are 100% successful the necessary course of action is to apply the firmware upgrade that will add the necessary blank media support. After you've made the test recordings using 4x blank discs and know the outcome with certainty, I strongly recommend you contact Panasonic Customer Service at 800 211-7262 and request they send you the exact upgrade disc your unit requires, along with the instruction sheet for performing the upgrade. These will be sent to you in about a week's time. It'd be even better to order the upgrade CD as soon as you read this message considering there'll be some definite lead-time before it's delivered to your mailbox. Before calling, make sure to write down all of the various version information the unit reported when you performed the "version information" inquiry while it was in service mode. It's absolutely essential you supply this information so they can accurately determine precisely which specific upgrade CD your individual unit requires. This varies quite drastically depending upon the units production date which they may possibly also need to know, although it can usually be readily determined from the version information based upon what's already presently installed. Several new upgrades come out with each passing year. The moment Panasonic answers your telephone call begin by explaining you're having problems when making all recordings due to outdated recording-speed firmware issues. They'll understand immediately what that means as it's the one of the most common types of customer service calls they receive on a daily basis. Panasonic Customer Support will send you an upgrade disc (entirely free of cost) specifically tailored to your unit once you've supplied them with the necessary "version information" relative to what's presently installed. The disc they send will include all successive upgrades released since 2004 up to present date 2009. For this reason, you can expect the upgrade will take around half an hour or so. But don't worry, all you have to do is sit back, relax and patiently await it's completion. Upon which, it'll display an unambiguous message reporting the upgrade has successfully completed. The instruction sheet they send along with the upgrade CD will explain exactly what to do once the firmware upgrade has completed in order to safely exit the upgrade mode. Make darn good and sure you do precisely what it says without deviation or you'll run the risk of permanently bricking the unit! So you're aware, the reason why your recent firmware upgrade attempt failed is because the first thing the upgrade routine does is check all the unit's various version information, all of which you saw sequentially flash up for 5 seconds when you ran the "version information" inquiry. If those versions conflict in any way with the specific upgrade you downloaded and attempted to apply the process will automatically be terminated which is a good and important outcome. Had this critical version checking not occurred your unit would've become permanently "bricked" as the consequence of having installed a wrong version of firmware microcontroller code. Undoubtedly, you've ready many such accounts from other unfortunate owners who've experienced this unpleasant outcome. Nearly always, it occurs solely because they violated one or more the things carefully explained in the instruction sheet accompanying the upgrade CD which many don't bother reading beforehand despite the fact it's only a few paragraphs long. The other most prevalent reason why bricking of units occur is due to file corruption which may have occurred as the consequence of a bad download. This being one of the greatest advantages of simply obtaining the necessary upgrade CD directly from Panasonic rather than attempting to correctly determine what to download on your own and running the risk of applying corrupted firmware code. One last interesting question we haven't yet touched upon. What happens when you copy a commercially pre-recorded DVD on your computer using the appropriate software necessary to accomplish that task and attempt to play it in your DMR-ES75V? Based upon the impressive level of determination, diligence and ability to follow directions carefully you've demonstrated, I have no doubt whatsoever you'll soon have the problem resolved. The greatest likelihood, based upon everything conveyed and possibilities you've already carefully eliminated, is the recording-speed issue. Good luck, keep in touch and let us know what the final problem resolution turns-out to be.
