I am new to this site and may not be preperly replying to your message. I own a DMR E85H and it has developed a serious? problem. I displayes the Message "PLEASE WAIT". That is ALL it does. Plug it in; there's the message. It cannot be powered off. No button is functional, nor is the remote. The DVD door will not open. I have seen the same problem posted elsewhere, but no resolve was shared. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks, JP
jaspaul, read roger's article and take notes. Also, go back a few pages in this forum and you will find solutions. I don't have the keystrokes in my hand right now, but there are subtle two or three-button steps that might help you to reset without much trouble. I read it in the manual, but someone in this string of postings will have them listed, or just read the roger article. You will like it. KK
Your symptoms sound like mine--fixed by replacing two capacitors on the power supply board. See my posts of 11 Aug 07 & 22 Sep 07. There are many other posts on this website that discuss their replacement. I encourage you to read them. Bottom line is that if these caps go out, the 12v that feeds the disk drives go out and not much works--including most buttons. While you may have some other problem, these under-voltage rated caps are a systemic problem in these units.
I think I would try to solve u99s or PleaseWait lockdowns beginning with the least invasive processes first ... because I think changing the capacitors has a slight chance of causing damage, I would do that more as a last resort. My order of operations would be something like this: 1) Read and employ the button codes for resetting or installing default settings. ... if that fails after a day of rest ...>> 2) Get an old computer next to the e85, and stretch one of the disk drive power supply wires over to the e85 and plug that power supply into the e85 hard drive. (I think this bypasses the allegedly faulty capacitor, right?) When using the hijacked computer's power supply, I would enter the reset codes noted elsewhere in the thread or in roger's articles. Then, after attempting a reset, I would reattach my e85 hard drive to the e85 power supply connector. 2a) Then I would turn on the e85 and see if the resets stuck. I would wait a day before going to the more drastic steps of a capacitor change. My capacitors always looked fine, and the steps listed above worked, with the extra observation that the plastic infobelt that runs from the e85 hard drive had been loosened or pulled out from under the dvd drive, possibly causing all of my problems. 3) If all else failed, allowing a day for each major step to kick in, I would consider trying the capacitor move. K
Sounds like a plan. In fact, it's similar to some things I tried (powering the HDD from a computer, moving the HDD into a computer). Note, however, that if the capacitors are bad, they affect more than just the HDD. You also should be cognizant of ground return issues--if the computer ground is isolated from the DVR HDD ground. The flexible data cable going to the HDD is very flimsy and easy to damage--so be careful. If you have a voltmeter, you might want to check the voltages at the HDD power connector when unplugged from the HDD. Pin 1 is +12vdc, pins 2 and 3 are ground, and pin 4 is +5vdc. If pin 1 is a steady +12vdc, then the caps are probably OK.
yeah, I did the exact steps I described and got a fully functional system with a live hard drive out of the deal without changing the capacitors. I was glad of that, since the capacitors looked healthy to me. The voltmeter is over my head, but if mine breaks down again one day I will let my cousin the wiring guy check it over. Thanks.
I have encountered this off and on since burning with a Panasonic but usually only 1 show on a DVD will not play....well tonight I pulled out a DVD I had burned about 6 mos. ago and it ABSOLUTELY cannot be read/played on any DVD player or either of my 2 Panasonic DVD recorders. Finalizing is not the problem as the machine that I burned it on will not even read the darn dvd. It is a SONY dvd - I have been using these ever since I had a major problem with TDKs. Any suggestions or do I just chalk it up as a loss......first 4 shows of a series I recorded.....UGH!
First, I would not destroy or toss out the disk that has the first four hours of the series you wanted to save. Sooner or later you will find a way to overcome the glitch. My bet, the disk would play on a computer's dvd operating system. You can possibly copy it to a useable disk on someone's computer. Also, it is likely the series will be rerun later, so you will get a chance to make another disk in a few months. I assume you are saving one of those building series like Prison Break or 24 etc. To me, the entire event is suspicious. There is nothing on that disk that was not there the day you burned it. If it ever played, it should still play. I wonder if you can put it in your machine now and tell it to finalize the disk again. It may help.
Yes, the disc that won't play now is strange, but then I found another one in that set. One disc was burned 6 mos. ago and the other bad one was burned last month. Actually they are part of a Korean drama set that I am recording. I have tried 2 different Panasonic DVD recorders, 2 other all-region dvd players and my computer. Not one machine will read the disc...and I can see that it was burned. I cannot even try to finalize it (if it was not finalized) because the Pannys will not even read it! I was told that the discs were probably bad to begin with. Still trying but will be double checking all discs now before I erase the Panasonic HD.
Sounds right soju. I usually take a finalized disk of any importance and put it in another dvd player in my living room before deleting too.
Well, after countless calls and 3 1/2 months, I finally got my unit back on Friday 1/11/08 (originally shipped 9/29/07). Unfortunately the hard drive has been wiped clean, but at least it powers up with no errors, yet. I plugged it in last nite and keeping my fingers crossed that the TV guide loades. Any one in the Philadelphia Suburbs with Comcast getting the TV Guide?
I do not have TV Guide OnScreen working for many months. I have SC-HT1500 Home Theater System with Built In HDD & DVD Recorder. I was told that it is similar to DMR-E95H. Recently, I did reset "Channel Up/Channel Down" (after I switch to HD service - Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4240HDC digital set-top box,) and I even lost previous channel line up. It was old, but at least there was something channel line up. Now, I have only "12:00" flashing on the unit for many hours, and TV channel are switched by DVD recorder on and on in the circle. And when I want to record (even using manually timer recording), I have to manually set up time; otherwise even timer recording will not work. Calling to Panasonic was useless. They do not know how to properly disable TVGOS with having IR Blaster functional. Doing AutoChannel Line Up means to lose ability to use IR Blaster for manual timer recording. There are not any channel over Channel 99 found in AutoChannel Setting. So, if I want to record e.g. channel 354, I have to let DVD recorder turned on, switch it to channel 354 (to prevent switching channel by TVGOS) to be able to record program on channel 354, and than switch to another channel (if I want record from another channel later.) I have Cox Communication in Las Vegas, NV. That's how we can end up having free unreliable service from TV Guide.
rekoj, I am surprised that the IR Blaster is also disabled after performing an auto channel scan and disabling the TVGuide download. Wouldn't an IR Blaster be a key part of the auto channel scan for individuals with a cable box attached? The IR Blaster would need to be used to scan the cable box through the channels, wouldn't it? I do run with TVGuide download disabled, but don't have a cable box at this point. Do you still tell your machine that your cable box is connected?
vulcanusa, I am surprised with many TVGOS issues on my SA-HT1500 DVD recorder (probably DMR-E85H or DMR-E95H in its base.) May I know what procedure you used to disable TVGOS? I followed Panasonic help - reset ch up / ch down, pressing return, return to get rid of TV Guide set up page. However, I was able to disable TVGOS and performed AutoChannel setting (only for channels up to 99). It did not do any good for me. I have DMR-E80H connected to splitter, and I am recording show under channel 99 without problem on that unit. I am lucky that DMR-E80H does not have TVGOS feature. To my surprise, without fully fuctioning IR Blaster on SA-HT1500, I was able to use only 2 digit channel numbers. With disabling TVGOS and performing autochannel setting, I lost ability to switch to any channel over 99. Moreover, I was not even able to manually set up timer recording. I was forced to perform TV Guide set up again, if I wanted to make any timer recording - even with manually set up of timers. I am recording children's shows from channel 354 - Boomerang and similar channels over 99. There is almost none kid's channel under 99; our cable company even moved Cartoon Network from 59 to channel over 99. Disabling TVGOS the way Panasonic representative told me did not work for me. And disabling the way manual says does not work. After performing TV Guide set up, autochannel setting is greyed (unable to choose it as said in the manual.) Maybe it is because I have digital cable box hooked-up to the DVD recorder through L3 line (S-Video cable and L/R audio cables - for better picture than through standard RG59 coaxial cables.) I just "played" with setting, and only one thing is good now. I can record any channel even DVD recorder is turned off. Once the timer recorder switch to the channel for recording, TVGOS is "disabled" temporarily, so DVD recorder can record shows as scheduled in timers. However, as soon as timer recording is over, TVGOS is back in action - switching channel on and on - until I turn dvd recorder on and watch TV or turn off the cable box. I really like IR Blaster, because I can switch all channels with dvd recorder remote control, and I can record shows from channel over 99 without "sitting" next to the dvd recorder and neccessity to switch the channel after one recording finishes and before another recording starts.
rekoj, You're speculating the DMR-E85H performs the same as your unit with regard to these features, but let's assume it actually does. There are a lot of posts on this thread about properly resetting your unit. ch up/ch down while the unit is on is the first good step, pressing both buttons simultaneously until the unit powers down. Then unplug the unit for at least 30 seconds. Don't skimp on the unplug duration. This is the point I disconnect my RF input cable. Perhaps you don't even have one plugged in. I recommend disconnecting all your input cables (e.g. L3). Power the unit back on. Let it complete its power-up fully. You'll now be prompted to enter the initial configuration/location. I recommend to tell the unit you have cable and a cable box, but don't connect the cable back up yet. Have the IR blaster plugged in. Enter all zeros for the zip code. Now use the Functions button on the remote and proceed to the Set Up submenu. The AutoChannel scan button should now be active if it was grayed out before you reset the machine. If it is grayed out, repeat the process from the beginning (i.e. ch up/down buttons) up to this point again until the AutoChannel scan button is active. Reconnect your input cables. Perform an AutoChannel scan and see if the cable box is manipulated by the IR blaster. You may very well be correct, however, the machine might always presume the AutoChannel scan is targeting the RF input and not the other inputs. In that case, it won't detect any channels if you don't have the RF cable plugged in. Not sure. Perhaps you can add them manually. You realize I'm ad-libbing the cable box/RF blaster stuff, so no guarantees. Someone else on the thread might have more relevant experience. I've rarely had a problem with timer recordings and have been manually programming the timer with TVGuide disabled for 2 1/2 years on 3 different DMR-E85H's. I did have a problem at the last change to daylight savings time (USA), since the machine's date for the 1 hour fallback in the fall is now different than the newly legislated date. I actually had to go through the reset process myself on all the machines to restore proper operation. Note: The reset procedure won't affect anything you've previously recorded on the hard drive, but you probably already knew that. Oh, by the way, when I AutoChannel scan it only goes up to channel 125. However, I only have very, very basic cable, so it's not a problem for me. I've actually never attempted to enter a channel through the remote greater than 125. Not sure if it is even capable of tuning higher than 125.
gchu- I live in the Philadelphia PA area and am now getting TV-Guide with COMCAST. I am in the 19003 zip code. I recently had a choice of 6 channel selections. I had been without any TV-Guide for at least 6 weeks. Then it magically came back. I currently do most of my recording without counting on the guide.
Vulcan seems to have a good battle plan there. I went without tvguide for a few weeks after my dead e85 came back to life. I finally just checked around on the cable packages of surrounding towns to see which package matched the new lineup in our town. I found one 15 miles away, so I entered that zip code in setup, and had tv guide again in two days. K (So for me, changing the zip code did bring a tv lineup suitable for recording.) I have never used the IFR wire.
I just recently bought a broken E85H on ebay that had the U99 error. I fixed the original one I bought with the firmware upgrade in 2006 and haven't had a problem since. So I performed the firmware upgrade and it too works like a champ. Has anyone upgraded the hard drive on their machines and what is the highest capacity you have attained if you did? I want to replace the drives in both my machines, but I want to put the largest drive possible in it so I don't have to worry about it for another few years.
bendered, The USA machines were manufactured with 120 GB drives. If your drive fails, you can replace it with a larger drive if you can't find a 120 GB drive of proper technology, however, the DMR-E85H will only recognize and use up to 120 GB of the new drive. You may see reference to this topic earlier on this thread. Note: These drives were advertised by Samsung as superquiet drives. If you need to replace one, you might want to take that fact into consideration.
