I live in the UK and I use a Panasonic DVD Recorder Model DMR-ES30VEB This machine has suddenly decided to enter an automatic cycle: "Hello" then "SLF CHECK" then "BYE" repeated 2-3 times then "U99" I suspect that it is having trouble reading the DVD disc, but I cannot open the disc tray while the above cycle is running. I have tried turning the machine off for up to 10 minutes, but when I switch on again, it immediately repeats the cycle, ending again at "u99". The instruction booklet is of no help whatsoever - it does not even mention "u99" anywhere in its 93 pages. Panasonic should be ashamed of inflicting this torture on the general public - particularly as this is an expensive machine. Someone, plaese help me. I consider myself reasonably intelligent in these matters, but I am not a geek - so please do not use jargon in reply. If only I could open the DVD tray, I think I would solve the problem of the machine constantly trying, but failing, to re-read an unreadable DVD disc. Thanks to whoever can help. Joe
Having trawled through about 100 previous "u99" solutions, I have finally succeeded in clearing the problem as follows: (1) Unplugged the machine from the socket at the back of it for about 3 hours. (2) Plugged it in again (3) Pushed in the DVD "stop" button simultaneously with the "Channel up" button for about 15 seconds. (4)The DVD tray magically opened and I removed the (offending?) DVD. (5) Oh joy ! The "u99" cycle was broken and my DVD recorder is now working !!! Hallelujah and thanks to all the past Forum contributers that have put me on the right track.
cheers, i have a DMR-ES20 that (touch wood) has been faultless so far, but in case i ever have this problem, i'll keep it in mind
Hey, how are your recorders, Creaky and lennox22? I have a DMR-E50 and the video quality was incredible when I got it. However, I had to do a firmware upgrade in order to allow compatibility with modern blank discs - the old firmware had trouble with most 8x discs let alone anything newer. However, the new firmware has horrendous picture quality. I'm wondering if that's carried over to the newer Panasonics.
i (so far) only use my Panasonic as a glorified VHS machine ie i record programs most days and the odd movie, but always reuse the discs so don't need too many discs. I'd been getting by using a small few of a 25-tub of Imation 4x -RW discs for months, recently bought 20 cheapy TDK 4x -RW discs which work very well so far so i may buy some more tubs of those to keep unopened as 'spare' discs that should last the life of the machine. If i ever want to keep something off those cheapy -RW discs i'd just copy the contents to a decent TY or Verbatim disc then reuse the -RW as normal. Obviously i could look into firmware (no new firmware as yet) for newer discs but for the little use i give this (expensive!) recorder i've got sufficient discs to record with; plus ALL my various TY and Verbatim write-once discs play beautifully on the Panasonic edit- i hasten to add i no longer use either TDK or Imation for write-once discs, learnt my (many) lessons there the hard way.
I just bought a DVD recorder Pana DMR-ES25S and was not able to hook it up with my satellite box and TV. Any boy knows how? Thank you in advance for your help. De
