Panasonic DVD Recorder errors

NiteRider

My partner and I have purchased 2 DVD recorders in the past 2 years, both from Richer Sounds in Smithfield Square, Belfast. The first, a Panasonic DMR-E55, was bought in Dec 2004, the second, a DMR-ES10, bought in 2006. Both units are supposed to accept DVD-RAM and DVD-R disks and the newer unit also accepts DVD –RW.

When I was ordering the second recorder I explained to James, the young sales assistant, that I wanted full compatibility between both recorders. He stated that the the model I was buying was the next generation of the previous recorder and that there would be no problems recording on one unit and playing back on the other.

At first this proved to be the case. However recently the old unit, DMR-E55, has been displaying errors such as NO DISK and UNFORMAT and will not read the disk. On some of the occasions I have at least been able to use the disk in the newer unit but in many cases the disks have been rendered unusable, a message appearing on the screen stating that the disk is now read-only. I should add that all the disks we have been using are from Panasonic.

It has now got to the stage that we have very few disks that can be used on the older unit.

I would like to seek member’s advice on two fronts.

First, has anyone encountered same or similar problems and do you have any recommendations? Neither of us is very technical, I should add.

Second, do you think we would get any joy contacting Richer Sounds? I am aware that the older unit is now out of warranty but isn’t there some rule about expected reasonable life of a product (or something like that)? Also the assistant did assure me that both models were fully compatible. Neither model was particularly cheap, the DMR-E55 costing just over £200 and the DMR-ES10 £140.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

wazza

do you ''finalise'' the discs??

which discs do you have errors with? if it is dvd-ram maybe it needs formatting

Jon_C

"Second, do you think we would get any joy contacting Richer Sounds?"

Yes. I have bought all my A/V equipment in the past 10 years and they have always been very helpful.

Their catalogues now state that they only sell named brand DVD recorders (inc Panasonic) because cheaper unbranded ones are "horrendously unreliable" or words to that effect, so this should give you grounds for asking them to provide support for your recorder(s) which are among the products they recommend as being reliable.

NiteRider

I finalise the "once-only" dvd-r disks. Its the dvd-ram discs that the older model tends not to read. I format all new ram discs but usually the older model doesn't allow me to write to those disks which have been formatted on the newer model

NiteRider

Jon_C, who is the best person to approach in the Belfast branch with this problem?

wazza

NiteRider wrote:

I finalise the "once-only" dvd-r disks. Its the dvd-ram discs that the older model tends not to read. I format all new ram discs but usually the older model doesn't allow me to write to those disks which have been formatted on the newer model

why not try formatting the DVD-RAM on the old DVD recorder and see what happens.

Jon_C

I don't know who would have more expertise than the others regarding DVD recorders but just give them a call or pop down there. They might well be able to provide a solution over the phone.

In the meantime, try formatting discs on the old machine first, as the other post above advised.

NiteRider

wazza wrote:

why not try formatting the DVD-RAM on the old DVD recorder and see what happens.

I already do this but even RAM disks which I have previously formatted (on old model) are not being read.

Reuben_3

I own a Panasonic machine with a harddrive. I used to always archive to RAM disks but found after a while that everytime I tried to edit or change anything on the disk it would freeze and then the disk would become unusable losing anything that was on it. I now archive only to DVD-R's which are dirt cheap, using the harddrive to watch & wipe and I've bought a Philips £40 for playback.

I think there's a general problem with RAM's which might not always become apparent for the first few months - I've heard of similar problems with other brand RAM machines.

I would definitely take the new machine back as it's within warranty (you may regret it in a few months if you don't). A harddrive machine archiving to DVD-+R seems your best bet.

wazza

agree with the above, DVD-R's and +R are so cheap if you buy them in bulk in a tub.

for example http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6750691/Trail/C%24cip%3D41921.Office%2C%2BPC%2Band%2Bphones%3EC%24cip%3D41953.PC%2Bconsumables%2C%2Bsoftware%2Band%2Bessentials%3EC%24cip%3D41954.Computer%2BCDs%2C%2BDVDs%2Band%2Bdisks.htm

26.6p per disc of course you can find cheaper from SVP etc

NiteRider

Thanks for all the replies, folks. If I try to do as U suggest, Reuben, and return the new recorder, they may say that it is working OK, which by itself it is. The problems only occur when I try to use it in combination with the old unit. Again I made this clear to the salesperson at the time.

However I fully intend to approach Richer Sounds about the matter.

Thanks again