Page 1 of Panasonic DMR-E50 Problems

Hi, wonder if anyone can help?

I have a Panasonic DMR-E50 DVD recorder. Since acquiring ownership, this machine has had to be returned twice to Panasonic because of problems. First, the machine locked up completely. Returned from Panasonic with a report that the problem had been because of a `dirty dic`. However, on setting the machine up again, straight back from repair, it failed to work again! Back to Panasonic, this time it needed a new RAM unit fitting.

All seemed to be well on return this time, good quality recordings on Packard Bell DVD-R discs. However, a couple of recordings using the timer have recently failed. In both cases I used the SP mode. For example, today I set the recording time for 1 hour 59 minutes, the timer confirmed the amount of space available was `OK` (the disc was straight out the box and unused). However, after 1 hour 45 minutes the recording went all blocky, froze, and the unit went into U99 error mode. The machine recovered after I switched it on and off (as per the manual). On checking the timer it had inserted the `!` code, used to show `insufficient space` on the disc...

What is going on? Have I just got a duff unit or should I be trying a different make of DVD-R?

At this rate I`ll be reinstalling my VCR recorder... ;-(

Cheers,

Nick

Returned from Panasonic with a report that the problem had been because of a `dirty dic`.

:o got any photo`s :D

on a more serious note, i think the media is at least partially to blame as i had some of the same problems when i first got my dmr-e30, i tend only to use disc`s that use ritek dye and never get any failures at all.

hope this helps

Cheers for the rapid response! :)

"!i tend only to use disc`s that use ritek dye" - err, what does this mean? Do you recommend any particular make?

Cheers,

Nick

Tried recording using the timer for 1 hour 58 mins using a DVD-RAM and all worked perfectly. Have just bought some Panasonic branded DVD-R`s, will see if using these sorts the problem. Let`s hope so! ;)

Nick

tend only to use disc`s that use ritek dye

there are many brands that use the ritek dye, datarite yellow`s ridata etc, you can spot it a mile off cos it`s a really dark purple colour. if you can`t get them cheaply localy, try somewhere online like bigpockets or svp, but beware of postage costs, ideally you should`nt be paying more than £10 for 25 (delivered) i recently got 100 printables from a computer fair for £17(very very cheap), the average for spindles of 25 is around £6-£7.50p

Cheers Chris, they sound very good value, I`ll take a snoop around... in the meantime I`ll try the Panny discs I spent a small fortune on earlier :/

Nick

Good news, a two hour recording made using the timer worked fine when using one of the Panasonic branded DVD-R`S!!! 8) These have a definate dark hue to them, so I guess they might be rich in the dye you describe Chris? Either way, I`m happy again! :D Just got to find a cheaper source of reliable discs before I begin to transfer the miles of VCR recordings I have made over the decades... :/

Cheers,

Nick

Hmm, carried on recording a two part TV documentary I`d started on a Packard Bell DVD-R. After a total of 1 hour 35 minutes it started playing up and eventually ground to a halt with the recorder showing a `U99` error again... :( Recorded from VHS onto a Panasonic DVD-R for the best part of 2 hours afterwards and all went fine :) Strange, eh? :/

Argh!!!!!! Whilst recording to Panasonic DVD-R`s seems fine now, a two hour recording to a Panasonic DVD-RAM resultes in glitches+++ during the last 15 minutes!!!! Is this likely to be a faulty disc or have I just got a duff machine???? :(

Cheers,

Nick

I had some problems initially with unbranded disks - but since then I`ve always used Datasafe disks from SVP (with that Ritek dye), and never had a problem.

I`ve only used a RAM disk once so can`t comment on that, but it sounds like a dodgy machine to me.