Hi all,

I have a Panasonic DMR EZ25 DVD recorder, that has both analogue and digital
tuners integrated into it.

Its connected to an aerial system pointing at Oxford.

Since about 5 days ago, all the digital channels have stopped working on the
Panasonic recorder.

However, the other 5 analogue channels are working fine.

I have tested the aerial lead on a Hitachi PVR and all digital channels on
all 6 muxes all come in.

I have already powered down the DVD recorder and repowered it back up, done
a new channels scan but no digital channels are found.

When I do a manual signal quantity/gquality check, I find I have maximum
signal strength on all six multiplexes but zero quality.

This leads me to conclude that the digital tuner (a.ka NIM, Thanks Andy
Wade) is faulty.

Given the DVD recorder is between 2 to 3 years old supposedly a good make
and cost me £100 at the time, is it worth getting it repaired or shall I buy
a new one?

Regards,

Stephen.

"Stephen" wrote in message
o.uk...
Hi all,


Given the DVD recorder is between 2 to 3 years old supposedly a good make
and cost me £100 at the time, is it worth getting it repaired or shall I
buy a new one?


I wonder if Panasonic might have a service like Philips have they do an
exchange at about £70 for another, at least they did a couple of years back
as my brother did that with his Philips.
Regards
David

"Stephen" wrote in message
o.uk...
Hi all,

I have a Panasonic DMR EZ25 DVD recorder, that has both analogue and
digital tuners integrated into it.

Its connected to an aerial system pointing at Oxford.

Since about 5 days ago, all the digital channels have stopped working on
the Panasonic recorder.

However, the other 5 analogue channels are working fine.

I have tested the aerial lead on a Hitachi PVR and all digital channels on
all 6 muxes all come in.

I have already powered down the DVD recorder and repowered it back up,
done a new channels scan but no digital channels are found.

When I do a manual signal quantity/gquality check, I find I have maximum
signal strength on all six multiplexes but zero quality.

This leads me to conclude that the digital tuner (a.ka NIM, Thanks Andy
Wade) is faulty.

Given the DVD recorder is between 2 to 3 years old supposedly a good make
and cost me £100 at the time, is it worth getting it repaired or shall I
buy a new one?

Regards,

Stephen.

Get to know the manager at the nearest council refuse yard - they have large
crates to put consumer electronics separate for recycling.

With any luck you might find one just like yours to salvage a tuner.

There are (or were) a couple of firms that did tuner repairs, but you're
unlikely to get much change out of the price of a new and much better unit.

In my TV repair days we had a simple rule; snow on the raster meant blown RF
transistor - milky blank raster = blown LO transistor, if we didn't have the
same tuner in the salvaged parts store we'd set about a transistor
transplant - wouldn't know where to start on a digital tuner though.

That depends on your criteria for 'is it worth it' I suspect a repair, no
doubt a complete change of the innards, will be priced at more than you paid
for it, but then again, would you be able to pick up something that does the
same now?

Brian

--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email:
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________


"Stephen" wrote in message
o.uk...
Hi all,

I have a Panasonic DMR EZ25 DVD recorder, that has both analogue and
digital tuners integrated into it.

Its connected to an aerial system pointing at Oxford.

Since about 5 days ago, all the digital channels have stopped working on
the Panasonic recorder.

However, the other 5 analogue channels are working fine.

I have tested the aerial lead on a Hitachi PVR and all digital channels on
all 6 muxes all come in.

I have already powered down the DVD recorder and repowered it back up,
done a new channels scan but no digital channels are found.

When I do a manual signal quantity/gquality check, I find I have maximum
signal strength on all six multiplexes but zero quality.

This leads me to conclude that the digital tuner (a.ka NIM, Thanks Andy
Wade) is faulty.

Given the DVD recorder is between 2 to 3 years old supposedly a good make
and cost me £100 at the time, is it worth getting it repaired or shall I
buy a new one?

Regards,

Stephen.

"Stephen" wrote in message
o.uk...
Hi all,

I have a Panasonic DMR EZ25 DVD recorder, that has both analogue and
digital
tuners integrated into it.

Its connected to an aerial system pointing at Oxford.

Since about 5 days ago, all the digital channels have stopped working on
the
Panasonic recorder.


Regards,

Stephen.

Hi Stephen,

The fault is an electrolytic capacitor that can easily be replaced on one of
the boards inside the unit. Its C1533 (680uF 6.3V).
Its highly likely that the culprit capacitor will be obvious that it has
failed because the top of the capacitor will be lifted (blown apart). Even
if it looks OK, its still worth replacing it, as it is still likely to be
causing the problem.
The capacitor is hidden under a PCB to the right of the DVD drive.

Its a relatively easy job to do and is almost ceratinly the cause of your
loss of the freeview DVB channels.

This is the part you require
http://tinyurl.com/4v8xp57
I understand you can also get these from Farnell, although I buy from the
link above (they are rated at higher temperature these ones).

I have reapired lots of them, and every one worked perfectly after this
capacitor was replaced.
There are a few ribbon cables that need carefully pulling out to gain access
to the underside of the board and then the board just lifts away once the
retaining screws are removed.

I have also found this forum thread on the discussing the subject of
replacing the said capacitor.
http://tinyurl.com/5u8hv4h

Some experince of doing this type of work is needed, and also knowledge of
soldering etc, but if you are used to doing this sort of work, it should be
quite easy for you.

You might find the easiest way of replacing it without much fuss is to cut
the legs off the old capacitor and solder the new capacitor to the wires
left behind. Please note the polarity as this is important being an
electrolytic type... You might also have to put the new capacitor in there
on its side (laid flat) as there is not a lot of room. All in all, a quite
easy repair if you feel up to the job. If you dont feel confident, get
someone else to do it who does.

Hope this helps.
If you need any further help, just get back to me in here....
Regards Tony