panasonic DMR EH-595 - remove/replace HDD

[SmurfRecorder]

I have Panasonic DMR EH-595 for VHS to DVD recording.
Drive inside is 3.5'' 250GB Hitachi HCS5C3225SLA380

First: I'm not sure how to remove HDD from recorder
It's look like standard SATA but smaller cable is labeled molex, and bigger cable is labeled SATA.
I'm not sure how to unscrew HDD.

Later I'd like to:
1. Connect HDD to PC to check state with Crystal Disk Info
2. Put bigger HDD inside recorder. I have empty HGST' 1tb HTS541010B7E610?
Will that 2.5'' drive work inside recorder? OR does it have specific Requirements
3. I'm wondering can I transfer recordings to PC without burning to DVDs on recorder?

Regards


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[hech54]

You have to remove the tray AND the drive together.
The "molex" cable is the HDD power cable.

[VWestlife]

Isn't it screwed in from bottom? Look for screws on the bottom of the case.

[SmurfRecorder]

You have to remove the tray AND the drive together.
The "molex" cable is the HDD power cable.

I'm not sure. It looks like standard SATA PC data cable, but it sits hardly and can't eject from HDD
And don't want to use too much force

and screws are under metal frame, and I'm not sure, I should that frame unscrew frame from yellow motherboard?

[dellsam34]

and screws are under metal frame, and I'm not sure, I should that frame unscrew frame from yellow motherboard?

Yes that's what was explained to you in the first reply, You have to remove the bracket attaching the HDD to the main board, it's the only way, no force needed, just brains.

[The_Doman]

Later I'd like to:
1. Connect HDD to PC to check state with Crystal Disk Info
2. Put bigger HDD inside recorder. I have empty HGST' 1tb HTS541010B7E610?
Will that 2.5'' drive work inside recorder? OR does it have specific Requirements

Be warned: you cannot just replace the HDD and expect it to work or be accepted.
The HDD needs to be initialized with special software or you have to clone the disk so it will be accepted.
This is how it works with older models, but I am not sure if it works with this newer model recorder.
See for example for an older model recorder:
REQUEST: Bit copy image of HDD from Panasonic DMR-EH55?
Be careful Windows is not going to try to initialize/change the HDD.
Also there is a possibility the HDD won't accept the HDD anymore if something goes wrong.
Are you really sure you want to do this, if you not have much experience handling/working with HDD's?

3. I'm wondering can I transfer recordings to PC without burning to DVDs on recorder?

Probably it can be done.
There is the well-known ISObuster, which can read the HDD contents from many recorders:
https://www.isobuster.com/isobuster.php

Also, there is a freeware tool that, according to what I read on a German forum, will work with your model:
https://github.com/leecher1337/panasonic-rec
Gleitz DVD Forum: Festplatte von Panasonic-DMR per PC auslesen (Tool gesucht)

Also for Pioneer/Sony:
https://github.com/leecher1337/pioneer-rec/

[SmurfRecorder]

[QUOTE=The_Doman;2803189]

Be careful Windows is not going to try to initialize/change the HDD.
Also there is a possibility the HDD won't accept the HDD anymore if something goes wrong.

if I just connect HDD to check with CrystalDiskInfo or scan surface for bad-sectors or trying to do some recovery of files, no forrmatting etc. nothing should broke?
I think I will keep current hdd if it is in good state.

I found also some info in service manual I downloaded somewhere:

[Attachment 93631 - Click to enlarge]

Btw. I also found another interesting article about their MEIHDFS filesystem https://0xcaffee.blog/posts/meihdfs-bdav-rpls-video-recovery/

[SmurfRecorder]

And the my current problem is with disconnect that thin SATA cable
it doesn't have any button like standard SATA cable.

And I think this could be most difficult thing:
Fragment with disconnection that cable is missing from all YT video about disassembly Panasonic recorders
eg. https://youtu.be/ZKpbV5nq5cg?t=156
And many other videos are about IDE drives.

I took 2 new close photos of this plug, do You have any idea how to unplug safely without damaging port?


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[dellsam34]

Take it to a repair technician that repair phones in your area and he will unplug it for you. There is no "know how" to unplug a connector, it is just a basic skill.

[The_Doman]

I took 2 new close photos of this plug, do You have any idea how to unplug safely without damaging port?

I don't see any SATA locking clip, so it should come off without much effort.
Unless it is glued somehow?
Better not start forcing things, specially if this already gives you problems.
Check on another/your own PC how the SATA connectors are fitted?

[SmurfRecorder]

I know how to unplug SATA connectors, but a few years ago, I have unpleasant event:
I pulled the plug out along with a piece of the melted DVD drive casing from my PC.

Here, I can only pull it out about a 1mm further - it feels like something is blocking it

EDIT: I finally unplugged it with one faster movement. It was sitting really tight.

Btw. I think after connect to PC I will boot live Linux Mint and make full image with their Disks app.