Big Problem - Panasonic DMR-E50

[ApexEvolution]

Okay, about a week ago I go to sleep with my E50 running as I always do. When I wake up the next morning, my television is on, my receiver, 5disc cd player...everything is running fine, except for my DMR-E50. So I know it wasn't a power surge...it's worked perfectly for over 7 months now...but now it just won't turn on. It doesn't respond to anything at all...in fact the last dvd I had in there is still in there...I guess my question is is it common for these Panasonics to just die without explanation? Is there anything I can do? I've called Panasonic, told them my problem, and all they had to tell me was to take it to the nearest qualified place to have it looked at, which is over 4 hours away. Please help!

[samijubal]

Have you tried unplugging it and plugging it back in? To reset the Panasonics you hold the power button for 10 seconds, you could try that.

[ApexEvolution]

Yes, I've done both. Still nothing.

Edit: What I don't get though is that I've got my satellite receiver hooked up to it and from the dvd recorder, on to the television. I have no problems watching my satellite tv but the dvd recorder won't even turn on...is it broken if I'm able to relay it through my recorder to my television?

[ann coates]

Is anything at all showing on the display? Or does it appear completely dead? When you unplug and plug it back in does it try and read the disc?

[ApexEvolution]

Nope...nothing shows up on the display at all, and when I unplug/plug it in, nothing happens.......nothing happens when I hold the power button down for 10 seconds either.

[gshelley61]

There are numerous things that could be wrong. Power supply failure comes to mind, but it could be lots of different things. You could pop the cover off to see if there is an internal fuse that needs replacing...

[ApexEvolution]

I have peiced together my own computers before, but never anything like a DVD recorder....how would I know if a fuse needed to be replaced though?

[lordsmurf]

A DVD recorder is notthing more than a mini computer.

[ApexEvolution]

I guess that's somewhat comforting to know...still, how would i know if it's a failed power supply or if a fuse needed replacing? or if it's something more complicated? Do these models usually stop working out of the blue like this?

[gshelley61]

Sometimes there will be a fuse holder near or actually on the power supply board in electronics gear. They fuses are usually the small glass tube type, like what used to be in cars back in the day. If you pull the cover off and have a look around, you may spot one. Remove it and see if the thin wire inside the fuse is popped (you can also test it with an ohm meter). If you find one, and it needs replacing, make sure you get one exactly like it (from Radio Shack or an electronics supply store).

I have no idea if the E50 has an internal fuse, but it isn't any big deal to lift the cover and have a look. Sniff around for any burnt electronics smells while you're at it (a very distinctive odor).

[ApexEvolution]

I'll see what I can do I guess, I'd really rather have someone else who's qualified to look at it though yanno...hopefully whatever is wrong is as simple as a blown fuse. I appreciate everyone's input and hopefully I can get'er back up and running. Take care.

[ApexEvolution]

Okay I've opened the case and I've spoted a fuse-like tube at the top right of the board(as if the display and buttons were to be facing your body) ...is there a way I can tell what model of fuse it is so I could try replacing it?

[samijubal]

Look at the fuse, it will have the amps on it, it's usually on the circuit board by the fuse too. Does the fuse look bad? If you can't tell, you can test it with an ohm meter. Panasonic uses IC protectors in most of their products, it could be one of them. They work like a fuse, but look like a transistor. You probably wouldn't be able to replace one yourself unless you've worked on circuit boards.

[ApexEvolution]

Okay while I've had it opened I tried plugging it in, it sounded like it was trying to power up and the fan was sort of twitching like it was trying to power on as well but it wouldn't turn, just look as if it were trying to power up...any ideas?

[samijubal]

Sounds like it could be the regulator in the power supply. It could be an IC protector too, if they use them in their recorders. If it gets any power at all, it's obviously not the main fuse.

[ApexEvolution]

Any suggestions? Is it not powering on simply because the fan isn't working?

[ktnwin]

This happened to my PC once, nothing happened when I push the POWER ON button, I replaced the power supply and it works again.
You may have to open the box, use an multimeter to check the input voltage (AC 110V/220V) and the output of the power supply (normally, yo expect 12VDC and 5VDC), the internal power supply may have a fuse in it, check it too.
If the unit is still under warranty, DON'T open it, just send it back for repair/replacement.
Good luck.

[trhouse]

The power supply in products such as this are never really turned off. "Off" is really like standby in a computer. The most common type of fan is a 12VDC unit that runs from the power supply output. It is a pretty good indicator for power supply failure. A less likely possibility is that something fell in the unit and is shorting the power supply out. Turn it over and see if anything that doesn't belong there falls out.

[samijubal]

The fan has nothing to do with it not powering up. If it's not an IC protector, the power supply is probably bad.

[ApexEvolution]

Well the only thing I could do right now physically was trying to unplug the fan from the board and plugging it back in...no go. I guess the only thing I can do is drive it to the nearest person licensed to work on it so I know I won't screw it up or anything. Or maybe riding by CC where I bought it may be able to determine something. As far as power supplies go, is there anywhere specific I may be able to buy a new one from? And is it easy to replace?

[proxyx99]

Are there any repairman in your vicinity? How about warranty service? Do you seriously think that anyone will be able to help you repair it over the net?
ooooh... damn, my light just went off , what do I do ? anybody?

[samijubal]

Most equipment these days has the power supply built into the main circuit board. I opened one of those up 9 months ago or so, I think the power supply was on the main board. Electronic equipment shouldn't be left on overnight, you're just putting unnecessary wear on the circuits.

[trhouse]

If the power supply is part of the main board, then a tech needs to troubleshoot with a schematic to the component level. That is expensive. Replacing the main board is expensive. Here is the part number for the main board from Panasonics web site. Nice price!

REP3497B MAIN PCB 303.72 *

Having worked on instrumentation grade switching power supplies, I can tell which parts are the main culprits. Electrolytic capacitors ( those are the tall ones that have a polarity marking on them, diodes ( strangely enough it is often a protection diode that shorts ), regulators, and switching transistors. If it is a capacitor they will sometimes but not always leak. The fan not running usually means you have no 12VDC.

That said, I wouldn't stick my hand in there if I didn't know what the design is like. Some I have seen step the 120VAC line voltage up to +/-160V DC before dropping it down to +5V, -12V, etc.

The sad part is that these parts are usually pretty inexpensive and many are available at Radio Shack. The cost is the labor to figure it out what went wrong.

[proxyx99]

Ha, ha, you could send a schematic diagram and circle the one you suspect...

[gshelley61]

If it turns out the power supply is on the main board, and it is smoked, you'd be better off just buying a new (or used) Panny. E50's have been going for a little over $100 on eBay lately.

[samijubal]

I would agree with that, you are probably better off replacing the recorder. Working on power supplies that are on the main board is a pain in the ass and will probably be more expensive than replacing the unit.

[ApexEvolution]

Well I still have a DVD stuck in there....is there any easy way getting it out without breaking anything?

[samijubal]

Easy way, probably not, unless the cover of the drive can be removed. I don't know on that one, but getting inside the drive on the E-20 was pretty much a nightmare.

[lordsmurf]

Or better yet, switch to a better built brand like Pioneer. Or a higher quality unit like JVC.

[ApexEvolution]

Yeah smurf I've pretty much decided I'll never be getting another Panasonic product ever again in my life, I'm just trying to find out if I can get to my dvd without having to bash the machine into peices.