New firmware for US Panasonic DVD recorders models

[ofbarea]

Panasonic Support page was updated and they uploaded a large collection of newer firmware for Panasonic reprders:

Description:
Updates RAM / DVD drive and improves compatibility with the most recent 8X and 16X DVD media

On some models the new firmware also fixes weekly recording / region code bug.

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vDownloads?storeId=15001&langId=-1...ge=DVDFirmware

Recorders:

DMR-E30
Version: D5-085
Last Updated: 4/21/2005

DMR-E50
Version: D8-066
Last Updated: 4/21/2005

DMR-E55
Version: DK-091
Last Updated: 9/30/2005

DMR-E60
Version: DC-042
Last Updated: 4/21/2005

DMR-E65
Version: DP-050
Last Updated: 4/12/2005

DMR-E75
Version: DQ-075
Last Updated: 9/30/2005

DMR-E80
Version: D9-022
Last Updated: 4/21/2005

DMR-E85
Version: DL-103
Last Updated: 4/12/2005

DMR-E95
Version: DR-067
Last Updated: 4/12/2005

DMR-E100
Version: DD-051
Last Updated: 9/7/2005

DMR-E500
Version: DU-097
Last Updated: 4/12/2005

DMR-EH50
Version: UA-336
Last Updated: 10/06/2005

DMR-EH55
Version: IR-01
Last Updated: 5/2/2006

DMR-EH75
Version: IR-01
Last Updated: 5/2/2006

DMR-ES10
Version: U1-326
Last Updated: 10/31/2005

DMR-ES15
Version: IR-01
Last Updated: 5/2/2006

DMR-ES20
Version: U3-150
Last Updated: 12/02/2005

DMR-ES25
Version: IR-01
Last Updated: 5/2/2006

DMR-ES30
Version: UB-317
Last Updated: 12/09/2005

DMR-ES35
Version: IR-01
Last Updated: 5/2/2006

DMR-ES40
Version: UG-137
Last Updated: 11/28/2005

DMR-ES45
Version: IR-01
Last Updated: 5/2/2006

DMR-HS2
Version: D6-087
Last Updated: 4/21/2005

*** EDIT: 12-SEP-2006
Added the latest models to the list

[handyguy]

What do you mean upated? Some of those are from April. Are these January updates or something?

[ofbarea]

They updated the web page and some of the firmware files.

For example the last avalible formware for DMR-E55 was dated 30-NOV-2004. After the Web page update I downloaded file from 30-SEP-2005. The firmware in this file is dated 20-SEP-2005. A good improvment is that now I can use 16X media. Before I could only use up to 8x.

Also the flash process undated the loader and the main unit, so there we more changed than the ones listed.

The old page only listed a few models. Now they added all of them (I think), for example DMR-ES10 and ES20 were not listed before.

[Marvingj]

Thanks Ofbarea, I couldn't find a upgrade for the Es10 until you post this. Good Going.

[handyguy]

Oh, I see, that's great then. Not sure I would update myself as things are working right & the last update was kind of hairy

To find the date of the new update, just download it.

[crowmaine]

I recently upgraded the driver on my DMSES10 to firmware U1-326. The upgrade was successful, but now the unit is having problems with the DVD-RW media that I have been using successfully for months. (Sony DVD-RW 1x/2x).

The new firmware will not allow me to reformat any previous formatted & finalized DVD-RW. The finalized DVD-RW behaves like a DVD-R.

Once a finalized DVD-RW is inserted, you can not go to another source. The 'Direct Navigation' button will not allow you to navigate the tuner/aux inputs or to the Disk Management section to reformat the disk.

Because the unit did not want to reformat my DVD-RW, I went to my PC and used Nero to reformat one, or at least make it 'unfinalized'. I inserted it into my upgraded machine and was asked to format it, which I did. Then I recorded an hour show and tried to finalize it. Finalization failed. Twice it failed. I took DVD-RW to my PC and it recognizes it as blank media and wants to reformat it! When it is inserted back into the unit, the DVD menu comes up with the one title, but only the Play (and eject) button works.

I don't know if others are experiencing similar problem, so beware. I talked to the Panasonic service person today and they have my problem report on their file. They didn't have any similar problems in their system. Might be a trip to their Service Center, as it is still under warranty

(6 Feb 06) *-*-*- UPDATE -*-*-*

... to reformat any previous formatted & finalized DVD-RW.

"Use the 'Stop' button, Luke"

Yes, the 'Stop' button. The old firmware for the DMS-ES10 allowed you to use the 'Direct Navigator' key to return to TV/IN1/IN2/IN3 and Disk Management. The newer firmware does not.

One has to use the 'Stop' key to exit the 'Direct Navigator - Title View' <-> 'Play' loop. Once out of that loop, then your can go to Disk Management to reformat the DVD-RW.

It seems that the DVD-RW that failed to finalize (see above) worked fine after reformatting it. No problems with it after it was finalized. (Media problem?) And, no trip to the service center.

Back in business. (Whew!)

[ofbarea]

This is good news. Thanks for the heads up.

*** Edit on 27-APR-2006 ***

Found firmware for several PAL Panasonic recorders. Looks for them in here:

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.produkte.panasonic.de%2Fprodu...language_tools