: Panasonic DVD-RV31 and RP62 fatal flaw


2003-07-08, 08:26 AM
I've had three Panasonic DVD players: two singles and a 5-disc. I like Panasonic strictly because of the menu overlay that lets you change functions, like switching between DD5.1 and DTS on-the-fly. Picture quality is no better or worse than other DVD players in the price range.

Now, each of them in turn has frozen up on me during play. The latest, on the RP62 (5-disc) occurred while I was changing scenes using the remote. The display on the unit says "HO7" or some other homily that the manual describes as "an error code".

One unit was turfed; one unit "repaired itself" after removing the casing and doing a good "macho male can fix by staring" routine; with the RP62, I took it in under warranty.

Anyone else know about this problem? It seems to be a laser issue. But my next unit will probably be a different brand...

Jake
2003-07-08, 08:57 AM
I would guess environment or maybe your power needs conditioning or protected from surges. :roll:

The fact all three have cacked seems to be something external.

Is there is a lot of dust or pet dander floating around? I am amazed at how my electronics attract dust and pet hair. And equally amazed that it still runs reliably with all that crap on the components. I keep a can of compressed air handy. Just don't clog up the optics.

John

JohnnyG
2003-07-08, 12:18 PM
Where do you physically place the DVD player? Heat is the enemy of a laser diode, so you don't want to place it on top of a A/V receiver or satellite/cable box, etc. It should be on it's own shelf and well ventilated.

2003-07-08, 12:48 PM
I've had a wiring/voltage/etc inspection done previously, and have no current problems (no pun intended).

My DVD players usually sit under the cable box, and to one side of my fan-cooled receiver.

Jake
2003-07-08, 01:04 PM
Maybe your DVD player is near a space-time nexus :D or a piece of dark matter passed through the unit :lol: Ok I guess that is getting old already.

But seriously I have been to places where my electronic equipment would up and quit. Walk 10 feet away and it would come back on. Back to the spot and zap! This was in the outside in the arctic. Very X-File-ish. I attributed it to strong local magnetic fields not aliens spaceships. :roll:

John

JohnnyG
2003-07-08, 03:32 PM
My DVD players usually sit under the cable box, and to one side of my fan-cooled receiver.
You'd know better than I, but that sounds like a hot-zone to me.

Maniac
2003-07-23, 12:26 PM
Well luckiy it's not the H02 failure because that would mean real big trouble since it's a laser opticial equipment failure.

-----
JonnyG,

Whops, I guess that may apply to me by putting stuff on top and bottom of my dvd units. VCR on bottom, digital box on top. I guess that shouldn't hut the unt since I use the units at least twice a week.

2003-07-23, 02:18 PM
It was the HO2 failure. I got the same message on another machine, which I gave to my son, and he fixed it by opening the case and fiddling around.

i didn't bother this time, because this unit is under warranty. But they replaced the spindle motor and a "drive" unit, which to me is total BS and the labour and parts probably cost as much as the unit. I would bet there was nothing wrong with either of those parts.

Maniac
2003-07-23, 05:10 PM
ahh I see. Well actaully funny thing is this with my RP-82. I actaully gotten that error once and it didn't happen again. For taking no chances I exchanged the unit right away because I was still within the exchange policy from Video only from where I gotten it from. So far, no more errors after that and had the unit for about a yera now. I am getting two more of them but region free this time! =)

2003-07-23, 06:05 PM
Not that I look for region 2 or 3 CDs, but how do you get a Panny like that? Mod?

Maniac
2003-07-23, 06:23 PM
Hi,

There is a company that sells them modified(no non modified) and they are the one that makes the chips. They only have about 26 RP-82s left so the price is rising when the quantity goes down.

They have two versions of the mods: Version 1 with automatic region switching or version II, with in addition has VCR/DVD recorder friendly.

I already have two version 1s reserved for myself. So if anyone is interested, let me know and I'll give you the link.

57
2003-07-23, 08:15 PM
This the place?

http://www.220giftcenter.com/dvd.htm

Maniac
2003-07-23, 10:48 PM
Hi 57,

Yes it's that one but I had a different link but it's the same.

http://www.world-import.com/dvd.htm