[middham]

The disc drive has packed up on my panasonic DVD recorder DMR-EX77EB. I had some recordings that I had not copied to disc before this happened. Can I transfer to the HDD of my new Panasonic blu-ray recorder DMR-BWT700 someway or to a laptop.

[D.Page]

Originally Posted by middham

The disc drive has packed up on my panasonic DVD recorder DMR-EX77EB. I had some recordings that I had not copied to disc before this happened. Can I transfer to the HDD of my new Panasonic blu-ray recorder DMR-BWT700 someway or to a laptop.

Yes, but you will probably need to transfer via the analogue connections. Use the best available analogue recording option - RGB or component, depending on who you listen to! (either will give reasonably decent quality). It may be possible to transfer via HDMI, seeing as you are using a Blu-Ray deck for recording, in which case, use this option for best possible quality. Not sure if it is possible to output upscaled standard definition material via the HDMI connection of your EX77 and pipe it into the HDMI connection of your Blu-Ray deck - check your instruction manuals.

[iangrad]

You cant go HDMI to HDMI as they are both outputs ! the only thing you can do is Scart to scart in real time . Its a doable DIY job to fit a new laser to your old machine and the part is redily available on Ebay
Who had a 700 in stock as it was replaced by the 1tb 720 a while back ? The 700 is still a very good machine though .

[D.Page]

Originally Posted by iangrad

You cant go HDMI to HDMI as they are both outputs ! the only thing you can do is Scart to scart in real time

That's what I suspected, but I wasn't sure: Thought that Blu-Ray decks may have incorporated HDMI inputs as well as outputs, but as they apparently don't, I'd go RGB Scart to RGB Scart, then. As iangrad says, you will have to do any transfers in real time (1x speed).

[iangrad]

I am afraid you wont go RGB to RGB as the recorder only has the very lowest standard of input IE composite . It look like its a conspiracy to stop you all from copying doesn't it !

[iangrad]

Have a look at page 120 of the owners manual and it states "video in + pal / NTSC then 2 lines furth down it states RGB in ( BWT800 ( a long since discontinued model )) = AV1

Have a look at a look at the thread on AV forums by the very experienced "gavtech" regarding the difference between the 800 with RGB in & the 700 without RGB in just composite .

D.page Where did your last post go !

[D.Page]

Originally Posted by iangrad

I am afraid you wont go RGB to RGB as the recorder only has the very lowest standard of input IE composite

That's not strictly true, iangrad. Yes, by looking at this deck's operating instructions, it doesn't seem to allow you to record from an RGB input, but Page 120 says that you can set AV2 to an S-Video input for connecting to external equipment. S-Video is certainly an improvement over composite, and is the best option for the OP.

[D.Page]

Originally Posted by iangrad

Have a look at page 120 of the owners manual and it states "video in + pal / NTSC then 2 lines furth down it states RGB in ( BWT800 ( a long since discontinued model )) = AV1

Have a look at a look at the thread on AV forums by the very experienced "gavtech" regarding the difference between the 800 with RGB in & the 700 without RGB in just composite .

D.page Where did your last post go !

I concede that this deck doesn't allow you to record via an RGB input, iangrad, but Page 120 states that you can set AV2 to S-Video (as well as composite). S-Video is certainly an improvement over composite, and is the OP's best option. You are simply incorrect when you say that your only option is composite with this model. You have S-Video as well. Page 99 also shows you that you have an (albeit limited) choice of video options for the AV2 input.

(extract from page 120)

Video
Video system: PAL/NTSC
Recording system: MPEG2 (Hybrid VBR)
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Video in (PAL/NTSC): AV1/AV2 (21 pin)
1 Vp-p (75 ≠)
S-Video in (PAL/NTSC): AV2 (21 pin) 1 Vp-p (75 ≠)
RGB in (PAL) [BWT800]:
AV2 (21 pin) 0.7 Vp-p (75 ≠)
Video out (PAL/NTSC): AV1/AV2 (21 pin),
Video Out (pin jack) 1 Vp-p (75 ≠)
S-Video out (PAL/NTSC):
AV1 (21 pin) 1 Vp-p (75 ≠)
RGB out (PAL):
AV1 (21 pin) 0.7 Vp-p (75 ≠)

[iangrad]

Yes I had forgotten about s - video ( does anyone still use that ? ) , OP might be better getting a new laser fitted than all this LOL

[D.Page]

Originally Posted by iangrad

Yes I had forgotten about s - video ( does anyone still use that ? ) , OP might be better getting a new laser fitted than all this LOL

I still have a couple of S-VHS decks, along with a couple of DVD recorders with HDDs, as I have a huge archive of S-VHS tapes. It would take eons to transfer them all over to DVD, so the material remains on tape. Yes, I do use S-Video - it's a noticably sharper picture with purer colours, compared with composite.

It is definitely the OP's best option, unless, as you say, he/she uses equipment capable of recording from an RGB external source.

[middham]

Many thanks for all the information and help. Is it reasonably easy to fit a new laser - I am far from an expert at this kind of thing.

[D.Page]

Originally Posted by middham

Many thanks for all the information and help. Is it reasonably easy to fit a new laser - I am far from an expert at this kind of thing.

My Dad's Panasonic DMR-ES20D's laser packed up about a year ago, and he had a new RAM drive fitted (which obvious contains the laser mech.) at an authorised Panasonic repairers. Works fine now, and he's glad he had it done as he likes this model.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by D.Page

My Dad's Panasonic DMR-ES20D's laser packed up about a year ago, and he had a new RAM drive fitted (which obvious contains the laser mech.) at an authorised Panasonic repairers. Works fine now, and he's glad he had it done as he likes this model.

And what did it cost? - this sort of repair is usually fairly silly money.

[D.Page]

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

And what did it cost? - this sort of repair is usually fairly silly money.

It wasn't just a worn laser. The machine was emitting the most horrendous grunts and squeals when trying to finalize discs, so the whole RAM drive mech was replaced. Yes, it wasn't cheap, about £100 or so. Not my decision though, Nigel. My Dad considered the cost as acceptable.

When I compare his model to Panasonic's current range, they are so tacky and the facias are so flimsily constructed now that I cannot blame him for getting his more sturdily constructed machine repaired instead.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by D.Page

It wasn't just a worn laser. The machine was emitting the most horrendous grunts and squeals when trying to finalize discs, so the whole RAM drive mech was replaced. Yes, it wasn't cheap, about £100 or so. Not my decision though, Nigel. My Dad considered the cost as acceptable.

That sounds a bargain - the retail price of the RAM drive alone (no labour) is £168.60 - although on this model you can get a laser PU kit for £65.76

I know what you mean about how cheap things have got, and not many people even make DVD recorders any more.

[D.Page]

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

That sounds a bargain - the retail price of the RAM drive alone (no labour) is £168.60 - although on this model you can get a laser PU kit for £65.76

I know what you mean about how cheap things have got, and not many people even make DVD recorders any more.

Now I think about it, the cost was nearer £120, but still a bargain, given what you say. I use the same repairers for my gear also (they are a Panasonic and Sony authorised repairers, which covers all my current A/V gear). Maybe they reduced the cost in light of this, I don't know, Nigel.

When I drop down the flaps etc on the front of these new line of DVD and Blu-Ray recorders etc, I find it shocking how cheap and flimsy they feel (and look). I remember decks like my old JVC HRD-725EK VHS deck, and my old Grundig GV-280S S-VHS deck. They were both literally built like tanks. Ahhhhh, those were the days

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by D.Page

They were both literally built like tanks. Ahhhhh, those were the days

But they cost the same as tanks as well!

Basically it's all down to cost - people won't pay £500-600 for a decently (and heavily) made DVD player, when you can get just as good a performance from a cheaply made (and light) £50 one.

The heavy VCR's were from back in the day when you could make money manufacturing and selling VCR's, and when the lower level of technology meant things needed to be large and sturdy.

[D.Page]

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

But they cost the same as tanks as well!

Basically it's all down to cost - people won't pay £500-600 for a decently (and heavily) made DVD player, when you can get just as good a performance from a cheaply made (and light) £50 one.

The heavy VCR's were from back in the day when you could make money manufacturing and selling VCR's, and when the lower level of technology meant things needed to be large and sturdy.

Oh, I completely understand the reasons why they are so cheap these days, Nigel. All I'm saying is I would happily pay a premium for a machine built more sturdily, but I expect I'm in the minority.

If only it was like the Hi-Fi sperates still available today. You can still get well-constructed seperates to this day, that are built like tanks (I have many myself). It's just that they cost a lot more to make and this extra cost is passed onto the consumer. Fair enough. But at least, the consumer has a choice. They can buy cheap and get a flimsy piece of kit, or they can shell out more and get something more sturdy. Wish there was that option with all A/V gear, as well.

[Spruce]

Fleabay and forums that have a classified section are your friend for these problems now.
Managed to get a SONY HXD710 for £20 delivered no box or manual but is in VGC and well pleased.
http://www.avforums.com/forums/archi...-recorder.html

[middham]

I called a panasonic dealer about repairing my EX77B and they said minimum cost to repair would be £150 and could be over £200 so that is why I bought the 700EB which I found for £300 refurbished.