The external link function is not working properly on my DMREX87.
When you put it in external link mode it starts recording as soon as you turn on the sky, not when the copy function starts.
It used to work on a previous Panasonic (cant remember the model) and Sky +, Since then we have a new recorder and Sky HD. I have tried various settings and connections.
Can anyone help?

It all depends which Skybox scart you connect to.

If you use the VCR socket ... then use Mode 1 Ext link.

This uses the trigger as delivered by the skybox.

[ Mode settings will be in Functions / To other / Setup / Connections ]

The drawback of this connection method is low quality.


If you use the TV socket outlet of sky you get much better quality... [ RGB] but there cannot be any trigger signal... so this method uses mode 2 ext link... which is presumably what you are on now... as this functions by detecting the presence of video on Pin 19 of the scart socket.

If it is present , then the machine will record... and whenever the skybox is on , then video will be present.

As the purpose of this function is for timer recordings it is not anticipated you will be present and using sky.

So if you wish to, then press the ext link button first to take the DVDR out of Ext Link mode first.

Thanks Gavtech it is now working ok. The fault was in the sky setting - scart control was set to off.
Can you elaborate on the quality issue and how best to set everything please? Do I have to be there to start and finish recordings to get the best quality, can I leave it on external link and when sky starts recording it will also record on the panasonic?
Any suggestions?

If you have SkyHD (a sky+ enabled box) why not record to SkyHD then archive later (set up just as you go to bed, say).

You can then get the exact time of the recording (from Sky banner) and then set your DVDR to the optimum quality usung flexible record.

This is how i archive from my HD box.

Incidently, set up is as Gavtech's post
SkyHD TV scart ---> DVDR AV2 (set to RGB)
DVDR AV1 ---> TV AV1 (an RGB scart).

I also have HD linked to TV via HDMI and to amp via optical. The above is my set up for DVDR archiving.

Rgds,
Scorp