After showing a few error messages, my EX85 now:
(a) won't read/play/record ANY DVDs (pressed, burnt, -R, -RW, -RAM)
(b) constantly shows the "disc in" symbol, even though the tray is empty.

Resetting doesn't clear it, and all other operations are OK, so I suspect a failed DVD drive.

I have searched for information on this - still looking.

So: anyone have any ideas what the DVD drive is, and if it's user-replaceable?

You might like to check this thread on another forum which is similar to your problem.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/dvd-r...u88-error.html

Thanks, Adrian - it does look promising, I shall follow that up...

I have a DMREX85 with exactly the same problem: DVD in the process of burning, failed, now it won't read or write and makes funny noises. I don't get any UXX errors it just says anything I put iin is unreadable and the disc-in symbol is always there even when the tray is empty.

I have seen the threads here and here, but unfortunately I was an early adopter and have had my unit since June 2006, so the chances of getting a warranty repair from Panny are close to nil. The strange thing is that I hardly ever use the DVD burner. I must have used it less than 15 times in the entire time I have owned the unit, although I do play DVDs but again not all that often.
In short, I can manage without the DVD part of it, since I have an extra region-free DVD player anyway attached to the TV.

I have already opened the DVD drive, taken it apart and put it together to see if it is anything obvious like an obstruction, but couldn't see anything (by the way, 26 years experience since Electronics degree in case you're wincing at this point). The good news is that it's no worse than it was before, the bad news that it's no better either.

If I can get a replacement part for less than £50 from somewhere I will buy it & fit it myself, any more expensive and I'll do without, maybe buy a next gen unit when something catches my eye. The trouble is that I can't see a part number on the DVD case. Does anyone know what the part number is, or where I can get one by post?

Muffy