Here is a question related to EH75V. I know it doesn't have a digital/HD tuner or component/HDMI input, thus the unit cannot directly record HD quality to the hard drive.

However, if the HDTV has a composite video out feature and you connect the recorder to the TV in this way - what kind of quality is being captured? Would it be better than the standard definition quality programming I'm recording right now?

So satellite HD receiver box component/HDMI out to HDtV component/HDMI in. Then composite video out from TV to composite video in on dvd recorder.

Any HDTV's with component video out? I'm not exactly looking to switch, just curious about how the recorder can work with HD set-up.

My EH75V also came back from the Panasonic Service Center last week. Another success story. To my relief, all of my home videos and other recordings were preserved on the hard drive. They indicated they only replaced the DVD drive (interestingly, Chick_Hearn was given a different fix for what sounded like the same problems, so maybe they did other things to my machine too). Lo and behold, the U88 error is gone and the unit is back to reading and burning discs without problem. It was only out of my hands for 2 weeks and they honored the $130 flat rate repair. A very good experience...I am glad to have found this forum and the suggestions from all of you. I believe I would have paid much more than $130 had I gone through the traditional Panasonic service approach of paying a diagnostic fee of $50 plus labor/material for the repair. And Chick_Hearn can attest to how much more the non-Panasonic "authorized repair" places would have charged for the service.

For those of you who need to send in a repair in the future, here are a couple ideas that I think helped expedite the repair and avoided confusion:
1) Include a letter in the box that clearly states that you are authorizing them to begin the repair immediately under the $130 flat rate deal (so they don't have to go through the extra step of sending you a letter with an estimate and waiting for your permission to proceed). My letter also included other instructions about preserving the hard drive, etc.
2) Include the check or money order for $130 in the box with the letter.

Just a caution: Even with the clear instructions, I still received their standard form letter after about a week that said I needed to pay a diagnostic fee and authorize repairs. When I called to irately give them a piece of my mind, but before I let loose, the lady explained that I could ignore that "auto-generated" form letter because my unit had already been repaired and would be shipped out the next day after going through a quality control check! I avoided having to yell at them. I did suggest that they not send that confusing letter which makes them look like they totally disregarded the customer's instructions.

I'm thrilled to have my DVD recorder back.

Good news for you, thanks for your post

It's great to hear about another positive feedback. Yes I included a letter explaining the problem; also included a CD with video files I took with my camcorder as visual explanations.

I also followed up with them to verify they had received that flat-rate payment fee; had I not done that, the machine would have just sat there for who knows how long. Because of my phone call, the machine was expedited to the next technician.

The machine had its RAM/DIGITAL PCB Module replaced. This part alone costs >$US 500...

This is the "brain" of a Panasonic.

If you have the part number handy is it VEP79132? If it is then it's the same part as found in the DMR-ES15 (DVD recorder) and DMR-ES35V (combo recorder) and probably other 2006 models as well. While this circuit board may interchange among several models it may need model-specific firmware installed to be functional if swapped between models.

I found the part number: RFKNEH75VP. So you are right, some might be model-specific.

The "brain" of these units, huh? can't function or live w/o those things eh? Humans would be vegetables; DMRs basically the same (can't recognise discs).

in the end, not sure what to think about those blokes @ PRC. not quite as hairy heeled as I originally thought.

Since my earlier post I've browsed the Panasonic Parts Lists. I've found that Panasonic has revised some parts names/numbers that somewhat obscures the interchangability of these parts.

For the RAM/DIGITAL PCB Module there are now model-specific parts names/numbers:

For your DMR-EH75 the parts are now RFKNEH75VP and RFKNEH75VPT, both listed at $546.33.

For my DMR-ES35V models the part is now RFKNES35VP listed at $458.67.

For my DMR-ES15 models the part is now RFKNES15P listed at $554.82.

This board found on DMR-ES35V and DMR-ES15 models actually bears the same part name/number, VEP79132.

At these prices it becomes clear how important it is to specifiy the flat-rate repair, a real bargain for the expensive hard drive Panasonic models.

Some of my Panasonics were purchased new, some refurbished by Panasonic, and some used. As machines such as my DMR-ES15 and DMR-ES35V age it doesn't make much sense to pour too much money into them. I've purchased two DMR-ES35V models for parts and service/repair the main machines myself as the warranties expired. With continuing TLC these machines should keep giving good service.