Troubleshooting guide

Recording, timer recording and copying

Page

Cannot record.

• You haven’t inserted a disc or the disc you inserted cannot be recorded on. Insert a disc the unit

can record onto.

• The disc is unformatted. Format the disc.

RAM

-RW(V)

+R DL

+RW

• The write-protect tab on the cartridge is set to PROTECT, or the disc is protected with DVD Management.

• Some programmes have limitations on the number of times they can be recorded. (CPRM)

• You cannot record when there is not enough space or when the number of titles has reached its

29, 31, 35

limit. Delete unwanted titles or use a new disc.

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• You cannot record on finalised DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW (DVD-Video format), +R, +R DL or

DVD-RW (DVD Video Recording format) discs. However, you can record again if you format DVD-

RW.

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• Due to peculiarities of DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW (DVD-Video format), +R, +R DL or +RW, you

may be unable to record onto them if you either insert and remove the disc or switch the unit on

and off while a disc is loaded, a total of fifty times.

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• DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW (DVD-Video format), +R, +R DL or +RW recorded on this unit may

not be recordable on other Panasonic DVD recorders.

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• This unit cannot record NTSC signals to discs that already have PAL signal recordings.

Play of discs recorded with both PAL and NTSC on another unit is not guaranteed.

Cannot record from

• Check that the connection is correct.

11, 34

external equipment.

• Select the input channel (“AV2”, “AV3”, “AV4” or “DV”) for the equipment you have connected.

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Timer recording does not

• The timer programme is incorrect or different timer programme times overlap. Correct the programme.

work properly.

• The unit or the timer programme is not on timer recording standby. (“z” on the unit’s display or the

18–19

timer icon in the timer recording list is not on.)

Put the unit and the timer programme on timer recording standby.

• Set the clock.

Timer recording does not

• If you start recording immediately after turning on the unit while “Quick Start” is set to “On”, you

—

stop even when [g] is

cannot then stop recording for a few seconds.

pressed.

The timer programme

• The timer programme remains if set to daily or weekly.

remains even after

recording finishes.

A part or whole of a

• If there is a power failure or the plug is disconnected from the household mains socket while

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recorded title has been

recording or editing, the title may be lost or the disc may become unusable. You will have to format

lost.

the disc (

) or use a new disc. We cannot offer any guarantee regarding lost

RAM

-RW(V)

+RW

programmes or discs.

The DV automatic

• If images cannot be recorded or if the recording is aborted, check the connections and DV

recording function does

equipment settings.

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not work.

• You cannot start recording until the images from the DV equipment appear on the television.

• Recording may not be performed as desired if the time codes on the tape in the DV equipment are

—

not successive.

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• Depending on the equipment, the DV automatic recording may not operate properly.

• You can only record audio/video images on a DV tape.

Play

Play fails to start even

• Insert the disc correctly with the label facing up.

when [q] (PLAY) is

• The disc is dirty.

pressed.

• You tried to play a blank disc or disc unplayable on this unit.

6, 7

Play starts but then stops

• You tried to play a +RW that needs to be finalised on the equipment used for recording.

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immediately.

• When recording to DVD-RAM using EP ( 8 Hours ) mode, play may not be possible on DVD

players that are compatible with DVD-RAM. In this case use EP ( 6 Hours ) mode.

• You cannot play discs during DV automatic recording.

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• If playing DivX VOD content, refer to the homepage where you purchased it.

• Make sure that the TV is turned on. If the menu or messages are displayed, follow the on-screen

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instructions.

Audio and video

• This occurs between playlist chapters.

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momentarily pause.

• This occurs as scenes change during Quick View.

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DVD-Video is not played.

• You have set a ratings level to limit DVD-Video play. Change this setting.

• Ensure disc is for the correct DVD-Video region number, and is not defective.

Cover

Alternative soundtrack and

• The languages are not recorded on the disc.

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subtitles cannot be selected.

• You may have to use the disc’s menus to select languages.

No subtitles.

• Subtitles are not recorded on the disc.

—

• Set “Subtitle” on the on-screen menu to “On”.

Angle cannot be changed.

• Angles can only be changed during scenes where different angles are recorded.

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You have forgotten your

• While the disc tray is open, press and hold [* REC] and [q/x1.3] on the main unit at the same time

—

ratings password.

for 5 or more seconds (“INIT” will appear on the unit’s display). The ratings level returns to “8”.

You want to cancel the

ratings level.

Quick View does not work.

• This does not work when audio is other than Dolby Digital.

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• This does not work while recording in XP or FR mode.

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The resume play function

• Memorized positions are cancelled when the unit is turned off or when the tray is opened. The

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does not work.

memorized position on the playlist is also cancelled when the playlist and title are edited.

The Video CD picture does

• When connecting to Multi-system TV, select “NTSC” in “TV System” in the Setup menu.

not display properly.

• When connecting to PAL TV, the lower part of the picture cannot be displayed correctly during search.

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Time Slip, Manual Skip, etc.

• These functions do not work with finalised discs.

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do not work.

• Time Slip does not work when the unit’s “TV System” settings are different from the title recorded

on the disc.

It takes time before play starts.

• This is normal on DivX video.

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Picture stops.

• Picture may stop if the DivX files are greater than 2 GB.

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RQT9053

Panasonic DMR-ES18 operating instructions Troubleshooting guide

Models: DMR-ES18