Panasonic DVD-RP62 DVD Player

The price is great and you get progressive scan too! However, I got the dreaded H07 error code after 13 months. Apparently, I'm lucky, I searched the Internet and others have gotten this code much sooner. Once you get this code, it means, "Buy a new DVD player" since the repair cost would generally exceed the cost of a new unit. Apparently this H07 is common on many Panasonic DVD players not just this one so I recommend staying away from Panasonic if you want a durable product.

Other than the reliability issues, I would be satisfied with this unit given its low price and that it offers progressive scan output. Other drawbacks are that the user interface is a bit awkward and non-intuitive, but what do you expect for a dirt-cheap product.

I couldn't find much in the way of how to fix this yourself. Best I could locate is that you may want to oil the spindle. Apparently, the H07 means the disc is not spinning which makes sense since I couldn't hear it. Another said they opened and removed dust etc and it worked for a couple weeks then broke again. Very few seem to try and fix it themselves and post the results. Another thing I know from past experience with CD players is that the rubber band can stretch over time and cause this kind of problem; I will check that out too.

I opened the unit and found that if I slightly turn the disc inside, the problem went away. My guess is that the motor is a certain position got stuck and that by turning the disc, the motor got unstuck. I bet it jams again if the motor happens to stop in that location, so I've left the cover unscrewed in so that next time I can adjust it in the rack. I post back on the results over time of trying to fix it myself.

I also found that Tim Hoover, tmhoover@wans.net, with ebay handle gpsscp, offers to fix these units for $30 plus cost of shipping both ways. He has apparently done a lot of them and is much less than Panasonic. I haven't worked with him as of yet, but he appears legit.

That's it for now, more later.