My unit is doing exactly the same thing. I've tried reloading the firmware, but it never appears to enter the First Time Setup. To load the CD I had to remove the cover, (disconnect the power) and manually eject the DVD tray. With the cover off, look on the side of the DVD. There is a square hole, directly above the screw that attaches the DVD to the chassis. Insert a stiff rod and push. The DVD tray will open. This is how I loaded the firmware CD. This all started after I rescanned the tuner and then did a manual channel edit. While trying to edit the channels, the unit stopped tuning and ended up in its current state.
I have my machine back working. Here is what I did. Go tohttp://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-elect... and download the firmware update and the instructions to perform the update. Follow them to the letter when it comes to loading the firmware on your machine. Remove power for at least 4 hours (IMPORTANT TO DO THIS, I don't know why but it works). Using a phillips screwdriver remove the four black and three silver screws holding the cover on the machine. The cover slides off to the rear. You need a small (1/8 inch) probe to insert in the square hole on the right side of the DVD drive, just above the chassis retaining screw. The probe will hit resistance just after you insert, maybe an 1/8 inch or so. Apply firm pressure quickly, but don't over do it. The probe will push back the mechanism and you'll hear the DVD drive mechanism spin up. Using your finger nail or flat toothpick open the hinged door to the DVD drive. Use your finger nail, paper clip or the probe to pull open the DVD tray. Load the CD containing the firmware update. Re-apply power. Follow the instructions. If the Update doesn't load straight away, you may have to remove power again and wait. Not sure how long you have to wait, but I had luck with about four hours. Good Luck
If after you get your machine working, do not remove digital channel 18.9 and 18.10 from the line-up if you see them. Everytime I remove them the machine goes back to the non-functioning state. There are no broadcasts on these channels in my area, but they show up in the list and when I remove them the machine goes non-functional. Now I have to wait another 4 hours and try again.
I had a similar problem and followed some of the steps already listed here, however, I had to go a step further. I removed the small screws from the top of the DVD drive, removed the top part of the drive, extracted the disk and then inserted the CD with the firmware upgrade. I replaced everything then plugged the DVDR in and it read the CD and upgraded the firmware, then ejected. After that, I had to unplug it and plug it in one more time. Then I was finally able to insert a disk have it work properly. Thanks for the suggestions.
Where do you get the cd firmware? I don't think I got one with the unit.
Go to Panasonic.com and navigate to consumer products, Blu Ray & DVD, select the "Get Support" tab on the right and search for
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Had the same problem. Was trying to schedule a DVD recording off the air when the unit locked up.
I opened the unit to eject the DVD and reprogram the code. Found the rectangle opening on the side of DVD drive. There is a white plastic piece in there with a groove that a long skinny flat blade screw drive fits in nicely. Pressed the plastic piece in and felt smooth resistance and heard gears turning. But the tray did not come out as I expected. I think I only disengaged the drive spindle from the disc. Was going to look for a way to push open the tray when I thought I would power up the unit and see if the white plastic piece would return to the original position. It did. However, something unexpected happen. The software was not longer locked up. I had had power removed from the unit several time prior to this. So do not think the simple act of removing power cleared it.
Put it back together and its working fine again.
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