To cut a long story very short, my local 'Four lanes' TV transmitter has changed a frequency to COM5 which renders my recorder obsolete.

TV Channels 11-12-17-29-32-36-37-41-42-43-46-57-82 are on COM5 frequency on which the sound has lip-sync, garbled distorted speech, but the picture received is perfect.

There is no error message like U81 or such, displayed on recorder.

 

Having contacted Panasonic EU division they confirmed that my EX85 has firmware DVB Version 1.16 is unable to cope with the changed frequency, because of it's age first produced 2006 it therefore cannot be updated to receive the new broadcast.

 

I will quickly add my EX83 works fine both with picture and sound, which was first produced 2010.

 

Further to add, I contacted 3 local TV and recorder repairers who all have stated since January 2014 (this year) they are seeing a steady flow of customers reporting above fault not only EX85 recorders but also on other makes/brands of recorders and televisions.

 

So beware potential E-Bay buyers of Panasonic DMR-EX85 recorders, you have been warned.. wanna buy my cheap Panasonic EX85 anyone?? LOL

Thats a shame.....looks like a nice bit of kit.