Is my DVD player starting to fail?

[MrHT]

I bought my Sony DVP-NS77H DVD player in Nov 2007, so that would make this DVD player 14 years old, which I am amazed it has lasted me this long. It's been a great DVD player all these years, but lately, I've noticed the DVD player tends to get stuck or become very slow when loading. Like when I'm skipping chapters or loading a movie from the main menu, it takes extra longer now to load. I've never had this problem in the 14 years I've owned until recently and it's happening on ALL the DVDs I've played in it, so it's not a disc problem. So I'm wondering if the laser is starting to go or maybe it's just dirty and I need to buy one of the laser cleaning discs.

Anyone have similar issues with their DVD players before and know what is causing this sudden issue on my DVD player?

[slimdude]

My Toshiba HD DVD player was very slow to load, but it was like that when I bought it, but not a DVD player. I would keep using it until it goes completely out. If you're going to replace it, it's best to get a Blu-ray player instead of a DVD player, then you can play DVDs, Blu-rays and other media.

[ps3bd_owner]

I had about 2-3 DVD Players fail probably due to the laser since everything else worked perfectly. It was a shame, but it was bound to happen.

You could buy a PS3 or PS4 as they're cheap nowadays and they play BD/DVDs.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by slimdude

My Toshiba HD DVD player was very slow to load, but it was like when I bought it, but not a DVD player. I would keep using it until it goes completely out. If you're going to replace it, it's best to get a Blu-ray player instead of a DVD player, then you can play DVDs, Blu-rays and other media.

Actually, I have a dvd recorder and bd player, so plenty of backups if I need it. So really not a big deal, but was just curious if my DVD player is on its death bed.

[MrHT]

Yeah I think my player is on its death bed. I was watching some DVDs today and not only does it have trouble loading some discs now and then, but it started choking up in the middle of the movie as if the disc was damaged. But I inspected the disc and it was fine. So I turned the DVD player off and then back on. And replayed that same part of the disc again and it played fine.

So maybe a laser problem….

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by MrHT

Yeah I think my player is on its death bed. I was watching some DVDs today and not only does it have trouble loading some discs now and then, but it started choking up in the middle of the movie as if the disc was damaged. But I inspected the disc and it was fine. So I turned the DVD player off and then back on. And replayed that same part of the disc again and it played fine.

So maybe a laser problem….

It's a possibility that the lens is dirty. You can get a lens cleaner and see if it'll help. You've stated that your DVD recorder is 14 years old, and it's been well used. If the lens cleaner doesn't work, then most definitely your player is about to go kaput. Due to the age of the player, it wouldn't be worth getting it repaired because, it's going to cost more to repair it then to buy a new one.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by slimdude

It's a possibility that the lens is dirty. You can get a lens cleaner and see if it'll help. You've stated that your DVD recorder is 14 years old, and it's been well used. If the lens cleaner doesn't work, then most definitely your player is about to go kaput. Due to the age of the player, it wouldn't be worth getting it repaired because, it's going to cost more to repair it then to buy a new one.

I'll have to see if I can find a dvd lens cleaner disc. I checked Best Buy this morning and didn't see any at the store.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by MrHT

I'll have to see if I can find a dvd lens cleaner disc. I checked Best Buy this morning and didn't see any at the store.

Amazon have them.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Amazon have them.

Ok but I will have to wait until I have enough items to reach the $25 requirement for free shipping. Might take a while…

[Barry_NJ]

Open it up, clean and lubricate the tray mechanism and laser transport, and clean the lens with a q-tip...

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by Barry_NJ

Open it up, clean and lubricate the tray mechanism and laser transport, and clean the lens with a q-tip...

I'm considering it. I went to Best Buy today and they charge $14.99 for a DVD laser cleaning disc. That's crazy to pay the kind of money to clean my DVD player when there's even no guarantee that the laser is even dirty to begin with. I'm investing money on a crap shoot. Considering DVD players are so cheap and the fact that I don't need a DVD player (since my DVD recorder and BD player can both do the job), I'll just either try to clean myself or just ditch it if it becomes really problematic.

[RFK]

Originally Posted by MrHT

Actually, I have a dvd recorder and bd player, so plenty of backups if I need it. So really not a big deal, but was just curious if my DVD player is on its death bed.

Do you still use your dvd recorder because those are no longer being made and used models are pretty costly. Might be a better idea to buy a cheap dvd or bluray player to save wearing out your dvd recorder.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by RFK

Do you still use your dvd recorder because those are no longer being made and used models are pretty costly. Might be a better idea to buy a cheap dvd or bluray player to save wearing out your dvd recorder.

I really don't need a dvd recorder anymore. I have nothing to record on DVD anymore.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by Barry_NJ

Open it up, clean and lubricate the tray mechanism and laser transport, and clean the lens with a q-tip...

I just tried that and couldn't clean it. The laser is covered up, kinda like this...

[Barry_NJ]

Originally Posted by MrHT

I just tried that and couldn't clean it. The laser is covered up, kinda like this...

Bummer, that is pretty closed up. Go deeper on the teardown if you feel comfortable.

[GreatGreg]

You can open it up and clean the laser or lens. No risk in making it worse anymore. I have used a swab and isopropyl alcohol.

This should fix it up for a few more plays, but ultimately, you will need to replace the laser, which really means getting another player.

Your player has had plenty of use, so it doesn't owe you anything anymore at this point. New players are so cheap.

$300 for a region free 4K/3D player now. I just ordered one on New Year's Day and I think it was $250, and it was delivered to Canada in three days.

[orangerunner]

Originally Posted by Barry_NJ

Open it up, clean and lubricate the tray mechanism and laser transport, and clean the lens with a q-tip...

I agree sometimes it's not the laser itself but the laser guiding track is sticking and causing the malfunction.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally Posted by MrHT

I just tried that and couldn't clean it. The laser is covered up, kinda like this...

Power up the player and press the eject button!

[MrHT]

Just to follow up on this thread, my DVD player never died. After I opened it to discover the laser is covered up and couldn't be cleaned, I closed up the DVD player and never had any issues with the player again. I guess opening it without actually doing anything must've somehow cleaned up the laser.

[KubrickKurasawa]

Originally Posted by MrHT

I'm considering it. I went to Best Buy today and they charge $14.99 for a DVD laser cleaning disc. That's crazy to pay the kind of money to clean my DVD player when there's even no guarantee that the laser is even dirty to begin with. I'm investing money on a crap shoot. Considering DVD players are so cheap and the fact that I don't need a DVD player (since my DVD recorder and BD player can both do the job), I'll just either try to clean myself or just ditch it if it becomes really problematic.

DVD drives are optical like an optical cable per say. The drive head has a lens that tends to slowly pick up dust. The cleaner disk you will try/buy has some little bumps with tiny bristles that do the job of clearing off the dirt. It's about the only thing that you can do to clean the head short of disassembling the drive and rubbing the head with an alcohol drenched q-tip.