Re: "No Disc" error when trying to read DVDs


"Jacko" <jacko2401@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:a0298c06-79ac-4e4e-94ad-d0e1294d2652@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I presume in your point of view then that cleaner discs are too hyped
up for what they actually say they do?

I have done some more tests and found the following:
- Tried a 2/3 CDs and they play straight away.
- Tried a few more DVDs at random and some play ok (or at least get to
the menu and start playing the movie) and others have the same effect
as what I initially described. I tried several DVDs from the series I
have of Family Guy and none worked. Tried some random movies and some
of these worked. I can't seem to pin it down as ALL these play ok on
my main Sony DVD player.

If it is not worth the effort of a lens cleaner and getting a
replacement lens (or other part for the player) will be to troublesome
I think I may have to resign myself to buying a new DVD player. I
don't like throwing things away if I can help it but I suppose you
can't expect things to last forever. I've had this player since 2005
so it's done ok to last that long. Any suggestions on a make that will
have the reputation to last longer?


OK. All of your symptoms indicate a worn laser. If it plays a CD, this
normally verifies the deck mechanics, and the front end processing
electronics for the laser, and indicates that the DVD laser diode is low
output. There are two reasons that cleaner discs don't do much good on DVD
players. The first is that unlike CD players, where the rotational speed of
the disc is quite low, on DVD players, it is very high. This causes a thick
layer of air at the surface of the disc, to be dragged round with it,
creating quite a wind across the top of the lens. This tends to keep it
dusted, so it is rare to see a dusty DVD laser lens, compared to how often
you see one on a CD player.

The second reason is that there is a sort of 'wall' around the edge of the
lens. This serves to deflect the brush bristles on the cleaner disc, so that
at best, they only brush the very centre of the lens. As far as damage goes,
I have seen a number of examples over the years, where the bristles have
caught in the lens suspension or optical block cover and, due to the high
rotational speed of the disc, have actually torn the cover off, or bent the
delicate lens suspension.

Before condemning the player to the garbage, it would be worth you doing a
manual clean on the lens using isopropyl alcohol and a Q-Tip (cotton bud),
particularly if it's a smoking household, as virtually invisible residues
from tobacco smoke can condense on the lens. The Q-Tip should be just
slightly moist - roll it on the back of your hand a couple of times - and it
should be used to carefully clean the whole surface of the lens. The lens
suspension is delicate, but not ridiculously so. Just take reasonable care,
and you will be fine. Use a dry Q-Tip to polish the lens surface after it
has dried. It might just recover the player for a few more months.

I can't really think of any particular makes that are any better than
others. Pioneer maybe. But it is a lottery, and you are probably just as
well with any player that has the features you need, and a nice long
warranty. If the player gets a lot of use, 2 to 3 years is a good result for
lifetime ...

Arfa


.

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