Hi All,

This multiformat DVD,CD Audio, SVCD, etc format, plays all formats
except the proper DVD.

When DVD disk is inserted, it keeps searching and returns noPLAY.
Tried several DVD's to make sure.
Tried a VCD and worked fine. Audio CD's play fine too.

The unit is still under Panasonic parts warranty, but the labor may be
more than the cost of new unit.

Anyone seen this happen?

Regards,

Rich

"Rich" wrote in message news:mTk8d.201115$3l3.50730@attbi_s03...
Hi All,

This multiformat DVD,CD Audio, SVCD, etc format, plays all formats
except the proper DVD.

When DVD disk is inserted, it keeps searching and returns noPLAY.(snip)


Have you tried opening the unit and cleaning the lens (gently) with a
q tip and pure alcohol? this solves 99 percent of read errors......
Ben

----- Original Message -----
From: "b"

When DVD disk is inserted, it keeps searching and returns
noPLAY.(snip)

Have you tried opening the unit and cleaning the lens (gently) with
a
q tip and pure alcohol? this solves 99 percent of read errors......
Ben

Thanks Ben,

Yes, have done that rightaway, but made no diff. The unit has seen
very little use - at most a dozen DVD have been played on it.

Rich

"b" wrote in message
om...
"Rich" wrote in message
news:mTk8d.201115$3l3.50730@attbi_s03...
Hi All,

This multiformat DVD,CD Audio, SVCD, etc format, plays all formats
except the proper DVD.

When DVD disk is inserted, it keeps searching and returns noPLAY.(snip)


Have you tried opening the unit and cleaning the lens (gently) with a
q tip and pure alcohol? this solves 99 percent of read errors......
Ben

BULL****. I've been doing this professionally for many years and while
cleaning does often help with cd players, it's MUCH more rare for it to help
on DVD players. The pickups die like flies on dvd's, and that is likely the
OP's problem.

Mark Z.

Hi Mark,

"Mark D. Zacharias" wrote in message

BULL****. I've been doing this professionally for many years and
while
cleaning does often help with cd players, it's MUCH more rare for it
to help
on DVD players. The pickups die like flies on dvd's, and that is
likely the
OP's problem.

If the pickup died, would that not keep any format from playing? In
my case CD's do play fine.

Rich

"Mark D. Zacharias" wrote in message ...
"b" wrote in message
om...
"Rich" wrote in message
news:mTk8d.201115$3l3.50730@attbi_s03...
Hi All,

This multiformat DVD,CD Audio, SVCD, etc format, plays all formats
except the proper DVD.

When DVD disk is inserted, it keeps searching and returns noPLAY.(snip)


Have you tried opening the unit and cleaning the lens (gently) with a
q tip and pure alcohol? this solves 99 percent of read errors......
Ben

BULL****. I've been doing this professionally for many years and while
cleaning does often help with cd players, it's MUCH more rare for it to help
on DVD players. The pickups die like flies on dvd's, and that is likely the
OP's problem.

Mark Z.

Bull****? maybe to you.
In my experience the vast majority of dvds rejecting discs etc can be
repaired through careful cleaning. I've seen only a handful of bad
pickups over the years. So I disagree - it isn't as rare for it to
work as you make out.

So I stand by what I suggested to the OP - It is perfectly possible
that his pickup failed, but what's wrong with cleaning first? Or I
suppose you would immediately replace the pickup, and blow the
expense?

B

"Rich" wrote in message
news:t5S8d.421718$8_6.380913@attbi_s04...
Hi Mark,

"Mark D. Zacharias" wrote in message

BULL****. I've been doing this professionally for many years and
while
cleaning does often help with cd players, it's MUCH more rare for it
to help
on DVD players. The pickups die like flies on dvd's, and that is
likely the
OP's problem.

If the pickup died, would that not keep any format from playing? In
my case CD's do play fine.

Not at all. It's quite common to fail on DVD's and still play CD's. A shame
pickup parts prices are so high while replacement of entire units so low.
Makes go / no-go repair decisions problematical.

Mark Z.

"b" wrote in message
om...
"Mark D. Zacharias" wrote in message
...
"b" wrote in message
om...
"Rich" wrote in message
news:mTk8d.201115$3l3.50730@attbi_s03...
Hi All,

This multiformat DVD,CD Audio, SVCD, etc format, plays all formats
except the proper DVD.

When DVD disk is inserted, it keeps searching and returns
noPLAY.(snip)


Have you tried opening the unit and cleaning the lens (gently) with a
q tip and pure alcohol? this solves 99 percent of read errors......
Ben

BULL****. I've been doing this professionally for many years and while
cleaning does often help with cd players, it's MUCH more rare for it to
help
on DVD players. The pickups die like flies on dvd's, and that is likely
the
OP's problem.

Mark Z.

Bull****? maybe to you.
In my experience the vast majority of dvds rejecting discs etc can be
repaired through careful cleaning. I've seen only a handful of bad
pickups over the years. So I disagree - it isn't as rare for it to
work as you make out.

So I stand by what I suggested to the OP - It is perfectly possible
that his pickup failed, but what's wrong with cleaning first? Or I
suppose you would immediately replace the pickup, and blow the
expense?

B

Definitely my experience with Sony, Pioneer, Onkyo, Denon, Panasonic,
Yamaha, etc. Glad your experience has been more positive. Sorry I was so
bitchy.

Mark Z.

"Mark D. Zacharias" wrote in message ...
"b" wrote in message
om...
"Mark D. Zacharias" wrote in message
...
"b" wrote in message
om...
"Rich" wrote in message
news:mTk8d.201115$3l3.50730@attbi_s03...
Hi All This multiformat DVD,CD Audio, SVCD, etc format, plays all formats except the proper DVD. When DVD disk is inserted, it keeps searching and returns noPLAY.(snip)
Have you tried opening the unit and cleaning the lens (gently) with a
q tip and pure alcohol? this solves 99 percent of read errors......
Ben

BULL****. I've been doing this professionally for many years and while
cleaning does often help with cd players, it's MUCH more rare for it to
help
on DVD players. The pickups die like flies on dvd's, and that is likely
the
OP's problem.
Mark Z.

Bull****? maybe to you.
In my experience the vast majority of dvds rejecting discs etc can be
repaired through careful cleaning. I've seen only a handful of bad
pickups over the years. So I disagree - it isn't as rare for it to
work as you make out.
So I stand by what I suggested to the OP - It is perfectly possible
that his pickup failed, but what's wrong with cleaning first? Or I
suppose you would immediately replace the pickup, and blow the
expense?
B

Definitely my experience with Sony, Pioneer, Onkyo, Denon, Panasonic,
Yamaha, etc. Glad your experience has been more positive. Sorry I was so
bitchy.
Mark Z.

No worries Mark
Ben

Add Apex to that list. My cheapie Apex player developed thermal problems
about a year ago, it would play fine for about an hour, then it would lock
up or start mistracking. I punched a two inch hole in the top and put a
cooling fan in, tapped into the +5 rail to run it. Now it plays on and on.
Kludgey fix, but it works.
Regards,
Tom

Definitely my experience with Sony, Pioneer, Onkyo, Denon, Panasonic,
Yamaha, etc. Glad your experience has been more positive. Sorry I was so
bitchy.
Mark Z.

No worries Mark
Ben

Rich wrote:
Hi All,

This multiformat DVD,CD Audio, SVCD, etc format, plays all formats
except the proper DVD.

When DVD disk is inserted, it keeps searching and returns noPLAY.
Tried several DVD's to make sure.
Tried a VCD and worked fine. Audio CD's play fine too.

The unit is still under Panasonic parts warranty, but the labor may be
more than the cost of new unit.

Anyone seen this happen?

I had the opposite problem on a Magnovox unit. It was intermittant for
about six months before it quit playing CD's, but continued to play DVD's
normally. Eventually even that failed.

Turned out to be (I think) poorly seated ribbon cables...or cleaning. I
don't know which, because I did both operations at one sitting...opened it
up and reseated every ribbon I could find, in addition to cleaning the
lense. Over a year now...no problems whatsoever. Given the intermittant
nature of the symptoms--and the complete alleviation thereof--I lean more
toward the cables being the source; since the environment has not changed at
all.

I also have a very old Magnovox full-sized VHS camcorder (bought used, over
ten years ago) which fails entirely every two or three years. The same
treatment has always restored it's full functionality, although it's in need
of attention again....

jak
Regards,

Rich

So what's the fix for the camcorder?

WT

"jakdedert" wrote in message
t...
Rich wrote:
Hi All,

This multiformat DVD,CD Audio, SVCD, etc format, plays all formats
except the proper DVD.

When DVD disk is inserted, it keeps searching and returns noPLAY.
Tried several DVD's to make sure.
Tried a VCD and worked fine. Audio CD's play fine too.

The unit is still under Panasonic parts warranty, but the labor may be
more than the cost of new unit.

Anyone seen this happen?

I had the opposite problem on a Magnovox unit. It was intermittant for
about six months before it quit playing CD's, but continued to play DVD's
normally. Eventually even that failed.

Turned out to be (I think) poorly seated ribbon cables...or cleaning. I
don't know which, because I did both operations at one sitting...opened it
up and reseated every ribbon I could find, in addition to cleaning the
lense. Over a year now...no problems whatsoever. Given the intermittant
nature of the symptoms--and the complete alleviation thereof--I lean more
toward the cables being the source; since the environment has not changed
at
all.

I also have a very old Magnovox full-sized VHS camcorder (bought used,
over
ten years ago) which fails entirely every two or three years. The same
treatment has always restored it's full functionality, although it's in
need
of attention again....

jak
Regards,

Rich

Wayne Tiffany wrote:
So what's the fix for the camcorder?

Same as the DVD: remove and reseat all the ribbons. I thought I made that
clear....?

I guess not.

jak

WT

"jakdedert" wrote in message
t...
Rich wrote:
Hi All,

This multiformat DVD,CD Audio, SVCD, etc format, plays all formats
except the proper DVD.

When DVD disk is inserted, it keeps searching and returns noPLAY.
Tried several DVD's to make sure.
Tried a VCD and worked fine. Audio CD's play fine too.

The unit is still under Panasonic parts warranty, but the labor may
be more than the cost of new unit.

Anyone seen this happen?

I had the opposite problem on a Magnovox unit. It was intermittant
for about six months before it quit playing CD's, but continued to
play DVD's normally. Eventually even that failed.

Turned out to be (I think) poorly seated ribbon cables...or
cleaning. I don't know which, because I did both operations at one
sitting...opened it up and reseated every ribbon I could find, in
addition to cleaning the lense. Over a year now...no problems
whatsoever. Given the intermittant nature of the symptoms--and the
complete alleviation thereof--I lean more toward the cables being
the source; since the environment has not changed at all.

I also have a very old Magnovox full-sized VHS camcorder (bought
used, over ten years ago) which fails entirely every two or three
years. The same treatment has always restored it's full
functionality, although it's in need of attention again....

jak
Regards,

Rich

Oh, sorry. I read it as the same thing you do to the camcorder each time
fixes it, not that the same thing you do to the DVD player fixes the
camcorder. Thanks.

WT

"jakdedert" wrote in message
...
Wayne Tiffany wrote:
So what's the fix for the camcorder?

Same as the DVD: remove and reseat all the ribbons. I thought I made that
clear....?

I guess not.

jak

WT

"jakdedert" wrote in message
t...
Rich wrote:
Hi All,

This multiformat DVD,CD Audio, SVCD, etc format, plays all formats
except the proper DVD.

When DVD disk is inserted, it keeps searching and returns noPLAY.
Tried several DVD's to make sure.
Tried a VCD and worked fine. Audio CD's play fine too.

The unit is still under Panasonic parts warranty, but the labor may
be more than the cost of new unit.

Anyone seen this happen?

I had the opposite problem on a Magnovox unit. It was intermittant
for about six months before it quit playing CD's, but continued to
play DVD's normally. Eventually even that failed.

Turned out to be (I think) poorly seated ribbon cables...or
cleaning. I don't know which, because I did both operations at one
sitting...opened it up and reseated every ribbon I could find, in
addition to cleaning the lense. Over a year now...no problems
whatsoever. Given the intermittant nature of the symptoms--and the
complete alleviation thereof--I lean more toward the cables being
the source; since the environment has not changed at all.

I also have a very old Magnovox full-sized VHS camcorder (bought
used, over ten years ago) which fails entirely every two or three
years. The same treatment has always restored it's full
functionality, although it's in need of attention again....

jak
Regards,

Rich

Never use alcohol to clean anything.

I work on alot of new DVD players ( store returns ) of all kinds and
maybe 1% work after a lens cleaning .

Having so many on hand i try switching lazor assemblies and that normaly
fixes the problem .. other times its the driver board

"Ken G." wrote in

I work on alot of new DVD players ( store returns ) of all kinds and
maybe 1% work after a lens cleaning .

Having so many on hand i try switching lazor assemblies and that
normaly
fixes the problem .. other times its the driver board

Sounds like contacts on the laser assy plug get some film on them.
Switching them around just rubs off the oxide.

I have never removed the laser assy (not a tech), but don't you have
to align them in any way? I'd be tempted to just pull it out and put
it back in, if that's possible. I'm the OP in this thread.

Regards,

Rich

"Rich" wrote in message
news:9pAad.111410$He1.86498@attbi_s01...

"Ken G." wrote in

I work on alot of new DVD players ( store returns ) of all kinds and
maybe 1% work after a lens cleaning .

Having so many on hand i try switching lazor assemblies and that
normaly
fixes the problem .. other times its the driver board

Sounds like contacts on the laser assy plug get some film on them.
Switching them around just rubs off the oxide.

I have never removed the laser assy (not a tech), but don't you have
to align them in any way? I'd be tempted to just pull it out and put
it back in, if that's possible. I'm the OP in this thread.

Regards,

Rich


If one is just swapping, then normally you'd swap the entire, pre-aligned
mech. Additionally, some newer DVD player have all or mostly software
adjustments, even auto-adjustments.

Mark Z.

Hello
Try this:
-Initialize the player .Method : press and hold PAUSE SKIP/SEARCH
OPEN/CLOSE buttons on the player
-check the laserdrive current .Method:with no disc in the player,press
DISPLAY button on the remote control while pressing PAUSE and
OPEN/CLOSE buttons on the player.If the value is more than 70 (mA)
,replace the optical pickup
I've meet many cases with this problem and after initialize ,80%
work ok,about 20 % require Optical Pickup replace.I thinh this is a
software fault problem !?
Hope this helps.

Vo Hung from Vietnam

You all may know this, but I found that a video camera, like the small PC
camera can see the laser beam very well, when the laser appears off by eye.


"Mark D. Zacharias" wrote in message
...

"Rich" wrote in message
news:9pAad.111410$He1.86498@attbi_s01...

"Ken G." wrote in

I work on alot of new DVD players ( store returns ) of all kinds and
maybe 1% work after a lens cleaning .

Having so many on hand i try switching lazor assemblies and that
normaly
fixes the problem .. other times its the driver board

Sounds like contacts on the laser assy plug get some film on them.
Switching them around just rubs off the oxide.

I have never removed the laser assy (not a tech), but don't you have
to align them in any way? I'd be tempted to just pull it out and put
it back in, if that's possible. I'm the OP in this thread.

Regards,

Rich


If one is just swapping, then normally you'd swap the entire, pre-aligned
mech. Additionally, some newer DVD player have all or mostly software
adjustments, even auto-adjustments.

Mark Z.

Yes, but the mere fact that the laser "lights up" in no way tells if that
pickup is good or bad. Would that it were so.

Mark Z.


"Bradley26" wrote in message
news:v_Dbd.12$mP3.5@trnddc08...
You all may know this, but I found that a video camera, like the small PC
camera can see the laser beam very well, when the laser appears off by
eye.


"Mark D. Zacharias" wrote in message
...

"Rich" wrote in message
news:9pAad.111410$He1.86498@attbi_s01...

"Ken G." wrote in

I work on alot of new DVD players ( store returns ) of all kinds and
maybe 1% work after a lens cleaning .

Having so many on hand i try switching lazor assemblies and that
normaly
fixes the problem .. other times its the driver board

Sounds like contacts on the laser assy plug get some film on them.
Switching them around just rubs off the oxide.

I have never removed the laser assy (not a tech), but don't you have
to align them in any way? I'd be tempted to just pull it out and put
it back in, if that's possible. I'm the OP in this thread.

Regards,

Rich


If one is just swapping, then normally you'd swap the entire, pre-aligned
mech. Additionally, some newer DVD player have all or mostly software
adjustments, even auto-adjustments.

Mark Z.