I have a Philips Home Theater unit (basically a DVD player, amplifier setup) MX 3550D.

We've had intermittent problems with scenes stalling, maybe freezing the unit, and has gotten worse to where we're lucky to play brand new DVD's in it.

Tried a lens cleaner, but that didn't work.

Used a canned air blast to try to knock dust from the lens area (not a direct blast)

But I can hear it grinding around, before it freezes up (bad enough to where the eject doesn't work, and power off works after several seconds)

I'd like to replace the DVD pickup assembly, and am wondering where I might find one.

My wife says to just buy another one (she watches dvd's more than I do), but being unemployed, and this being an amplifier too (only apparently sold with another set of speakers, $300-400, etc) I don't think it's going to be worth buying another one. I've fixed VCR's monitors, copiers, printers, computers, etc. So I'm not worried about diving into this.

Anybody know what other tests I can do? Or should I try cleaning the lens? I have some swab sticks to reach into small spaces. I have some audio/video head cleaner, but I think it's more for VCR's and tape units, and am afraid it might damage a laser pickup lens.


Justin

Have you contacted any Philips parts ditributor to see if any parts are
available yet. I think Tritronics does Philips. The part you need is
the entire DVD servo mechanism. Part is NLA, when it was available it
was $215. Does this answer the question?

Vance Baldwin shows Philips number 996500015489 is a substitute for the
original number, and it is available. I think it was about $208. It's
www.vancebaldwin.com.

Doug

Doug, thanks for the reference. I didn't know of any Philips parts distributors. Geez, that's fairly expensive considering the newer cheap Home Theater in a Box prices these days. I'd hate to junk this because of that. But maybe I need to learn the lesson and stay away from Philips equipment, and be willing to pay a bit more for equipment, eh? :-)

Again, thanks Doug.

Doug, I just did a quick search on that part number on Google, and it appears to come up with a CD laser pickup, not DVD.

FIY

Justin

My apologies Doug. I did further searching and it's a part replacement for a MX3800 which appears to be a foreign version, less wattage, but same physical layout. Looks like 125 euros.

Justin

It is NLA as of Jan 1, 2005 from Philips. A couple of parts
distributors may still have one in stock. Philips may have a newer sub
for it yet, but we do not show the information.

In reality though, is the device worth the cost? $208 plus shipping?

It's not looking like it... :-(

Thanks,

Justin

Take advantage of this opportunity and get into another brand. Almost
anything would be better. Never buy Philips again. Seriously. Their
low-to-mid stuff is the worst.

At this time Pioneer dvd players seems to hold up the best.

Most people find surround receivers from Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, and possibly
Rotel are about the best.

Mark Z.


"jmasters" wrote in message
...

I have a Philips Home Theater unit (basically a DVD player, amplifier
setup) MX 3550D.

We've had intermittent problems with scenes stalling, maybe freezing
the unit, and has gotten worse to where we're lucky to play brand new
DVD's in it.

Tried a lens cleaner, but that didn't work.

Used a canned air blast to try to knock dust from the lens area (not a
direct blast)

But I can hear it grinding around, before it freezes up (bad enough to
where the eject doesn't work, and power off works after several
seconds)

I'd like to replace the DVD pickup assembly, and am wondering where I
might find one.

My wife says to just buy another one (she watches dvd's more than I
do), but being unemployed, and this being an amplifier too (only
apparently sold with another set of speakers, $300-400, etc) I don't
think it's going to be worth buying another one. I've fixed VCR's
monitors, copiers, printers, computers, etc. So I'm not worried about
diving into this.

Anybody know what other tests I can do? Or should I try cleaning the
lens? I have some swab sticks to reach into small spaces. I have some
audio/video head cleaner, but I think it's more for VCR's and tape
units, and am afraid it might damage a laser pickup lens.


Justin


--
jmasters

Thanks Mark for the info! It's looking like it's shopping time. I'm going to take one more crack at cleaning the lens with an alcohol based solution and see what I can get from it. Since I'm just starting work again, we're allocating funds for more important priorities right now.

Justin