This is the first & only one I've ever had. Zenith - about 6 years old -- so DK how to diagnose: Fix or dump?

It won't load DVDs. Either door OPENS or it says CHECK DISK. Tried this with a variety of discs to rule out disc problem.

The weird part is that at the outset of the "attack", it WOULD sometimes play, but mostly not.

Questions:

1. What's causing this?

2. Worth fixing?

3. Potential cost?

4. Recommendations in case I have to dump

Your experience appreciated!!!

HB

On Tuesday, August 5, 2014 11:59:14 AM UTC-4, Higgs Boson wrote:
This is the first & only one I've ever had. Zenith - about 6 years old -- so DK how to diagnose: Fix or dump?



It won't load DVDs. Either door OPENS or it says CHECK DISK. Tried this with a variety of discs to rule out disc problem.



The weird part is that at the outset of the "attack", it WOULD sometimes play, but mostly not.



Questions:



1. What's causing this?



2. Worth fixing?



3. Potential cost?



4. Recommendations in case I have to dump



Your experience appreciated!!!



HB

it's broke, not worth fixing. Get a bluray player.

Higgs Boson wrote:
This is the first & only one I've ever had. Zenith - about 6 years old -- so DK how to diagnose: Fix or dump?

It won't load DVDs. Either door OPENS or it says CHECK DISK. Tried this with a variety of discs to rule out disc problem.

The weird part is that at the outset of the "attack", it WOULD sometimes play, but mostly not.

Questions:

1. What's causing this?

2. Worth fixing?

3. Potential cost?

4. Recommendations in case I have to dump

Your experience appreciated!!!

HB

Hmmm,
If you have time to fiddle with it, one thing you can try is, open it
up and clean the head(laser emitter and lens) which may be dirty.
Otherwise time to get new one. DVD players are dirt cheap these days.
I have couple BD player writer.

Higgs Boson writes:
This is the first & only one I've ever had. Zenith - about 6 years old -- so DK how to diagnose: Fix or dump?

It won't load DVDs. Either door OPENS or it says CHECK DISK. Tried this with a variety of discs to rule out disc problem.

The weird part is that at the outset of the "attack", it WOULD sometimes play, but mostly not.

Questions:

1. What's causing this?

- Lens is dirty
- Lens head assembly needs lubrication
- Mechanical issues with tracking independent of the first two possibilities.

Higgs Boson wrote:

2. Worth fixing?

3. Potential cost?

Nave you tried one of the cleaner DVDs? It's a set of small brushes on a
disc that clean the laser lens. I thoink they're 5 or 10 bucks.

4. Recommendations in case I have to dump

Do NOT buy a Capello. When my GoVideo started to act up I went to Target to
get a new player. I only wanted a plain vanilla and there were several on
offer. Out of the box the Capello sounded like a cement mixer, skips
randomly, and often becomes completely lost looking for the next episode or
the menu.

Ran the cleaner through the GoVideo and it works a lot better.

On Tue, 5 Aug 2014 08:59:14 -0700 (PDT), Higgs Boson
wrote:

This is the first & only one I've ever had. Zenith - about 6 years old -- so DK how to diagnose: Fix or dump?

It won't load DVDs. Either door OPENS or it says CHECK DISK. Tried this with a variety of discs to rule out disc problem.

The weird part is that at the outset of the "attack", it WOULD sometimes play, but mostly not.

Questions:

1. What's causing this?

2. Worth fixing?

3. Potential cost?

4. Recommendations in case I have to dump

Your experience appreciated!!!

HB

Is this a player drive in the computer or a stand alone for the
television? Buy a new one and replace the one you have with a newer
one.

On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 2:09:56 AM UTC-5, Oren wrote:
On Tue, 5 Aug 2014 08:59:14 -0700 (PDT), Higgs Boson

wrote:



This is the first & only one I've ever had. Zenith - about 6 years old -- so DK how to diagnose: Fix or dump?



It won't load DVDs. Either door OPENS or it says CHECK DISK. Tried this with a variety of discs to rule out disc problem.



The weird part is that at the outset of the "attack", it WOULD sometimes play, but mostly not.



Questions:



1. What's causing this?



2. Worth fixing?



3. Potential cost?



4. Recommendations in case I have to dump



Your experience appreciated!!!



HB



Is this a player drive in the computer or a stand alone for the

television? Buy a new one and replace the one you have with a newer

one.

Seriously, an internal "Zenith" drive?

On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 12:09:56 AM UTC-7, Oren wrote:
On Tue, 5 Aug 2014 08:59:14 -0700 (PDT), Higgs Boson


Is this a player drive in the computer or a stand alone for the

television? Buy a new one and replace the one you have with a newer one.

Stand alone for TV. Now shopping for new one. I don't mind paying more for Blu Ray if it's worth it to me. Note: Store said new ones mostly Blu Ray now. T/F?

I don't buy DVDs. I get RED ENVELOPES -- NOT STREAMING - from Netflix, plus public library DVDs.

So what would Blu Ray do for me? Would I get better watching quality from ordinary DVDs? This is all big mystery to me.

Netflix says they have 1000 Blu Ray & getting more, but I suspect mostly contemporary American discs. I watch mostly foreign and indie. Is it worth the extra few $ or am I splitting hairs?

TIA

HB

On Wed, 6 Aug 2014 13:35:45 -0700 (PDT), Higgs Boson
wrote:

On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 12:09:56 AM UTC-7, Oren wrote:
On Tue, 5 Aug 2014 08:59:14 -0700 (PDT), Higgs Boson


Is this a player drive in the computer or a stand alone for the

television? Buy a new one and replace the one you have with a newer one.

Stand alone for TV. Now shopping for new one. I don't mind paying more for Blu Ray if it's worth it to me. Note: Store said new ones mostly Blu Ray now. T/F?

I don't buy DVDs. I get RED ENVELOPES -- NOT STREAMING - from Netflix, plus public library DVDs.

So what would Blu Ray do for me? Would I get better watching quality from ordinary DVDs? This is all big mystery to me.


That would depend on your television. IIRC BLU Ray is 1080p - not
1080i. I believe the BR is backwards compatible for other DVDs.

Netflix says they have 1000 Blu Ray & getting more, but I suspect mostly contemporary American discs. I watch mostly foreign and indie. Is it worth the extra few $ or am I splitting hairs?

On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 5:19:26 PM UTC-4, Oren wrote:
On Wed, 6 Aug 2014 13:35:45 -0700 (PDT), Higgs Boson

wrote:



On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 12:09:56 AM UTC-7, Oren wrote:

On Tue, 5 Aug 2014 08:59:14 -0700 (PDT), Higgs Boson





Is this a player drive in the computer or a stand alone for the



television? Buy a new one and replace the one you have with a newer one.



Stand alone for TV. Now shopping for new one. I don't mind paying more for Blu Ray if it's worth it to me. Note: Store said new ones mostly Blu Ray now. T/F?



I don't buy DVDs. I get RED ENVELOPES -- NOT STREAMING - from Netflix, plus public library DVDs.



So what would Blu Ray do for me? Would I get better watching quality from ordinary DVDs? This is all big mystery to me.





That would depend on your television. IIRC BLU Ray is 1080p - not

1080i. I believe the BR is backwards compatible for other DVDs.



Agree. BR is 1080p. Regular DVD is 480P. If the TV is capable of
1080, I would definitely get a BR player. Even if it's not, I'd get
a new HDTV and a BR player. Compared to std TV, HD is a huge step up
for watching either DVDs or OTA TV. And just from the player standpoint,
I'll bet they aren't selling many std DVD players anymore. The price
of BR has been below $100 now for a long time.

On Thu, 7 Aug 2014 07:48:47 -0700 (PDT), trader_4
wrote:

That would depend on your television. IIRC BLU Ray is 1080p - not

1080i. I believe the BR is backwards compatible for other DVDs.



Agree. BR is 1080p. Regular DVD is 480P. If the TV is capable of
1080, I would definitely get a BR player. Even if it's not, I'd get
a new HDTV and a BR player. Compared to std TV, HD is a huge step up
for watching either DVDs or OTA TV. And just from the player standpoint,
I'll bet they aren't selling many std DVD players anymore. The price
of BR has been below $100 now for a long time.

Our HDTV is 1080i, with a BR DVD (wife bought it). Really can't take
advantage of the 1080p, though. I don't think we've every put a BR
disc in it.

| So what would Blu Ray do for me? Would I get better watching quality from
ordinary DVDs? This is all big mystery to me.
|

The last DVD player I bought was $40 for Samsung,
at Best Buy. At that price it's not worth bothering
with trying to fix an old one.

Whether to get BR is a matter of personal preference.
I won't buy one until they're dirt cheap. I don't see
the point. But in the next few years having BR may
provide more options. My local library already has a
fair number of BR DVDs. So if the cost isn't too much
more than the cost of a DVD player then it might be
worthwhile.

We have a CRT TV and a Samsung flat screen.
Frankly, I don't see a difference. Probably I would
if they were put next to each other, but as long as
the picture is decent it doesn't really matter to me.
What I'm watching is far more important than having
a super-detailed image. If you get BR and have a
HD TV then presumably you'll get a better picture
than with plain DVD. If that matters to you then you
might want to go see a demo, so you can know
exactly how different it is.

I remember going to see the movie Avatar when it
first came out. It was billed as an amazing feat of
special effects. I thought it was a very stupid movie.
Juvenile and poorly acted. Suitable as Saturday morning
cartoons for kids. What also struck me was that the 3D
detracted from the experience. I quickly realized that
one's mind fills in the details easily, while watching "3D"
is actually seeing a normal (3D) background with just one
item appearing to be in a closer plane. It's distracting.
We see 3D in a movie just fine without needing the
distracting gimmicks. To me the constant marketing of
fancier TVs is the same situation: It's fine if the picture is
a little more clear, but I'm much more concerned that
what's on the TV be worth my time in the first place.

On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 6:26:41 PM UTC-7, Mayayana wrote:
| So what would Blu Ray do for me? Would I get better watching quality from

ordinary DVDs? This is all big mystery to me.

[...]

We have a CRT TV and a Samsung flat screen. Frankly, I don't see a difference. Probably I would if they were put next to each other, but as long as
the picture is decent it doesn't really matter to me.

What I'm watching is far more important than having

a super-detailed image. If you get BR and have a

HD TV then presumably you'll get a better picture

than with plain DVD. If that matters to you then you

might want to go see a demo, so you can know

exactly how different it is.



I remember going to see the movie Avatar when it

first came out. It was billed as an amazing feat of

special effects. I thought it was a very stupid movie.

Juvenile and poorly acted. Suitable as Saturday morning

cartoons for kids. What also struck me was that the 3D

detracted from the experience. I quickly realized that

one's mind fills in the details easily, while watching "3D"

is actually seeing a normal (3D) background with just one

item appearing to be in a closer plane. It's distracting.

We see 3D in a movie just fine without needing the

distracting gimmicks. To me the constant marketing of

fancier TVs is the same situation: It's fine if the picture is

a little more clear, but I'm much more concerned that

what's on the TV be worth my time in the first place.

Shocking! You don't appreciate the finest contemporary ****H'wd can deliver?

You don't resonate to the sound of gunfire and the squish of knives going in?

Your heart doesn't go pitter-pat at the (CGI) sequences of heroes leaping vast gulfs unscathed.

You're not tuned into the latest in racial equality where the villains are ferocious black men with teeth bared?

You presume to put yourself above product churned out for the 13-24 year-old male demographic!

Next thing we know, you'll be demanding a STORY to accompany, or underlie, the spectacular special effects!

Un-American, I calls it!

HB

| Next thing we know, you'll be demanding a STORY to accompany, or underlie,
the spectacular special effects!
|

Netflix has spoiled me. But who knows... maybe
I'd appreciate all the special effects more if I got
some new glasses.

On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 8:26:41 PM UTC-5, Mayayana wrote:

We have a CRT TV and a Samsung flat screen.

Frankly, I don't see a difference. Probably I would

if they were put next to each other, but as long as

the picture is decent it doesn't really matter to me.

What I'm watching is far more important than having

a super-detailed image. If you get BR and have a

HD TV then presumably you'll get a better picture

than with plain DVD. If that matters to you then you

might want to go see a demo, so you can know

exactly how different it is.



I remember going to see the movie Avatar when it

first came out. It was billed as an amazing feat of

special effects. I thought it was a very stupid movie.

Juvenile and poorly acted. Suitable as Saturday morning

cartoons for kids. What also struck me was that the 3D

detracted from the experience. I quickly realized that

one's mind fills in the details easily, while watching "3D"

is actually seeing a normal (3D) background with just one

item appearing to be in a closer plane. It's distracting.

We see 3D in a movie just fine without needing the

distracting gimmicks. To me the constant marketing of

fancier TVs is the same situation: It's fine if the picture is

a little more clear, but I'm much more concerned that

what's on the TV be worth my time in the first place.

It sounds like nothing gives you excitement! There is a gigantic difference in in old technology TV's and HD TV! And 3-D isn't just 2 levels of perceived depth either.
I know what you're saying about content and story lines lacking...but the technology is amazing!

On 8/6/2014 4:35 PM, Higgs Boson wrote:
On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 12:09:56 AM UTC-7, Oren wrote:
On Tue, 5 Aug 2014 08:59:14 -0700 (PDT), Higgs Boson


Is this a player drive in the computer or a stand alone for the

television? Buy a new one and replace the one you have with a newer
one.

Stand alone for TV. Now shopping for new one. I don't mind paying
more for Blu Ray if it's worth it to me. Note: Store said new ones
mostly Blu Ray now. T/F?

I don't buy DVDs. I get RED ENVELOPES -- NOT STREAMING - from
Netflix, plus public library DVDs.

So what would Blu Ray do for me? Would I get better watching quality
from ordinary DVDs? This is all big mystery to me.

Netflix says they have 1000 Blu Ray & getting more, but I suspect
mostly contemporary American discs. I watch mostly foreign and
indie. Is it worth the extra few $ or am I splitting hairs?

TIA

HB



No simple answer to most of your questions. The exception: a Blue Ray
player will NOT generally improve the viewing quality of standard DVDs.
Of course, if you're watching on a 720 TV, or a screen smaller than
about 40", you probably won't notice the improvement from standard to BR
(or from a standard DVD player that has upscaling technology). Answers
to your other questions depend upon (1) the size of your TV screen, (2)
how close you sit to your screen, (3) your visual acuity, and (4) your
personal fussiness at how much perceived screen resolution you need to
be satisfied with an image. I recommend that you go to a store that
will give you a demo of an A-B-C comparison of the same movie played on
the same size TV you have at home, watching at the same distance,
comparing standard DVD without upscaling, standard DVD with upscaling,
and the BR version of the movie played on a BR player. Get the cheapest
solution that satisfies you.

On Thursday, August 7, 2014 8:44:53 AM UTC-5, Peter wrote:

Of course, if you're watching on a 720 TV, or a screen smaller than

about 40", you probably won't notice the improvement from standard to BR


Totally disagree with your statement...huge difference! Now, I have a 720p and a 1080p TV and would challenge someone to tell the difference!

BenDarrenBach wrote:
On Thursday, August 7, 2014 8:44:53 AM UTC-5, Peter wrote:

Of course, if you're watching on a 720 TV, or a screen smaller than

about 40", you probably won't notice the improvement from standard to BR


Totally disagree with your statement...huge difference! Now, I have a 720p and a 1080p TV and would challenge someone to tell the difference!

+1, maybe he did not really watch BD 3d w/o glases at full 1080P not
1080i. 720P can be OK with smaller sets.

On 8/7/2014 11:49 AM, BenDarrenBach wrote:
On Thursday, August 7, 2014 8:44:53 AM UTC-5, Peter wrote:

Of course, if you're watching on a 720 TV, or a screen smaller
than

about 40", you probably won't notice the improvement from standard
to BR


Totally disagree with your statement...huge difference! Now, I have a
720p and a 1080p TV and would challenge someone to tell the
difference!


Huh? You totally disagree with my statement that with a HDTV smaller
than about 40", the increased quality of 1080 over 720 resolution might
be essentially imperceptible. Yet you follow that with your statement,
"I have a 720p and a 1080p TV and would challenge someone to tell the
difference!" which seems to support my opinion. Am I misinterpreting
your closing statement? Are both of your TVs the same size screen, both
smaller than 42", and calibrated (with a calibration disc, not just by
eye) to the same level of brightness, contrast, sharpness, alpha, etc?
If not, you're comparing apples to oranges.

On Thursday, August 7, 2014 9:44:53 AM UTC-4, Peter wrote:
On 8/6/2014 4:35 PM, Higgs Boson wrote:

On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 12:09:56 AM UTC-7, Oren wrote:

On Tue, 5 Aug 2014 08:59:14 -0700 (PDT), Higgs Boson





Is this a player drive in the computer or a stand alone for the



television? Buy a new one and replace the one you have with a newer

one.



Stand alone for TV. Now shopping for new one. I don't mind paying

more for Blu Ray if it's worth it to me. Note: Store said new ones

mostly Blu Ray now. T/F?



I don't buy DVDs. I get RED ENVELOPES -- NOT STREAMING - from

Netflix, plus public library DVDs.



So what would Blu Ray do for me? Would I get better watching quality

from ordinary DVDs? This is all big mystery to me.



Netflix says they have 1000 Blu Ray & getting more, but I suspect

mostly contemporary American discs. I watch mostly foreign and

indie. Is it worth the extra few $ or am I splitting hairs?



TIA



HB







No simple answer to most of your questions. The exception: a Blue Ray

player will NOT generally improve the viewing quality of standard DVDs.

Of course, if you're watching on a 720 TV, or a screen smaller than

about 40", you probably won't notice the improvement from standard to BR

(or from a standard DVD player that has upscaling technology). Answers

to your other questions depend upon (1) the size of your TV screen, (2)

how close you sit to your screen, (3) your visual acuity, and (4) your

personal fussiness at how much perceived screen resolution you need to

be satisfied with an image. I recommend that you go to a store that

will give you a demo of an A-B-C comparison of the same movie played on

the same size TV you have at home, watching at the same distance,

comparing standard DVD without upscaling, standard DVD with upscaling,

and the BR version of the movie played on a BR player. Get the cheapest

solution that satisfies you.

That should be special. Go to a store and have them set up a big
special demo for you so you can decide whether to buy the old DVD player
for $30 that hardly anyone buys anymore, or a blue ray, for maybe $10 more.
I'm sure the stores where you shop must be happy to see you.

BTW, for the extra $10 or $20 you also get other features, like built-in
ethernet connectivity so you can stream movies.

On Thu, 7 Aug 2014 09:22:03 -0700 (PDT), trader_4
wrote:

No simple answer to most of your questions. The exception: a Blue Ray

player will NOT generally improve the viewing quality of standard DVDs.

Of course, if you're watching on a 720 TV, or a screen smaller than

about 40", you probably won't notice the improvement from standard to BR

(or from a standard DVD player that has upscaling technology). Answers

to your other questions depend upon (1) the size of your TV screen, (2)

how close you sit to your screen, (3) your visual acuity, and (4) your

personal fussiness at how much perceived screen resolution you need to

be satisfied with an image. I recommend that you go to a store that

will give you a demo of an A-B-C comparison of the same movie played on

the same size TV you have at home, watching at the same distance,

comparing standard DVD without upscaling, standard DVD with upscaling,

and the BR version of the movie played on a BR player. Get the cheapest

solution that satisfies you.

That should be special. Go to a store and have them set up a big
special demo for you so you can decide whether to buy the old DVD player
for $30 that hardly anyone buys anymore, or a blue ray, for maybe $10 more.
I'm sure the stores where you shop must be happy to see you.

BTW, for the extra $10 or $20 you also get other features, like built-in
ethernet connectivity so you can stream movies.

.... maybe they will change out the ceiling lighting too. Many stores
have florescent tube lights. Not the same experience you would have in
your home

trader_4 wrote:
On Thursday, August 7, 2014 9:44:53 AM UTC-4, Peter wrote:
On 8/6/2014 4:35 PM, Higgs Boson wrote:

On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 12:09:56 AM UTC-7, Oren wrote:

On Tue, 5 Aug 2014 08:59:14 -0700 (PDT), Higgs Boson





Is this a player drive in the computer or a stand alone for the



television? Buy a new one and replace the one you have with a newer

one.



Stand alone for TV. Now shopping for new one. I don't mind paying

more for Blu Ray if it's worth it to me. Note: Store said new ones

mostly Blu Ray now. T/F?



I don't buy DVDs. I get RED ENVELOPES -- NOT STREAMING - from

Netflix, plus public library DVDs.



So what would Blu Ray do for me? Would I get better watching quality

from ordinary DVDs? This is all big mystery to me.



Netflix says they have 1000 Blu Ray & getting more, but I suspect

mostly contemporary American discs. I watch mostly foreign and

indie. Is it worth the extra few $ or am I splitting hairs?



TIA



HB







No simple answer to most of your questions. The exception: a Blue Ray

player will NOT generally improve the viewing quality of standard DVDs.

Of course, if you're watching on a 720 TV, or a screen smaller than

about 40", you probably won't notice the improvement from standard to BR

(or from a standard DVD player that has upscaling technology). Answers

to your other questions depend upon (1) the size of your TV screen, (2)

how close you sit to your screen, (3) your visual acuity, and (4) your

personal fussiness at how much perceived screen resolution you need to

be satisfied with an image. I recommend that you go to a store that

will give you a demo of an A-B-C comparison of the same movie played on

the same size TV you have at home, watching at the same distance,

comparing standard DVD without upscaling, standard DVD with upscaling,

and the BR version of the movie played on a BR player. Get the cheapest

solution that satisfies you.

That should be special. Go to a store and have them set up a big
special demo for you so you can decide whether to buy the old DVD player
for $30 that hardly anyone buys anymore, or a blue ray, for maybe $10 more.
I'm sure the stores where you shop must be happy to see you.

BTW, for the extra $10 or $20 you also get other features, like built-in
ethernet connectivity so you can stream movies.

Hi,
BD reader writer with up conversion to 1080P is handy. Also when using
BD to store data it has more capacity. I have BD reader/writer on desk
top PC and laptop. Smart BD player on HT.

trader_4 wrote:
On Thursday, August 7, 2014 9:44:53 AM UTC-4, Peter wrote:
On 8/6/2014 4:35 PM, Higgs Boson wrote:


That should be special. Go to a store and have them set
up a big
special demo for you so you can decide whether to buy the
old DVD
player for $30 that hardly anyone buys anymore, or a blue
ray, for
maybe $10 more. I'm sure the stores where you shop must be
happy to
see you.

BTW, for the extra $10 or $20 you also get other features,
like
built-in ethernet connectivity so you can stream movies.

If he has an HD TV he should get a Blu-Ray, but I would
suggest getting a Philips.
I've used Philips TVs and DVD/BR for several years and they
will play anything that you throw at it.
MP3, MP4, DIVX or just about any "common" video or audio
files. Last Smart BR I bought was on deals.woot.com for 35
bucks.
Shop around and you can find them cheap, but Philips plays
more formats than just about any player out there.