Weird Problem

[Sakuya]

I have burned lots of DVD-Rs and they all work on my region-free DVD player. Just a while ago, it was playing fine. Then I turned off the player (with the disc still inside) to eat dinner. I'd say it was for at least 20 minutes. I then turned the player back on and pressed play. But the DVD player would not play it. After numerous efforts, a message appeared on the TV screen. I went to my manual and the message meant that my disc is dirty. I wiped it with a CD cleaning cloth and it still won't play.

I put my DVD-R in my other DVD player and it plays fine. Could it be the DVD player got too hot? It's never done this before. I've tested most of my DVD-Rs and they won't play in the region-free player. I put in an official R1 DVD and it plays immediately. What's the problem? Maybe if I cool it down and play it tomorrow, it will work again?

[Tommyknocker]

You didn't label any, didja?

[Sakuya]

Nope, I don't label. But I did write on the disc surface (top side) with a black Sharpie. That won't harm it right? Because Sharpies are the only pens I can write onto discs that won't rub off.

[Tommyknocker]

It depends. You may want to make a DVD without labeling it with a Sharpie. Just to make sure your questionable player doesn't like any markings before it plays without fault.

[Sakuya]

If I don't write with a Sharpie, how will I till the difference? Just a side note, my DVD player is from Sony and was bought probably before all the CD-R and DVD-R hype. In the manual, it says it can only play DVDs, CDs, and VCDs. It makes no mention of recordable data.

I have tried in the past and it doesn't play CD-Rs, non-standard VCDs and it can only play DVD-Rs with sound if it has AC3. But now, it's not working. I think most of my DVD-Rs have been there for months and right now, most of them aren't working (and some are). Should I contact the company?

[Tommyknocker]

Do commercial ones play okay? And since DVD players are so inexpensive these days, they are hardly worth repairing. Go ahead and call the company anyway, it may be something no one here has thought of.

[Sakuya]

Yes, all the commercial ones play ok. This is my DVD player's status:

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDname=Sony+DVP-K880D&Submit=Search&Search=Se...=&orderby=Name