Toshiba HD-A2 pausing during play...advice needed.

[Puppets86]

My HD-A2 has recently started pausing while watching a movie. The first time it did it, I didn't think much of it, as I figured it was a scratch or something in the Netflix disc. It has done it the last 3 times we have watched a movie. These have all been Netflix movies, so just to remove all doubt, I put in a movie we own, and it still did it. It will pause, and obviously freeze frame, and then it will stay paused for a good 10 seconds, and then resume playing. It will play for a minute or two, then do it again. Of course, after a few times, I put in our older Denon and watch it. I updated the software this morning, hoping it would maybe resolve whatever it is, but it didn't. Anyone else have this problem, or any suggestions? I'm thinking I'll have to send it to Toshiba. I bought it in November of '07, so it's past the "take back to the store" period, but must still be under warranty. I'll have to dig up the warranty. Hoping someone here has an idea. Oh, and these have all been standard definition discs, for whatever it's worth. I tried one of the HD discs(The Italian Job) that I got with the player, and I played that for a good 15 minutes without a hitch, but I doubt it can be related to just standard dics, but thought I'd throw that in.Thanks!

[videopoo]

The players probably taking a dump. Mine did as well. Toshiba does not support any players anymore. Just buy another on Ebay.

[Ai Haibara]

If it plays DVDs, does it have a problem with those?

Also, if the player sees frequent use, it could need cleaning (the lens or otherwise).

[jman98]

The player may be going bad. The laser for DVDs is different than the one for HD DVDs, so your problem may be there. In rare cases, cleaning the lens MAY fix such problems, but most of the time this type of issue requires either a replacement or a repair. A repair usually costs as much or more as just buying another.

Prices on this model aren't too bad on Ebay. I'm a little surprised because this model was selling for over $300 just a few months ago. This model can be hacked to go into region free mode, hence the interest, but there's a catch - it CANNOT convert PAL to NTSC or vice-versa so whatever format the DVD is in is what it displays it as after the hack.
The hack requires hacked firmware to be installed. A web search should provide the details to interested parties.

[Puppets86]

The player may be going bad. The laser for DVDs is different than the one for HD DVDs, so your problem may be there. In rare cases, cleaning the lens MAY fix such problems, but most of the time this type of issue requires either a replacement or a repair.

Thanks, I'll try cleaning it. It hasn't been used that much, that's what bugs me. I bought it in november for 84.99 at a Walmart black monday sale.

[Puppets86]

The player may be going bad. The laser for DVDs is different than the one for HD DVDs, so your problem may be there.

Another question.........does the same laser read cd's also? Reason I ask is worse comes to worse, it can just be a cd player. Just got a brand new Oppo dvd player, but I hate for it to just go to waste. What's the best way to clean it.....take the cover off, and do it manually???? I've heard denatured alcohol and a q tip, but never done it, so don't know. Thanks!

[samijubal]

Alcohol and a q-tip is fine. Just don't leave any lint from the q-tip behind. The same laser is used for everything, and wavelength is changed is all.

[Puppets86]

Ended up calling Toshiba, and they asked me to fax them a copy of the receipt, and they documented the problem I described, and told me to call them in 24 hours, which I did, and they are exchanging it, maybe even with a new one, but likely refurbished,and all I had to pay for was the shipping to them, which was $13.00. Not too shabby!