Weak laser?

[scpals]

My 6 yr old Panasonic DVD-A110 plays bought DVD's well,but has started to skip,hang up and stop on the one's I make.

My other (newer) Players will play any/all well.

I think the laser is starting to go.I've tried the laser clearers,but no joy.

What is the average life of a DVD Laser?

Thanks

\scpals

[flaninacupboard]

tough question to anwer. it's not neccesarily the laser, but assuming it's seen regular/daily use then 6 years is an ok vintage. they don't make em like they used to

[overloaded_ide]

but assuming it's seen regular/daily use then 6 years is an ok vintage. they don't make em like they used to

Hmm, not like they used too? How much longer than 6 years have DVD players or burners been around?

Kinda joking kinda serious here. I didn't think they were out all that long really.

[flaninacupboard]

well dvd players have existed since '97. really i'm on about any optical disc system. a cd player bought in 1990 probably still works today, but one bought in 2000 will be a tenth the price and only live 18 months. similarly i have a laserdisc player born in 1994 still going strong, and i'm on my third dvd player already.

[redwudz]

The laser isn't the only thing that can wear out in a player. The positioning system for the laser, the electronics in the tracking mechanism. Burned DVD's are harder for the system to track than pressed commercial discs. Try a thorough laser cleaning. Maybe partial disassembly to get to the internals, but be ready to get a replacement machine. The replacement cost for a laser reading head is not worth it. There probably are repair companies that can check the laser output, but most likely you could buy a new player for less.

EDIT: Info from this DVD laser diode site claims about 10,000 hours to failure for their product.
http://www.rohm.com/products/news/20laser/dvd.html