DVD Player Plays DL DVDs Occasionally (Previously No Problems)

[LiCal]

A few weeks back, my DVD player JVC XV-N320 (2-3 years old) has started to give me some problems.

It would still play MP3/ SL DVD/ VCD Ok no problems; soon those are inserted.

However, DL DVDs are problematic; the most troubling and time wasting is that it occasionally would play with no problems, but most of the times it would need persistent trying/time wasting efforts or giving up for the day or few days.

Wondering what makes it becoming selectively playing the DL DVDs? dirty lens? Software problems?
how to reset it back to Factory original?

[musr139]

A few weeks back, my DVD player JVC XV-N320 (2-3 years old) has started to give me some problems.

It would still play MP3/ SL DVD/ VCD Ok no problems; soon those are inserted.

However, DL DVDs are problematic; the most troubling and time wasting is that it occasionally would play with no problems, but most of the times it would need persistent trying/time wasting efforts or giving up for the day or few days.

Wondering what makes it becoming selectively playing the DL DVDs? dirty lens? Software problems?
how to reset it back to Factory original?

Is this DL DVD disk that you created or Original DL Movie disk that you buy from stores?
In any case, it may be worth to clean the lense.

You can buy "DVD Disc Cleaning Kit" from Cicuit city/Best buy/Target/Office Depot/
I bought one by MEMOREX and I cleaned my 8 years old SONY Player.
Then it started to work again. Before cleaning some of the SL Discs stopped playing.
It is about $10 or so. Try this.

[LiCal]

just wondering what a dvd player seeks from the disc initially to decide on the actions?

This player seems having problems recognizing most of the DVDs ; but no problem picking out to play Audio CD; MP3; Video CD.

I used a Recoton laser-matic len cleaner: a CD with a small brush, but had no effects.

[Krispy Kritter]

Sounds like a failing laser. You could try manually cleaning the lense using a Q-Tip and some alcohol. Aside from that, it is most likely much cheaper to replace than have it repaired (unless it's under warranty).

[jman98]

LiCal - After 2-3 years, your player has probably reached the end of its lifespan. Bluntly, almost nobody makes DVD players to last. To keep prices down, most manufacturers use really cheap components that aren't built to last. Also, the pressure for thin models means there are no cooling fans and I have seen what heat damage can do to an improperly cooled DVD player. Basically you have to put plenty of open space around today's models of DVD players for them to cool.

Players are meant to be thrown away when they start to fail. You can try KrispyKritter's cleaning suggestion and maybe you will get lucky, but it's probably time to just buy a new player.

[redwudz]

LiCal, just to add, a CD uses a different laser than for DVD playback. I would try the cleaning as advised, but it may be the player is due to be replaced.

[LiCal]

Thanks for the replies.

After Q-tipping with Alcohol, blowing dry and then to let it sit for a few hours to run an errand. Coming home with a long stiff bristle brush (the lens sit underneath a cover that was hard to reach) to do the final cleaning that maybe has finally pushed away the dirt that was blocking the transmission, the DVD player finally is now back to life. Having played numerous discs (DVD DLs) last night already with no problems.

Hope the good news lasts until I find a substitute.

But I am still wondering when it was down, why it was only able to play VCD/ Audio CD/ MP3s etc, but not DVDs? some coding ? which track?

[redwudz]

A CD uses a lot wider track, so it can tolerate a slightly blurred lens more than a DVD.