DVD Player Manual Question

[mattg568]

My DVD player's manual says "Keep the player and the discs away from equipment with strong magnets, such as microwave ovens, or large loudspeakers." Now... I thought you only had to keep your VCR and VHS tapes away from magnets but can a magnet really have an effect on DVD players and DVD movies plus the recordable and rewritable DVDs? The only magnet that I can think of that is currently in my room now is my Home Theater's subwoofer.

[gadgetguy]

I don't see how a magnet would have any effect on the disk, but a strong magnetic field can cause electrical interference in poorly shielded equipment.

[mattg568]

What about DVD recorders? And DVD recorders with an HDD?

[gadgetguy]

Again, if they are properly shielded there's not much danger. Of course a HDD is a magnetic storage device so a strong magnetic field could erase data, but it's pretty unlikely in most home environments, if you use a little common sense in locating your speakers.

Edit: The manufacturers put that stuff in the manual as a CYA.

[mattg568]

CYA? BTW, how strong are the magnets in HT speakers and subwoofers? I know they can distort the picture of a CRT monitor but can they effect magnetic storage devices?

[gadgetguy]

CYA? BTW, how strong are the magnets in HT speakers and subwoofers? I know they can distort the picture of a CRT monitor but can they effect magnetic storage devices?

CYA = Cover Your A**
I'm not sure how strong they are, but if they distort the picture of a crt monitor then they are strong enough to affect magnetic storage devices.

[mattg568]

Of course, the speakers and subwoffer that I speak of only distort my CRT TV when I put them right in front of the tv. My audio tower where I keep my DVD player and DVD recorder are near the subwoffer (crappy room design) and... if a VCR were there, I don't know if it could be effected. From the starting point of the subwoffer magnet, how far can the magnetic field travel before it stops?

[gadgetguy]

Use your CRT as a guide, if it's not distorted then it's safe for the other equipment.

[mattg568]

Ok. Thanks for the information!

[handyguy]

I can see why they don't want you to put the dvds in your microwave oven.

[mattg568]

I know exactly what you mean. I've seen what can happen when you do that on various TV programs. I think the MythBusters on Discovery Channel did that once. I think that also in that same episode they looked at the myth of the cd/dvdrom drive in a computer could spin so fast that the disc inside would shatter causing all sorts of problems and maybe some injury. I can't recall their verdict on that myth though.