Have I detroyed my DVD player

[Stu@rt]

This might be a really stupid question, but is it posible to mess up a standalone dvd player, playing your own VCD's ?

A bit of background, player is a Samsung SV-DVD3E. It plays DVD's no problem still, but in the last few days its started reporting "NO-DISC" on some of my VCD's SVCD's CD's (CD's both burnt by me and purchased ones). All my VCD's have been burnt with Nero, and upto a few days ago they all worked fine on this machine.

Also before I take the player back to shop to complain.........will they be able to tell I've been playing my "own" vcd's etc on it ?

............told you its a stupid question but I'm becoming paranoid !!!

[VidGuy]

Last I checked, it's not illegal to play your own VCDs on a DVD player.

It's possible one of your lasers have burned out or something similar - I had a Pioneer DV-333 that just stopped playing CD-Rs one day.

[mysterio1]

If you look in your DVD manual it will say it plays VCD's its made to play them, where did you get this idea its illegal or something.

[BJ_M]

ive had several pioneer 343 die (though when they work they play anything) ..

[Gazorgan]

Technical Tip. CD lasers won't read DVD's, and DVD lasers won't read CD's. With a little bit of pondering, you can figure out that DVD drives in PC's and 'most' standalone DVD Players have dual lasers. Soooo, it's quite possible to have the CD laser die on you, especially if you play a lot of MP3/VCD/SVCD.

I bet a lot of DVD Players wind up in the trash that are quite capable of still playing SVCDs :P

[Doggiedaddy]

Dumb answer but did you try to unplug power to the unit, wait a few minutes and plug back in power then retry? I am not kidding either.

Dd

[sammie]

Beat me to it Doggie Daddy. I have an old RCA that plays VCD's just fine, but on many home burnt ones, it seems to lock up when done playing. Unplug it for a minute or two and it seems to work fine again. Needless to say I don't play many homemade VCDs on it though!

[EricB]

I've had both my Pioneer 343 and GE5803P stop playing DVDs after about 6 - 8 months. Both would still play everything else. Both got light usage, and probably played more VCD / SVCD than DVD!

I am very discouraged as the players appear to be disposable

[Stu@rt]

OK cheers guys for the replys...... quick update, yep I tried switching it off leaving it a while, and yes it did work again for about 1 Audio CD, then "NO DISC"

Since writting I've spoken to the stores "call-centre", no names for possible future legal reasons (but for the guys in the UK it sounds like "a bright burning object in the sky"), and they told me...... wait for this, because I've had the player for 37 days, and the guranttee only lasts 28 days, they will fix it for free, BUT i can't have my money back, or get an exchange one.....!!!.........yes you guessed it, I'm paying them a visit tommorow.

(by the way, does anybody think this is a fixable problem...or should I stick them out for a new one....I mean 37 days !!!)

Thanks again guys for the replies

[louthewiz]

Remember its also nicknamed samsucks they dont make good dvd players you get what you pay for

[Will Hay]

Your guarantee lasts for 52 weeks, but they have an obligation to replace or refund within a set timescale and 28 days does sound familiar.
After this they are quite within there rights to repair but are being unreasonable.
If it was me I'd go down to the store and play merry hell but be prepared to back off.
I'd also tell them al the vcd's you played were home movies you created from your camcorder, rather than any bakups you might have done - in the UK it's not worth complicating the isssue with copyright discussions.
Personally I wouldn't accept a repair, I'd hold off as long as I could and ask for all kinds of managers, his manager's, regional manager's phone numbers etc.
They'll soon get sick of it.
I'd also bleat on about how I thought Co***, sorry 'this store' were generally regarded as the best and that's why I shop here.
Trust me, the staff don't give a shit, they aren't paid enough.
Will

[Will Hay]

...and I'm guessing you've checked that these vcd's still play in your PC, right?
Just a thought.
Will