Keep breaking my DVD players

[Buckarooo]

Hi all

Can anyone offer me some informed advise?

I have managed to go through 2 DVD players in the past year and I can't work out why?

Both players now don't recognise ANY disc's and I can hear what I can only assume is the laser working in overdrive.

I burn movies directly from my PC onto DVD-R's and think that this may be the problem. That said both DVD players said that these were the correct format to be using.

Is this a common problem? Any advise from you expert people will be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks muchly

[Ai Haibara]

Do either of the players recognize CDs?
Have you tried cleaning the laser lens on both players, using a lens-cleaner disc? (Or, if the problem's bad enough, you may have to take the player apart and carefully clean the lens by hand. Not recommended unless you're confident about your ability to take it apart and put it back together, though. )

Which media (brand name(s)) are you using?

[jman98]

Buckaroo - Welcome to the forms, but like most new users, you incorrectly assume that the less you say, the more likely you are to get help. This is like going to the doctor and saying "Something is wrong with me, but I'm not going to tell you anything about it. I do, however, still expect you to figure out what is wrong and to fix it". Letting us know you brand and model of DVD players would have been nice.

Possible explanations are many. They include:
1) You bought cheap DVD players that just aren't known for lasting very long.
2) Heat damage. Today's players are sold to be as thin and cheap as possible because it's what the consumer market wants. Manufacturers love this because it means that there is no space for cooling fans and to keep prices low, they have to use very cheap, unreliable components. Today's DVD players absolutely MUST be kept in open spaces with as much exposure to air as possible for efficient air cooling. If you have a bunch of stuff piled around and on your player and you use the player a lot, it's certainly possible that you are, in effect, burning it out by not giving it adequate cooling area. Unfortunately for the consumer, it's not unheard of for DVD players to die after as little as 3 months or even less. If you get a year or two out of cheap player, you've done well. Manufacturers don't make them to last and when they break, you're best off to just buy a new one. Repair costs can exceed the cost of just buying a new player.
3) It could be a media issue, but most likely I think either #1 or #2 above is to blame.

[MysticE]

2) Heat damage. Today's players are sold to be as thin and cheap as possible because it's what the consumer market wants. Manufacturers love this because it means that there is no space for cooling fans and to keep prices low, they have to use very cheap, unreliable components. Today's DVD players absolutely MUST be kept in open spaces with as much exposure to air as possible for efficient air cooling. If you have a bunch of stuff piled around and on your player and you use the player a lot, it's certainly possible that you are, in effect, burning it out by not giving it adequate cooling area.

I would add that applies to all your AV equipment. Those cute furniture type enclosures with glass fronts are the worst.

Bad:




Good:

[classfour]

Man: I'm lucky - have a "good" enclosure. What brand of player are you buying? I've even had (high-end: If you can call them that) Apex last a couple of years. My favorite: MIJ (when you can find them - never, now) Pioneer.

[Buckarooo]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the info.

The first DVD player was a Samsung DVD-R122 DVD recorder but I had it sent back to be repaired for exactly the same issue twice. When it went the third time I thought I would just purchase a cheapo alternative that wasn't a DVD recorder so got a (dare I say it) Bush!!!

I have only had the B-B-Bush for a couple of months and it is already not picking up any discs but I would have thought it would have lasted for a little longer!!

I use ConvertXtoDVD for my rips. Would this have any affect on the laser pick-up??????

The DVD-R's I am using are Memorex. I remember back to the good old audio tape days and these were fairly good???

HELP!!!?

Thanks again peeps

[Buckarooo]

Oh and I forgot to mention following JMan's reply, it isn't a case of the DVD Players not just recognising my burnt discs they now don't recognise any discs including shop purchased film's