Please help me troubleshoot a skipping problem with Pioneer DV-48AV

[arkoenig]

I have a Pioneer DV-45A DVD player that is about 6 years old. A year ago it started skipping on certain disks (always in the same place), and I figured it would be cheaper to replace than repair, so I bought a Pioneer DV-48AV.

This player has now started skipping on some (newly purchased) DVDs. Again it skips in the same place on each disk. No obvious defects. I assumed there was a manufacturing defect, so I exchanged the DVDs for another copy of the same title. The player skips on those disks too, but in different places.

For comparison, I brought the old DV-45A up from the basement and installed it instead. It doesn't skip, but abruptly stops playing one of the DVDs part way through.

I have been able to play one of the skipping disks without trouble on a Sony player that I also have.

At this point I would appreciate advice bout how to proceed. The DV-48 is now at a local service center for possible repair (under warranty), but I am wondering if what I am really seeing is a systematic problem with these particular DVDs. By the way, the title in question is NCIS season 1, so it's presumably a reputable manufacturer.

[lowellriggsiam]

Have you run an optical lense cleaner through the unit? The lense could be dirty. If you know what you are doing open the case and watch the drive as it accepts the dvds, as it reads the DVD's the first thing it will do once the spindle latches the dvd the laser will go on a search checking the dvd for content, the laser arm will carry the laser from the inner part of the dvd to the outer end of the dvd. If the laser arm fails to carry the laser to the outer end of the dvd it may be obstructed, if so turn unplug the dvd player and force the laser arm to it outer most extent and retry the dvd player.

[arkoenig]

Can you recommend a lens cleaner?

Frankly, I am skeptical that that would be the problem because the player works properly with so many other disks. However, I'm willing to try it if it is apt to help.

[lowellriggsiam]

Since you indicate your DVD's are only having problems on your Pioneers dvd players I'd first try opening the case on your old dvd player and using some kind of cleaner like a window cleaner, or rubbing alcohol on a qtip or such and clean the laser and try the dvd agin. As afore mentioned watch the laser as it searches the dvd. Have you tried backing up your dvd onto a dvdr and seeing if the issue persists? It possible for commercial dvds to not be usual on certain dvd players, I had one "pewee's big adventure" that would't play, but when I backed it up to dvdr it played fine.

[arkoenig]

It's not exactly easy to access the lens, as there's a cover over that part of the mechanism.

[lowellriggsiam]

Being enclosed the top is using secured using 4 small screws on the outer four corners. If you have a screw driver small enough remove the cover. Once this is done you'll needed to removed the spindle (usually white in color in the middle of the cover) this has a magnet in it that captures the dvd and hold the dvd in place once it is captured by the unit. The same thing can be accomplished by using an optical lense cleaner, but I have been one to want to watch the process to look for or listen for anything unusual. Meanwhile check for poped, or browning capacitors (cylindrical units) they should be clean and even, as compared to buldging, or browing.

[lowellriggsiam]

Well I am off to work.

[arkoenig]

I figured out how to gain access to the lens, and cleaned it with some lens cleaning fluid (intended for use with camera lenses) on a Q-tip. There was an obvious, but fine, coating of dust on the lens that I could clearly see through a magnifier. It's gone now.

That's the good news. The bad news is that when I try one of the discs that was causing the player to stop before, it stops at the same place the second time around.

Any other thoughts?

[lowellriggsiam]

Can you make a copy of the DVD and try it. This would be good for eliminating the DVD itself.

[arkoenig]

I do not have facilities for copying commercial DVDs. However, I can play the DVD without problems on a Sony player and also on a computer.

Looking more carefully at the DVD reveals what may be a manufacturing defect: a faint circle about 1/2 cm in diameter thata ppears embedded in the plastic. I'm going to exchange the DVD set for another copy to see if this one behaves differently.