"No Disc" error when trying to read DVDs

[Jacko]

I have a Phillips DVP 3005/05 DVD player and all of a sudden it is
extremely tempremental when playing any DVDs. I've taken off the outer
case to see if there was anything obvious but I can't see anything to
the naked eye.

When the DVD is inserted, it spins round and the laser tries to read
the disc. This takes a remarkably longer time than when it was working
fine. The disc gets to full speeed and then slows down and then after
a few seconds goes back to full speed. This is repeated several times.
Sometimes the disc will get to the menu but most of the time it will
never get there and show a "No Disc" error on screen. If I am lucky
and it does get to the main menu, it is hit or miss how long it takes
before it can't read the DVD.

I've tried DVDs that I've burnt from my PC as well as standard movie
DVDs but they ultimately show the same effects.

I've heard of using a DVD cleaning kit though looking at the laser
itself it doesn't seem to be obstructed, dusty or dirty. Would it be
worthwhile getting a cleaning kit, does it seem like I need to get
replacement parts or probably more time/cost effective get a new DVD
player.

 

[Arfa Daily]

I have a Phillips DVP 3005/05 DVD player and all of a sudden it is
extremely tempremental when playing any DVDs. I've taken off the outer
case to see if there was anything obvious but I can't see anything to
the naked eye.

When the DVD is inserted, it spins round and the laser tries to read
the disc. This takes a remarkably longer time than when it was working
fine. The disc gets to full speeed and then slows down and then after
a few seconds goes back to full speed. This is repeated several times.
Sometimes the disc will get to the menu but most of the time it will
never get there and show a "No Disc" error on screen. If I am lucky
and it does get to the main menu, it is hit or miss how long it takes
before it can't read the DVD.

I've tried DVDs that I've burnt from my PC as well as standard movie
DVDs but they ultimately show the same effects.

I've heard of using a DVD cleaning kit though looking at the laser
itself it doesn't seem to be obstructed, dusty or dirty. Would it be
worthwhile getting a cleaning kit, does it seem like I need to get
replacement parts or probably more time/cost effective get a new DVD
player.

DO NOT use a cleaner disc. These seldom do any good, and can actually do
harm. Your very first test, is to insert a CD, and see if that is correctly
read, and then correctly played all the way through. If it is, then there's
a better than even chance that your laser is faulty, in which case, it will
probably write the player off from a cost effectiveness point of view.

Arfa

 

[Jacko]

I presume in your point of view then that cleaner discs are too hyped
up for what they actually say they do?

I have done some more tests and found the following:
- Tried a 2/3 CDs and they play straight away.
- Tried a few more DVDs at random and some play ok (or at least get to
the menu and start playing the movie) and others have the same effect
as what I initially described. I tried several DVDs from the series I
have of Family Guy and none worked. Tried some random movies and some
of these worked. I can't seem to pin it down as ALL these play ok on
my main Sony DVD player.

If it is not worth the effort of a lens cleaner and getting a
replacement lens (or other part for the player) will be to troublesome
I think I may have to resign myself to buying a new DVD player. I
don't like throwing things away if I can help it but I suppose you
can't expect things to last forever. I've had this player since 2005
so it's done ok to last that long. Any suggestions on a make that will
have the reputation to last longer?

 

[Arfa Daily]

I presume in your point of view then that cleaner discs are too hyped
up for what they actually say they do?

I have done some more tests and found the following:
- Tried a 2/3 CDs and they play straight away.
- Tried a few more DVDs at random and some play ok (or at least get to
the menu and start playing the movie) and others have the same effect
as what I initially described. I tried several DVDs from the series I
have of Family Guy and none worked. Tried some random movies and some
of these worked. I can't seem to pin it down as ALL these play ok on
my main Sony DVD player.

If it is not worth the effort of a lens cleaner and getting a
replacement lens (or other part for the player) will be to troublesome
I think I may have to resign myself to buying a new DVD player. I
don't like throwing things away if I can help it but I suppose you
can't expect things to last forever. I've had this player since 2005
so it's done ok to last that long. Any suggestions on a make that will
have the reputation to last longer?

OK. All of your symptoms indicate a worn laser. If it plays a CD, this
normally verifies the deck mechanics, and the front end processing
electronics for the laser, and indicates that the DVD laser diode is low
output. There are two reasons that cleaner discs don't do much good on DVD
players. The first is that unlike CD players, where the rotational speed of
the disc is quite low, on DVD players, it is very high. This causes a thick
layer of air at the surface of the disc, to be dragged round with it,
creating quite a wind across the top of the lens. This tends to keep it
dusted, so it is rare to see a dusty DVD laser lens, compared to how often
you see one on a CD player.

The second reason is that there is a sort of 'wall' around the edge of the
lens. This serves to deflect the brush bristles on the cleaner disc, so that
at best, they only brush the very centre of the lens. As far as damage goes,
I have seen a number of examples over the years, where the bristles have
caught in the lens suspension or optical block cover and, due to the high
rotational speed of the disc, have actually torn the cover off, or bent the
delicate lens suspension.

Before condemning the player to the garbage, it would be worth you doing a
manual clean on the lens using isopropyl alcohol and a Q-Tip (cotton bud),
particularly if it's a smoking household, as virtually invisible residues
from tobacco smoke can condense on the lens. The Q-Tip should be just
slightly moist - roll it on the back of your hand a couple of times - and it
should be used to carefully clean the whole surface of the lens. The lens
suspension is delicate, but not ridiculously so. Just take reasonable care,
and you will be fine. Use a dry Q-Tip to polish the lens surface after it
has dried. It might just recover the player for a few more months.

I can't really think of any particular makes that are any better than
others. Pioneer maybe. But it is a lottery, and you are probably just as
well with any player that has the features you need, and a nice long
warranty. If the player gets a lot of use, 2 to 3 years is a good result for
lifetime ...

Arfa

 

[Jacko]

Thanks very much for your advice. I'll try cleaning it as suggested.
If that fails I'll be popping out to get another DVD player.

 

[Sam Goldwasser]

I presume in your point of view then that cleaner discs are too hyped
up for what they actually say they do?

I have done some more tests and found the following:
- Tried a 2/3 CDs and they play straight away.
- Tried a few more DVDs at random and some play ok (or at least get to
the menu and start playing the movie) and others have the same effect
as what I initially described. I tried several DVDs from the series I
have of Family Guy and none worked. Tried some random movies and some
of these worked. I can't seem to pin it down as ALL these play ok on
my main Sony DVD player.

If it is not worth the effort of a lens cleaner and getting a
replacement lens (or other part for the player) will be to troublesome
I think I may have to resign myself to buying a new DVD player. I
don't like throwing things away if I can help it but I suppose you
can't expect things to last forever. I've had this player since 2005
so it's done ok to last that long. Any suggestions on a make that will
have the reputation to last longer?

It's still worth taking 10 minutes, opening the thing up, and cleaning
the lens manually. Since it does play some DVDs, it may just be dirty
enough to be marginal.

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