What is up with my Panasonic VCR/DVD player?

Question

I've had this DVD/VHS combo player for a few years (translation: no longer under warranty). Lately, it will take forever to run DVDs. Most of the time, it would indicate (on my TV screen) that the DVD cannot be scanned and I would have to put in another DVD disc.

This happens to most DVDs that I play in this device. What is up with this thing? Do I need to take it in to have it repaired or can I get a special "DVD cleaner" by putting in a DVD-disc cleaning thingy (like they have for CD players and VCRs)?

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

You can try a DVD lens cleaner because it may only cost you only $8 than buying a new player. But taking it to a repair shop is impractical it would be better to buy a newer model, cost less than the repair.

Dirty lens with dust or molds blocking the laser makes the player blind and will command to  display "Unreadable or Unknown disk" sometimes "no disk" it is usually accompanied with a strange sound from the motor attempting to spin in opposite just to read the disk, but the lens is partly covered. Did you noticed that?. Other cause is misallignment such that the laser is hiting the disk in a slanted angle and is not able to read it correctly, such cause is mechanical (insertion and ejection of disk). and heat. Although it can be alligned by a technician but you will pay for the service and is highier than buying that $60 players from Walmart or Bestbuy etc.

Maybe you would like to open the player and manually clean the lens with a soft water color brush(not cotton buds)..

Most cases of blind DVD players is dirty lens, but it is also possible that you will scratch the lens while doing manual cleaning and so as using DVD cleaner will leave residue in the lens due to the cleaning fluid..decide and good luck..