Sony DVD Players

[hypernova]

As everyone knows, (or should know) the Sony PS2 is a horrible DVD player.  Well, at least they were.  I can't testify as to their current models like the slimlines and such.  The older models were hypersensitive to any surface imperfections, no matter how trivial it seemed.  The smallest scratch could bring playback to a standstill.

Anyways, I have a young combo VCR/DVD setup by Sony.  I've started getting skips and glitches when playing back movies.  What's really odd is that they'll play just fine on my PC DVD reader/writer.

I've tried using a CD lens cleaner.  Now this is where I have a question.  The laser lens disc cleaner I have is probably around 10-15 years old, before DVDs were introduced to the masses.  Are the DVD lasers still in the same spot that CD lasers were in?  i.e. Is that CD laser cleaner cleaning the DVD laser lens or do I need a new laser lens cleaner for DVDs?

Or does Sony just use crappy lasers?  Friend of mine says he's having the same problem with his Sony DVD player, though not as bad as I am.  He has another, generic DVD player that actually has no problems on the same exact DVD discs.

What is everyone else's experience with Sony products?  And what do you think I need to do?

[Chris G]

I've had a Sony DVD Carousel for quite a few years with no problems yet.  There's a site called allsop.com with some information and products that may help you.  I've found that it often ends up being cheaper to just buy a new device in many cases, unfortunately, depending on what the issue is... good luck.

[somunny]

I thought that the laser moved across the disk.  Is this one of those cleaning discs with the little "brush" on it?  If so, the laser should track righ through the path of the brush.  

Then again, I might not know what I'm talking about.  

At any rate the disc I have says it's for both cd's and dvd's and has a single cleaning brush.

As for sony products, I have never had any problems with any Sony product I've purchased except for the PS2.  It intermittantly decides it doesn't read PS2 discs anymore.

[woodygjw]

I can't speak for Sony's DVD players, but I had a far share of Sony CD players.  They all seemed to do the same thing, the sound would drop out in part of a song, and then come back.  The first thing I would think was "crap, is my CD scratched?"  But it would never do it in the same spot.  I had 3 Discman's (before the mp3 revolution took over.)   They all did this, but never in any other brand CD player.  I know I will not own any more of their CD players  

[AtomSmasher]

I've had a Sony dvd player for about 3 years now and its worked great for me.  Its actually pretty good at reading dirty/scratched dvds   

[HaRuMaN]

I've had better luck cleaning the Sony PS2 and stand alone DVD players by actually taking the cover off and actually cleaning the laser lens (GENTLY!) with several Q-tips and rubbing alcohol.  This has been the best solution, and tends to last longer than the disc cleaning methods.

[boykster]

I've had a couple of sony dvd players and they were just fine as far as the laser went.  I had to get rid of my last one because it was putting out an "out of spec" black level and look like crap on my panasonic plasma.  I bought a panny dvd player and all was well.  Clever marketing ploy by panasonic?  possibly....