Skipping, freezing DVDs

I take it you don't want to skip the COOL ones.

I found that dust settling on the eye / sensor causes a lot of problems.

Clean properly!

No arguement about the dust issue -- you can try the can of "blow-off" (canned air) without taking most machines apart -- with the tray open you should be able to see the slide assembly carrying the laser/lens assembly -- If the blow off doesn't work, most good audio supply houses also carry a test/cleaning CD that has what looks like two fake eyelashes on the cd. One is wetted with a cleaning solution and the other is dry. As the cd plays its audio test, the laser lens is "wiped" clean. If all else fails remember that the laser itself will occassionally go bad with use and age.

Good luck!

Does it freeze on the same movies that it used to play flawlessly or is it messing up on newer movies? They have been adding more and more content to discs (background and menu extras programming) as well as more advanced copy protection and some chip sets in aging units (more than 2 years old, sounds like computer obsoletion, right out of the box:)) have trouble keeping up with the decoding.

I had the same problem and went through all of the things other members suggested. I permanently solved the problem by unplugging it, taking it to the trash can, and gently dropping it in.

Then I went to the store and bought a new Sony. Now all my movies play without interruption.

For a 2003 model, its important to know that some have problems with copies, especially copies on RW DVD disks......

If you are have problems on original DVDs, clean the laser and make sure the DVD is clean and unscratched too.....

Older models are a lot less forgiving.

See if there is a firmware upgrade for your model....

If you do not know how to start cleaning a player or DVD, talk to a professional first!!!! or get him to do it!

For example, never clean DVDs (or CDs) with circular motion!!!

For example, never clean DVDs (or CDs) with circular motion!!!

Well Andy, I'm curious as to that statement. The little motorized disk cleaner that I have cleans the disks in a circular motion. Or do you mean small circles around the perimeter? That, I could understand.

You can bet these days that 3 - 4 years for electronics is a good life another 2 and there will be no backup or spares and its probable that your movies will have been dropped on the media you are using and cannot be resurrected. Or is that tooooo.... synical???????

Here's a great idea. Glue 2 cinder blocks to it - one on the top and one on the bottom. This way it makes a great boat anchor. Of course, just the two cinder blocks alone will probably work also. Happy viewing -