Dvd player stopped working

[orpheum2]

I have a toshiba portable dvd player.i was watching a disc that i had burnt myself.Suddenly,without warning the picture went.I put the disc in again.first it statesd that it was loading then no disc.i tried about 6 discs all with the same result.So i googled the problem.the explanation given was that the laser had died.i have to say that this has never happened to me before.Has anyone out there had a similar experience.if so were you able to repair or did you give it up as a bad job.I would obviously buy a new machine if i have to but i am away at the moment so it means that i will have to read instead of watching a disc.

[wearysloth]

Did your 6 test discs include a factory manufactured one?

Generally when they start to die, they freeze up, pixelate (as if the disc were bad) or refuse to play the end of the movie.

I've killed several, but they take heavy abuse...

Probably time to get a new one (before they become extinct as well)

A rather nice LG portable has survived the longest for me so far.

[Richard_in_wales]

Make sure the next one has a USB slot so you can store films on a USB stick instead of disks. You can put ten or more Divx/AVI films on an 8Gb stick and you'll get better battery time as your not spinning a disk.

[orpheum2]

thanks for the replies.i tried both factory and self burned discs but just the same results.Looks like time to get a new player.

[orpheum2]

Just to add that i purchased this in April 2009.is it usual for a player to last such a short time.Just over 3 years doesnt seem to me to be a long time.

[Nick Dando]

They are disposable, unfortunately, as they're made in the cheapest way possible. It's not until you get into the realms of the high-end stuff from the smaller manufacturers that you'll have something that will last or can be repaired. And that's no cast-iron guarantee. My Arcam DV88, bought new 10 years ago, has had to have a replacement motor, but it's still soldiering on, though there won't be much support from Arcam for the firmware. Likewise my Loewe CRT TV, which has been repaired twice in the last ten years. Until it finally dies, I won't be interested in an alternative to a CRT, whatever may be the flavour of the month at the time.

Nick

[Stephen Pickard]

I have a toshiba portable dvd player.i was watching a disc that i had burnt myself.Suddenly,without warning the picture went.I put the disc in again.first it statesd that it was loading then no disc.i tried about 6 discs all with the same result.So i googled the problem.the explanation given was that the laser had died.i have to say that this has never happened to me before.Has anyone out there had a similar experience.if so were you able to repair or did you give it up as a bad job.I would obviously buy a new machine if i have to but i am away at the moment so it means that i will have to read instead of watching a disc.

You might try re-booting your player. Disconnect the AC for about twenty seconds and then connect it again with the power switch on if possible. I have found this works for me. Sometimes players get stupid and this is the first thing I do.

[orpheum2]

thanks for the suggestion.i tried it but it didnt work.any suggestions for a good replacement.i might go for a laptop instead.