Denon 2900 - Laser Failure?

[kcd911]

I bought a Denon 2900 Universal player in Nov, 2003. New from a reputable dealer. I have enjoyed the unit up until about 6 months ago. The unit will play CD's fine, but when trying to watch a DVD it won't play about 50% of the time. It seems to have no bearing on the movie, I have tried several (50+)!!! These DVD's are pristine, not a single scratch on them, even brand new out of the box DVD's won't play.

I had done a little reserch and emailed Denon stating the problem, I thought a firmware updat was to blame. I was informed I should take the unit to the dealer for service, as something was clearly "broken".

I take the unit to the dealer's service department. The service man, asks a couple of questions, and states the "laser mechanism" is going out of it, common for DVD players. It will cost $200 for parts adn $150 for service, and he thinks I should just buy a new unit!?! Needless to say I don't like that answer.

I call the Denon support line, they ask the same questions and conclude the laser mechanism is going our and needs replaced, again $200 for parts, I pay shipping.

I have several questions:
1. Is this crazy? This unit is 2 years only, on my theater system, and rarely gets used. I have several "Cheap" units that are 7 and 10 years old with no problem.
2. Has anyone else had a "laser mechanism" problem?
3. Does this sound like something Denon should cover under warrenty? It is just over 2 years old, but at the $900 price I paid for this unit, I would expect the unit to last longer than 2 years, is that wrong?
4. Anyone have any ideas on how to proceed with this?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. I just emailed the marketing manager at Denon again asking for his help in the matter, I will post his response.

Casey

System:
Classe 30 Pre/Pro
B&K amps
Martin Logan Fresca speakers
Samsung DLP TV

 

[Mort Corey]

I'd pay the freight and send it directly to Denon in New Jersey and enclose a nice (but firm) letter describing the problem. I'd venture to guess that Denon will repair it without charge as they too realize that one of their flagship type players should last longer than the warranty. I've had good results along those lines in past dealings with Denon.

Good luck

Mort (who would pay to get his 2900 fixed if it broke anyway)

 

[dwmayo1]

Denon

I also have the Denon 2900 and purchased it through a company in Rochester, NY who installed my HT system.

I have had it for about 2 1/2 years and I have noticed, within the last 3 to 4 months, that I get a clicking noise from the unit when I play DVD's!

I sent the installer an email about this and of course, this is something totally new to them.

I read some great reviews on the Marantz's SACD players and depending on the installers response, I might just scrap the Denon and look further into the marantz.

good luck!

Dave in Buffalo

 

[kcd911]

I really don't want to scrape and start over, I think I am giong to try the firm approach with Denon, I still can't believe this unit has failed.

Casey

 

[ronald]

denon dvd 2900 failure.i have the same problem with my dvd 2900 and i wend to my dea

I bought a Denon 2900 Universal player in Nov, 2003. New from a reputable dealer. I have enjoyed the unit up until about 6 months ago. The unit will play CD's fine, but when trying to watch a DVD it won't play about 50% of the time. It seems to have no bearing on the movie, I have tried several (50+)!!! These DVD's are pristine, not a single scratch on them, even brand new out of the box DVD's won't play.

I had done a little reserch and emailed Denon stating the problem, I thought a firmware updat was to blame. I was informed I should take the unit to the dealer for service, as something was clearly "broken".

I take the unit to the dealer's service department. The service man, asks a couple of questions, and states the "laser mechanism" is going out of it, common for DVD players. It will cost $200 for parts adn $150 for service, and he thinks I should just buy a new unit!?! Needless to say I don't like that answer.

I call the Denon support line, they ask the same questions and conclude the laser mechanism is going our and needs replaced, again $200 for parts, I pay shipping.

I have several questions:
1. Is this crazy? This unit is 2 years only, on my theater system, and rarely gets used. I have several "Cheap" units that are 7 and 10 years old with no problem.
2. Has anyone else had a "laser mechanism" problem?
3. Does this sound like something Denon should cover under warrenty? It is just over 2 years old, but at the $900 price I paid for this unit, I would expect the unit to last longer than 2 years, is that wrong?
4. Anyone have any ideas on how to proceed with this?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. I just emailed the marketing manager at Denon again asking for his help in the matter, I will post his response.

Casey

System:
Classe 30 Pre/Pro
B&K amps
Martin Logan Fresca speakers
Samsung DLP TV

hello i,m ronald from holland and i,ve had the same problem as you,ve had and i wend to my home dealer and say to me that the will send the dvdplayer to denon and will repair it for free,because they give a two year garanty
so it must be solved.
I can amagine your confugen that you have to pay for the repair.
I wish you good luck with it and i`m waiting for your respons
greatings from ronald

 

[hlesser]

Denon 2900 now picky about SACDs

My 2900 began rejecting certain SACDs. You can hear the mechanism searching in vain to identify the disc type, and then failing. Other SACDs and all other formats work fine. A reputable dealer & service department replicated the problem (I sent them a "good" and "bad" disc) but insisted the unit spec'd out fine on the bench. They're replacing the laser (it's either that or the controller for the laser-mechanism itself). Sounds like I'm not alone. I'll post a reply when the unit returns.

Too bad, otherwise I've been very pleased with the 2900. Perhaps there's strength in numbers. If enough problems develop they may figure out what's actually wrong.

 

[j_garcia]

Mine is only picky about 2 SACDs in particular. It has no problems otherwise, though it is only 1 1/2yrs old at this point.

 

[hlesser]

"Optical sensor" was the problem

My 2900 is back in service now ... its optical sensor was replaced and it now readily deals with any SACD I throw at it.

Thankfully, the repair was fully covered under extended warranty (something I rarely purchase, but did this time).

I'm kind of tempted to buy a cheap DVD to use for casual movie watching and leave the 2900 for dedicated audio use.