Pioneer multi player worth saving?

[kiwiaudionut]

I have a multi format Pioneer DV45A that has served me well for a few years now and introduced me to SACD, DVD audio, progressive scan video etc. and I'd love to save it if it is repairable. I'd love a little heads up on what may be wrong with it before trying to find a reputable service outlet.

For a while now it has had a hard time reading any disc. It makes all kinds of start up whirring and clicking, probably spinning the disc up while trying to read the disc info, and will eventually just eject the disc with a "cannot read" fault, or just stall out completely.
If it gets past this point, there is not a problem.
Could it just need a good interior cleanup ?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have a multi format Pioneer DV45A that has served me well for a few years now and introduced me to SACD, DVD audio, progressive scan video etc. and I'd love to save it if it is repairable. I'd love a little heads up on what may be wrong with it before trying to find a reputable service outlet.

For a while now it has had a hard time reading any disc. It makes all kinds of start up whirring and clicking, probably spinning the disc up while trying to read the disc info, and will eventually just eject the disc with a "cannot read" fault, or just stall out completely.
If it gets past this point, there is not a problem.
Could it just need a good interior cleanup ?

Not sure how old that is and how is the air quality in your home is. Heavy smoking can deposit on the lens over time enough to cause you these issues.
If none of this applies, then it still might be the laser or tracking mechanism.
I doubt it is cost effective to get it repaired. There are some players out there that will do both of those audio formats and up-scale the video for you.

 

[Rickster71]

Your description sounds like a classic for a dirty lens,(as mtrycrafts mentioned) or a laser, in the early stages of going bad.

If your not a smoker, and you don't have a humidifier, (both leave deposits on lens) I'd lean toward a bad laser.
You could try checking for a dirty lens yourself. It's out of warrantee, so it may be worth a shot.

 

[kiwiaudionut]

Yes, I'd thought about the dirty lense theory too. I have no problem opening her up if I had a little heads up first. Anyone know of a link that would help in this cleaning regard.
This multi player might have a few lenses for the differing formats (SACD, DVD audio etc.) right ?

 

[TLS Guy]

Yes, I'd thought about the dirty lense theory too. I have no problem opening her up if I had a little heads up first. Anyone know of a link that would help in this cleaning regard.
This multi player might have a few lenses for the differing formats (SACD, DVD audio etc.) right ?

Keep out of the player. Buy a cleaning disc.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Keep out of the player. Buy a cleaning disc.

I have always wondered how a cleaning disc can clean a player's lens off?

 

[TLS Guy]

They generally have a brush or two and a soundtrack to line the lens up with the brush. They usually come wit isopropyl alcohol based cleaning fluid. I have found that they work very well.

Here is Radio Shack's.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062690

This is the type I use. I picked it up in England. This is an eBay seller that has them.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10-Brush-Premium-CD-Player-ROM-Drive-Laser-Lens-Cleaner_W0QQitemZ230205439664QQihZ013QQcategoryZ96943QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Gasman]

I have always wondered how a cleaning disc can clean a player's lens off?

Depends on the disc, I have one that has little brushes on track #3.
It will play track one, then ask to skip to next track, at which point it goes to track 4 plays some music, and says cleaning is done.

How useful is it, would be a better question.

Personally, I have no qualms on opening a player to clean the lens myself.
Which I have found much more useful.

 

[TLS Guy]

Depends on the disc, I have one that has little brushes on track #3.
It will play track one, then ask to skip to next track, at which point it goes to track 4 plays some music, and says cleaning is done.

How useful is it, would be a better question.

Personally, I have no qualms on opening a player to clean the lens myself.
Which I have found much more useful.

I'm reluctant to advise opening cases unless I know people are somewhat experienced in service work.

My disc cleaner works fine. If you do open the case clean the lens with isopropyl Alcohol.

 

[Gasman]

Agreed, and by no means am I insulting anyone in this thread when I say this next line.

Yeah, I guess it makes more sense, not knowing the common sense of others.
To tell them, 'yes, go ahead and open it'. Specially when a person would even have to ask what fluid to use for cleaning.
Considering alcohol (iso.) is what is used for ANY wet cleaning solution for CD, Lasers, VHS heads, Tape deck heads, etc...

Although, if you do get that far and are not comfortable with putting a 'fluid' solution on your laser.
Then I would suggest to go, to the photo store and pick up a blower brush (used for cleaning camera lenses).
You can get them real cheap (like 4.00 or less).
And really, that is all that is needed for most cases, as the laser rarely has anything other than dust on it.

For those wondering about the blower/brush, I will find a link..
something like this, although I have seen them for a buck or 2 (heck if needed, I could probably give one away, I'm sure I have a half dozen here, just PM me)
http://www.accstation.com/bothxxxxck01.html

 

[kiwiaudionut]

I'm reluctant to advise opening cases unless I know people are somewhat experienced in service work.

My disc cleaner works fine. If you do open the case clean the lens with isopropyl Alcohol.

Specifically: Isopropyl Denatured alcohol without lanolin - not Rubbing alcohol !
Thanks for all the tips guys. I have been inside many components, including cd/dvd players, and have cleaned laser lenses before, so no problems there. I had not considered the Pioneers fault to be a dirty lense symptom, but it could not hurt to try that first.
Thanks again,
Kiwi.