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December 31st, 2009 
ian Problem:
A 2005 model TV/DVD combo functions fine for a few months. Suddenly, for no obvious reason, the DVD player flashes ‘wrong disk’ regardless of which DVD I put in it. In the meantime, the TV tuner and the two A/V hookups function fine, and the TV/DVD combo will play a DVD–only IF–I use a separate DVD player attached to one of the A/V ports.
Observation after investigating the problem online:
1) This problem occurs sporadically across many different DVD models–foreign and domestic–so the issue is not ‘brand specific.’
2) This has nothing to do with a ‘region code,’ since the DVD player once worked fine and played DVDs as it should. The DVDs were legal and not copies. The DVDs were Region 1 — as well as the DVD player. The DVDs were legally rented or purchased for Region 1.
3) Cleaning the DVD player with a DVD cleaning kit, or with a cotton swab and alcohol makes no difference in the DVD player’s response.
4) A driver upgrade or some sort of update code is not applicable because this is a DVD drive independent of a computer. These DVD drives are frequently portable (i.e. Sony), part of combo TV/DVD set (like mine) or a free-standing DVD player. These DVD drives are not part of or connected in any way to a computer hard drive.
I found that the only *prospective answers* for this issue are either the good-intentioned, but misguided thoughts I’ve listed above–or–answers that require a membership and / or a fee before you are privy to them. This last option seems to be the most viable, since the answer is usually provided by a *certified electronics* person.
I understand that paying for professional advice is fair, but why can I find information from *certified builders* and *licensed electricians* for NO FEE or MEMBERSHIP if I have a home improvement issue?
Seriously, the TV/DVD player is only a couple of years old (although it is considered a 2005 model — I bought it NEW in 2006). Through my online searching–using several different search engines and reading page after page of trouble-shooting guides and electronic forums… I found many a frustrated post from folks who have brand spankin’ new DVD players (2007-08 models!) but report the same ‘wrong disk’ problem.
I have a degree in computer science, and I have no problem rolling up my sleeves and ripping apart a hard drive or printer or scanner to attempt to make repairs–I mean seriously–after the manufacturers’ warranty and the extended warranties end, what do you have to lose anyway? And, I have fixed quite a few machines by trying the advice I find in cyberspace. (I’m also comfortable working with electricity, so I highly suggest that no one tear a machine apart unless you have some basic knowledge!!)
My hunch is that this DVD player is simply failing. Quality, similar to toasters, microwaves or other small appliances, has deteriorated as prices dropped. DVD players sold in the last few years are cheaply made and considered disposable by the companies who make them.
So… what’s my question? Can anyone give legitimate technical advice about how to remedy a ‘wrong disk’ error on a DVD player? If the honest response is that I should trash the DVD player and buy a new one, I’ll accept that! Maybe some sage electronic advice from a knowledgeable professional out there will save lots of folks from following in my unsuccessful keystrokes!
Thanks!
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Option 1. In fact this recently happened to my dvd player a trutech. Kept telling me wrong disc, tried several, same answer with each one. Did some research online and found out the model I have has had pretty bad reviews and only has a time span of operating for 6-12 months before “burning itself out” so anyways, I think your out of luck.
Most recent DVD players have knowledge that DVD formats other than DVD-Video exist, and are prepared to reject these if given them to read. My guess is that your DVD player has a failing, but not completely failed laser, so its able to determine there actually is a disc in place, but can’t make any sense of it.
Certainly a DVD player should last more than 3-4 years.. but they don’t always do so. Some of it’s based on use — there’s going to be a base MTBF (mean time between failure) for any part, and even that’s just a guesstimate.. but it’s based on use time, not real world time. So a heavy DVD viewer may get a much shorter physical lifetime out of a player than a casual user.
Of course, a few things other than laser aging could be responsible, but it sounds like you have investigated most of these. Dirt and dust is the first thing to check… though depending on your unit, you may actually have to take it apart to get at the problem… I’m not convinced that “cleaning discs” do anything at all.
If the probably has been laser aging, I would expect the player to fail on DVD-RW before DVD-R, and DVD-R before commericial glass-mastered DVDs. But if you’re getting no joy at all on any DVD, it could well be that the red laser has already failed, and the player is managing to detect the presence of a disc (but not do much with it) with its IR laser… pretty much all modern DVD players have two laser diodes, one IR for CD reading, one red for DVD reading. In fact, if you can still read CDs with it, that’s an indicator (though not absolute proof) that dust isn’t your problem.
Anyway, other than cleaning, there’s not much you can do. These things change in design so quickly, the parts from a 2005 model are almost certainly not available anymore. And of course, DVD players are so cheap, it doesn’t usually pay to fix them… so there’s really no industry around to provide repair services. You can find a really nice state-of-the-art player for under $100, while a repairman would probably have to charge you $50/hr. just to make end meet.