Audio Systems: Toshiba DVD, toshiba dvd player, laser diode

Question
QUESTION: I have a Toshiba DVD player, Model # SD-K 740 SU  When I play almost any movie, the player slows down and then freezes in the middle of the movie and often before that.  I have cleaned the disks and also used a disk to clean the player itself but that does not work either.  I have read that I need to clean the lens.  I took off the top and looked inside but it looks like there is a bar ofr something that goes over everything .  It does not look like it can be removed as it seems to be part of the whole player  itself.  I want to know if you would suggest how to fix this.  I would appreciate it.

Thank you.

ANSWER: Does it play audio CD discs ok?  If so, it most likely means the laser diode inside the optical pickup has gone weak.  CD does not take as much laser  power as does a dvd, so this is the reason it is not reading your DVDs very well.

Problem is the cost of repairing or replacing the  optical pickup is as much or more than the price of a new dvd player ($25 and up).

Sorry for the bad news.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for the reply.  We have things like CDs in boxes so I cannot access them now.  I do notice that I mainly have problems with video movies from the library.  I watch videos from "The Teaching Company" and they work fine.  Those are 3 hours in length.  They have only been watched a few times though.

GB

Answer
Inability to play older or somewhat worn/used cds is a sign of a weak laser diode as previously reported.  You can try cleaning the surface of the cd with a soft dust free cleaning cloth.

If you hold the disc in the light just right you can often visually see whether it has a worn, scratched or dirty surface. If so, these discs are hard to play on any machine.

Thanks for the comments and best wishes.