Audio Systems: RCA Digital Video Disc Player Wont Play DVD, digital video disc, rca model

Question
Kevin:

Below is the player I have, the problem and what actions I have taken to date.

Make: RCA
Model: DRC220N
Plays: DVD, CD, VCD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3

I bought this item for my parents about 2 to 2-1/2 years ago. They seldom used it because of their unfamiliarity with operating this type of equipment.

About three times during the first year, I took dvd movies over and played them for their viewing. The dvd played o.k. but the last time, the player had some problem reading the disc and gave the error message "No Disc". With repeated tries, it finally read and played the dvd.

Shortly after the the first year was up, it quit playing the dvds at all and just gave the error message. I took the player home, called RCA for some troubleshooting advice and got absolutely no help from them. I put the player back in its box and stored it in a closet.

Recently, I decided to give troubleshooting and repairing it one more try.

It still gave the "No Disc" error message when I first tried to play a dvd.

I tried a brush tye disc cleaner and manually cleaning the lens with a cotton swab and alcohol, but it still would not read and play the dvd.

However, when I removed the dvd's housing, then removed the triangular shaped metal cover over the spindle, I was able to get the player to read and play dvd's.

The only thing I had to do was position something above the disc to gently keep it from flying off the spindle when it was starting up. Once the disc reach operating speed and started playing, the disc would stay on the spindle on its own and play completely.

I hate to discard the player since it has been used so little, is not that old and plays so many different types of media.

Any suggestions regarding what I can do to correct the problem this player is having reading and playing disks?

Thank you.

Raymond  

Answer
Dear Raymond,

There are two ways to approach this.

One: take it in to wherever you bought it and have it fixed. Yes, you've found a stop-gap measure, but you're not always going to be around for your folks when they want to watch a movie. Besides, you don't want anyone getting careless, letting the DVD slip, and getting a laser shot right in the eye. I never recommend messing with laser mechanisms.

Or...

Two: chuck it and get a new one.

I'm in favor of two. Here's why. First, the warranty date has long since expired, so RCA is going to be no help. Second, the cost of fixing it right will likely be as expensive as buying a new one.

Go to KMart or WalMart and pick up any cheap DVD player. I've seen them for as low as $50. When it breaks (and it will, but they all do), trash it and get another. I know this smacks of planned obsolescence and/or conspicuous consumption, but unless you plop down around $500 and another $150 for a long-term warranty plan, you're going to pretty much buy something that will eventually develop issues.

BTW, I haven't seen a DVD player made in the last 2-3 years that *doesn't* play DVD, CD, VCD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3.

BTW No. 2, I haven't recommended a stand-alone CD player for years. I tell CD player buyers the same thing I'm telling you: get a cheap DVD player and use it until it breaks. Another advantage to this strategy is that each newer model will have more features that right now cost too much.

Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!

Kindest regards,

Kevin