ii have tried using a dvd cleaner disc and it wont even read this is this worth the money to get it fixed or should we just look for a new one

peggy locke, October 2005

I have been around this problem several times.

The second time it refused a commercial DVD I put the thing in for repair.... Just as you said £120.

As time passes the frequency of refusal is increasing, not I believe due to degradation of the optics or system but due to the fact that more is being squeezed onto DVDs.

I read elsewhere that a guy had the player returned to him by Panasonic with an offending commercial disk that they reported as 'Not within DVD standard'.

I can consistently play DVD-R disks that have the Ritek G03 purple dye medium, yet certain brand new disks out of the shop fail...... says software problem to me.

Richard, October 2006

I have found the DVD player and surround sound to be very effective. I did replace the front two
speakers with larger 4ohm speakers.
A major problem began 2 years ago Some New DVDs would not always play. Message on LED display says "NO PLAY".
I discovered today that the problem lies with the laser being underpowered for some DVDs.
On the web I found a fix.
Follow or get someone competent to fix SA-HT80 with the following instructions:

1. Remove all disks from player.
2. When door is open slide front door cover upwards to remove.
3. Leave door open.
4. Important! UNPLUG FROM THE MAINS.
5. Remove the 3 screws from under the front panel then remove cover screws.
6. Disconnect player from the mains. Remove cover.
7. Once you have removed the cover you will see on left side is the drive parts.
8. Pull out the two flat cables which go to the Drive from the
vertical circuit Board(Hold the cable with thumb and forefinger close to the
connector and slide the flat cables out of their connector.
9. Remove the screws fixing the drive unit to the base of the cabinet.
10. Now remove drive unit.
11. Placing the drive upright on a flat surface proceed to remove the two screws holding the Plastic bridge
that sits over the disk.
12. Also undo the screw on the small circuit board which holds the disk sensor switch onto the bridge
and unclip that small board. Remove the disc retainer(This has a magnet which helps to clasp the disk in
place when in operation.
13. On underside of drive remove the two small screws from the drive circuit board.
You can now gently prize this board loose.(There is some resistance as a plastic clasp is holing onto the
underside.)
14. Turn Drive back to upright position.
15. Remove the screws which hold the drive in(Screws go through rubber mounts to cushion the drive).
16. Once you have loosened the drive look at the underside and you will see one flat cable goes to the Laser.
Where this cable meets the metal part you will see a tiny device connected on the outside edge
of the flat cable.
17. Turn the POT 1/5 off a turn clockwise(looks like a small washer and be gentle with it) I used pointed
nose pliers for this.
18. Now reassemble DVD player.

Neil, October 2005

My experience of these, is I usually end up having to replace the laser pick-up. Cost approx £120 fitted.

Some other suggestions here:...
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=007VX1

PS. Try a disc with a short total play time. If it works it's likely the player is simply unable to play long discs, which is a known issue with the SA-HT80.

Cobweb, October 2005