i have a scht80, ive read up on forums that its a fussy player....well it gotten worse, for example it will play a disc..then if i stop it for an hour it wont play when i go back to it
im prepared to open it up...will cleaning the laser help at all??

any tips please

steve, January 2005

I do not know if this will cure your problem but it may be worth a try.:
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

The laser pick-up in the SC-HT80 is not easily accessible.
I wouldn't advise attempting repair yourself unless qualified to do so. I've had a few with similar symptoms and replacement of the laser pick-up was required.

Cobweb, January 2005