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General discussion

Problems when watching DVDs

Jun 4, 2005 3:01AM PDT

Within the last few months, I finally got an HDTV. Anyway, I've noticed that when watching DVDs, the screen will go black for a split second a few times (maybe once every 30 minutes). At first, I was worried that it was the TV or the component input on the TV.

Well, this morning, I switched the HDTV and DVD inputs and watched another DVD. Same thing happened. Because it never happened when watching TV using the same component connectors, I'm assuming it has nothing to do with the TV.

Anyway, I didn't notice the audio skipping so it probably isn't the dvd lense (I've read that Sony DVD players can have ****** lenses). Could it possibly be the component cables (Accoustic Research)? Or would this probably be the DVD player's component connectors (2 years old)?

Discussion is locked

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DVD blackouts
Jun 4, 2005 8:50AM PDT

DVDs have several layers. When switching layers the screen freezes for about a second. Everything is more noticible on HDTV than standard TV. Is the screen freezing or actually going black? I'm wondering if anyone else is having similar problems.

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Not freezing
Jun 4, 2005 9:43AM PDT

It is going black. I'm used to the 'freezing' when a dvd changes layers

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Anyone?
Jun 6, 2005 11:39PM PDT

^bump^

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hmmm
Jun 7, 2005 1:51AM PDT

It could be that the signal type changes upon disc startup and your TV has to adjust for it. You might see a similar anamoloy if you are watching digital TV and a program comes on that supports your desired video settings so your receiver will switch to that (say... from 480i to 720p or something). Another way the signal changes is if you are playing XBOX, when you put in a game that supports higher resolution video... the xbox changes the signal it sends your TV & your TV might have to adjust to it.

Does this happen the beginning of things or is it at random points during the show/movie/game ?

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random
Jun 7, 2005 2:21AM PDT

it will happend at random parts during the movie. last night when it happened, i hit rewind and watched that segment again, and it played thru fine

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Maybe......
Jun 7, 2005 2:27AM PDT

It could be your component cables or the component input that is causing the problem. While playing the DVD, try fiddling the wires to see if you can simulate the results.

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possible, but
Jun 7, 2005 8:51PM PDT

I tried playing w/ the component cables while watching a dvd but I couldn't cause a drop of the video.

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hehe...
Jun 8, 2005 11:47AM PDT

if you don't think its a loose connection with the cables or even electromagnetic noise (perhaps there are some power cords near your video cables that surge sometimes... maybe when the furnace kicks on or something). then it will likely be an intermittent electrical failure in your dvd player; probably has a faulty card in it. verify this by using a friend's player or an old player of your own for a while. if the manufacturers warranty is still good on your player, take it in & tell them the problem... its likely you aren't the only one. if you verify that its not your player... think along the same lines with your display device.

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possible solution
Jun 8, 2005 9:36PM PDT

Well I went out and picked up another DVD player from Sears to do some testing. Plugged it in and started watching a DVD. I had to do other things after awhile, but I managed to get about 1.25 hours into the movie and didn't notice anything.

I plan on testing it out alot this weekend and then I'll have to decide if I want to get a new DVD player, ie, keep the one I just bought, or just keep watching the busted one

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Still an issue
Jun 19, 2005 4:34AM PDT

The problem persists on the new DVD player. Looks like someone from Sony is going to have to come and look at this one