Need help troubleshooting a Sony DVD/VHS player that won't display a DVD though it spins the disk, VHS works and displays it, the CRT TV screen works, control panel display works. Lack schematics and a general block diagram of how a DVD works. Note photos of nameplate, DVD cassette player lifted above the main control board, and what we see on the TV of just snow. Thank you.

 

I just placed this issue under general electronics as I recall. Sony DVD/VHS player won't play the DVD though it spins it. VHS player works and outputs to the TV, but not the DVD. Lack schematics for the SLV-D380P.

Mod: Merged the threads.

 

IN simplest of terms the process of reading a DVD is done in3 steps.
1) Detect that a DVD is present (spinning disk indicates that this step succeeded)
2) Read the TOC from the disk (This requires that the disk is readable.)
3) Read the DVD info and play it.

I believe that you are stuck at step 2. Try cleaning the lens using a cotton swab and alcohol. Please be very gentle. If this does not resolve the problem, it is likely that the optics are bad. Try playing a CD instead. If this works, the optics are likely failing. A CD does not require as much accuracy for reading as a DVD and will continue to work when a DVD won't in many cases.

Keep us posted.

 

abrsvc: Thank you for the 3 steps. Just opening and closing restoring the DVD cassette into position got it working as shown by the blue boot-up screen with play option. I've also covered, with thumb for photo contrast, the spinning DVD symbol which doesn't spin on the control panel but lights up. It was lit up before when the DVD was non functional. I need to learn what TOC and other features you describe for me, to fully understand, as this situation could repeat. I didn't fix anything but the DVD works. Thank you. Would still appreciate a schematic.

 

Table of Contents would not come up initially when the DVD was not playable but I see it now.

 

abrsvc: I'm unable to view DVDs again. Please walk me through the hookup attachment of inputs feeding through a box with outputs. I see the antenna feeding through the RCA Converter box, then to the RCA Rf Modulator and then to the TV. Next, start from the Sony DVD/VCR and why does it go up to the RCA Converter box as well as going down to the RCA Rf Modulator? The TV's input is the RCA Rf Modulator output? Thank you.