Now what? My new DVD doesn't work!
Nothing is more frustrating than opening your brand new factory sealed DVD, placing it in your DVD player, and discovering it doesn't work! There are several steps you can try and check at home to get your DVD to work.
1. DVD Doesn't Play or Skips. DVD Not Able To Be Read By Player.
For some reason during the manufacturing process, some DVD's get a thin film of oil or grease on the playing surface. Occassionally we have also ran across some DVD's that are extremely dusty. A simple and quick fix for this problem is to wash the DVD. Wash the DVD in warm soapy water with a soft cloth. Rinse and dry the DVD. Then repeat the process again. A single washing isn't enough and the DVD does need to be washed twice to get the oily residue from the playing surface. This fix solves 90% of the problems with discs not playing or not being able to be read in a DVD player.
2. DVD Not Able To Be Read By Player.
Another reason the DVD may not be able to be read by the player is region codes. Every DVD has a region code and every DVD player is region coded to just read the DVD coded for their area. Region codes for the DVD are on the DVD back cover. If you have purchased a DVD from a different country, there is a good chance your DVD player will not play the DVD unless it is a region free DVD, you have a multizone DVD player, or have coded your DVD player to be able to read the disc. The reason for region codes is for studios to control the theatrical release of movies worldwide and maximize the earning potential of their films. Region codes are as follows:
- Region 1 - USA & Canada
- Region 2 - Japan, Europe, South Africa, Middle East, Greenland
- Region 3 - South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Parts of South East Asia
- Region 4 - Australia, New Zealand, Latin America (including Mexico)
- Region 5 - Easter Europe, Russia, India, Africa
- Region 6 - China
- Region 7 - Reserved for Unspecified Special Use
- Region 8 - Reserved for Cruise Ships, Airlines, etc...
- Region 0, Region All, or Region Free - Discs are uncoded and can be played Worldwide, however, PAL discs must be played in PAL compatible units and NTSC discs must be played in NTSC compatible units.
Please note, that even with a region free or DVD player, some studios are now introducing RCE (regional coding enhancement) which prevents some region 1 DVD's from even playing on a Code-Free DVD player.
3. DVD Not Read, Skips, Sound Issues, or Picture is Unclear.
If you have already tried step 1 of washing the DVD, try cleaning your DVD player. It is amazing how many disc errors, disc reading errors, picture problems, and sound problems are improved by cleaning your DVD player. The lens on you DVD player should be cleaned periodically to ensure maximum viewing pleasure of your DVD and extended use of your DVD player. Try searching on ebay for DVD cleaners to get a product in assisting you to clean your DVD machine and being able to enjoy your DVD's. Disc Cleaners on eBay.
4. DVD Does Not Play On My Computer or Game System.
Sometimes your DVD will not play on your computer. Depending upon when your computer was purchased, we have found most computers purchased before 2006 are not able to play certain DVD's. Also, some game systems can not play certain DVD's either. Try the DVD on a stand alone standard DVD player. You should find that if the DVD is not defective, it will play on the stand alone standard DVD player.
5. Disc Repair.
Sometimes the disc has a minor scratch, chip, or ding. If this is the case, a disc repair is needed. There are several different products to repair dics on ebay. Disc Repair on eBay. Some of these products are as simple as an inexpensive disc repair kit to a disc repair machine found in a DVD rental store. For a new DVD, I do not like having to repair a disc, but sometimes a disc comes off the spindle in shipping or the spindle breaks and the disc has some damage in shipment. If it is a simple and quick fix, I will use my disc repair. If it is a DVD that you want in mint condition and do not want to repair it, contact your seller of your DVD.
6. There Is No Fix For This Bad Disc - Contact your Seller.
If you have tried all of the fixes and nothing works, you might have a faulty disc. We sell thousands of DVD's a month, and occassionally, there are some bad discs (though this really isn't that common). If this is the case, contact the seller of your DVD. Any good reputable DVD seller will take back your DVD and replace it. Good DVD sellers on ebay should also have posted their return policy and if there is a problem, as a buyer you will know what to expect and what to do if your DVD should be defective. Most sellers will require you to return your DVD as the defective DVD needs to go back to the studios for credit and review.
Please note, this guide is only for brand new and factory sealed DVD's, not copies, bootlegs, or Asian imports.
)