A Simple User's Guide to DVD Player Care and Maintenance

DVD players now have become as common as VCR's were when they first became more accessible to the open market, and now with them costing less than $100 (* and can usually be bought as a combo with a VCR at most places), it's a sound investment in order to have hours of enjoyment watching your favorite flick. But, why go out and spend that extra hundred bucks on a new one when something happens to it when there are simple and easy ways to take care of it? Wouldn't it be great if you could make that blessed machine that we use to play movies with last as long as possible? Sure it would!

I have taken the time to put a user-friendly guide together for those of us who are in the majority that own DVD players and would like to get the most of our money out of them. DVD players, while still cheap, can really cut into the bottom line if you are strapped for cash, and if you can spare them the humiliation of being tossed out, do so. But, before we get to talking of the values of a DVD player, let's get into the basic care that is needed for this technology:

1) The DVD player never used to be so cheap, as when they had first come out on the open market as a new and existing technology, there were in the hundred-of-dollars-range and were very expensive to keep and maintain. This is very much like people who own plasma televisions, as plasma is more expensive to maintain than an LCD HD-TV and is now currently being attempted to be phased out as they are so costly to produce. So, now that they are so cheap, don't immediately get it into your mind that just because of the fact that it can purchased easily does not mean that you should shirk your responsibilites that come with owning the machine. It still breaks down and it still can go on the fritz just like any other machine and/or technology that you have lying about the house. If you don't take care of it, you lose it.

2) If you upgrade to an HD-DVD player or Blu-Ray, don't get rid of your existing technology. If you have to, find another place for it in the house, such as a closet or maybe even put it on another TV that you have in the house that you can use it on, such as the bedroom. There is no reason that you cannot use what you already have just becuase you have the next big thing. Also, if you have teenaged children that have just received a television and haven't had the money or the means to purchase a DVD player, these can make great gifts for those that are lacking or can't afford to have one. Clean it up and give it to them just to show how much that you appreciate their friendship or your love for your kids!

3) When troubleshooting problems on DVD players, don't immediately assume that you know everything just because you have had one for a while or have played around with your neighbor's next door. Always take the time to read the manual, even if you only just skim the major points. Place the manual in a safe an easy accessible place where you always know where it is and can easily refer to it if needed.

4) Never skimp on the proper tools to take care of A DVD player, most specifically the cleaner. There are two type of cleaners that one can get for a DVD, which are the dry brush type and the brush/liquid cleaner combo. The dry brush types you can typically buy anywhere for a dollar or more, but the main problems with these types of cleaners is that there is not a barrier between the brushes and the lens of the player itself. The lens is what allows the player to read your disks, and if the lens becomes off-center or damaged due to cleaning, it will destroy you DVD player and can also damage the player permanently if this happens. Go ahead and pay that little bit extra that is needed for the combo, as the liquid gives that barrier that is needed. The liquid is usually alcohol-based and will provide that much needed buffer between the brushes and the lens that will protect it during these times. If your DVD player shuts off during cleaning, do not panic! Sometimes in the instructions, it will say if this will happen, as what is happening is that the alcohol-based liquid is drying and it will turn the machine off in order to protect valuable components so that they are not shorted out during the cleaning.

5) Never, and I specify, never attempt to hook up a DVD player while your TV is running! This is a common mistake by first-time owners as they do not take into account that electricity will still kill anything new and will short the machine out just as soon as you try it after getting it out of the box! When you are making this hook-up, turn everything off and then make the proper connections and make sure that everything is hooked up correctly by following the diagrams in the manual. This may seem like a pain-staking process, but it will be well worth it in the long run in order to ensure your own safety as well as the safety of your equipment. One thing that you do not need is to get a nasty electrical shock or burn just because you allowed your passion for having a new toy get the better of you!

6) In cleaning, never clean your DVD all the time. While most cleaners will tell you to clean it once a month or after a certain amount of plays, what they fail to tell you is that in cleaning it all of the time that it can also destroy the laser and lens within your machine. It's just like with anything: too much of a good thing and too much maintenance can lead to losing your player and having to buy a new one. A good motto to live by: 'If it's not broken, do not fix it!'

7) If there is a massive dust accumulation that is settling upon your player, do not put a compressed air cartridge in there to clean it! This will only send the dust flying onto boards, sensors and motors and will only decrease the life of your player. Instead, unhook your player completely (*after you turn everything off, of course) and take a damp cloth and clean it just like you would if you were dusting your shelves or other surfaces in your home. Make sure that your rag is ringed extremely dry and just damp enough to where you can feel the water, but not to where it's dripping. Wipe the outside surafces, and then go over it with a dry cloth, making sure there is no excess water on the tp. Never clean the bottom, as there are vented holes where the water can get in and cause shorts. Then, just simply hook it back up as before and enjoy!

8) If you have what is called a 'dual-deck' (* A DVD/VCR combo), make sure that you keep the VCR end cleaned just as well as the DVD. The problem with dual decks is that if one side goes out, the whole system fails to work properly and you are out whatever you paid for it. The same goes for any combo where a television is involved. Before you go buying the VCR or DVD/TV combos, look at the cost and then weigh out your options. While combos may be an easier way to get your entertainment, they are also one of the most expensive set-backs that a person can have, and if they go out, you are out all of that money. If you have to pay a little bit extra to get seperate equipment, do it. I used to use a separate VCR and DVD player for my needs, and if you have to move some connections around, say if you own a PS2 or some other video game system, it only takes a few minutes to move back and forth, so take the time to do what you need to do.

9) Always check the back connections of every DVD player you purchase. While the system may be universal in most respects, every company designs their back-connecting sockets differently and may use different language to describe them in the manuals. Look at every diagram carefully and get the lingo down so you know what you are doing. If it take several attempts to get it right, make sure to diconnect the power and do it again if you have to. As the old saying goes : 'If all else fails, try , try again.'

10) Always keep spares of the little things around the house just in case something happens, like the cat began to chew on your AV cords for fun. Keep at least a few sets of AV cords, coaxial cables, and other connectors on hand just in case this eventuality should happen. They are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at such places like Radio Shack for mere pennies on the dollar.

11) If you decide to purchase a universal remote if your system does not already come with one, make sure that it is a barnd you trust. Never buy one in such places , such as a discount store, as even though they may be cheaper there, they may not always work with your current equipment, which means one thing....you are out more money. if you want one, go to a retail store or somewhere like Circuit City or maybe Best Buy, and talk with the sales clerks there to find out exactly what you need and if it is compaticle with your current schematic.

12) Never buy off brands. Off brands are produced cheaply, and while you may be saving a few bucks, it also means that they will go out just that much quicker than your normal retail brands. Always stick to the brands that you know, such as Magnavox or Sharp. You may be paying more money, but it will mean that much more time in years of your movie-viewing pleasure.

The DVD player is one of the greatest technologies that has ever been devised in the world of entertainment, and just like with anything that we cherish, we have to learn to take care of it. If we didn't take care of our automobiles that we use to get around, take vacations, and get to work, we all know what would happen. The same goes with DVD players, as if you do not take care of it, you will defnitely lose it and therefore where would you be? The answer is simple: fresh out of luck!