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View Full Version : Question about player maintenance, re: lubrication


phædrus
13th August 2005, 20:22
I have a 3-year old Apex DVD player that is region-free and M*cr*v*s**n-free. (I don't want to use foul language.) This player has started to act up -- freezing at odd times while playing a DVD, then after 30 sec. or so jumping ahead a few minutes to the next chapter. Before I junk this player, which really has had pretty light use, I thought I'd try lubricating the main disc motor. Couldn't hurt, right? Well, it shouldn't hurt if you use the right lubricant. What would be safest? I'm a little leery of WD-40, but perhaps that is best? What would the professionals use?

I also have an old Philips laserdisc player which worked fine the last time I used it, but it has been in storage for over a year, and I'd like to lubricate the main bearing before I bring it out and try to play some of my rare old laserdiscs that can't be found on DVD. (Like the theatrical cut of Blade Runner, for example.) I'd like to capture these and transfer to a DVD-R. So, it's the same question here. What is recommended as a lubricant for routine maintenance on such a player?

Thanks for any informed counsel you can provide.

SeeMoreDigital
13th August 2005, 21:18
It sounds like your DVD drive/loader may have gone on your Apex player.... Unfortunately they don't last forever :(

You could try lubricating the main bearing with WD-40 but NOT the main disc motor.... For that you need to "sparingly" use a electronic contact cleaner lubricant and wait a couple of hours before powering up the device!


Cheers

phædrus
14th August 2005, 17:09
Thanks SMD. Unfortunately, the player hasn't had much use -- maybe 2 or 3 times a week. But it is cheap Chinese. What do you expect?

Yes, lube the bearing on each one with WD-40 -- I think that would be OK. I just wondered if anything better existed.

SeeMoreDigital
14th August 2005, 18:27
If the loader has gone on the fritz there's nothing really that can be done, other than to replace it. Or buy a new player!

Unfortunately, as the popularity of DVD has risen, and the costs fallen. The build quality of the DVD loader in budget player has declined to an embarrassingly low standard :(

Sadly, even well respected manufacturers are not immune to switching DVD loaders. Often as the popularity of a particular model increases.....

So in this regard - you really do get what you pay for!


Sorry