Electronics Forum / Repair / July 2008

Most of the Sonys from a couple of years back had a full blown accessible
auto setup and auto diagnostic mode. I guess their current ones probably do
as well. I can't remember ever having seen a CD player with any visually
displayed test mode as such, although Pioneer players used to have a test
mode where various functions could be actioned manually ie run the sled
miotor, run the spindle motor, force the laser on, force continuous focus
seek etc.

But what is the mileage in this ? Modern DVD players - even the better
quality ones - are seldom worth repairing, even if the service info and
parts are available. Service assistance from the manufacturer usually isn't.
Most DVD faults are related to the optical block, which isn't difficult to
diagnose, but either isn't available as a spare, or is prohibitively
expensive. Next most common problem is power supply, particularly
electrolytics. Any other fault, is unlikely to be resolvable, with
'standard' bench equipment, and limited knowledge, unless it's a software
problem that is known, and for which the manufacturer has a patch. It is
very rare to actually get into a player with a meter to measure voltages.

CD player faults are almost always optical block, power supply, or
mechanical. Optical blocks can be had for most makes at a reasonable price,
so they are worth repairing, but with the notable exception of Pioneer
players, most these days do not have any setups that are intended to be
measured or adjusted.

Arfa