for the DVD / tech experts on here

[ezodisy]

I bought a 2 DVD set this weekend. I play DVDs on the laptop, have never had a problem until now. The first DVD, which is labelled DVD 5, is not playing. The second, labelled DVD 9, is fine. I looked up these numbers and apparently DVD 5 is the standard format so I can't understand why it's not working. Any ideas?

[ezodisy]

Nevermind. It must be sod's law that I always find a solution or answer after asking a question. A little spit and wipe solved it. Thanks.

[Anne]

Nevermind. It must be sod's law that I always find a solution or answer after asking a question. A little spit and wipe solved it. Thanks.

Never thought of that before.  I'll remember that solution next time I'm in trouble.  Thanks!

[SonicMan46]

Well, my first 'rule of thumb' when I get Netflix rentals, a good wipe w/ my DVD cloth after a careful inspection - be sure to carefully remove dried pizza and other sundries! 

[ezodisy]

Well, my first 'rule of thumb' when I get Netflix rentals, a good wipe w/ my DVD cloth after a careful inspection - be sure to carefully remove dried pizza and other sundries! 

I'm used to this too with Lovefilm. However today it occured with a new and pristine straight out of the box 

Never thought of that before.  I'll remember that solution next time I'm in trouble.  Thanks!

Remember, wipe from the centre down to the edge only

[SonicMan46]

I'm used to this too with Lovefilm. However today it occured with a new and pristine straight out of the box 

Remember, wipe from the centre down to the edge only

Yes, I've had a few 'new' DVDs skip and w/ some wiping seemed to play OK - don't know the reason?

Second, good advice - remember the 'spiral grooves' are circular, so wipe perpendicular, as suggested! 

[Opus106]

*Super bump*

My DVDs of Don Giovanni, which I purchased from MDT last year, refuse to go beyond the menu. On loading the disc for the first time, I got a message that there was an error in the disc; loading it once more, the error "vanished" and up came the copyright notice and the Universal and DG logos, but after that the menu appeared in a pixelated form and was completely non-functional. I have played another opera DVD (also from the MDT order) in the stand-alone player (a run-of-the-mill Samsung) and the Don G. discs play properly on my computer (a Linux box, to boot).

Does any one know what could possibly be the problem and how to rectify it? As I said, these are new discs and I tried playing them today only for the second time in about 4-5 months.