Anyone got problems with DVDs not working?

Because I anticipated that it wouldn't be around long I got the NewOrder 316 DVD back last May, even though I didn't have a player!! (my wife thought it was a stunningly clever move to ultimately mither her to get one!).

I've now got a machine, but noticed that 316 is about a second or so out of lyp sync all the way through. This isn't so bad on the concert sequences but it's bloody annoying on the interview close-ups. Other DVDs, including the two recent DVD singles seem OK.

Anyone got any idea what the problem is?

I'm asuming the machine is ok (both disk and player are for Region 2)

Even if I could find the receipt and take it back to Smiths I doubt if they could do a swap as I'm assuming the disk is now deleted or, going by other correspondence on the forum, at least difficult to come by.

Please help!

By the way, for non Northerners please look up your Coronation Street dictionaries for a definition of "mither"!!

Thanks

Steve

Steve, I think you can still get the 316 DVD from blackstar.co.uk That's where I got mine from.

The problem you describe is common in SOME Pioneer machines. Tell me the brand and model of your machine and i'll delve into my bottomless pit of info and see if I can offer some solution to the problem. Also list the discs that play fine and any others that don't. MOST manufacturers will upgrade the firmware in your machine for free if necessary.

Muffy,

Thanks

the machine is a Ferguson (Thomson) DVD 400.

I only got it yesterday and my DVD stock is limited! At the moment I've only spotted problems with 316.

If it's going to give me any grief I'll have no hesitation in giving Comet or the makers grief in return!!

If you can help with a fix though I'll appreciate it.

Thanks again

Steve

This model is fairly new but the chip with the firmware is is an older one but should work well enough. If possible try the disc on another machine and see if it still has the same problem, but it plays fine on both my Samsung and Panasonic machines. I'd go back to Comet and get another machine but they should be able to put you in touch with Ferguson who will change the chip for free if you'd rather do that. The problem you describe is common with certain manufacturers and is easily solved by a newer chip.

To make your machine multi-region do the following:

Using the remote control press menu, then 1,6,7. The machine should now ask for a region code, in which case enter either the number of the region coding of the disc you want to play or 'mute' for all regions.

Try here for cheap discs, play247.com.

Let me know how it goes.

Would that work on my player (what you just described for multi-regioning it?). Mine's a Sanyo, don't have the technical stuff in front of me but it's a region 1

Originally posted by Taboo # 7 Would that work on my player (what you just described for multi-regioning it?). Mine's a Sanyo, don't have the technical stuff in front of me but it's a region 1

Yours would need another code Tabsy. What's the model number?

I'll have to get back to you on that, I'll look at it tonight and e-mail ya tomorrow...

Muffy, are you saying there's a code for dvd players that are not multi-region already? i got a dvd for chrismas i haven't even used yet because they got a player with only region one coding and all i wanted it for was to watch 316. Mine's a Panasonic DVD-RV31.

Originally posted by Geaux Hagen Muffy, are you saying there's a code for dvd players that are not multi-region already? i got a dvd for chrismas i haven't even used yet because they got a player with only region one coding and all i wanted it for was to watch 316. Mine's a Panasonic DVD-RV31.

Your Panasonic cannot be hacked with any codes from the remote control but it can be easily chipped for multi-region or better still reprogrammed with the service disc Panasonic issue their engineers. If you use a good search engine such as Yahoo! you should be able to find a company close to you who can carry out this reprogramming as the service discs for Panasonics tend to fall into the hands of unofficial dealers regularly and easily. Getting the machine chipped is your next best option, again you should be able to find a company in your area who can do this for a modest fee.

Thanks Muffy!

Reference back to Muffy (start of this thread).

I took the Ferguson DVD back to Comet and the guys almost fell about laughing at how out of lip sync NewOrder 3 16 was!!

Needless to say they'd no hesitation in swapping the machine.

I've now got a Toshiba SD-105EB which plays 3 16 with no problems so far (I'll check later - eight year old son currently watching "Cats & Dogs" DVD!).

The people at Ferguson said they'd one previous complaint with lip sync on the DVD 400 and that was with a Disney film.

I've nothing but praise for the way Comet handled this, so I'll recommend the shop to those in the UK. However, the salesman warned me against remote handset modding the Region codes (at worst it could blow the thing up basically, or at best invalidate the warranty) was this just to scare me off from buying DVDs elsewhere rather than them?

Thanks for bearing with me.

Steve

A dvd player made for region 1 is the same as a dvd player made for region 2, except for the voltage requirements. Whether a machine plays region 1 or 2 is down to the programming of the chip the discs you play communicate with when you load them into your player. On loading a disc it 'introduces' itself to the chip as region 1 or 2 etc. If the chip is'nt the same it refuses to play the disc. Remote control hacks are just a way of reprogramming the chip and is exactly how the chip is programmed to start with, so doing it at home will not harm the machine in any way. So yes, although probably told to do so, the guy at Comet was talking bollocks. Remote control hacks usually only work with cheaper machines, big names such as Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer etc. tend to use more expensive chips that need to be programmed from a dvd-rom.

What about a Hitachi 300 series

Muffy,

thanks again kind Sir!

Possibly one last request though - what's the remote hack for my Toshiba?

Cheers

Steve

Cheers Steve for starting this thread, and big cheers Muffy for the informative and useful information.

Originally posted by Steve Connolley Muffy,thanks again kind Sir!Possibly one last request though - what's the remote hack for my Toshiba?CheersSteve

Toshibas can't be hacked from the remote, they can be reprogrammed or chipped. Go here for the info. techtronics.com.

Originally posted by Grigory Rasputin, the mad mystic of Petrograd Muffler...anyway you can tell me to get my Panasonic VCR to play DVDs???? I'm really keen on watching that 316 disc as well...

Err, i'll have to get back to you on that one Jeff!

Originally posted by Grigory Rasputin, the mad mystic of Petrograd Well...if you say so then...I didn't really think it could be done...but we got a little laugh out of it...and I ask again, my esteemed brother, is there anything you DON'T know???

Well, I really don't know why people think that Harry Poo Poo pish is so great!