How long does a dvd player last?

[bleaker]

This question may have asked before but I couldn't find it in a search. My dvd player is about 4 years old and is a Samsung. Also how can you tell when it needs to replaced?

[bboisvert]

I got my first player (Pioneer DVL-700) in March of 1999. I've watched an average of 1-2 movies per day on the thing since I got it. It's probably seen about 4000-5000 hours of use. Not a single problem yet.

I imagine that most quality players (read: not an Apex or off-brand) would give years and years of trouble-free operation. Maybe some standard maintenance every 5-10 years or so...

Originally posted by bleaker
Also how can you tell when it needs to replaced?

I'm not sure I understand this... either you're having problems with a player or you're not.

[murpm3]

Hmmm How can one answer a question like this?

I would answer base on the following:

If you take care of it...dust it...refrain from dropping it...keep the kids from sticking peanut butter in it....dont use it as a football or frisbee...tell it it's a good dvd player...and once in a while give it a nice video output jack massage....

It should last a few years, before it decides to die.

[Jackson]

My first player was a Toshiba that I got in the Spring of 1998 and about a month after the one year manufacturers warranty ended it crapped out. It was really a surprise to me since I baby every piece of electronic equipment I own. But about a month later I got a Sony and haven't had problems since. I don't think most companies generally make "bad" players, I have friends who have had their Apex's for years without problems, but sometimes you get a bad apple in the bunch. As far as being able to tell when it's going bad, I don't know if you really can, my Toshiba for example just stopped playing DVD's one day, and then eventually just stopped powering up all together. Generally I would say that any player should last quite awhile.

[Imhotep]

Well considering a DVD player isn't nearly as expensive as a typical VCR player was and even still is, replacing one shouldn't be all that big of a deal even if they do go bad after the warranty expires.

I mean ****, remember when VCRs first came out? They were damn near $1000. And now you can get a DVD Player for about $70.

[Pants]

Originally posted by Imhotep
remember when VCRs first came out? They were damn near $1000. And now you can get a DVD Player for about $70. When they first came out they were damn near $10,000

[DVD.guy]

Well, I've had my RCA ($300) since 1998 and it's been working fine. However, I did experience a problem playing Signs last weekend but used a lens cleaner and the problem was resolved.

[bboisvert]

My first VCR (~1977) was around $1500. Man, those were the days. ;)

[DarthMarklar]

Considering the advances in DVD players, i.e. Firmware upgrades becoming better, caching for layer changes, progressive scaning, more features (slow motion, reverse frame advance) etc., I'd say waiting for your DVD player to "go bad" shouldn't be the only reason why you get a new player.

Think of them like computers. A 4 year old DVD player is slightly behind the times. Although it might still play fine, you can always benefit with a brand new one. My player is a few years old and I'm thinking of replacing it already (especially considering it doesn't have Progressive scan).

[DavidH]

remember when VCRs first came out? They were damn near $1000. And now you can get a DVD Player for about $70.

In 1980, my dad bought an RCA VHS player for $1000. I remember how big and heavy it was (it was silver) and it looked almost like a giant cassette player with the tape holder standing up; you put the tape in, then you press the holder down. The remote also had a cord to the player.

Let's also not forget that blank tapes were going for 20-40.00 each. And movies....whew!

[parrothead]

Heat is the killer of DVD equipment. If your player's placement is anywhere on top of any other equipment that emitts heat, chances are the laser pickup will eventually fail. The trick is to keep it cool and it could last indefinitely.

[bdhart]

I bought a Pioneer DVL-700 (DVD/Laser Disc combo) in September of 1997 and it is still going strong.

[Rockybalboa]

Average life span of a dvd is between 3-5 years, as the average life span of a cd player is around 8 years. There are of course exceptions to these rules as you see listed above. If you got 4 years out of a Samsung you did UNBELIEVABLELY WELL!! If it plays without locking up, and still plays all discs, it is fine and does not need to be replaced. And Laser cleaners really do not do much to help out.

[Iron_Giant]

I had my Sony 360 that played ever DVD under the sun, but it died about 3 years after I bought it.

So, I had to go out and buy a DVD player with surround sound built into the system.

I was never so happy for something to break, never could have justified spending $380.00 to buy the new system.

[lwhy?]

My whole dvd buying experience started in November 2002, My mom bought me an Apex dvd player for my birthday. I didn't know anything about dvds then. I probably do not know much now. I stopped stretching my WS dvds. My Apex player(piece of crap) broke down after four months. I bought an Emerson and it has lasted so far. I am thinking about buying a Sony progressive scan player. And maybe a WS tv if I can afford it. I now have over 100 dvds now. You might want to upgrade your player. You can buy some Sony dvd players for $99 now. About the VCR my family saved up money for two years to buy our first VCR. We would haul off loads of aluminium cans and glass bottles to the recycling center and get cash. I was about four or five then. The VCR is about 15 years old now and it still works. It is an Emerson too. The VCR won't tape though. The heads wore out on it. It still plays tapes like a dream.

[Joe R]

It's all about how you treat your equipment.Bought my first player a Sony DVP-3000 in Dec.97 still going strong.

[Rammsteinfan]

My first DVD player from late 97 ($499) still worked until Nov 2002 when I sold it for $50! Got tired of not being able to play MP3, SVCD, etc on it.

[TheOne]

Got my Toshiba 2109 back in early 99.
Still going strong. About 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day usage.

Although I just bought the KLH DVD 8350 from Costco to play jpgs from vacation pictures taken from my digital camera and to play some VCDs.

[John Sy]

I've had my Toshiba SD-2108 since Christmas of 1998. It doesn't play Emperor's New Groove...but otherwise, haven't had any problems with it at all.

[Deke Rivers]

Originally posted by Rockybalboa
Average life span of a dvd is between 3-5 years,

where did you pull this one out from????

[darkside]

My Sony S300 from 1998 still works great, but since it doesn't support DTS its in the bedroom.

My only failed DVD player was an Onkyo C600 that stopped reading discs 1 year after I bought it in 2000.

[Rockybalboa]

Average life span of a dvd is between 3-5 years,
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where did you pull this one out from????


I work in an electronics store, I have seen more players brought in for service that are around this age than I can remember!

[gapere]

My Sony DVP-S7000 that I got in 97 is still going strong though it doesn't do DTS.

[Easy]

Originally posted by Rockybalboa

I work in an electronics store, I have seen more players brought in for service that are around this age than I can remember!
Firmware upgrade?

[LASERMOVIES]

I have a Pioneer DVL 909 that was purchased new in 1998 that is still going strong after almost five years. I use it almost daily for DVDs and laserdiscs.

[Rammsteinfan]

It is probably safe to say 3-5 years because new technology, generations, etc... My old one couldnt even play mp3, cdr, vcd, etc

[Static Cling]

Moving from DVD Talk --> Hardware.

[D.Pham00]

anyone have the MTBF on any DVD players? i'd be interested in this data.

anyways, i got a good reasonably priced dvd player 1 1/2 years ago and it still works fine. i'm not gonna replace it until a) it breaks b)i get an hdtv (which would justify a progressive scan player).