when you guys get a new movie from your local b&m or online retailer and the disc seems clean and there seems to be some defects with the video like a few seconds of distortion or shimmer do you automatically assume its a bad disc or could it be your dvd player needing cleaned? any suggestions or ideas?

Try cleaning the disc first as it is usually just a dust particle or something.

***PLEASE MAKE YOUR SUBJECT MORE DESCRIPTIVE***

Dude, unless you're dying and you need us to save you, 1) dont use all caps 2) dont use stars 3) say something descriptive.

I think your player is the problem and you should buy a new one. If the disc skips that means you need to buy a player in the $1000-1500 price range to correct the problem;)

It could also be your TV you should upgrade to an 16:9 HDTV at least 65" diagonal to solve that problem;);)

Really no cheap fix for this problem you mention;););)

Hope this helps;);););)