I thought it was my older player, but I just got a new one and it still freezes at the layer change, it's right after Elrond pronounces them the Fellowship of the Ring. Then it freezes.

Anyone else, or should I try to take it back? (I got it on release day, way back when)

It just pauses for a second as the layer changes for me. Are you saying it pauses/freezes completely for you?

K

Totally locks up, should have mentioned that. Sometimes it will skip 2 chapters ahead though.

Dirty? My older Sony can barely handle either edition of FOTR, problems shouldn't be too surprising.

My Panasonic/Sony has played TLOTR with no problems.

I have the same problem on my X-Men 1.5. I need to get a new copy soon.

I have an older Toshiba player (SD-3109, 2-disc). I get a slight pause at the layer change but then it goes right on.