Hello everyone, first time here,
Denon DVP-2910 Plays CD, won't play SACD (didn't try video, just want audio)
I bought a used one. It worked erratically for 2 days, found both SACD and CD, then 00:00:0000 found nothing.
bought and successfully installed this replacement laser from eBay
NEW OPTICAL LASER LENS for DENON DVD-2910 / DVD-5910CI / DN-S6000 / DN-S9000 | eBay
watched this series of 3 videos
Denon 2930 Laser Pickup Replacement (Part 1 of 3) - YouTube
I've twiddled the allen screws, back forth, plays CD's, never reads SACD, and those, it won't play the CD layer either.
..............................
It played SACD when I got it, for 2 days, so that means something I suppose.
Suggestions?
Denon DVP-2910 Plays CD, won't play SACD (didn't try video, just want audio)
I bought a used one. It worked erratically for 2 days, found both SACD and CD, then 00:00:0000 found nothing.
bought and successfully installed this replacement laser from eBay
NEW OPTICAL LASER LENS for DENON DVD-2910 / DVD-5910CI / DN-S6000 / DN-S9000 | eBay
watched this series of 3 videos
Denon 2930 Laser Pickup Replacement (Part 1 of 3) - YouTube
I've twiddled the allen screws, back forth, plays CD's, never reads SACD, and those, it won't play the CD layer either.
..............................
It played SACD when I got it, for 2 days, so that means something I suppose.
Suggestions?
I'm all for 'having a go fixing' on most things but something like this needs specialist skills, in fact even the service manual does not detail replacement and adjustment of the pickup alone but suggests the whole traverse unit as it is called is replaced.
I'm afraid that once you start twiddling mechanical adjustments with no form of measurement of what you are doing (oscilloscope to look at the quality of the raw signal off the disc) then tbh its not looking good.
There is a service manual here (free to register).
Denon DVD-2910 DVD/SACD Video Player Manual | HiFi Engine
I'm afraid that once you start twiddling mechanical adjustments with no form of measurement of what you are doing (oscilloscope to look at the quality of the raw signal off the disc) then tbh its not looking good.
There is a service manual here (free to register).
Denon DVD-2910 DVD/SACD Video Player Manual | HiFi Engine
mooly
thanks for the reply and link to the manual, I am registered there.
I stumble along, like the guy in the video, and usually get lucky. i.e. I got this very nice unit playing CD's for the price of an after-market laser, I'm happy about that.
I can do most mechanical things, but don't even know how to use my multi-meter, so I am asking for advice from someone who perhaps knows what to try next.
I tried a DVD and it could not read that either. That's another hint I suppose. I wrote the laser seller and Denon tech services in case they have suggestions.
Different wavelengths: CDs 780nm; SACD 650nm, DVD .... nm? I don't know if I should try lower or higher with the allen screws/laser height adjusters, seems the guy in the video went higher.
thanks for the reply and link to the manual, I am registered there.
I stumble along, like the guy in the video, and usually get lucky. i.e. I got this very nice unit playing CD's for the price of an after-market laser, I'm happy about that.
I can do most mechanical things, but don't even know how to use my multi-meter, so I am asking for advice from someone who perhaps knows what to try next.
I tried a DVD and it could not read that either. That's another hint I suppose. I wrote the laser seller and Denon tech services in case they have suggestions.
Different wavelengths: CDs 780nm; SACD 650nm, DVD .... nm? I don't know if I should try lower or higher with the allen screws/laser height adjusters, seems the guy in the video went higher.
The alignment of the pickup can really only be done in a factory setting using precision equipment.
I'm going to liken it to replacing video heads (back in the day) on a head disk... meaning actual head tips here. They are fitted and aligned with precision microscopes and jigs to get the head depth and angles correct. If you disturb those, even to the point of removing the tips then is is possible to replace them again and get a seeming 'perfect' picture but the reality is that is is wrong on so many levels, both mechanical and electrical. You would never get even close to a correct alignment.
Its the same with pickups, you need the factory set up jigs to get them correct. With a CD/DVD player you would at the very least have to use a scope to look at the signal off disc and then you could see the effect of the adjustments.
At this point you have nothing to lose by having a play... just be realistic 🙂
I'm going to liken it to replacing video heads (back in the day) on a head disk... meaning actual head tips here. They are fitted and aligned with precision microscopes and jigs to get the head depth and angles correct. If you disturb those, even to the point of removing the tips then is is possible to replace them again and get a seeming 'perfect' picture but the reality is that is is wrong on so many levels, both mechanical and electrical. You would never get even close to a correct alignment.
Its the same with pickups, you need the factory set up jigs to get them correct. With a CD/DVD player you would at the very least have to use a scope to look at the signal off disc and then you could see the effect of the adjustments.
At this point you have nothing to lose by having a play... just be realistic 🙂
mooly
I'm just asking for hints.
DIY is why I'm here. Many people without test equipment successfully replace lasers.
If you watch that video, you see how an amateur like me was able to do what I did. Actually he is clumsier than I am. He eventually got lucky and found the magic combo of allen screw height adjustments that put the laser in physical position to read both SACD and CD. So far I got CD but not SACD, i.e. haven't gotten that lucky.
I read about 'not full movement' (stopped by a micro switch) thus laser unable to read the separate SACD index closer to the center hole, but thought I would ask here before messing with that.
I'm just asking for hints.
DIY is why I'm here. Many people without test equipment successfully replace lasers.
If you watch that video, you see how an amateur like me was able to do what I did. Actually he is clumsier than I am. He eventually got lucky and found the magic combo of allen screw height adjustments that put the laser in physical position to read both SACD and CD. So far I got CD but not SACD, i.e. haven't gotten that lucky.
I read about 'not full movement' (stopped by a micro switch) thus laser unable to read the separate SACD index closer to the center hole, but thought I would ask here before messing with that.
Oh I get that 🙂 and many laser pickups are almost plug and play in that they work straight off. This one being CD/SACD/DVD is more out of the ordinary.
Another possibility, and I'm just mentioning this because it is a known issue with certain other pickups, is that parts on offer like these are not originals and they can be of very variable quality. I'm not saying that is the case here but it is possible.
We see this a lot with the Philips CDM12.4 pickup where the generic replacements have been unusable. Other types like the well know KSS210 and KSS240 variety seem to be quite/very good judging by comments on here.
So a suspect new pickup is a possibility. Again a scope would tell you more but that is for much more advanced fault finding.
So as I said before, you have nothing to lose at this point in keep having a play. We can't tell you what to turn and by how much because it just doesn't work like that.
yeah, it's possible poor quality, the seller says should do dvd/sacd/cd. if it does cd's, I'm thinking it's ok, I'll twiddle some more, then at least get CD which is the primary.
thanks for the help.
thanks for the help.
To the best of my knowledge nearly all DVD/CD players use an optical pickup with 2 lasers: A visible red laser for DVD and SACD, plus an infrared laser for CD.
Note that an SACD disk has precisely the same physical parameters as a DVD. The only difference between DVD vs. SACD is in the data format itself. This is irrelevant to the optical pickup. In other words the optical pickup from any machine which can play DVD will also function to play an SACD (if the target machine supports SACD playback.) I have frequently transplanted functional Sony optical pickups taken from Sony DVD/CD-only machines into Sony DVD/CD/SACD players.
Unfortunately I’m totally unfamiliar with DVD/CD/SACD players containing Philips optical pickups. However I successfully restored many Sony DVD/CD/SACD players which use Sony optical pickups. My source of replacement Sony DVD/CD optical pickups is to get them from donor machines purchased at garage sales and thrift shops. Optical pickup replacement in Sony DVD/CD players then requires entering the on-screen service menu to recalibrate the machine to the replacement pickup. For Sony DVD/CD/SACD machines there are never any adjustments required on the optical pickup itself. All adjustments are performed via the on-screen service menus.
My suggestion is to carefully read the “adjustment” section of the Denon service manual and compare that to the content in the YouTube videos.
FYI, for Sony machines the on-screen adjustment/calibration procedure always has the following steps:
1) Adjust the parameter known as “mirror time” for a single-layer DVD disc followed by adjusting it for a standard CD disc. You can use any discs which are in good condition. This is the most important adjustment. “Mirror time” is how the player detects whether the inserted disk is DVD or CD.
2) Adjust parameters for single-layer and dual-layer DVD. You can use your own discs.
3) Adjust parameters for CD. Again you can use your own discs.
Sony players don’t have any adjustments which are specifically for SACD. Keep in mind that there is no difference between DVD vs. SACD as far as the optical pickup and servo section is concerned. Therefore if the machine is able to play both DVD and CD it should then be able to play the SACD format too.
-EB
Note that an SACD disk has precisely the same physical parameters as a DVD. The only difference between DVD vs. SACD is in the data format itself. This is irrelevant to the optical pickup. In other words the optical pickup from any machine which can play DVD will also function to play an SACD (if the target machine supports SACD playback.) I have frequently transplanted functional Sony optical pickups taken from Sony DVD/CD-only machines into Sony DVD/CD/SACD players.
Unfortunately I’m totally unfamiliar with DVD/CD/SACD players containing Philips optical pickups. However I successfully restored many Sony DVD/CD/SACD players which use Sony optical pickups. My source of replacement Sony DVD/CD optical pickups is to get them from donor machines purchased at garage sales and thrift shops. Optical pickup replacement in Sony DVD/CD players then requires entering the on-screen service menu to recalibrate the machine to the replacement pickup. For Sony DVD/CD/SACD machines there are never any adjustments required on the optical pickup itself. All adjustments are performed via the on-screen service menus.
My suggestion is to carefully read the “adjustment” section of the Denon service manual and compare that to the content in the YouTube videos.
FYI, for Sony machines the on-screen adjustment/calibration procedure always has the following steps:
1) Adjust the parameter known as “mirror time” for a single-layer DVD disc followed by adjusting it for a standard CD disc. You can use any discs which are in good condition. This is the most important adjustment. “Mirror time” is how the player detects whether the inserted disk is DVD or CD.
2) Adjust parameters for single-layer and dual-layer DVD. You can use your own discs.
3) Adjust parameters for CD. Again you can use your own discs.
Sony players don’t have any adjustments which are specifically for SACD. Keep in mind that there is no difference between DVD vs. SACD as far as the optical pickup and servo section is concerned. Therefore if the machine is able to play both DVD and CD it should then be able to play the SACD format too.
-EB
One other item:
If the player suddenly stopped playing all types of disc at the same time then you should check the spindle motor, sled drive motor, and the detector switch for the sled being in the “home” position. (inwards towards spindle).
Faulty motors and dirty detector switches happen more frequently than failed optical pickups.
-EB
If the player suddenly stopped playing all types of disc at the same time then you should check the spindle motor, sled drive motor, and the detector switch for the sled being in the “home” position. (inwards towards spindle).
Faulty motors and dirty detector switches happen more frequently than failed optical pickups.
-EB
thanks,
I'll plan on a video connection when the replacement laser arrives, read the service manual, and this thread, then the gods od luck must be summoned.
I'll plan on a video connection when the replacement laser arrives, read the service manual, and this thread, then the gods od luck must be summoned.
Mooly,
I don't think you watched the video. You must adjust the two allen screws, it's not optional.
The Laser moves on two round rods. The far end of those 2 rods sit on springs, and the two allen screws adjust downward pressure on each rod individually. It's very clear in the videos
Denon 2930 Laser Pickup Replacement (Part 1 of 3) - YouTube
he goes slow, doesn't use FF like others, but it was very instructive for me.
I don't think you watched the video. You must adjust the two allen screws, it's not optional.
The Laser moves on two round rods. The far end of those 2 rods sit on springs, and the two allen screws adjust downward pressure on each rod individually. It's very clear in the videos
Denon 2930 Laser Pickup Replacement (Part 1 of 3) - YouTube
he goes slow, doesn't use FF like others, but it was very instructive for me.
I did look at the videos to be fair but I didn't comment. He is an enthusiastic amateur (which is fine) but but do you really think trial and error turning alignment screws is going to get you close to a properly aligned machine.
At the very least I would want to see a scope being used to view the signals off disc.
I hope it works for you, I really do, but just be realistic 🙂
Actually, have a look at this which shows aligning just a CD player.
Sony CDP790 and KSS240 Restoration Project
At the very least I would want to see a scope being used to view the signals off disc.
I hope it works for you, I really do, but just be realistic 🙂
Actually, have a look at this which shows aligning just a CD player.
Sony CDP790 and KSS240 Restoration Project
Mooly,
Thanks for watching the videos.
I have no choice, I have to adjust the two allen screws. No way around it at this point.
I understand everything you are saying. Not bragging but I am a bit steadier and quicker than he, but the same, amateur enthusiast, and thankful that he posted his videos. He found the magic combo of screw adjustment/laser alignment without instruments, that's my hope.
If I get just CD with the exchange laser, that's good enough to keep this baby going rather than in the recycling bin.
Thanks for watching the videos.
I have no choice, I have to adjust the two allen screws. No way around it at this point.
I understand everything you are saying. Not bragging but I am a bit steadier and quicker than he, but the same, amateur enthusiast, and thankful that he posted his videos. He found the magic combo of screw adjustment/laser alignment without instruments, that's my hope.
If I get just CD with the exchange laser, that's good enough to keep this baby going rather than in the recycling bin.
I have a Denon DVD 2930 that wouldn't detect either CD or DVDs. I have ordered and replaced the pickup, it was a few years back but I think mine looks about the same as your Ebay lot, which is to say that I replaced the same thing. I did not touch anything else, it worked right away.
Did you remove the ESD protection solder blob on the pickup before installing it? And did you use an anti-static strap when doing the job?
Did you remove the ESD protection solder blob on the pickup before installing it? And did you use an anti-static strap when doing the job?
I replaced the pickup in a DVD2900, it worked with no adjustments needed. There are no adjustments specified in the service manual. If it doesn't work after replacement, I would try another pickup, hopefully from a different seller. Chi-Fi lasers are really spotty quality, I am batting about 50%.
alexium,
thanks for your interest and help,
yes, I desoldered two blobs, had some braid from radio shack, it was easy.
well, adjusting the allen head screws seemed to be THE solution after watching the videos,
SO,
1st, the existing laser had worked for 2 days, both cd and sacd. then intermittant, then none.
laser old/weak?
something out of alignment?
the unit was cheap because it had a big dent on it's top. zero other damage anywhere outside, appeared factory new inside, not a speck of dust. but,
so first I tried to adjust the allen screws of the existing laser. nothing
next, adjusted new laser, got cd, cannot get sacd (or video)
seller confirmed I desoldered, determined to try a replacement.
thus I must twiddle with the alignment screws.
thanks for your interest and help,
yes, I desoldered two blobs, had some braid from radio shack, it was easy.
well, adjusting the allen head screws seemed to be THE solution after watching the videos,
SO,
1st, the existing laser had worked for 2 days, both cd and sacd. then intermittant, then none.
laser old/weak?
something out of alignment?
the unit was cheap because it had a big dent on it's top. zero other damage anywhere outside, appeared factory new inside, not a speck of dust. but,
so first I tried to adjust the allen screws of the existing laser. nothing
next, adjusted new laser, got cd, cannot get sacd (or video)
seller confirmed I desoldered, determined to try a replacement.
thus I must twiddle with the alignment screws.