a35 and universal combo disk problem

[daybona]

I did a search on combo disks and the the a35 and didnt find much, so I am posting this to see if anyone can help.

I just got a used a35 off ebay and it plays most disks fine, however it freezes up while playing both eastern promises and the bourne ultimatum. These are brand new disks with no flaws what so ever. I've checked and the firmware is 4.0 which i believe is the most up to date firmware available.

I know combo disks can be problematic, my thought is if the top of the line player with the most recent firmware cant play these disks, what player can?
BTW, the 300 combo disk I have runs fine, but i noted that one was warner, not universal.

Has anyone else had problems with this or know how I might go about fixing it?

Thanks

[crazzeto]

4.0 fixes almost every combo on earth, but I understand there are some with manufacturing issues so sever that they just can't be fixed in FW. you might need to buy a new disc possibly, but at the very least whatever movie it is, it should be dirt cheap.

[daybona]

Ok, I'll look into it. Thanks!

[Cochise]

I had an A35 for a few months and I found it much more 'temperamental' with discs than the 1st gen XA1 it replaced and the 2nd gen XA2 which replaced it. Universal had issues with residue on combos. Hold the disc angled down in the light and see if you don't see a "soapy-like" residue on the disc surface. If so, gently rub some dish soap on it and rinse thoroughly under hot tap water and dry with Kleenex tissue paper. Hopefully that will do the trick.

[Rich86]

I have found that HD-DVD media is very subject to even dust on them when playing. Try cleaning the disc and replaying. That has solved 99% of the playing issues I've ever had with combo discs (I did have 2 titles that were actually defective and the replacements play fine).
I use an old "Discwasher" type cleaning device for optical media.

[daybona]

Thanks for all the feedback! Its depressing to think that even a fleck of dust could affect playback. The disks are pristine, but i will double check them.

[cMb]

I've had 3 different Bourne Ultimatum's & none have played all the way through on my A35.

[Lone_Gunmen]

I've only ever had one combo freeze up and spaz out, and that was Children of Men, in my PC drive.

In my HD-DVD drive for 360 it worked flawlessly, likewise with the HD-E1 i have.

[daybona]

Funny thing is, my 360 drive works like a champ, but IMO DTS cant hold a candle to trueHD.

[JAC35]

use a soft cloth but i would never recommend facial tissue. soap and water are ok.

[Splicer]

I have an A35 and the movies you have and have not ever encountered any issue specific with any combo disc I have...and I have ALOT of combo discs...Possibly the lens in the player drive is dirty...Or as has been mentioned it is possible you got some bad production discs with flaws...If I recall correctly there were issues with the disc authoring of the discs you are having problems with but were resolved in later pressings...

[JAC35]

I would have to agree i don't think its the discs dude, perhaps that A35 has seen better days....

[daybona]

Originally Posted by JAC35

I would have to agree i don't think its the discs dude, perhaps that A35 has seen better days....

The seller said he cleaned the laser, so it better not be dirty. I do think it is the disks because i've played many regular hd dvds, dvds and even a warner combo disk, and they all played fine.

[daybona]

Originally Posted by JAC35

I would have to agree i don't think its the discs dude, perhaps that A35 has seen better days....

I DID check the disks and while they are completely free of scratches, they both did have several small flecks of dust on them. I got a replacement disk for Eastern Promises and it played fine. I then wiped off my Bourne Ultimatum disk and it played fine. Go figure.