DVD Laser on / off ?

[Giles]

Hello Techies,

A quick question regarding the Laser on DVD players. I know that when a DVD player is put into PAUSE, the Laser remains ON. However, when a DVD player has finished playing the movie and goes back to the Options panel, is the Laser still ON? What is the life expectancy of a Laser in a DVD player?

Cheers....

[JamesBond007]

my dear fellow, I perused something in "The Guide" this week.
Indeed, whilst a Digital Video Disc is paused the laser is indeed on.

I think you are correct in assuming the laser is off when the disc is stopped.

Apparently Laser's have a limited life, but maybe someone can shed some light as to the duration?:)

[Giles]

Thanks for that . I decided to take a look myself (looked under the hood, the warranty has run out). I found that with my DVD player (XMS-750) when I put the disk in the player and it starts playing and goes to the root menu, the disk keeps on spinning and the laser stays on. I also noticed that on regular CD's, even though I had pressed stop, the disk keeps spinning and the laser stays on. What raised my suspision is that I was noticing when I ejected CD's and DVD's they were warm. I will have to be strict and not leave disks in the machine, or remember to put it into standby mode.

[JamesBond007]

when I put the disk in the player and it starts playing and goes to the root menu, the disk keeps on spinning and the laser stays on.

Indeed, since I take it that accessing a digital video disc menu in itself does involve the viewing of information stored onto the disc, and thus the laser is indeed in operation.

I also noticed that on regular CD's, even though I had pressed stop, the disk keeps spinning and the laser stays on.

I have also found that with most diskette drives that as soon as you put the disc in, the laser is in operation.

I will have to be strict and not leave disks in the machine

I am not certain that the laser itself can damage a disk, however, I assume a fellow whose expertise extends into this field can advise?
;)