Samsung DVD-V3500 Progressive-Scan DVD/VCR Combo
factory defect but I was lucky
Bought unit Jan. 2004 at a local, independent electronics store. By July, DVDs started freezing during play. In next month problem worsened. Tried every trick imaginable with FF, RW, Stop, Info, Disc Menu, Menu, On/Off, Open/Close. Sometimes it would start working. In early August, discs froze at 10,30,9,3, etc.minutes, pixeled out, would NOT load at any point in Play process, and I got message \\"This disc is unplayable\\" several times with NEW, clean, unscuffed, unscratched discs. Machine was still on warranty(lucky me). It only took one week for repair and UPS transit but it cost me $13. Solution to problem was \\"REPLACED MOTOR FEED ASS'Y\\" and the Defect Code was \\"Load--Load/Unload/Eject Malfunction\\" and the Repair Code was \\"Part Replaced--Electrical.\\" Defect Type was \\"MJ\\", whatever that is. Many reviews I've read of this unit describe the same problem I had. I have yet to play the repaired unit to see if it actually works. I heard that some electronics stores will look for \\"deals\\" at their distributors on machines that have a BAD repair rate (lots of malfunctions, repair needed), buy them very cheap, and re-sell them at \\"discount\\" prices knowing they are probably going to malfunction. I feel this happened to me. BTW, the price I paid, $150 for a machine the store owner said usually sells at $230, is the SAME price Samsung sells it for on their website. Capitalism at work. I'll follow up on this review.