Concertone ZX700 not reading disks

[tom.keith]

Have sent Bob Fields an e-mail but he is at an electronics show so thought I would see if anyone has an answer. ZX is in a 2010 Flagstaff purchased new last spring. We have not used camper until our current trip to the Gulf Coast (dealer is in Michigan) so not an easy option.
When I insert a dvd/movie message "load" appears on both TV & Concerton screen. Disk symbol on Conertone screen "spins". When I press function button message on TV is "invalid key". The message "load" on the tv is overlayed on beautiful south pacific beach scene. After about 1 minute beach scene goes away on tv screen message "no video signal" appears.
When I insert CD/music the "load" message appears on both screens followed by "err disk" message on tv screen.
I have tried all 4 inputs (av1, av2, au1 & au2) with same results.
Concertone does fine handling my surround sound for tv viewing and works fine for am & fm radio stations.
Any ideas??
thanks

[Malco]

Ours will read some disks and a few others it won't.It is the same with CDs as well.We have just gotten used to it.

[herk7769]

Tom,

Are you using Commercial movies or DVD/CD computer generated ones?
I have to ask because this was a big issue for me.

When working correctly, the ZX-700 will read DVD-R copies but NOT DVD+R or DVD-/+RW disks. It will also read a CD with MP3 music files on it BUT it takes a VERY long time (if the CD is full it could take 20-30 minutes) to index the files before it starts playing.

It will not read JPG files on DVD or CD. You must use a memory stick in the front USB port to show pictures. There is a memory stick size limit too.

(Top of my head I can't remember what that limit was; but I think it was 128 megabytes.)

I believe it is a operating system file restriction (Linux ext2 ?? which is, I believe 131MB - NOT GIGABYTE) so my 128 MEG sticks worked fine but my 256 MEG sticks did not work. It has been along time since I played with this (I have been using my custom on-board Win7 machine to manage my movie and TV show collection (USB 3.0 3T external hard drive) and VGA computer output connected directly to the television. The audio output from the TV is routed directly to the L/R stereo input on the ZX-700 for 5.1 stereo.

[Fire Instructor]

My 700 acts-up on occassion, but it seems to be related to the remote control. All I do is take the batteries out of the remote for a few minutes, reinstall them, and it usually self-corrects... Annoying, but not overly so...

[KyDan]

Tom, as Lou said it matters if you are using "store bought" CDs and DVDs vs home made.
If you're using store bought DVDs or music CDs and it's giving you errors it's a flaky player and
should be replaced in warranty.
The fact that you're getting that pretty ocean beach scene says the player is talking to
your TV so the disk error is in the player and not your wiring.
Hopefully Bob will get back to you soon.
Good Luck!

[tom.keith]

I tried 3 comercial movie/dvd's and 2 comercial music/cd's. The screen on the Concertone shows the disk "spinning" but after about 1 minute that stops and I get the err disk message on the tv.

[KyDan]

Sounds like you need a replacement.
Hope you're still in warranty!!
Good Luck!

[herk7769]

If you are out of warranty, and before you take it to the range with your favorite 12 Gauge; there are a few tricks you can try.

1) Buy, and use, a DVD lens cleaner. It is like a disk with a little brush on one side. Bugs are notorious for causing all kinds of "heck" in a camper. Dust or spider poo on the lens of the laser will cause your CD not to load.

2) CLEAN those disks. Using a polisher/cleaner like the Xinix cleaner restorer I use can breath new life into a "slightly" scratched or fingerprinted disk.

XINIX Disc Repair Pro Cleaning And Repair System 114 0345

I use it ALL the time. In and out of the camper.

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by tom.keith

I tried 3 comercial movie/dvd's and 2 comercial music/cd's. The screen on the Concertone shows the disk "spinning" but after about 1 minute that stops and I get the err disk message on the tv.

If you're just out of warranty and have only used the unit a couple times
I think Bob Fields will help you. (fingers firmly crossed!)
Good Luck!!

Don't give up on Bob!

[tom.keith]

Update: Still under warranty. Spoke with Forest River. Very responsive. They state they have had some issues with the 700 reading disks and will ship me a new unit. /thanks all for your help.