TV tech HELP! DVD tray in my TV won't open

[ryco]

I have an Emerson TV combo with a DVD player built into it.
Was watching a disc when it just froze. Hit "stop" and the screen went dark. TV mode works fine.

Hit "eject" and the icon came on and nothing happened.
Tried to hard reboot it by unplugging it for an hour, but that didn't work. Have tried this a few times - nada.
There is no little hole in the tray for a manual release via straightened paper clip
Have pushed firmly on the tray.
I have tried gently tugging and working back and forth.

The load/unload icon appears on the screen.
Icon shows the unloading symbol. If I hit play the icon shows load for a couple of seconds and then reverts back to unload.
The rest of the buttons appear to be useless
I don't hear the motor spinning
I can see the edge of the disc inside, but can't tell if it is locked into a play position or not

Is there any way to pry the disc out w/o damaging the disc
How does one forcefully pry the tray out. Not much to grab onto.

If all else fails I do have a 6 lb sledge hammer in the garage

Thanks in advance for any help!!

I have searched a bunch of tech fixit websites which is where I got the suggested measures I've already tried
If you can link me to more I will def try 'em!

[MakiSupaStar]

Sometimes there's a little hole that you can put a paper clip into that will trigger the eject .

[ryco]

Nope, no hole.
But thanks!

[dman_113]

Is it porn thats stuck in there man?

[Pilgrim]

This is the very reason that I never buy a TV with any other machinery involved. The failure rate on VCRs and DVD units is probably 50x that of TVs...and when the auxiliary unit dies, to have it fixed you have to take the TV in, too.

I suggest unplugging it, let it sit for 1-2 minutes, plug it back in and try again - kind of a hard reset.

[ryco]

Originally Posted by dman_113

Is it porn thats stuck in there man?

Nope. New TP & HB "Runnin' Down A Dream" DVD> Just got it yesterday. Bummed. Perfect rainy day, so I was really lookin' forward to watching

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

This is the very reason that I never buy a TV with any other machinery involved. The failure rate on VCRs and DVD units is probably 50x that of TVs...and when the auxiliary unit dies, to have it fixed you have to take the TV in, too.

I suggest unplugging it, let it sit for 1-2 minutes, plug it back in and try again - kind of a hard reset.

Yeah, lesson learned. Stand alone models from now on!
I have tried the "hard reset" a few times.
Will unplug the dang thing when I go to bed if it ain't fixed by then.

Yer a Coug? I went to CWU fer a couple of years. Huck the Fuskies!

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

to have it fixed you have to take the TV in, too.

Are there any TV repair places anymore. I know they're all closing up shop. A place next to a friend's old store closed up- they'd been in business for 50 years, and done well. Since new stuff isn't made to be repaired, and the cost of replacement is less than the cost of repair- no one gets stuff repaired anymore.

[ryco]

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

Since new stuff isn't made to be repaired, and the cost of replacement is less than the cost of repair- no one gets stuff repaired anymore.

It is a disposable world today. Why fix stuff when you can replace it with something that costs less than the repair bill. The TV and VCR modes work fine and I can always watch DVDs on my computer so that's no prob. We have so many TVs in the house, to have to send one out is no big either.

I guess tossing it would help as more filler for the landfill. Although in the case of TVs I would probably have to take it to the special section of the dump for appliances since it contains chemicals harmful to the environment. Or like all the other hix out here I could just dump it up in the woods and let the locals use it for target practice [but I won't].

If I could just yank the damn tray out w/o wrecking the DVD I'd be satisfied. Kind of "pry and pray".

[morf]

Did you try smacking it around some? Usually does the trick.

[ryco]

I thought that only worked on american made products.

Yes, there really used to be such a thing!

Funny and ironic coming from you. I think this Emerson unit was really made by the RCA corp which IIRC manufactures its products in.......France. I could be rong tho

[fenderhutz]

Try to lightly pry the door open. The mechanics usually don't lock in place unless the disc is stuck in play mode. If it's locked. You are probably out of luck.

[IanStephenson]

Originally Posted by ryco

I guess tossing it would help as more filler for the landfill. Although in the case of TVs I would probably have to take it to the special section of the dump for appliances since it contains chemicals harmful to the environment. Or like all the other hix out here I could just dump it up in the woods and let the locals use it for target practice [but I won't].

FreeCycle!

don't know if you have it in your area, but it's perfect for stuff like this.

You post stuff you have you want rid of, and people email you, then come and take it away. It's perfect for stuff like this that's not good enough to sell, but too good to trash - someone locally wants a TV, and doesn't care the DVD is broken. They get a TV, you get it taken away for free, didn't create landfill, and you helped someone out.

Of course the real trick is to not end up collecting other peoples junk...
(actually we've had some GREAT stuff from their, as well as passing on a load of un-used stuff).

Ian

[ryco]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Try to lightly pry the door open. The mechanics usually don't lock in place unless the disc is stuck in play mode. If it's locked. You are probably out of luck.

I've been trying that along with doing "hard resets". It does feel like it's locked in place.

I have a cybercall out to "AllExperts.com", so maybe he'll have a couple of suggestions in a few days.

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

FreeCycle!
don't know if you have it in your area, but it's perfect for stuff like this.

Of course the real trick is to not end up collecting other peoples junk...
(actually we've had some GREAT stuff from their, as well as passing on a load of un-used stuff).

Ian

Excellent idea. I checked it out.
We don't have a place, but there are ppl trying to form "meet-ups" up in CoosBay 60 mi north of here.

Hope it doesn't come to that!

[morf]

Originally Posted by ryco

I thought that only worked on american made products.

Yes, there really used to be such a thing!

Funny and ironic coming from you. I think this Emerson unit was really made by the RCA corp which IIRC manufactures its products in.......France. I could be rong tho

Bah I smack it all. No segregation on smacking from me no sir. Japanese, Chinese, French, USA, German, everything's a piece of **** most of the time

[ryco]

Originally Posted by morf

Bah I smack it all.

Don't do smack. Or if you do keep it white.
Funny your name is morf! You r an enigma wrapped in a riddle, my fine fiend