Is there any way for the 995 to only output video and not audio. I am using optical out for audio, but get an echo because of the TV.

Is there any way for the 995 to only output video and not audio. I am using optical out for audio, but get an echo because of the TV.

What type of a cable are you running to the TV?

If it is HDMI then you do not need the optical at all.

If you are running optical to an AVR and HDMI to your TV then simply turn off the AVR.

If you are running optical to an AVR and HDMI to your TV then simply turn off the AVR.

Or, turn down the sound on the TV. Another possibility, if you are running HDMI to the TV, is to use DVI instead, if you can, since it has no audio component. Or, patch together some HDMI/DVI adapters, so the audio is lost, or just cut off the audio pins on your HDMI cable.

I run HDMI to my TV, but since my AVR is a bit older, I have to run optical to it. I would like to use my AVR for surround, after all 7.1 sounds alot better than the stereo speakers from the TV.

I run HDMI to my TV, but since my AVR is a bit older, I have to run optical to it. I would like to use my AVR for surround, after all 7.1 sounds alot better than the stereo speakers from the TV.

I have the same situation. I just keep the TV audio turned all the way down, and use optical to the AVR. ON the rare occasions I want to listen to the TV audio, I mute the AVR, and turn up the TV audio.

I ended up just adding a TV specific volume down button to my Harmony remote so I don't have to press too many buttons to control the TV then control the DVD player. I tried to do the HDMI / DVI / HDMI adaptor, but some how still ended up carrying audio. I had an old Monster HDMI to DVI and put a DVI to HDMI adaptor on it, but I still got audio. Ended up chucking the whole cable in the end though (HDMI would fall off because of the weight of the adaptors).

Anyone use this dvd player with a Harmony 880 remote? If so how do you get it to change disks using the media function and have it work correctly? Is there a direct code for changing disks?

Thanks.

"Anyone use this dvd player with a Harmony 880 remote? If so how do you get it to change disks using the media function and have it work correctly? Is there a direct code for changing disks?"

Go to your device on Harmony site. Select settings. Tick adavnced settings. next. Then "next" until you get to "how do you select a disc". Tick what you need for the player. Enter command to start selection. Enter command to finish selection. if your device needs more then one command select the tick box at the bottom. Update and you should be good to go. The harmony will then prepend and append these to the disc you select with the media key.

just bought one of these things...

loaded up 90 discs and hooked up the keyboard to start entering titles.

maybe I'm mistaken, but does the player have to load each and every disc before it allows you to 'edit' the title??

thanks for the help.

Yup, annoying I know
For what it's worth (since this old thread has been resurrected), since using a CD to install the latest firmware into my 995, I havnt experienced any glitchyness in my disc memory! :)

WOT

Like WOT said. Plus if (a miracle happens) and the disc actually has title info on it, then you can't edit it at all, even if it's some terrible bunch of garbage like

DVD9_WS_FINALLY_GOT_TO_THE_ACTUAL_MOVIE_TITLE

which you'd really like to change.

thanks for the quick reply.

do you know if there is a way to tell the changer to play each disc - to check what kind it is? or do you have to manually hit the disc up button 400 times before you can enter the titles??

thanks.

EDIT - 1 other firmware question. i just checked the firmware on the diagnostic screen of my unit and it says :

IF Con Ver: 1.001 (C554)
B/E Ver: SP5 144
F/E Ver: 29

Is this the latest firmware? Thanks again.

The "load" button will go through all the discs and update the title info, but it can take a painfully long time if you have a lot of discs. I never use it because of how long it takes.

Instead (like most 995 owners) I keep a hardcopy of what I have loaded in each slot. Then if I lose all the memory, I just use my hardcopy list to pick which slot to play. And then I just individually play a few discs each night and reenter the data. After a couple of weeks I have it all reentered.

Luckily I haven't lost all the memory in a long time now (knock on wood).

Someone else will have to answer the firmware question.

Mac: you just answered my question. Do you have to enter each title or can you keep a hard title like I do with my cds in my 200 disc player? Thinking of getting one of these. Somebody posted bad review that it scratched their discs.:eek: Any problem with that? thanks in advance..

You don't have to enter titles for DVDs. I don't have any CDs in my unit, but I think that's true for them too. There have been complaints about how the 995 handles titlong of CDs compared to the regular CD megachangers, so you might want to search the thread for those comments.

AFA scratching is concerned, I had a lot more scratching issues when I was manually handling discs, so it's been a net gain for me. My old 860 sometimes used to have troubles properly aligning the slot with the transport and that would cause an ejected disc to be jammed between two other discs and cause some scratches. But I've never had that problem with my 995.

I haven't seen any of the circular scratches that some people have complained about.

Ok - So I've cleaned the lens, messed around with the microswitch and the optical pickup unit just seems shot. So I've now its time to replace the laser unit.

Here are few points that may help others looking to DIY replace the laser unit.

a) The laser unit is called an "optical pickup assembly" in repair parts speak

b) The laser units don't appear to have a part number actually ON the unit (how nice!) but they have a cryptic description on a sticker. The first numbers letters in the upper right corner are the description. The rest of the numbers appear to be useless in finding the replacement part. (Although I'm open to an education on this!)

c) In the case of DVP-CX995v the unit you need is called a "DBU3" "or DBU-3". The attached document is a picture of the unit.

d) AND the PART NUMBER you need to replace it is
Part Number: A1067676A
Descriptions: OPTICAL PICKUP ASSY DBU3
This is the whole laser pickup with the disk motor and carriage, etc.
They don't sell the sub parts only the Service Assy.

e) Here are some links to suppliers I've found, I have no idea if they are reputable:
alltronic.com.sg ($10.00 I'm very suspect but its there as overstock)
servicesplus.us.sony.biz ($93.11 - I'm not sure they will sell to DIY)

f) After removing the cover from the unit it takes about 15mins to replace the laser and then to replace all the screws. I would recommend testing it before you put all the screws together.

I'll report back after I've made the replacement and if it worked...

After several attempts to find the problem, I am just plain angry. I thought it may have been an isolated issue, but upon further research (and many other boards), have found it's a common problem! Did you you (or anyone for that matter) have any success resolving this issue outside of Sony's Repair Center? Or am I (or we) just screwed?

Does anyone know if this player suffers from CUE?

Also what mpeg encoder does it use?

thanks

Mac: you just answered my question. Do you have to enter each title or can you keep a hard title like I do with my cds in my 200 disc player? Thinking of getting one of these. Somebody posted bad review that it scratched their discs.:eek: Any problem with that? thanks in advance..


No problem with scratches in my 995 or in the 2 985's I previously had. I've wondered about those reviews, too..particularly if the people might have gotten some loose foreign object in their changer, or maybe 2 discs in the same slot. The opening is wide enough for many things to potentially get inside, so I've always kept them well out of reach of children and non-technologically inclined adults.

Does the 995 play Dual layer burns without issue? Can the 777es play dual layer burns as well without issue?

My 995 can play DL burns. I've had "issues" but they all seemed to be related to media and the burner and the resulting quality of the burn and not the 995's ability or lack thereof to play DL burns.

All my recent DL burns are almost perfect with just a little stuttering on the layer change. FF and rewind and seeking are all working flawlessly.

Does the 995 play Dual layer burns without issue? Can the 777es play dual layer burns as well without issue?

I've played lots of +R DL discs burnt on my Pio 640, on my 995, and only one has a noticeable hesitation at layer change. That particular disc hesitates on other players as well. What sets it apart from my other burns is that I hadn't yet learned that you can't select a menu thumbnail shot from the second layer, for a title that begins on the first layer. If you do, the last frame of the first layer becomes your thumbnail. I think this affected the burn to cause the slow layer change.

Well, my second DVP-CX995V bit the dust the other day. All of a sudden it says "cannot play" with every DVD. I've seen some other posts that list this problem, but none that list a solution (at least one I can perform myself). Is there any way I can fix this? And, even better, is there a way I can fix it without losing all my disc information?

In the meantime I have investigated a new (or shall I say used) unit, though I am so dreading putting in all that info again. Is there a way to not have to load each disc before I can input information? If not, is there at least a way I can have it load each disc automatically while I sleep?

Thanks very much. I imagine a lot of this has already been covered so I apologize if I'm repeating information. There was just so much to read in this thread.

Personally, I would look into having your own repaired, before buying a used one. If you're really lucky, maybe it only needs to have the lens, or the spindle, cleaned.

You can put in all your discs, start it loading, and go away and leave it. It will scan everything, and load what it can read. Unfortunately, I find that averages about 20% of the discs I put in mine. But, do get a wireless keyboard, to load your info. That's lots easier and quicker than using the remote.

Hello everyone.... I am sorry if this has been answered before... but I have read through about twenty pages at this point..... how is the sound quality? Are people please with it? How about the SACD quality?
Also, when daisy chained, ie if I put 3 in a chain would I need 3 sets of 5.1 input on my avr to be able to listen to sacds or cds in that manner (I don't even know if there are 1200 sacds out there :))?
Does the sound qualtiy compare to the denon 5910/3930 or the oppo?
thank you in advance,
Joshua

Is this post no longer active or did I just ask a dumb question?
Joshua

Is this post no longer active or did I just ask a dumb question?
Joshua

1. Not very

2. Maybe :-)

Sound quality is fine

good luck

Hello everyone.... I am sorry if this has been answered before... but I have read through about twenty pages at this point..... how is the sound quality? Are people please with it? How about the SACD quality?
Also, when daisy chained, ie if I put 3 in a chain would I need 3 sets of 5.1 input on my avr to be able to listen to sacds or cds in that manner (I don't even know if there are 1200 sacds out there :))?
Does the sound qualtiy compare to the denon 5910/3930 or the oppo?
thank you in advance,
Joshua

Joshua,
I have never used the player for sacd's but the sound for dvd's is fine. I did not even know the player could be daisy chained. The video upconversion seems fine over hdmi. Overall, the player has worked great for me for the 3 years that I have owned it. The player is older so this thread has died down somewhat. I use the oppo 980 for all dvd-a and sacd playing... Happy Thanksgiving!

Also, when daisy chained, ie if I put 3 in a chain would I need 3 sets of 5.1 input on my avr to be able to listen to sacds or cds in that manner (I don't even know if there are 1200 sacds out there :))?


I did not even know the player could be daisy chained.

They can not be "daisy chained" together, you can however run up to 3 of them by changing their "ID's", the instructions on how to do this is in the owners manual. And after doing that then each one will then use their own different remote settings so that they all will not respond to the same remote command and try to play all 3 players at the same time. But, because they can not be daisy chained together to run all their outputs through just on set of audio or video, or even HDMI cable, they also will need to be hooked up with their own individual set of cables for both audio and video, or HDMI.

Joshua,
I have never used the player for sacd's but the sound for dvd's is fine. I did not even know the player could be daisy chained. The video upconversion seems fine over hdmi. Overall, the player has worked great for me for the 3 years that I have owned it. The player is older so this thread has died down somewhat. I use the oppo 980 for all dvd-a and sacd playing... Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you! oppo it is then!!!! Seriously, thank you very much!
Joshua

They can not be "daisy chained" together, you can however run up to 3 of them by changing their "ID's", the instructions on how to do this is in the owners manual. And after doing that then each one will then use their own different remote settings so that they all will not respond to the same remote command and try to play all 3 players at the same time. But, because they can not be daisy chained together to run all their outputs through just on set of audio or video, or even HDMI cable, they also will need to be hooked up with their own individual set of cables for both audio and video, or HDMI.

And also thank you. the information was very very useful! I will be going the way of OPPO for the SACD, DVD A. I appreciate your response!
Joshua

1. Not very

2. Maybe :-)

Sound quality is fine

good luck

oh, and thank you as well for responding! :)
Joshua

Looks like this model has been unchanged since 2005. It is selling for $279 new on Amazon, but with reviews that say the video quality is ok at best, I wonder if Sony even plans to update the internal of this product to fix the abundance of cons people mention about it?

Nope. Not too long after it came out, Sony announced they would be concentrating on Blu-ray. Perhaps in a couple of years, they will come out with a Blu-ray version. But right now, who needs a BD player that holds 400 discs?

You might be able to pick up a Sony 777ES 400 disc player somewhere. I believe those were considered superior. Personally, I have been well satisfied with my 995. I have three other players now, and had two others. The only one that beats it is my Oppo 980. It is noticeably better to me, but many people don't notice the difference. But, I should point out that I use the component outs from the Sony, so my Sammy DLP does the upscaling, and I use HDMI out from the Oppo, so it does the upscaling.

... Perhaps in a couple of years, they will come out with a Blu-ray version. ....

They've shown a prototype BD Megachanger at a couple of trade shows, so I'm hoping for next year. But I'm not holding my breath since SONY is an acronym for "Shipping Only Not Yet".

But I'm not holding my breath since SONY is an acronym for "Shipping Only Not Yet".

So, you're hoping for "Shipping Out Next Year"... :D

So, you're hoping for "Shipping Out Next Year"... :D


LOL. Yeah that's what I'm hoping it stands for in this case.

I went to install the firmware update this morning.

It accepted the disk and now it says "Disc Update". It's been sitting this way for 30 minutes or so. No movement and no change.

What do I do now?

On Edit

As with so many things, once you post what you believe to be a catastrophe, things work out.

Just after I typed my reply above, I had just about given up all hope. Then the screen on the DVD went out, back on, then back out.

I figured - Oh He LL! I then unplugged the machine and waited about 15 seconds and plugged it back in. It immediately went to "Reading" disc 1. I pushed the stop and then eject and took out my update disk.

The machine works!!!!

For those of you who bricked your machine. I know your pain.

Hard to believe that it took my machine just over 1/2 hour to do the update.

Okay, for those of you doing the firmware update, here's how to do it:

1. Turn on the player, and select slot one. Press Eject, and remove the existing disk from slot one (assuming there is a disk in there).
2. Put the CD that you burned with the firmware (be sure it is a CD, *not* a DVD) into slot one.
3. Press Close, then turn off the power after the door closes, but before the disk loads. Just keep trying until it listens and you see "power off" in the display. Then wait for it to turn off.
4. Press stop on the player, and while holding that down, press the 1 key on the remote. Release them and the player should turn on and load the firmware disk in slot one.

Wait for the message "loading firmware" on the display. Wait several minutes until it says "finished" on the display. You don't need the TV on, and you won't be able to see anything once it starts anyway, so watch the player instead.

5. When it says "finished" in the display, press the Power key on the player. It will turn off briefly, then turn back on.
6. Cut the power to the player for a short time, say ten seconds or so.
7. If the player doesn't turn on by itself, turn it on. Press the Stop and Eject buttons to make it stop loading and eject the firmware CD. When the door opens, remove it.
8. If you had your player set to "player 2" or "player 3" it will be reset to "player 1" at this point, so you'll need to go through the holding down the enter key on the player while pushing power to set it to the correct number. After that, go into the settings using the display key on the remote and set everything back the way you had it.

Done!

(There is nothing magic about slot one, it is just an easy to remember location so you are less likely to make a mistake and select the wrong disk.)


Sean

Good directions Sean. Much appreciated. I was starting to get frustrated yesterday when I could not get the machine to accept the disc. Your instructions helped allot!

For those who read my above post, here is also what I observed.

My machine never said "loading firmware". It said "Disc Update".

As soon as I loaded the disc and it started reading, while watching the TV (input set for the Sony DVD), I saw the screen - starting from the top, and running down, pixelate yellow, green, red. Then the background screen what it normally does when you turn the machine on - the blue background with Sony logo on it. Then the screen went blank to the TV input screen.

I never saw "Finished" on the Sony screen. It just went off, then flashed back on for a second - and then went off.

That is when I disconnected the power cord - figuring I had nothing to lose now.

Everything works just fine.

The point of this post is.............If your machine does not act as you expect that it should. Don't Unplug, or start pushing buttons.

This advise is very hard to follow - even for me.

When I checked the diagnostic on the CX995V, it now comes up as:

IF con Ver 1.001 (C554)
B/E ver: SP5 143
F/E ver: 29

Good directions Sean. Much appreciated. I was starting to get frustrated yesterday when I could not get the machine to accept the disc. Your instructions helped allot!

For those who read my above post, here is also what I observed.

My machine never said "loading firmware". It said "Disc Update".

As soon as I loaded the disc and it started reading, while watching the TV (input set for the Sony DVD), I saw the screen - starting from the top, and running down, pixelate yellow, green, red. Then the background screen what it normally does when you turn the machine on - the blue background with Sony logo on it. Then the screen went blank to the TV input screen.

I never saw "Finished" on the Sony screen. It just went off, then flashed back on for a second - and then went off.

That is when I disconnected the power cord - figuring I had nothing to lose now.

Everything works just fine.

The point of this post is.............If your machine does not act as you expect that it should. Don't Unplug, or start pushing buttons.

This advise is very hard to follow - even for me.

When I checked the diagnostic on the CX995V, it now comes up as:

IF con Ver 1.001 (C554)
B/E ver: SP5 143
F/E ver: 29

yes, also I noticed this too via HDMI output, but I had also had a rca composit output as well connected so while my screen went blank I switched to the composit input and saw the update progress just fine. looks to be just an hdmi sync issue on some tvs during the update. good advice on waiting it out.

i did my update it took about 2 mins top.... no issues at all... and now my 1080p works with it.. thanks guys for the info!!!!

I read the improvements with the update and I hate to 'fix' something that ain't broke. I opted for it, despite not having the issue that is the primary focus of this revision. the verbiage is aspecific but mentioned improved readibility of some discs; an issue it has.

The update site: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=DVPCX995V&upd_id=2824&os_id=7&ULA=YES

The printed instructions SUCK. Must be written by a ESL type. I am hoping that my once-functional player, is again.. and soon. At the moment, all I get is a continual "READING" display and cannot get the update to eject even AFTER it displayed "finished" and I unplugged the unit for minutes, as specified.

Ok - So I've cleaned the lens, messed around with the microswitch and the optical pickup unit just seems shot. So I've now its time to replace the laser unit.

Here are few points that may help others looking to DIY replace the laser unit.

a) The laser unit is called an "optical pickup assembly" in repair parts speak

b) The laser units don't appear to have a part number actually ON the unit (how nice!) but they have a cryptic description on a sticker. The first numbers letters in the upper right corner are the description. The rest of the numbers appear to be useless in finding the replacement part. (Although I'm open to an education on this!)

c) In the case of DVP-CX995v the unit you need is called a "DBU3" "or DBU-3". The attached document is a picture of the unit.

d) AND the PART NUMBER you need to replace it is
Part Number: A1067676A
Descriptions: OPTICAL PICKUP ASSY DBU3
This is the whole laser pickup with the disk motor and carriage, etc.
They don't sell the sub parts only the Service Assy.

e) Here are some links to suppliers I've found, I have no idea if they are reputable:
alltronic.com.sg ($10.00 I'm very suspect but its there as overstock)
servicesplus.us.sony.biz ($93.11 - I'm not sure they will sell to DIY)

f) After removing the cover from the unit it takes about 15mins to replace the laser and then to replace all the screws. I would recommend testing it before you put all the screws together.

I'll report back after I've made the replacement and if it worked...
Did replacing the laser pickup on your 995 solve your issue with it not reading the disc. I have had mine for about 3 years now and it just started saying "cannot play" on the display of the unit.

Hi,

My current television is a Philips 50PFP5332D/37 which has 2 HDMI Ports which are hooked up to my CX995V and my PS3.

If the CX995V is hooked up alone, it works perfectly fine over HDMI on my TV.

If I go and hook up my PS3 with it in standby mode, the CX995V displays a Green screen and the HDMI Light turns off.
If I have my PS3 turned on, the HDMI light on the CX995V turns back on and displays perfectly fine on the TV.

For the moment, I have to have my HDMI cable disconnected from my PS3 if i want to watch any DVDs on the CX995V.

I have already updated the Firmware in hopes of it fixing, but the problem still occurs.

I also have tried different cables and switching which HDMI ports my PS3 and CX995V are connected to on my TV.
My CX995V is set to display 720p as the HDMI output, I have also tried 1080i.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks

The printed instructions SUCK. Must be written by a ESL type. I am hoping that my once-functional player, is again.. and soon. At the moment, all I get is a continual "READING" display and cannot get the update to eject even AFTER it displayed "finished" and I unplugged the unit for minutes, as specified.I was fortunate to be able to get the update to run another time, which made the unit more than a boat anchor.

BEWARE: SONY's written instructions DO NOT JIVE with what happens and cannot be followed precisely! Also, the 'update' did nothing to remedy or improve any aspect of MY playback.

I would recommend NOT updating if yours works. "If it ain't broke......" applies.

Anyone else have any ideas? It was suggested to me to allow the expensive TV to do any up conversion, not the couple hundred $ player.


I had sound issues and found the problem to be with the Philips setup, not the peripherals. Their manual for my 63" plasma leaves much to be desired and other help is difficult to find. I suggest setting both HDMI inputs to the same, hopefully the native resolution, of the display.

does anyone have a extra remote for sale?

http://www.replacementremotes.com/store/productdetailp.cfm?productid=54878

http://www.partstore.com/Part/Sony/Sony/147927311/New.aspx?ModelMfgName=Sony&ModelBrandName=Sony&ModelNumber=DVPCX995V

Hi All,
I'm thinking about picking up one of these units for my CD collection. I looked though the manual and it seems this player will not pass SACD multi channel audio over any digital output. Can anyone comment on the quality of the audio DAC's? Good, bad, junk...?

My oppo 981 is toast and I think I narrowed the choice down to an open box Pioneer DV-48AV, and this Sony. 400 cd capacity sure would be convenient.

Thanks

Brian

It's probably not the best choice for a dedicated CD player.

My SACDs sound fine over the analog outs, but I haven't listened to any other SACD source on my system. I have an Oppo 980, (which I bought for region-free, PAL) and it's PQ is slightly better than the Sony, but not as much as I expected. So, I guess that means the Sony PQ is pretty decent.

I do like having a few hundred discs at my fingertips, but I find myself using the Oppo for viewing new acquisitions, or borrowed DVDS. I don't have it connected for SACD. I mainly put DVDs of series I am watching, animation, and CDs in the 995. To me, the standard CDs sound fine, but as Jonla says, I'm sure there are better, read MUCH more expensive players.

If you can wait a month, if I were you I would wait for the Oppo BDP-83, their soon to be released BD player. It will pass SACD as digital, and by release time, DVD-A as well. Also, Sony has floated demo models of two versions of a 400 disc BD player, one of them in the ES series. But, currently no production is scheduled. There are threads on these in the BD player forum. Check out the first post in the "BDP-83 Early Adopter Program FAQ Dump" for what is known about this coming model.

Sony makes dedicated CD players that hold 300 or 400 CD's that are a much better choice for playing a large CD collection. I have been using a Sony 400 CD capacity player for several years and like using the shuffle play function.

Now that I have over 400 CD's, I have decided to rip all my CD's to my computer using Windows Media Audio Lossless which means CD quality sound, with no chance of damaging discs that some users have reported with Sony mega changers on Amazon. My Sony CD player sometimes has a problem playing certain discs (some are over 20 years old).

Windows Media Player works well for playing music, can play music while doing other things on the computer, and it has a shuffle function as well (changing discs is instant while my Sony CD mega changer takes about 20 seconds). I'm finding that 3 CD's take about 1 GB of storage using Windows Media Audio Lossless. I like that you can do a detailed listing sorted by song Title, Album Artist, Album Title, or any other field. I don't like that Album Artist is sorted alphabetically by first name of artist. The computer fills in most info automatically when it rips a CD, but I have filled in missing info on some albums.

I've ripped about 70 CD's so far. It takes a little over 5 minutes to rip a CD. I think this is going to work well for me.

thanks everyone for the replies.

The frustrating thing is that while upgrading much of my system over the summer, I picked up a Pioneer bluray player which is a great CD player, has great audio DAC's, but doesn't do SACD. Being that I have only 10-12 SACDs it's hard to justify purchasing a second player just for those few discs. It would be nice to be down to a one player setup. The Oppo BD player would be a great option if I hadn't bought the Pioneer player 5 months ago for $500. Oh well.

I think I'll ponder this and do some more looking and questions asking.

I haven't looked into the Windows lossless codecs, but I did rip all my CDs back in '99 when I got my first MP3 player, and all CDs purchased since. In the last year I've started moving back to playing the CDs for home use since MP3's just seem to sound too flat, although they're OK for working out or in the car.

Thanks again.

Sell the Pio buy the Oppo, when it comes out. I think a lot of people, well, around here, will be doing that sort of thing.

Any particular reason why the 995 is not a good choice for CD's? Does the same go for the 985? I figure that the 985-995 do SACD and MP3 which is handy.

Which Sony 400 disc changer is best for playing mostly CD's?

The CDP-CX455 is a decent 400 disc CD changer. It will play MP3's also, however it will not play SACD. The menu system on it is way better for CD's than what either the 985 or 995 DVD players offer as far as for CD menu use. And Pioneer still offers a 300 disc CD changer also, the PD-F27, but at a MSRP of $500 it's pricey.

The CDP-CX455 is a decent 400 disc CD changer. It will play MP3's also, however it will not play SACD. The menu system on it is way better for CD's than what either the 985 or 995 DVD players offer as far as for CD menu use. And Pioneer still offers a 300 disc CD changer also, the PD-F27, but at a MSRP of $500 it's pricey.

Thanks. I'll check the CDP-CX455 out. It seems to come up as a good cd changer. Sometimes people say it has bugs vs the older CX355 though. Not sure about that.

Is there a Sony 300-400 disc changer that plays SACD that is better than the 985 and 995? What about the 777ES? What is the difference between the 985 and 995 anyways?

Could you use a DVD changer and put more than one album in wav format on a DVD-R/DVD+R or DVD RW?

Is there a Sony 300-400 disc changer that plays SACD that is better than the 985 and 995? What about the 777ES?

Is the DVP-CX777ES a better changer than either a 985 or 995, yes it is, in various ways. But I can't say if use for playing SACD's is one of them. It is though, the only other megachanger other than the 985/995 that they have made so far that will also play SACD's. But however the 777ES also does not have a HDMI output, which also means it offers no upscaling to 720p or 1080i. For some people that means something, and for others like me, it means nothing as I have a outboard video processor that is much better than the upscaling that the 995 does. I also do not mess around with burning MP3's to either CD's or DVD's, so I can't say what any of them can, or can not do in that regard. However you will find that the CX777ES changers are still in demand even as used. And since they have been discontinued, they can be hard to find and can also be costly to buy. As even used ones now go for close to what you used to be able to buy a brand new one for.

I have 5 DVP-CX777ES Changers all hooked up to a Escient AVX-552, and then running the video output of the Escient into a DVDO VP50Pro video processor. The Escient also has a 500gig internal hard drive built in that you can rip the content of CD's to for playback, so that is why I have no need for me to burn MP3's on any sort of disk for playback via one of the changers.

In case you have any questions about the Escient AVX-552, here is a quick use guide. That will give you some idea of what else it can do, besides just being able to control up to 5 Sony 777ES changers.

http://www.escient.com/manuals/FBAVXMX52QS.pdf

And for a audio only system in another room, I have 1 CDP-CX455 CD changer, It works just fine, and I have had no problems with it in close to 4 years of use.

Hmmm...thanks. I guess I don't have an awefull lot of SACD's. I also don't plan to use this unit for dvd's. I'll check out your link. The CX455 is probably ok. I may grab a CX250 for real cheap to check out if I like the changer idea.

In case you did not know it. If you have a lot of CD's, you can also link up to 3 of the CD changers together and control them with a computer.
But to do so, you will also need have external interface to do so. There are two to choose from, either a Slink-E, which is no longer made but can sometimes be found on ebay, or a SAVR . I have used both, and they both work just as good. Although the Slink-E has some good points to it in it's favor, the SAVR also has a few newer options over the Slink-E, and is easy to find and buy. So I probably would not advise to anyone to try and find a Slink-E anymore unless they can get it for a really cheap price.



Slink-E

http://www.nirvis.com/slink-e.htm


SAVR

http://www.blackboxdesigns.com/


To use either one of these control interfaces, the CD changer must also have a Control-A1 S-Link port on the back.


Here is a older listing of which CD players do.

http://www.nirvis.com/cdj_compat.htm



NOTE:
Before ANYONE asks, the Slink-E or SAVR will NOT work on any of the DVD changers to link them together, so don't even ask!

SAVR

http://www.blackboxdesigns.com/

To use either one of these control interfaces, the CD changer must also have a Control-A1 S-Link port on the back.

NOTE:
Before ANYONE asks, the Slink-E or SAVR will NOT work on any of the DVD changers to link them together, so don't even ask!

You sure about that? One of the partners on the Black Box Designs website, Panther Studios Corp., claims it's Movies! software "Controls many DVD changers - Sony, Pioneer, and Kenwood (when SAVR or Slink-e hardware is included)".

You sure about that? One of the partners on the Black Box Designs website, Panther Studios Corp., claims it's Movies! software "Controls many DVD changers - Sony, Pioneer, and Kenwood (when SAVR or Slink-e hardware is included)".


Yes I am sure about that. Unless you also want to mess around with a add-on IR blaster (such as a USBUIRT), and even with that, it will NOT and can NOT link multiple changers together! The CD changers will actually link together with each other with the Control-A1 S-Link connections, and run all the combined audio outputs of all the changers through to the first changer which is connected to the receiver or AVR, and that can't be done with any of the DVD changers! Even with the IR blaster work around, they also do not directly control any DVD changer like the CX777ES can be controlled via the RS232 connection. Not to mention when using a CX777ES and a serial connection, because it's a two way connection that can both send and receive, you can log on to the internet and the changers with the proper program/software, or with a Escient setup, it can read all this disk it has inside and then it can even look up it's own cover art and even update the running program for anything new that was added to it. There is no way that is even possible with a SAVR or a Slink-E and any DVD changer. Although, with the Control-A1 S-Link connection, both the SAVR and Slink-E can do that with a CD changer.


Also, some Kenwood and Pioneer DVD changers also have a RS232 connection which can be used to control them. And that is something that all the Sony DVD changers lack, other than their DVP-CX777ES which does have it.

Also, with a RS232 connection you pretty much are only limited by how many com/serial ports you can equip your computer with, so with enough com/serial ports and the proper software, you could actually control anywhere from 1 to even as many as 16 CX777ES DVD changers if you really wanted to and had a need for it. With a IR blaster setup, no matter how you set it up and no matter what software you use, you can only control a max of 3.


And BTW.
I did some beta testing for Panther Studios a few years ago for both his "Music!" (which is now called "Home JukeBox!") CD changer and also his "Movies!" DVD changer programs when being used with a SAVR or a Slink-E, so I do have experience with both interfaces and also his programs.

Thanks for the info Johnla. I see that my Sony CD changer has a link ability built into the unit that my Sony DVD changers do not have.

Many of the early DVD changers up to the CX875P, did have only a S-Link port, but they did not also have the Control-A1 port like almost all of the CD changers do. And after the CX875P changer none of their regular line of DVD changers came with it, the only other DVD changer that had the S-Link port was the CX777ES changer. After the CX777ES they dropped having the S-Link port for all DVD changers. And so neither the 985 or 995 and have the S-Link.

What does this mean? Well the S-Link port would allow you to control all it's normal functions with a PC via a wired connection with the use of a Slink-E or a SAVR, and you would not need a IR remote control or IR blaster. However, the lack of also having a Control-A1 option, means it is only a one-way interface. So it could not do all the things that the CD changers can do with their two-way interface. So to do a DVD changer setup, you need to run two programs that work together, to provide both the control and cataloging of the DVD's and cover art if you want it. So you need to have either the "Movies!" program from Panther Studios, or the "DVDLobby" suite from cinemar, to operate/run/control the changers, along with "DVDProfiler" to provide the cataloging and cover art for one of the changer control programs. Basically with only the S-Link port, it ONLY allows you do do everything the IR remote will do, but with a PC and a Slink-E/SAVR, and it will do it up to a max of 3 changers. And because you are using a PC, it also gives you some nice options for a graphical interface.

And if you don't have a changer with a S-Link port, then adding a Slink-E or a SAVR plus a add on IR blaster like the USBUIRT, and the all needed programs. That will pretty much gets you almost the same thing as having the S-Link port, but with IR blaster instead of hard wires to the changers.



And as Ron Popeil says....... BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!!!!


Well guess what, even for the non S-Link port equipped DVD changers, with the right after market programmable remote control, you can also pretty much do all this without the need for any Slink-E's or SAVR's and add on IR blasters. And it also does it without having to have a PC running all the time to control it all. Yes you will still need a PC plus all your DVD's setup/indexed in the DVDprofiler program on your PC to set everything up at first, but once that has been done, then you only need to use the IR remote.


Ahh but that sounds sooooo easy, and way too good to be true, and there just has to be a catch, right?
Umm yeah there is, and it's a big one! The remote that you need to do all this is a URC MX-3000, and it has a MSRP of $1000.00

http://universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=34

And you also need the $80 DMX-3000 software, to make it all come together.

http://www.triplebsoftware.com/home.shtml

I've been looking to get a dvd changer recently with very few options out there. the 995 has been out for nearly 4 years. Is there anything out there that is a better option?

No, so far there is nothing newer than the 995.
All the other players from Sony have been discontinued, as are the Kenwoods. And the Pioneer changer even though still available, is even way older than the Sony.
And any hope of a blu-ray offering anytime soon of this prototype 400 disc changer, would likely also be very very pricey.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/09/04/sony-shows-off-prototype-400-disc-blu-ray-mega-changer/

Back in early December my remote quit working. I checked the batteries, no change, wiped off the IR sensor no change. I was thinking that the remote went bad and planned on picking up a new one after christmas, but my wife gave me a Harmony 880 for Christmas.

Using the 880 did not fix the problem. I can still use the unit from the controls on the front panel. Has anyone heard of the IR sensor going bad in these? If so can I replace this with out sending it back to Sony?

The remote and the player can be set to use one of three code sets. This is to make it easier if you have more than one changer in the same room. My guess is that your player accidentally got switched to one of the other code sets, and is no longer responding to the remote.

Information on changing the code sets is in the player manual (it has been a while or I'd tell you how -- it isn't hard). Set the player to use code set 1 (the default), and I'll bet it clears up the problem.

Sean

Thanks.

I found my manual. After checking the remote was set to 1, I tried switching to 2 and 3, neither worked. I set the DVD player to 2 and it worked.

So now the remote is set to 1 and the player to 2, but it is working. Hey, whatever it's working again.

Hi. Does anyone know where i could aquire a service or repair manual for my DVP-CX995V player?

Hi. Does anyone know where i could aquire a service or repair manual for my DVP-CX995V player?

When I bought the service manuals for both my 875p and 777ES changers, I got them direct from Sony parts. But now it looks like you will have to try one of the various sellers on the internet of service manuals in PDF form, to get a PDF copy of the manual. As neither Sony parts or partstore.com show the printed manual for the 995 as being available anymore.

My machine (bought refurbished) was one of the ones that erased the typed DVD titles. I sent it for servicing and got back a new (refurbished) one. I went ahead and typed all my title names again (200+) and.... they were erased after a couple of months!!

I know this is a known issue since it has been reported here in the past. Anybody knows what causes it? Is it a hardware or sw bug? How common is it? Is every machine prone to it, or just a particular production batch? and more importantly is the erasing triggered by something in particular?

Please help

It is so annoying, specially when there are no real substitute products.

Anyone managed to get their player working?

I ended up buying the DBU-3 assembly and paid quite a price with shipping to Hawaii ~$130 to find out that this did not help :(.

After installing the new unit "MAKE SURE YOU UNSOLDER THE PINs ON THE NEW UNIT" as they all come in with short soldering (read the manual twice, three times if need be)

I got exactly the same problem: the player loads a CD or DVD, it starts spinning and the Display shows "CANNOT PLAY".

What i have discovered is that once a DVD is being loaded, the Laser Eye tries to read the disc but right at that second it approaches the media too close and essentially grinds once or twice on the CD/DVD, then gives up, ejects the disc and moves on to the next one. Then the whole thing happens again. I had the same problem with the old DBU-3 assembly and you could also maybe confirm for your player if you hear a clicking/grinding sound upon disc load.

Is there any particular process i need to go through now that i have a new DBU-3 unit to essentially calibrate the laser or something?

Any other input to try and have that player fixed would be greatly appreciated.

My machine (bought refurbished) was one of the ones that erased the typed DVD titles. I sent it for servicing and got back a new (refurbished) one. I went ahead and typed all my title names again (200+) and.... they were erased after a couple of months!!

I know this is a known issue since it has been reported here in the past. Anybody knows what causes it? Is it a hardware or sw bug? How common is it? Is every machine prone to it, or just a particular production batch? and more importantly is the erasing triggered by something in particular?

Please help

It is so annoying, specially when there are no real substitute products.

I bought one new, when they first came out, and I haven't really had that problem. Once in a while, it will lose info on a disc it can get info by scanning. I eject it, replace it, rescan, and it gets the info. I've been on this thread from the start, and no one seems to have figured out why info loss happens to some a lot, and to others not at all. It isn't power loss. Either there is another factor we haven't deduced, or some machines are prone to it, and others aren't.

I have not found anywhere that lists yea or nay whether the Sony DVD jukebox plays dual layer discs...anyone know for certain?

Yes, dual layers works.

Most commercial discs are dual layer discs. +R DL discs also play fine on my 995.

I've had my CX995V since early February, 2009. It's been perfect the first two months, but just over a week ago it developed a weird intermittant glitch.
I noticed the picture would go all black for a split second. No audio issue, just a blackout for a split second. This would happen several times a minute or every few minutes. So, I did all the basics. Checked the hdmi connections, then unhooked the hdmi cable and tried component. It happened there too.
Tried stopping the dvd and just looking at the blue-screen. Blackouts there too.
Turned off the unit and tried a half hour later and the issue disappeared. The next several days I watched several dvd tv episodes each night. After a few days, it happened again one evening. Now, it's been about 4 days and many hours of use with no dropouts.
So, it seems very intermittant at the moment so I'm thinking it's hard to diagnose and I'd hate to take it in for servicing and have it work perfectly on the bench...
Has any other 995 owners come across this odd glitch?
Any feedback would greatly be appreciated. I love the unit otherwise.

This is a wild guess, but I had a similar glitch in a fancy SVHS editing deck. Turns out that temperature affected it. The glitch only happened when it was cool in the room, and the unit hadn't yet warmed up for an hour or so.

I just purchased one of these at BB. I desire to run HDMI and digital (either coax or optical)to my home theatre. I would also like to be able to run component video and either digital, or even old analog stereo to my plasma set in the bedroom. Is this possible with this unit? Will it output both simultaneously? Or if not simultaneously, if I hooked it up as I explained, will I have to go through the whole setup of the input each time I want to switch locations?

On a second note; I see reference to a firmware update on the previous page of this thread. When I checked the link, it was for an update dated 07/2007. What did this update do? My unit's manufacture date is 03/2008, so I would assume it would have this update - if that's still the most current one
Thanks - PK

I haven't tried HDMI and component at the same time, but I do component and SVHS at the same time (the svhs goes to an old CRT and the component goes to the PJ).

If the aspect ratio of both display devices is different then it's a PITA which requires going through the setup. Or if you can't find a happy medium on the color adjustments then it'll be a PITA. But generally, if the aspect ratio of the display devices are the same then you probably won't have to fuss with the setup every time.

This is a wild guess, but I had a similar glitch in a fancy SVHS editing deck. Turns out that temperature affected it. The glitch only happened when it was cool in the room, and the unit hadn't yet warmed up for an hour or so.

I have been keeping it a little cooler in my home so that my indeed be a factor. I've run through 2 full seasons of Battlestar Galactica with no glitches so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the issue has disappeared.

I just purchased the CX995V and I'm about to hook it up, but I noticed there has been a lot of discussion (in the 40+ pages I've gone through in this thread) about using Component or HDMI. I have a Denon 3808 and a Samsung PN58A550, and I was wondering why I would go any other route other than HDMI, and also whether or not I would be better to connect it directly to my plasma or the preferred route through my AVR?

Any input would be greatly appreciated as I'm hoping to get this hooked up tomorrow.

Thank you very much.
Cam

I just purchased the CX995V and I'm about to hook it up, but I noticed there has been a lot of discussion (in the 40+ pages I've gone through in this thread) about using Component or HDMI. I have a Denon 3808 and a Samsung PN58A550, and I was wondering why I would go any other route other than HDMI, and also whether or not I would be better to connect it directly to my plasma or the preferred route through my AVR?

Any input would be greatly appreciated as I'm hoping to get this hooked up tomorrow.

Thank you very much.
Cam

Cam I cannot definitively answer your question...

However, I have hooked my 995 up via both Component and HDMI and I feel the image is a bit "crisper" via HDMI. Originally I was using Component into my AVR at 480i and then allowing the HQV Reon chip in my Onkyo to de-interlace and upconvert to my projectors native 720p.

Personally I was disappointed in Onkyo's implementation of the Reon chip and started sending 720p out of the 995 via HDMI.

Then I purchased a DVDO Edge and now I run 480p from the 995 via HDMI to the Edge which then interlaces the signal back to 480i before it "properly" de-interlaces and scales the signal to 720p.

This last solution has worked the best for me.

I believe your 3808 uses the older ABT chip, but I would try it both ways output 480i via Component, 480p via HDMI, and 1080i via HDMI) and see which looks best to your eyes.

Pretty simple menu changes so you can see which looks best... for ease of use I would definately run it through the 3808 however.

Wow, thanks for the quick reply, I'll give that a try and see how it looks. Are there any recommended settings that should be changed on the player that are set by default? From what I've read in this forum it sounds like this player has a plethora of settings.

Thanks again.
Cam

Cam........

Yes it does have many settings..... however, I simply use mostly what folks would consider "default" settings... I don't recall the exact names, but you want to tell the machine you are outputting to a 16:9 screen, the best audio out, etc .... I do not use the picture enhancements within the 995, I prefer to do those either with a video processor or directly with the display device.

YMMV of course :-)

Well, I got it hooked up yesterday and am extremely happy with the video over HDMI (1080i), but have yet to try other resolutions as you suggested Steve. I know you mentioned about leaving everything as "default", but I was wondering if that applies to the video settings i.e. Standard (default setting), Cinema 1, Cinema 2 etc.?

Thanks for the help, it's greatly appreciated.
Cam

Well, I got it hooked up yesterday and am extremely happy with the video over HDMI (1080i), but have yet to try other resolutions as you suggested Steve. I know you mentioned about leaving everything as "default", but I was wondering if that applies to the video settings i.e. Standard (default setting), Cinema 1, Cinema 2 etc.?

Thanks for the help, it's greatly appreciated.
Cam

Hi Cam...

I am currently out of the country until Mid-May... but as soon as I get back I will look things up for you and reply... :D

I just purchased the CX995V and I'm about to hook it up, but I noticed there has been a lot of discussion (in the 40+ pages I've gone through in this thread) about using Component or HDMI. I have a Denon 3808 and a Samsung PN58A550, and I was wondering why I would go any other route other than HDMI, and also whether or not I would be better to connect it directly to my plasma or the preferred route through my AVR?

Any input would be greatly appreciated as I'm hoping to get this hooked up tomorrow.

Thank you very much.
Cam

Just another point of view.
I have been using the 995 for several years. I bought it to repace the previous model for the better on-screen interface and the HDMI connection.
For me, the video quality of the HDMI connection was awful. After several calls to Sony, changing the HDMI cables and other trouble shooting recommendations, there was no improvement. I switched to Component which provided and excellent video quality. My monitor is only 720P and the thus the Component is fine.

Thanks, Jack, for that info. I will definitely get around to hooking it up via Component and compare the difference, then I'm sure I'll have more questions :-). Everyone's help is greatly appreciated, and patience as well; I'm physically handicapped and thus rely on other people and their free time to help me hook things up.

I'm thinking about buying this changer but read that it does not accept simple three digit commands to go directly to a specified disk. I plan on integrating my collection with my Pronto 9600 remote and thus do not have any real use for the collection organizer GUI that the unit comes with. Is there still a direct, easy way to go directly to a certain disk in the changer? I don't want to have to relay IR commands that go through the whole menu system to get to the exact disc I want.

I'm thinking about buying this changer but read that it does not accept simple three digit commands to go directly to a specified disk. I plan on integrating my collection with my Pronto 9600 remote and thus do not have any real use for the collection organizer GUI that the unit comes with. Is there still a direct, easy way to go directly to a certain disk in the changer? I don't want to have to relay IR commands that go through the whole menu system to get to the exact disc I want.

I think if you press display>3 digit disc number>enter> display>display , I believe that's the correct order. I know you can go direct to disc without GUI

I think if you press display>3 digit disc number>enter> display>display , I believe that's the correct order. I know you can go direct to disc without GUI

On my unit the above commands work, but the little switch at the top of the remote must be set to DVD. It won't work when the switch is set to Disc Explorer.

I just went through the manual and under the audio setup there are two different options-48kHz/16bit (the default) and 96kHz/24bit, I'm assuming I should change it to 96kHz/24bit? It's running through a Denon AVR 3808. This looks to be the last "default" setting that I possibly need to change.

Thanks,
Cam

The 96/24 works fine with my Denon 3508, so it should be good with yours.

Best buy no longer lists this on their website nor in store, whats the replacement model?

Another DVD 400 changer or a BR Changer?

So far, there is no new replacement model for the 995.

Sorry if this has already answered, but if you use the hdmi out will the rest of the outputs be turned off? Usually this is the case but didnt know if the sony will do it as well. Also if I am using digital out will the analogs put out two channel as well. I am trying to distribute this between an upstairs tv and a basement projector.

Sorry if this has already answered, but if you use the hdmi out will the rest of the outputs be turned off? Usually this is the case but didnt know if the sony will do it as well. Also if I am using digital out will the analogs put out two channel as well. I am trying to distribute this between an upstairs tv and a basement projector.


All outputs are "hot" at the same time.

I used both the HDMI out at 1080i and Component/optical at 480i for comparison purposes when I was first setting up the system, so I know you can use them both.

What are the chances someone will be able to incorporate this product to control the Sony 995/985 changers?

http://thinkflood.com/products/redeye/what-is-redeye/

It would be pretty sweet to be able to have cover art and select it to dial up the disk and start playing the movie? Long shot or possible?

IIRC, some people are already doing the cover-art thing with their Harmony remote.

IIRC, some people are already doing the cover-art thing with their Harmony remote.

Quick question:

I have a Samsung 40B540 1080P LCD and for some reason when I go into Setup on CX995 to change resolution to 1920x1080i screen goes blank and I have to switch from HDMI cable to other type to get picture back. Seems I can only choose 720x480p on my DVPCX995V using HDMI cable. Does anyone know what I might do to fix this?

Thanks for any help.

Help! I get the "tray locked" message when I try to open the player. I checked to see if the child lock was on and it is not. Has anyone had this problem?

I just purchased this Sony changer and am looking forward to using it. I have it in a closet with my other AV gear, with an Impact Acoustics IR repeater for the remote signals. The repeater works for everything but the Sony changer (Denon recievers, Panasonic DVD, DirecTivos). I called Sony and they told me the DVP-CX995V does not work with any infrared repeaters, and that it must have line of sight (which is BS).

Can anyone recommend a known, working IR repeater (brand/model) to me? I will need two (or at least a multi zone), as I have two televisions in separate rooms which will be hooked into the changer.

Thanks,

Josh

I used to use an x-10 pyrimad style infared repeater and I would just put the eye over the sensor window on the 995 and never had a problem. I even used to hook up more eyes with a splitter. Lots of accessories at Parts Express check them out

I just purchased this Sony changer and am looking forward to using it. I have it in a closet with my other AV gear, with an Impact Acoustics IR repeater for the remote signals. The repeater works for everything but the Sony changer (Denon recievers, Panasonic DVD, DirecTivos). I called Sony and they told me the DVP-CX995V does not work with any infrared repeaters, and that it must have line of sight (which is BS).

Can anyone recommend a known, working IR repeater (brand/model) to me? I will need two (or at least a multi zone), as I have two televisions in separate rooms which will be hooked into the changer.

Thanks,

Josh

I use a Xantech LCD/CFL proof kit. It works but I have to turn the adustment on the receiver up all the way.

Brian

I am using a Terk "Leapfrog" that works just fine with the Sony.

Hey guys, I read through most of the posts and did not find my answer I was looking for. On the 995 is the component and hmdi active at the same time?

thanks

#2098 found my answer.

Has anyone experienced an HDMI output failure? I've had my 995 for several years with no problems. Had it hooked up thru a Sony ES receiver via HDMI for years with no issues. Just tried to reroute directly to new Panasonic Plasma TV with no results, and now the HDMI fails to work no matter what. HDMI light on front panel never illuminates under any circumstances, even replicating the prior config. Tried multiple HDMI cables -- no difference.

Any suggestions?

Has anyone experienced an HDMI output failure? I've had my 995 for several years with no problems. Had it hooked up thru a Sony ES receiver via HDMI for years with no issues. Just tried to reroute directly to new Panasonic Plasma TV with no results, and now the HDMI fails to work no matter what. HDMI light on front panel never illuminates under any circumstances, even replicating the prior config. Tried multiple HDMI cables -- no difference.

Any suggestions?

Yes this has hapened to me, similar circumstance hooked up for years onto a TV, bought a new set, hooked it up, no HDMI Light and no ability to get it to output over anything but the other outputs. I have searched for an answer, if you ever fnd one let me know, cause right now as it stands I cannot use it or sell it.

Yes, this just happened to me as well but here is what fixed it.

I went to the Sony site and downloaded the firmware update, burned to cd and then performed the update.

Everything works well now.

I also bought a new panasonic plasma and when I tried it with my DVP 995 I had nothing with HDMI. Did the software update for the 995 and it solved the problem

It would appear as though Sony has stopped offering the DVP-CX995V ???
It's not being offered on the SonyStyle.com website.

I only see the 400 disc Blu-ray/DVD changers, the BDP-CX960 and the BDP-CX7000ES

Pricey lil' monsters too!

It would appear as though Sony has stopped offering the DVP-CX995V ???
It's not being offered on the SonyStyle.com website.

I only see the 400 disc Blu-ray/DVD changers, the BDP-CX960 and the BDP-CX7000ES

Pricey lil' monsters too!

I'm ready to sell my 995, if you know someone interested. I've got too many BDs laying around where my kids can ruin them. I'm getting the Blu-Ray changer.

S.

It would appear as though Sony has stopped offering the DVP-CX995V ???
It's not being offered on the SonyStyle.com website.


It's been a discontinued model for quite awhile now. Last time I checked SonyStyle, what was left there, is they only had some refurbs available.





I only see the 400 disc Blu-ray/DVD changers, the BDP-CX960 and the BDP-CX7000ES

Pricey lil' monsters too!


Actually, considering how they price some of the ES line of products. I don't think the price on the BDP-CX7000ES is as high as I was expecting it to be. I was expecting it to be maybe around $3k, and it's under $2k. So I don't think it's price is that bad. Not to say that it's low cost by any means.

And when considering that after all, that it is a 400 disk blu-ray changer. The non ES BDP-CX960 came in a lot cheaper than I thought it would also.

Plus you have to remember, they have no competition at all in this arena. No one else has been making 400 disk DVD changers for a long time other than Sony, and it's possible no one else will make 400 disk blu-ray changers other than Sony. And when you're the only game in town for a product or service, you are free to set the standard for pricing at wherever you want it to be at..

It's been a discontinued model for quite awhile now. Last time I checked SonyStyle, what was left there, is they only had some refurbs available.

Odd, Seems like it was only last month I was there considering purchasing a third one.



Actually, considering how they price some of the ES line of products. I don't think the price on the BDP-CX7000ES is as high as I was expecting it to be. I was expecting it to be maybe around $3k, and it's under $2k. So I don't think it's price is that bad. Not to say that it's low cost by any means.

And when considering that after all, that it is a 400 disk blu-ray changer. The non ES BDP-CX960 came in a lot cheaper than I thought it would also.

Plus you have to remember, they have no competition at all in this arena. No one else has been making 400 disk DVD changers for a long time other than Sony, and it's possible no one else will make 400 disk blu-ray changers other than Sony. And when you're the only game in town for a product or service, you are free to set the standard for pricing at wherever you want it to be at..

Yea, Sony has been the only game in town with these and it's only expected that
the evolution into BD/DVD changers was presumed here considering Sony's presence
and reach in the entertainment industry.

Now to convince the Wife to allow the extra expenditure needed for a BDP-CX960.
Any help on this front would be greatly appreciated :rolleyes:, as she's anxiously awaiting
the new firmware for our(her!) BDP-N460 to connect up with NetFlix.

Odd, Seems like it was only last month I was there considering purchasing a third one.


Well it has been a discontinued model for quite awhile now, many of the retailers that also used to have them for sale, started to stop having them almost a year ago. But that don't also mean Sony did not have more than just a few of them along with some refurbs sitting in warehouse somewhere and also still available for sale at SonyStyle back then. Same thing happened with the DVP-CX777ES changers, SonyStyle was pretty much the only place you could still get one after they were discontinued by Sony, and even with that most of 777ES's that they still had were refurbs.

All outputs are "hot" at the same time.

I used both the HDMI out at 1080i and Component/optical at 480i for comparison purposes when I was first setting up the system, so I know you can use them both.

I just did the firmware update using a disc supplied by Sony in order to enable the HDMI output to be active, but now I've lost my subwoofer channel. I have the player hooked up to my TV with an HDMI cable and to my receiver with an optical cable. Before the upgrade, I also used the optical out for audio & the sub channel worked fine.

Any ideas on how to enable both the HDMI output & all of the audio channels at the same time?

So, even though the optical output is 'hot', it doesn't seem to be carrying all the channels it used to.

Thanks,
John

I get "can not play disc" when i try to play a dvd. then it loads the next dvd and get the same msg. it keeps loading and unloading trying to play each dvd.

I took the cover off. i see the laser on and moving but the dvds are not spinning. Is there anyway to fix this? I would hate to have to throw this player a way. comes in very handy for playing my tv show dvds.

has anyone fixed this problem? and how did you fix it?

thanks

Possibly slippage on the spindle, and a cleaning would cure it. Or, is the drive motor dead? If it were mine, I'd have it fixed, unless I could afford a new BD version. But, the new ones don't play SACD...

Possibly slippage on the spindle, and a cleaning would cure it. Or, is the drive motor dead? If it were mine, I'd have it fixed, unless I could afford a new BD version. But, the new ones don't play SACD...

The drive motor does not turn:( i got 400 dvds in it. guess i will have to take all the dvds out and put them back in there cases if i can find them and throw the player in the dumpster:(

I still think you should have it fixed.

I still think you should have it fixed.

Where can i get fixed? how do i get it fixed?

thanks

opps i just found https://eservice.sony.com/ They say they cant repair it, but i can exchange it:)
I will give it a try.

Great! Let us know how it works out, and how much it costs...

Sony Dvpcx 995v issues I'd like some help with.

How can I get the play arrows to not show (display) when first starting a disc?

Has anyone knowledge how to display a blank screen instead of the blue Sony logo between discs? Or does someone have knowledge of how to replace the Sony logo JPEG (or other file format) with a consumer provided JPG (or other file format) image?

Sony reps were not able to provide any help.

You may private message me, if you prefer. I really need some advice on these issues. (1/8/10)

Anyone managed to get their player working?

I ended up buying the DBU-3 assembly and paid quite a price with shipping to Hawaii ~$130 to find out that this did not help :(.

After installing the new unit "MAKE SURE YOU UNSOLDER THE PINs ON THE NEW UNIT" as they all come in with short soldering (read the manual twice, three times if need be)

I got exactly the same problem: the player loads a CD or DVD, it starts spinning and the Display shows "CANNOT PLAY".

What i have discovered is that once a DVD is being loaded, the Laser Eye tries to read the disc but right at that second it approaches the media too close and essentially grinds once or twice on the CD/DVD, then gives up, ejects the disc and moves on to the next one. Then the whole thing happens again. I had the same problem with the old DBU-3 assembly and you could also maybe confirm for your player if you hear a clicking/grinding sound upon disc load.

Is there any particular process i need to go through now that i have a new DBU-3 unit to essentially calibrate the laser or something?

Any other input to try and have that player fixed would be greatly appreciated.

Huh? "MAKE SURE YOU UNSOLDER THE PINs ON THE NEW UNIT"

I have the same problem of not reading disk. When I have the DBU-3 out, I can put a disk on the spindle and the lens is about 1/16 inch from the disk. It's not even close to touching.

Sony DVPCX995V reads CDs but not DVDs.


I have read on this website that I need a new optical unit. I purchased one on eBay that came with instructions. The instructions says that this unit uses two different voltages for CDs and DVDs. Between AV5 and IOP1 the voltage should be 60 – 75mA for CDs. Between AV5 and IOP2 the voltage should be 40 – 55mA for DVD's. On the IOP2 block. I guess that is the circuit board on the optical unit but I cannot remove the metal plate that covers it without desoldering wires. The new optical unit on eBay, was broken when I got it, so I put my old unit back in place. I believe if I adjust my old optical unit I could get it to work. However, when I reinstalled the optical unit, it will no longer read any disk. The motor will not even spin. The black carriage unit traverses towards the spindle and keeps crashing into it. There is a small black microswitch on the laser unit that is supposed to tell the unit it has reached the end. This switch seems not to be working or the timing is off. If I pull the laser back, it will return back to the spindle and keep crashing into it, as if it doesn’t know that it has reached the end. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Tim


I think these things are obsolete. I can purchase a 2 TB USB 2.0 hard drive on sale $149 as of black Friday 2009. The average DVD is only 3.5 GB. This means I could put 571 DVDs on a USB hard drive plus put thousands of MP3s. The new DVD and Blu-Ray players have USB ports on them that you can play movies. You can simply create folders of different genre with titles and drag-and-drop your DVDs onto the hard drive from your computer. You’ll never have to reenter or lose the information like you do with the Sony DVPCX995V. Plus you will never scratch your DVDs.

You’ll never have to reenter or lose the information like you do with the Sony DVPCX995V. Plus you will never scratch your DVDs.

Yeah, instead you can have a H/D crash/failure, and completely lose all the data that was on it. Not counting all the numerous hours you spent ripping the DVD's and CD's to that H/D, also flew out the window with the H/D failure.

I just started having this same problem, it says it can't play the dvd disc and moves to the next one with the same results one after the other. I opened up the case and watched as it loaded each disc into the reader, the disc started spinning for about 2 seconds then stopped. The "Can't play disc" message appears and then it takes the disc out of the reading unit and places it back into the carousel and moves on to the next disc and so on with the same results. Is the optical unit defective? Any ideas? I have a second identical unit like this and I am going to swap the optical units and see if this works in the broken one. If it does, is this something that can be ordered from Sony or is there somewhere else out there I can buy from?

I just started having this same problem, it says it can't play the dvd disc and moves to the next one with the same results one after the other. I opened up the case and watched as it loaded each disc into the reader, the disc started spinning for about 2 seconds then stopped. The "Can't play disc" message appears and then it takes the disc out of the reading unit and places it back into the carousel and moves on to the next disc and so on with the same results. Is the optical unit defective? Any ideas? I have a second identical unit like this and I am going to swap the optical units and see if this works in the broken one. If it does, is this something that can be ordered from Sony or is there somewhere else out there I can buy from?


Before you or anyone else just blindly guesses what is wrong with their units and starts ordering parts that may cost a lot. You may want to consider that Sony will do a outright exchange for a out of warranty 995 for a refurbished one for $265, or do a repair on the one you own for a flat rate of $130.


https://eservice.sony.com/webrma/web/index.do

Thanks for the info. I went to Sony's website and it really sucks!! I will check into that. Thanks again.

Yes, Johnla, thanks for that link. I have bookmarked it, and hope I never need it... :D

I have had my Explorer 400 for at least 3 years now. It plays DVD's or CD's without any problems.

However my pet peeve is that every once in a while, the unit will lock up where none of the buttons on the remote or the front of the unit will work. Even the power button stops working. At that point, I need to unplug the unit and then plug it back in.

The BIG problem though is that every time this happens, I lose ALL my disc titles which is a huge pain, as entering titles takes hours if not days.

Does anyone know if there is some type of firmware update that fixes this and if so, where would I get this update? And if so, is there a way to tell what version of firmware my unit currently has?

Thanks.

Firmware Update Info:
Google search "sony esupport dvp-cx995v"

I have a problem that has me stumped. I need someone smarter than I to point me in the right direction. I have a Cav6.6 and a Sony 400 disk cx995v. The remote codes in the Cav book for Sony dvd players don't seem to work. I have programed a "learned" IR setup, but for the life of me, the power on/off does not "learn". I have tried to change the codes of the dvd unit (code set 1,2,3) with the menu - but no positive results .

Does anyone have the correct code for this unit that will power it on and off? Or is there something I am missing on the learn? The learn process seems to accept the IR function from the remote during the programing phase - but when it test the function - it does not work....

TIA,

is cx995v worth all the trouble I read about it if I can get it cheap and plan to use it primarily to house my cd library? do you HAVE to enter the cd info to play it? (I don't mind listening to whatever cd comes up next)
thanks
Andy

If you are primarily going to use it for CD's, you probably would be better off with using one of Sony's CD megachangers.

Hi johnla
would your answer be the same if a new 995 unit could be had for less money than a mega cd changer?
thanks

Yes, if the primary use is for CD's. The 995 is really not that great for CD's.

Ok thanks for the heads up.
Andy

Well, I like mine for CDs, and SACDs. I haven't used a Sony CD megachanger, though. Do they play SACDs? Do they have a video output, to shop you what is going on?

You do NOT have to enter info to play anything on the 995, and it will find info on most newer CDs.

Glad you like it, but I still stand by what I say. For CD only use, one of the CD magachangers is the better player.

Glad you like it, but I still stand by what I say. For CD only use, one of the CD magachangers is the better player.

I agree, The Sony CDX455 or CDX400 are better machines for CD only. They allow you to combine two machines for seamless play. You can play by artist or genre.

I have two 400's linked together to provide 8 genres, and a single 455 for other misc genres.

I also think that a Sony CD mega changer is a better choice. I think the best choice for playing a CD collection is to rip your CD's to a computer that has an audio connection to your home sound system. About a year ago, my CD collection exceeded the 400 CD limit of my Sony CDX megachanger, so I decided to rip the entire collection to my Windows computer. I use Windows Media Player to rip and play music. I ripped my CD's with Windows Media Audio Lossless format so that there was no loss in audio quality. I like the results, and have started removing the CD's from my megachanger.

Ok, I am lost. I have the CX995 with the USB-UIRT and DVD profiler with the LoadDVD plug in and I am totally confused. How do I get them all working together? I need a step by step instructions for dummies. I have 300 DVD's loaded in the CX995 all loaded in the DVD profiler and cannot figure this all out. Can someone help me out? Thanks

Any here know to creat a screen with only thumbnails of albums to display on TV (projector screen). I just downloaded DVD Profiler and it seems like a neat program but it is a little confusing. I can't seem to figure this one out: a screen with nothing but the album cover thumbnails.:o
Thanks-
If there is a more appropriate place to post this please let me know.

Hello. I recently replaced an old Sony XBR crt tv with a Panasonic 54" TC-54PS14 Plasma tv. I was running component signals to the old Sony through my Denon AVR-2807 receiver for the past few years, and everything worked just fine.

I've been doing some work on the family room where all of the AV equipment is, and finally hooked up the new Panny Plasma with HDMI cables. It worked for a few minutes, until I turned it off to work on a couple of other things. Now there is no signal being sent through the HDMI, and the HDMI signal indicator light on the front panel of the Sony DVP-CX995V is no longer lit. I hooked up some component cables directly to the tv from the Sony DVP-CX995V, and ran the HDMI simultaneously, and when I did this the DVP-CX995V would send out an HDMI signal. I did this because the owner's manual stated that I might need to reconfigure some of the display settings from component to HDMI. So I did that, and it worked for a minute, until I turned everything off again to remove the component cables. The Sony DVP-CX995V isn't outputting an HDMI signal, and the HDMI indicator light is once again turned off on the front panel.

So, I've read a few pages back in this thread, and it appears to be a firmware issue? Is that the cause of this? I'll download the firmware. So, then I need to burn it onto a CD, not DVD, and play it in the DVP-CX995V? Should this solve the issue, or is there anything else I need to know? Thank goodness for forums like this, otherwise I'd probably never get this configuration to work correctly. Hope this thread is still active in some way, shape, or form, and much thanks in advance!
-Bill

It might be a handshake issue, and be affected by the order you turn things on. You have three active components, the TV, the AVR, and the 995. Try turning them on in various orders, and see if that helps.

I think i am going to buy the mega blu ray changer so I may a used dvp-cx995v that I may be parting with. If anyone is interested please pm me.

I've had my CX995V since early February, 2009. It's been perfect the first two months, but just over a week ago it developed a weird intermittant glitch.
I noticed the picture would go all black for a split second. No audio issue, just a blackout for a split second. This would happen several times a minute or every few minutes. So, I did all the basics. Checked the hdmi connections, then unhooked the hdmi cable and tried component. It happened there too.
Tried stopping the dvd and just looking at the blue-screen. Blackouts there too.
Turned off the unit and tried a half hour later and the issue disappeared. The next several days I watched several dvd tv episodes each night. After a few days, it happened again one evening. Now, it's been about 4 days and many hours of use with no dropouts.
So, it seems very intermittant at the moment so I'm thinking it's hard to diagnose and I'd hate to take it in for servicing and have it work perfectly on the bench...
Has any other 995 owners come across this odd glitch?
Any feedback would greatly be appreciated. I love the unit otherwise.

I have a similar problem that just started after about 1 year of use. However my audio AND video will drop out 2 or 3 times (for a few seconds) and then it drops out permanently until I turn the unit off. Sometimes I have to turn it off AND unplug it for awhile. But that doesn't always "fix" it either!! I had an older 995 (purchased in 2005 I believe) that NEVER had this problem but it developed the "Can't Read Disc" issue so it was replaced about a year ago. I may try the firmware update, although since my unit was made well AFTER the date of the firmware release, I don't have much faith in it resolving the issue. Looks like I'll get to use my extended warranty after all!! Anyone else have any suggestions?? THANKS!

It might be a handshake issue, and be affected by the order you turn things on. You have three active components, the TV, the AVR, and the 995. Try turning them on in various orders, and see if that helps.

Thanks. I tried that, but it didn't work. I even went to Denon's website, where I found the following written about HDMI connections and handshake problems:

Powering up order for HDMI connected products
Question
What is the normal sequence for powering up HDMI connected products?

Answer
This does not generally apply with current generations of product. However, with legacy equipment or even in some cases with some manufacturer's products that have been created to a different specification than normal, the powering up order can be a key issue as to whether or not the HDMI signals will pass through the system. For best results the TV should be turned on first and set to the correct HDMI input, then the receiver and then the source device(s). The reason for this has to do with getting the equipment to handshake properly for the HDCP protocol. This is a consideration when programming remote control system call keys or hot keys where everything turns on at once. You may need to consider the order of equipment turn on when programming these convenience keys.

So I tried turning the components on in the order that Denon recommended: first the TV already set to the correct HDMI input, then the Denon 2807 receiver, then the Sony CX995V DVD changer. Still no dice. In fact, started them up in every order possible, and still no HDMI from the CX995V, and the HDMI indicator light on it's front panel is still not lit.

So then it looks like I have to upgrade the Sony DVP-CX995V firmware?

Try the firmware update;

Filename :
DVP-CX995V_UC_144.EXE
Version :
n/a
Last Modified :
07/11/2007
Size :
3.62 MB

This utility updates the firmware of the DVP-CX995V and provides the following benefits:

•Resolves an issue where certain televisions that support the new xvYCC color feature (x.v.Color™), may show no video and/or play no audio when connected to the DVD player using HDMI™ connections. This may occur with televisions manufactured by Sony or by other manufacturers.
NOTE:This issue occurs only when using the DVD player as the source device for the program being viewed on the television. Audio and video viewed from other sources, or via connections other than HDMI, are unaffected by this issue. This is an HDMI error found within the DVD player and is not a problem with the television’s HDMI connection.
•Improves playback compatibility with certain DVD discs.

Okay, I did the firmware upgrade, and it was a success! It eliminated the handshake issues with my Panasonic Plasma, at least so far. And I tried turning all of the components on in various orders, and it didn't really have any effect - I pretty much got an HDMI signal every time, as long as the TV and receiver were also turned on, regardless of order.

Since there are over 70 pages to this thread, and this might become an issue to more and more people as they upgrade to better tv's, I've decided to repost the steps that Sean listed on how to upgrade the firmware in the Sony DVP-CX995V, modifying them to what I noticed when I went through the upgrade process. Hope everyone is cool with that.


Download the firmware file from Sony.
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=DVPCX995V&upd_id=2824&os_id=7


Unzip the executable file that you just downloaded, and extract the 4 files it contains.


Burn those 4 files onto a CD (make sure that it's a CD, not a DVD).


Turn on the player, and select slot one. Press Eject, and remove the existing disk from slot one (assuming there is a disk in there).


Put the CD that you burned with the firmware (be sure it is a CD, *not* a DVD) into slot one.


Press Close, then turn off the power after the door closes, but before the disk loads. Just keep trying until it listens and you see "power off"
in the display. Then wait for the DVD player to turn completely off.


After the DVD player has powered down, and is completely off, reach over to the front panel of the DVD player, and press the STOP button on the player, and while holding that down, point the remote at the DVD player and press the "1" key on the remote. Release both buttons, and the player should then turn on and load the firmware disk in slot one.


Wait for the message "loading firmware" and/or "DISC UPDATE" on the DVD player display. Wait several minutes until it says "finished" on the display.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=176792&stc=1&d=1275128143


I had the tv hooked up at the time through component cables, and for a second or two the tv showed a screen of red, then lavender, then maybe one other color, then a menu popped up showing the version, along with the warning "Do not power off during update, Permanent failure could result". As the firmware installed, it automatically scrolled through and updated various areas of the firmware.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=176791&stc=1&d=1275128143


When the firmware finished upgrading, a different message was displayed that said "Success - The target system has been updated, please turn the unit off and then on again". A few seconds later, the display on the DVD player said "FINISHED".
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=176793&d=1275128143


When the display on the DVD player says "finished", press the Power key on the player. It will turn off briefly, then turn back on.


Cut the power to the player for a short time, say ten seconds or so.


If the player doesn't turn on by itself, turn it on. Press the Stop and Eject buttons to make it stop loading and eject the firmware CD. When the door opens, remove it.


If you had your player set to "player 2" or "player 3" it will be reset to "player 1" at this point, so you'll need to go through the holding down the enter key on the player while pushing power to set it to the correct number. After that, go into the settings using the display key on the remote and set everything back the way you had it.


Congratulations! You are done!

(There is nothing magic about slot one, it is just an easy to remember location so you are less likely to make a mistake and select the wrong disk.)


I did a comparison of the firmware before I and after I upgraded it. Before I upgraded, the firmware was
IF con Ver: 1.001 (C554)
B/E Ver: SP5 114
F/E Ver: 29
Model DVP-CX995V (4)
Region UCA (1)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=176794&d=1275130312

And when I finished upgrading, the firmware was listed as
IF con Ver: 1.001 (C554)
B/E Ver: SP5 144
F/E Ver: 29
Model DVP-CX995V (4)
Region UCA (1)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=176795&d=1275130312

So it showed that it had changed from ver SP5 114 to ver SP5 144. But most importantly, it fixed my HDMI handshake issue with my new Panasonic Plasma TV. Hope my post can be of help to someone out there! Thanks for all of your help as well. I have one more of these DVP-CX995V changers to upgrade the firmware on, hopefully I can get around to it sometime this weekend, as it's in another room and less accessible. Cheers,
-Bill

Magic8ball:
looking at the back panel of your 995, what month/year was it manufactured? Mine was made in July 2008, so I'm thinking that loading firmware released in July 2007 would not help my issue of random loss of the HDMI signal (please see my 5-25-10 post above), as it should already have it. Thanks.

J Johnson,
According to the back panel of my CX995V, it was manufactured in June 2005. Up until this past Christmas, I had been running it to an older Sony XBR crt tv that could do 1080i, but didn't have HDMI. So I never experienced any problems until I upgraded to the new Panasonic Plasma.

Even though your 995 was manufactured in July 2008, you should still check the version of the firmware that is currently in your unit. You can easily do that the following way:

Turn off the DVP-CX995V. While the DVD player is off, point the remote control at it, and press in sequential order TOP MENU, CLEAR, then the I/O (power button). The unit will then power up in diagnostic mode.

A "Test Mode Menu" will be displayed on your TV screen, listing 5 or 6 options. Choose option "5. Version Information" by pressing the number 5 on the remote's keypad.

The Version Information screen will appear, which lists your version information.

Before I upgraded the firmware, the version that was in my DVD player as of 5-28-2010 was as follows:
B/E Ver: SP5 114

That's the version listed on the second line of that Version Information Screen. After I upgraded the firmware, the version changed to the following:
B/E Ver: SP5 144

From reading the posts of others in this thread that upgraded their firmware, most of them had their version upgrade from some lower number version to Ver: SP5 144, with maybe one or two people listing that their verison upgraded to Ver: SP5 143.

So my suggestion is that if your firmware is listed as anything lower than Ver: SP5 144, then I would upgrade the firmware. It will be interesting to see what version your firmware is, and if it has an even higher number (although I doubt it) since your DVD player was built in July 2008. Actually, maybe it's not really that interesing, but I'm just sayin'. ;-)

I actually have two of these DVP-CX995V DVD changers. I picked up an extra one for the front living room area of my house, that I'm pretty much just using for CDs, as that room is my music "listening room". The other one is in my family room for the home theater thing. And one thing is certain - if either one of these players give me any more trouble, or become in need of repair, or start scratching discs, then I am going to scrap them both and build a media server, and simply rip everything I own, both music and movies, to hard drives. This will eliminate any finicky disc explorer labeling issues as well as losing disc and title information, plus it will eliminate DL transition issues. I'd rather go that route than pop for two Blu Ray DVD jukeboxes. And I might actually build a media server like that at the end of this year, as the price of memory keeps dropping.

Good luck on your firmware and signal random loss issues, let us know what happens. At least you have an extended warranty, so maybe you can get your unit either fixed, replaced, or upgraded to something new. Cheers!
-Bill

It was said awhile back that the Sony 400 disc megachangers are obsolete because someone can burn dvds to an external hard drive instead. Great concept that I had never thought of because I assumed it would be prevented by copy protection. I use ext HDs to record Hi-def off of Dishnetwork via their DVR. I paid them a one-time $30 (as I recall) fee for this. Works great, and as you say the big ext HDs have TONS of storage. Whatabout copy protection?

Magic8ball/Bill:
Thanks a BUNCH for the info!! I'll check my current firmware and post back the results.
Jeff


Update, 6/14/10: I checked my FW over the weekend. It is latest (Ver: SP5 144), as I suspected it would be on a unit made in July 2008. Laser hours on the DVD is 2332 ... I'm sure a lot of that time is from when I forget to turn the unit off (I'm sure I haven't watched that many hours since April 2009).

I guess I will send it in for repair under the extended warranty.

Magic8ball/Bill:

Your instructions were right on.. GREAT JOB !!!! Thanks.. My cx995v is now sending HDMI to my Sharp Aquos 42". Really great to be able to watch movies on it from the Juke Box..

Thanks again..


Gabby

Glad that I could be of some help to some people around here. I've had a LOT of questions in setting up my home theater system over the past month, and this forum has been a literal wealth of information. Since I bought a new Panasonic plasma, and have done some layout changes to my family room, I have been reconfiguring the entire system setup. Which makes me re-discover how much of a pain it is to set up my ol' Denon AVR-2807 receiver. Bah! But no matter how difficult or obscure I thought some of my problems were, I'd do a google search here, and lo and behold find an answer every time! Although I am getting a little more than bleary eyed after reading many many long threads like this one, and the one for my 2807, plus it's hellish Denon User's Guide that I swear must have been written by Satan!

Anyways, just trying to pay it forward.


Update, 6/14/10: I checked my FW over the weekend. It is latest (Ver: SP5 144), as I suspected it would be on a unit made in July 2008. Laser hours on the DVD is 2332 ... I'm sure a lot of that time is from when I forget to turn the unit off (I'm sure I haven't watched that many hours since April 2009).

Jeff, how do you check the laser hours on these 995's? I'd like to check the hours on mine. Good luck with your warranty, let us know if they replace it, or upgrade you to something else. Cheers,
-Bill

Bill, sorry for the delay ... I don't check this as often as I should. It is one of the options in the "Test Mode Menu". I'm not at home, and can't remember off the top of my head which option it is. It wasn't really obvious, but as I was already in the menu checking which FW Version I had, I was seeing what the other options were and stumbled upon it.

I haven't had a chance to send it in for the warranty deal yet .. probably in the next couple weeks.

Jeff

help anyone
my old eyes and i need help with changing discs on my mega changer
say i'm viewing disc #100 and next i want to watch disc #250;
using the remote how do i direct access the next disc ?
i cannot figure this out. :confused::confused::confused:

I'm not at home, so this is a bit imprecise. while watching a disc, use the remote to turn on the display. Arrow down to highlight the disc number. Input the new number, and hit enter.

I'm not at home, so this is a bit imprecise. while watching a disc, use the remote to turn on the display. Arrow down to highlight the disc number. Input the new number, and hit enter.

thanks
may i assume were you refering to the "remotes display"?

i also own a sony CD mega changer and selecting the next disc is a breeze.
you would think they would retain the process across their entire product line.

I've been following this thread on and off since I got my Sony DVP-CX995V. I've had the machine for three years now. I really like this DVD. I had never had the lost of the discs information, except for disc No 1, once in a while... until a month ago or so; Took one of the discs out for a couple of days, then after reinserting the DVD...POOFFFFF!!! ALL of them where gone. That night re ran the LOAD function and as we all know only 20% or so where recognized. Then I used a keyboard to reentered the info, took 2 hrs or so... no big deal.

Then, this week I get the "CANNOT READ DISC" error. I uncovered the back cover to inspect the mechanism and the laser. Like everyone else that this had happened to, the disc loads, on my case first, the disk was actually spinning but couldn't be read. Next step was to clean the lens and clean the mechanism. Well.. after cleaning... WORST! now the disc loads but does not spin.

As it is well documented, ordered a DBU-3 laser service assembly to replace it. Also got hold of a Service Manual. The part should be here Tuesday, so we'll see.

Hopefully I can bring it back to life.

I'm not at home, so this is a bit imprecise. while watching a disc, use the remote to turn on the display. Arrow down to highlight the disc number. Input the new number, and hit enter.
high
when at home would you try selecting w/remote after turn on and selecting full stop?

first am i looking at the display's top or bottom set of numbers as i do the remote key strokes?

thanks
may i assume were you refering to the "remotes display"?

i also own a sony CD mega changer and selecting the next disc is a breeze.
you would think they would retain the process across their entire product line.

high
when at home would you try selecting w/remote after turn on and selecting full stop?

first am i looking at the display's top or bottom set of numbers as i do the remote key strokes?

I've been off for a few days, and just read these.

I was referring to using the remote to activate the on-screen display, then move down to the number of the disc playing. I don't recall if you arrow right at that point, or just hit 'enter,' but the number playing should become ___, then you enter the number of the disc you want, using number keys, then hit the enter button. Or, maybe the button says OK, or SELECT, I don't recall for certain. This info is in the manual.

If I am just going to start play, and want to go directly to a disc, w/o waiting for one to load, I hit the "Open" button on the machine, use the dial to select the number I want, then push the dial button, which selects that disc.

I'll try to remember to select a disc when I am at home later, so I can give you a more accurate description tomorrow. I mostly use this changer for music now, since I got an Oppo, which has better upscaling.

help anyone
my old eyes and i need help with changing discs on my mega changer
say i'm viewing disc #100 and next i want to watch disc #250;
using the remote how do i direct access the next disc ?
i cannot figure this out. :confused::confused::confused:

While I don't own a 995 I do own 6 of the 985 units. The steps for selecting a given disc slot should be identical. Said steps are outlined below.

Stop (Ensures there is only one display menu to advance out of at the end of the sequence.)
Display
Enter
Slot Number (Numbers that make up the slot number)
Enter
Display

I have a similar problem that just started after about 1 year of use. However my audio AND video will drop out 2 or 3 times (for a few seconds) and then it drops out permanently until I turn the unit off. Sometimes I have to turn it off AND unplug it for awhile. But that doesn't always "fix" it either!! I had an older 995 (purchased in 2005 I believe) that NEVER had this problem but it developed the "Can't Read Disc" issue so it was replaced about a year ago. I may try the firmware update, although since my unit was made well AFTER the date of the firmware release, I don't have much faith in it resolving the issue. Looks like I'll get to use my extended warranty after all!! Anyone else have any suggestions?? THANKS!


Strangely enough, this problem turned out to be a bad HDMI cable (from Monoprice). Before I sent the player back (for repair under my extended warranty) I thought I would try swapping the cable with very little expectation that it would solve the problem. The cable was less than 2 years old. It is odd that the signal drop out was not consistent with the bad cable. Thanks again to Bill (magic8ball) for all of his help.
Jeff

... As it is well documented, ordered a DBU-3 laser service assembly to replace it. Also got hold of a Service Manual. The part should be here Tuesday, so we'll see.

Hopefully I can bring it back to life.

Finally had some time to go at it. Took me aprox 1 hr. If I had to do it again it'll probably take 15-20 min. Not hard whatsoever, had a little trouble re aligning the load mechanisms and the clamp that holds the disc one it it in place, other than that very straight forward.

I jumped the gun and got a DBP-CX960. I'll re arrange the equipment and will make room to have them both in service, one for DVDs exclusively and the other for BluRays exclusively too.

For those of you having this problem the $100 + - that the part cost is well worth it. :)

Sony Dvpcx 995v issues I'd like some help with.

How can I get the play arrows to not show (display) when first starting a disc?

Has anyone knowledge how to display a blank screen instead of the blue Sony logo between discs? Or does someone have knowledge of how to replace the Sony logo JPEG (or other file format) with a consumer provided JPG (or other file format) image?

Sony reps were not able to provide any help.


I'm quoting my own post from last December in hopes there is now someone on the forum who has the answer I was originally seeking for a LPTV operation.

The answer probably is, that you can not change or eliminate either the display of the Sony logo, or eliminate the "play" arrows from showing. The control and settings of both of those would be buried somewhere in the firmware of the machines, and it would require a different firmware to change either of them.

The answer probably is, that you can not change or eliminate either the display of the Sony logo, or eliminate the "play" arrows from showing. The control and settings of both of those would be buried somewhere in the firmware of the machines, and it would require a different firmware to change either of them.

I agree with you. But there is someone, perhaps in Sony's labs in Tokyo, that knows how to change those items by placing a DVD into the unit and hitting play, thus changing the internal instructions.

As it stands now, a TV station uses these units for airing programming in a rotational manner on a sub-channel. The play arrow shows between every change of discs, along with about 25 seconds of blue Sony logo.

I agree with you. But there is someone, perhaps in Sony's labs in Tokyo, that knows how to change those items by placing a DVD into the unit and hitting play, thus changing the internal instructions.

As it stands now, a TV station uses these units for airing programming in a rotational manner on a sub-channel. The play arrow shows between every change of discs, along with about 25 seconds of blue Sony logo.

That is crazy... I hope I don't insult anyone, but whom ever that engineer is, he needs to be updated to the digital age, there are 1,000,000 other ways to do that with out using DVDs, plus you can have back to back shows with no space or you can insert whatever you want in between, even empty space with 1 or 2 sec.

I believe the ES machines can change the logo on them.

That is crazy... I hope I don't insult anyone, but whom ever that engineer is, he needs to be updated to the digital age, there are 1,000,000 other ways to do that with out using DVDs, plus you can have back to back shows with no space or you can insert whatever you want in between, even empty space with 1 or 2 sec.

I believe the ES machines can change the logo on them.

Using a Sony multi-disc DVD player is a very cost efficient method for LPTV stations to program a sub-channel, or even their main channel. Just insert the discs, press play, and away it goes for hours and hours of unattended operation. The station in question has used this mehtod for over a year. Initally, there were no station ID's. Several months ago, the station started dubbing ID's at the front and end of programs. Now the standard Sony blue logo screen appears for about 25 seconds between station ID's as one program ends and another begins.

Yes, there are many other methods to accomplish the same programming, if you choose to spend much more on equipment. And the station in question will likely upgrade to some of this equipment in the future as profits permit.

Finally had some time to go at it. Took me aprox 1 hr. If I had to do it again it'll probably take 15-20 min. Not hard whatsoever, had a little trouble re aligning the load mechanisms and the clamp that holds the disc one it it in place, other than that very straight forward.

I jumped the gun and got a DBP-CX960. I'll re arrange the equipment and will make room to have them both in service, one for DVDs exclusively and the other for BluRays exclusively too.

For those of you having this problem the $100 + - that the part cost is well worth it. :)
Superleo, sent you a message. Not sure if you got it. I'm new to this forum, and am experiencing the same issue you had with the DVP-CX995V ("cannot play" isse). Looking for some friendly insight. If you didn't get the message, let me know and I'll type it directly on this forum.

Thanks in advance!

Superleo, sent you a message. Not sure if you got it. I'm new to this forum, and am experiencing the same issue you had with the DVP-CX995V ("cannot play" isse). Looking for some friendly insight. If you didn't get the message, let me know and I'll type it directly on this forum.

Thanks in advance!

Well just for the record; The problem came back after 3 weeks. I did run the auto adjustment from the service menu, but I think you need the specialized disc in order for any of the adjustments to take place.

Needless to say I'm back where I started. Does any one knows what's the warranty period on the exchanged units from Sony?

Or does anyone have the calibration discs? I would only need the DVD single layer and the DVD double layer since CDs still play with no problem.

Or does anyone have the calibration discs? I would only need the DVD single layer and the DVD double layer since CDs still play with no problem.


Probably unlikely anyone has the test discs unless they also work at a place that services Sony DVD players, I know I sure would not pay the $349.95 plus another $225.95 for the pair of them.

http://www.partstore.com/Part/Sony/Sony/DVPCX995V/Sony/Sony/J6090089A/New.aspx

http://www.partstore.com/Part/Sony/Sony/DVPCX995V/Sony/Sony/J6090088A/New.aspx

Yes, this just happened to me as well but here is what fixed it.

I went to the Sony site and downloaded the firmware update, burned to cd and then performed the update.

Everything works well now.

Been awhile since this post.....

I've just started experiencing the same problem. It was working till I bought another HDMI switch, now it wouldn't pass anything via HDMI no matter how I have it connected...Like the new switch messed something up. I have another unit, (a year older) it works fine through the new switch. I made arrangements with Sony to send it in for out of warranty repair, but then noticed the update for the HDMI issue. Well, I tried that but now the thing won't even boot. I followed the instructions to the letter, but after it said "Finished" I was supposed to power it down and back up to complete the process. I did that, but when it powered back up it started to load the disc again. That didn't fit the install instructions so I hit the eject button as stated in the next step.... now it just powers up displaying "Sony DVD", then shuts down. Perhaps I should have let it continue to load the disc a second time even though nothing in the instructions said it would.....I guess it's too late now.

Are the 2 options still available for repair? I tried the site yesterday and the day before and it was down for redesign or something like that. No response today at all (404 error).

Any Ideas? Or do I have a 'brick' now?:mad:

Thanks Much,

Does the DVP-CX995V play Avi's, sorry don't have time to read thread a chance to buy one on short notice
cheers

WOW, this is a great thread.

Being on a budget and having 1300+ dvd's I went the route of picking up the 995's used off of ebay.

I now have 3 of them, and the first 2 were flawless for what I am doing, the 3rd being have a small issue with the spinning disk tapping something.

Fiddling with the 3rd unit, putting it on a slight slant with the left side higher than the right seems to have fixed this noise but that isn't how I want to keep it.

So while poking around in this thread I got lots of good info on these players. Found the Service manual. Popped off the cover, and while tinkering with it what I had initally thought was this white part was making contact with the bottom edge of the disk.

http://www.robagd.com/DVDP/995/995-mech-top-no-disc.png


http://www.robagd.com/DVDP/995/995-mech-top-disc-2.png

So these pics kinda kill the thought I had when I first started looking.

So with a disk in the player and making the noise, I start lightly pressing on things to see if it would change the sound of the drag, and bingo, if I press on the back of the player unit that sticks out the back it removes the sound completely.

So now, without printing out and reading the entire manual, does any one know of an adjustment ? or am I going to have to really dig in and see what I can loosen and move on my own ?

Next little weird tib bit with the unit is I can't get into the diagnostic menu, tried all 3 remotes ( accounting for the 1,2,3 code sets as well )

It just powers on and does its thing.

This ones build date is June 2005 and was sold as having very low hours on it, so I was hoping it would be the most trouble free of the 3. The other 2 units are Oct 2005 and May 2008 and no issues getting them into the service menu.

Thought or Suggestions ?

Thanks again to all those the contributed to this thread, it is outstanding source of info !

-Robert

Kinda of off topic but has anyone thought about replacing the original power cord w/ an IEC receptacle for a removable power cord? Should be easy to do, was just curious if anyone has done it or thought about it?

Well while poking around I saw mention a few times of adding RS232 ports to the 995's

Was there anymore progress on that project ?

-Robert

JVB digital, one of the biggest modifiers of DVD players, said adding a RS232 port to a 995 can not be done.