Matrix DVD Problem!!! Need help!!!

I was watching The Matrix tonight and got to the 21st chapter and the thing blanked out and read "UNABLE TO READ DISC" ... I tried to turn on the diagnostics and restarted, did the same thing.  It\'s too late to call SONY...  Has anyone ever had this problem, and what\'s the fix for it?  I know there are alot of people on this board that have had this problem..  I have played countless DVD\'s on this unit since launch day and this is the first time it has happened.  ALL the games work fine.  How do I check which region the DVD is from.  I bought it from Best Buy here in California...

Thanks in advance,

RacingFan

I had that problem with Gladiator.  There didn\'t seem to be but a tiny scratch so I returned it (rental) and got another which glitched in the same spot but didn\'t hinder playback other than some pixelation.

I had the same problem with Gladiator, did it three or four times in a row, then all the sudden it stopped doing it, didn\'t change anything, didn\'t fiddle with any settings. I think that some of the movies that are out there will do this at some point. After a while we will probably have a list of movies that stop and what chapter they do it at.

Chances are its a bit of dust or a minute scratch on the DVD, Ive found that the PS2 is very sensitive to the quality of the surface of the DVD you are playing a pretty bad scratch can stop the machine in its tracks while other players would stutter and drop a few frames before continuing. Have a good look at the surface of the disc and clean it carefully, apart from that I cant say what would help.

Dont worry about the DVD being the wrong region if it was it wouldnt play at all, so its safe to assume that its region 1, but if you are interested in knowing there should be a small icon somewhere on the disc with the outline of the globe and a number inside it - at least this is the case with UK region 2 discs I cant speak for what you may recieve.

Heres a list Ive been compiling with regards to playback on the PS2, its not perfect but at the same time its not that bad, remember some conventional players have problems with some titles - its less of a hardware problem that an actual standards problem with the DVD format. Still with a few updates to the drivers we should see most issues resolved.

- list as of 28/12/00 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- Matrix (131mins, no issues / no issues*)
- Alien Resurrection (104mins, no issues)
- Armageddon (144mins, no issues*+)
- Enemy of the State (127mins, audio sync issues* -last few chapters only)
- Lost in Space (130mins, no issues*)
- Leon (106mins, no issues*)
- Austin Powers: The Spy who Shagged Me (91mins, no issues)
- Blue Streak (90mins, no issues*)
- Analyze This (99mins, audio sync issues -persistent)
- Toy Story 2 (89mins, no issues / no issues*)
- Wallace & Gromit: Three Cracking Adventures (doesnt recognise disc)
- Fallen (119mins, audio sync issues -...)
- Falling Down (108mins, no issues)
- Gladiator (disc1:feature xxxmins, no issues*)
.......... (disc2:extras -- untested -- )
- Sphere (129mins, audio sync issues -1/3rd into film)
- Payback (97mins,sideA: 4:3 aspect, --untested--)
.......... (       sideB:16:9 aspect, no issues*)
- American Beauty (117mins, no issues*)

info:
UK [PAL] territory PS2, Region 2 discs, DVD drivers v1.20E, SCPH-30003 console.

note:
\'*\' = title was played from start to finish without pausing or returning to the menu.
\'+\' = title was played in 4:3 screen mode [not noted for 4:3 specific dvds].

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - end of list

My recommendation is that if it doesnt playback ok after cleaning it then take it back to the store and explain to them the situation, you should get a replacement.

-bd

[Evi]

My playback was perfect with The Matrix. I haven\'t had any problems with mine...maybe you should contact Sony...

What´s matter with USA PS2´s?? The playback quality in Europe is perfect, my playback is perfect too with 10-12 DVD´s and Matrix and Gladiator too.

I called SONY and they said that the problem might be with the GOLD bottomed DVD.  Some DVDs are gold and some are silver..  I tried Independence Day because it was gold bottomed also, and it worked flawlessly.  SONY said if I still have a problem with any other DVD\'s to send it in. 10-15 day wait period...  I\'ve had it since launch day and if this is the only problem i\'ll have, I can rent Matrix on VHS..

Happy New Years everyone!!!

JT

RacingFan, that\'s also what the tech support told me.  He said they were working on a resolution and that when one is found they would fix my system for no charge even if the warranty is expired.

They also said that the error might be due to any sticker the rental store places on the DVD.  I think that\'s reaching for an excuse but I believe the gold bottom thing.

Damn, I just picked up a brand new copy of the matrix from kozmo.com. Thing starts skipping like hell and then freezes up "unable to play" right before they go see the oracle.

Bogus, hope the come up with a fix soon.

The disc is not gold, no dust, perfect in every way.