The DVD player is in constant eject mode - discs will not stay in to play. It has worked perfectly for years. Tonight I was watching a disc, finished, ejected it and put in another and the player just keeps ejecting. I tried several discs (all of which have played in the past) and it simply will not keep the disc in the player. I can't even run a 'cleaner' disc because nothing stays in. Any thoughts?

Follow this procedure to lock and unlock the disc tray.
IMPORTANT: This procedure will only work while a disc is inserted in the player and when the disc is playing.
While a disc is playing in the Blu-ray Disc player, press the SYSTEM MENU button on the remote control.
After the System Menu screen appears, slowly press 0 0 0 0 7 6 6 9 using the number pad on the remote control. NOTES:
If the procedure has been performed correctly, the disc will stop playing and the player will go in the Resume mode. Each time this procedure is performed the disc tray will either lock or unlock.

The DVD player in model DRC8295 uses a magnet to pull the Disc tray up into position. You can open up the front disc cover and push down slightly on the Disc tray and then push the open/close button to eject the tray. I had to do this on my unit and therefore I recommed leaving a Disc in it at all times. I leave a "Bad Disc" in mine and it opens/closes with no problems.

Make sure you are using the right disk IE, DVD-R or DVD+R. Most Newer DVD player's will play DVD-R but very few play DVD+R

I think I figured it out...at least mine is working now anyways and it hasn't worked in 2 years! I got the remote out, pushed setup in dvd mode and initialize and now it works

The problem with using rental discs is that they are dirty. Buy a dvd player cleaning disc and follow the instructions. These discs help to realign the laser. If this does not help try cleaning the disc with a disc cleaner. Also depending on how new the dvd is there have been a lot of discs manufactured outside of the US that have been bad. It may not be your machine but the discs. I personally went through 6 of the same movie before i gave up and rented something else that worked perfectly fine. Hope this helps you watch.

Try unplugging the machine so it will reset itself. Then plug it back in. That has worked for me in the past.
pjrsop

Well first of all, why the hell would you press play when there was nothing in it???

My Hitachi 46W500's DVD tray will not open. My son about 2 - 3 years ago said he had done something to he tray that may have caused this, is there any way to fix it at home ?

Well I have been repairing dvd players a while now and the main problem spots are laser ,spindle motor, laser tracking motor and the biggest culprit and un suspecting one the lens cable .....most of them range from the lens cable to the spindle motor though... the constant movement of the lens in watching a whole movie causes the cable to unknowingly and slowly break and if the spindle motor is defective ,on inserting a dvd the disc spins slowly and you may hear the lens chirping ... so you can check those....

HI WE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THE SOLUTION WAS CLEANING THE DISC. IT APPEARS JUST TINY FLECKS OF DUST AND GREASY FINGER PRINTS CAN CAUSE HAVOC! GOOD LUCK