HDX 18t Blu Ray Drive issue

I have the CT10L...Hitachi's site is beyond useless since this drive is OEM and apparently they don't show support, nor does google pull up anything relevant. Right now it's on firmware YC07 and I see that there is a firmware YC09, but the updater I found on some site doesn't want to work with Windows 7 Ultimate x64. I was wondering if anyone here has had experience with this drive/updated it? I feel it's starting to go because certain blu ray's that used to play just fine are now acting up at random, one, Lord Of War...won't even start playing anymore. Today while watching 3:10 to Yuma on Blu Ray, 48 minutes in it starts breaking up, losing audio/video sync, etc. I'm hoping the firmware update may help it incase some change to the player interfered, but it's doubtful I'm betting...

What should I do? What drive can be put in it's place? How hard is it to replace?

 

Have you tried checking for an update to the player software? Also, you can download a trial of AnyDVDHD, and see if that fixes the problem. Good luck!

hth

 

Unfortunately when I notice the issue, the drive itself is making noise as if it's having an error...I'm pretty sure this is hardware related. The only thing I think that may effect it is a firmware update (which the only one I see is unofficial and ripped from a newer build of my drive). YC09 vs my YC07. I use ArcSoft Total Media 3, updated to latest. I've watched these movies plenty of times before that are now having issues.

 

Sounds like it's time for a head clean. Prelim cleaning is to gently tap on the optical head and blow any dust out.

 

Just tried that, thanks for the tip but no luck. Same screwup only on that one small part of 3:10 to Yuma and then also Lord of War still will not play at all.

 

*bump* still having issue. Anyone?

I'm also noticing on DVD's now that it chops up for a few seconds then runs normal. I guess this is the end of the drive? Where can I get a replacement if so and how easy is it to swap?