Hello everyone,

i recently got a Pioneer DVL-H9 and it is in very good condition and works very well.
The only small problem is that when side B of a laser disc is played, there are short jumps in the first minute of playback like with a vinyl LP,
and you have to manually fast forward to solve the problem.

This happens 2 to 3 times within the first minute, i.e. when the laser reading head is above the laser disc.

So far I have only checked the pickup unit once, cleaned and lubricated the metal guide rails, and checked everything for any foreign objects.
If the problem occurred on both sides, then the motor could be the problem, which could have a dead spot, but like this?
Side A of every laser disc always works absolutely reliably when the laser pickup is in the lower position.

Have any of you ever had this problem with the DVL-H9? If so, were you able to solve it somehow?

Read all the threads about the DVL-909/919/91 US models. This is a common issue with DVL units. I was told by a trained Pioneer repairman that Pioneer Engineers discovered they received a lot shipment of the guide rails for the later DVL players that have a slight warp being the main cause of this. I have also found that the top movement track does not have the same force downward as previous models and the extension toward the spindle motor does not have the support of previous models which results in the slight warp keeping the laser from moving in step mode for playback. I have used upper guide rails from the DVL-700/90 series to put into these units and they work fine. Others have reported they adjust the spindle motor off center a little and the angle of the laser movement gear against the upper track allows for a little more contact to move the laser. You could also try a good cleaning of the upper guide rail and re-grease with the white lithium grease, that may work in your case.

Thank you krbahr for you're reply and all the details!
I have some old parts of a broken DVL-909 laying around, and some old upper guide rails from this unit.
So i will try this guiding rails.
Thanks again

I'd just remove the top metal plate for side B laser movement from the parts machine with the rail on it and swap it with the one in the H9. All DVL players have the same part.

This also sounds similar to the centering issue I was having with my 919:
[DVL-919] Successful repair of side B playback issue

this worked for me, thanks