I was searching for an answer to a similar problem. I read where the Panasonic SC-HT80/SA-HT80 had a problem with an underpowered laser. I won't read certain discs. I have the same unit I bought knowing the unit was malfunctioning as such and am now in the middle of repairing the problem according to this person's advice. Since it reads some discs, but not others no matter which position in the unit you place the discs, it doesn't like certain discs. I am using all prerecorded discs for this, not DVD-R, but it might be the same fix. I must warn you, I am an electronics tech and the person made the repair sound quite simple. But I now have the unit completely disassembled including removing the laser from the guide to access the potentiometer which this gentlemen claims can be adjusted to increase the power to the laser. The fix is very complicated and requires small philips screw drivers. The problem I am looking to solve while in the middle of this repair is that the person didn't mention there were two pots on the bottom side of the laser assembly and I don't know which to turn. The fix is simply to turn the tiny potentiometer one-fifth of a turn and it will increase power to the laser and solve the problem. The detailed description of the repair for the Panasonic SC-HT80/SA-HT80, which I hope uses a similar laser to the SA-HT70/SC-HT70 is found here. http://www.audioreview.com/cat/home-video/home-theater-packages/panasonic/PRD_124560_4281crx.aspx I will attempt to discover which pot to turn and do as instructed. I'll help you guys out and let you know the result. You will also find 33 reviews of the SC-HT80 at the AudioReview link above. We all have the same problem, apparently. If anyone knows which of the two pots under the laser I should turn to increase the power before I guess, I would appreciate the information. Thanks and good luck.

Mine only has problems with dvd+r, never had a problem with dvd-r they work fine everytime.

I'm having the same troubles with home-made DVD's. The only way to play them is: 1. Put in the DVD 2. The player doesn't read the DVD all the way 3. Turn the player off 4. Turn it on again 5. Let the player read the DVD untill it says STOP 6. Push the play button and it will play the DVD I'm using DVD+ Wilfried Poelman The Neterlands