DVD player LD

[iskor12]

What kind of power can I get out of an everyday DVD player laser diode? Would it be usefull just to keep around to do current testing with? Also, It has 4 pins instead of 3. How do I figure out what pin is what?

I appreciate any kind of help that I can get!
Thanks,
Heath

 

[potatorage]

well, we could help you identify if you gave us a picture of the pins
A dvd burner is typically 150-200mW

 

[iskor12]

Please keep in mind that this is your every day normal dvd player, not burner.

Thanks for the response though. I will post a picture.

 

[jander6442]

I believe that the dvd player is a cheap ir diode.

 

[iskor12]

here is a picture

sorry about the quallity, I have an old camera

 

[iskor12]

and another

 

[Snytbaggen]

I believe that the dvd player is a cheap ir diode.

Since it's from a regular DVD player it probably is a 5mW red/IR diode. The extra pin is there to change between red and IR.

EDIT: 200th post [smiley=beer.gif]

 

[iskor12]

[quote author=jander6442 link=1232981779/0#3 date=1232983118]I believe that the dvd player is a cheap ir diode.

Since it's from a regular DVD player it probably is a 5mW red/IR diode. The extra pin is there to change between red and IR.

EDIT: 200th post  [smiley=beer.gif][/quote]


That is what I was thinking, that it would change from IR to red.  
How do I find out what connections do what?

Edit: Also from the looks of it when I took it out of the drive, there wasn't a heatsink for the LD. So I honestly didn't think that it would put out more than 5mW. I really just want to use this for testing purposes so I don't blow my good LDs. I need to know how to connect it though.

 

[iskor12]

Just a quick update.

I did manage to figure out what each pin was. Also the output was weak, but I did manage to get about 10mW out of it.

Thanks again for all of your responses.