OldBlueEye -

As I am a 38 year employee of RadioShack - the place of the cheap(inexpensive) DVD players. I am not sure when you spent your $700/$250 for your DVD equipment, but I can tell you we were selling DVD/VCR combo players for $299 a year ago that we are selling today for $129.99. They are just as good if not better than there more expensive predicessor.

As far as the DVD with the brushes - they are able to get into places you can not reach with your hands without taking the unit apart.

It could be an alignment problem with your units. You may want to get a tech to look at them - but beware especially with the lesser expensive one - you may be able to replace it "cheaper" than repairing it.