# Laser optical pickup unit hacking **URL:** \ **Category:** ReSeq\ **Created:** [February 20, 2020, 8:49am UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771 "2020-02-20T08:49:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![bionoob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/58956e/32.png) [@bionoob](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/bionoob)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2021, 10:57pm UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/61 "2021-03-26T22:57:35Z")
Hi everyone, I would like to build a scanning microscope with DVD pick-up head. Can anyone sell an assembled PCB with the optical pick up? Or any parts of it. I would like to test a few things urgently, while in the mean time I can focus on developing. ---
**Author:** ![Edwin](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.hackteria.org/edwin/32/800_2.png) [@Edwin](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/Edwin)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 7:45pm UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/62 "2021-03-28T19:45:58Z")
You can contact Chris ([info@mpro-gmbh.de](mailto:info@mpro-gmbh.de)). He may have what you need. ---
**Author:** ![tek\_doughy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@tek\_doughy](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/tek_doughy)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2021, 5:43am UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/63 "2021-04-13T05:43:45Z")
I am working on the DVD laser scanner and I am getting issues with getting any sort of image from the PHR-803T laser head. All I am getting is a white screen, when using a coin as the object to scan. I see the dvd head move when I do change the pot and laser intensity, it is just the image which is white. What can my issue be? I have only connected one of the DVD heads as it is not clear which of the wires the second one needs to be connected up to on the DVD head side. ---
**Author:** ![ldehlwes](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.hackteria.org/ldehlwes/32/1221_2.png) [@ldehlwes](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/ldehlwes)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2021, 1:00am UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/64 "2021-04-14T01:00:43Z")
A single DVD head by itself can only move in one lateral direction (let’s say, the x-axis), so you need necessarily a second DVD head with the coils (T+,T-) of the objective lens hooked up for the y-axis. Or use some alternative method to move the sample in the y-direction. ---
**Author:** ![tek\_doughy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@tek\_doughy](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/tek_doughy)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2021, 1:21am UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/65 "2021-04-14T01:21:48Z")
Yes I do understand I would need the second DVD head to move the sample in the y direction. But this isn’t my problem as I am not getting the correct image which I am scanning. Do you know which connection should the solder jumper be on? Any other advice to get a good image as required? ---
**Author:** ![ldehlwes](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.hackteria.org/ldehlwes/32/1221_2.png) [@ldehlwes](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/ldehlwes)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2021, 1:39am UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/66 "2021-04-14T01:39:20Z")
Hard to say from distance. A good start is to scan in the z-direction in order to check the focus by inspecting the RF and focus error curve, given that you have a reflective surface at hand. I suppose you are using the software from the github? (I am using similar electronics to the one of gaudi’s LSCM but with different firmware, so I cannot opine on that. Yet, others might be able to help you.) ---
**Author:** ![tek\_doughy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@tek\_doughy](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/tek_doughy)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2021, 1:43am UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/67 "2021-04-14T01:43:20Z")
Yeah I have been scanning in the z direction and not sure how to check the focus by inspecting the RF and focus error curve. I am using all of the firmware and software from github from GaudiLabs. Which firmware/software do you use? I will look into the focus error curve. ---
**Author:** ![gaudi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.hackteria.org/gaudi/32/21_2.png) [@gaudi](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/gaudi)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2021, 6:41am UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/68 "2021-04-14T06:41:05Z")
Hi. Happy to see some discussion on the DVD laser hack here. It takes some care and understanding of the control and amplifier circuit to get this up and running. As @ldehlwes said you can not get an image with just one axes. Check if you are getting signal from the sensor by focusing on a reflective object with the laser on. ---
**Author:** ![tek\_doughy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@tek\_doughy](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/tek_doughy)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2021, 7:00am UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/69 "2021-04-14T07:00:21Z")
I will implement the second DVD head. I was wondering if you had any of the CAD files for the holder of the DVD heads? Wouldn’t my image be exactly the same for each row if I am only using one DVD head? I do think I am getting signal from the sensor as I do now get like a scattered yellow/redish dot on the screen. I have tried getting a DVD to find the ridges, but I wasn’t exactly. I was wondering if the scanner isn’t exactly 90 degrees if I would get any image. ---
**Author:** ![mojtaba](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.hackteria.org/mojtaba/32/789_2.png) [@mojtaba](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/mojtaba)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2021, 6:26am UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/70 "2021-05-11T06:26:55Z")
You can also use a speaker instead of a second “OPU”. The advantage is carrying a heavier sample Like the image below ![IMG_20201222_223440](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/hackteria/original/2X/b/b6eef569dbe1becfffa90b6a059a70c71e0e3662.jpeg) ![IMG_20201222_230351](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/hackteria/original/2X/3/3edc589470894dfa32b532fd5b524fb6a10bf3ca.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Adaguilar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Adaguilar](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/Adaguilar)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 11:55pm UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/71 "2021-05-13T23:55:13Z")
Hello Prof. Hwu! I found this topic very interesting and helpful. I am starting a new project involving 3d printing aiming at producing microfluidic channels using an OPU. In Argentina the KES-400 is readily available, but the PHR-803T which I’ve seen some people have used extensively is not. Can anyoane share some info on the PS3 OPU model KES-400? Pinout would be gratly appreciated 😉 All the best! ---
**Author:** ![Edwin](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.hackteria.org/edwin/32/800_2.png) [@Edwin](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/Edwin)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 12:09pm UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/72 "2021-05-14T12:09:51Z")
You can check out my review paper “Hacking CD/DVD/Bluray for biosensing”. The supplementary material has KES4XX series driver circuit. ---
**Author:** ![Adaguilar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Adaguilar](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/Adaguilar)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/73 "2021-05-14T19:39:21Z")
Thank you so much for your reply! > [@Edwin](#): > > The supplementary material has KES4XX series driver circuit. I had already seen that document, but I noticed that the model mentioned was KE **M** instead of KE **S**. I am not familiar with part nomenclature and since those model are quite different at least from the outside since one has a single multiwavelength objective while the other has dual objectives, I thought that a controller unit for either wouldn’t be suitable for the other. Am I wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Edwin](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.hackteria.org/edwin/32/800_2.png) [@Edwin](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/Edwin)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/74 "2021-06-06T16:16:36Z")
The difference between KEM and KES is interesting. KEM names complete optical drive including sled and spindle motor. KES names only the OPU. ---
**Author:** ![ldehlwes](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.hackteria.org/ldehlwes/32/1221_2.png) [@ldehlwes](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/ldehlwes)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/75 "2021-07-07T15:58:34Z")
Posting a little update of images obtained using the Sanyo SF-HD65. I now am using an STM32L432KC Nucleo Evaluation Board. The 2 integrated DAC-Channels are used for the Focus and the X-Axis. USB 1.1 is used for data transmission. So far, the speed is limited by the performance of the integrated ADC: Currently, I succeed to collect 5000 datapoints per second, corresponding to a transmission bitrate of around 400 kbps. I am still struggling a bit with the noise level on the ADC. Someday I will hopefully post the schematics, then I would be happy about a collaboration in order to optimize the circuitry, as I am an electronics layman. xD See below a series of 1000x1000 images of a CD-R as the focal position is varied. ![cd_long_oversample_cd_zoom8_compressed](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/hackteria/original/2X/1/109da23a6fcf5dbc1c05c1c3d2ebfd4bf59870f1.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Edwin](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.hackteria.org/edwin/32/800_2.png) [@Edwin](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/Edwin)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2021, 9:08pm UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/76 "2021-07-07T21:08:11Z")
Really beautiful work! Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![Sim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Sim](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/Sim)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 5:50am UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/77 "2021-07-13T05:50:40Z")
Dear all, I’m a researcher studying physics, and I was intrigued by this project and decided to make AFM during some recess. I chose **KSS-213C OPU** for a test as it seems to have simplest electronics 😛 I haven’t accessed any signals yet, but decided to explode it for a better view, only to find the PDIC which looks like it was made incorrectly. Below is the picture of PDIC, you can see small device wire bonded to peripheral electrodes. ![그림1](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/hackteria/original/2X/c/c134e3d0df1ec7b255afad3724bfba68408add5d.jpeg) Does it seems OK? To me, it looks like it is roughly attached without any precise alignment. Is the OPU well designed for the laser to be at the center? It seems the best way is to check anything from signal output, but I’m still waiting for some cables. I wish to know if has anyone disassembled and took a look at PDIC. ---
**Author:** ![Jlopez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@Jlopez](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/Jlopez)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 10:00pm UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/78 "2021-07-30T22:00:39Z")
Great thread, I been meaning to start this project ever since I heard about the lego nano. It seems like there are so many facets to this project that I am just realizing. I am in nyc and I am looking to ramp up my efforts with this project. I have already gotten a few OPUs but haven’t had too much luck with the repair manuals . At this point, I can turn on the dvd laser with a ribbon cable pin tester and I want to get tackle getting a signal from the detector next, any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Nanomed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Nanomed](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/Nanomed)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2021, 12:31am UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/79 "2021-08-15T00:31:19Z")
Hey, I was wondering, where are you guys buying the phr 803t? I have bought some from zed labs and it doesn’t appear to work. ---
**Author:** ![cry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@cry](https://forum.hackteria.org/u/cry)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2021, 7:20am UTC](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771/80 "2021-10-05T07:20:48Z")
I haven’t been able to find them either. Zed Labs is in the UK so maybe they’re having difficulties due to Brexit. [Previous page](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771.md?page=3) [Next page](https://forum.hackteria.org/t/laser-optical-pickup-unit-hacking/771.md?page=5)