Video Playback / Recording Devices

I have a Toshiba VCR/DVD player. It's just a little over a year old. Has been giving us trouble for a few months with freezing up & not reading the dvd. VCR works fine. Now the dvd tray won't open. I need to get the disc out, but how? I've taken the cover off. But the player won't let go of the disc.
Also, I know I need to buy a new one. Any suggestion on brand? I don't have a lot of money to spend. We use the dvd alot as we can't get cable or satelite. Just 3 local channels.
My thanks for any help & guidance given.

Their web guide isn't much help and phone support
is impossible! Connections with a cable box,VCR and TV were carefully done, yet I can't get this dvr recorder to set up channels properly. Very frustrating,any help would be appreciated.

I bought an RCA RF modulator (rca CRF935 for what it's worth) and I've had it about a month and it's been working fine. I unplugged it for all of 3 days and now when I try to use it, I'll plug it in and the light on the front that indicates its working blinks for half a second and that's it. It doesn't work. I didn't move it, throw it, step on it, drive over it with my car, I simply unplugged it. I've tried it in other outlets throughout my apartment and still. Nothing.

Does anybody know why it would do this?