Drive won't recognize DVDs but will CDs

My Macbook (6months old) has stopped reading or recognizing DVDs. It recognizes CDs, blank discs, etc. fine but not DVDs. They do not show up on the desktop or in the Finder sidebar. It tries to open it a few times and then spits it out. This is a new occurrence. I used to watch DVDs all the time on it.
So, what I can gather is that a laser may be dirty or the drive may be dead somehow. It is not a problem with DVD player, front row, any type of system preference. I even downloaded VLC, to no avail. It is the drive that is not working.
Problem: I am living in Jerusalem for the year. There are no Mac stores or any Mac help in Israel. I need my computer, so I can not send it off for a few weeks to America to be fixed. But, by the time I get back to the states, my warranty will no longer be valid. Also, I have not tried to play an Israeli movie or any foreign movie in the drive. Only my movies bought in America that I have watched on the computer before.
What can I do? Is there any hope for some kind of other miracle cure? HELP!

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Purchase AppleCare in Jerusalem. AppleCare is available worldwide, and AppleCare purchased anywhere will work anywhere else.
As for Israeli films not working, they are a different DVD region than that of the U.S. You may want to find a region free, or Israeli region DVD player to play Israeli DVDs on. To learn more about DVD regions see this article:
If U.S. DVDs don't work either, once you've purchased AppleCare, have your optical drive looked into for damage and/or dirt by an authorized service center.

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This question was solved.
View Solution.

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Drive won't recognize DVDs but will CDs

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