SuperDrive making noise or lagging

Hello,
My SuperDrive is slow at reading/playing DVDs and/or makes "reading" noises. The playback is choppy and pixelated.
I have never experienced this before. All playback was pristine and crisp until recently. I have not installed or done any upgrades that will affect my drive.
Is my drive going out? Shall I be concerned and be getting a new drive? I have AppleCare until Aug. 2007...will this be covered?
Any suggestions will be much appreciated. Thank you!
Specs:
Machine Name: PowerBook G4 17"
Machine Model: PowerBook5,5
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (1.1)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.5 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.8.6f0
Serial Number: W8*******
Model: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-825
Revision: DAM5
Serial Number:
Detachable Drive: No
Protocol: ATAPI
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal
MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-825:
Firmware Revision: DAM5
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW, +R, +RW
Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes
Burn Underrun Protection DVD: Yes
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Media: No
PowerBook G4 17 Mac OS X (10.4.6) 1.5 GHz, 1024 mem

Zoopop,
You say,
(My SuperDrive is slow at reading/playing DVDs and/or makes "reading" noises. The playback is choppy and pixelated.)
This can occur, with almost all Commercial DVD's caused by reading the encryption, and security on them. Many times this reading can be very noisey.
A good test is to use you Disk Utility and Repair Permissions. Restart your computer and then put in a Commercial DVD Movie and see if there is any change. If there is it might be caused by the Quality of the Media that you are trying to use. It is sad that this happens but there can be problems caused by.
Media, what is on it, What Software was used to burn it. Is it Commercial DVD or a Homeade DVD. there are so many things that can cause it.
One of the big problems is a DVD burnt on a PC and whoever burned it did not use the correct setting on the software used, there are normally choices of PC only , Mac only, or PC and Mac. so you have to be wary of many of the DVD's you use or play.
Hope this might help.
Don

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SuperDrive making noise or lagging

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