There aren't different versions of the player, it's just that some people have reported difficulties with their particular model of the 9000 ES having this problem. Fortunately, mine has never had this problem.
I also experience this problem from time to time. I found that if I clean the ring area between the center hole and the data area, often time the disc will be playable. If the problem get worse, I will be sending it in for repair.
When I have had a problem with this exact issue I have had some success with pushing play while the tray is open with the disc in it. Maybe it bypasses some form of detection, but it sometimes works.
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