My Sony DVD/VCR player has suddenly started stopping the action for several seconds, then starting again. What's going on? Do I need a new player?

Have you got a cleaner and cleaned it?
You need to before it stops moving at all or you will have to send it to the repair shop or buy a new one.

Not the disc cleaner but the lens cleaner. Department stores carry them in the electronic dept
dvd cleaner : Target Search Results (http://www.target.com/gp/search/601-8732399-7625766?field-keywords=dvd%20cleaner&afid=google&CPNG=Electronics&LNM=dvd_cleaner&LID=3252264&ref=tgt_adv_XSGT1490)