How Many of you Still Have Laserdiscs?

[Big Tuna]

What's up everyone! I was just curious if ther are any AKers who still have their Laserdiscs? I have been collecting them since they quit pressing them in 1998. My Collection spans over 1000 so far. I have loved the sound and picture through my Widescreen 1080i Samsung HDTV. Especially the later ones where they really cleaned up the picture. And I also love the fact that NONE of them have any previews or other junk before you get to the movie.

[John in MA]

I have a small collection, and good Pioneer LD player. But I haven't watched one in a couple years at least.

[Rex Everything]

I picked up a nice Pioneer LD player and about 28 classic LD's and met a fellow AK'r at a garage sale last fall.

I know keep my eyes out for LD titles I'd like to have.

[ybaolywa]

I've got a few karaoke LDs, but still waiting for a nice player to come my way..

[retrokeeper]

I have about 6 players by various companies,and about 40 disc.I have some disc of Ray Harryhausen's great special effects (the Sinbad movies and others) that I cherish allot.I also have a rare Pioneer Laseractive player with the Genesis pack....wouldn't mind having the TurboGrafx one someday. Rob

[Lady Ayeka]

i have about 80 discs, over half of them Anime(japanese animation) the balance being some of my favorite movies,including all the original star trek films,and a PIONEER CLD-3030 laserdisc player with remote&manual. between it all, i'd say i have around $200 invested in it all. i am a rather recent but very passionate laserphile, being fascinated by laserdisc technlogy for only about five years now, and i believe that 1980's era laserdisc players are some of the most beautiful audio/video equipment ever conceived. below is the actual image of my CLD-3030 when i first ran across it on ebay.(it's actually far cleaner, and in much better condition than that pic would indicate.)(BTW,i am on the beat for one of those CLD-A100 units with the SEGA GENESIS module, and i'm always game for more japanese anime, asian popstar and karaoke discs...)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CLD-3030IRISH.jpg

[vinyldavid]

I want to buy another CLD-M90 (mine died when I was 11) and some more LD's. I just love the idea of that kind of format existing, and I have seen it once, and I remember it being superior to anything I had ever seen before or since, in the home.....

[AnalogDigit]

I have a Pioneer CLD-S201 in the living room. My brother has a Pioneer CLD-700 in his bedroom. He is the laserdisc collector. He has around 25 movies. He mostly buys DVD's now, but he has movies in VHS, Laserdisk and DVD format. I notice laserdisks play CD's very good, including my worst CD-R disks.

[Rat44]

I still have one hooked up.Used it as my main CDP till I bought a Marantz CDP.Only have about a dozen titles.

[Arkay]

LDs? Yep, got 'em, still get 'em, love 'em! I don't like the amount of space that they occupy, but I like having covers that can contain a lot of info which can still be read without a magnifying glass. I like their sturdy almost-indestructibility (compared to most formats), the high-precision, high-velocity nature of their play (that is, the quality of the transports used), the fact that they are analog (=no digital artifacts), the way they look almost identical to movie theater visuals when projected, the fact that their sound is CD-quality (better than DVDs!). I like the way the players, with their higher speeds and narrower lasers, can read CDs better than most CD players (and with direct out capability and a good DAC, can equal or exceed all but the best audiophile CD players, at a fraction of the cost... but sssshhh, don't tell anyone!).

I have half a dozen players, including three Pioneer (Elite) LD-X1 players (one main, one spare, and one for parts) and two of another Pioneer Japan-market-only model that has Pioneer's then-best CD player built into it, as well. Also one Denon player, just because it matches a full Denon stack I have (champagne-gold fronts, wooden end panels). Still looking for that ultimate X9 player (=the best LD player ever made), though. Had a shot at one once but didn't get it. Sort of regret it, but the X1 is a very, very impressive performer already (almost the equal of the X9), so I do enjoy the LDs.

As for discs, I now have a few hundred, but don't know the exact count. There are places here in Hong Kong that regularly have boxes of them to sift through, so sometimes I go pick out a few more to add. Just earlier today I added "Cinema Paradiso" to the collection, and recently added the Widescreen "Definitive Collection" black boxed set of the original Star Wars trilogy from a thrift shop. The set even came with a hardbound book by George Lucas, a guidebook to the discs, and even an original ad/brochure for it slipped inside. That had to be one of my best LD "scores" to date, as people say it is the absolute best-ever (quality) version of the original release (without the CGI stuff added later) ever released.

I pick up most concert disks I find; I think it is one of the best uses of the format, because the sound is better than DVD. This is also good because many of them (like Simon & Garfunkle in Central Park) my wife likes, and any time I can increase the WAF of audio/AV stuff, it's good. :thmbsp:

I also grab most of the "moldy-oldie" classic movies I find, like Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, etc... Also a careful selection of decent movies from the LD era, like the Rambo series, Alien series, Godfather series, Jurassic Parks, etc...but there are a lot of shlocky movies out on the format that I don't like enough to keep. I do have a bunch of old horror movies (British Hammer films, War of the Worlds and Tales from the Crypt episodes and such) and sci-fi movies and TV shows including some Star Trek TV shows, the Prisoner, etc... (geeky, huh?!). The last category I look for are good foreign movies like "Once Were Warriors". I have a few "art films" like Koslowski's Blue, White, Red series (although I don't particularly like them), and some porno stuff (Japanese, Penthouse, Playboy). I don't go out of my way to get porno stuff, but sometimes it comes in bulk buys from the flea market, and I usually trade it for movies I want to see. There is one guy with a basement shop who trades LDs part-time, and he always gives me good trade-in credit for these things, as he has customers for them, but fewer customers for the English movies I want more. I also traded a whole boxful of Japanese Anime (cartoon-like) stuff I didn't want, along with some Japanese Popstar LDs. See a lot of them around and they have a market, but I don't like watching them; for me they are a waste of time, so when I get them I trade them off.

[Fred Sanford]

I blame Al Roker. After I'd designed and installed the AV and lighting systems in his NYC townhouse, he gave me his old LD player (Mits, I think, only played side "A") and collection (mostly sci-fi and animation, good stuff including the Star Wars box mentioned above). It's been all downhill from there. Other customers and co-workers have given or traded me their old players and disc collections. I've stuck with five of the Pioneer LD/DVD/CD combos just for consistency, and the other players (Pioneer, Mits, Marantz, etc.) have gone on to new homes.

Check out www.lddb.com, an easy way to catalog & share your collection. You can search mine under username "jdeavs".

je

[ekmanning5]

I have a Zenith player I picked up at a GS last summer. I finally got it hooked up a few months ago. It worked great for a couple of days and then just stopped. Need to get it repaired I guess as I have about a 100 discs.

[Clmrt]

CLD-D504 and about 100 titles, lots of NASA stuff, classical / jazz videos from one collection I bought. Used to have the Urotsukidoji box set...scary.

[shrinkboy]

sheesh! you guys are making me think maybe i should...ahh!! NOOOO!! get away from me, satan!!

[soundmotor]

Yes, a small collection.

The best in it is a Japanese pressing of the original, non-re-imagined Star Wars.

In other words, Solo shot first!

[ta131js]

I have only one laserdisc - and I don't have a player.

:banana:
From a thrift store I ended up getting The Beatles A Hard Day's Night thinking it would be collectible. I spent two minutes looking on eBay. I was wrong. :no:

Oh well - still I think the cover looks good enough on a wall next to Beethoven (the composer, not the dog) :yes:

Oh no - I'm not going to get a player and start collecting.
I gotta draw a line somewhere - the cassette is on my side, the 8 track and laserdisc can stay on the other side... :D

[Lady Ayeka]

I have a Zenith player I picked up at a GS last summer. I finally got it hooked up a few months ago. It worked great for a couple of days and then just stopped. Need to get it repaired I guess as I have about a 100 discs.

get yourself a pioneer LDP. they are the best, bar none. look for models such as the LD-S1,LD-S2,CLD-3030,CLD-3070,CLD-91 and CLD-92.

[ducati_EL34]

I also grab most of the "moldy-oldie" classic movies I find, like Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, etc... Also a careful selection of decent movies from the LD era, like the Rambo series, Alien series, Godfather series, Jurassic Parks, etc...but there are a lot of shlocky movies out on the format that I don't like enough to keep. I do have a bunch of old horror movies (British Hammer films, War of the Worlds and Tales from the Crypt episodes and such) and sci-fi movies and TV shows including some Star Trek TV shows, the Prisoner, etc... (geeky, huh?!). The last category I look for are good foreign movies like "Once Were Warriors". I have a few "art films" like Koslowski's Blue, White, Red series (although I don't particularly like them), and some porno stuff (Japanese, Penthouse, Playboy). I don't go out of my

How much would you want for the Blue, White, Red Trilogy? I like these films (white least of all).

[Luckyman]

I have a Pioneer Elite CLD 79, and a small assortment of discs. It was
recently refurbished, and I enjoy it, even if I don't use it too often.

[no1maestro]

My son has several players and several hundred discs; I have about six players,mostly Pioneer, and a couple of hundred discs. We still love most of them. #1 son sold some of his, locally to Rex among others. We are still spreading the word on Laserdiscs!! Came across an estate sale today where they were selling Laserdiscs mixed in with LPs at one dollar a pop!!

[Dynacoman]

I've got about 250 disc's and a couple of midlevel pioneer players.

[blownsi]

I do. I own around 20. I bought them all new at $50 a piece when they were trendy.

[Lady Ayeka]

sheesh! you guys are making me think maybe i should...ahh!! NOOOO!! get away from me, satan!!
come on, join the dark side. we'll even give you some of our big-ass CDs...:deal:

[Eric H]

I never collected Lasers but I've been starting to pick some up since I found a couple used players in the last year.

The GW here had dozens of them at one time but I only look for stuff not on DVD.

Lately there have been more used players showing up in the thrifts, also a zillion VCRs and late model DVD players, presumably replaced with BluRay or HDMI capable players??

[Ultra-Hog]

sheesh! you guys are making me think maybe i should...ahh!! NOOOO!! get away from me, satan!!
I'm with you brother!

I picked up a few LD a while back mostly as a novelty and because the jackets were really nice looking. I thought that it was a dead format like the RCA VideoDisc that used a stylus way back when. Now I read all this and :sigh: here we go again! :worried:

You guys... :headscrat

[Urchinn]

More than 3000...with a couple dozen players. You can almost see them if you look past the boxes of Selectavision discs. Yeah, I love my laserdiscs and still buy them on Craigslist now and then. Still, there is nothing quite as funky as having friends over and cueing up Star Wars on Selectavision!

[jlindsey86]

Proud Owner of a Pioneer Elite CLD-79! Love that player.

Approx 110 disc's. Great sound and picture, most of my guests get a kick out of it.

Its funny when I happen to show them a THX mastered disc with AC-3 and tell them its from 1995. Most people had no idea you could get picture and sound this good back then.

[Clmrt]

The DD trailers on early discs are always a great suprise.

[Arkay]

How much would you want for the Blue, White, Red Trilogy? I like these films (white least of all).

Haven't thought about it. Give me some time to watch 'em again, and I'll think about selling 'em. I picked them up with a bunch of others in a bulk buy, but I haven't watched them since getting them. I just remember watching those movies years ago (on rental LDs!) and thinking they were over-hyped and disappointing. Assuming I still feel that way, I'll be happy to get some cash for them, but I'd like to watch them once, first, since I don't remember them very well. Also, not sure what shipping would cost, since I live in Hong Kong. I'll check, and get back to you later. Hope that's okay.

[chillwolf]

I don't have an LD player. But I do have an RCA video disc player and about 5 discs. I guess this was the forerunner to the laser disc player. Anyone else have them?

[Elfasto]

Have a small collection (just under 100) and a half decent Pioneer player.
No complaints from the performance standpoint.

[Eric H]

I don't have an LD player. But I do have an RCA video disc player and about 5 discs. I guess this was the forerunner to the laser disc player. Anyone else have them?

Laser was actually around for several years before the RCA system.

[Big Tuna]

Hey thank You everyone for your feedback on my Laserdsic thread. Now I don't feel like the odd man out knowing that they STILL are da bomb! I will most likely NEVER give up any of mine. They still make you feel like you are part of the movie with the big jackets, gatefolds, artwork and literature that no DVD will ever match.

[Dynacoman]

I think the LD was introduced in 79 making it older then the CD.

[Big Tuna]

I think the LD was introduced in 79 making it older then the CD.

The Laserdisc format began life in 1977 under the name DiscoVision, by RCA and due to the poor conditions of the press room, and poor quality pressings Pioneer took over in 1979 and penned it LaserVision, then around 1987-88 it was called Laserdisc and stayed that until 1998. Japan continued the format for another 3 years, after the US dropped it in favor of the smaller, cheaper DVD, and in that short time they introduced a HD-LD. If you ever see a HD-LD listing pop up on ebay, you'd better be prepared for the outcome. The last one went for more than $500! :smoke:

[Duane]

I've been a participant with this format since the early 80's.My first player was an LD-700. Have gone through many Pioneer players since, including a CLD-3070,CLD-3090,LD-S1,CLD-97 and 2 CLD-95s. I've finally sold the LD-S1 ,1 of the CLD-95s and the CLD-97 but have kept the other 95.Just love this player.
Lots of discs over the years and,to be honest, I go in spurts as to watching them. They've always reminded me of shiny LPs and the jackets are way better than LP covers,IMO.
Even tho' the newer video formats provide better resolution, isn't it wonderful that you can start watching a movie or music video immediately vs. having to wade through menus and menutia to do the same for DVD and the rediculously slow Blu-Ray..Laserdisc was a videophile format,pure and simple,not to mention uncompressed audio.

[Arkay]

The Laserdisc format began life in 1977 under the name DiscoVision, by RCA and due to the poor conditions of the press room, and poor quality pressings Pioneer took over in 1979 and penned it LaserVision, then around 1987-88 it was called Laserdisc and stayed that until 1998. Japan continued the format for another 3 years, after the US dropped it in favor of the smaller, cheaper DVD, and in that short time they introduced a HD-LD. If you ever see a HD-LD listing pop up on ebay, you'd better be prepared for the outcome. The last one went for more than $500! :smoke:


The HD format in Japan was called "MUSE", and the players that handled it best include the HLD-X0 and HLD-X9, the latter being arguably the best LD player ever made, period. It's narrow red laser cuts through and reads most scratched and dirty disks, even, and its comb filtering and such was a technological breakthrough well beyond that in ordinary players.

Although I have three X1s (an almost-alike version was released as the S2 in the States), which are "almost" as good (and run circles around ordinary LD players), I still kick myself for passing up a shot at an X9. Maybe I'll get another chance one day...it really is the "holy grail" of the LD world.

[ARguy]

I've got 5 laser disc players (some play both sides without removing the disc)and about 100 different titles...always looking out for more. I jumped on the band wagon when they came out and enjoy watching some of the odd titles.

[wrat]

yep still got 2 a sony mdp 333 (p.o.s) and a pioneer dvl 700, only have a few disc left though,mostly concert stuff that has not come out on dvd and the one movie that will probably never come out on dvd "Howard The Duck"!!!

[Fred Sanford]

Finally got the RF/AC3 out working, by picking up an H/K ADP303. Tested with Top Gun and True Lies, works great.

Watched the original Jaws today just for kicks.

je

[Freedom]

I have a Pioneer CLD-1070 in good working condition.

Now, your not going to believe this! I have what I believe to be one of the first machines out. I got it around 1981 from a GM dealership I worked at. They were retiring it from the training department (that usually takes several years) this thing is huge & heavy. LOL! :) I even have a few of the training disc. I’ll have to dig it out of the basement & see what make & model, maybe a date.

Jon :music:

[ml69]

Pioneer CLD 2090 here (I think that's it), with about a dozen titles maybe. I like it, but haven't found too many used discs out there.
Mike

[ducati_EL34]

Haven't thought about it. Give me some time to watch 'em again, and I'll think about selling 'em.


I sent you a PM.

Thanks

Robert

[Sir.Byrd]

I got a huge and HEAVY Pioneer CLD laserdisc player from GW for $20, carried it home, didn't have a car. http://thevintageknob.org/VIDEO/CLD900/CLD900.html
Skipped kind of bad and had some big scratches on it. So I got rid of it on Craigslist for free.
Well that was long after I got a Pioneer CLD-M90 player from Craigslist too for $50 that also doubles as a 5 disc CD player (although it is one bit, and doesn't sound the best) And that came with about 12 laserdiscs.
Its all about the minidiscs though!

[Stereoholic]

sheesh! you guys are making me think maybe i should...ahh!! NOOOO!! get away from me, satan!!

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

I've got 5 players and maybe a couple hundred discs. Only one player works real well though.

[Arkay]

I sent you a PM.

Thanks

Robert

Got it, and I PMed you back.
Arkay.

[kydog]

I own a pioneer player and have a small but growing collection of mainly Music LD that never were released on Dvd or Vhs formats.:banana:

[wlgiv]

I have a rather substantial collection - about 4500-5000 disks. It was featured in an article in the NY Times back in '99 when it was a tad over 4K. I still have about 10 or so working players and occasionally will spin up something. There are some pretty obscure titles that I have on LD (Like the complete "On The Air" series by David Lynch) that are quite interesting. LD is defnintely a softer image - but there is something very special about the size of the disks and artwork. I also love the sound of a disk spinning up to speed and then the chatter as it starts to track. I will still occasionally pick up the odd disk, but it's a far cry from my heyday when I was buying by the caseload...

[rhiohki]

I have a rather substantial collection - about 4500-5000 disks. It was featured in an article in the NY Times back in '99 when it was a tad over 4K. I still have about 10 or so working players and occasionally will spin up something. There are some pretty obscure titles that I have on LD (Like the complete "On The Air" series by David Lynch) that are quite interesting. LD is defnintely a softer image - but there is something very special about the size of the disks and artwork. I also love the sound of a disk spinning up to speed and then the chatter as it starts to track. I will still occasionally pick up the odd disk, but it's a far cry from my heyday when I was buying by the caseload...

Holy moly! That's impresive. What's your reference player of choice? I have an HLD-X0. I would like to also get an HLD-X9. I have trimmed my collection over the years. I have about 500 titles left.

[wlgiv]

My favorite players are my CLD-99 (Elite) and a CLD-D704.

I also have:

Magnavision 8000 top loader
LD-V6000 (Industrial unit that I got after it was removed from Star Tours in Walt Disney World)
Zenith LDP510
CLD-1030
CLD-3030
CLD-D504
CLD-D703
(2) DVL-700 DVD/LD combo units

I also have a CLD-D702 that went wonky one day and spit out some nylon bits and a spring. Never bothered to get it fixed.

The CDL-99's signal feeds to a BarcoGraphics 800 CRT projector via a VSE20 line doubler and to a Sharp PGM20X DLP. The picture looks wonderful on both.

I'm not even bothering to thin my collection out. I have quite a few neat titles, that while not as crisp as DVD, are terrific for the unique content...

[Nakdoc]

How about we ask for a laserdisc forum? I am reading about some amazing collections, and you all know about MOST of the good players. Thankfully Pioneer still maintains their parts supply, however like everything vintage it won't last forever. The forum could be used to solve problems and get some of the classic LD players back in top form. I have done my share of laserdisc repairs and would love to offer technical support to the AK community.
I have found 2 used record stores that sell used discs for $5, so it is hard not to buy all of them! I go for all the science fiction stuff. I wish there were more musical performance discs on the used markets.
Who here has seen the LD-V8000?

[dciurej]

And that's why I still have an old RCA lazerdisk player. It's not even AC3, just plain old stereo. But when I see movies for under five bucks I can still grab them.

And the prior comment about Star Wars made me laugh. I picked up the original three Star Wars movies on Lazerdisc years ago because a guy came into a store in Louisville with the them in widescreen stereo and wanted to trade them in becaused he wanted the new AC3 version. The store would only give him 5 bucks so I waved him aside and gave him twice that.

I bought the RCA lazerdisc about three months later when it was being sold as a refurb from the RCA manufacturing plant in Indianapolis. By then I had about five other lazerdiscs picked up cheap.

And I just picked up three operas on lazerdisc on Ebay because no one else bid on them.

I love being just a little behind the electronics curve.

[colortrakker]

The longer you wait to jump on a technology, the cheaper (and cooler) it is.

My collection is small, kinda modest. For players, I have a nice CLD-3090, a CLD-3080 that can't play CDs and has no remote, and a CLD-V2800 industrial unit for just in case. I'm at about 80 discs right now.

[ekmanning5]

I posted earlier in this thread that my Zenith player had quit working. Well it just as suddenly has started again. I wonder if it needed some lubrication? I worked the drawer a couple of dozen times and it seems ok. :scratch2:

[powerman]

I also have a couple of players. Some of the concerts have never come out on DVD's. About 400 titles and 5 players. Remember the old CED players

[Urchinn]

The longer you wait on technology, the cheaper it gets!!! I'll remember that the next time I'm at a New England auction and someone pays a grand for an Edison cylinder player...or a Nagra tape deck...or a Hasselblad camera! Seriously, though, I know what you mean. There is a great drop in prices until the "cool collectors" start buying up the stuff. I really don't see any interest in Selectavision, though. As far as laserdiscs go: I just love 'em! Just last night I had pulled out the box set of Showboat. Three versions of the film, an absolutely beautiful graphic design on the box itself, and a nice booklet. How can you go wrong with that?

[SPAM]

Who here has seen the LD-V8000?

I've got two of them. The older one ('90 or '91) says "LaserVision" on the front and sortof works for a few minutes at a time. The newer one is a '97 which says "LaserDisc" and it works great. Although I've nothing else to compare with, I'm quite happy with the picture it produces.

[Jack Lord]

Interesting thread. My only experience with Laserdisc goes back to 1981 or so. I had this girlfriend over the Summer and she pulled some kind of shennanigan with her mother and was consequently grounded for two weeks. But I retained full visitation rights. Her father happened to have a Laserdisc player and a ton of discs. I was enthralled as the era of Beta was just ending. Amongst other things, we spent those two weeks watching movies on the Laserdisc player. Mostly I remember watching Cheech and Chong flicks and Xanadu which was somewhat painful except for Olivia.

Ah, Summer Daze....

[GarethJones]

im so proud to say i finally hunted down and purchased my fisrt laserdisc player! its a Hitachi VIP-RX8E, came mint in hte box, but with the remote missing :(
the first thing i noticed was the extremely high quality sound, shit sound gooooood!
gonna start shopping for discs this weekend, im so excited

[qdrone]

I have three LD players,the last one I found at a Thrift shop for 20.00. They did not know what it was but there was no remote(big deal I need the excersise.) I have around 400 discs and still buy them at Amoeba in Hollywood. I love the picture and sound to,I have a complete Adcom system including processor I haven't hooked up for it too.:thmbsp:

[MAXZ28]

All this talk about laserdiscs got me intrigued so last week I visited the local GW and low and behold I find a couple LDs in the record section. I also found a RCA disc boxset of the Jesus of Nazareth mini-series.

I picked up The Hunt For Red October, Tombstone, Amedaus, and some other title that escapes me at the moment. My HT set up is mostly Sony components - any particular model recommendations on Sony players anyone?

[Big Tuna]

hey Max, nice catch on the movies. As for Sony LD players, I have had a few and I always found myself retreating back to the Pioneer ones. The Sony's picture is not very good or as good as the Pioneer's. The ones I had were MDP-400, 600, 800. They all were very clunky & problematic. My research led to finding out that Sony had alot of warranty repairs and recalls on all of their LD players. No pun intended if you are a Sony fan, I do have other Sony electronics, just don't particulary care to own a Sony LD player. If you STILL want a Sony LD player then make sure it's one that has not had many hours of use and original owner. That way you know you're getting a good unit. Anyways, Enjoy your movies!

Charlie

[Urchinn]

Big Tuna...I totally agree on your assesment of Sony LD players. They suck! I'm no Sony detractor, though. I still marvel that I have over 13 different Sony minidisc players and NOT ONE has ever stopped working

[MAXZ28]

Thanks for the heads up BT and Urchinn....I've always had Sony gear for my HT system and the only issue or failure I ever had was my 27" Trinitron dying after 15 years of service. I'll keep an eye out for a Pioneer - any particular models to avoid?

BTW, the fourth GW laserdisc title I couldn't remember was Witness.

[Big Tuna]

Sure thing Max:) Most all Pioneer LD Players are very well built and are tough as nails. The Early LD players didn't have Direct Linear Conversion and you had to flip the disc manually when going from one side to the other. Be weary of Players that have been in someones garage or basement for many years uncovered and not protected from the elements. Some models to avoid are the ultra cheap ones, such as the CLD-S201, S301, CLD-V2400, V2600, CLD-1070, 1080. My reccomendation would be go for the big bean players that were made right toward the end of LD production 1996-98, as they are the most refined and best quality ones, If you watch DVD's then particularly go for the DVL Series players which can play DVD's and LD's and of course music CD's, and they can even play Video CD's or CD Videos, AND even DVD-R's!!, my DVL-909 I got from the original owner with very low hours of use and the beautiful machine can play CDV's, LD's, CD-R's, DVD's, DVD-R's, VCD's, I also have a DVL-90 Elite series at my mother's home but it won't play CDV's or certain DVD-R's. Hands down my trophy would go to the DVL-909 Player as it has the best overall versatility, quality, and durability. You can find one for a decent price but they can fetch up to $500 for a mint one in original box with all hardware. A good used one with remote & manual can be had for less than $250. The Choice is Yours, Max. Have a good night. If you need to know anything at all about a player you are interested in, just let me know and I'll help you out.

Charlie

[Fred Sanford]

I have 5 of the DVL series, so don't get me wrong- they work just fine for me, and can be very versatile. That said, there are better picture-quality Pioneer LD players out there, and certainly better picture-quality DVD players in the world. I just managed to get about a dozen LD players for free over the years, and ended up sticking with these for various reasons. I do like that the DVD section lets you skip over the promos and FBI warnings. The CD sections of these machines also sound great to my ears, I have two of them set up both from the analog outs ("Legato Link" process) and the PCM out to an outboard DAC. There are so many outputs on the DVL-91 that in my living room I've got:

1] Composite vid to the receiver & input 1 on TV (can then record to TiVo or VHS).
2] Composite vid to input 3 on TV (direct vid for LD).
3] Component vid to input 5 on TV (direct vid for DVD).
4] Analog audio to receiver ("Legato Link" CD audio, or for LD commentary tracks, or recording to TiVo/VHS).
5] Analog audio to input 3 on TV (watching LD without receiver).
6] AC3 RF to surround decoder (5.1 from LDs).
7] Optical digital to receiver (PCM stereo & Pro-Logic from CDs/LDs, PCM/5.1/DTS from DVDs).
8] Coax PCM to DAC for 2-channel music system (PCM stereo from CD/LD/DVD).

The DVL-90 also does not have component out for the DVDs, my DVL-91 and three DVL-909s do. I use the DVL-90 in the control room of my studio, so I can pull the PCM off of LDs & record them to CD. The DVL-91 also has DTS out on the DVD, I believe there's a mod to get that from the 909s as well.

I'd also be cautious about shipping these machines, I'd hate to see what could happen to them if bounced around in inferior packaging.

Good luck,

je

[MAXZ28]

Thanks for the suggestions and recommendations! I'll keep my eyes out for something - hopefully local. I really don't want to drop too much coin on one but I am curious about them as you all have very high praises for the format.

[Lady Ayeka]

Sure thing Max:) Most all Pioneer LD Players are very well built and are tough as nails. The Early LD players didn't have Direct Linear Conversion and you had to flip the disc manually when going from one side to the other. Be weary of Players that have been in someones garage or basement for many years uncovered and not protected from the elements. Some models to avoid are the ultra cheap ones, such as the CLD-S201, S301, CLD-V2400, V2600, CLD-1070, 1080. My reccomendation would be go for the big bean players that were made right toward the end of LD production 1996-98, as they are the most refined and best quality ones, If you watch DVD's then particularly go for the DVL Series players which can play DVD's and LD's and of course music CD's, and they can even play Video CD's or CD Videos, AND even DVD-R's!!, my DVL-909 I got from the original owner with very low hours of use and the beautiful machine can play CDV's, LD's, CD-R's, DVD's, DVD-R's, VCD's, I also have a DVL-90 Elite series at my mother's home but it won't play CDV's or certain DVD-R's. Hands down my trophy would go to the DVL-909 Player as it has the best overall versatility, quality, and durability. You can find one for a decent price but they can fetch up to $500 for a mint one in original box with all hardware. A good used one with remote & manual can be had for less than $250. The Choice is Yours, Max. Have a good night. If you need to know anything at all about a player you are interested in, just let me know and I'll help you out.

Charlie

funny, i have an issue of VIDEO magazine in which the 909 got VERY poor marks for LD performance...:scratch2:

[Big Tuna]

funny, i have an issue of VIDEO magazine in which the 909 got VERY poor marks for LD performance...:scratch2:

hmmmm, the persons responsible for that rating must've had expectations that were beyond reason, lol! Or they could've gotten a unit that had a bad egg in it, I mean it is possible, no Manufacturer is immune from defects. Humans do make errors and I am willing to bet the VIDEO raters erred in their Judgement. Just because it's printed in a magazine, doesn't mean it's true. I have found errors in magazine articles, with my research as backup. I have enough background & qualifications with LD format, and Players I've experimented with that I could easily have been the curator of those ratings. Keep in mind also that we are all so very different people and have different tastes. The way I see it is, life is too short to be picky. I have an Issue of Crutchfeild magazine that gave the 909 VERY HIGH honors and I know Crutchfeild is a much more reputable magazine than VIDEO, no offense, heheh!:) You probably think I'm a little crazy, lol! :nutz:

[Fred Sanford]

funny, i have an issue of VIDEO magazine in which the 909 got VERY poor marks for LD performance...:scratch2:

http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/DVL-909.htm

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/hccreviews/DVDPlayers/Pioneer/PioneerDVL-909.php

Supposedly, the LD specs match the CLD-925 player.

The Elite DVL-91 is based on the same unit:

http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_elite_dvl-91/pioneer_elite_dvl-91.htm

...I've got manuals for them here somewhere, and can post specs from them.

je

[Lady Ayeka]

http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/DVL-909.htm

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/hccreviews/DVDPlayers/Pioneer/PioneerDVL-909.php

Supposedly, the LD specs match the CLD-925 player.

The Elite DVL-91 is based on the same unit:

http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_elite_dvl-91/pioneer_elite_dvl-91.htm

...I've got manuals for them here somewhere, and can post specs from them.

je

funny, VIDEO said exactly the oppisite, that the 909 was a smashingly good DVD player, but horrendous on LD, no where near as good as the top players of LD's heyday. huh.:scratch2: regardless, these two will always be my first and last word on LD players...


****PIONEER CLD-3030 (1987)****

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CLD-3030IRISH.jpg
(ACTUAL PIC OF MY COPY WHEN I FOUND IT ON EBAY)

****PIONEER LD-S1 (1986)****

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LD-S118.jpg
(HAVE YET TO OWN ONE, EVENTUALLY, THOUGH)

(NOTE: those are japanese market release dates)

[Big Tuna]

wow very impressive archives Fred, however, i noticed that inthere they say that the 909 will not play DTS encoded DVD's. That is WRONG!! I have many DTS encoded DVD's and mine plays them perfectly, DTS and all!!

[Arkay]

Without a doubt, Pioneer made the best LD players.

Absolutely the best LD player ever made --period!-- was the Pioneer LD-X9. It is massive, heavy, and beautiful... and has superior electronics (comb filters and such) in it. ... and is very hard to find, especially outside of Japan. If you find one, expect to pay three figures for it, even today, even if it isn't working.
Not too far behind it were the X1 and the X0.
These were only released in Japan.

The X1 is very similar to the S2, which was released in the U.S. It is likely to be the best model you would find there.

There were other good players, but these were the best. Unlike with DVD players, the quality of the player makes a big difference in the picture and sound quality that you get from your discs.

Most of the players that combined more than one media (LD plus CD and/or DVD) were not as good as the single-format players. There were a few exceptions: one (Japan market only) LD + CD player actually used the best-quality CD transport and laser that Pioneer made, and is the equal of their TOTL Elite CD player. In fact, it is one of the best vintage CD players you can find, and usually a steal if you do find one, as most people don't know how good the player in it is, and price it like an LD player, mistaking it for just another "lousy" combination player. I can't check the model number right now, but it has a golden-anodized front that curves smoothly outward and looks relatively plain; NOT the golden anodized one that "waves" out and in; that one is nowhere near as good. The good one also has a copper bottom, like the other good Pioneer LD players.

[braxus]

I used to own both a Pioneer CLD 1080 and the 909 LD/DVD player. Both were good units. Not top end, but nice. I still have what's left of my collection in a box, but I have nothing to play them on now. If I find a Pioneer for cheap, I may consider picking one up again. It won't get much use though as way back I moved onto DVD and Blu Ray.

[Fred Sanford]

wow very impressive archives Fred, however, i noticed that inthere they say that the 909 will not play DTS encoded DVD's. That is WRONG!! I have many DTS encoded DVD's and mine plays them perfectly, DTS and all!!

The 909s can be modded to play DTS, I've got the info on another laptop. Pretty sure my 909s are silent if you choose DTS on a disc...I might be able to check one of them pretty easily, but the others are installed into nicely-dressed racks (one analog/Pro-Logic, and one only 5.1 digital).

je

[Eric H]

I had a Pioneer VP-1000 (http://www.blam1.com/discovision/VP-1000_12-80.htm) that I bought used in the early 90's, I could rent discs at that time and actually watched a lot of films on it but it was glitchy to say the least, I missed the end of several movies because it would skip so bad it was unwatchable.

I wish I'd kept it but unfortunately I tore it apart to play with the laser which was self contained with it's own power supply, you could throw a red dot over 100 feet with the thing in broad daylight!!
Luckily I never put my eye out with it.

[braxus]

____

[braxus]

____

Had to get over that one post because of that bad number of postings I've done.

Is the DVL 700 a good deck? I thought I remember it being buggy when it was out.

[Fred Sanford]

Had to get over that one post because of that bad number of postings I've done.

Is the DVL 700 a good deck? I thought I remember it being buggy when it was out.

http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/dvl-700.htm

http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_dvl-700/pioneer_dvl-700_review1.jpg

http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_dvl-700/pioneer_dvl-700_review2.jpg

http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_dvl-700/pioneer_dvl-700_review3.jpg

je

[qdrone]

as the 909?



http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/DVL-909.htm

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/hccreviews/DVDPlayers/Pioneer/PioneerDVL-909.php

Supposedly, the LD specs match the CLD-925 player.

The Elite DVL-91 is based on the same unit:


http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_elite_dvl-91/pioneer_elite_dvl-91.htm



...I've got manuals for them here somewhere, and can post specs from them.

je

[Fred Sanford]

as the 909?

Nope, the 919 came later- this 919/909 comparison gives info on both:

IMAGE ANALYSIS
In the lab our interest was to see if the new DVL-919 is an improvement on the older DVL-909, which delivered an acceptable - if not superlative - technical performance. In many ways, the newcomer's enhanced video DAC does deliver some enhancements. The AM (amplitude modulated) chroma noise is -71.1dB compared with -67.3dB on the '909 and the inherent s/n ratio is much better at -65.7dB compared with -58.1dB. Many measurements are identical - the jitter on both decks is an acceptable seven nanoseconds peak-to-peak and the PM (phase modulated) chroma noise is only 1dB different - -51.8dB on the 919 and -52.1dB on the 909. The frequency response is also largely the same. We measured -8.44dB output at 5.8MHz and -5.33dB at 4.0MHz (-8.84dB and -4.39dB on the older '909) using the S-video outputs. The composite figures averaged around -2dB worse on both decks. Where the new DVL-919 fails is chroma crosstalk. At -38.3dB it's virtually the same as the 909 (-39.8dB) which is not particularly good. Pioneer needs to pay more attention to cross-channel colour bleed, especially as the S-video outputs take on prominence, given that this deck lacks RGB outputs. In summary, the DVL-919 is not a bad performer. It's a tad better than the earlier DVL-909, but in purely technical terms it's fairly average compared with the best players on the market.


http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_dvl-919/pioneer_dvl-919.htm

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/hccreviews/DVDPlayers/Pioneer/PioneerDVL-919.php

je

[Fred Sanford]

Maybe I'll start a unique thread on these DVL units, to make things more easily searched/compared...

je

[qdrone]

I have the 919 and I like it's picture.:banana:

[MAXZ28]

Just picked up a local Pioneer CLD-3030 and about 25 titles this morning. Only disappointment was the remote control is MIA but the player itself looks brand new. The guy had Top Gun playing when I walked in the door. Should be a fun format to try! Anyone off the top of their head know the remote control model number? Lady Ayeka?

[Lady Ayeka]

Just picked up a local Pioneer CLD-3030 and about 25 titles this morning. Only disappointment was the remote control is MIA but the player itself looks brand new. The guy had Top Gun playing when I walked in the door. Should be a fun format to try! Anyone off the top of their head know the remote control model number? Lady Ayeka?

all a done deal in a PM, but again, way to go!!:thmbsp: and, for the benefit of others, he was looking for a CU-CLD008, available NOS here for $79.02;

http://www.remotes.com/remotes/servlet/rs?o=c&a=Search&uid=0&m=CLD-3030&uuid=12137146084890

[MAXZ28]

Here's some pics.....interesting movie titles to review.

[Lady Ayeka]

Here's some pics.....interesting movie titles to review.

that's my baby there, and some good movies to boot!!:thmbsp::thmbsp::music:

[Chip - HP]

Until yesterday, I had about 50 LDs (mostly non main stream ... concerts, cartoons, etc.) ... then I bought a box of 60+ (mostly non main stream) including Vol.s 1 thru 4 of The Golden Era of Looney Toons, 20 or so Anime (which is really not my cup of tea ... but they were part of the package), some odd-ball Sc-Fi and Ike (the TV Movie with Robert Duvall and Lee Remick :) ) which for some reason hasn't made it to DVD in the U.S. (I see there is an Australian release) ... now I need to figure out how to transfer some them to DVD.

[MAXZ28]

all a done deal in a PM, but again, way to go!!:thmbsp: and, for the benefit of others, he was looking for a CU-CLD008, available NOS here for $79.02;

http://www.remotes.com/remotes/servlet/rs?o=c&a=Search&uid=0&m=CLD-3030&uuid=12137146084890

As karma would have it, I found one on Ebay- near mint for $23 shipped. If this one is junk, I can resort to the NOS unit.

Thanks for the help anyway, Lady Ayeka!:thmbsp:

[outlawmws]

I have 3 Pioneer LD players, 2 CLD-1070's and a CLD-S104, as well as well as 39 movies. I only pick them up if;

They are cheap
I (Or SWMBO) like the movie
We don’t already have in on DVD. (VHS I'll replace with LD's if the above criteria are met)

Our local Rasputin’s used record/music store used to be a great source (for LD's, used CD's and Vinyl) but was not in a great location, and they went away. I think that whole center is going to be ripped out and replaced (Only one holdout left...), they just built a brand new Mervin’s next door. It was a shame too, as this location had the best selection of all the other Rasputin’s we've tried since then.

[dtuomi]

This post caught my attention. I can't remember the players I have (I'm at work, and there are three of them), but I have WAY TOO MANY Laserdiscs. Like about 300 of them. I've been slowly transitioning to DVD's, but I must admit there's something about LD video that I like better. Perhaps its all in my mind, or maybe its just because I'm not forced to sit through a bunch of stuff before getting to a menu before watching the movie. Anyway, my 2 cents.

David

[Big Tuna]

Yeah Thats cool Man! I will always be drawn to Laserdiscs, there's just a certain way about them that I like, that you just don't see with DVD's. The high quality jackets to the exquisite detailed artwork & photograpy, Gatefolds that DVD's will never match.

[Lady Ayeka]

indeed. LDs were a high end video medium, designed specifically for people who were passionate about the subject matter. DVD is largely just another disposable commodity; in one direction, directly out the other. the US Anime industry has been slowly falling apart over the last couple years, which surely means that the bulk of what i have on DVD (and LD for that matter) will most likely never be released again on Blu-Ray, or any other medium, for that matter. i can only hope that they last as long as my Anime LDs. i won't be holding my breath, though...:thumbsdn::tears::thumbsdn:

[dtuomi]

The thing that annoys me about Anime is there's still a lot it that has never seen a DVD release in the U.S. Only a LD release. So, if you're a fan, its almost mandatory to keep at least one LD operational.

David

[Lady Ayeka]

The thing that annoys me about Anime is there's still a lot it that has never seen a DVD release in the U.S. Only a LD release.David


there's usually a VHS release as well. however, i'm sure you're well aware of how poor many prerecorded VHS editions tend to be...:thumbsdn:

[krautmaster]

I bought a bunch of these behemoths way back in the 80's while stationed in Germany. They were the best that money could buy at the time, but I got rid of most of them when DvD's became affordable. I only kept a few, like the Star Wars and Indiana Jones sagas, but I haven't watched any for a long time. I'll have to fire up the old Pioneer LD-850D and see if it still works.

[Lady Ayeka]

I bought a bunch of these behemoths way back in the 80's while stationed in Germany. They were the best that money could buy at the time, but I got rid of most of them when DvD's became affordable. I only kept a few, like the Star Wars and Indiana Jones sagas, but I haven't watched any for a long time. I'll have to fire up the old Pioneer LD-850D and see if it still works.

is that the "LD-838D"? unless you ran the daylights out of it back when, it'll definitely still work.:music: word of advice; open it up and lube the pick up guide rails. any gears you can find as well. it'll surely spin like a top!:music:

[MAXZ28]

What lube do you suggest using? My CLD-3030 tray sounds a little dry when it's coming out or going in. The operation movement isn't the smoothest.

[operaman]

I saw a stack of Laserdiscs here in NY at a salvation army going out of business. Anybody want them, they are hidden in the ladies section of the W. 8th street store.

What was I doing in the ladies' clothing section, you might ask????

[colortrakker]

Think they'll be there 'til Monday afternoon? Can't get to the City any earlier than that.

And never mind you, what are the discs doing in the women's section?

[Arkay]

Lady Ayeka would probably kill me for this, but I got a whole BOXFUL of Japanese Anime LDs, in great shape, and after watching a few minutes of several of them, decided I didn't want them, and traded them away for other movies and titles I preferred (mostly classic Westerns, Sci-fi, and a couple vintage horror movies).

At least I saved them from going into landfill, and got them into the hands of someone who wanted them. Anime is very popular here with a lot of young people, and I like seeing the costumes at ComiCon type events (especially the female ones, hehe), but I'm not a big Anime fan. Often find it hard to sit through very much of it before I want to turn it off.

I HAVE kept the complete set of classic Looney Tunes from 1933 to 1948 on LD (70 cartoons in total), and some other classic (Western) cartoons... plus a few animated movies like Heavy Metal.

[Urchinn]

Learning to love Anime is kinda like learning to like Scotch Whiskey. Not easy for most folks! I think there so many "schools" of anime that it baffles the average American cinephile. Try starting off with some classics by Miyazaki (the Japanese Disney). You can't go wrong with Laputa, Castle of Cagliostro, or Nausicaa (all on laserdisc, by the way). Very remarkable stuff that can whet your whistle...

[Lady Ayeka]

What lube do you suggest using? My CLD-3030 tray sounds a little dry when it's coming out or going in. The operation movement isn't the smoothest.

i use a light household oil, made for the MAGNUM fishtank vacuum. but, i imagine lithium grease would do just fine. i have used the MAGNUM oil on my 3030, to great effect. it comes in a bottle with a very convenient two inch long needle tube applicator which is most handy for reaching tight spaces. however, i'm not so sure that it's still available...

[Lady Ayeka]

Lady Ayeka would probably kill me for this, but I got a whole BOXFUL of Japanese Anime LDs, in great shape, and after watching a few minutes of several of them, decided I didn't want them, and traded them away for other movies and titles I preferred (mostly classic Westerns, Sci-fi, and a couple vintage horror movies).

At least I saved them from going into landfill, and got them into the hands of someone who wanted them.

:thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp::music:

[ejguillot]

get yourself a pioneer LDP. they are the best, bar none. look for models such as the LD-S1,LD-S2,CLD-3030,CLD-3070,CLD-91 and CLD-92.

I started with finding 32 LD's at $0.50 each at a thrift shop. Then I got a Pioneer CLD-703 in good condition with remote for $75 locally.

Lady Ayeka, what do you think about the CLD-703/704 and CLD 79/97/99? You seem to favor the late 80's players, but the mid 90's ones have better specs on paper.

[Lady Ayeka]

I started with finding 32 LD's at $0.50 each at a thrift shop. Then I got a Pioneer CLD-703 in good condition with remote for $75 locally.

Lady Ayeka, what do you think about the CLD-703/704 and CLD 79/97/99? You seem to favor the late 80's players, but the mid 90's ones have better specs on paper.

any one of those will do a fine job. especially the 79/97/99 series. also, keep an eye out for the LD-S1/S2 and the HLD-X0/X9; those are by and large considered the very last word in LD performance. beware though, the X0/X9 to this day sell for a small fortune, when you can actually find one, that is.
i do indeed prefer the late '80s models; i simply love the look and feel, an unmistakable "1980's japanese ultratech" vibe, nothing else in the world quite like it, IMO. i like it enough to accept the performance penalty. besides, that was LD's heyday, and the top models of that era (the only ones truly worth owning, IMO) didn't perform all THAT bad. regardless, if the late models float your boat, more power to ya. always great to have a new laserphile join the ranks!!:thmbsp::music: