Just a simple poll (public) to see how many of the regular posters in this forum owned the first "higher" definition format available to the public (that had "legs").

You should have an option for "still own".

Sure did, and I still have two working players and a collection of LDs.

It was nice to be region-free; I was generally able to get the better movies from overseas before they came out on VHS or DVD (Like Star Wars I - from Japan).

Yes I did until my player died for the third time and then I sold everything

No, at the time i always wondered what kind of strange people bought these expensive and rather unpractical machines and discs. :p (while being into analog audio myself :D )

Yes. I even have 2 unopened copies of "The Little Mermaid". I thought they might become collectible. What the heck was I thinking!?

I still have a lot of discs if anyone wants them! Even Song of the South.

I sold off my more valuable discs and ended up throwing a bunch of worthless ones in the trash when I moved. :(

I've got a Pioneer player and about three dozen or so discs. I still watch a few of them from time to time.

For example, I have a few British TV productions of Shakespeare's plays that I've not yet seen on DVD (at least not the version I have with the actors in it). So, every now and then I pop one of them in. A few other titles are ones I don't have on DVD, too.

I have a nice Gettysburg boxed set that includes an hardbound book, music CD, some maps, and a bullet. So, that still has some value even though I'll never watch the discs again (I have it on DVD).

However, I'd like to unload the rest, if anyone is interested.

Yip, I had a pioneer with about 12 discs and I still have an unopened copy of titanic...

You should have an option for "still own".Agreed :D

I did not purchase it when it came out, but I do have one now that I got for next to nothing.

Still have 2 working players (1 hooked up) and over 600 discs..PM what you want for Song of the South :) (Please don't be ridiculous it's just a movie)

Still own (and still buying LDs). Also HiVision MUSE LDs (1920x1035i/60). See my signature.

How about you Lee?? Did you own Laserdiscs ??

I still have quite a few discs, but my player died awhile ago. :(

Yes, there was actually a brief window where I owned Super 8mm, Laserdisc, tapes, and DVD, but I have since then divested myself of all but the little CD-sized platters.

How about you Lee?? Did you own Laserdiscs ??
OP's vote was "yes".

Yes - bought into LD in 1983. Still have about a dozen titles and my Sony POS LD player which is half broken:D

The cover is off. I need to trip the tray eject using a screwdriver:(

LD made me aware of OAR. Bought BLADER RUNNER, the CAV Criterion Collection disc set as my very first LD. Still have it today. The Syd Mead drawings on the jacket are truly amazing

I'm a little too young (DVD came out when I graduated university and started into movie collecting). However, I knew people with Laserdiscs, watched movies on Laserdisc, and I think, if I was born a decade earlier, I would have bought into Laserdisc.

I never bought any LD's. DVD's came out when I was in my first year of high school. I started collecting DVD's a couple of years later.

I started buying LDs in the late 90s. So you can never be to young to buy LDs. I still buy some from time to time..

You should have an option for "still own".


I still have my CLD-D704 Pioneer and a CLD-D501 that I use in my other rooms with around 250 discs.

I bought my first LD player in 2003 (yes, 2003) so I could watch the Star Wars OT in the highest quality possible. I have about 12 discs that came with the player (CLD-D704) but rarely watch them.

Yes, and still own a player with 2 players to serve as parts.
400+ discs.

Still playing happily in one of my basement theaters.

The LD's came out when i was in junior high, so i never owned one. But my parents owned a very large top loading vhs player w/ wood grain on the top (sticker i believe).

Anyways, my neighbor had Superman on LD, i thought my parents vhs was better.

How long did "they" make movies on LD? Someone on this thread said they had titanic on LD, they must have made them for awhile.....i guess.

I have a laserdisc player, but it was acquired used from eBay around 2000. At the time, there were numerous titles I wanted unavailable on DVD.

Yes I did and still do but unfortunately my Pioneer player has gotten really buggy so it's nearly impossible to watch most of my discs (about a hundred left).
So hey Paramount, now that you start promising a lot of cool films on the HD DVD format, can you please release Michael Mann's The Keep because I can't play the laserdisc of that anymore.
And Criterion, what about a version of (Cronenberg's) Crash with the audio commentary. Thanks !

I actually had a friend give me theirs. I can't remember the model # but it is a Pioneer and it came out in '89. She also gave me 5 movies- 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Good Son, Blade Runner, T2, and Top Gun.

Laserdisc was a bit before my time, so I couldn't afford it when it was hot. But I do remember always going to the basement of the local store (Tower Records I think) to check out all the new LD releases and ogle at the box art. This was way before DVD. I think I bought into DVD in 99.

Before my time. I was a kid when VHS/Beta came out and my family was poor so VHS was all I knew about before going with DVD as an adult living on my own.

Yup, still own a CLD-97 and a few hundred LDs, many of which still haven't come out on DVD.

Five feet from me sits; what was at the time the coolest laserdisc player ever, it played both sides of two discs. For those of you too young to remember them clearly, some of the longer movies spanned two discs, with the LD-W1 you didn't have to get up to change them!

http://www.omegav.ntnu.no/~eldorko/pioneer/america/ldw1.htm

I bought a Denon Laserdisc player in the early 90s, maybe 92? Overall I was happy with it and the format. I sold my player and LD collection on ebay sometime around 2000.

Paramount seems a little slow going through their catalog to release on DVD. Or maybe their catalog is just so immense? Nah, it can't be that big.

I hung on to my laserdisc player and the only copy of Nate and Hayes on LD I ever found, until Paramount finally released it on DVD last year.

I still have my first laserdisc player that I bought in '89, packed up in my closet. I sold the bulk of my laserdisc collection on eBay about three years ago.

So, correct me if I'm wrong OP, but I think the point of this thread is that the majority of the people into high-def media owned laserdisc players, and are therefore either early adopters, or don't mind investing in niche formats.

I still own my two LD players, and all the movies I bought, literally hundreds.

At the time, there wasn't any place to rent LDs, so I ended up purchasing almost anything that I wanted to watch. Of course, a lot of those were from the cut-out bins at Camelot, where you could actually by some movies (not particularly good ones) for less than $15. With their stamp-card program I was able to parlay some of those purchases into discs that I really wanted.

I shudder to think how much money I spent on discs during that time.

Then along came DVDs, and I bought more and more of those, some replacing what I had bought on LD.

Just over a year ago, I decided to try NetFlix, and since then my purchasing has dropped off dramatically.

Six months ago, I bought and HD DVD player, and to date I've only bought two HD DVDs. With the convenience of NetFlix, I only plan on buying HD movies I really, really want. Frankly, I'd rather apply the money I had been spending on content and apply it toward system upgrades.

I don't know if this is a symptom of the changing market, or my own age - I have LDs that have never opened, and may not ever be opened, there's only so much time one can spend watching movies. I do expect that with each change in media format that my actual purchase of physical content will decline.

Scott

I got into audio in college, and never really got into video (had a VCR with a tube TV) till 2000, when I bought my first DVD player. Since then my priorities have changed (a lot). I don't spend much time critically listening to music anymore; but a lot watching movies (and HDTV via FiOs & TiVo S3).

You should have an option for "still own".Yup. My DVD/LD player is still connected and runs great. Well, save for the less than stellar picture quality...;)...also still have ~75 LDs from my college years as well as the LD player I had back then.

How long did "they" make movies on LD? Someone on this thread said they had titanic on LD, they must have made them for awhile.....i guess.

1978-2001.

Five feet from me sits; what was at the time the coolest laserdisc player ever, it played both sides of two discs. For those of you too young to remember them clearly, some of the longer movies spanned two discs, with the LD-W1 you didn't have to get up to change them!

http://www.omegav.ntnu.no/~eldorko/pioneer/america/ldw1.htm


That things gotta be a tank. I have just a regular player and its bigger then the A1 above it.
That player would be great for some of those CAV discs I have although the definitve starwars discs span 5 sides so you'd need a triple deck for that...



... I think the result will and have shown a lot have LD players. This is a movie and home theater fourm. Folks are buying the best they can get in media. I've got a few formats myself with plans on buying more I find it fun to collect odd formats. I don't know why. Although LD is pretty cool. Some formats were just not needed like CED. Doing some reserch I've found their have been several VHS based formats as well. Most lived for a very short time. Primarily becoming demos and such

Still have. Actually picked up the majority of my collection since DVD came out getting a lot of those huge boxes that I never could afford when the prices came down.

I think I have 4 or 5 players all of which have been tweaked/fixed/tuned up by Kurtis Bahr and over a 1000 discs (a complete DTS collection, almost all the Disney boxset, almost all of the Universal Signature, 150-200 Criterion, all the SW releases, and lot of other Special Editions). The artwork and extras in some of those boxes are almost worth it to me even if I never touch the movies anymore.

yes, sir. Still do. all working players, only the higher end ones. Pioneer Elite CLD-97, HLD-X9, HLD-X0, LD-S2, maybe a couple of others I'm forgetting. I did open my last sealed LD over the weekend. North Dallas Forty remastered edition. Ah the chemical aroma of a freshly sealed LD as it's being opened.:D based on smell my guess it's a Pioneer Carson pressed disc!:) or it Kofu! jk

LD definitely served it's purpose. It launched higher definition video and digital audio. Everything we have today with HDM all came from LD.

I had a Pioneer, a Magnavox, and currently a Pioneer CLD-V820 LaserKaraoke player with Autoflip capability all bought new for more than what I paid for either HD-XA1 or PS3. I recently used it to show Macross - Do You Remember Love to my kids since my DVD is still sealed.

Pioneer Carson pressed disc!

Oh no, my sympathies.

Ooooh that smell. Can't you smell that smell

Wow, after submitting my reply, I was (admittedly, naively) surprised at the results. I guess most AVS regulars really are cutting edge consumers on a regular basis.

One of the best days of my life was watching the whole Star Wars difinitve collection on my Novabeam 100 on a flat wall!! My freinds and I had two pioneer LD's running (Elite 79's). I felt like the king (by the way I also had a laser active with JB Harold 2 for the turbo grafix and Genisis game pacs). I currently still have about 300 movies.
I run it though a Centerstage CS-1 looks good.

It belonged to the wife, came into the house via our marriage along with some karaoke discs a few years ago. Pioneer it still works. Looke okay if you send it through the faroujda in the Pioneer reciever. It has been on a couple of times in the last two years. So yes I own one.. but have never bought media for it.. it only does composite and stereo. So it is basically a dinosaur.

I got into audio in college, and never really got into video (had a VCR with a tube TV) till 2000, when I bought my first DVD player. Since then my priorities have changed (a lot). I don't spend much time critically listening to music anymore; but a lot watching movies (and HDTV via FiOs & TiVo S3).

Hey, we sort of flip-flopped. I was into audio up until the late 70s but got out with the advent of the CD. I then concentrated on just watching a lot of movies on VHS, but I never bought a single tape. I also could not see the point of paying extra for LD. When DVD came out, I bought into that pretty quickly but really did not get into the high end. Since 2000, I have gotten pretty heavily into audio again, having acquired over 800 CDs since then. I build my own speakers and pretty much have taken over the living room :), and soon will start building my own amps. The computer has revolutionized audio for me. Everything is on a harddrive and it sounds wonderful. I am excited about HDM, too. As soon as my current TV and player get replaced, I'm in!

Doug

I have 4 players that I use: HLD-X9, LD-S9, CLD-99 & Denon LA-3500. I have hundreds of LD's that I stille watch. That lot is heavy on Academy Ratio films and concert discs. I have a wide variety of other films and shows that aren't on today's formats or aren't as good on DVD. I have a dozen Muse LD's and a few Squeez LD's. For me, LD is here for the duration.

Still own two working players and plenty of discs.

Sanjay

Ooooh that smell. Can't you smell that smell

sorry for my silly statements!:) I just have not opened a factory sealed LD in a while and forgotten about that distinct scent.

It's a 1979 film, but a 1998 pressing, so it's not a early 1980s, or mid 1990's disc thank goodness! no rot.

I did not own Laserdisc but knew someone who did.

Yes, still do. Love those covers.

Michael

You should have an option for "still own".

+1

I still have the good old Panasonic LX-600 dual side player and a dozen LD's

The covers were sweet on a lot of the discs. The T2 CAV sets was nice. The later 5star DVD does it no justice.

Still have my Pioneer & about 80 discs, use it from time to time. I've pretty much replaced the must haves on DVD and a few HD-DVDs. I loved the 12" format those huge cardboard sleeves were so much fun for artwork.

Still own, got my first player (Yamaha, a Pioneer rebadge) sometime in 2000 or 2001 I think, mainly for things not available on DVD and for things I could get cheaply (such as anime LDs). Got another player eventually, a Pioneer DVD/LD, was hoping the component outputs worked for LD but they don't :( so at least I have a spare player.

I've probably got 25-30 discs, 40 tops.

Never forget hearing Apocalypse Now for the first time on Laser Disc:)

Helicopter scene! Classic first HD awe memory:D

I was one of those stubborn people who bought LDs to the end. My Pioneer-90 LD/DVD player served as my bridge into DVD, but even then I still bought LDs. I still have people sign my LDs over DVDs (I recently had Neil Jordon sign my LD of Interview with the Vampire) since they look so much nicer on display. I've even had people (a number of Babylon 5 staffers) exclaim that they didn't know it existed on DVD (Peter David) or even worse didn't know what they were!

Never forget hearing Apocalypse Now for the first time on Laser Disc

Helicopter scene! Classic first HD awe memory


Incredible! That's one of my favorite memories of LD as well! Especially when "The End" by the Doors comes chiming in.

And oh yeah, I have two working LD players (Marantz LV-500 & Pioneer CLD-704), and 30-40 discs. We still watch at least one LD each year, that is "Grumpy Old Men" every Christmas. It isn't available in widescreen on any other format (hopefully it will eventually makes its way to HD-DVD or Blu-Ray). Unfortunately its hardly a reference quality disc, but I'm still amazed how good "The Nightmare Before Christmas" looks on LD. My list of LD exclusive discs has slowly eroded over the years as DVD has filled in its back catalog. I thought the original Star Wars cuts would never come out on DVD, but they eventually did, and so did "Hoop Dreams".

The composite nature of LD really is it's achille's heel. My biggest peeve with LD is when I see high frequency luma information bleeding into the chroma. Other than that, it's just a bit softer than DVD, and no MPEG artifacts of course. I wish I could easily get the raw composite signal off LD and into a PC so software comb filtering could be applied. Of course now that nearly all of my LDs are available on DVD, there's really no point any more.

Dave

I was too young to own LD. That said, I was an early adopter for DVD (bought one the first year they were available in the US, and one for my parents since I was in the Army and had a lot of disposable income).

Pretty sure I would have owned LD if I would have been older. I remember a neighbor's dad owned a player, but I think they only owned about a dozen movies and the thing just sat around collecting dust.

The good thing about "Grumpy Old Men" on LaserDisc was that there was a promotional version with 16x9 encoding. Thanks Toshiba!

The composite nature of LD really is it's achille's heel.....I wish I could easily get the raw composite signal off LD and into a PC so software comb filtering could be applied......Of course now that nearly all of my LDs are available on DVD, there's really no point any more...

The easiest way around that composite nature is get an LD player with a great comb filter onboard. The Japanese HLD-X9 and LD-S9 are those players. I know, they're not easy to get or cheap. If you want really good composite, maybe you should land a CLD-97? I had the CLD-95 which has the same composite....C'est bon! A good 97 will be a cut above your 704.

I picked older films, alot of Academy Ratio stuff, so I stille have plenty of LD's I wanna watch and haven't been on DVD yet. I have some LD's where the LD is better than the hasty DVD of a 30's or 40's film. I watch several LD's a month, bare minimum.

A annual event....hmnnn, I can't picture myself down to that any time soon or maybe ever!

I can't remember as I gave my players away when I compared all my movies to the DVD version when the Star Wars trilogy came out. I remember I had a Magnavox and a Sony that automatically switched sides. I still have the Star Wars Trilogy with the Book (I find that more interesting than the movies now) it came with.

Nope. Never did. If I remember correctly Laserdisc came out before I was even born (1986).

My uncle introduced me to LD in the mid 80s, and I got into it in mid 90s. Loved it.

I owned a Pioneer player and about 60 discs. I slowly upgraded all my LDs to DVDs over time, and dubbed to VCD/SVCD/DVD (depending on how much I cared about the original LD) those few LDs I couldn't find DVDs for. Since then, those DVDs have come out too. I can't think of any LD I had that isn't out now on DVD.

I remember paying nearly $250 for the Amadeus box set, and $125 for the T2 box set (which had a ton of extra content on it, actually). :)

My player really started acting wonky (wouldn't "flip" the disc, wouldn't eject), and that's when I started to give up on it.

I kept my three Star Wars THX remastered LDs for any collector's value they may have someday.

Chris

Hello everyone,

It's great to see and hear that there are plenty of people on this forum that still own Laserdisc's.

I am also and will continue to collect for some time to come.

I know what you mean about the ''fresh smell of a brand new Laserdisc''
Silly i know, but it's a collectors thing.

I love the handling of the disc's and the sound of the players ''GREAT FORMAT''

I shall be purchasing my first HLD X9 in about 2 months and shall be travelling 370 miles to pick it up in the UK.

Then i shall be purchasing a Brand New ELITE CLD 97 from a seller in the US.
Have wanted to own these players for about 8 years now and then i will be purchasing new parts and an AC-3 upgrade for the CLD 97 ''can anyone help me get hold of this upgrade?

I would appreciate your help!

Genuine sincere regards

Mark :)

......so, ya'all are huffing the glue that bonds LD sides! That explains the popularity of LD's....;)

Yup, still have player and collection connected to a secondary TV.

Great use for a long time but the superior overall experience from HD DVD and BD though make it mostly a relic...

I stayed away because of title price. I recall some of the titles I wanted made the current Fox BD pricing look like a bargain.

I bought my first player in the late 90s, at the tail end when no one really carried the discs anymore. I wanted to pick up films and videos that I figured would never be released on DVD. Some still have yet to be released on DVD (though not that many), but those that haven't make me happy in a stubborn kind of way. :)

I still have laserdiscs because of their superior audio quality over DD and DD+. Once TrueHD/ DTS-HD / PCM audio becomes the norm on HD-DVDs, I will finally sell my laserdisc collection.

I voted "Yes" to the question, do you own a Laserdisc. I do own a laserdisc, however I do not have a laser disc player like Pioneer use to make. I have a demo laserdisc from Paramount with samples from various movies. I for one am glad this format failed. Damn those things are huge. I cannot imagine having a collection of these in my library.

I still have my player that I got long before DVD's came out. Laserdisc was so much better than VHS that I soon found tapes hard to watch.

A real perk was that our city library had a large LD collection you could access (for free!). Along with current Hollywood stuff they had most of the Criterion classics, Operas, etc so I got myself and my family a bit of a film education along the way. I miss that part still.

Bryan

63% owned laserdisc??? That is absolutley amazing. I don't think I've ever even seen a laserdisc (and I'm no kid), nor do I know anybody who did own one.

This really puts the whole HD DVD/Blu-ray thing into perspective for me. Sometimes, I get a little too excited with these new formats, when in reality, this really is a very unique, rabid demographic on these forums, driving all the hype around HDM. This indicates to me that standard definition DVDs still have a long healthy run still in front of them.

I still have laserdiscs because of their superior audio quality over DD and DD+. Once TrueHD/ DTS-HD / PCM audio becomes the norm on HD-DVDs, I will finally sell my laserdisc collection.

Good point. I have LD copies of a couple of musicals, and one of my personal soundtrack favorites - The Mission. That waterfall soundtrack and the embedded music was just fantastic on LD. Like you, I've skipped DVD for that title, but I might go for a TrueHD copy eventually (if it gets released).

I can't remember as I gave my players away when I compared all my movies to the DVD version when the Star Wars trilogy came out. I remember I had a Magnavox and a Sony that automatically switched sides. I still have the Star Wars Trilogy with the Book (I find that more interesting than the movies now) it came with.

Oooo, I might be able to one-up you here. I had three sets of Star Wars on LD.

1) The individual ones
2) The original non-edited Definitive Collection (in the nice black hardback case. I still have this)
3) The edited box set (the newer ones).


I was a proud Laserdisc owner back in the day. I remember working in the mall next to Saturday Matinee/Record Town, and I would scour the LD section looking for $20 bargins. I had 3 boxes of discs, including all kinds of series (Beverly Hills Cop, all the Batman's, etc:). They all got flooded out when my basement flooded. The saddest day for me was when we moved out of that house and I had to have Got Junk come get them because they were ruined. :(

I wanted one, but went with VCD. I know they both eventually failed but VCD was much worse, every movie I had was 2 discs minimum to watch the entire film.

I still remember the day I bought my 3DO, drooling over the Pioneer Laseractive CDL-A100 laserdisc player that could play Sega Genesis/TurboGrafx 16 games. Beautiful piece of machinery.

I still have my collection.

I bought one just about 4 years ago to get titles that were either unavailable on DVD or were only full screen on DVD. I have Star Wars Definitive collection, Time Cop, The Shadow, Meet the Deedles, Howard the Duck and about 5 others. I would capture the video to my computer and then make my own DVDs.

Stace

Still a lot of fun collecting Laserdiscs.

It funny I knew very little about the format. All I knew was that some of my teachers had a player and used it for looking up stuff. I recall them using a barcode reader to call up frames that had information. Either a short video or words with pics.

It wasent until a teacher showed a regular movie on one that I further looked into the format. A qwick look on ebay brought up many players and movies. So I bought a good sounding player witha few movies. It wasn't until later that I found their were far better player. Duel sided ones. So my next player read both side and had RF out. Which is what I have now. After 3 years of ebay and used record shops I've hit just over 200 LDs.

Most are just regualr movies that I got cheep. $2-3 each. Some like star wars defintive and Ep1 I paid a bit more for.although far less then what they were new..

A few I bought becase their was no DVD or a very poor FS DVD. A few have been replaced with DVDs but so far I've not sold them.

I was lucky on a few as I got them in lots. I've yet to see a LD copy of F.I.S.T. Which came with cliffhanger WS and rhinestone for $20. Ciffhanger has had severel LD verisons. LD FS, WS , SE, squezze and MUSE HD. The DVD has had like 3 versions.
As far as FIST. It came to UK DVD right away but the R1 disc just came a few years ago. I've got the UK r2 and R1 DVD now. As well as the LD.

Yes, not only DID, but still DO! I own five players and LOTS of LD's (though I've little doubt there are many others with MORE lots :).)

I bought the very first one that came out while stationed in Japan. I think it was a Pioneer LD-1000. I've still got it along with two others. They all still work!

LOL, I did have a LD copy on VHS, will that count?

Not to many of my friends owned them back in the CAV only days. Most of us jumped onto the LD wagon once the players came out that could play digital audio and CDs. This was a brilliant move on the LD companies (Pioneer's idea?) part. I remember being awed by the audio capabilities of those LDs and thinking how much better they sounded compared to the older (was it called CX noise reduction?) movies.

OThey all got flooded out when my basement flooded. The saddest day for me was when we moved out of that house and I had to have Got Junk come get them because they were ruined. :(

I had no problems playing flooded LD disc. I still have about 100 disc that were in a flood that still work perfectly afaik. I have not look thru all of them. But all of the labels, album on them were ruined. Sometimes you have to remove the ruined disc labels as it might affect the clamping of the disc.

Still own (and still buying LDs). Also HiVision MUSE LDs (1920x1035i/60). See my signature.

Hello tteich,

It's good to see that i am not the only one that's still purchasing a great deal of Laserdisc's and hardware from all over the place, but especially from HongKong, Japan and the USA.

Look forward to hearing from yourself.

Genuine regards

Mark from the UK.

:eek::):rolleyes:

No - wasn't old enough

Hell ya!

http://lddb.com/collection.php?action=list&user=drcrawn&max=99

I never owned LD, but had I been as old as I am now back in the day you can bet your behind that I would have.

I never owned LD, but had I been as old as I am now back in the day you can bet your behind that I would have.

ditto.

Don't have my player anymore (it broke). Kept the Star Wars LDs just for kicks. Including the final box set. Also, my spouse framed three of the Star Wars LD covers for our HT (the ones that were the large print covers of Darth Vader, a Storm Trooper and Yoda). They look pretty good. I really miss the THX and DD intros that some of the LDs had. They always sounded fantastic when you fire them up! SJ

I found a Pioneer LD player in a store today... didn't buy it... but I may go back and pick it up. It should be interesting trying to explain that one to the girlfriend, though...

Hello tteich,

It's good to see that i am not the only one that's still purchasing a great deal of Laserdisc's and hardware from all over the place, but especially from HongKong, Japan and the USA.

Look forward to hearing from yourself.

Genuine regards

Mark from the UK.

:eek::):rolleyes:

Hello Mark. Apparently there exist a lot of LD fans who are still buying LDs in order to expand their collections. Here is mine (http://www.lddb.com/collection.php?action=list&user=tet&sort=title), at least the 250 movie LDs, not to mention more than 100 Arcade/Laseractive/etc. I own.

@alpha21:
I started to buy my collection when my first DVD player broke, and during my search for a new one came across the Pioneer DVL-909, wondering why it has such a large tray ;-) That was long after LD has died. So it's never to late to start a new hobby...

Best regards, Torsten

I found a Pioneer LD player in a store today... didn't buy it... but I may go back and pick it up. It should be interesting trying to explain that one to the girlfriend, though...
Buy it! But beware, it can suddenly become a passion.

So after almost 500 respondants - we are stil above 60% that have/had LD. What surprises me the most is the number of people who didn't have LD. Guess that is due to age for the most part which does say something as a reflection of the current status of HD movie player owners.

I don't think age is always a factor. I'm 23 and just started collecting a few years ago.. So it all what your willing to do.

I don't think age is always a factor. I'm 23 and just started collecting a few years ago.. So it all what your willing to do.

I got my first player an LD-838D when you were a toddler.

When it came time to remodel our house, the main focus was to find something we liked that would hold all of my LD's. We don't really watch them anymore so they are now more of a showpiece.

DVD / Blu-Ray / HD-DVD or whatever comes next will never match the LD Box Sets.

When it came time to remodel our house, the main focus was to find something we liked that would hold all of my LD's. We don't really watch them anymore so they are now more of a showpiece.

DVD / Blu-Ray / HD-DVD or whatever comes next will never match the LD Box Sets.

I dont have the room to show mine anymore and have been trying to get rid of them for some time.

Still have LDs (and am often surprised by how good the well-mastered ones look on an LCD RP screen). Many were so good that I've never had to buy DVDs of most titles that were on LD. But HD has spoiled me...to the point where I'm even considering selling my HLD-X9 player.

LD really had a good long run... a lot longer than Standard DVD has had before being supplanted by HD discs.

I got into the game in '99, when DVD started its surge to the top. I worked with someone who had an LD player, nothing too fancy, but it got me hooked nonetheless. I've been through a few machines, ending up with a Runco LJR II (great player, best I've had).

I still keep an eye on ebay - a few months ago I imported the Japanese Die Hard Trilogy boxset - but my passion for LD is fading these days. I don't have a huge collection, 100 or so. I love boxsets, the bigger the better, although I think my favourite is the Japanese Star Wars Trilogy SE, which I got signed by Billy Dee Williams, Carrie Fisher and Warwick Davies. :D

Still do.

I had a Magnavox that I got from Rich's, with Battlestar Galactica (Can you say "Early Adopter?") but I ended up returning the third unit when it overheated like the first two.

Got back in later when better models were available, and bought my share of Pioneer Anime (Tenchi Muyo!) and movies, Star Wars and more.

I have a Pioneer Elite player that still works, I was just using it last week.

I bought my first laserdisc player back in 92 in collage durring the Fantasia Pioneer push. I replaced my player in 98 with a DVL909 combo player. I still own about 50 discs and I have since been framing them and using them as decorations in my HT.

I still have my player & collection.

This survey makes me wonder if the two HD formats have reached the market penetration of LD yet?

I would like to add that I did own laserdisc and I still do.

I currently have three laserdisc players, one in my family area and one in my bedroom. The third is really old and is in the closet.

Jurassic Park and the Sound of Music still sound best on LD. If they do a good job on the Blu-ray versions, then I will no longer have a reason to keep my LD player. And OT, if they release Eagles in Melbourne on Blu-Ray, I can get rid of my HD-DVD player.

Laser Disc owner since the days of Discovision.

You guys do know you're posting to a 3-year old thread, right?

You guys do know you're posting to a 3-year old thread, right?

Now its one day old.

still got mine along with about 120 discs
the LD in many cases, I thought superior over the dvd, until progressive scan and hi-def tv came along..

wish someone like Oppo would do a LD player that would enhance the image as they do for standard dvds....................

Out of Africa, i enjoy far more in the LD form than the DVD, even with progressive scan.
Fear what will be my reaction, if and when I finally buy the blu-ray:eek:

....wish someone like Oppo would do a LD player that would enhance the image as they do for standard dvds....

Pioneer already beat them to it with the HLD-X9 and HLD-X0...made for Japan but shipped elsewhere to enthusiasts. ;)

Its like all the fun of vinyl but with video added! I love my LD stuff. Its fun to hunt record stores, thrift stores, craigslist, etc for new (to me) movies. Even more fun to see people's faces when you pull out a 12" shiny disc. The big jackets certainly beat DVD cases. Also makes me fell like an uber video snob even if I'm about 15 years behind the times.

CED Videodisc....that was a HUGE disappointment. Now I've invested about $200 in a bunch of un-watchable movies. Maybe it needs a new needle.

I do miss LD and still buy a few of the nicer sets today

I miss the big sleeves, especially as I get older :)

I really do not miss the prices of both the discs and players. Back in the day (at least 15 years ago!) a reasonable player cost $800 - 1500 [$1200 - 2000 CDN] and discs $40 - 50 with T2 and the Star Wars box sets going for $150 -250 [and that translates to $60 - 80 and $200 - 400 CDN]!!! Those costs wold be astronomical these days and now people complain about $20 [ now about $20 CDN!!] discs and players that cost over $200.

The good old days were indeed expensive. I do not know how I could afford to be hooked on the hobby. At least these days, when I spend way too much money on Blu-ray (of course to reolace all the DVD's I bought AFTER the LD's), I get a lot of discs. Somehow I managed to get the LD Box sets for Thunderball and Goldfinger, the Criterions of the first three James Bond movies, The T2 platinum set and TWO of the Star Wars sets, the original trilogy and the definitive collection among hunderds of others......I must have been nuts to spend so much....the Star Wars were somewhere in the vicinity of $400 CDN each ....AAAAArrrrgggggghhhh. I think it would have been cheaper to be on hard drugs.....but probably not as much fun in the long run. I really do not know if it is a good thing to be old enough to remember this stuff!

P.E.Hannon

...I really do not know if it is a good thing to be old enough to remember this stuff!

Any day that one wakes up and finds out they're not dead is a damn fine day to be alive.... ;)

If you'd lived in the U.S. you could of gotten your LD's for some less dollareenies. I haunted used shops for bargains. I ordered most of my new LD's from Ken Cranes for 20% off list. Still, it was an expensive habit but to this day most of my LD's play. I have quite a few that I continue to play.

The LD's were hard to come by up here in the Great White North, so I bought from Tewksbury Audio and Video in N.J. (checked Ken Crane, but do not remember if I bought from there) until they pulled the plug on the discs when DVD's started up. The exchange rate at the tme was a killer.

I should pull out my Pioneer player (I had a Pioneer CLD-704, but the bearing went away and never got it fixed, but it was a fantastic machine...I also previously had a couple Panasonics that showed some crosstalk and a Sony that showed a lot of crostalk and now have a Pioneer elite CLD-59(?), I haven't actually hooked it up to my Pioneer 101FD plasma, maybe one of these days.....maybe watch the original Star Wars cuts from the Original trilogy set ....in the full letterboxed 4:3 480i non anamorphic glory!!

Times have changed.....I even remember that newfangled LD format.....letterboxing!. I believe Ben Hur was one of the first.....I had one of course...2.85:1 letterboxed on a 27 inch Proton monitor...talk about small viewing area! I believe I upgraded to a 31 inch Proton because of the letterboxing. When "anamorphic" DVD's became the norm I upgraded to a SONY XBR250 32 inch 480i component video (weighed a ton) that 12 or 13 years ago cost the equivalent of more than the aforementioned 1080p HDMI High def Pioneer plasma!

God I love this (hobby) obsession!

P.E.Hannon

i'm even more of a sicko! I bought HD movies, HD compatible displays and HD compatible CRT projectors in the 1990's, before dvd even came out!

I still miss LD. Have not had a player in years. Still have all of my LD's that I have collected over the years. The Pioneer HLD-X0 is still one of the finest pieces of electronics ever built, over 15 years old, and still costs in excess of $2500!!! Finding one in the United States is nearly impossible, as they were only available in Japan. There are only two acceptable players that were shipped here from Pioneer: the LD-S2, CLD-97. Of course this is just my opinion. Would love to see how LD would look on my Kuro!

I'm surprised that no-one seems to admit to still using their LD players to regularly give CD playback rather than use their DVD player, assuming they don't own a dedicated CD deck.

I find my LD players give really nice CD playback if used as a transport and with the digital output from the CD decoded by a modern AV amplifier.

So although I still DO use my Laserdisc player to watch my Laserdiscs, most of the time it's playing my CD collection.

In my theater. I regularly use my LD player for CD and LD playback on my 1080p projector.

CLD-99 and still going strong.... I own about 900 LD's. :)

I'm surprised that no-one seems to admit to still using their LD players to regularly give CD playback....

Some of us have LD players don't play CD's.

I invested in LD Christmas of 1988 and sold my LD stuff in 1999. A month or so ago I picked up a couple of LD players and have been enjoyng the heck out of them. LD will always have a place in my A/V system and a place in my heart. Those discs are so beautiful IMHO.

Tom

CLD-99 and still going strong.... I own about 900 LD's. :)

Nice. In the words of Morgan Freeman in the movie Kiss the Girls: "This guy's a collector."

The LD v. VHS tape issue was the reason that HD was delayed in coming to the usa for so many years.

Once I saw the advantage and beauty of ld, we quit buying or renting any vhs tape.....but the majority of the public did not.

Studies showed that the general public did not think further improvement, even to the level of LD, was necessary nor would they spend money on such a thing..........

Nice. In the words of Morgan Freeman in the movie Kiss the Girls: "This guy's a collector."

And he has a ton of storage space.;) I forgot how much room these take up and by the weight.

...Studies showed that the general public did not think further improvement, even to the level of LD, was necessary nor would they spend money on such a thing..........

LD would of done much better if you could of time-shifted your fav soap operas with 'em... ;)

The LD v. VHS tape issue was the reason that HD was delayed in coming to the usa for so many years.

Once I saw the advantage and beauty of ld, we quit buying or renting any vhs tape.....but the majority of the public did not.

Studies showed that the general public did not think further improvement, even to the level of LD, was necessary nor would they spend money on such a thing..........

And those people in that study are probably the ones that purchased P&S dvd's instead of widescreen and now regret it when they get a hdtv.

Yup,I owned several hundred LDs and a Pioneer player (can't recall the model).One advantage I had was at the time I lived near one of the best sellers around...Sight & Sound in Massachusetts.

Like many,I upgraded (big time) to DVD and am doing the same with BD...but BD's it.I'm getting too old for this stuff!

http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2010/06/ken-cranes-a-landmark-southern.php
Bummer.

spent a small fortune on LD's from Ken Crane's back in the 90's, when buying a favorite film was kinda special compared to today.

spent a small fortune on LD's from Ken Crane's back in the 90's, when buying a favorite film was kinda special compared to today.

Likewise.

I almost bought a laserdisc player in the 90's after graduating college but held off after hearing rumors of a CD sized video disc in the works (which later became DVD).

That is a real shame to hear that Ken Crane's is closing. It is interesting to know that they were a Magnavox-only dealer for some time. That would explain how they got into the Laser Disc business.

I bought The Crow on BRD the other day, and put in the Laser to compare (THX first release DS) and my god its one of the best discs I have ever seen! I swear on a good player it would destroy the DVD

I got a laserdisc player for free from work a few years ago-- our building had an "electronics recycling" drive for all the old/obsolete equipment and another group was just tossing it on the junk pile. So it never made it to the recycling company. ;) It's an industrial level Pioneer and works beautifully although sometimes the tray takes some convincing to come out all the way. I picked up about 30 LDs on Ebay and some local shops over the next year or so (mostly concerts from the 80s that never made it out on DVD) and really fell in love with the format, although not quite to the point of rebuying much I already had on DVD. (I did get a few "special" things like the Star Wars discs and the like)

I really like the look of the picture it provides, which even converted to DVD still has that nice analog look compared to a lot of the over-sharp productions of today. It's funny to see something that doesn't really "look" like DVD but without tape's graininess.

I can see why it didn't take off but I'm glad I've at least had the chance to see a glimmer into the excitement LD provided in the 80s...

I've been tempted to hunt down a higher quality player (this thing is super basic and doesn't have a lot of video noise control for things like reds bleeding a bit and such) but never quite gotten around to bothering-- not sure how much improvement I'd REALLY see for the amount I'd likely have to pay to get a nicer player. Did the late 80's/early 90s units really make as huge of a difference as some claim?

....Did the late 80's/early 90s units really make as huge of a difference as some claim?

The players got better in the 90's. First you had the emergence of the Elite CLD's 95 & 97. Then, in their regular line, the CLD-D703 in 1994 was a big improvement. Then that design was purr-fected the next year with the addition of AC-3 and you have the CLD-D704. The '95 line was improved across the board. The best players to get are the CLD-97 and the top players from '95.... CLD's D704, 79, and 99.

There wasn't much difference in PQ between 80's players.

I need a new one I think my transport is bust

I hate laserdisc. I think people that like it need their eyes tested.

duck!

I hate laserdisc. I think people that like it need their eyes tested.

duck!

Yeah duck, ole Oddjob has quit with the steel hat and now he throws LD's, P & S ones.... ;)

Well if it makes you feel better I was just surfing for a good analogue video capture app that works with vista ( love my sweetspot/pdi deluxe capture card).

Bear in mind I was looking at 2k 10 bit log before dvd even hit the marketplace.

I hate laserdisc. I think people that like it need their eyes tested.

duck!

Thanks so much for your post.:rolleyes:

Thanks so much for your post.:rolleyes:

No problem , how those eyeglasses working out?

The players got better in the 90's. First you had the emergence of the Elite CLD's 95 & 97. Then, in their regular line, the CLD-D703 in 1994 was a big improvement. Then that design was purr-fected the next year with the addition of AC-3 and you have the CLD-D704. The '95 line was improved across the board. The best players to get are the CLD-97 and the top players from '95.... CLD's D704, 79, and 99.

There wasn't much difference in PQ between 80's players.

Good luck finding a CLD-97 online, I know as I tried and failed. :( You may need to settle for a 704 as they are easier to find.

No problem , how those eyeglasses working out?

I wear contacts thank you very much.:p LD for those of us videophiles in the 80's and a good part of the 90's was the best way to watch movies at home. I have over a 1,000 HD movies so I know LD's look like crap compared to what we have today especially when I watch them on my front projector. For me, LD is just used for nostalgia reasons only. You are either too young to have been part of the LD era to have emotional ties to it or don't recognize it's importance in the evolution of home theater.

Good luck finding a CLD-97 online, I know as I tried and failed....

I lost the bidding for several of 'em on e-Bay over the years. I wish I'd never sold my CLD-95....it's the same composite output as the 97. Watch for a 95. If you get one, duct tape over the S-video output... :eek: ...it's amazingly bad! Mine made a boot-ful picture when the composite was fed into my Sony XBR250's annie-log tube. That set has a serious comb filter, much better than what's in the CLD-99 that's hooked to presently. If you got a good thang to plug a 95 into, it's a player worth having. The 95 wasn't in production long but they're not as in demand as the 97.

I have the CLD-925 (which is the European version of CLD-790). AFAIK, it's supposed to be quite good, but will I gain better PQ by upgrading to a different model? (The highly expensive Japanese models (eg X0) are out of the question).

I have the LD player connected with composite output to my Onkyo SR-875 receiver, and the Reon Chip in this one upscales it to 1080p and feeds it to my projector. I assume the receiver will most likely do a better job with the signal than most LD players. I recently read that the CLD-925 does a bad analog to digital job (which it seems to do for the composite output as well, which is basically a Y/C signal re-combined), so I was wondering if some of the more low-end all-analog players will produce a better picture (since the composite signal go through the receiver for upscaling anyways) or if maybe the 703/704 will be a step up in quality (as mentioned, my player is supposed to be the European equivalent to the CLD-790).

I lost the bidding for several of 'em on e-Bay over the years. I wish I'd never sold my CLD-95....it's the same composite output as the 97. Watch for a 95. If you get one, duct tape over the S-video output... :eek: ...it's amazingly bad! Mine made a boot-ful picture when the composite was fed into my Sony XBR250's annie-log tube. That set has a serious comb filter, much better than what's in the CLD-99 that's hooked to presently. If you got a good thang to plug a 95 into, it's a player worth having. The 95 wasn't in production long but they're not as in demand as the 97.

Thanks as always for your advice Rachael. I thought the 97's composite had DNR sent at the factory to DNR "on". Is the 95 the same way? Is the 95's composite better than the 704's? I only watch old LD's so AC-3 isn't a deciding factor.

Thanks,
Tom

I hate laserdisc. I think people that like it need their eyes tested.

duck!

If you are not here to discuss LD, then move on. Your comment adds no value to the discussion

Thanks as always for your advice Rachael. I thought the 97's composite had DNR sent at the factory to DNR "on". Is the 95 the same way? Is the 95's composite better than the 704's? I only watch old LD's so AC-3 isn't a deciding factor.

Thanks,
Tom

The 95 and 97 are the same thing except that the 97 has a way better comb filter, has Leggato Link for the analog outputs, adds a coaxial digital out, and a different remote. So, the answer is yes on the DNR. Despite that, the composite video from the 95/97 is better than all later U.S. models. If you demand better you have 2 choices, have the 95/97's DNR modded or get a Japanese model....HLD's X0 & X9 or an LD-S9.

I have the CLD-925 (which is the European version of CLD-790). AFAIK, it's supposed to be quite good, but will I gain better PQ by upgrading to a different model? (The highly expensive Japanese models (eg X0) are out of the question).

I have the LD player connected with composite output to my Onkyo SR-875 receiver, and the Reon Chip in this one upscales it to 1080p and feeds it to my projector. I assume the receiver will most likely do a better job with the signal than most LD players. I recently read that the CLD-925 does a bad analog to digital job (which it seems to do for the composite output as well, which is basically a Y/C signal re-combined), so I was wondering if some of the more low-end all-analog players will produce a better picture (since the composite signal go through the receiver for upscaling anyways) or if maybe the 703/704 will be a step up in quality (as mentioned, my player is supposed to be the European equivalent to the CLD-790).

I've never seen the CLD-925 in action. I know it's rated to deliver 50 db video which is on par with units such as the CLD's 59, 604, 605, 606, and others. It's good performance but better is available. The CLD's D704, 79, and, 99 (via composite) all do 51 db. 1 db may not sound like much but it results in lower noise in the image. The very best players can achieve 52-54 db. The 99 is rated for 52 db via S-video but it's comb filter mutes colour. The 99 is a better player via composite to a better comb filter.

The CLD-790 is one I have not seen. I don't think it was a U.S. model.

The 703/704 would definitely be a step-up.

The 95 and 97 are the same thing except that the 97 has a way better comb filter, has Leggato Link for the analog outputs, adds a coaxial digital out, and a different remote. So, the answer is yes on the DNR. Despite that, the composite video from the 95/97 is better than all later U.S. models. If you demand better you have 2 choices, have the 95/97's DNR modded or get a Japanese model....HLD's X0 & X9 or an LD-S9.

Thanks for the knowledge Rachael.:) I guess I'll pick up a 95 or 97 without the DNR mod and see if is good enough for the time being. I sure would love to find one with the mod but that seems pretty unlikely. Worst case scenerio, I'll try to buy a 704.

Tom

Tom, another option just occurred to me. McIntosh made a clone of the 97, the 7020.

I may be close to buying a CLD-97 with th DNR mod and AC-3 mod. I can't remember what that unit is called you need to have between your LD player and receiver to get ac-3 sound. Anyone know what that unit is called? It's been too many years for me to remember.:o

Thanks,
Tom

I may be close to buying a CLD-97 with th DNR mod and AC-3 mod. I can't remember what that unit is called you need to have between your LD player and receiver to get ac-3 sound. Anyone know what that unit is called? It's been too many years for me to remember.:o

Thanks,
Tom

It's an AC-3 Demodulator. Don't buy one. The PCM tracks on those LD's fundamentally sound better.

Are you referring to the AC-3 decoder ? I have one made by Harman Kardon-ADP 303.

It's an AC-3 Demodulator. Don't buy one. The PCM tracks on those LD's fundamentally sound better.

How do you get the PCM track? Do you get it by using the coax/optical connection? Are they just on the AC-3 Dolby Digital discs? I thought you needed the AC-3 unit, demodulator to get the best sound from those discs.:confused:

Thanks,
Tom

How do you get the PCM track? Do you get it by using the coax/optical connection? Are they just on the AC-3 Dolby Digital discs? I thought you needed the AC-3 unit, demodulator to get the best sound from those discs.:confused:

Thanks,
Tom

Either use the analog outputs or connect up a coaxial cable to an external dac.

Select the digital tracks.

So just pressing the digital sound button on the remote actually gives better sound compared to the AC-3 connection.:eek: Why did they even come out with AC-RF demodulator if it's sound is inferior? Why in the world do people pay money to get their player modified for AC-3 then spend a $100+ on a AC-3 demodulator.:confused:

Tom

So just pressing the digital sound button on the remote actually gives better sound compared to the AC-3 connection.:eek: Why did they even come out with AC-RF demodulator if it's sound is inferior? Why in the world do people pay money to get their player modified for AC-3 then spend a $100+ on a AC-3 demodulator.:confused:

Tom

AC-3 allowed a channel count beyond 2. The 2 PCM channels are superior channels though. You don't have to do anything to get the PCM but use a digital output or choose Digital Sound using the analog out's. There are LD's that lack Digital Sound (read as PCM). You have to use the analog out's for them.

AC-3 was a step forward in some ways but a step back in other ways.

Rachael,

A couple of days ago I came across a website that had a great tutorial regarding Laserdisc written by you but now I can't find it. Could you let me know where you posted it?

Thanks:)

Found it via google. Sorry:o

Tom, I bet it's this one that's at Moe's Realm....


http://www.moesrealm.com/hometheater/laserdisc-guide.html

The thing used to be at the HTF but no more.

Yes. It is a FANTASTIC resource. Well done;)

Merci, gracias, and thanks too! :)

AC-3 allowed a channel count beyond 2. The 2 PCM channels are superior channels though. You don't have to do anything to get the PCM but use a digital output or choose Digital Sound using the analog out's. There are LD's that lack Digital Sound (read as PCM). You have to use the analog out's for them.

AC-3 was a step forward in some ways but a step back in other ways.

I still have my LD player connected but alas it's s-video only a 1080P projector so the picture isn't that great. And I bought the Yamaha DDP1(?) AC3 RF demodulator when I upgraded my AVR from a Kenwood KRV990D which had a AC3 RF input to one that didn't.

AC3 on LD was my first introduction to discrete 5.1 audio and I can remember how impressed I was with it. Granted the LCPM tracks on a LD are of better quality but I never felt (feel) like I am missing anything audio wise with the 384Kbs DD 5.1 tracks on a LD. The surround sound experience, especially on a good title, can't be beat and I prefer the lossless 5.1 audio to lossless 2.0, especially for a movie when the audio is just one part of the total experience.

Why do you say AC3 was a step back?

I recall the first time I put the Top Gun LD on with 5.1 sound - that was pretty astounding at the time. Of course when I compare it with the BD there are obvious PQ differences but the audio stands up IMHO (and I do have lossless audio capabilities in my HT setup).

I have always been a Pioneer man, but I saw the Sony MDP-850D and it looks like a good deal.
Are the Sony's any good?

I bought into laserdisc in 1984 when I purchased my first player the Pioneer CLD-900 that was built like a tank and weighed about as much. I used it in conjunction with my first front projection system the venerable Kloss Novabeam with 78" curved reflective screen. Awesome, at least I thought so at the time, both of which I have long ago given away to relatives and friends. My second laserdisc player was the early generation flip-side player the Pioneer CLD-D701 (in 1992 or 1993 I believe). When I upgraded my receiver to the Denon 3200 I bought an AC-3 mod kit to take advantage of the AVR's RF decoding feature and enjoyed my first 5.1 experience. Over the years the Kloss was replaced by the Zenith PRO-880X which was followed by my last CRT projector the Zenith PRO-900X. During this time the laserdisc format served me well and I have about 350 laserdiscs gathering dust in my basement. With the purchase of my first Toshiba DVD player in 1997 I gradually began to wean myself off laserdisc purchases. After the purchase of my first LCD projector, the Panasonic PT-L720U, I found I couldn't stand to watch my laserdiscs any longer and I took the CLD-701 out of my system, it now resides in a box in the basement. I haven't looked back but I do remember the good times I enjoyed entertaining family and friends with my laserdiscs. :)

I have a laser disc player. Sony MDP333 (I think). It still works and it's still connected but I have not used in in years.
In fact, I was thinking of taking it out and moving it into the office even though I most likely won't use it. Maybe I should just pack it up.

I have always been a Pioneer man, but I saw the Sony MDP-850D and it looks like a good deal.
Are the Sony's any good?

From what I have read, stay away from the Sony's.

I have always been a Pioneer man, but I saw the Sony MDP-850D and it looks like a good deal.
Are the Sony's any good?

All of Sony's U.S. models suck. The PQ is about the same on every model 48 db, full of video noise. :eek: Don't buy one to play LD's. They function better as CD players.

Thank-you both for the answer

.. and I have about 350 laserdiscs gathering dust in my basement. ..

That's a collection. I got into LD a bit later - 1993 and only bought about 50 titles. I also did the AC3 thing and bought a kit to upgrade my Pioneer CLD503.

While the LD player is still in the system, it rarely gets used since most of the discs I have have been replaced with either DVD or BD. The only titles I haven't manage to find good replacements for are Fantasia and the Geena Davis move The Long Kiss Goodnight for which I would only upgrade to a BD.

I am thinking of picking up a LD player. What player under $300 would be recommended?
I'll probably start with just a few titles, and if I like LD maybe grow a small select collection.

I am thinking of picking up a LD player. What player under $300 would be recommended?
I'll probably start with just a few titles, and if I like LD maybe grow a small select collection.

A Pioneer Elite (59,79,99) or the McIntosh. Since they'd all be used they should be under $300... well maybe not the 99 or the Mac.

Stay away from Philips or Sony. And ever farther away from Samsung or Carver.

Folks, don't be inclined to pay more for a 99 over a 79/D704. If one forgets about the 99's S-video output, which one should, it's the same composite performance. The Mac LD player is a 97 clone and very desirable.

Folks, don't be inclined to pay more for a 99 over a 79/D704. If one forgets about the 99's S-video output, which one should, it's the same composite performance.

What about the s-video outputs? Even the 59 has one (actually has two).

What about the s-video outputs? Even the 59 has one (actually has two).

It's been a while but I recall all kinds of discussions about whether to use the comb filter in the LD player to create the s-video output or to use the one in the display device and output composite (which is how the picture is stored anyway).

My understanding comb filters in modern display devices are far better than what was in the LD players of the time and it might be better to just output composite (assuming your TV still has composite video input!)

What about the s-video outputs? Even the 59 has one (actually has two).

The comb filter in the 99 wasn't even the best one they had back in '95. It does, indeed, reduce dot crawl significantly, as a decent 3-D comb filter should. However, it very much mutes the colour in the process. Better comb filters have littered the road since '95. All types of sets and video processors have had better comb filters since then. Pioneer should of provided a better comb in 99's.

The only LD players I've ever owned, and I've had at least 25, that I would recommend using the S-video output of, at this point, are the Japanese models HLD-X9 and LD-S9. They have a seriously good comb filter, the same on in each, BTW. They're what the Japanese got in the mid 90's and Elite, Estados Unidos, pawned off the 99 as a top-of-the-line deck. That's why I'm always telling folks to duct tape over the S-video output of all these mid-line decks. The 99's comb got dated really quickly. Other than the purr-dy side panels, a 99 might as well be a 79. Beyond that about the only advantage is the trick play using the Strobe feature. How often does anybody use that? ;)

I got into LD around 1982. My first player was a Sylvania VP7200 top loader and my first title was the Criterion King Kong CAV box set. Around 1999, I probably had about 500+ titles. Here in 2010, I still have a CLD-D704 in my bedroom and a Elite CLD-99, both Pioneer models in excellent if very low usage condition. I'm down to about 200 LD titles these days, mostly music titles, imports and other rare movies that have never made it to dvd as well as some key Criterion titles.

I got into LD around late 1984. My first player was a Sylvania VP7200 top loader and among my first titles were Jaws and the Criterion King Kong CAV box set. Although I long ago sold my King Kong box set, I still have a few other early purchases such as the Star Wars CAV first release. By around 1999, I probably had about 500+ titles.

Here in 2010, I still have a CLD-D704 in my bedroom and a Elite CLD-99, both Pioneer models in excellent if very low usage condition. I'm down to about 200 LD titles these days, mostly music titles, imports and other rare movies that have never made it to dvd as well as some key Criterion titles.

T.B.

I bought in in 1999 or so to gain access to titles not yet released to DVD.

It was an interesting technology, but all the titles of interest have since been released to DVD and Blu-ray and it's been years since my player has been connected.

I have a McIntosh MLD-7020 and a CLD-97. I can tell the differences.

On the front face there is a Digital Noise Reduction(DNR) On/Off button(default to "On" each time its powered on)

AC-3 RF out is pre-installed at the factory(McIntosh). Earlier McIntosh MLD-7020's dont have this!!!

"Most modern displays nowadays have better comb-filters" was true for late 90s and early 00s but really "nowadays" analog reproduction on HDTVs are very poor. Even a top of the line Samsung or Sony dont have a decent implementation of composite to comb-filter to de-interlace to upscale. Most recievers/processors have good de-interlacer/upscaler chips like HQV, ABT but analog (especially composite) implementations are poor(most use cheep 3d none-adaptive comb-filters)

Pioneer Tv had decent analog section with good composite to hd processing. Unless you have a Pioneer Plasma or something from good old days with high end analog circuitry, CLD-97, 704, 99 etcs.. composite wont give you any decent picture. The least expensive "expensive" player out there is LD-S9 can be had around $900-1200 shipped from Japan then any half-decent tv will give you decent picture quality. or you can get a CLD-97 from ebay for about $400-600 and spend the extra money on a Video processor(mostlikely a early 00s unit.

Anyone know what the first Pioneer LD player was?

Anyone know what the first Pioneer LD player was?

Pioneer

Pioneer Electronics also entered the optical disc market in 1977 as a 50/50 joint-venture with MCA called Universal-Pioneer and manufacturing MCA designed industrial players under the MCA DiscoVision name (the PR-7800 and PR-7820). For the 1980 launch of the first Universal-Pioneer player, the VP-1000, the name became Laser Disc (with a 'rainbow' type logo joining the two words) and in 1981 the intercap was eliminated and "LaserDisc" became the final and common nickname for the format, although the official name was LaserVision. However, as Pioneer reminded numerous video magazines and stores in 1984, LaserDisc was a trademarked word, standing only for LaserVision products manufactured for sale by Pioneer Video or Pioneer Electronics. A 1984 Ray Charles ad for the LD-700 player bore the term "Pioneer LaserDisc brand videodisc player." From 1981 until the early '90s, all properly licensed discs carried the LaserVision name and logo, even Pioneer Artists titles.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laserdisc#Pioneer

The comb filter in the 99 wasn't even the best one they had back in '95. It does, indeed, reduce dot crawl significantly, as a decent 3-D comb filter should. However, it very much mutes the colour in the process. Better comb filters have littered the road since '95. All types of sets and video processors have had better comb filters since then. Pioneer should of provided a better comb in 99's.

The only LD players I've ever owned, and I've had at least 25, that I would recommend using the S-video output of, at this point, are the Japanese models HLD-X9 and LD-S9. They have a seriously good comb filter, the same on in each, BTW. They're what the Japanese got in the mid 90's and Elite, Estados Unidos, pawned off the 99 as a top-of-the-line deck. That's why I'm always telling folks to duct tape over the S-video output of all these mid-line decks. The 99's comb got dated really quickly. Other than the purr-dy side panels, a 99 might as well be a 79. Beyond that about the only advantage is the trick play using the Strobe feature. How often does anybody use that? ;)

I know you LD guys say that about svideo, but every single player I have done a comparison produces a better picture by the svideo output. Maybe I need to buy better composite video cables or something.

John, I've had better picture in S-Video before... other times composite is better, but I guess it depends on your particular set up. 10 years ago I transferred some LD to expensive at the time Pioneer DVD-R recorder. S-video was definitely better.

I know you LD guys say that about svideo, but every single player I have done a comparison produces a better picture by the svideo output. Maybe I need to buy better composite video cables or something.

You had to of had above average players and the display devices had to have had less than stellar comb filters. The comb filters in many an LD player are utterly useless....for example the one in the Elite CLD-59.

I managed to fix my CLD-515! The outer case had a dent, so I took it apart and found the inner frame was bent blocking the transport!
It now works like new!
I also got around to recording a video or three of my less than stunning collection!

1L6jDujafKQ

wbIbHgKh194

And my ham-fisted way of showing what laser was like
M15eYXCUxoQ


Also in my looking about I came accross DTS STEREO, what was that?
I had not heard of it before this week on LD

I managed to fix my CLD-515! The outer case had a dent, so I took it apart and found the inner frame was bent blocking the transport!
It now works like new!..

I think we LD owners are handymen types. Though I only purchased about 40 discs before DVD's came out I still have my CDL503. Occasionally it won't eject discs or rotate the head and I found the fix was to remove the top, get at some gasket and wipe it clean with Windex. That works great!

I was shocked one screwdriver was all it took!

You had to of had above average players and the display devices had to have had less than stellar comb filters. The comb filters in many an LD player are utterly useless....for example the one in the Elite CLD-59.

I think you're right, at least based on playing the color bars on the Carrie LD. I had been using an expensive s-video cable, but I tried the 59 with a Sony standard video cable today (one of those that come included with Sony Betamaxes). Seems to look better, at least on the color bars.

So was DTS stereo just DTS's version of Dolby Surround?

I think we LD owners are handymen types.I'm thinking about making a "floor lamp" out of mine--though I haven't calculated yet how high a couple of thousand LDs will stack to. Might have to put it in my two-story garage. Ideally I would find a clear PVC pipe to fit the center holes, and then insert some sort of pulsating illumination. Could actually provide some visual entertainment then--I haven't watched an LD in years.

Not that I'm happy about this; I still have several hundred that we never got 'round to watching... :o

I think we LD owners are handymen types. Though I only purchased about 40 discs before DVD's came out I still have my CDL503. Occasionally it won't eject discs or rotate the head and I found the fix was to remove the top, get at some gasket and wipe it clean with Windex. That works great!
With ALL due respect water based cleaners are forbidden. Organic solvents should be the method IMHO.

So was DTS stereo just DTS's version of Dolby Surround?

Matrix encoded similar to Dolby Stereo(Dolby surround/prologic) and Ultra Stereo with L, C, R ,surround.

Matrix encoded similar to Dolby Stereo(Dolby surround/prologic) and Ultra Stereo with L, C, R ,surround.

So only working with a DTS decoder, or just with Pro-logic?
Thanks for the answer.


My awesome bro got me this out of the blue today!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/dvdmike/DSC01149-1.jpg

DTS Stereo will play just like Regular ProLogic.

I always figured it was more of a gimmick to take advantage of the DTS name. It's one of those things that gives Ebay buyers and sellers major problems since a lot of the Stereo discs will get listed/sold as DTS discs as trouble ensues.

I think Blown Away and maybe a couple of others were released both ways.

Hackers was the one that caught my eye, mine is Dolby Surround

I need some Laserdisc help!
Can anyone who own's any of the various versions of Apocalypse Now on Laserdisc, can you check the Widescreen Ratio please

i need some laserdisc help!
Can anyone who own's any of the various versions of apocalypse now on laserdisc, can you check the widescreen ratio please

1.90:1

Thanks. what version is that?

I have a CLD-97 and LD-S9. One system has a Sony 34XBR960 tv and the other will have a projector-probably high end JVC. Which player (and type of connection) would be better to use in each?

Thanks. what version is that?

I believe all the wide screen versions of the movie on lasersdisc are at that aspect ratio which was approved by Vittorio Storaro, the movie's cinematographer.

I have a CLD-97 and LD-S9. One system has a Sony 34XBR960 tv and the other will have a projector-probably high end JVC. Which player (and type of connection) would be better to use in each?

With the LD-S9 use only the S-video. It ought to do well in either situation. I have an LD-S9 hooked up to a Sony 960. However, to avoid the set's less than stellar de-interlacer, my S9's S-video goes to a DVDO iscan V2. My signal then enters the set via component video.

The 97's strength is it's composite video. It's gonna tend to excel where you can get the best composite to S-video processing. The Sony 960 has a nice 3-D comb filter but the de-interlacer mutes the colour and smears LD signals some.

I don't know squat about your PJ but I'd try the 97's composite in it and see what you get. If it's signal processing is good, the 97 and S9 will run close, I'd suspect. The S9's S-video is almost certain to look good on your PJ.

I believe all the wide screen versions of the movie on lasersdisc are at that aspect ratio which was approved by Vittorio Storaro, the movie's cinematographer.

Thanks, LDDB has an Spanish version listed at 2.35:1
I was hoping that another got through

Yes I have owned Laserdisc.

Currently I have 5 machines. I don't yet have an Elite player.

Never owned, but always envious of those that did.

This arrived today :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/dvdmike/DSC01332.jpg

This arrived today :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/dvdmike/DSC01332.jpg

Mind if I ask where you purchased from.

I like to know because there are some laserdisc sites I am not sure I trust.

Laserdisc Vault seems good and Da Da Don's is excellent.

Just off Ebay UK £7.70 with shipping

Some great information here.

I just got into laserdisc in the last few months. I've got about 15-16 now, mostly anime and hong kong action films. :p I've got a Marantz LV-520 that I found on ebay, so far it has worked very well. I originally bought laserdisc as somewhat of a joke, but I've really begun to like the format. Quality degradation is very unique and doesn't bother me in the way that pixelation does. I also think hand drawn anime just has a much more natural look on laserdisc, rather than the oversaturated highly compressed transfers that often make it to dvd. I also enjoy the rarity of the format, it's somewhat of a hunt finding my favorite movies. :D

I'm 18, so I had minimal experience with the format until recently. The first time I ever saw a laserdisc was in high school, because my french teacher still used laserdiscs for many of the visual exercises in class. I was intrigued by it and decided to look up more info.

I just got into laserdisc in the last few months. I've got about 15-16 now, mostly anime and hong kong action films. :p I've got a Marantz LV-520 that I found on ebay, so far it has worked very well. I originally bought laserdisc as somewhat of a joke, but I've really begun to like the format. Quality degradation is very unique and doesn't bother me in the way that pixelation does. I also think hand drawn anime just has a much more natural look on laserdisc, rather than the oversaturated highly compressed transfers that often make it to dvd. I also enjoy the rarity of the format, it's somewhat of a hunt finding my favorite movies. :D

I'm 18, so I had minimal experience with the format until recently. The first time I ever saw a laserdisc was in high school, because my french teacher still used laserdiscs for many of the visual exercises in class. I was intrigued by it and decided to look up more info.

Thats great about Laserdisc. I am happy you got into them, I think they are so much more fun than a DVD. Also knowing that I am the only one with LD's in my area is cool as well. I have over 700 of them and have begun selling my DVDs when I discover that I have doubles.

Quality degradation is very unique and doesn't bother me in the way that pixelation does. I also think hand drawn anime just has a much more natural look on laserdisc, rather than the oversaturated highly compressed transfers that often make it to dvd.
My LDs look awful on any of my digital displays--much worse than I recall their looking on my old 3-gun rear projector which died years ago. I want/need to get my 25XBR (Trinitron crt) working again and I expect my lds will look acceptable on them.

Are you watching yours on a CRT, or are they looking good somehow on a digital display?

My LDs look awful on any of my digital displays--much worse than I recall their looking on my old 3-gun rear projector which died years ago. I want/need to get my 25XBR (Trinitron crt) working again and I expect my lds will look acceptable on them.

Are you watching yours on a CRT, or are they looking good somehow on a digital display?

Mine look weak on LCD screens, but they look very good on my LCD PJ. I have a completely light controlled room for the HT and I use the composite--not S-video--output. I have a Mitsubishi M-V7057 player hooked directly to a Mitsubishi PJ, so there's no receiver, pre/pro, or scaler in between. The PJ gets the cleanest composite signal possible, and it handles it well.

Of course the audio goes to my pre/pro or to an AC-3 decoder as the case may be.

Thats great about Laserdisc. I am happy you got into them, I think they are so much more fun than a DVD. Also knowing that I am the only one with LD's in my area is cool as well. I have over 700 of them and have begun selling my DVDs when I discover that I have doubles.

Wow, that's quite a collection! I'm trying not to buy repeat copies of movies I already own on other formats, so I'm pretty much using LD for older anime or obscure films. I do however make exceptions for ones with unique special features and particularly nice boxes/covers.

My LDs look awful on any of my digital displays--much worse than I recall their looking on my old 3-gun rear projector which died years ago. I want/need to get my 25XBR (Trinitron crt) working again and I expect my lds will look acceptable on them.

Are you watching yours on a CRT, or are they looking good somehow on a digital display?

I use 3 different displays. A 13in 4:3 crt, a 30in 16:9 HD CRT, and a 40in samsung lcd.
Laserdiscs look amazing on the 13in, but that's to be expected. Overall picture quality just degrades as the picture gets bigger. I haven't noticed a huge difference on most Laserdiscs, but ones with sub par transfers definitely look rough on the LCD. The LCD also tends to make the picture a bit bright for my taste, but I've made a custom preset just for laserdisc which helps a great deal. Animation looks great on any display in my opinion, but anything live action definitely looks dated on a newer set. As far as I know, the inputs on the LCD have no scaling or comb filters, so S-Video makes a huge improvement in picture quality. I'm thinking of getting a DVDO iscanHD or something similar to help improve picture quality when I get a newer set for my bedroom(that's where the 13in currently sits).

I have a Mitsubishi M-V7057 player hooked directly to a Mitsubishi PJ, so there's no receiver, pre/pro, or scaler in between. The PJ gets the cleanest composite signal possible, and it handles it well.My pj is the Mits HC4900, and you're right it looks quite good--*if* I zoom it down quite a bit. Problem is the if I zoom it smaller until I find the PQ acceptable, it looks sorta wimpy on my 10ft wide 'scope screen. :o

Bought my CLD-S201 in like '94 for $350 and it was a floor model! Have about 40 or so movies. Once paid over $100 for Criterion's The Killer by John Woo. Have a bunch of Hong Kong movies and some Hollywood hits. Player is still hooked up in my bedroom but rarely use it due to pq dropping when having to zoom in on my DLP in there...

My LDs look awful on any of my digital displays--much worse than I recall their looking on my old 3-gun rear projector which died years ago. I want/need to get my 25XBR (Trinitron crt) working again and I expect my lds will look acceptable on them.

Are you watching yours on a CRT, or are they looking good somehow on a digital display?
My Pioneer Elite CLD-97 looks pretty good on my 50" Kuro, I have it hooked directly to my Elite VSX-23TXH AVR which has pretty descent scaling. From my understanding it takes a pretty good LD player to look good on any digital display

My Pioneer Elite CLD-97 looks pretty good... it takes a pretty good LD player to look good on any digital display
Yeah; I hate you! :p ;)

Mine's a CLD-3080. :o

Yeah; I hate you! :p ;)

Mine's a CLD-3080. :o
By your own admission the CLD-3080 is NOT in the same CLD-97 league:rolleyes:

By your own admission the CLD-3080 is NOT in the same CLD-97 league:rolleyes:Dunno what you mean. No, my CLD-3080 is not in the same league as the CLD-97.

I had a chance to buy a CLD-97 a few years ago locally and wish now I had not passed it up.

Dunno what you mean. No, my CLD-3080 is not in the same league as the CLD-97.

I had a chance to buy a CLD-97 a few years ago locally and wish now I had not passed it up.

Those CLD-97's are very difficult to find. I can't remember the last time one was ebay.:(

Is the cld-97 much of an upgrade over the cld-95 in regards to picture quality? I have a 95 but have a chance to buy a 97 in great condition for a fair price. I owned a 97 back in the mid 90's but sold it a year or so after dvd came out and have regretted it ever since.

Thanks,
Tom

Is the cld-97 much of an upgrade over the cld-95 in regards to picture quality? I have a 95 but have a chance to buy a 97 in great condition for a fair price. I owned a 97 back in the mid 90's but sold it a year or so after dvd came out and have regretted it ever since.

It should be exactly the same for composite video. The 97's S-video is far better due to the 2-D comb filter. The 97 adds Legato Link audio, co-axe digital out, and a different remote with the Jog Wheel on the bottom rather than top. The 97 is simply a refinement of the 95 design.

Thanks Rachael:)

So should I buy the 97 and sell the 95:confused:;)

I was running composite into my Lumagen scaler all the months as I read that one needs one to get the best LD picture on a digital projector. For months I was going through the scaler because of it's gamut control but thought the pq sucked. A couple of days ago I decided to connect the composite out of my LD directly to my Pioneer Elite FP-J1 front projecter and I was SHOCKED at how much better the picture quality was. That Lumagen scalers comb filter blows big time. To pay for the 97 I will have to sell my 95 and most likely my like new mint LD-W1 with under 10 hours on it.:o

I'm still looking for a 20" crt to put in my rack for ld playback of poor quality ld's. Any suggestions? I decided to get a small screen due to the weight of these sets. Even a 13" would probably work for me as I just have 21" shelf width in my component tower. The smaller the screen the greater chance I can get one shipped to me off of ebay or craigslist. Nobody wants to ship the bigger sets.

Thanks again,
Tom

Thanks Rachael:)

So should I buy the 97 and sell the 95:confused:;).....

Unless you have reason to believe that your 95 is under-performing, getting the 97 and using it via composite isn't gonna gain you anything.

I should have just kept the 95 and forgot about the 97. I was boxing it up tonight and it slipped out of my hands. It landed on the front left wood panel on the bottom and crushed in the wood. It still plays fine I think but isn't worth much in this state. So much for the sweet modded 97 I had all lined up to buy.:( I had a 97in the mid 90's that I regret selling and was wanting to have it again in my setup. If I had to do it all over again I would not gotten back into laserdisc this again. It has just been a money pit from day one. From now on it's HD all the way baby.

Tom

Any idea where one might find a replacement rosewood side panel?

Thanks,
Tom

Any idea where one might find a replacement rosewood side panel?

Thanks,
Tom

Ask Kurtis. He specializes in the 97 and I'd bet the 95 and 97 panels are identical. Another thought would be to have a woodworker make you a pair of custom side panels.

Kurtis doesn't have any spares. The 97 is taller than the 95 so they have different size panels. Buyers want original rosewood side panels so having some made is not an option. I'm s*** house out of luck I guess.:(

Tom

I'm still looking for a 20" crt to put in my rack for ld playback of poor quality ld's. Any suggestions?
If you are still looking for a CRT TV or monitor, and you want a 4:3 NTSC display, the Sony XBR Pro sets have excellent picture quality, if you can find a good one. The 20" one was model PVM-2030, if I remember right. The one thing you would want to do is have its color temperature adjusted; they are bluish-white (9300 K) before adjustment.

If you are still looking for a CRT TV or monitor, and you want a 4:3 NTSC display, the Sony XBR Pro sets have excellent picture quality, if you can find a good one. The 20" one was model PVM-2030, if I remember right. The one thing you would want to do is have its color temperature adjusted; they are bluish-white (9300 K) before adjustment.

Thank's Kris. I gave up looking for a CRT and purchased a 32" Sony Bravia LCD for my LD's. From 8' away LD's look very nice.

Tom

Do own. 4 working players (two set up, one for carrying around, & a Pioneer V8000 for experimenting with) and 500+ discs, almost all Japanese animation, largely Academy Ratio.

I have a Pioneer CLD-99 and have about 150 disks. Most recent is the original star wars definitive collection. I've always wanted this pre-modifications and still looks good on my 142" projection screen, running through my Pioneer SC-07.

I have Pioneer LD-838,CLD-79, CLD-97RF mod and LD-S9 and about 2000 discs. Loads of Japanese imports especially tv show boxsets. They looked great on the original 20" Sony xbr I had. Now I got a Sony PVM-2950 sitting idle. Currently using Sony 34xbr960. Haven't looked at discs in years but will rectify that soon.

I am current pairing a CLD-D701 with my Epson 8500UB on a 120" screen.
Good discs look good, even at that screen size though I am unable to stretch letterboxed films without significant loss of quality (so I am essentially watching on a 92" screen when watching LB content). I think the key is a good VP, outboard or otherwise.