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Thread: Anyone still using LaserDisc?

  1. Senior Member Jman5000's Avatar
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    01-17-2009 12:23 PM #1
    I met w/a client this week and his screensaver was the original USS Enterprise, and conversation spun off into Star Wars and the various transfers/versions and how the "faces" LDs have a good unmolested version w/great sound.

    He was into LD and mentioned that just this week Pioneer finally stopped making multiplayers that supported LD.

    From there we starting talking players and I found it interesting to revisit a format that for a while was "it".

    Looks like the best ones out there offer component video and optical audio.

    If I found a new component shelf/tv stand, I'd really consider one of these again, for fun.


  2. 01-17-2009 12:35 PM #2
    It was fun while it lasted.

  3. Senior Member SchrickVR6's Avatar
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    01-17-2009 11:08 PM #3
    My dad and I both sold off our players and collections back in 1997 and made the switch to DVD. His player was still functioning after 13 years of heavy usage, and I had one of the first multiformat players. Great while they lasted, but the fact that DVDs were roughly one-tenth the size and cost less made the change easy, especially once the price on a decent DVD player had dropped to just under $250 by then.
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  4. Member Jerry_HEAVEN's Avatar
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    01-18-2009 02:10 AM #4
    we had one and were in awe when it first hit. I remember watching the "extended" version of Aliens on Laserdisc. We had other films such as T2, Hard Boiled, etc... I still have my Iron Maiden concert LD

    it was a bit annoying when there was a layer change, but i loved collecting them for artwork. Kinda reminds me of vinyl art.


  5. Member san's Avatar
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    01-18-2009 11:44 PM #5
    I have Pioneer Elite LD player but haven't played it in forever. It still looks and functions like new. Unfortunately, I lost all my Laser Disks in a basement flood many years back (LD's were in a box in the basement, LD player was tucked away safe upstairs). For some strange reason, I can't seem to part with it. I've considered giving it away, but never have. It was a great format in it's time. I remember friends coming over and being amazed at the sound and video quality (What is that thing, it looks like a silver record? haha). Good times.
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    01-19-2009 03:29 PM #6
    Still have one, Yamaha CDV-870; however, play it once and awhile. I had a Yamaha A-1020 Integrated Amp since purchasing it 1986 overseas. Served well, until the other day. It powers up and no sound or static .

  7. Member MattRabbit's Avatar
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    01-20-2009 03:16 PM #7
    I have a CLD-D502 and an Elite CLD-79. I also still have around 90 LDs. Some of them give DVD a run for its money, but since Blu-Ray came out, LD has been trounced.

    I do have the Star Wars Trilogy 'faces' discs, as well as the Special Edition Boxset. I think the Faces discs are the primary reason why I keep it around. I also use it as a CD player

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  8. Member evilrobot0's Avatar
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    01-28-2009 06:53 PM #8
    Still use my Pioneer Elite LD Player once or twice per month

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    01-30-2009 01:18 PM #9
    My g'f's dad still uses his Pioneer LD. Of course, he also has a pristine Betamax and a bunch of old McIntosh tube amplifiers.
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  10. Senior Member Hostile's Avatar
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    01-30-2009 09:47 PM #10
    I'd buy a player just to watch the Star Wars LD set that a co-worker "accidently" won on eBay for $10 and gave to me.
    Quote Originally Posted by Swallow Doretti View Post
    I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I've sucked on more ballsacks than you have.

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    01-30-2009 09:48 PM #11
    Quote, originally posted by san »
    I have Pioneer Elite LD player but haven't played it in forever. It still looks and functions like new. Unfortunately, I lost all my Laser Disks in a basement flood many years back (LD's were in a box in the basement, LD player was tucked away safe upstairs). For some strange reason, I can't seem to part with it. I've considered giving it away, but never have. It was a great format in it's time. I remember friends coming over and being amazed at the sound and video quality (What is that thing, it looks like a silver record? haha). Good times.

    You live in DC, I work in DC. If you ever want to give it away PM me and I'll come pick it up.

    Quote Originally Posted by Swallow Doretti View Post
    I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I've sucked on more ballsacks than you have.

  12. Member twerked's Avatar
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    01-30-2009 09:56 PM #12
    we watched several films in my film studies career at pitt on laser disc. however, the 'good transfer of picture and audio' that you speak of was never there. only because the audio systems in the classrooms were god awful, and the projectors were probably worse as well. i'd like to watch one on a decent projector/tv and sound system

  13. 03-11-2012 08:48 AM #13
    just got a laserdisc player and 54 discs... for 100 bucks..

    the player is great.. auto flip.

    as i was loading them into my car.. a gentlemen comes over and says hey i are those laserdiscs.. i said yea.. he then went on to tell me he has 10 he got in a crate of records.. i bought them for 5 bucks.

    im looking for more laserdiscs this is the format for me.
    please contact me if you have them for sale

    i would love to get my hands on an elite pioneer.

    727 3866733

  14. Member Row1Rich's Avatar
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    03-16-2012 06:10 PM #14
    My FIL threw his whole collection of 150+ disks away 2 months ago, with a top of the line player :bang head:
    He said he researched and found they were worthless. Oh Well

  15. 03-19-2012 10:26 AM #15
    worthless to some.. but not to me.. i would have gave him a dollar a disk.

  16. 03-19-2012 03:54 PM #16
    Quote Originally Posted by Row1Rich View Post
    My FIL threw his whole collection of 150+ disks away 2 months ago, with a top of the line player :bang head:
    He said he researched and found they were worthless. Oh Well
    Don't let this man get to far away from you, guys like this you want to keep tabs on. TRUST ME.

  17. Senior Member NoDubJustYet's Avatar
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    03-29-2012 07:30 PM #17
    I need a new player... I have a Pioneer that isn't all that great.

    I want my sons (2yrs old now) to see my Star Wars LD set (the big set!) in a few years.

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    04-03-2012 11:46 AM #18
    I still have a few LD's but my player tanked 10 years ago. With DVD's imminent, I never replaced it when it failed. One LD I'd like to watch again is the Japanese edition of Star Wars I have from the mid 80's. (Solo shoots first.)

    There are also versions of films on LD that never made it onto DVD or on-demand. One is the Criterion LD of Blade Runner. That version matches the original theatrical release, pre-Director's cut, pre- new endings, etc. I will eventually set another player up. LD picture quality is VG+ and if you enjoy films (and have the space for it), a player makes sense to me.

  19. 04-11-2012 01:03 PM #19
    I actually buy LaseDiscs and use them as wall art. I have a bunch of those vinyl record frames and the LDs fit perfectly in those so it is cool to have the movie covers on the wall.

    Still hopefully one day I'll buy a player and watch these movies.

  20. 04-18-2012 01:54 PM #20
    Ladies/Gentlemen,

    I have a fully functional Pioneer LD player (I believe it is a CLD-1070) and a few movies with it that I was going to put up on Ebay.
    If anyone is interested in the player or discs, LMK via PM.
    I will get a list together for you.

    (dog_poopie, I am in 813 and will text you tonight about discs)
    Last edited by rycou34; 04-19-2012 at 11:29 AM.

  21. Member Dave928's Avatar
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    04-19-2012 09:29 PM #21
    still have my CLD-D704 and about 100 LDs.

    Star Wars Definitive Box
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  22. Senior Member Jman5000's Avatar
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    04-20-2012 08:03 AM #22
    Revisiting my old thread.

    I have since acquired a new stand and have added my old LD player.

    My TV and my receiver lack a S-Video input, so both the audio and video signals are being sent to the receiver (and onward to the TV) via RCA.

    I'd say you get a "less than 480" picture. And sometimes the disc will spin up but the video signal just doesn't make it to the screen. If you scroll w/the jog wheel, the signal shows up and you have to let go and let the TV "catch" it.

    Has anyone had experiences w/these converters that upscale? I know there's just no way to make the signal 1080p perfect, but is the improvement actually worth the money?


  23. Member Dave928's Avatar
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    04-20-2012 08:54 AM #23
    if it works then "worth the money" is up to you.
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  24. Senior Member Jman5000's Avatar
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    04-20-2012 10:23 AM #24
    That's why I asked about user experiences in relation to "worth".

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    04-23-2012 07:08 PM #25
    No but I would definitely like to know more about them too.

    Quote Originally Posted by Jman5000 View Post

    Has anyone had experiences w/these converters that upscale? I know there's just no way to make the signal 1080p perfect, but is the improvement actually worth the money?


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