Anyone know where I can buy a REALLY nice LaserDisc player?

JackBurton · Dec 22, 2003

Yes, a LaserDisc player. I NEED one! Anyone know where I can pick one up?

Pariah · Dec 23, 2003

Matthias99 · Dec 23, 2003

Try an audio-video specialty store. I don't know where you are; in New England we have Tweeter, or you could try something like a Bose or Cambridge Soundworks retail outlet. They probably stock a few models, and if they don't, someone there could tell you where to get one. I warn you now that it probably won't be cheap.

DaveSimmons · Dec 23, 2003

I'd offer to sell you mine, but . . .

Han Solo fired first!

(that and Cemetery Man still isn't on DVD yet.)

I got my Pioneer on eBay a couple of years ago. Pioneer is the brand to buy, and the better models like mine offer auto side changing, S-video out and optical digital out (for PCM stereo not dolby 5.1) . The Pioneer Elite modles like my brother has (DVL-90 I think, it's a LD+DVD combo) are the best, if you want to find a "new" (never used) one take Matthias99's advice and/or try googling "pioneer elite laserdisc".

Pariah · Dec 23, 2003

The top end Pioneer Elite's are definitely the best mainstream players out there, but steer clear of the combo DVD/laserdic players. They are not as good as the single function players. Unfortunately, the combo players are about the only players you will still find new, since they were the most recent models Pioneer sold. I bought a brand new Yamaha off of EBay a couple years ago for significantly less than it retailed for, after my second Pioneer player croaked and have been very happy with it.

DaveSimmons · Dec 23, 2003

Agreed, there was one Elite model / model year before the Elite combo player that was supposed to be slightly better, if you can find one. It's been years since I was player shopping so I've forgotten what that better model number was.

JackBurton · Dec 23, 2003

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Matthias99, I'm going to check out Tweeter and see what they have.

Thanks!

AMCRambler · Dec 23, 2003

I had never even seen a laser disc up until this summer. They're friggin huge! Hahahaha, I was cracking up!

demana · Dec 23, 2003

You'll have to get lucky at an A/V store, although sometimes they have old units picked up from their customers. New-in-box LDs haven't been made in the US for several years. Ebay is probably the best bet.

Agree that dual players should be avoided for the most part, and the vast majority of quality players are Pioneer.

Bare minimum (IMO): CLD 406/503/504
Step up: CLD 604/606
Pretty good: CLD 702/703/704
Good-great: Elite CLD 59
Great: Elite CLD 79/97/99

--
Top of the line, class by themselves: LD-S9/HLD-X9 Muse players from Japan--if you want the best, these are it. But expect to pay for it ($1000+). Production of these models ended in 2002.

Some of these models have AC-3 out (dolby digital), although an RF demodulator is required (which adds quite a bit to the price). This may or may not be a useful feature, as there are a limited number of DD laserdiscs. I've been quite happy with a CLD 703 without AC-3.

Richard98 · Dec 23, 2003

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Matthias99, I'm going to check out Tweeter and see what they have.

Thanks!

I would be surprised if you found one in any retail outlet; none have been made in the US for approximately 5 years. I would suggest posing the question on avsforum.com

Auric · Dec 23, 2003

Ever seen the flick SLC Punk!? It is set in the early 1980's and there is this wealthy German character who is into always having the latest stuff and boasts about his new Laserdisc system by holding up the big LP sized disc and exclaiming "There's a movie on there!"

jose · Dec 23, 2003

Go to the avsfourms.com and post in the dvd section , ask for Rachael's help.

She can hook you up w/ the very best from Japan.. or find a local dealer/individual to deal with.

Regards,
Jose

sunase · Dec 23, 2003

You know what would be a cool, a LD drive for the computer. I don't even change DVDs anymore since hard drives are so large and ripping them let's me bring movies along on my laptop without dragging the discs along - LDs are even worse than DVDs and I have some anime series that will never come out on anything better. ;/

JackBurton · Dec 23, 2003

Thanks guys! Good info. I know LD players have been discontinued for awhile now and ebay has turned up crap for me. The ones I found there were junk LD players. I'll check out avsfourms.com. Thanks alot guys!

JackBurton · Dec 23, 2003

OOOOOOOO, that is a SWEET LD player ! ====> PIONEER LD-S9
Now I have to just find about $2500! :|

slackerinabox · Dec 23, 2003

May I ask why you'd like one? I'm a bit curious - is it for star wars?

JackBurton · Dec 23, 2003

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
May I ask why you'd like one? I'm a bit curious - is it for star wars?

That's the only reason.

The Definitive Collection baby!

Fatdog · Dec 23, 2003

Jack,

If you have a HDtv, look into getting a line doubler for it and use the composite rather than the S-video for the best overall pic quality.

I have a Pioneer Elite -79 running into an Iscan and I'm pretty happy with the results.

For a great read on what to look for and what not to, click me.

JackBurton · Dec 23, 2003

Originally posted by: Fatdog
Jack,

If you have a HDtv, look into getting a line doubler for it and use the composite rather than the S-video for the best overall pic quality.

I have a Pioneer Elite -79 running into an Iscan and I'm pretty happy with the results.

For a great read on what to look for and what not to, click me.

Oh dude, that is great. I want it to look at good as possible! Thanks.

demana · Dec 23, 2003

<quote>That's the only reason. The Definitive Collection baby! </quote>

Just fyi, that set is subject to laser rot. If you've already got a good set, congratulations

If not, you may have a hard time getting a full set of unrotted discs. The THX CLV Widescreen discs are much less susceptible to rot.

Also, you might find yourself getting irritated with the disc swaps on the Def. Collection--the 9 CAV discs aren't very handy for SW marathons...

My Def. Collection has three discs that are average to poor with laser rot, so I generally watch the THX CLV discs for my SW fix. The Collection still looks good on the shelf though

Fatdog · Dec 23, 2003

I agree, go with the "faces" THX versions. You don't get the neat box and book, but the versions are the same, and these discs are less likely to rot from what I understand.

Face covers

There's quite a bit of stuff available on Laserdisc that may never see dvd, so if you're a movie person, it's good having the extra options.

GreatDaleness · Dec 23, 2003

Originally posted by: Fatdog
Jack,

If you have a HDtv, look into getting a line doubler for it and use the composite rather than the S-video for the best overall pic quality.

I have a Pioneer Elite -79 running into an Iscan and I'm pretty happy with the results.

For a great read on what to look for and what not to, click me.

One VERY happy owner of a CLD 99! In comparison, I find that the visual quality is almost as good as Dvd if you have a good comb filter or top of the line Pioneer Elite player. The audio I like more. Much much more. Old analog PCM connected to a seperate DA is true audiophile quality, where DD/DTS have better surround options but sound like ass. If you look around the mom and pop home theater stores, you should be able to find an old player. And as previously stated, there are a few movies that are only on LD and VHS.

A "REALLY" nice LD player would be the Runco LJRII or anything made by Meridian.

JackBurton · Dec 23, 2003

Originally posted by: demana
<quote>That's the only reason. The Definitive Collection baby! </quote>

Just fyi, that set is subject to laser rot. If you've already got a good set, congratulations If not, you may have a hard time getting a full set of unrotted discs. The THX CLV Widescreen discs are much less susceptible to rot.

Also, you might find yourself getting irritated with the disc swaps on the Def. Collection--the 9 CAV discs aren't very handy for SW marathons...

My Def. Collection has three discs that are average to poor with laser rot, so I generally watch the THX CLV discs for my SW fix. The Collection still looks good on the shelf though

Oh, I won't get tired of swapping the LDs. I'll only be doing it once per movie.

Shoot, I'll only need the LD player for about a week. It's going to get transferred from a crappy format to a MUCH better format.

I just want to make sure the output is the best it could be.

That sucks about the laser rot though.

I've never heard of that. Is it due to air getting trapped in the laser disc? That sucks. I don't have a copy yet but I was planning on buying it. I worked at a music store when I was a kid and would always drool over the collection. But at $250, I couldn't afford it. Now I want to buy it but I want to make sure I get a good copy.

I'd hate to pay $250 and get crap!

This freakin' transfer is going to get expensive as hell, I can tell already.

And freakin' Lucas said he'll never put it out on DVD! :|

JackBurton · Dec 23, 2003

Originally posted by: Fatdog
I agree, go with the "faces" THX versions. You don't get the neat box and book, but the versions are the same, and these discs are less likely to rot from what I understand.

Face covers

There's quite a bit of stuff available on Laserdisc that may never see dvd, so if you're a movie person, it's good having the extra options.

Yeah, but it doesn't have the supplemental material LD.

I might get those for the original movies though if they look better. I just don't want the 1997 "remastered" version! :|

Anyone know where I can buy a REALLY nice LaserDisc player?

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