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Non-NEC Console Related Discussion => Console Chat => Topic started by: BigusSchmuck on June 24, 2013, 03:59:59 PM
Title: My precious came in...
Post by: BigusSchmuck on June 24, 2013, 03:59:59 PM
My Laseractive finally showed up today! I can't believe this seller gave me all the manuals and all sorts of things! So a few questions, is it normal for the pack release button to be so freakishly difficult to press to release a pac? What are you guys doing as far as storage for Laserdiscs? I'm kind of nervous putting these movies let alone my 2 whole games near where they can be damaged from the sun, animals etc... I'm thinking I'll need a fairly large cabinet to store all this stuff! Last question for now, how hard is it to find a pce pack without the gouging price? Do I need to start learning Japanese to bid on Yahoo Japan Auctions?
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: ProfessorProfessorson on June 24, 2013, 04:28:46 PM
My Laseractive finally showed up today! I can't believe this seller gave me all the manuals and all sorts of things! So a few questions, is it normal for the pack release button to be so freakishly difficult to press to release a pac? What are you guys doing as far as storage for Laserdiscs? I'm kind of nervous putting these movies let alone my 2 whole games near where they can be damaged from the sun, animals etc... I'm thinking I'll need a fairly large cabinet to store all this stuff! Last question for now, how hard is it to find a pce pack without the gouging price? Do I need to start learning Japanese to bid on Yahoo Japan Auctions?
Laserdisc need to be stored upright like records in a temp controlled environment. Laying them flat and stacking them will damage them over time.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: BigusSchmuck on June 25, 2013, 03:04:44 PM
Thanks Professor on some tips on how to store these beasties! First impressions, so I fired up Pyramid Patrol and Rocket Coaster today, very interesting. I definitely had a lot more fun with Rocket Coaster, but as for Pyramid Patrol eh it was so so as far as rail shooters go. I did try sega carts and sega cd games, man those games were loud so I think the caps are okay for now at least I hope they are. My question is this, is Rocket Coaster's music supposed to be quiet? I mean the sound effects were pretty loud and such and I could hear the bleeps and bloops for the music (mind you only played a few levels) but it does concern me if I need to get the caps replaced to my pac that much sooner. I did get the Laseractive remote control for the unit, but I haven't managed it to open trays or power on the unit with it so I'm wondering if the remote is bad or if there is something else I'm missing (already tried two different sets of batteries)? Anyway, I am enjoying this for what it is and what Pioneer attempted to do by creating a machine that was your all in one entertainment center.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: SuperDeadite on June 25, 2013, 03:44:30 PM
The remote will only work when the PAC is removed. When a PAC is inserted, the remote is completely disabled, I believe it was meant as a safety feature to prevent accidental shutoff during a game.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: BigusSchmuck on June 25, 2013, 03:47:21 PM
The remote will only work when the PAC is removed. When a PAC is inserted, the remote is completely disabled, I believe it was meant as a safety feature to prevent accidental shutoff during a game.
Ahh thanks for that! Now I got to convince my wife to get a really good laserdisc player...
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: xelement5x on June 26, 2013, 03:50:24 AM
If you're playing movies you normally want the PAC removed anyway, as it seems to do something that reduces the output quality. I think it has something to do with the native output of the Genesis being less than the stock LA, so when you have the PAC inserted it makes the LDs display in a lower resolution.
You can use milk crates, but as for storage, I picked up a couple of these boxes: http://www.sleevecityusa.com/ultimate-lp-storage-box-p/3strlpbox.htm
Not the best thing in the world, but they hold up well and are better than just leaning the discs around. I've almost filled up my 2 with stuff so I may start weeding out movies.
Sleeve City is pretty decent from my experience, and if you want to get those plastic slips for the jackets they sell them pretty cheaply too. There is a 15% off coupon for them out there as well I think.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: TheClash603 on June 27, 2013, 01:03:27 PM
If you're playing movies you normally want the PAC removed anyway, as it seems to do something that reduces the output quality. I think it has something to do with the native output of the Genesis being less than the stock LA, so when you have the PAC inserted it makes the LDs display in a lower resolution.
You can use milk crates, but as for storage, I picked up a couple of these boxes: http://www.sleevecityusa.com/ultimate-lp-storage-box-p/3strlpbox.htm
Not the best thing in the world, but they hold up well and are better than just leaning the discs around. I've almost filled up my 2 with stuff so I may start weeding out movies.
Sleeve City is pretty decent from my experience, and if you want to get those plastic slips for the jackets they sell them pretty cheaply too. There is a 15% off coupon for them out there as well I think.
Thanks for the suggestion... my stuff is in less than great storage right now and this will be a much needed upgrade!
I am going to put in an order right away!
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: xelement5x on June 28, 2013, 05:49:53 AM
Glad to help :)
They are quite sturdy too and stack well, just be forewarned that when they are full with discs they are quite heavy!
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: TheClash603 on June 28, 2013, 10:14:36 AM
They are quite sturdy too and stack well, just be forewarned that when they are full with discs they are quite heavy!
I see there are two types of outer sleeves, one being more expensive than the other. Have you tried either of these? I am trying to determine if the higher priced sleeves are worth it.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: xelement5x on June 28, 2013, 10:30:08 AM
They actually used to let you buy sample versions of each of the sleeves for like a penny the last time I bought something, so I have one of each, but there is a definite difference in the weight. You might try emailing and ask if they still offer that.
I will try and look at my stuff tonight so I can give a better comparison. But from what I remember while the 2.5 and 5 mil ones are nice, I really like having ones with resealable sleeves so I don't have to worry about discs sliding out.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: BigusSchmuck on June 28, 2013, 04:17:24 PM
Ok next newbie questions... Whats the deal with Muse Laserdiscs? Can those be played on a normal Laserdisc player or do I have to get that uber expensive XO unit I have heard about? Whats the true resolution of these beasts? 1080i?
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: ProfessorProfessorson on June 28, 2013, 07:19:27 PM
Muse Hi-Def disc are HD laserdisc that require the Muse players. http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/muse_high_def_ld/Muse_high_def_ld.htm
You may also run into laserdisc that support AC3 audio. If so they should have normal audio tracks also so you wont be penalized. I never ran into one that didn't. If you do end up wanting AC3 support here: http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_cld-a100/pioneer_cld-a100_ac3_upgrade.htm
Laserdisc also supported DTS audio, you can google around if you want to know more on it, but it wasn't as prominent as AC3 if I remember right. I don't recall even owning any DTS laserdisc offhand. There is also a special widescreen version of T2 and a few other films that run in Squeeze LD. You can use a normal player to play them, but they have to be viewed on a widescreen tv basically to be displayed right. http://www.mindspring.com/~laserguru/squeeze.html
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: EvilEvoIX on June 29, 2013, 04:39:57 AM
Laserdisc systems are fun. Extremely High Quality Composite out which is Native for LD. I suggest you find a quality CRT to fully enjoy it. Sonic looks great too out AV, lot less blurring a bleeding.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: ProfessorProfessorson on June 29, 2013, 06:31:56 AM
Laserdisc systems are fun. Extremely High Quality Composite out which is Native for LD.
What in the hell are you even talking about. Composite video quality, hell even svideo varied from player model to player model. Laserdisc is analog signal based technology, and the quality of the video is largely factored by what player you use. Use a shitty player or lower end player and you will get a lot of picture noise, bleeding colors, linedrops, etc on laserdisc video playback. God, f*cking noobs, I swear....
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: EvilEvoIX on June 29, 2013, 01:32:29 PM
Laserdisc systems are fun. Extremely High Quality Composite out which is Native for LD.
What in the hell are you even talking about. Composite video quality, hell even svideo varied from player model to player model. Laserdisc is analog signal based technology, and the quality of the video is largely factored by what player you use. Use a shitty player or lower end player and you will get a lot of picture noise, bleeding colors, linedrops, etc on laserdisc video playback. God, f*cking noobs, I swear....
I've had a couple of LD players over the years and am quite familiar with them. My Sony unit shit the bed and was quite poor before it literally fell apart. Pioneer units were quite better and had superior Video out. Based on the LD forums (yes I am EvilEvoIX there as well if you want to rant over there) it is know that most Pioneer units are superior and as far as the Laseractive unit which this thread was about and I was referring to, has superior AV out. Before you flew off the handle on one of your rants, I'd like to point out that I was well aware of the different qualities but this thread is about the CLD-A100so it does indeed have superior AV out.
Why so angry?
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: ProfessorProfessorson on June 29, 2013, 02:26:22 PM
Laserdisc systems are fun. Extremely High Quality Composite out which is Native for LD.
What in the hell are you even talking about. Composite video quality, hell even svideo varied from player model to player model. Laserdisc is analog signal based technology, and the quality of the video is largely factored by what player you use. Use a shitty player or lower end player and you will get a lot of picture noise, bleeding colors, linedrops, etc on laserdisc video playback. God, f*cking noobs, I swear....
I've had a couple of LD players over the years and am quite familiar with them. My Sony unit shit the bed and was quite poor before it literally fell apart. Pioneer units were quite better and had superior Video out. Based on the LD forums (yes I am EvilEvoIX there as well if you want to rant over there) it is know that most Pioneer units are superior and as far as the Laseractive unit which this thread was about and I was referring to, has superior AV out. Before you flew off the handle on one of your rants, I'd like to point out that I was well aware of the different qualities but this thread is about the CLD-A100so it does indeed have superior AV out.
Why so angry?
Not familiar enough to prevent you from spouting off a bunch of misinformation bullshit.
The Laseracitive does not have superior AV out for laserdisc playback. It has a video signal to noise ratio of about 48 dB which is terrible for home theater laserdisc playback if you take the stuff even remotely serious. The only way to clean it up is to have a excellent tv with a really nice comb filter. Dropping the kind of cash people had to drop at retail for the thing, there is no excuse for that. It should have had better signal quality and supported svideo correctly. The svideo mod for it gives shit results.
If the thing was built tough like a lot of the industrial players that had lower quality video, that would at least make up some for the short comings. But its not, and the thing is supposed to be more then just used as a game system. Its comprised of some real budget player thin plastic parts and they break often which did not justify the launch price at all. About the only players I have seen breaking down more then a Laseractive are the carousel and combi players. Regardless of the over all weak build, the key thing you are discussing is video quality. You are completely wrong on that, 100 percent. The only thing the Laseractive has going for it is its gaming ability. As a LD player its easily one of the worst early 90s players and if you want it to last I honestly do not suggest using it as your sole LD player. If someone has one and plans to collect laserdisc I would recommend buying a refurbished mid to high end Pioneer or Panasonic for actual movie playback. Leave the Laseractive to doing what it did best, playing games, not playing Ld's.
This is coming from the guy who used to own ten players and had a massive library of rare LD's. Dig deep enough in prior post I have done around here and maybe you will spot stuff I used to have when I cared for the format.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: SuperDeadite on June 29, 2013, 04:48:00 PM
For normal games, you should RGB mod the LaserActive anyway. It's quite simple to do and if you are lazy like me you can just feed the wires out the big air holes on the back and never have to cut any holes. You will need to use the composite for the LD-Games of course. To be fair to the LaserActive though, it's composite output is better then a standard model 1 MegaDrive, not that it means much anymore as anyone buying stuff like an LA should already have an RGB setup of some kind.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: PunkicCyborg on June 29, 2013, 04:55:22 PM
Your Laseractive doesn't exist until you show us pics of it in action :P
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: SignOfZeta on June 29, 2013, 06:15:16 PM
Laserdisc systems are fun. Extremely High Quality Composite out which is Native for LD.
What in the hell are you even talking about. Composite video quality, hell even svideo varied from player model to player model. Laserdisc is analog signal based technology, and the quality of the video is largely factored by what player you use. Use a shitty player or lower end player and you will get a lot of picture noise, bleeding colors, linedrops, etc on laserdisc video playback. God, f*cking noobs, I swear....
I've had a couple of LD players over the years and am quite familiar with them. My Sony unit shit the bed and was quite poor before it literally fell apart. Pioneer units were quite better and had superior Video out. Based on the LD forums (yes I am EvilEvoIX there as well if you want to rant over there) it is know that most Pioneer units are superior and as far as the Laseractive unit which this thread was about and I was referring to, has superior AV out. Before you flew off the handle on one of your rants, I'd like to point out that I was well aware of the different qualities but this thread is about the CLD-A100so it does indeed have superior AV out.
Why so angry?
WTF is "superior AV out"? Superior to what, a Sony? That's about it. Its pretty middle of the road for a Pioneer.
Every post you make sounds like you either just read it off a Wiki 30 seconds ago or you made it up completely. That's why people hate you. People hate know-it-alls, but they hate know-it-alls that know nothing much more.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: SuperDeadite on June 29, 2013, 09:21:21 PM
Laserdisc systems are fun. Extremely High Quality Composite out which is Native for LD. I suggest you find a quality CRT to fully enjoy it. Sonic looks great too out AV, lot less blurring a bleeding.
Considering he mentions SONIC. I don't think he's referring to actual LD playback through composite video. He means normal games only. And the Mega/Gene PAC does have better composite out quality then an original Megadrive Model 1. And this is does mention Sonic, I'm guessing he's referring to Joe's LA GameSack episode which clearly shows this. But in the end, who the f*ck is still playing MD games in composite in the year 2013?
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: ProfessorProfessorson on June 29, 2013, 10:05:54 PM
Laserdisc systems are fun. Extremely High Quality Composite out which is Native for LD. I suggest you find a quality CRT to fully enjoy it. Sonic looks great too out AV, lot less blurring a bleeding.
Considering he mentions SONIC. I don't think he's referring to actual LD playback through composite video. He means normal games only. And the Mega/Gene PAC does have better composite out quality then an original Megadrive Model 1. And this is does mention Sonic, I'm guessing he's referring to Joe's LA GameSack episode which clearly shows this. But in the end, who the f*ck is still playing MD games in composite in the year 2013?
Given his follow up post referring to his vast :roll: LD experience, I don't think that's what he meant completely. He had a chance to clarify it if that was the case, but instead wanted to enlighten us on how Pioneer units were better and had "superior Video out", because he had a Sony and it crapped out on him once (Given how he treats stuff, is anyone surprised?). And yeah, I kinda figured that most of his Laseractive knowledge came from a youtube video. I have my doubts that he even meddled in Laserdisc before on any serious level, if any at all. Just another me too guy who lies his way into a discussion with sick desperation.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: SignOfZeta on June 29, 2013, 11:20:27 PM
To be fair, the good parts of Sony LD players were better looking designs and smaller form factors. Reliability and video quality were never the strong points. It seems like every Sony player I see for sale is broken now.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: Ji-L87 on June 30, 2013, 02:29:06 AM
The Laseracitive does not have superior AV out for laserdisc playback. It has a video signal to noise ratio of about 48 dB which is terrible for home theater laserdisc playback if you take the stuff even remotely serious.
Question about this, if you don't mind me borrowing the thread for a bit :mrgreen:
Most of the players I've seen, where I've been able to actually dig up a picture to noise ratio number*, have been around 48. What is the lowest number one should be looking for to get a decent visual experience, and which players achieves this?
* Rarely seems to be mentioned in spec sheets/manuals/reviews etc
Edit: Post 666 ohgod etc
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: TheClash603 on June 30, 2013, 04:53:04 AM
Laserdisc systems are fun. Extremely High Quality Composite out which is Native for LD. I suggest you find a quality CRT to fully enjoy it. Sonic looks great too out AV, lot less blurring a bleeding.
Considering he mentions SONIC. I don't think he's referring to actual LD playback through composite video. He means normal games only. And the Mega/Gene PAC does have better composite out quality then an original Megadrive Model 1. And this is does mention Sonic, I'm guessing he's referring to Joe's LA GameSack episode which clearly shows this. But in the end, who the f*ck is still playing MD games in composite in the year 2013?
I play to replicate my youth experience. When possible, RF is the ONLY way to go!
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: SignOfZeta on June 30, 2013, 09:02:15 AM
The Laseracitive does not have superior AV out for laserdisc playback. It has a video signal to noise ratio of about 48 dB which is terrible for home theater laserdisc playback if you take the stuff even remotely serious.
Question about this, if you don't mind me borrowing the thread for a bit :mrgreen:
Most of the players I've seen, where I've been able to actually dig up a picture to noise ratio number*, have been around 48. What is the lowest number one should be looking for to get a decent visual experience, and which players achieves this?
* Rarely seems to be mentioned in spec sheets/manuals/reviews etc
Edit: Post 666 ohgod etc
You want a higher number, not a lower one. I think 52 is about as good as it gets (CLD-99) and the only players that are going to drop below 48 are so old and primitive and crappy that only hardcore collectors want them. SNR doesn't vary a lot because its more of a limitation with LD than with how well the player is made.
In the end though, its not the SNR that makes the better players better. Its the digital noise resistance, the comb filter (especially in the case of the CLD-99, R7G, X-0), and other ways the signal is cooked before it leaves the player. LD is a format with all sorts of issues latent to the 1970s tech it was built on. The "good" players do a better job of extracting the signal from the disc, but they also do a lot more to process it afterwards. A perfect example of this is when Pioneer moved from the CLD-97 to the CLD-99. The 97 had a much better chassis, but the 99 had a lot more high tech junk and the image quality is pretty much the same, possibly better on the 99 (if you are using the s-video out).
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: ProfessorProfessorson on June 30, 2013, 09:30:04 AM
The Laseracitive does not have superior AV out for laserdisc playback. It has a video signal to noise ratio of about 48 dB which is terrible for home theater laserdisc playback if you take the stuff even remotely serious.
Question about this, if you don't mind me borrowing the thread for a bit :mrgreen:
Most of the players I've seen, where I've been able to actually dig up a picture to noise ratio number*, have been around 48. What is the lowest number one should be looking for to get a decent visual experience, and which players achieves this?
* Rarely seems to be mentioned in spec sheets/manuals/reviews etc
Edit: Post 666 ohgod etc
48db and below were basically commonplace for lower end players to composite able only industrial player decks during the late 80s on up. There are actually players with worse signal to noise ratio then that even. For optimal home theater use I really would not use a player with anything below 49db signal-to-noise ratio for the picture. If you just have to settle for 48db then I would only want a player with really solid construction like an industrial deck. Usually the older higher end composite only players from like 1989 start at 49db at least and go up. If you are willing to throw down some real money you can get players that are capable of 51db signal-to-noise ratio. 48db signal-to-noise ratio itself was only considered high end back in like 1986 back when the LD-S1 was released, but a lot started to change a few years later because as Tv's were getting better they were working to improve video playback more on VHS and LD players to keep up.
Off the top of my head, if dual side playback is a must but you wanted to save cash, a good lower budget dual side player the CLD-2080 was workable as its picture quality was good for composite only. If your tv has a capable comb filter it can do pretty well with that player. There are other cheap dual side players just as capable too so you will just have to look around, but you can get one for under $150 shipped usually. If dual side playback is not a needed feature for you the single side players by Panasonic run cheap as hell and support s-video out and typically have a 49db to 50db signal-to-noise ratio.
The Panasonic LX 120 is a good single side player in fact that you can usually get off ebay for $70 and cheaper shipped. The picture had some grain in the image but the player handled line dropouts and other issues rather well (the slight grain actually gave some lds a more natural film look). In fact it was one of the few players I owned that could handle Ministry's In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up perfectly fine. Both Quoth09 and myself owned that disc and either disc would exhibit issues on other players, line dropouts and other crap, even on higher end players.
If you plan to spend real money on the stuff then really what you'd need to do is shop around and try to dig up old reviews for the players that are peaking your interest. Sometimes the laserdisc archive will have the full specs listed or reviews posted, but don't always count on it. Also you will probably find that stuff like the higher end Marantz and RCA players were actually decent Pioneer mid-end players rebadged or with new front panels and remotes. It really helps to dig around as you can learn quite a bit, but I only suggest it if you are going to go full on and take it seriously. If so it can be rewarding because there really is a lot of really great films on LD that were offered in special editions or letterbox, etc. Plus you get access to all the great animation released on LD.
If you're just going to be that casual movie buyer who doesn't care if he is just buying pan&scan copies of films though, then really you are not going to care what player you plan to use in the end so you would be wasting your time. Also, I'm not even going to get into the whole laserrot issue. You can google about that. Just be aware that most Discovision disc are rotted and most anything manufactured by Sony will probably have issues. 3M also made some bad disc too so just be mindful. Google it for further details.
EDIT: Concerning Zetas remark:
Quote
In the end though, its not the SNR that makes the better players better.
It actually really does help. It makes a world of difference when you take a disc like the US release of Richard Stanleys Hardware and toss it in a player that is only able to do something like 48db, then toss it in a player that can do better. The picture quality is pretty bad with that disc on lower end players, especially at the beginning where the wasteland scenes are involved, and it cleans up rather well in better players that even just have composite only as long as they surpass 48db. That was one of the few disc I owned that I cared to test on all the players I had because it really showed a players weakness rather fast after I was done doing general calibration settings.
If you are curious how that wasteland scene looks in Hardware:
That link has the beginning of the film where the scene takes place. The scavenger roaming the desert wasteland and finds the Mark 13. On the US LD version of it, playing it on anything with 48db made that scene almost unbearable (players like the LD-V4200 or CLD-V2800). Playing it on anything better made it more bearable and closer to the image quality of the German DVD release.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: esteban on June 30, 2013, 10:12:54 AM
...But in the end, who the f*ck is still playing MD games in composite in the year 2013?
Hahhahahaahaha! We've never really had an argument, so here is one topic that we may not agree on.
TANGENT: I know that I shouldn't interrupt the flow of this thread, but.... as long as I have my sad, consumer-grade CRT televisions, I'll be using composite.
Many years ago we had a decent discussion about this at PCEFX, with nearly everyone fetishizing "purity" of video signal. I argued, in contrast, for an "authentic experience" and, damn, people got upset!
If I am bored, I'll dig it up. I forgot 83% of the stuff that I wrote. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
UPDATE: Added links to ancient thread. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: EvilEvoIX on June 30, 2013, 10:24:06 AM
Laserdisc systems are fun. Extremely High Quality Composite out which is Native for LD.
What in the hell are you even talking about. Composite video quality, hell even svideo varied from player model to player model. Laserdisc is analog signal based technology, and the quality of the video is largely factored by what player you use. Use a shitty player or lower end player and you will get a lot of picture noise, bleeding colors, linedrops, etc on laserdisc video playback. God, f*cking noobs, I swear....
I've had a couple of LD players over the years and am quite familiar with them. My Sony unit shit the bed and was quite poor before it literally fell apart. Pioneer units were quite better and had superior Video out. Based on the LD forums (yes I am EvilEvoIX there as well if you want to rant over there) it is know that most Pioneer units are superior and as far as the Laseractive unit which this thread was about and I was referring to, has superior AV out. Before you flew off the handle on one of your rants, I'd like to point out that I was well aware of the different qualities but this thread is about the CLD-A100so it does indeed have superior AV out.
Why so angry?
Not familiar enough to prevent you from spouting off a bunch of misinformation bullshit.
The Laseracitive does not have superior AV out for laserdisc playback. It has a video signal to noise ratio of about 48 dB which is terrible for home theater laserdisc playback if you take the stuff even remotely serious. The only way to clean it up is to have a excellent tv with a really nice comb filter. Dropping the kind of cash people had to drop at retail for the thing, there is no excuse for that. It should have had better signal quality and supported svideo correctly. The svideo mod for it gives shit results.
If the thing was built tough like a lot of the industrial players that had lower quality video, that would at least make up some for the short comings. But its not, and the thing is supposed to be more then just used as a game system. Its comprised of some real budget player thin plastic parts and they break often which did not justify the launch price at all. About the only players I have seen breaking down more then a Laseractive are the carousel and combi players. Regardless of the over all weak build, the key thing you are discussing is video quality. You are completely wrong on that, 100 percent. The only thing the Laseractive has going for it is its gaming ability. As a LD player its easily one of the worst early 90s players and if you want it to last I honestly do not suggest using it as your sole LD player. If someone has one and plans to collect laserdisc I would recommend buying a refurbished mid to high end Pioneer or Panasonic for actual movie playback. Leave the Laseractive to doing what it did best, playing games, not playing Ld's.
This is coming from the guy who used to own ten players and had a massive library of rare LD's. Dig deep enough in prior post I have done around here and maybe you will spot stuff I used to have when I cared for the format.
So what your saying is you know a lot about Laser Disc (which means nothing in the real world) yet you couldn’t pick your kids out of a line-up if your life depended on it?
FYI the AV quality output is SUPERIOR to that of the MD, I read a whole thread on it showing the differences between the MD Composite output and the Laser Active output which is indeed superior. I am no expert in LD and have dabbled in a few players, but the Standard AV out on the Laseractive while playing say sonic looks superior to that of the typical Mega Drive. My current Laserdisc is an older Pioneer unit and doesn't see much action but looks OK on my CRT. No reason to get but hurt and spend hours ranting while at the same time neglecting your family. Just have a conversation and not the focus the rage you have that obviously destroyed your family. Just saying.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: Ji-L87 on June 30, 2013, 10:27:07 AM
That's a good chunk of info, people! :mrgreen:
Quote
Sometimes the laserdisc archive will have the full specs listed or reviews posted, but don't always count on it
Yeah, the amount of information between models really vary. Can make things a bit hard/confusing.
Quote
[If your tv has a capable comb filter it can do pretty well with that player.
Yeah, I do run my 48db CLD-V2800 through some external combfiltering + processing & scaling before feeding it into the TV and that makes a great difference in quality compared to just hooking it straight up the TV itself, even tho' the built in combfilter isn't bad at all (did the video essentials moving platter test a while back). Gives me hope for what a less noisy player can achieve.
Quote
Also, I'm not even going to get into the whole laserrot issue.
I believe I do own at least one affected disc, sadly - and of course it's a rarer release too :/ However, this one's still watchable - audio was fine last time I checked too.
Quote
...the slight grain actually gave some lds a more natural film look.
I've heard this being mentioned before but never understood what it meant, but "natural film look" = grainy picture? Hrm...why would that even be desirable? 8-[
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: ProfessorProfessorson on June 30, 2013, 10:41:45 AM
The grain thing has to do with movies that were filmed via film, as opposed to digitally, is that it helps give it a more authentic look since film and grain in the image went hand in hand. It is more of a personal preference really and not anything you should really pay attention to unless that matters.
Considering your so concerned with me and my net activity, not even realizing my work is computer related, I have to ask you this, why are you so concerned about being here yourself when no one here likes you or wants you around? I have people I know who post here, I value their input, and them mine. You, no one could give a flying f*ck about, yet just like on the Neo forums, you keep coming back here like you are addicted. You cant make people like you Matthew. Whatever chance you had for that you blew when you started your bullshit.
You post on seller threads and they tell you to get out. Every other thread you are basically ignored. You have a thread dedicated to you on FS where you were doxed and where people took a general dump on you. How thick of a moron, how sad of a f*cking loser do you have to be that you don't get that no one wants you here. You bring nothing to the table at all, and yet in some sick desperate manner you think just by randomly posting one liners in threads that you will somehow force people to accept you into the fold now, showing you're dying for whatever attention you can get.
You keep going on and on about how you don't feel this is IRL, rep doesnt matter, etc, yet you seem to be more concerned about it then most anyone here. You're the one posting personal vacation and unboxing videos up on youtube. You're the one trying to force your way into forums that wont have you. Supposedly at times when you are supposed to be at work for the government, instead we see you around here or on another forum doing the same old shit, during which you also manage to complain about others wasting their life posting here and taking this too seriously. I'd say instead of feigning concern for others personal lives or net activity, you try focusing on your own life and obvious short comings.
It is already fairly clear you suffer from an anti-social disorder and extreme narcissism. You need counseling, and possibly medication. Whatever you think you are going to get, you wont get it here. This forum and many others have survived tons of people worse then you, so if you think you are being original or accomplishing anything in your lashing out at the internet for whatever hardships or mental, physical, or sexual abuse life, your parents, the guy next door, etc seems to have dealt you, you're not. Pretending to be a pedophile, or actually being one, not original. Pretending to be a character from the Hangover, not original. Acting like you know tech shit? Not original, and it just makes you a wanna be. Being a retarded fanboi on the net, also not original.
At any rate, though I am sure this is not the first time you have been offered it:
On that link you could probably find the info you need to redirect your life towards being more productive and positive. Concerning any pedobear related problems, if you get the urge, all I can suggest is to dial 911 and turn yourself in before you do something, hurt someone else. Other then that, not sure what else to tell you. You can keep posting here all day long, but until you start talking about the pedo rape shit you prob wont get banned as far as I can tell, but you will be wasting your time by reaffirming that no one wants you here, every day going out of your way to prove me right by thinking you're proving me wrong. The more stupid shit you say, the more of a creep people think you are. Most people here are ignoring you as is other then me, and I've been riding you for lulz in my spare time. Its not a situation you can win, and the crap you did, there is no coming back from it. Whatever you do, you're choice. Its your time to waste. You're not hurting anyone here but yourself.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: turboswimbz on June 30, 2013, 12:56:01 PM
...But in the end, who the f*ck is still playing MD games in composite in the year 2013?
Hahhahahaahaha! We've never really had an argument, so here is one topic that we may not agree on.
TANGENT: I know that I shouldn't interrupt the flow of this thread, but.... as long as I have my sad, consumer-grade CRT televisions, I'll be using composite.
Many years ago we had a decent discussion about this at PCEFX, with nearly everyone fetishizing "purity" of video signal. I argued, in contrast, for an "authentic experience" and, damn, people got upset!
If I am bored, I'll dig it up. I forgot 83% of the stuff that I wrote. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
UPDATE: Added links to ancient thread. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
I have been playing my N64 on a CRT that cost 20 bucks new years ago VIA RF and 1 channel Audio. You know what, the games are still fun. :) Just like when I was little!
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: BigusSchmuck on June 30, 2013, 01:26:17 PM
Goodness gracious Evil, take your fight with the professor elsewhere please! So based on what you guys are telling me, I probably should buy another laserdisc player as the Laseractive completely sucks ass for playing movies? If I had the extra cash, I would like to get a muse laserdisc player but man that is way out of my league.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: ProfessorProfessorson on June 30, 2013, 01:30:26 PM
Goodness gracious Evil, take your fight with the professor elsewhere please! So based on what you guys are telling me, I probably should buy another laserdisc player as the Laseractive completely sucks ass for playing movies? If I had the extra cash, I would like to get a muse laserdisc player but man that is way out of my league.
Yeah and to get the Muse going if I remember right there is a extra box you buy with it. Honestly its not worth bothering with. For that kind of cash you can buy a few other solid players. If you plan to collect the good stuff on LD, then yeah I would buy a couple of other players. One to use, one to store away. There is a business online that still to my understanding can and will refurbish players and sells refurbs also too if you want a refurbed one.
http://www.laserdiscservice.com/refurb.htm
You can try them and see if they are still going at it. I make no promises though.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: SignOfZeta on June 30, 2013, 03:58:00 PM
Goodness gracious Evil, take your fight with the professor elsewhere please! So based on what you guys are telling me, I probably should buy another laserdisc player as the Laseractive completely sucks ass for playing movies? If I had the extra cash, I would like to get a muse laserdisc player but man that is way out of my league.
The LA isn't that bad of a player, it just isn't that great. At this point I've worked my way up to a CLD-99 and I'm so used to it that I can never go back. :) The only way up would be expensive import decks that cost too much money though so I think I'll just stockpile a bunch of these things.
The MUSE thing isn't worth it unless you are a huge fan/nerd. In theory MUSE is great, but the reality is that in addition to super expensive equipment needed (you'd be REALLY lucky to get a MUSE player and decoder for less than $1000, probably more like $3000) there is the fact that the title selection is extremely small (117 title according to LDDB.com, including demos and promos) and many of those don't even seem to have been done that well. Late period SD LDs look better than some MUSE discs, like T2 for example. This is just me going by first hand accounts of MUSE. I've never had it, and don't know anyone near me that's a bigger LD fan than me so I likely never will.
Like the Professor said, LD is great for some people, not for everyone. If you like 80s/90s anime for example, and you don't need subtitles, LD is literally the best format that has ever existed since the title selection is MASSIVE and the vast majority of those titles don't rot. If you like Star Wars then LD is a pretty good way to get a non-SE version of the original trilogy. LD is still the best way to see a number of silent movies.
If you just like typical Hollywood comedies and action movies...f*ck it. Just go with Bluray.
BTW, Laserdiscservice is very much alive and well, somehow. The guy has an actual storefront. I did business with him a couple of times last year and mostly recently I bought a part from him a few months ago. He's a terrific guy and the most knowledgeable dude regarding LD hardware in the entire English-speaking world. When it comes to buying players though, the best place is often Cragislist.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: EvilEvoIX on July 04, 2013, 04:39:28 PM
Considering your so concerned with me and my net activity, not even realizing my work is computer related, I have to ask you this, why are you so concerned about being here yourself when no one here likes you or wants you around? I have people I know who post here, I value their input, and them mine. You, no one could give a flying f*ck about, yet just like on the Neo forums, you keep coming back here like you are addicted. You cant make people like you Matthew. Whatever chance you had for that you blew when you started your bullshit.
You post on seller threads and they tell you to get out. Every other thread you are basically ignored. You have a thread dedicated to you on FS where you were doxed and where people took a general dump on you. How thick of a moron, how sad of a f*cking loser do you have to be that you don't get that no one wants you here. You bring nothing to the table at all, and yet in some sick desperate manner you think just by randomly posting one liners in threads that you will somehow force people to accept you into the fold now, showing you're dying for whatever attention you can get.
You keep going on and on about how you don't feel this is IRL, rep doesnt matter, etc, yet you seem to be more concerned about it then most anyone here. You're the one posting personal vacation and unboxing videos up on youtube. You're the one trying to force your way into forums that wont have you. Supposedly at times when you are supposed to be at work for the government, instead we see you around here or on another forum doing the same old shit, during which you also manage to complain about others wasting their life posting here and taking this too seriously. I'd say instead of feigning concern for others personal lives or net activity, you try focusing on your own life and obvious short comings.
It is already fairly clear you suffer from an anti-social disorder and extreme narcissism. You need counseling, and possibly medication. Whatever you think you are going to get, you wont get it here. This forum and many others have survived tons of people worse then you, so if you think you are being original or accomplishing anything in your lashing out at the internet for whatever hardships or mental, physical, or sexual abuse life, your parents, the guy next door, etc seems to have dealt you, you're not. Pretending to be a pedophile, or actually being one, not original. Pretending to be a character from the Hangover, not original. Acting like you know tech shit? Not original, and it just makes you a wanna be. Being a retarded fanboi on the net, also not original.
At any rate, though I am sure this is not the first time you have been offered it:
On that link you could probably find the info you need to redirect your life towards being more productive and positive. Concerning any pedobear related problems, if you get the urge, all I can suggest is to dial 911 and turn yourself in before you do something, hurt someone else. Other then that, not sure what else to tell you. You can keep posting here all day long, but until you start talking about the pedo rape shit you prob wont get banned as far as I can tell, but you will be wasting your time by reaffirming that no one wants you here, every day going out of your way to prove me right by thinking you're proving me wrong. The more stupid shit you say, the more of a creep people think you are. Most people here are ignoring you as is other then me, and I've been riding you for lulz in my spare time. Its not a situation you can win, and the crap you did, there is no coming back from it. Whatever you do, you're choice. Its your time to waste. You're not hurting anyone here but yourself.
Some people here like me, others don't. Some people like the fact that I gave you shit because you have to have the last post or be a know-it-all but it's wrong of me to keep poking you as you react so vividly and so predictably. I come here and many other sites. This isn't the only video game site I belong to. I got my Duo here, a stack of games, won an auction, and still have more games coming to me. I'm having a blast, nothing will change however I don't wish to bother with you any more, you seem to have a lot of troubles with your personal life and a cast of former internet Characters whom you keep rattling off like they are real people and mean something. That said Michael, I think neither of us has anything to offer one another so I'll leave it at that.
Good day and good luck, thanks again for the Duo R, lots of people who come over and play it have no idea what it is and are quite impressed by it, I can't wait till I get it back RGB modded, that will be the best.
Goodness gracious Evil, take your fight with the professor elsewhere please! So based on what you guys are telling me, I probably should buy another laserdisc player as the Laseractive completely sucks ass for playing movies? If I had the extra cash, I would like to get a muse laserdisc player but man that is way out of my league.
Sorry about the rants, some people really dislike me and wish to shout it from the rooftops. I shouldn't poke the inmates anymore, I got it.
Check out this Video By Game Sack. They themselves tout the Superior Composite out quality of the Laser Active Unit.. Obviously I am no LD expert but I do know this about the Laser Active and this video just proves it at about 3:00. This is all I wanted to post before someone jumped down my throat.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: Necromancer on July 05, 2013, 03:27:12 AM
Check out this Video By Game Sack. They themselves tout the Superior Composite out quality of the Laser Active Unit.. Obviously I am no LD expert but I do know this about the Laser Active and this video just proves it at about 3:00. This is all I wanted to post before someone jumped down my throat.
Joe says it has superior composite compared to a Genesis not to other LD players, you tool.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: SignOfZeta on July 05, 2013, 09:14:18 AM
It's not hard to imagine having a superior composite out to a Genesis. The Genesis has terrible composite. However, a Mk1 can be modded with s-video for $3 and that will destroy any Genesis or Laseractive so I don't see who the hell would care anyway.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: EvilEvoIX on July 06, 2013, 02:22:12 AM
It's not hard to imagine having a superior composite out to a Genesis. The Genesis has terrible composite. However, a Mk1 can be modded with s-video for $3 and that will destroy any Genesis or Laseractive so I don't see who the hell would care anyway.
Yeah those MK1's are great to play with. I remember when I modded mine back in the day but have since taken up SCART Lead conversions. I am uncertain if it is economically viable to mod a Laser Active for better Audio Video out however but I think the fact that it has nice Composite out already is kinda cool. Most of the time Composite is quite shit but this thing makes a good run at it.
Any links to modding a Laser Active?
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: SuperDeadite on July 07, 2013, 06:37:14 PM
RGB modding an LA is quite simple, BMW and I have both done it. You just need an amp for best results. And it is only for normal games. LD games must use composite. Very easy mod, I didn't cut any holes just fed the wires out the large pcb clip holes on the back. Traditional LA owners don't actually play games, so you don't see the mod done often. :P Quite nice having all my PCE/PCECD/MD/MCD games running through RGB with just one cable and one power cord.
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: BigusSchmuck on July 20, 2013, 08:16:59 AM
Is it me or is THX laserdiscs sound 10x better than their dvd counterparts even on the Laseractive! Its crazy, I never thought I would be buying Laserdiscs, now I'm hooked..
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: turboswimbz on July 20, 2013, 11:18:12 AM
Is it me or is THX laserdiscs sound 10x better than their dvd counterparts even on the Laseractive! Its crazy, I never thought I would be buying Laserdiscs, now I'm hooked..
your enthusiasm has me excited for when mine arrives!
Title: Re: My precious came in...
Post by: BigusSchmuck on July 20, 2013, 12:17:44 PM
Is it me or is THX laserdiscs sound 10x better than their dvd counterparts even on the Laseractive! Its crazy, I never thought I would be buying Laserdiscs, now I'm hooked..
your enthusiasm has me excited for when mine arrives!
To be honest with you, I have been using it more as a Laserdisc player than playing Laseractive games, but then again I only got 2 Mega LD games. I do wish I had the PCE or the turbo pak though, but as it stands right now those are pretty darn expensive.