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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion => Topic started by: GameFreak on July 18, 2011, 10:07:29 PM
Title: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: GameFreak on July 18, 2011, 10:07:29 PM
Include here any LaserActive info, repair info, modifications, system specs, retro-advertisement, photos, Youtube info vids, PAC info, or questions, comments, thoughts.
If you think you might be interested in this topic and you want to follow it, even if you don't post anything here, you can click the little blue box that says "notify" and you will receive an email every time someone adds more info to this thread.
Ok, I'll start..... This is by far IMO the best video on youtube that describes the specs and PAC's info. It is a great video to watch if you have no idea what the LaserActive is and even if you do,...you still might learn something from it (Yes, there are 7 different PAC's!!!). Youtube link here---->
Enjoy!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on July 18, 2011, 11:44:07 PM
Include here any LaserActive info, repair info, modifications, system specs, retro-advertisement, photos, Youtube info vids, PAC info, or questions, comments, thoughts.
If you think you might be interested in this topic and you want to follow it, even if you don't post anything here, you can click the little blue box that says "notify" and you will receive an email every time someone adds more info to this thread.
Ok, I'll start..... This is by far IMO the best video on youtube that describes the specs and PAC's info. It is a great video to watch if you have no idea what the LaserActive is and even if you do,...you still might learn something from it (Yes, there are 7 different PAC's!!!). Youtube link here----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqNtpC1VeH8&feature=related
Enjoy!
I'm surprised I'd not come across that video before. With that said the 7 PAC claim is based on calling the US and Japanese versions of the Sega and NEC PAC two different PACs. Good video though.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: GameFreak on July 18, 2011, 11:56:06 PM
Quote
I'm surprised I'd not come across that video before. With that said the 7 PAC claim is based on calling the US and Japanese versions of the Sega and NEC PAC two different PACs. Good video though.
Actually he explains how the NEC has 3 different versions. One is the US tg16, second is the standard PCengine, ....and the third is a limited edition (notice the NEC logo where the pioneer logo should be next to hucard slot!) gun-metal color PAC with a different bios and load screen. I want that one!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on July 19, 2011, 01:01:18 AM
The third isn't limited edition. In part of the licensing deal with NEC in order to produce the Turbo PACs, NEC gained to right to produce their own LaserActive machines. And they did so. The NEC LA was only released in Japan, same exact case as the Pioneer, but it was gun metal gray, and it included the gun metal gray NEC PCE-PAC. The NEC LA is certainly harder to find then the Pioneer model, but here in Japan they typically sell for the same price. The Sega PAC was only created by Pioneer though, so if you get a gray NEC machine, you'll have to stick the normal black Sega PAC inside which doesn't look quite right.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Tatsujin on July 19, 2011, 01:24:26 AM
hahaha!!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: GameFreak on July 19, 2011, 04:49:16 AM
I absolutely love Dankss youtube vids. He is so honest and genuine. But that sucks he thought Momotaro game series were all platform. Actually they are RPG. Even the one Momotaro game that is actually a platform game still requires a lot of jpn knowledge. :-# Who am I to say anything? He is the one with a LaserActive. Lucky bastard.
Do the caps last in this system? how bout the laser?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on July 19, 2011, 05:01:13 AM
All the caps in the Laseractive itself are of the through mount leaded type not the SMT type that we find in Duos and the LA Pacs. I have noticed no leakage problems on the LA itself. Lasers on the other hand I have seen fail a few times. They're expensive to buy new from Pioneer (around $150) but used ones are readily available in about a dozen other Pioneer LD players of the same time period.
Pacs on the other hand have severe cap issues. Sega pacs are FAR worse than the NEC pacs. Sega Pacs have some 75 caps in then versus the 35 or so in the NEC Pacs.
Edited for poor phone typing earlier :P
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: nat on July 19, 2011, 01:08:51 PM
Good thread, but I'd go so far as to suggest breaking it into two: create a second thread in the repairs/mods section for, well, repairs and mods of the hardware.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: sheath on July 19, 2011, 01:19:05 PM
Getting a Laseractive with a TG16+CD and Genesis+SegaCD modules would be a dream come true. I just bought my first, and hopefully fully functional, SCART to Component adapter so I could get some or more of the video quality. Now to figure out how to use RGB on my DUO/R.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on July 19, 2011, 01:29:55 PM
Getting a Laseractive with a TG16+CD and Genesis+SegaCD modules would be a dream come true. I just bought my first, and hopefully fully functional, SCART to Component adapter so I could get some or more of the video quality. Now to figure out how to use RGB on my DUO/R.
I'd go for a PC engine PAC before I'd try and get a TG16 pac. You'll pay almost double for the US one. Its definitely a collectors only item.
Also, RGB out on a Laseractive is a reality :P Though it only works for PAC video, so Laseractive games and LD videos will still have to be run through composite. Below is one of my LAs with a DIN8 jack on it, using the SCART cable that came with my DuoR for RGB :D
(http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac253/bmcdanold/Video Game Stuff/LasractiveRGB.jpg)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: sheath on July 19, 2011, 02:49:21 PM
My collector friend has a Laseractive and was showing off the S-Video output for the Genesis module on his Hulk friendly huge Sony CRT set. I was assuming S-Video was possible across the board. That was one of the main reasons I was considering the Laseractive before I realized the cost of the modules.
How to get good quality RGB out of my DUO/R on the cheap is on my list after I confirm this Scart to Component adapter works on my television with both my Genesis 1 32X and Genesis 2 32X.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on July 19, 2011, 02:58:22 PM
well we all know RGB > Svideo :P But since its easy enough to tap all the various video signals in the Laseractive, one could make an svideo connection without much trouble.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: sheath on July 20, 2011, 05:03:23 AM
I've actually gone back and forth on S-Video versus Component at standard definitions. To me the only difference is how the white and black levels are handled. I had a similar experience with Component and HDMI comparisons, brighter whites don't impress me as much as black blacks do. In games I just look to be sure that no detail is being blended into a black, and if not I am content.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Damaramu on July 20, 2011, 04:52:20 PM
Woot! Laseractive owner here too! I'd love to get my hands on a TG16/PCE pac...but damn it, they're so expensive. I got my LA for about $60 (or was it $80?) with the Genesis pac off the Digital Press boards years ago. The guy shipped it in a CRT monitor box.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Bernie on July 21, 2011, 04:49:58 AM
I wouldnt mind getting one of these LA units. :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on July 21, 2011, 04:57:46 AM
A bare LA unit can be had for $200 or less shipped. Sega pacs used to be available for $50-$75 but they seem to be going up. Might be because of the high failure rate on them due to faulty capacitors. US Nec pacs are a lot... $400+ JPN Nec pacs seem to be about $250.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Bernie on July 21, 2011, 05:06:55 AM
Does it matter if I get a USA unit or a Japanese unit? Meaning the LA itself, not the pacs. I have seen em on ebay quite a bit. How do I know which ones accept the pacs? Seems to be quite a few models of LA units. I'd hate to buy the wrong damn thing and be stuck with it.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on July 21, 2011, 05:39:27 AM
US/JP LAs will work with any PAC. They are exactly the same machines. PACs control region.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on July 21, 2011, 06:16:49 AM
Does it matter if I get a USA unit or a Japanese unit? Meaning the LA itself, not the pacs. I have seen em on ebay quite a bit. How do I know which ones accept the pacs? Seems to be quite a few models of LA units. I'd hate to buy the wrong damn thing and be stuck with it.
There's only two models of laseractive units themselves. One made by Pioneer, and a Japan only unit released by NEC.
The PACs control the region as others have mentioned. There is no difference between a bare US or Japanese unit. If I have a US Sega PAC (and I do) and remove it to put in a Japanese Sega PAC. I enable the ability to play Japanese region games for Mega Drive and Mega CD (the LD games themselves are region free but can detect what region pack you have for language and title screen purposes). The packs are interchangable, you can put in one at a time. Similarly the NEC PAC that is Japanese takes PC Engine HuCards and the US one takes TG16 HuCards. Besides that they're identical.
Added in edit: Just keep in mind. Only two models of Laserdisc players are laseractives. Around 30 million Laserdisc players were produced, only 10,000 laseractives were produced.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on July 21, 2011, 12:16:43 PM
Only difference I could tell between a US and JPN Pioneer Laseractive was the text on the back of the unit for the connections etc, and the power cable itself seemed to be a bit smaller cable (physical diameter etc) Functionally, they are identical. The NEC unit looks slightly different cosmetically, and the only internal difference I found was one small add on PCB that was maybe 2" x 2". Not sure what it's exact function is, but as far as I can tell the two units operate identical.
And like Dan said... any PAC will work in ANY laseractive. And LD game will run on either region's PAC. Genesis carts and sega CD games require a US Sega PAC, MD carts and Mega CDs require a JPN Sega PAC. Though it might be noted that the region lock on Genny/MD carts is in the carts themselves and only on a handful of them. So most Genny/MD carts will run fine on either region's PAC.
Of course TG16/PCE pacs have the same limitations that the consoles do. The only region lock is on the hucard, which can in theory be overriden with a converter card (on US systems) or with a region switch... if you'd dare mod such a rare piece of hardware.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Mathius on July 22, 2011, 04:32:05 PM
I request a sticky to keep this thread from sinking into the bowels of the site.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on July 22, 2011, 05:30:21 PM
I request a sticky to keep this thread from sinking into the bowels of the site.
I'll keep adding stuff every few days to keep it alive :D Though it might get messy...
Like I suggested before, feel free to create another LaserActive thread in the Repair/Mod section to keep the hardware repair/mod stuff separated.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on January 08, 2012, 10:08:14 PM
Just thought I'd add my two cents. Coming from Australia we never had these available, so when I read about them about six months ago I thought wow what an unusual but interesting idea. A little while later I took the plunge and haven't looked back. I have been compiling a little write-up on the LA for the last couple of months and thought other members might enjoy reading about my experiences with my LA's, coming from a different corner of the globe. Let me know your thoughts! p/w aussiearcade http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T9XOZQWL
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on January 09, 2012, 10:43:11 AM
Congrats on getting a Laseractive. The best gaming system in the history of video gaming :)
Talk about a study machine, with the exception of the wonky disc tray, this thing could withstand a bomb blast!
PS - I assume the .rar file is a horrible virus?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on January 09, 2012, 10:48:51 AM
Unfortunately my pdf was bigger than the allowable limit so tht best to have it hosted somewhere. Pdf is about 1mb so can upload elsewhere if necessary. Has pics and my view/details of my 'luck' with the transporting of these things :(
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on January 09, 2012, 02:47:11 PM
Unfortunately my pdf was bigger than the allowable limit so tht best to have it hosted somewhere. Pdf is about 1mb so can upload elsewhere if necessary. Has pics and my view/details of my 'luck' with the transporting of these things :(
I sent a PM.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on January 10, 2012, 08:52:12 AM
Thank you to Esteban for hosting http://reference.tg-16.com/LaserActive_Write-up_with_Pictures.pdf
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on January 12, 2012, 01:26:18 PM
I thought a few members would have a laugh at the lengths we have to go to down under.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on January 13, 2012, 11:05:52 AM
I finally had a chance to read through your monster write-up. It is well-written, and I am sure that first time Laseractive owners will be very happy with the resource. When I first got my Laseractive, the only site with any information at all was CyberRoach, and I am glad to see that this has been expanded on quite a bit.
A few points:
1.) I am glad I don't live in Australia. It is a.) expensive and b.) obnoxious to get a LA there.
2.) If you get a Pac-PC1 before me, I won't be happy. I've been looking for this thing for a while, and it's not easy to find. I have only talked to one guy who confirmed owning one, he had some pretty good info, but he's not selling it.
3.) You amassed a lot of LA very quickly, you probably could've saved a little money with some patience. The prices quoted in your write-up can definitely be beaten if someone is willing to wait a little. I definitely paid quite a bit less for my setup.
4.) Where did you get your Time Gal? I have been looking to pick that up for a reasonable price for a while now. If the $800 one on ebay would've stuck around til I got my tax return, I would've bit, but alas it didn't....
5.) Just wanted to let you know there is an AIWA branded Laseractive. It was sold on the forum here a while ago. I would really like to get one of these ones, so if the original buyer is out there and wants to sell or trade for a standard unit, let me know!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on January 13, 2012, 11:25:20 AM
I got the AIWA PAC from Saibot, and it was traded/sold to oldschoolgamer.... unfortunately there hasnt been any contact with him for quite some time now. I didnt realize it was such an uncommon pac to find. I honestly just didn't like the way it looked lol.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on January 13, 2012, 12:04:07 PM
I wonder if one of us should write up a similar PDF for our experience with the LA on the American side... clash or saibot would be better candidates than me as their collections are much more extensive than mine :P I'll just cover the repair side of things...
McKie.. do you know if any of your sega or NEC pacs have had their capacitors changed? If not, please get it done ASAP. These units all suffer from the same capacitor problems that other systems like the Turbo Duo etc have had. They leak and it will destroy the pac over time. I have two completely dead unrepairable PACs already. The NEC pacs are less prone than the Sega ones, but still should be done as soon as possible.
Here's some info I wrote up concerning the CLD-A100 repair...
http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=4434.0
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on January 13, 2012, 02:14:36 PM
I finally had a chance to read through your monster write-up. It is well-written, and I am sure that first time Laseractive owners will be very happy with the resource. When I first got my Laseractive, the only site with any information at all was CyberRoach, and I am glad to see that this has been expanded on quite a bit.
A few points:
1.) I am glad I don't live in Australia. It is a.) expensive and b.) obnoxious to get a LA there.
2.) If you get a Pac-PC1 before me, I won't be happy. I've been looking for this thing for a while, and it's not easy to find. I have only talked to one guy who confirmed owning one, he had some pretty good info, but he's not selling it.
3.) You amassed a lot of LA very quickly, you probably could've saved a little money with some patience. The prices quoted in your write-up can definitely be beaten if someone is willing to wait a little. I definitely paid quite a bit less for my setup.
4.) Where did you get your Time Gal? I have been looking to pick that up for a reasonable price for a while now. If the $800 one on ebay would've stuck around til I got my tax return, I would've bit, but alas it didn't....
5.) Just wanted to let you know there is an AIWA branded Laseractive. It was sold on the forum here a while ago. I would really like to get one of these ones, so if the original buyer is out there and wants to sell or trade for a standard unit, let me know!
Thanks for the feedback. I had fun writing it up but brought a tear to my eye when I added it all up!
At least the PC pac's exist. Wasn't sure if it was one of those items talked about but never evntuated. I'm sure when they go for sale it will go for a pretty penny.
I knew I paid a little too much with a couple of the titles but in saying that a few of the others I got dirt cheap. I thought oh well averaging it out over them all it ends up not being too bad...
That was the Time Gal I picked up. It had been there for about two (2) months firstly at about $1k then $1.4-$1.5k and then suddenly $800. I jumped when it reached that price. I actually sent the seller an e-mail early on offering $600 but to no avail.
Didn't know about the AIWA branded LA.
Problem now is that all the titles I have are mostly the easier ones to procure. The others are damn hard to find (unless you can speak/read Japanese).
Thanks again for the comments. Very few in Australia even know about this beast!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on January 13, 2012, 02:20:39 PM
I wonder if one of us should write up a similar PDF for our experience with the LA on the American side... clash or saibot would be better candidates than me as their collections are much more extensive than mine :P I'll just cover the repair side of things...
McKie.. do you know if any of your sega or NEC pacs have had their capacitors changed? If not, please get it done ASAP. These units all suffer from the same capacitor problems that other systems like the Turbo Duo etc have had. They leak and it will destroy the pac over time. I have two completely dead unrepairable PACs already. The NEC pacs are less prone than the Sega ones, but still should be done as soon as possible.
Here's some info I wrote up concerning the CLD-A100 repair...
http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=4434.0
Excellent suggestion on the US write-up as at least you guys didn't have to worry about the shipping issues nor the voltage concerns.
BTW my SuperGrafx thanks you greatly for the region pcb. I had a guy here install it and it works a treat. He also did as you suggested and wired back the switching of the pin grounding. He also installed the 8 pin din RGB mod so it now looks great.
As for the capacitors, whilst he was working on my SuperGrafx I had him look at the four PACS and he said that they all looked good. No buldging nor leaking. Is that all he needed to do to check?
Thank you for your comments and look forward to testing out more of the games.
The Japanese and their 3D Porn. What next!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on January 13, 2012, 03:10:27 PM
you wont always see the leakage until you remove the caps. But if there isn't any visible leakage then that means your PACs are in good shape still. I havent had one yet that wasnt leaking at all... there's always at least a little bit. But others I've seen have been absolutely awful.... I think Ive got some pics of those... one sec....
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on January 13, 2012, 09:48:47 PM
So I take it my SegaPAC did have some leakage hidden away then? Was it just starting from under the caps? Either way glad mine are done with. :) Haven't read the article, maybe will later, but honestly I'm lazy, and I doubt there's anything in there I'm not already familiar with. Oh, and if you haven't fully completed Virtual Cameraman 2, then you are n00b. Any true LA fan has beaten that game. You can have 10 copies of Australia hidden in your vault, but you are still a n00b if VC2 has not been completed.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 02, 2012, 09:11:54 PM
I've been spending some time with a Laseractive for the past few days and I've learned a lot. There is SUCH a dearth of info on this machine from people who actually know anything about LDs or Sega CDs that its just weird. They seem to all be owned by jackoffs who collect other failed systems and don't know WTF they are talking about.
The extremely repeated groupthink on this machine is that its a shitty LD player, and that for the $1000 that this thing cost you could have bought a Sega CD and a better LD player. This...is mostly not true. The LA is one half-ass machine. Its obvious they ran out of time/budget over at Pioneer because there are all sorts of stupid flaws in it that are not uncommon on high end stuff from Japanese companies that is aimed at overly-monied customers who don't care about such thing and just want the features.
There are two problems with LD quality, one that effects all LD movies and one that only effects LA games. The cause of both is the PIECE OF SHIT genlock they built into this thing.
A word about LD players and recording modes circa 1993:
There are two kinds of LDs, CAV (standard play, 30 minutes per side) and CLV (extended play, 60 minutes per side). In theory both are the same quality, although to be honest there are a few reasons why CAV often looks better. I won't go into that here. The main difference is that since CAV stores exactly one frame of video per revolution of the LD, and the LD spins at the same RPM all the time. CLV discs store each frame end to end along a huge spiral and the LD slows down as it gets closer to the end since the physical area of the LD is larger and not as much speed is needed to cover the same ground.
What does this mean? Well, in the earlier days of LD this meant that only CAV discs could give you a freeze frame. The laser could just...stop, basically, and read the exact spot on the LD over and over again. This is a VERY high quality freeze frame for the time, very stable and clear. CLV discs couldn't give you this since one lap of the LD meant nothing. It might be 2.4 frame per lap, or 5 frames per lap, all depending on where the laser was. Keep in mind that this is fully analog video tech from 1977 here. There is no capacity for saving a frame in memory. Also, since CAV discs are always spinning at the same speed the access time is very good. To go from one spot on a CLV LD to another you have to spin the (rather heavy) LD up or down so that it would be the right speed when the laser gets there. With a CAV disc the LD is always spinning the same speed so it can render frames as soon as the laser gets there. This combination of very good seek time and freeze framing allows for the "Multi-Speed" options that allow you to use A-B repeat to almost seamlessly loop video at very high or slow speeds. Obviously LD games are recorded in CAV so that Dirk the Daring can show you his death animation for the 300th time without you having to wait very long.
OK, so by the early 90s digital video technology had advanced enough and had become cheap enough so that you could build a simple digital frame buffer into an LD player for not too much money. I've even seen at least one VCR with this feature. With a frame buffer one could now freeze frame CLV discs! This was a HUGE feature. Why? Why didn't everyone just make/buy CAV discs? Because flipping every 30 minutes or less kind of sucks. Keep in mind that you can't just put a side change anywhere you want either. I have the Fantasia CAV ver. and one side is only 15 minutes long! This is because the movie is made up of multiple musical sequences and they didn't want to break any of them up. With a digital frame buffer an LD player could now offer multi-speed with either kind of disc. It also would keep a freeze frame instead of a blue screen when you switched chapters (or sides, if this is an AB player).
For reference, in 1992 or 1993 I bought a Pioneer CLD-S201. This player had much of the same physical shit in it that the LA has, but a lot less of the technical stuff. It was the cheapest LD player ever made at that point and cost me $380. The S201 did not have a digital frame buffer, a comb filter (ie: s-video), any capacity for LD+G, multi-side play, dual disc play, a headphone jack, digital audio output, and the remote was crappy. It lacked every high end feature except for the (basically useless) dedicated CD drawer.
Now the LA has a digital frame buffer. Its integral to the POS genlock that overlays the MD/PCE/karaoke bits into the LD bits. Because of this you can freeze frame CLV discs, and all that other stuff. There is a HUGE problem with this f*cking thing though. Its a TERRIBLE frame buffer. You can A/B test exactly how shitty it is very easily. Just play a movie LD and push the button the front that turns the thing on and off. You will INSTANTLY see the video quality turn to TOTAL SHIT. That in itself isn’t necessarily a problem. A shitty CLV freeze frame is still better than the blue screen the S201 gave you. The problem is that the LA has no capacity to overlay any video without using this POS genlock/frame buffer. Every time you have any kind of on-screen display it uses the genlock. All Laseractive games use the genlock. And what’s really really TOTAL bullshit is that even when you are playing CAV discs which are capable of FLAWLESS freeze frames...it STILL uses the crappy genlock/frame buffer. As far as I can tell there is no way around this. Because of this my normal player, which is from 1989 and doesn’t even play Digital Audio tracks, gives a vastly superior CAV experience. It should be said that as long as the frame buffer/genlock isn’t on the video quality is just fine. Absolutely comparable to the other non-s-video cheap decks at the time. Its no Elite or MUSE, but those cost thousands. Anyone who says standard movie playback in full analog mode is substandard is either talking out of their ass or their LA needs some work.
Regarding the remote: The remote that came with the LA is actually identical in form factor to the one that came with my S201 except that its inferior because all of the Multi-Speed buttons have been converted to numerals for direct track/time access. If you want Multi-Speed you need to get a better remote (almost all Pioneer LD player remotes work on almost all players) or access it from the MD/PCE pad plugged into the PAC in a really bullshit clunky way.
Another thing that effects video quality is the fact that the genlock, I think only grabs every other line of video. LA games are recorded with two video streams interlaced into each other to make the disc effectively twice as dense. The genlock just grabs every other line and then doubles them to make a full frame. The end result is a blocky mess not unlike what a 240p system looks like on a new LCD TV. This bullshit is partly to blame for the frame buffer in the LA sucking much worse than other LD players.
Regarding Price: the idea that you could get a better LD player and a Sega CD for the price of an LA is not really true. As I mentioned the cheapest player ever at that time was $380 (some places charged more, that’s what I payed from Fretter). A Sega CD was $300, a Genesis was...I can’t remember, maybe $120? An LA was about $1000 with one PAC. While you could GET an LD player and a Sega CD system for the price of a LA, I don’t think it would have been a “better” player. The next model up from the S201 at the time was a bullshit deck with a CD changer in it (the CLD-M401, my friend had it, it was the same as an S201 but with an even junkier loader mechanism) and the models above that, the ones with AB play, s-video, frame buffers, etc were $700-1200. People who are claiming the LA was freakishly overpriced evidently only buy stuff on clearance. Considering the features it had, and the fact that it was the only way to play LD games, the price was absolutely in line with other LD players. LD was on the market for 24 years and it was never ever cheap.
So, can anything be done to improve the LA’s stupid stupid problems? In a way, yeah. The main issue I have with it is that it robs me of the true CAV experience. The genlock in the LA evidently can only utilize Y/C separated video so there is actually a comb filter in this thing that serves no purpose except to convert the native composite LD format to Y/C for the genlock to do its terrible job. Because of this there is an s-video hack. I haven’t done it yet, but it should restore this, although it will remove all overlays for time, etc. Since the LA has no front display this is an issue, although a minor one. There is also an RGB hack described at Gamesx, but I still haven’t found anyone that has done it. This would, of course, give you VASTLY better video that the terrible terrible composite coming out of the Genesis PAC, but it wouldn’t include any LD video so actual Laseractive games would still have to be played over the OEM composite connection.
There is a chance though, and I’m pretty sure nobody on Earth has done this, that one could MUX the s-video LD hack and the RGB Genesis hack using an external genlock. I have a TelevEyes Pro genlock that I think can do this. The only thing that would be a problem is that I’m not sure it will sync to 240p video. I think it will since I’ve seen people using it with old-ass Amigas, but personally I’ve only used it with 640x480 PC video cards. This device will put RGB on top of s-video. That’s what its for, I’ve done it (anime fan subs, back in the day, yo) so I’m hoping to get this shit working. If the TelevEyes Pro won’t do 240p then a difference upscaler like an X-RGB will be needed to line double first.
(http://www.cadigital.com/3telev.gif)
EDIT: Fixed typos/mistakes. Added pic.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on March 02, 2012, 09:37:38 PM
LOL guess you never read the Tech threads. Both BMW and myself have RGB modded our LAs. It's useless for LDs of course, but MD/MCD/PCE/PCECD games all look fantastic.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SamIAm on March 02, 2012, 09:40:28 PM
You all might be interested to see that LA emulation is far from dead. (http://gendev.spritesmind.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0) It's exciting that once they get the dumping method for Sega games to work, they can probably dump NEC games with the exact same setup since the LD-ROM data is probably stored identically. After that, it's simply a matter of getting rips of the video/sound content, which folks working on MAME are already familiar with.
Reading SignOfZeta's post, it seems like emulation could be much better looking than the real thing.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Tatsujin on March 02, 2012, 11:40:48 PM
It might be better looking, if, but it's still boring. Emulation is boring. It's ok for testing some stuff before a purchase/release etc., but in general it's not really funbringing. You can emulate a game, but not its original magic. just my opinion :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SamIAm on March 03, 2012, 12:48:50 AM
Well, I'll just say that I'm very pro-emulation for a number of reasons, and I'm quite excited that someone has, just in the last few months, gotten close to dumping an LD-ROM. Only good can come of it.
I know (by reputation) the guy working on doing it, and I can hardly imagine anyone I'd rather have on the case. He's got the time, the equipment and the know-how, not to mention the heart. I hope he follows through.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on March 03, 2012, 01:57:58 AM
Even though I have the original hardware and it is really awesome to use, I would like to see emulation of the LD games simply because I know that eventually this hardware and the discs will fail, and it'd be nice to know that when I'm 85 years old in an old folks home I can still play some of this stuff even if my Laseractive itself has long since died. Original hardware is always better, but in the long long term (30 - 50 years) having emulation will be best for the longevity of the software. Considering these systems have problems already at about 20 years old... add another 20 years to them and I'm afraid to think of how few may still work.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on March 03, 2012, 02:26:45 AM
Well, I will say that Zeta taught me a bit about Laserdisc players today. For that, I give my thanks.
However, as a guy that is afraid of ever opening a system for fear of messing it up, it is all about the games!
If you ever have the chance to get the JB Harold games, I assume these will be right up your alley. These games make playing on the TG16 a bit hard to go back to. Plus, Road Prosecutor and Triad Stone will bring that arcade LD feeling home.
Finally, the system to me is all about convenience. I know you guys will say I can mod my other hardware and play everything. Personally, I a.) Couldnt mod shit myself, b.) Mods cost a decent amount to get done, and c.) Prefer original hardware.
Prior to my LA setup, i had to use a shitty converter for the TG16 for PCE games, you know how many times i accidentally nudged those and lost my game? To play MD games i had to use a Game Genie and find those obnoxious f*cking codes.
Now i have put away all those other systems, and with the ease of a Pac eject, I can play whatever my heart is calling for.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on March 03, 2012, 02:33:00 AM
Regarding Price: the idea that you could get a better LD player and a Sega CD for the price of an LA is not really true. As I mentioned the cheapest player ever at that time was $380 (some places charged more, that’s what I payed from Fretter). A Sega CD was $300, a Genesis was...I can’t remember, maybe $120? An LA was about $1000 with one PAC. While you could GET an LD player and a Sega CD system for the price of a LA, I don’t think it would have been a “better” player. The next model up from the S201 at the time was a bullshit deck with a CD changer in it (my friend had it, it was the same as an S201 but with a junk loader mechanism) and the models above that, the ones with AB play, s-video, frame buffers, etc were $700-1200. People who are claiming the LA was freakishly overpriced evidently only buy stuff on clearance. Considering the features it had, and the fact that it was the only way to play LD games, the price was absolutely in line with other LD players. LD was on the market for 24 years and it was never ever cheap.
The LA came out at the end of 93, by then the Sega CD 2 was out and it was only around 200.00 and the Genesis was 99.99. This effects the pricing just a bit.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Necromancer on March 03, 2012, 02:55:54 AM
Unless they discounted the hell out of LAs when they were brand new, you're way off on price - the original MSRP for the LA itself was $969.99 and the Turbo/Sega pacs were $599.99 each (the Karaoke pac was a 'mere' $349.99).
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Joe Redifer on March 03, 2012, 03:21:10 AM
That "genlock" makes it so that MD and PCE graphics can overlay the LaserDisc video in their native resolution. The Digital button on the front cuts the resolution down to 240p. All LaserActive games play in 240p and that is partially why they look like shit. The mastering of the video before it goes onto the LaserDisc itself is another reason. Different games have different quality but most are pretty bad. Some LD players can play the LaserActive games (or at least the video from them) in full 480i and they will look much better.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 03, 2012, 03:31:03 AM
Unless they discounted the hell out of LAs when they were brand new, you're way off on price - the original MSRP for the LA itself was $969.99 and the Turbo/Sega pacs were $599.99 each (the Karaoke pac was a 'mere' $349.99).
They were heavily discounted, but I think maybe those are List Price numbers, not MSRP. List price for my CLD S201 was $599.99. I never once saw it go for that. Nothing ever goes for List unless its being professionally installed by a technician.
If it really cost $1600 for a LA then I think it's safe to say that every one of our players is an ex demo unit because basically zero people ever would have paid that.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 03, 2012, 04:09:00 AM
LOL guess you never read the Tech threads. Both BMW and myself have RGB modded our LAs. It's useless for LDs of course, but MD/MCD/PCE/PCECD games all look fantastic.
Do you have a link to this? I'm interested in the exact circuit used. If it requires trying dozens of cap/resistor combinations, I frankly no longer have the patience for this anymore.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on March 03, 2012, 04:27:38 AM
all you do is tap the signals. you will need an amp, but there are multiple ways to do this. i just use pots on the color lines as a few games had super strong red (like on a raw pce rgb mod).
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on March 03, 2012, 04:56:26 AM
LOL guess you never read the Tech threads. Both BMW and myself have RGB modded our LAs. It's useless for LDs of course, but MD/MCD/PCE/PCECD games all look fantastic.
Do you have a link to this? I'm interested in the exact circuit used. If it requires trying dozens of cap/resistor combinations, I frankly no longer have the patience for this anymore.
I'll get you some pics when I open up another system. The signals are actually pretty easy to tap, and you can do it all the the two boards that attach to the rear panel. I added a DIN8 jack below the a/v jacks and used the same RGB cable as my duo.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 03, 2012, 02:47:41 PM
all you do is tap the signals. you will need an amp, but there are multiple ways to do this. i just use pots on the color lines as a few games had super strong red (like on a raw pce rgb mod).
None of my amps ever work. If this mod needs any kind of interpretation on my end (I don't see why it should, we all have the same LA) then I'm going to f*ck it up. I have learned this.
BTW, I f*cked around with the LA some more tonight and learned a few things.
First off, there seems to be a problem with the Sega PAC. While playing LDs with the Sega PAC in, or while playing an LA game the system randomly resets. I suppose I should open this thing up and check the caps.
Another thing, and this is a big deal, IMO: if you run the LA with no PAC in it...IT PLAYS LDS LIKE A NORMAL PLAYER!!! The system has a regular video overlay for time display, etc that isn't used when a PAC is installed. The stupid shitty "digital" button doesn't turn on when pausing CAV discs, f*cking up the video and whatnot. This can now be used as a regular player for fans of CAV discs. Big deal, for me anyway.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on March 03, 2012, 03:29:39 PM
First off, there seems to be a problem with the Sega PAC. While playing LDs with the Sega PAC in, or while playing an LA game the system randomly resets. I suppose I should open this thing up and check the caps.
I have some parts coming in to make some very simple RGB amps, I'll test one on a laseractive and take lots of pictures to make it easy :D
As far as your sega pac... if it resets after a while of playing, somewhat at random.... you've definitely got cap issues. Please change them ASAP. Once these units die from cap corrosion, they seem to die for good. I've only revived 1 in 3 completely dead Sega PACs. If its not something you want to handle yourself, let me know and I'll help you out on it.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 03, 2012, 08:23:10 PM
I can change dead caps no problem. Getting video signals to magically sync by swapping out dozens of resistor/cap combinations though...I'm pretty much done with that, at least until I get a scope. That bullshit is 0% fun.
I look forward to your RGB amp info!
BTW, I also learned that with the PAC removed you can actually turn the system on and off with the remote.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 04, 2012, 05:14:42 PM
OK, I need some help here. I'm (probably) going to buy a Laseractive from a friend and we are trying to figure out what its worth. Here is a description:
The actual A-100 itself: this seems to be fine. Doesn't have the dummy plug for the PAC socket. Was jamming and such when I first started using it but I've managed to get everything working well enough to play some games and quite a few movies. Its basically VG.
The remote: present, functional, has a tiny cracked out corner missing, nothing major, 3x3mm. I'll be using another remote anyway.
The Sega PAC: Functional but glitchy. I've arranged for BlueBMW to do a cap swap on it. Currently resets the system and the cart slot doesn't work. The PAC is the biggest problem here, and it doesn't seem that hard to rectify. He has the original Sega Laseractive controller. I assume the condition is good, but I haven't actually seen it.
Media: Pyramid Patrol (can you believe it!?!?) and Triad Stone (pretty fun!)
So what is this lot worth? Right now eBay isn't a very good indicator. Not a lot of LA stuff there and some of the prices are just Sofa King Retarded. Hit Japan wants $600 BIN for a non-working unit?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on March 04, 2012, 05:22:22 PM
It seems like one can expect to pay $150 to $200 for the base CLD-A100 and another $75 - $100 on a sega pac. One a PAC has been recapped, im not sure. I havent seen a capped PAC for sale on its own. Pyramid patrol is maybe a $30 - $40 game but triad stone is more like a $100 game (and a good one at that!) An original LA branded sega pad is usually around $40 -$50. Hope these numbers help!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on March 05, 2012, 10:26:28 AM
Based on condition:
CLD A100 + Sega Pac = $200. This might seem a little low, but there seems to be some condition issues. Controller = $30, boxed controllers just sold for $45 each. Pyramid Patrol = $30 Triad Stone = $100 BUT! If either of the games are incomplete (missing obi, instructions, etc), take off from that price.
So I would say, $350 for the whole set is a fair price. Add $50 to the hardware if it is in better shape than you've described and subtract up to $50 from the games if they are incomplete.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on March 06, 2012, 03:08:21 AM
Wow, cool thread!
I really enjoyed SignOfZeta's LD format comments and I'm still working through the Australian experience PDF which was written up.
I was wondering if creating a wiki or something for all the various LA information would be worthwhile?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on March 06, 2012, 06:58:52 PM
I wonder if one of us should write up a similar PDF for our experience with the LA on the American side... clash or saibot would be better candidates than me as their collections are much more extensive than mine :P I'll just cover the repair side of things...
McKie.. do you know if any of your sega or NEC pacs have had their capacitors changed? If not, please get it done ASAP. These units all suffer from the same capacitor problems that other systems like the Turbo Duo etc have had. They leak and it will destroy the pac over time. I have two completely dead unrepairable PACs already. The NEC pacs are less prone than the Sega ones, but still should be done as soon as possible.
Here's some info I wrote up concerning the CLD-A100 repair...
http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=4434.0
Finally dropped off my four pacs to the local Pioneer authorised repairer. Thanks to your schematics he said he should be able to replace the caps. Cheers. Does the karaoke pac need any work?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on March 06, 2012, 11:48:50 PM
I took a karaoke pac apart but didnt find leaking caps. The karaoke one doesnt use the SMT caps like the other pacs. They will eventually fail due to age but they wont be destructive like the leaking SMT caps are.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on March 07, 2012, 10:14:28 PM
I took a karaoke pac apart but didnt find leaking caps. The karaoke one doesnt use the SMT caps like the other pacs. They will eventually fail due to age but they wont be destructive like the leaking SMT caps are.
Good to know. Thank you
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Neurosis138 on March 09, 2012, 09:19:36 AM
I wonder if one of us should write up a similar PDF for our experience with the LA on the American side... clash or saibot would be better candidates than me as their collections are much more extensive than mine :P I'll just cover the repair side of things...
McKie.. do you know if any of your sega or NEC pacs have had their capacitors changed? If not, please get it done ASAP. These units all suffer from the same capacitor problems that other systems like the Turbo Duo etc have had. They leak and it will destroy the pac over time. I have two completely dead unrepairable PACs already. The NEC pacs are less prone than the Sega ones, but still should be done as soon as possible.
Here's some info I wrote up concerning the CLD-A100 repair...
http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=4434.0
Finally dropped off my four pacs to the local Pioneer authorised repairer. Thanks to your schematics he said he should be able to replace the caps. Cheers. Does the karaoke pac need any work?
I didn't realize pioneer repair centers would still service these. I sent mine out to Console 5 and got my Sega PAC refurbed with capacitors and a new battery for $129 including return shipping. I'm not sure if this is the going rate, but I was more than happy to pay the price so I could resume my MUSHA session.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on March 09, 2012, 01:16:10 PM
I've been charging $75 including return shipping to do a Sega PAC... probably on the low side since its such a pain in the butt. Though my theory is you have to compete a repair price with a replacement price. When you can find them, loose Sega PACs seem to sell for $75 to $100 or so. Though that reasoning is losing value every day since any non-refurbed PAC is bound to fail and fail soon!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Neurosis138 on March 09, 2012, 01:26:31 PM
I've been charging $75 including return shipping to do a Sega PAC... probably on the low side since its such a pain in the butt. Though my theory is you have to compete a repair price with a replacement price. When you can find them, loose Sega PACs seem to sell for $75 to $100 or so. Though that reasoning is losing value every day since any non-refurbed PAC is bound to fail and fail soon!
Good to know. Thanks for the info bmw.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on March 09, 2012, 03:45:02 PM
A Sega PAC usually takes me 4 - 6 hours to recap depending on how severe the leakage is. NEC pacs are much easier and only take maybe 3 hours to complete.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Turbotracks on March 10, 2012, 08:32:51 AM
That is very valuable info. I'm going back and forth between LA and PC-FX for the next addition to my collection. This will definitely help me make my decision. On the subject of cap replacement, how much does a Duo cap rep go for?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Keith Courage on March 10, 2012, 09:36:12 AM
I used to own one of these systems with both the US TG pac and the US sega pack. I also owned 6 Laser disc games. It was a fun system but just never kept my attention like a good old Turbo DUO did so I sold it. I do have to say that Power stone and Quiz Econosaurus were awesome. I sold it all on ebay 9 years ago for like $700.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on March 10, 2012, 05:30:26 PM
I used to own one of these systems with both the US TG pac and the US sega pack. I also owned 6 Laser disc games. It was a fun system but just never kept my attention like a good old Turbo DUO did so I sold it. I do have to say that Power stone and Quiz Econosaurus were awesome. I sold it all on ebay 9 years ago for like $700.
Triad Stone I assume? Power Stone on Laseractive with sprites in front and FMV in the back would be badass though... where are our programmers for this idea?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Keith Courage on March 10, 2012, 06:20:03 PM
Ah yeah that was it. Triad stone, my mistake. I remeber the saying from the game. You must have more power power power!!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on March 11, 2012, 07:38:30 PM
I wonder if one of us should write up a similar PDF for our experience with the LA on the American side... clash or saibot would be better candidates than me as their collections are much more extensive than mine :P I'll just cover the repair side of things...
McKie.. do you know if any of your sega or NEC pacs have had their capacitors changed? If not, please get it done ASAP. These units all suffer from the same capacitor problems that other systems like the Turbo Duo etc have had. They leak and it will destroy the pac over time. I have two completely dead unrepairable PACs already. The NEC pacs are less prone than the Sega ones, but still should be done as soon as possible.
Here's some info I wrote up concerning the CLD-A100 repair...
http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=4434.0
Finally dropped off my four pacs to the local Pioneer authorised repairer. Thanks to your schematics he said he should be able to replace the caps. Cheers. Does the karaoke pac need any work?
I didn't realize pioneer repair centers would still service these. I sent mine out to Console 5 and got my Sega PAC refurbed with capacitors and a new battery for $129 including return shipping. I'm not sure if this is the going rate, but I was more than happy to pay the price so I could resume my MUSHA session.
I'm guessing they usually don't but somehow the guy was comfortable with the pics provided by the guys here. Remember neither the pacs nor cld-a100 was ever sold here so he probably thought about the novelty of it too?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on March 12, 2012, 10:37:01 AM
Ah yeah that was it. Triad stone, my mistake. I remeber the saying from the game. You must have more power power power!!
Haha, totally true. I think it should be represented as: power, Power, POWER! Since feels like it gets more exciting each time I hear them say it :D
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Turbotracks on March 13, 2012, 06:34:58 AM
What dollar value are these commanding now? I see them go for $900-$1200+ which considering the price new doesn't seem too bad. The downside though is definitely their longevity.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 13, 2012, 08:19:50 AM
$1200? What?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Joe Redifer on March 13, 2012, 08:46:42 AM
Quote from: xelement5x
power, Power, POWER!
That always makes me laugh. Makes me feel a bit uncomfortable as well.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 13, 2012, 11:39:05 AM
"Take the stone. It will give you...POWER."
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: vestcoat on March 13, 2012, 11:52:56 AM
What dollar value are these commanding now? I see them go for $900-$1200+ which considering the price new doesn't seem too bad.
Read back a few posts. I don't know about the NEC pac.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on March 13, 2012, 12:26:07 PM
Thekobos has an nec branded pac up for sale for around $400 which might be correct since its a rarer pac like the US tg16 pac (which commands $400+ when found)
And you guys are making me want to go play Triad Stone when I get home lol!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on March 13, 2012, 01:27:25 PM
Power Stone is where it's at! I just wish that the inputs flipped like with Road Prosecutor, for more replay value.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on March 13, 2012, 02:31:03 PM
Power Stone is where it's at! I just wish that the inputs flipped like with Road Prosecutor, for more replay value.
ALL OF YOU BASTARDS. I am envious of your LD entertainment.
(http://junk.tg-16.com/images/cooks_transb.gif) Cook says,"A pox on all your houses!"
You want into the elite cru? :P
I do, indeed! (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcg0.png)
It's an entirely mysterious, crazy world of PCE that seems surreal. As if the LD PCE stuff is simply a hoax played on fools like Necro and I. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
..... damn you all and you're incessant talk of LA sexiness!
Reading this thread is even more painful than the "what did you buy today?" thread. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcg0.png)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: motdelbourt on March 14, 2012, 05:35:26 PM
I have to wonder if there's a thrift shop somewhere with a few shelves of old 90s stereos and what not, with one of these sitting in it. They would blend right in.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on March 14, 2012, 05:45:31 PM
Esteban, Necro... you guys know I've got like 7 of these units right now? My floor is about to give out and crack the foundation! HALP!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on March 15, 2012, 02:08:01 PM
Esteban, Necro... you guys know I've got like 7 of these units right now? My floor is about to give out and crack the foundation! HALP!
It's not just the hardware (can you say "PAC me"?), but the games... It just intimidates me and my scant budget. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgsad.png)
However, when my twins go to first grade, I'll be able to spend more $$$!
I should grab an LD player now. Seriously. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on March 15, 2012, 02:25:13 PM
True, games are a little pricey, but you only new one or two, since there really arent THAT many good games for the system.
Find a copy of Triad Stone, Rocket Coaster or maybe Hyperion and you're set!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Necromancer on March 16, 2012, 03:26:12 AM
True, games are a little pricey, but you only new one or two, since there really arent THAT many good games for the system.
Find a copy of Triad Stone, Rocket Coaster or maybe Hyperion and you're set!
Pyramid Patrol is another good cheapie game. Road Prosecutor is an awesome expensive one.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on March 16, 2012, 02:43:45 PM
I've got to recap pretty much all my sega PACs, and that will take some time :D I'll make up a waiting list here soon so I can figure out who wants one etc etc. Pricing will be on the fair / cheap side. :wink:
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Neurosis138 on March 17, 2012, 01:34:17 AM
I've got to recap pretty much all my sega PACs, and that will take some time :D I'll make up a waiting list here soon so I can figure out who wants one etc etc. Pricing will be on the fair / cheap side. :wink:
Excellent, thank you.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on March 17, 2012, 04:34:20 AM
Never saw this picture before tonight. There must be about 10 of these things on Earth. Anyone here actually see one before?
Hm...so it adds the serial port that all the "V" models from Pioneer had. Questionably useful back in the day, now totally useless since perfectly functional V models can be had for $20. My last one was free.
It also comes with a slightly better remote than the standard LA one, which was pretty much the worst LD player remote ever.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on March 25, 2012, 07:17:32 PM
Never saw this picture before tonight. There must be about 10 of these things on Earth. Anyone here actually see one before?
Hm...so it adds the serial port that all the "V" models from Pioneer had. Questionably useful back in the day, now totally useless since perfectly functional V models can be had for $20. My last one was free.
It also comes with a slightly better remote than the standard LA one, which was pretty much the worst LD player remote ever.
What would the purpose of such a thing be? As we are now talking 1993/1994, this can't be the same as the Turbo Duo to be used as a Mac CD drive... could it?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 25, 2012, 07:34:22 PM
There were many professional applications for LD players. Flight simulators, video encyclopedias, museum displays.
One popular application was using every frame of a CAV disc to store still images instead of video. These would be pictures of flowers or insects or whatever. Since a single side of a CAV LD can store 54,000 totally discrete frames you end up with a pretty compact method of storing images by the standards of...1987, or whoever this was. These things would often come with a huge book with an index of all the images in it and barcodes under the descriptions. A special barcode reader pen/remote thing was used to instantly access any image.
The serial port can be used to control all LD functions via computer. This would allow you to make something like a museum display with huge child sized buttons or semi-interactive games. This is how Dragon's Lair arcade machines work. As long as you don't need overlays you could basically make a shitty Cliffhanger game out of anything you had on LD. According to Wikipedia, this is exactly what someone did,
"The floppy disks included some sample programs created with the editor for use with the first five LaserDiscs in the Tenchi Muyo! anime series."
Since I own all five of those LDs I can tell you that you'd have to be pretty clever to pull off anything fun with them but...I would like to see it some day. Presumably since this is a Laseractive PAC you could also make overlays like...score counters or something? Hard to say.
Like I said, this serial port is built into almost any Pioneer player with a "V" in the model number. These players will also have dip switches on the back that enable endless repeat and other functions. They tend to be mad cheap and they are built like f*cking TANKS so they pretty much always work. Most predate the existence of Digital Sound tracks so they don't make great main players.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SamIAm on April 16, 2012, 07:31:40 PM
Hey hey, looks like Nemesis just successfully dumped the data of a MegaLD game. Check out pages five and six of this thread: http://gendev.spritesmind.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on April 17, 2012, 08:37:31 AM
Hey hey, looks like Nemesis just successfully dumped the data of a MegaLD game. Check out pages five and six of this thread: http://gendev.spritesmind.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Someone else had previously hacked the Daphne laserdisc emulator with an add-on called Singe and created a playable version of Time Gal with the video captured from the LA version.
http://www.singeengine.com/cms/node/10
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: hoobs88 on April 17, 2012, 10:27:45 AM
These 3D glasses are much cheaper than the Laseractive goggles...unfortunately I wasn't the one who used the Buy It Now option :( I'm on the lookout for another pair
These 3D glasses are much cheaper than the Laseractive goggles...unfortunately I wasn't the one who used the Buy It Now option :( I'm on the lookout for another pair
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on April 17, 2012, 12:18:34 PM
the expensive part isnt necessarily the glasses but the adapter to use them.on the laseractive.
I just turn on my master system and use the glasses that way. They sync with the laseractive just fine.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on April 17, 2012, 02:21:57 PM
The Famicom 3D glasses are in the same price range as the Master System glasses, and they are the best of the bunch. Any time I play my Master System or my Laseractive, I ONLY wear the Famicom 3D glasses.
The Master System glasses are too flimsy and the Laseractive glasses are too bulky. The Famicom glasses are the perfect medium.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: hoobs88 on April 17, 2012, 03:39:35 PM
The Famicom 3D glasses are in the same price range as the Master System glasses, and they are the best of the bunch. Any time I play my Master System or my Laseractive, I ONLY wear the Famicom 3D glasses.
The Master System glasses are too flimsy and the Laseractive glasses are too bulky. The Famicom glasses are the perfect medium.
I might have to look into those.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SamIAm on April 17, 2012, 04:19:46 PM
Hey hey, looks like Nemesis just successfully dumped the data of a MegaLD game. Check out pages five and six of this thread: http://gendev.spritesmind.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Someone else had previously hacked the Daphne laserdisc emulator with an add-on called Singe and created a playable version of Time Gal with the video captured from the LA version.
http://www.singeengine.com/cms/node/10
Cool stuff.
Nemesis is actually dumping these using a flashcart and a special technique involving sending data through a controller port, amazingly enough. Fortunately, now that the technique works, it can be applied to the LD-ROM2 games as well. It's simply a matter of people lending their discs.
The real question is going to be how to best rip and store the video footage. It would be nice to get archival-quality rips, but doing that naturally takes equipment and know-how. Maybe I'll see if the people on d-l-p.com would be interested in hooking up with Nemesis for this.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on April 17, 2012, 05:46:32 PM
Very glad to see some work towards emulation of this stuff....
To be honest, I fear for the longevity of the original hardware. PAC failure rate is super high and I have several dead ones that I've been unable to revive even after full recaps and trace repairs.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Keith Courage on April 17, 2012, 08:10:02 PM
I remember when I bought my Laser active years ago. It was brand new and within a year the Laser disc tray had gotten jammed and would no longer open. So I have to agree on the fear of long lasting equipment with this unit. I took it in for repair cause I was only 16 at the time. If I knew what I know now I might have figured it out or fixed the issue myself.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on April 18, 2012, 09:26:22 AM
Hey hey, looks like Nemesis just successfully dumped the data of a MegaLD game. Check out pages five and six of this thread: http://gendev.spritesmind.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Someone else had previously hacked the Daphne laserdisc emulator with an add-on called Singe and created a playable version of Time Gal with the video captured from the LA version.
http://www.singeengine.com/cms/node/10
Cool stuff.
Nemesis is actually dumping these using a flashcart and a special technique involving sending data through a controller port, amazingly enough. Fortunately, now that the technique works, it can be applied to the LD-ROM2 games as well. It's simply a matter of people lending their discs.
The real question is going to be how to best rip and store the video footage. It would be nice to get archival-quality rips, but doing that naturally takes equipment and know-how. Maybe I'll see if the people on d-l-p.com would be interested in hooking up with Nemesis for this.
Damn! I am delighted to hear that we (common folk) might be able to play LD games. Ever since I saw Vajra in a magazine, I've wanted to play PCE LD. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SamIAm on April 18, 2012, 04:33:54 PM
Damn! I am delighted to hear that we (common folk) might be able to play LD games. Ever since I saw Vajra in a magazine, I've wanted to play PCE LD. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
I don't want to jinx it, but it looks like it's really happening. I'm pretty damned excited myself.
One more thing that has to get done, though, is dumping the NEC PAC bios. That one is going to be tough.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on April 18, 2012, 04:40:28 PM
Damn! I am delighted to hear that we (common folk) might be able to play LD games. Ever since I saw Vajra in a magazine, I've wanted to play PCE LD. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
I don't want to jinx it, but it looks like it's really happening. I'm pretty damned excited myself.
One more thing that has to get done, though, is dumping the NEC PAC bios. That one is going to be tough.
Yup. There are certainly some obstacles in the way (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/hany_in_the_sky.png).
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on June 04, 2012, 03:07:17 PM
I have found a copy of the mythical PCE LD-ROM2 version of GOKU. This is the rarest LA game that was actually released (not counting protos), never heard of anyone even seeing one of these before. In fact many LA collectors don't even believe it exists. If you look on webpages, the product code number has always been listed as "PEANJ???" cause nobody has ever been able to confirm it. But the game is real and mine. It's total crap, but a neat find for the hardcore LA collector/fans. :)
PEANJ1032 :) Quite a bit higher then the normal MegaLD version (PEASJ1010). Also I suppose this is technically the rarest released PC-Engine game too, if you count LDs as PCE games, some people don't, I do though.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on June 05, 2012, 05:31:58 AM
Wow, pretty awesome find SuperDeadite, complete with obi too it looks like!
Are there any improvements over the Mega LD or are they pretty much the exact same thing?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on June 05, 2012, 06:16:26 AM
Its nice to know that Laseractive is an mysterious and cryptic in Japan as it is here. Where did they sell this stuff? No store I ever saw, yet it was bigtime enough to crank out some LD games, US localized LD games even, for a $1000 console nobody bought.
I can't help but wonder, who made this stuff, where did they buy it? The shit exists, so it must have been bought by somone, rather rich people, I assume.
How can a LDROM2 game be so rare and so poorly documented that nobody even has a picture of it or believes it exists? You can't just made a dozen LDs, they'd end up costing $1500 each. Maybe they actually did make 1000 copies and most got recycled or lost or left in the sun before they made it to stores.
Its very intriguing.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on June 05, 2012, 06:19:03 AM
Its nice to know that Laseractive is an mysterious and cryptic in Japan as it is here. Where did they sell this stuff? No store I ever saw, yet it was bigtime enough to crank out some LD games, US localized LD games even, for a $1000 console nobody bought.
I can't help but wonder, who made this stuff, where did they buy it? The shit exists, so it must have been bought by somone, rather rich people, I assume.
I remember seeing the LaserDisc player itself and the Sega and Karoke pack for sale at Montgomery Ward/Electric Avenue for a very brief time in 1993 or 1994. I suspect most of the games and hardware were moved through Laserdisc specialty stores that existed at the time.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on June 05, 2012, 06:46:37 AM
Its nice to know that Laseractive is an mysterious and cryptic in Japan as it is here. Where did they sell this stuff? No store I ever saw, yet it was bigtime enough to crank out some LD games, US localized LD games even, for a $1000 console nobody bought.
I can't help but wonder, who made this stuff, where did they buy it? The shit exists, so it must have been bought by somone, rather rich people, I assume.
How can a LDROM2 game be so rare and so poorly documented that nobody even has a picture of it or believes it exists? You can't just made a dozen LDs, they'd end up costing $1500 each. Maybe they actually did make 1000 copies and most got recycled or lost or left in the sun before they made it to stores.
Its very intriguing.
Digital Press lists this as an R10 - Prototype/One of a Kind. I don't quite believe there rating system, especially with Japanese only releases, but yeah this thing was seen by many as sheer rumor. But as you can see it has proper sleeve, spine, proper manual with pce pad control pictures. I was too busy to today to actually play it yet, but I suspect there may be a few differences in game too.
With all this, it is definitely a released game, not a prototype. From the tiny amount of info on Japanese pages I've found, my personal theory is this was only available by special request. Like you had to call Pioneer and say "I want GOKU, but I only have the NEC module", then and only then could you purchase it. Meaning most people probably just kept to the MegaLD version sold in stores (seriously how many people wanted to buy this horrible piece of shit edutainment crap anyway?). 1000s were probably made, probably either destroyed or left in some dusty crate in a Pioneer warehouse waiting to be found to this very day.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Mathius on June 05, 2012, 06:50:48 AM
Its nice to know that Laseractive is an mysterious and cryptic in Japan as it is here. Where did they sell this stuff? No store I ever saw, yet it was bigtime enough to crank out some LD games, US localized LD games even, for a $1000 console nobody bought.
I can't help but wonder, who made this stuff, where did they buy it? The shit exists, so it must have been bought by somone, rather rich people, I assume.
How can a LDROM2 game be so rare and so poorly documented that nobody even has a picture of it or believes it exists? You can't just made a dozen LDs, they'd end up costing $1500 each. Maybe they actually did make 1000 copies and most got recycled or lost or left in the sun before they made it to stores.
Its very intriguing.
I also remember seeing Laseractives for sale at a local electronics chain called HH Gregg here in Indiana around '93.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SamIAm on June 05, 2012, 06:54:14 AM
The early 90's was the tail end of a bizarre super-economic decadence in Japan. When people here tell me how they used to spray money around back in the late 80's, it's easy to believe that the Laseractive and its games happened like they did. You know all that money successful American businesspeople have spent on cocaine during high times? Imagine that being portioned toward electronic gadgets instead.
I know a woman who used to work as a hostess in the local red-light district back then, and she claims her boss used to count his money not by the number of yen itself, but by how many centimeters high his stack of 10,000 yen bills was. Like he couldn't even be bothered to count it properly. She said he'd periodically peel off a centimeter and go party with it. In his case, however, I suspect video games were not involved.
It'd be pretty funny if they were, though.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on June 05, 2012, 11:26:12 AM
Hope you don't mind, but I also just updated the Wikipedia page here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_LaserActive#Software, with the Goku information you provided SuperDeadite.
I personally think some of the mysteriousness of the LaserActive makes it more entertaining, especially when I tell people about it. Heck, I've become addicted to it after just a couple years, though the fragility of the system is a constant worry.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: GameFreak on June 05, 2012, 11:31:13 AM
I always wanted a LaserActive. It's probably out of my price range though. I saw one listed on Ebay and the seller described all the LaserActive being prone to smell like rotten fish when turned on (???) Have you ever heard of that (or smelled that)? Whats that about?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on June 05, 2012, 01:56:36 PM
I always wanted a LaserActive. It's probably out of my price range though. I saw one listed on Ebay and the seller described all the LaserActive being prone to smell like rotten fish when turned on (???) Have you ever heard of that (or smelled that)? Whats that about?
The capacitors in the PAC were probably leaking very badly. They can commit suicide very easily if not recapped in time.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on June 05, 2012, 02:38:38 PM
Hope you don't mind, but I also just updated the Wikipedia page here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_LaserActive#Software, with the Goku information you provided SuperDeadite.
I personally think some of the mysteriousness of the LaserActive makes it more entertaining, especially when I tell people about it. Heck, I've become addicted to it after just a couple years, though the fragility of the system is a constant worry.
Don't mind at all, but if you are gonna do that, add the JP MegaLD Goku as well. They only list the USA version lol.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on June 18, 2012, 05:22:52 PM
Nice find SuperD. I didn't realize that this version was so rare, I had heard it talked about before and didn't know it was so elusive. Where did you find that Goku of yours? Did you snatch it up from someone that didn't know what it was, or was it $$$$$?
In my Laseractive news, I managed to finally get my Virtual Cameraman 1. I am now down to just four remaining games, then I have each unique title:
1.) Demon's Judgment 2.) Back to the Edo 3.) Dr. Paolo 4.) Time Gal
P.S. - ME WANTS THESE GAMES! Where's the help? 27/31
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on June 18, 2012, 08:39:28 PM
I got it from a Japanese LD shop which had no idea what it was, only 8,000yen. :) And yes it's certainly rarer then Shitty Land Down Under 1D.
Ironically while you were gone, you missed two copies of Dr. Paolo that came up on a Japanese site I use often. XD
Myself I need: f*ck You Australia (last unique title I don't have) Melon Brains LD-ROM2 Blues LD-ROM2 Pretty Illusion 1 and 2 MegaLD That's it for the full Japanese released set (I already have Zapping and 3D Museum on both formats now lol).
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on June 19, 2012, 12:38:15 AM
The good news is that I wouldve missed both copies of Dr. Paolo anyway, since they were on a Japanese site, so I cant really kici myself.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: shubibiman on June 19, 2012, 08:54:48 PM
I have found a copy of the mythical PCE LD-ROM2 version of GOKU. This is the rarest LA game that was actually released (not counting protos), never heard of anyone even seeing one of these before. In fact many LA collectors don't even believe it exists. If you look on webpages, the product code number has always been listed as "PEANJ???" cause nobody has ever been able to confirm it. But the game is real and mine. It's total crap, but a neat find for the hardcore LA collector/fans. :)
Sure it wasn't just the normal Turbo game thrown into the N10 box?
That's what I would suspect from the note inside.
Yeah, I have that same note, and I assume the same thing that the game was just included. Unless it is so secretive that it is obnoxious, there is no game on the N10.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on June 30, 2012, 12:32:06 PM
Very probably. Only reason I thought otherwise was the other note regarding the key combination to access the fourth game from the CD set. Thanks for letting me know it was just a hu-card that was thrown in.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on September 22, 2012, 07:53:09 AM
Anyone ever play the super rare version of Demon's Judgement with the special disc crackage? Just got this in the mail today.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img528/7415/img6684k.jpg)
...dammit.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Firebomber7 on September 22, 2012, 10:59:59 AM
I absolutely love Dankss youtube vids. He is so honest and genuine. But that sucks he thought Momotaro game series were all platform. Actually they are RPG. Even the one Momotaro game that is actually a platform game still requires a lot of jpn knowledge. :-# Who am I to say anything? He is the one with a LaserActive. Lucky bastard.
Do the caps last in this system? how bout the laser?
I sold that guy his first PCE CD unit (Super CD-ROM2) a few years ago. He's only been into PCE for like 3-4 years maybe.
Out of curiosity, is anyone into karaoke? Is it easy to just download discs off the 'net? Then again, it would be sweet to have the set up that you see in Japanese or Korean karaokes/noraebangs.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on September 22, 2012, 12:25:27 PM
Clash, ems shipping usually includes insurance...
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on September 22, 2012, 12:32:13 PM
The disk was mint when I sent it. Bubble wrapped, newspaper, f*ck man. Never seen this happen via EMS. f*cking USA. I should be able to get the money back though...
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperPlay on September 23, 2012, 01:30:01 AM
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on September 24, 2012, 08:14:35 AM
Goddamn Clash that sucks, it looks like some postal employee decided to screw around that day.
At least it wasn't an uber rare game like Time Gal or something though.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on September 24, 2012, 08:56:56 AM
Shipping LDs is a problem. When I get stuff from volume sellers they usually have a trick that involves using a relatively 12x12 box that is about 2" thick. The LDs are bubble-wrapped and then taped in such a way that they are suspended in the middle of the thickness of the box. It works pretty good for Recobancou, who have sent me dozens of LDs.
I recently had a guy from Switzerland mail me some rare anime LDs. They were just packed skin tight in cardboard with some of that thin foam/plastic stuff on the outside. I was worried when I saw the package, but amazingly nothing was broken.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on September 24, 2012, 11:49:19 AM
There is special packaging for records which is what I'm pretty sure you're talking about. After I got a new copy of Vajra which was bent I've basically requested every seller since use that thicker boxed packaging when ever I buy stuff like that online.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on September 24, 2012, 01:45:23 PM
Recobanchou has boxes made especially for them, but they are basically pizza boxes, pretty much.
People who still collect LD can be a really picky bunch of mofos. The slightest nick on the sleeve will have them sticking you with negative feedback. It's especially problematic with US LDs side they usually have shitty thin sleeves. The fix for this is to bubble wrap the LD itself and the suspend it with tape in the middle of a box that is too big for it.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on September 24, 2012, 02:37:51 PM
My game was packed pretty well, it just appeared someone sat on the box or tried to bend it in half for no reason. Even the best packaging won't stand up to malicious mailmen!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on September 24, 2012, 03:06:41 PM
I got Space Berzerker in a box large enough to fit the laseractive system. All it had was the game in it, LDs are definitely tricky to ship well.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on October 10, 2012, 04:58:15 PM
Recently picked up the floppies that came with the PC1 PAC. Now just to find the actual thing! Lovely ms-dos and pc-dos software. Came with a couple of batch files and a sample folder. Will fire up the old AT to give them a burl. Need to sort out a mac os VM to check out the mac software.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on October 11, 2012, 12:27:06 AM
Recently picked up the floppies that came with the PC1 PAC. Now just to find the actual thing! Lovely ms-dos and pc-dos software. Came with a couple of batch files and a sample folder. Will fire up the old AT to give them a burl. Need to sort out a mac os VM to check out the mac software.
Now that is something I have never seen for sale. Good luck finding the actual pac.
Can you post a picture of the LA floppies just so I can give them a look?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on October 12, 2012, 12:21:42 AM
I can e-mail a copy of the photo as don't have upload picture account if you are interested?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on October 12, 2012, 12:28:00 AM
I can e-mail a copy of the photo as don't have upload picture account if you are interested?
If you are going to become a regular on this forum, picture uploading is essential! Give imageshack a try, you don't even need to sign up and it is really easy!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperPlay on October 14, 2012, 12:03:05 AM
A couple of pages from PCE Engine Fan Issue 06 June 1993
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on November 16, 2012, 03:33:59 PM
There is very little precedent for them... apparently one might come up for sale every 5 years or so. If I had to guess... somewhere in the $1000 to $1500 range which would be appropriate to their rarity.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on November 16, 2012, 10:09:15 PM
Yeah I saw this pop up but it doesn't look like it has any of the docs and stuff does it?
The PC1 Pac is loose. Thankfully I had a contact that magically had a copy of the floppy disc that came with the system, so I have that if need be.
As far as I know the PC1 was only released in Japan, so the documents wouldn't have helped me much, lol. I do wonder if that is correct though, because the person who sold this to me got it at an estate sale in California just over 5 years ago. Did someone import this thing and then it ended up at the estate sale, or maybe they did sell them here?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on November 19, 2012, 12:59:49 PM
I thought Kevin might have kept a copy.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on November 19, 2012, 04:07:59 PM
You wouldnt happen to be the one who got the originals are you?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on November 19, 2012, 08:30:29 PM
Yep that was me. I also have the special Pioneer serial cables. Just need the PAC as have the Tenchi Muyo LD's ready to test and then create my own files.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on November 20, 2012, 12:00:46 AM
Yep that was me. I also have the special Pioneer serial cables. Just need the PAC as have the Tenchi Muyo LD's ready to test and then create my own files.
Ahh cool deal. Im just glad to see the pac actually exists. I was almost convinced that it was never released and only existed in pictures.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on December 16, 2012, 05:26:14 PM
Thought the other LA collector's would like to know that I was finally able to source a PAC-PC1 with manual and remote control. This added with the cable and disks means I can now fire up and test this thing.
Hope to give it a burl over the holidays and report back.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on December 17, 2012, 08:32:03 AM
Congrats on the find. Funny none of these have sold in about 4 years and 2 popped up in a little over a month. Did that come from Japan?
Let me know if you come up with and cool things to do with the Pac.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on December 17, 2012, 12:35:43 PM
I thought it strange too not having seen one for so long and both coming up within such a short time frame. Both costing nowhere near what I would have originally envisaged either.
Going to have fun translating the manual as it reasonably thick. I also have to source another cable as the ones I purchased are different to the connection on the pac. I thought it would be the same 15 pin as many of the other Laserdisc players that have computer controlled connections.
Will try and video over the holidays one of the test programmes to see what it actually does with the LD.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on December 18, 2012, 02:48:53 PM
OK, help me out: is PAC-PC1 an uncommon PAC?
I'll be honest...I am pretty rusty on all my LaserActive knowledge (I remember reading CyberRoach's ??? website a billion years ago...)
ALSO: McKie, you know what I want to do... take your FAQ and make it into a web-page with nice formatting and images and scans of documents/manuals etc. etc. Would you be interested in something like that?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on December 18, 2012, 07:40:43 PM
I'll be honest...I am pretty rusty on all my LaserActive knowledge (I remember reading CyberRoach's ??? website a billion years ago...)
ALSO: McKie, you know what I want to do... take your FAQ and make it into a web-page with nice formatting and images and scans of documents/manuals etc. etc. Would you be interested in something like that?
Although I have only been a LA fan for two years, until the last two months I had not seen any pc1's for sale anywhere. Then two in a short period of time.
No one seems to know how many were actually made. Just checked the serial no. And although not really a good indicator the number part is 1003026. If theclash checks his (hope you have sorted out the issue you had?) we might be able to see how the numbers worked?
As for wiki/faq. You must have read my mind. I was hoping to re-write my article and insert more pictures and possibly even video. However, LA preservation project and/or videogameconsolelibrary already have a lot of info., we could combine forces so everyone has access/info avail? Your thoughts?
Only missing 3D virtual aust. For a copy of each released title.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on December 20, 2012, 11:13:40 AM
I'll be honest...I am pretty rusty on all my LaserActive knowledge (I remember reading CyberRoach's ??? website a billion years ago...)
ALSO: McKie, you know what I want to do... take your FAQ and make it into a web-page with nice formatting and images and scans of documents/manuals etc. etc. Would you be interested in something like that?
Although I have only been a LA fan for two years, until the last two months I had not seen any pc1's for sale anywhere. Then two in a short period of time.
No one seems to know how many were actually made. Just checked the serial no. And although not really a good indicator the number part is 1003026. If theclash checks his (hope you have sorted out the issue you had?) we might be able to see how the numbers worked?
As for wiki/faq. You must have read my mind. I was hoping to re-write my article and insert more pictures and possibly even video. However, LA preservation project and/or videogameconsolelibrary already have a lot of info., we could combine forces so everyone has access/info avail? Your thoughts?
Only missing 3D virtual aust. For a copy of each released title.
Well, I didn't know about the LA Preservation Project!
I say this: accurate information should be available in as many places as possible.
SO, if you are willing, I'd love to host a TG-16/PCE-centric version at tg-16.com ... it gives you an incentive to revise/build on your article. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on December 20, 2012, 07:15:31 PM
Agreed to both. The more info out there and avail to all helps the future for everyone.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on March 12, 2013, 07:19:37 AM
Just thought I'd throw this up for anyone interested: http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n122486992
It's a very nice starter lot if you don't have any LA games, but since Time Gal is in there (worth about $1000 on it's own) it'll probably end pretty high.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on March 28, 2013, 09:54:56 PM
A copy of the Myst prototype recently went for US$2620 on evilbay. Wow!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on March 29, 2013, 01:04:48 AM
Damn, where was the conversation? I missed it? Don't tell me it was in chat/IRC because THAT'S NOT FAIR.
DAMN IT (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgsad.png)
Of course it was in the chat.
Damn, I knew it. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgsad.png)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on March 29, 2013, 12:01:12 PM
The interesting thing, is it means at least two people were willing to spend over $2600 for the game, and one person might have been willing to spend substantially more.
At least it went to a good home. I believe the person who got it is the guy behind the LaserActive Preservation Project, so it won't just be hoarded away somewhere.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on March 30, 2013, 06:30:59 AM
The interesting thing, is it means at least two people were willing to spend over $2600 for the game, and one person might have been willing to spend substantially more.
At least it went to a good home. I believe the person who got it is the guy behind the LaserActive Preservation Project, so it won't just be hoarded away somewhere.
QUESTION FOR EVERYONE: Are there any rips of the SOUNDTRACKS from the LD games? I would LOVE to make them available on my site...I asked SUPERDEADITE and he had some ideas (but hadn't tried stuff, also he didn't have all the hardware necessarily).
LaserActive PCE LD-ROM soundtracks go HERE! (http://archives.tg-16.com/music_database.htm?col=jp&val=y)
BONUS: download the complete soundtrack for an irrelevant bonus.
HELP ME! (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: bt on April 02, 2013, 02:35:31 PM
In trying to test the new MB Master CD, I pulled out the old Lasrer Active (with PCE PAC) to see if it would work. It did not, all I got was LOAD ERROR. So I tried another PCE LA disc, and another LOAD ERROR. I hope my LA Is not dead. =(
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on April 02, 2013, 02:45:41 PM
If you havent used it in a while, its worth opening it up and cleaning the lens and tilt sensor (black bubble near the lens) For some reason those things like to accumulated dust inside.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on April 03, 2013, 07:26:06 AM
In trying to test the new MB Master CD, I pulled out the old Lasrer Active (with PCE PAC) to see if it would work. It did not, all I got was LOAD ERROR. So I tried another PCE LA disc, and another LOAD ERROR. I hope my LA Is not dead. =(
Is is the LaserDisc part or the PAC part which isn't working? Did you test with a laserdisc or regular audio CD as well?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on April 03, 2013, 07:41:42 AM
In trying to test the new MB Master CD, I pulled out the old Lasrer Active (with PCE PAC) to see if it would work. It did not, all I got was LOAD ERROR. So I tried another PCE LA disc, and another LOAD ERROR. I hope my LA Is not dead. =(
Is is the LaserDisc part or the PAC part which isn't working? Did you test with a laserdisc or regular audio CD as well?
I tried with a PCE LD and a PCE CD. I did not try to get the PCE PAC out and replace it with the Sega PAC (I do have some Sega LDs).
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on April 05, 2013, 05:38:19 AM
I got a few questions, for one is it possible to hook up a 32x to the sega pac? Does BlueBMW have any more Laseractives up for sale?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on April 05, 2013, 05:42:12 AM
I got a few questions, for one is it possible to hook up a 32x to the sega pac? Does BlueBMW have any more Laseractives up for sale?
I don't believe so. The Laseractive uses composite out only, it doesn't have the multivideo out required to connect the 32X to the Genesis.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on April 05, 2013, 12:12:12 PM
Blue and I were talking about this at the MGC. I think we came to the conclusion that if the 32X was in the cart slot that it would probably block the controller ports unless you stacked up some Game Genies and Xbands to get some clearance. Also, yeah, video problems.
No loss though. The 32X sucks pretty bad. If you really want to play one just keep your $20 Genesis around.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Bardoly on April 09, 2013, 11:48:25 AM
Not a Laseractive, but I thought that is was interesting. I was at a thrift store today, and I saw a NEC LD-2000 laserdisk player. I plugged it in, and it powered on fine, but since I know basically nothing about laserdisks and their players, I walked away from its $25 price tag.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on April 09, 2013, 11:53:25 AM
VHS<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<LD<<<<<DVD
Laserdisks are just cool retro tech. Movies are cheap and its fun handling the large discs.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on April 09, 2013, 09:34:06 PM
I'm still waiting to fire up our HLD-X0 and run some retro goodness!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on April 10, 2013, 12:42:52 AM
you can use a 32X, but you have to RGB mod the LA first. Then you will need to cut the 32x plastic, but it does work. Ugly as shit, but doable.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on April 10, 2013, 01:38:13 AM
you can use a 32X, but you have to RGB mod the LA first. Then you will need to cut the 32x plastic, but it does work. Ugly as shit, but doable.
I take it you're using a different than normal mixing cable to connect to the 32X?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on April 10, 2013, 04:34:05 AM
It should be possible to do with a custom made cable. Maybe ill try it sometime.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on April 10, 2013, 02:36:57 PM
The "mixing" cable doesn't do anything special. It's just an RGB link cable really. The mixing is done completely by the 32X itself. Just need to feed an RGB modded LA's output cable to the 32X input.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on April 22, 2013, 01:15:18 AM
PAC-PC1 up on yahoo japan if anyone interested!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 25, 2013, 05:39:50 PM
Myst at $2630 was expensive, but I was willing to go UPTO $4000... even if that is about 3 1/2 months of pay. I am a lot poorer than a lot of people would have even guessed. But your right.. it did go to the GUYS behind the LaserActive Preservation Project! There is even now a video teaser at my brand new (Less than 7 week old) LaserActiveGuy YouTube Channel.
Also... if you have seen the promotional Zoom 7.. or even portions of Zoom 8 (thanks to ME!).. you can watch the whole video of Zoom 8... AND EVEN No. 5 now at my channel!
Even more to blow your mind... we have ACCESS to ALL Zoom discs... expect no 1 soon... and the rest of the series in the future!!!
We just OBTAINED the J.H. Long video... its on 8" LD.... it was expensive. Whoever thought it previously was on video tape..... its one of those Hit-Your-Head Moments.
We are trying for a major release video of MYST Prototype with all sorts of information and footage at the Preservation Site www.laseractive.wordpress.com in MAY 2013!!!
Who needs audio rips of games... which ones were u thinking of? We dont have EVERY game, but we have quite a few. I appologize for SLOW updates at the site... my partner is Busy or something...even i'm not sure... but LASERACTIVEGUY will have updates weekly, and will be linked to the Main Site Soon!!!...errr. again I think.
My name is Tom Porter... join us at www.youtube.com/laseractiveguy (http://www.youtube.com/laseractiveguy) for ANYTHING LaserActive.
Also..we are looking for help, anybody willing to donate? I'll take almost anything LA related! (VIDEOS...not physical items....silly!!)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 25, 2013, 05:54:02 PM
Oh... I forgot about the Contest we at LaserActiveGuy is running in CELBRATION of finding the Long-Long MYST
*** DESIGN us a cover for MYST... front and back. *** It Can be hand drawn or computer art! *** We are looking for something unique. The original cover was shown on LA ExPRESS No 12... if you have access to that. (Pretty much the standard Myst for other consoles with the LA logo). *** This Jacket design will be taken to a profesional shop and proper cover fitted for the Rarest LA Game!!!
You WILL win a copy of the Jacket for yourself... and a copy of ZOOM 5! 8" ld which has footage of hilarious roaming buffalo, AND an interview with FRENCH STEWART before he became an iconic Celeb! Its funny to see his 'antics' so early in his career! Zoom (contrary to popular though) isnt just about Pioneer Products!!!
Make your submissions at the preservation site www.laseractive.wordpress.com (http://www.laseractive.wordpress.com/) at the CONTACT US icon or email me personaly at treehouse2000us@yahoo.com
THE LASERACTIVE PRESERVATION PROJECT and LaserActiveGuy are the GO-TO Spots on the web for ANYTHING LaserActive!
Visit the new annex LA Project at www.youtube.com/laseractiveguy (http://www.youtube.com/laseractiveguy) for WEEKLY Updates!!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Necromancer on April 26, 2013, 02:39:40 AM
Welcome aboard, Tom. $2630 for a game is kinda crazy (especially so for something like Myst), but at least it was bought for a good cause and will be shared/showcased instead of disappearing into some collectard's basement.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on April 26, 2013, 04:21:49 AM
LaserActiveGuy: Nice to see you joined the forum
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on April 26, 2013, 06:46:32 AM
Boy, this guy sure likes Laseractive.
I enjoyed the Zoom 8 video, mostly because of the vintage Pioneer stuff other than LA. I'd love to see other volumes in Zoom if they go in depth about LD a lot, which I assume they do.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Keith Courage on April 26, 2013, 03:26:48 PM
Just came across this if anyone is looking for a PC engine pac for a good price. http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/surugaya-a-too/item/257772-1/
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on April 27, 2013, 09:13:05 AM
Who needs audio rips of games... which ones were u thinking of? We dont have EVERY game, but we have quite a few.
HOT DAMN! (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png) I am looking for ANY and ALL audio rips of LD games (MegaDrive and PCE) to put here:
PCE LD-ROM soundtracks available for all (http://archives.tg-16.com/music_database.htm?col=jp&val=y)
I would love anything you are willing to share (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png) (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 27, 2013, 12:10:48 PM
I've got direct rips from Manhattan Requiem, Vajra 1 and Vajra 2 already done about a year ago. I just plugged a CLD-501A player into my stereo system...and into my computer. Wish I had road prosecutor, believe it or not before I went into the Airforce (sad story there)... i routenly played Road Prosecutor background music on my tv while doing pushups/situps... lol, kinda funny now. Any old LD player will do... the newer ones Do not like LA discs... probley in the ROM programming to reject it. Dont have any new players, so cant test it out for myself. Thank you for all the welcomes.. I want to bring back the greatness of LaserActive to this day and age... that is my end goal!!!!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 27, 2013, 12:13:11 PM
Hey Guys... and gals mabye? Misty? I've got 2 questions... this is the first.... Does anybody know what happened to John Harvey... he is thought to have 'multiple' copies of Myst... i think he has passed on within the last 6 months or so... i would like to confirm this... it would bring some closure to an issue I have!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 27, 2013, 12:18:44 PM
The 2nd question... and this is pretty important to me... personaly!! Alright... I'm going to lay a big one on ya... if it were possible to bring back LaserActive and make one more game, yes on LaserDisc... what type of game would it be?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 27, 2013, 12:31:20 PM
Too many posts...I appologize. I would seriously trade my copy of Myst in exchange for 3 LA games to complete my meager collection..... email me at treehouse2000us@yahoo.com if you want details.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on April 27, 2013, 01:10:00 PM
The 2nd question... and this is pretty important to me... personaly!! Alright... I'm going to lay a big one on ya... if it were possible to bring back LaserActive and make one more game, yes on LaserDisc... what type of game would it be?
A port of the Dragon's Lair games, the way they were meant to be played. Oh yeah and Timegal too...
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on April 27, 2013, 01:17:31 PM
The 2nd question... and this is pretty important to me... personaly!! Alright... I'm going to lay a big one on ya... if it were possible to bring back LaserActive and make one more game, yes on LaserDisc... what type of game would it be?
A port of the Dragon's Lair games, the way they were meant to be played. Oh yeah and Timegal too...
Time Gal actually came out in Japan on LA
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on April 27, 2013, 01:33:45 PM
The 2nd question... and this is pretty important to me... personaly!! Alright... I'm going to lay a big one on ya... if it were possible to bring back LaserActive and make one more game, yes on LaserDisc... what type of game would it be?
A port of the Dragon's Lair games, the way they were meant to be played. Oh yeah and Timegal too...
Time Gal actually came out in Japan on LA
Oh yeah huh. Space Ace then!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 27, 2013, 01:34:57 PM
You wouldnt want to make... a more modern title using our new technology?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 27, 2013, 01:36:05 PM
Lol about Time Gal... what kind of fourm you guys running...haha
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on April 27, 2013, 02:48:12 PM
You wouldnt want to make... a more modern title using our new technology?
Well this is a retro gaming forum. ;) A dungeon crawler like Wizardry would be cool....
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 27, 2013, 07:56:27 PM
I'd go look at Zoom 5 if you havent already... its REALLY about Pioneer stuff!!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 27, 2013, 07:57:52 PM
Also, i've run into some information about the AIWA Sega? Pac.... anybody have picture so we can put them up at the Preservation Site?
(Keep the 'NEW LA Game' Thread going... i need information into what people would like to see...)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SamIAm on April 27, 2013, 11:12:17 PM
I think a neat way to use the LA would have been for a top-down Zelda style game where each screen is unique.
It's bad, but take a look at the third Zelda CD-i game:
That load time could have been practically nothing with the LA. A few other tweaks, and you'd have a fun game that couldn't be done as well on any other system.
I think that the LA's ability to store and display thousands of full-color still images is probably more applicable to quality, unique game designs than its ability to store video.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 28, 2013, 01:14:13 AM
A Top-Down Zelda CDI Style game, interesting... anybody else?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Black Tiger on April 28, 2013, 02:54:11 AM
It would be cool to see a digicomic like Policenauts done with LD videos for cinemas and stills that are balanced to blend in with PCE graphics.
It would be neat to see a quality shooter which uses fmv backgrounds that are actually pre-rerendered PCE color/res to look like traditional 2D graphics, only with all kinds of layering and special effects not possible on 16-bit consoles, plus tasteful sections cgi, like Fast Striker, only not just the same 1 second loop for an entire stage. Above the videos layer, would be a top quality PCE shooter, no different than one which runs exclusively on PCE hardware.
Regular PCE CD RPGs would be cool to see with LD video for the cinemas. Like Gulliver Boy with the same cinemas, only LD quality or Tengai Makyou II with the redone cinemas from the PS2/GC remakes.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: futureman2000 on April 28, 2013, 03:38:10 AM
Sewer Shark LD. Niner!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on April 28, 2013, 10:45:19 AM
Here's a DragonmasterDan TurboTip for the LaserActive.
Using a super cheap Dollar Tree 6 in 1 remote you can get basic functionality out of your Pioneer Laseractive including Play,Stop, Fast Forward, Rewind, Pause, and the chapter features. Choose AUX and then code 059.
These remotes can be found for 1.00 plus tax at a lot of dollar tree stores. So they're worth picking up even if they're flimsy cheap plastic.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 28, 2013, 05:02:11 PM
I'm guessing it would work for all Pioneer LD Players... they all use 'the same' IR Port configurations... even the remotes from the 80's. They are the only smart "remote control' company out there I think!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on April 28, 2013, 05:31:01 PM
I use a remote from another old Pioneer LD player with mine. Works perfect! I've got a few original remotes, but they just dont feel as cool as the big blocky one I use.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on April 29, 2013, 04:00:09 AM
Also, i've run into some information about the AIWA Sega? Pac.... anybody have picture so we can put them up at the Preservation Site?
(Keep the 'NEW LA Game' Thread going... i need information into what people would like to see...)
OldSchoolGamer had an AIWA PAC but he sold it to someone here I think. Can't remember who but they might pipe up. There is also a dude up in Denver that Sadler and I ran into who besides having a bunch of arcade stuff had basically every LA game out there. Though that might be who you bought the MYST from already, since that guy was up in Denver area.
As for a new LA game, Ninja Hayate (Revenge of the Ninja for the Sega CD) would be pretty badass.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 29, 2013, 12:09:37 PM
The person I bought Myst from was a House Hunter who had no idea what it was. He said it was with only with 9 other titiles... and except for Don Quixote... they were VERY average games.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 29, 2013, 12:12:26 PM
The Full Story will be revealed sometime in the future at LaserActiveGuy channel.... its going to be incredibly HARD to believe.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on April 29, 2013, 12:17:22 PM
I use a remote from another old Pioneer LD player with mine. Works perfect! I've got a few original remotes, but they just dont feel as cool as the big blocky one I use.
I love the CU-CLD114 since it has the jog dial and shuttle on it. Several functions won't work on the LA (key change, side flip) but its a very great remote ergonomically speaking and its as good as it gets for old school nerd frame-by-frame analyses of movies. You can get them for $30-40 on eBay (peanuts for anyone buying $500 LA games) or just buy a broken player on Craigslist for $20 and junk everything but the remote.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on April 29, 2013, 02:51:10 PM
The jog mode is f*cking awesome, especially on CAV disc. Home video has advanced a lot since the day of LD, but no format has ever had better search/seek/scan features than LD does.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 29, 2013, 06:16:44 PM
Hey BlueBMW... that is the exact remote I have that goes to my 'Palcom' Refurbished Player! I haved used the player less than1 hour since 'total rebuild'.. but i use other remotes for my normal players/LAs. Now if only I had the Palcom itself!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: EvilEvoIX on April 29, 2013, 07:01:31 PM
I so want one of these things. My Shitty Sony unit just died on me today so I was looking into one of these things and man the Laser-active is EXPENSIVE!!! Amazing Composite quality, especially via a CRT. Anyone wish to part with a regular LD? Is S-video out better to use?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on April 29, 2013, 10:27:15 PM
The LaserActive is a 'quality' player. However, sometimes the problem lies in what people expect from it. With a Pac unit inserted, it is indeed does not have hi-quality output due to the video basicly being downgraded digitaly. Its cool that it can freeze frame any disc, even the CLV ones. The reason why is expensive is because people use them also for its games... so people seek out CLD-A100 as far as other players, except the DVD players... all the others are pretty much lumped into two groups... cheap players/good players, so there is a far much larger pool of Sku #s to choose from... thus less demand for a specific player, and lower prices. LaserActive and its discs are super obscure in comparison to almost any other game unit... and even "Pyramid Patrol' which seems to pop up on ebay a lot is even much rarer than one realizes... in comparison to other games from other systems.
If you ever opened up a CLD-A100.... there is no room for anything except Disc mechanisms and 'lot of computer circuits'. I think its just about as advanced as a normal computer from the time... minus hard-drive and ram.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on April 30, 2013, 08:29:19 AM
I so want one of these things. My Shitty Sony unit just died on me today so I was looking into one of these things and man the Laser-active is EXPENSIVE!!! Amazing Composite quality, especially via a CRT. Anyone wish to part with a regular LD? Is S-video out better to use?
If you mainly watch movies the LA is not a great choice. The video quality is basically the same as a CLD S201 or other low end Pioneer. For the price of a LA you could have a CLD-704, CLD-99 or even an R7G, all of which are vastly superior for movies since they have noise reduction, 3D comb filters, Both Side Play, etc.
Of course basically all of these players, including the LA, would probably be better than any Sony LD player.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on April 30, 2013, 11:16:39 AM
Of course basically all of these players, including the LA, would probably be better than any Sony LD player.
Ooooh, BUUUUUUUURN!!
I'm glad modern remotes don't have buttons that are all the same size, and are all the same freaking tiny rectangle on a slab of plastic. The LaserActive stock remote is pretty crappy, and mine is so light I feel like I'm going to break it most of the time.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 06, 2013, 01:26:45 AM
Well, I guess thats it for ideas on new game! What a small group. I'll tell you my idea for a game, go ahead and chime in.
First off, we start with a detective/free roaming world. A lot of elements similar to Blue Chicago Blues, but now to go to places, walk in a world like Don Quixote, except the environments are commic book style. I'd add a lot of spice to it, making the world 'interactive' and instead of using the same scenes over and over, each part of town is different, and uses different animation. Each 'door' can be unique. A futureistic Tokyo style city, half 'Rachet And Clank' style, the other style "Vector" with deep blues, purples. Walking will be kept to a minimum, since its not the best way to 'show' laseractive capabilities. There wont be needless wandering for hours.
Interacting with charrecters, static images like Manhattan Reqiuem, but they are 'cartoony' and commic book style... rich voice work. Durring the game, theres a shooting gallary at a local bar, and even 1 car chase scene, similar to Rocket Coaster.
I wasnt going to say anything quite yet, but excitement is WAY low for this system. Almost every other system has homebrew... why cant we? I'm propose this is going to be Sega coded... not everybody has the NEC pac.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 06, 2013, 04:51:59 AM
I'd say that the near impossibility of anyone ever pressing any kind of LD ever again make homebrew for LA hugely unlikely. I suppose once the emulators are perfected then you could make something that way, but that's not much fun.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 06, 2013, 11:59:56 AM
If we have the boot code, making a new game is WAY easier than trying to emulate an old one! Plus, we dont have to press LD's to make them!
The only limitations I see... are the discs will be 30 minutes, instead of 60 minutes... and we cant use LA's dual field frame technology. All other features are easily done!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Vecanti on May 06, 2013, 12:37:48 PM
If we have the boot code, making a new game is WAY easier than trying to emulate an old one! Plus, we dont have to press LD's to make them!
The only limitations I see... are the discs will be 30 minutes, instead of 60 minutes... and we cant use LA's dual field frame technology. All other features are easily done!
Emulation?
I'm going to be semi-pissed if you have a garage full of blank laserdiscs laying around.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on May 06, 2013, 02:05:54 PM
I stand by making a Street Fighter clone with obnoxious FMV backgrounds. Possibly naked women or porno in the spirit of the original LA software.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 06, 2013, 02:10:09 PM
If we have the boot code, making a new game is WAY easier than trying to emulate an old one! Plus, we dont have to press LD's to make them!
The only limitations I see... are the discs will be 30 minutes, instead of 60 minutes... and we cant use LA's dual field frame technology. All other features are easily done!
What "discs" are you talking about? I missed something.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 06, 2013, 06:04:53 PM
We can burn them. I already have an art team working on walking sequences! Its costing a fortune.
If we want to make this a community based project, we can lower the cost dramaticaly. I dont see it out of the realm of possiblity to make 20 to 30 copies of the finished title.
Dont be angry... and no 'there is no garage' of blanks. Although, they are available out there.
Naked street fighter? There already is that Strip Fighter for Hu-Card. Bimboette Purgatory a good name? As to address your concerns, this should be the 'Ultimate' game. I wouldnt object to include 'one' fight durring the gameplay somewhere!! (Remember, we've only got 30 minutes of FMV to play around with). Perhaps it could be a little more friendly, and take place, sort of in a Bar like the Sega Cd/Arcade "Crime Patrol?" Risk'a is ok by me, just not nudity. Also we could work in the 'Top-Down CDI Zelda style section. I dont want to water it down too much, sometimes a game that does 'everything' doesnt do anything well. We've pretty much got one shot... we CAN NOT screw this up and make a dud.
I also have another ambitious plan... so 2 titiles are released. interested? This 'other' one will blow your socks off....
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 07, 2013, 02:47:44 AM
What is it exactly that you can burn? From what I know about writable LDs the only machines that do it use proprietary systems that can only be played back on the machines that made them (ie: won't work on LA or any other commercial player) or they use large industrial burners that probably don't exist anymore.
Have you figured out how to trick a CD recorder into burning analog video? That's the only way I can see this happening and even that would be pretty hard to figure out. It would also give you a shockingly short LA game (five minutes of video). I can think of a few ways to make five minutes of video go a long way in a well designed game, but I'm not sure how you could actually do it (ie: make a Laseractive CDV). Will the LA even recognize a LA CDV? Were there any commercial ones?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 07, 2013, 05:54:47 PM
From what I understand, there are two different types of burners. Yes, the one you describe exist.. (ie cartridge based). but I may have access to the 'other' type. The LD's are blue, and do indeed work in ANY Ld machine! If you want to make a bet, I'm sure we can come up with a LA bootable short demo to try in your game system. Of course, if it works I expect $150, pretty much the cost of a blank. It would be about a 1 minute game demo, and a 5minute video of something 'pretty' modern from my website!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on May 08, 2013, 12:37:33 AM
If it can be done, I'd love to see it.
Is this all hypotethical now, or have you actually made a working LA demo?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on May 08, 2013, 01:27:15 AM
If a new game gets off the ground, please put me down for one!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Punch on May 08, 2013, 02:20:38 AM
Too bad no one presses Laserdiscs anymore... maybe Pioneer Japan?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 08, 2013, 02:51:13 AM
I dont own an LD burner, but I know somebody who does! The only problem is, he only has 3 blanks. I'm in negoations right now to buy it, and a computer system it goes to. I've read on a bunch of fourms where people picked up 10 or 15 LDs here and there... and have them in their garages. I'm sure they can be 'conned' out of them for lots of cash. Soon I'm going to be making lots of accounts and practicaly beg them to sell. They probley wouldnt if we were going to use them for video productions, but they might just be facinated that 'new laseractive' titles could be made! Thats what i'm hoping on.
Hardware wise, I dont think its a problem. I know a person or two who can extract code from LD discs, so theres the boot code. From there, its simple programming in old sega genesis fashion (plus LD stops/seeks ect). I've got 3 brilliant artists willing to help (for money of course) and they are already working on some stuff for me.
Cost... aint going to be cheap. I have an incredibly hard time keeping secrets, but I was going to use the burner to release 'reproductions of Myst' in early 2014 to help pay for the new game, (This is WHY I had to have it, another reason for the Cover Art Contest at LaserActiveGuy).. and the new game which would be released in 2015. Again, production numbers would be 20-30 a peice. I dont there there would be demand for much more than that at the prices they would have to sell for (to break even).
A lot of this is in the very early stages, but I am fully confident it can be done.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 08, 2013, 04:36:29 AM
You have a very long road ahead of you. I really hope it can work...but I honestly think there is about a %1 chance. Getting hardware to burn formats it was never designed to burn isn't easy without serious expertise (nobody has ever burned a CDV, for example, which would be way easier) and you're dealing with hardware that was never even popular in the first place.
I realize you are willing to spend every cent you have on this project but unless you can hire someone like TheOldMan to come work full time for you I think you're screwed. :(
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 08, 2013, 04:41:46 AM
Too bad no one presses Laserdiscs anymore... maybe Pioneer Japan?
As far as I know it's been over a decade since Pioneer pressed an LD. I'm sure they have a machine laying around somewhere but they aren't going to be taking orders.
It's possible there are working presses out there. It's been learned that a company was pressing 8" music video LDs for LD jukebox machines long after most people though LD production had stopped. That company doesn't do it anymore either, but they did keep going longer than the others, I want to say maybe 2007 (?) so it hasn't been quite as much downtime for them.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 08, 2013, 06:06:28 AM
Its funny you mentioned 8" LDs... I so wanted 'something' to go on the smaller discs instead of using full size ones... but i cant find any mention of them being able to be made! Theres a long road, I admit, but my chances are much greater than 1%. Everything that exists started with a dream, and my favorite game says "Dreams are a Reality!" I hope its true in this case. If you ever read the orginal 'press release', even as the machine was being launched, it does mention percisely what I propose.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Punch on May 08, 2013, 06:12:43 AM
By the way Laseractiveguy, if you have a legit company, you could talk to Pioneer US/Japan and buy some blanks for cheap, I'm sure that they must have at least ONE blank in stock, locked in somewhere dusty.
It's worth a shot, don't you think?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 08, 2013, 11:45:11 AM
Its funny you mentioned 8" LDs... I so wanted 'something' to go on the smaller discs instead of using full size ones... but i cant find any mention of them being able to be made! Theres a long road, I admit, but my chances are much greater than 1%. Everything that exists started with a dream, and my favorite game says "Dreams are a Reality!" I hope its true in this case. If you ever read the orginal 'press release', even as the machine was being launched, it does mention percisely what I propose.
Making an 8" LA back in the day was certainly possible. There is no technical reason why it couldn't be done. Making an LA game on a burner that only knows how to do video is a million times harder.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on May 08, 2013, 12:40:06 PM
Well I cerntainly see a lot of passion in this project. As always Ill help any way I can with anything homebrew related. Certainly sign me up for one of the new games unless you think its cost is going to be in the four figures... even then I might consider it. :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 08, 2013, 01:44:59 PM
My figures would be similar to... Myst Reproduction apx 400... it could be cheaper, but its purpose is to generate cash to 'help' complete the real game. The Real game would be somewhere around 600-750... again this is to cover costs and NOT to make money! Insane prices, but then again some of the real discs go for that much anyway. With a low production run like this... the cost can not be spread out over 'many' copies.
Contacting Pioneer for LD blanks... unlikely. Novel Idea. People I have come into contact 'on the inside' say Pioneer does not keep a museum of items they make or warehouses full of products for obsolete stock. An example, Its just like the Zoom Discs... they do not have ANY of them, and disposed of them quickly after Zoom Magazine was scrapped in the mid 90's... practicaly throwing away BOX loads of brand new sealed Zooms they didnt distribute to dealers... this is where I have gotten access to all of the editions!!! Even LA Discs in 1996 were advertised for $9.99 in Pioneer Catalog to get rid of overstock. Unheard of to think Don Quixote, Road Prosecutor, and mabye even Time Gal discs in Japan going for that low at one time.
Its up to you, I was hoping to get a couple people on-board to help with the project. If most of you think this is pretty futile.. I can disapear and 'reappear' in the future when I have something concrete and sellable? I was just trying to generate excitment in a 'otherwise' dead LaserActive world. However, I'm not just saying something I thought up one bored afternoon... there is a lot of passion behind this and I have given this a lot of thought for just about a year now. Instead of just dreaming... it time to actualy try it out!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 08, 2013, 02:16:29 PM
Pioneer sells shit like spindle motors for LD players that have been out of production for 25 years. They're absolutely incredible about parts support for LD stuff.
The thing with blanks though is that they probably haven't sold one since the late 80s. They might keep that stuff around, they might not. Even the Laseractive was more popular than any form of writable LD.
Which type of blank LD do you have? What is the system called? This is important because the machine has to give you access to very low level machine operations to work. The ones I've seen only have things like composite, Y/C, YPbPr etc for video, some audio inputs, and nothing for data. You said there is a PC that controls it? Can you write TOC code directly to the disc? If so, it's technically possible. However, if the machine predates Laseractive (I think it does) then you're going to need a really smart dude to make something a LA will actually recognize as a game.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 08, 2013, 02:37:35 PM
From what I'm reading the only system that recorded discs that could be read in a conventional LD player was the RVL system by ODC, and that system predated digital sound, and LA games require digital sound so...
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Vecanti on May 08, 2013, 06:03:16 PM
I think Zeta is correct. AFAIK Pioneer never made blank "LaserDiscs". They made a system based on similar technology but it was cartridge based and I believe those were a random access type(re-writable) where it wrote to the disk more like a hard drive not in sequence like a typical LaserDisc and could be used even for Non-Linear editing, using multiple lasers even to write. So even if you could remove the disc from the cartridge you could never use it in a LaserDisc player.
ODC made a LaserDisc writer. Similar to CD-R where you burned a LaserDisc and it could be read on basically any LaserDisc player.
A few problems, I don't believe anyone has ever seen an ODC machine. The information looks like they were HUGE, the size of a Washer and Dryer put together. These were not home or small business machines. These were industrial machines.
The other problem is there seems to be no information on how they worked. Did they even record digital audio? These things came out in like 1988 so the system would have had to have the computing power to do CD quality audio digitizing/recording/mastering. Which in 1988 was a huge deal. Or were they completely analog video and analog soundtracks? Which seems more likely. In which case these machines would be useless I would think for LaserActive game making. There seems to be no way to know how you could use an ODC machine to write digital LaserActive computer data onto a LaserDisc with out actually playing with it/testing.
So even if you somehow found an ODC machine and got one working I would think there would be a lot of trial and error which means a lot of blank LaserDisc coasters. So just the idea of throwing away $1000s of dollars in blank discs (if you could find any) to test writing data is frightening.
But again, my knowledge is limited on this so I could be completely wrong on any or all of this.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 08, 2013, 06:22:56 PM
I think digital sound was available on LD in 1986, but didn't really start going strong until 1988 or so. I have discs made in the 90s with no digital sound. This recorder from ODC, from what I understand, did only analog sound with CX encoding. It also only did 30 minute CLV sides so...it was probably f*cking terrible, in all honesty.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 10, 2013, 05:38:55 PM
Your right... I have done some research into the 'claimed' model that can burn normal LD's... its not the case... it was a Sony Laser Recorder LVR-3000N.
I'll have to get ahold of that OCR unit somehow.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 10, 2013, 07:05:04 PM
I think you're better off trying to press LDs than getting than trying to get the ODC unit to make LA games. If these units even exist anymore at all it's going to take some incredible expertise to make something like that work. Making hardware and software modifications to a unit nobody can even find a photo of isn't a realistic goal, IMHO.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on May 11, 2013, 11:42:55 AM
Hypothetically, you could make a Mega LD game on CD right? It would obviously be very short, but would it be possible?
Seems like a good way to test some of your programming out on the cheap, before going through the expense of LD pressing?
Just make the game a 10 CD epic saga if all else fails :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 11, 2013, 11:58:14 AM
Hypothetically, you could make a Mega LD game on CD right? It would obviously be very short, but would it be possible?
It....might be possible. It would require some SERIOUS hardware expertise. Nobody has yet figured out how to burn a CDV. It might (might) be possible to make a MegaLD game on a CDV. It wouldn't be something that was ever designed to be played (there are, AFAIK, no retail CDV LA titles) but if you could get the player to recognize it it might work. This would require hacking a CD recorder to the extent that it would burn analog video. That shit ain't easy.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 11, 2013, 02:30:20 PM
I have to admit, this 'Might' be possible... and even if the game spanned 5 cd's or so (apx length of a 30 min LD)... it would be loads cheaper. However.... now I know 'exactly' what kind of hardware I need for LD's... i am VERY good at tracking down stuff. Before I purchased my copy of Myst... I located 3 different people who (currently) have copies within about 8 months. Unfortuantly... one of these 3 people's Myst appeared on ebay... without his knollege. I'll have more details in the official video. Then, after aquiring my copy... another person with one contacted me, with some interesting and distrubing news! No more hints... gotta keep 'something' to myself at least for now.
Searching for a way to make CDV's is top of my priority list.. at the very least it will 'help' keep costs down development wise. I still and trudging forward (not detered) towards new LA titles.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 12, 2013, 04:36:58 AM
You'll have to figure out if its even possible for an LD game to exist on a CDV. CDV's aren't just tiny LDs they are their own special format and it might not be possible for a disc to be a CDV and a LA game at the same time in the opinion of the LA itself. It might only recognize one or the other.
I guess you'll have to figure out what the TOCs look like.
Of course, the LD community would be extremely please if someone could figure out how to burn a CDV even if it wasn't an LA game.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on May 13, 2013, 04:10:34 PM
I do wonder if it's possible to use a Genesis flashcart or something to boot a CD as a LD with some trickery. The stuff people have been able to accomplish with those is quite amazing. I remember the person who made a version of Road Prosecutor for the SNES using a specially made flashcart.
Laseractiveguy, are you the one who picked up that PC PAC which ended on YJA a month or so ago? It went relatively cheap (under 20K) if I remember correctly.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 13, 2013, 04:43:38 PM
I do wonder if it's possible to use a Genesis flashcart or something to boot a CD as a LD with some trickery. The stuff people have been able to accomplish with those is quite amazing. I remember the person who made a version of Road Prosecutor for the SNES using a specially made flashcart.
I've played Road Prosecutor for SNES and its pretty impressive. The thing is though...its still all computer code, well that and a special DSP in the flash card. Getting a CDR drive to burn analog video requires that something physical be done and it would require serious firmware expertise.
If it can be done, if making a CDV is possible, then a MD flash cart would be the key to actually running it as an LA game.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 15, 2013, 02:51:11 AM
The Computer Pac is not required to make LaserActive games, I am almost certain. The only reason developers had such machines was to see the different fields if the disc was multi-layered. They used it to help 'line up' programming cues. I was so close to buying (that one)... but financials are a huge problem at the moment. I will be buying, probley the next one that comes up. But I DO already have the floppy discs, or at least the data for them. I was the supplier, if you remember 'Max' behind the LA Preservation project, he may have distributed a copy or two.
Road Prosecutor for SNES? Wow... the FMV one? I bet its just as grainy as the Sega Cd version... but who knows, the technology from 'the future' aka now is amazing compared to stuff of old. Theres even a Sega Cart game that can utalize the Sega CD for background music...
I have done hard core thinking on cdv... it might be just that in name... do you suppose it is digital, or analog format? If its digital, couldnt the person with the Sega link cable just 'download' it? If you need a disc, I have one.... albeit its Frank Sinatra and Madonna...lol
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 15, 2013, 03:57:33 AM
Ohh... that just gave me an idea.... making a LD with video is NO problem. However, the problem I have is making it a digital LD.
Would it be possible to make the game on a real LaserDisc using only footage.. and adding a Sega Gen cart to control the handling of LD video?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on May 15, 2013, 04:09:33 AM
Road Prosecutor for SNES? Wow... the FMV one? I bet its just as grainy as the Sega Cd version... but who knows, the technology from 'the future' aka now is amazing compared to stuff of old. Theres even a Sega Cart game that can utalize the Sega CD for background music...
A bit off topic, but it looks pretty nice: http://www.destructoid.com/super-road-blaster-the-impossible-laserdisc-to-snes-port-228189.phtml The larger color palette of the SNES may have something to do with that though.
I understand what you're saying now Zeta, I'd forgotten about the digital/analog difference in the video. You could probably burn something in a modern burner that looks like a CAV disc or something, but there is still no information on what the formatting for an actual LD is?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 15, 2013, 04:54:59 AM
I've played Road Prosecutor for SNES. The video is extremely good. It's made specifically for a certain type of flash cart with a powerful DSP chip that is probably more powerful than every chip in a SNES by several orders of magnitude. I don't remember which flash cart it is exactly, but my friend brought it to my house and we both played it. Its way beyond anything the SNES could do on its own, especially contemporaneously since the cart size would have been ridiculously huge by the standards of the day.
Regarding the whole idea of making LDs:
You aren't the first person to want to make LDs. There are many fans of LD in general (a surprising number of them didn't get into LD until it was dead for a decade) who want LDs. There has been a fair amount of discussion about this at lddb.com with some quite knowledgeable people contributing. The consensus is that the most realistic goal, but still quite difficult, is to press a CDV. The reason this is realistic is because if you can just get the stamper made then it can be pressed any anyplace that makes CDs, DVDs, and Blurays. Pressing a 12" disc is way more difficult because there probably isn't a single functioning LD press in the world and building would cost several hundred thousand bucks.
As for CDV, yes, its analog video. Its LD video. If it wasn't analog LD video then they wouldn't play in LD players from the 80s. The format is unique in that the center portions of the disc, the ones that would be where the label is on a 12/8" LD, are CDDA audio so the disc will play like a regular CD in a regular CD player. The video portion is only useable on a LD player. In an LD player the video plays first even though it's second physically. There is also an all video 5" format known as VSD which only has the video. I've never seen one of these but they must spin at a RPM that is f*cking ridiculous at the center because a CDV hauls major ass and often vibrates the shit out of players and those play 2cm more outbound than VSDs do.
So anyway, getting a CDR drive to burn analog video is technically possible but requires a very high level of expertise in how CD drives work. CDR drives only burn set lengths of pits and lands corresponding to digital ones and zeroes. LDs use constantly variable lengths to generate a sinusoidal wave which represents composite video but also has modulated within it analog video, digital video, digital frame information. Encoded into the analog audio part of the signal sometimes is a further disguised, AC-3 encoded, Dolby Digital 5.1 audio stream. When hacking, changing, making, digital shit the task might be difficult but its also a bit straightforward. There are things like error correction, header tags, obvious file structures, etc. With analog video everything is in flux. There are no absolutes. LD video was around for 25 years and while some perfect discs were made by the early 90s it was never really perfected industry-wide. There were always random quality fluctuations and bad decisions even on discs made by multi-million dollar companies in 2001.
Many game projects were difficult to pull off. Decrypting CPS2 for example, or figuring out all the memory mappers for Famicom. However, Famicom carts only do one thing; play Famicom games. Their construction betrays their function and once you correctly dump the ROM its all downhill from there. LD and LA are a whole different animal. You can't make a flash card for it. You can't edit a portion of it and run it to see what happens. LD was a decades long format that was constantly changing and heavily invested into by really really smart dudes at Pioneer and purchased by customers well off enough to fund all this work. Some things are easier to replicate with todays tech but a lot of it is nearly impossible for even the smartest dudes. The dudes that made a FC game knew or had understanding of every single bit of data that ended up on the cart. With analog formats you can record things even if you don't have equipment sensitive enough to see every aspect of the signal. You debug it by watching it on the TV.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 15, 2013, 05:01:36 AM
Ohh... that just gave me an idea.... making a LD with video is NO problem. However, the problem I have is making it a digital LD.
Would it be possible to make the game on a real LaserDisc using only footage.. and adding a Sega Gen cart to control the handling of LD video?
You could put crappy Sega CD video on a CDR and then use a flash cart to control it...but if you think about it, that's about totally pointless. Aside from it looking like shit, the same thing would also run on a Sega CD...or you could just make a huge flash cart and skip the disc part of it all together.
The whole point of the LA, the crux, is that it plays LD video and combines MD/PCE graphics. The only way the overlay system will work is with analog video. There is no way for a LA to play digital video unless it comes from the MD/PCE PAC and if its coming from the PAC in the first place then why have any overlaying going on at all? Why not just have the PAC generate the complete final product? And at that point, why use an LA at all?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on May 15, 2013, 05:24:05 AM
I have a couple VSDs. They are exactly the same as CDVs, just no audio tracks. The video is in the "outer" portion of the disk just like on all my CDVs. They should spin at the same speed.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 15, 2013, 05:49:46 AM
So they are half blank? Hilarious.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 15, 2013, 08:53:37 AM
New Scientist March 19, 1987 Snippets.. Philips also sees CD Video as a way of relaunching the technicaly acclaimed but commerical unsuccessful Laservison videodisc system. A conventional compact disc record the sound as 16-bit digital code...yada yada... so this is nowhere near fast enough for moving video pictures in digital code, unless comlex and expensive circuitry is build into the player to compress the digital data. So the CDV system compromises by recording moving TV pictues as an analogue waveform. The disc also spins faster while the video pictures are playing, around 2000 times a minute. The Laser then tracks the disc surface at a linear velocity of around 10 meteres/second. The high speed is a cheap way of providing clear pictures, but it limits video playing time to around 5 minutes.
The old Laservision videodiscs had analog sound, but the new CDV discs will have digital sound to accompany the picture. In the NTSC television system, there is room in the recorded video signal for both analog and digital soundtrack. ---------------------- In a later artical in the same magazine, it actualy talks about Video CD technology, at least in prototype stages. It mentions that General Electric's RCA Labs can get about 70 minutes of video out of cd's (which were original designed just for audio) and that it could have great potential because it does not have the HYBRID nature of CD Video... as its all digital. It however, says dedicated 'chips' are needed due to its slow access speeds of 1500kb/s ...which people have since developed faster 'drive' motors... lol. 52x anybody?
I also found another website going into details about nessasary wave-lenghts of 'pressing' CDV's... but its pretty technical. Useless unless you had equipment you could modify to accomidate such adjustments.
Now, having said that, I dont think a CD burner could make CDV's... but could a LD burner do it? Would really sensative 'cd-r's take the 'burning' signal?
Also.. are your VSD's... the mini-laserdiscs that have CDV format? I have one of those... its a 'single sided' LD... but it doesnt make any sense to me why they would make such a thing... I'd just burn it in normal LD format? My 'only one' has both a digital and analog soundtrack. (It does say CD Video...not LD)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 15, 2013, 09:29:15 AM
The "CD Video" logo is used sometimes on things just because they have digital sound. When I say "CDV" I'm talking about 5" CDs with an LD video portion on them.
And no, you aren't going to be able to make one in an LD recorder since there is basically no chance that an LD recorder would even physically mount a 5" disc.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on May 15, 2013, 11:55:26 AM
Just a side note on LaserDisc replication. Around 11 years ago a gentleman named Michael Fox got the rights and master tapes to the Dragon's Lair arcade game from Don Bluth/Dragon's Lair LLC for the purpose of making a reprint laserdisc capable of being played on the original arcade hardware to replace old and rotted copies of the disc.
He went around to various companies that could produce recordable laserdiscs (I believe these were called stamped or pressed) rather than going through the trouble of making a glass master. The problem with the pressed/recordable copies were that they were far too difficult to read on most LD players. He eventually wound up getting a glass master and made 400 of these discs and according to LDDB it was the last LD produced. I know imitation apparently got rid of the equipment shortly thereafter.
While recordable laserdiscs are out there, how well they'll actually play on Laseractive hardware is another matter entirely.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 15, 2013, 01:00:30 PM
I'm pretty sure that many many LDs in the Laserjuke (or whatever its called) line were made after the Dragon's Lair repress. These were music videos on 8" LDs than ran in juke boxes in Europe. I think these were made as late as 05 or maybe even 07.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on May 15, 2013, 01:33:06 PM
I'm pretty sure that many many LDs in the Laserjuke (or whatever its called) line were made after the Dragon's Lair repress. These were music videos on 8" LDs than ran in juke boxes in Europe. I think these were made as late as 05 or maybe even 07.
Interesting, I was unaware those existed.
I'm curious who was manufacturing the discs for them.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on May 15, 2013, 01:44:39 PM
For fun, here's a pic. VSDs are on the left, CDVs are on the right. As you can see, they are really the same thing, I have a feeling an LD player is not possible to spin fast enough to have video on the inner portions of the disc. But curiously all my CDVs are gold, while the VSDs are all silver. My LA will play both formats fine, but my old cheapo player won't play the VSDs (it does play the CDVs)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 15, 2013, 02:00:14 PM
I want that Best of BGC Vol. 1. I have the second one but the first seems to be much more expensive and hard to find.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on May 15, 2013, 02:51:37 PM
I just want a Laseractive without paying the gouger price. :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 16, 2013, 12:44:59 PM
I see all the time on forums people picking up LaserActives for 20-50 bucks in pawn shops... but they are just LUCKY!!. Then, most of those people only use it for Sega games and LDs... not even knowing theres a whole selection of 'real' titles for the sytem, or dont want to spend money to get them. I was on a LA kick (still really am to be honest) when I first got it, but a few months later, went back to more modern systems. No matter how advanced LaserActive was in its hay-day, todays systems and a $20 game just blow it out of the water. I'm not even sure why i'm devoted to such expensive antique equipment... but I do admit its cool-as-heck!! Part of the problem as to why its typicaly isnt cheap today... is because it wasnt cheap back in the day. In fact, except for the elite title game group... were getting quite a bargin compared to original prices!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on May 16, 2013, 05:47:21 PM
No matter how advanced LaserActive was in its hay-day, todays systems and a $20 game just blow it out of the water.
From a technological standpoint, you can say that new $20 games are better, but this is also nearly 20 years later. From a gameplay standpoint, I think it depends on the games obviously.
However, either way, I think you are missing the point. There is no other home entertainment device that was released in the U.S. that had the format and capabilities the LA did. The uniqueness of the system is why it is so cool. There was not before and there will never be any replication of the device, which is the allure.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Bardoly on May 17, 2013, 02:39:29 AM
So, is this auction (http://www.ebay.com/itm/161028241803?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649) a decent deal?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on May 17, 2013, 08:41:45 AM
I picked up my second LaserActive for $30 locally. Before I really got into it there were several in the Colorado Springs/Denver area that were selling for around $150 or so with a PAC and a bundle of LDs and/or Genesis stuff. They seemed to have all dried up now though, I bought in at $170 for a unit with PAC-S10 the guy drove down and delivered to my door.
I agree with TheClash they they're a crazy product of the 90s, that's one reason I enjoy it. Also, it's like the second most expensive video game console ever released. It's cool to own something that would have cost as much as (an admittedly crappy) car at one point.
Modern collectors are getting a heck of a deal on most games. A lot of them were 7000-9000 yen at least back in the day from what I see on the jackets, others like Time Gal and Road Prossy have really gone up though.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 17, 2013, 12:25:03 PM
No matter how advanced LaserActive was in its hay-day, todays systems and a $20 game just blow it out of the water.
There is no other home entertainment device that was released in the U.S. that had the format and capabilities the LA did. / - I beg to differ. I present to you the PlayStation 3! - Granted, the 1st version!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on May 17, 2013, 11:56:33 PM
Backwards compatibility and new media for movies? That's exactly what the PS2 was, I don't see anything special about the PS3 in that regard...
No matter how advanced LaserActive was in its hay-day, todays systems and a $20 game just blow it out of the water.
There is no other home entertainment device that was released in the U.S. that had the format and capabilities the LA did. / - I beg to differ. I present to you the PlayStation 3! - Granted, the 1st version!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 18, 2013, 12:42:43 AM
If you wanted to get into it just a little bit... even though LA played 'movies' of its time... the Playstation was pretty much only backward compadible. The LA played its Own games, plus a bunch of other consoles games, making it superior in that regard.
The Playstation 3... It only Does Everything! The LaserActive... It only Did Everything!
Lets get back to figuring out how to make a game! Is it possible for a Mega Drive cart to control the LD functions? If so, were home free! I'll worry about making the non-digital discs.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 18, 2013, 02:30:15 AM
I'm sure it's possible for an MD (or PCE) cart to control LD functions. I don't think "home free" is very accurate though since nobody has pressed an LD in ages and nobody knows how.
An idea: make a game based on an already existing LD. Port Dragon's Lair by combining custom MD/PCE data on a flash card with an actual Dragon's Lair arcade LD.
Or maybe something more original. Something like the Gunbuster PCE games where they gives you a digital comic that relies on footage of the show. Make a Hunt for Red October digital comic that uses actual Red October discs for footage. That could be pretty fun/hilarious.
Maybe someone could code a LA version of HyperCard, essentially, allowing anyone to make games like this if they have a flash card.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Vecanti on May 18, 2013, 02:54:01 AM
I'm sure it's possible for an MD (or PCE) cart to control LD functions. I don't think "home free" is very accurate though since nobody has pressed an LD in ages and nobody knows how.
An idea: make a game based on an already existing LD. Port Dragon's Lair by combining custom MD/PCE data on a flash card with an actual Dragon's Lair arcade LD.
Or maybe something more original. Something like the Gunbuster PCE games where they gives you a digital comic that relies on footage of the show. Make a Hunt for Red October digital comic that uses actual Red October discs for footage. That could be pretty fun/hilarious.
Maybe someone could code a LA version of HyperCard, essentially, allowing anyone to make games like this if they have a flash card.
Wow those are awesome ideas and could probably be pulled off actually. I'd love to see a Blade Runner RPG. :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 18, 2013, 12:42:16 PM
Believe it or not, this is percisely what the PC pac allows a person to do.. by making LD discs readable, searchable, and perhaps put txt on screen, with user selectable options. If software could be made that fits in a MegaDrive or PCE flashcard to do similar operations, it can easily be done! Not original games, but some creative stuff could be done witha lot of 'fairly easy' to get LDs. Now, I have heard that once 'cart' mode is enacted, it basicly locks down the LD drive. That will have to be circumvented somehow.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 18, 2013, 12:45:28 PM
What is the Blue LD-ROm disc on the left side next to Zoom 7?
Believe it or not, this is percisely what the PC pac allows a person to do.. by making LD discs readable, searchable, and perhaps put txt on screen, with user selectable options. If software could be made that fits in a MegaDrive or PCE flashcard to do similar operations, it can easily be done! Not original games, but some creative stuff could be done witha lot of 'fairly easy' to get LDs. Now, I have heard that once 'cart' mode is enacted, it basicly locks down the LD drive. That will have to be circumvented somehow.
I think the PC PAC basicaly just gives you the serial port that many LDV series players have. This is nice, I guess, but you can't do much except control the disc transport. If a MD/PCE flash cart was used you'd be able to do that but also generate good quality graphics, score counters, etc.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on May 18, 2013, 02:28:30 PM
Correct. PC Pac was just to give the LA the only other function it was missing. Hence nobody bought one.
Believe it or not, this is percisely what the PC pac allows a person to do.. by making LD discs readable, searchable, and perhaps put txt on screen, with user selectable options. If software could be made that fits in a MegaDrive or PCE flashcard to do similar operations, it can easily be done! Not original games, but some creative stuff could be done witha lot of 'fairly easy' to get LDs. Now, I have heard that once 'cart' mode is enacted, it basicly locks down the LD drive. That will have to be circumvented somehow.
I think the PC PAC basicaly just gives you the serial port that many LDV series players have. This is nice, I guess, but you can't do much except control the disc transport. If a MD/PCE flash cart was used you'd be able to do that but also generate good quality graphics, score counters, etc.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Vecanti on May 18, 2013, 04:35:47 PM
Believe it or not, this is percisely what the PC pac allows a person to do.. by making LD discs readable, searchable, and perhaps put txt on screen, with user selectable options. If software could be made that fits in a MegaDrive or PCE flashcard to do similar operations, it can easily be done! Not original games, but some creative stuff could be done witha lot of 'fairly easy' to get LDs. Now, I have heard that once 'cart' mode is enacted, it basicly locks down the LD drive. That will have to be circumvented somehow.
I think the PC PAC basicaly just gives you the serial port that many LDV series players have. This is nice, I guess, but you can't do much except control the disc transport. If a MD/PCE flash cart was used you'd be able to do that but also generate good quality graphics, score counters, etc.
Right, it's the serial port and controls, but it's the "Genlock" that basically makes it special. Or the combining of the two really. So that is a great idea, if you can't make new laser disc content you can still make new Game contact based around the 1000s of laser disc content and you still have the Magic of the combined Genlock and instant controls of the laserdisc system.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on May 18, 2013, 05:28:06 PM
Ah! So the PC PAC has RGB in on it? That's pretty great.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on May 18, 2013, 10:05:00 PM
Believe it or not, this is percisely what the PC pac allows a person to do.. by making LD discs readable, searchable, and perhaps put txt on screen, with user selectable options. If software could be made that fits in a MegaDrive or PCE flashcard to do similar operations, it can easily be done! Not original games, but some creative stuff could be done witha lot of 'fairly easy' to get LDs. Now, I have heard that once 'cart' mode is enacted, it basicly locks down the LD drive. That will have to be circumvented somehow.
I think the PC PAC basicaly just gives you the serial port that many LDV series players have. This is nice, I guess, but you can't do much except control the disc transport. If a MD/PCE flash cart was used you'd be able to do that but also generate good quality graphics, score counters, etc.
Right, it's the serial port and controls, but it's the "Genlock" that basically makes it special. Or the combining of the two really. So that is a great idea, if you can't make new laser disc content you can still make new Game contact based around the 1000s of laser disc content and you still have the Magic of the combined Genlock and instant controls of the laserdisc system.
You sure it uses the Genlock? The Karaoke PAC doesn't, and that serial port uses the standard Japanese 50pin serial connector that all Japanese computers did, I really doubt it does anything beyond the standard serial specs.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on May 19, 2013, 01:11:41 AM
In my theory, it (PC Pac) also allows 'computers' to access individual field interlaced frames... ie Look at Triad Stone or Road Prosecutor without seeing both fields at the same time, as if putting it into a normal LD player. As far as I know though, this software IS NOT included in the normal floppy discs... but I am sure the pac can do it.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on June 14, 2013, 02:44:50 PM
I'm now a proud owner of a Laseractive! This is so cool.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: allyourblood on June 14, 2013, 04:10:30 PM
I've got one of these beasts and it's quite the showpiece, but since my Laserdisc collection has been relegated to my closet, I just haven't had much need to hook it up. I really got a charge out of playing Sega CD games on it at first, and Triad Stone was entertaining for a while (my only LD game), but the thing is so massive and slow that it's more of a chore than anything else.
After 10+ years of searching for the TG pac (without resorting to you-know-what, of course), I've given up completely. I've got a Karaoke pac but I've never hooked it up to see what it does. This thread just reminded me about the ol' behemoth... it might be time to put her out to pasture...
Congrats on the purchase, BigusSchmuck! It's always a nice feeling to get your hands on that new toy you've had your eye on! :clap: :dance:
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on June 14, 2013, 05:30:40 PM
STATUS: I remain envious of all you bastards with LaserActive. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcds.png)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on June 14, 2013, 06:03:32 PM
STATUS: I remain envious of all you bastards with LaserActive. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcds.png)
I still have to get the turbo/pce pac but not for the going rate...
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on June 18, 2013, 04:58:02 PM
Out of curiosity, once you get a cap replacement how long before you need to do another one? I'm trying to get one of our lovely forum members here to do it for my sega pac (apparently the actual console doesn't need it just yet?) and I'm hoping this is the first and last time having to do this. The good news is, my beast has only had one owner (an all the manuals strangely enough) so I'm hoping there aren't any leaking caps going on.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on June 18, 2013, 05:19:01 PM
I would hope that once replaced you shouldn't need to replace them again for 15 - 20 years or more. The problem is not so much that the caps are drying out but that they're leaking (as was typical of a lot of SMD caps from that time period) Not to say new caps wont leak in the future, but one could hope that the technology that goes into them has improved some since then.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on June 18, 2013, 05:49:45 PM
I would hope that once replaced you shouldn't need to replace them again for 15 - 20 years or more. The problem is not so much that the caps are drying out but that they're leaking (as was typical of a lot of SMD caps from that time period) Not to say new caps wont leak in the future, but one could hope that the technology that goes into them has improved some since then.
I just hope when I power this thing on it won't start having issues with the caps off the bat. I also haven't seen anyone with the manuals on this thing on the web, I probably should scan them and post them somewhere at the very least to archive them.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on June 19, 2013, 12:21:16 AM
... I also haven't seen anyone with the manuals on this thing on the web, I probably should scan them and post them somewhere at the very least to archive them.
I'd be happy to host any and all LaserActive scans! They belong here: Instruction Manuals @tg-16.com (http://archives.tg-16.com/magazine_database.htm?col=pub&val=i)
I e-mailed a couple of scans to http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/pg90-pioneer.htm#page=specs a while back for the S10 and N10 manuals.
One day i'll scan the PC1 manual too.
Let me know Esteban if you want me to e-mail over the same scans?
Heck yes!
Don't forget you are welcome to turn your "FAQ" into a LaserActive resource (I think you were considering updating it first...or something along those lines...)
ACTUALLY, the offer is out to anyone: I would like to have a LaserActive resource at tg-16.com, but I have to rely on you folks for content...I can make it look pretty, copy edit it, provide supplemental writing, etc.
Ha! It will happen one day...
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on June 19, 2013, 09:32:33 PM
E-mails on their way to you :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on August 09, 2013, 07:29:31 PM
So I came across something a little concerning when I removed my sega pac tonight after doing some light gaming, there was a strange smell coming from the actual connectors to the pac. I'm wondering if thats a tall tale sign that the caps are going bad and if its time to replace them? I was going to do it eventually, but I haven't really played much of my Laseractive as of late and been mostly using it as a Laserdisc player...
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on August 09, 2013, 10:51:41 PM
At this point in time, all PACs are due for a recap. Just do it regardless of condition, the earlier you do it, the easier it is. Once the flood gates open, you're gonna need pro-level skills.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on August 10, 2013, 12:43:33 AM
Yep, pioneer offered a nice little "sniff hold" on the back. If you smell ze fosh, change ze caps asap. Contact thesteve, he can do em good.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on August 10, 2013, 06:34:50 AM
Trying to get a hold of Chop as he sounds like the man to do the job. I thought about even offering a trade to one of these guys to see if someone would rather do that... It kind of sucks because I really wanted to play some more Triad Stone too!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: turboswimbz on August 11, 2013, 02:50:34 PM
Chop mentioned he was taking a break on repairs, but he was working with steve on fixing up the pacs . . . of course you'll need to talk to him on all of that though.
Steve is def. the guy to go to though if you nave no luck with choppers.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on August 11, 2013, 04:12:55 PM
Chop mentioned he was taking a break on repairs, but he was working with steve on fixing up the pacs . . . of course you'll need to talk to him on all of that though.
Steve is def. the guy to go to though if you nave no luck with choppers.
Yeah I contacted thesteve too. I'll wait eagerly for either his or Chop's response. In the meantime, I got plenty of Sega Master System loving to do. :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: turboswimbz on August 12, 2013, 07:29:08 AM
Ah. well hopefully you have a re-caped pack soon, I have a MD and now a sega pac to have done. looking forward to gaming on it. watching my first LD is proving to be fun as well.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on August 14, 2013, 03:43:49 AM
Would anybody be willing to trade some of their LA games (1 or 2) for Myst 110? Get ahold of me at LaserActiveGuy channel on youtube if interested... (Season 2 of LaserActiveGuy coming soon...)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on August 16, 2013, 06:34:55 AM
Did you ever get that repro cover printed out?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on August 28, 2013, 04:41:14 AM
You want me to honestly tell the truth? I have yet to see the artwork. I dont even know who did it.... We only had one submission... so unless its total crap (which I doubt), I have a copy of Zoom 5 ready to be shipped out.... someones gotta pull his finger out of his butt... For some reason its being held from me...and I'm not sure why. If that person would like to resubmit it to me personaly... instead of the site, please do... I want to keep my promises.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: laseractiveguy on August 28, 2013, 04:49:04 AM
There is an auction for 2 japanese Time Gals... sealed no-less.... anybody want to go half/half on them?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on August 28, 2013, 06:04:06 AM
Good luck, I've never seen a sealed sample disc though, seems kind of odd. I can't tell from the pictures if the bag is original though, the brand new games have a particular feel and look to them that's hard to duplicate. They both look like they're in really nice shape though.
It's also odd though that they seller didn't put the text "Mega LD" of any type in the listing though, seems like you'd really decrease your buyer pool by doing that.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on September 18, 2013, 09:06:19 AM
BUMP!
I recently received some PAL Laserdiscs for free with another purchase. I've no clue what to do with them, but from what I've read they probably will not work in a LaserActive because it's NTSC based right?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on September 18, 2013, 02:30:07 PM
Good luck, I've never seen a sealed sample disc though, seems kind of odd. I can't tell from the pictures if the bag is original though, the brand new games have a particular feel and look to them that's hard to duplicate. They both look like they're in really nice shape though.
It's also odd though that they seller didn't put the text "Mega LD" of any type in the listing though, seems like you'd really decrease your buyer pool by doing that.
Want to know something weird? I had a sealed sample of rocket coaster I just sold not to long ago.... I probable should have kept it.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Keith Courage on September 18, 2013, 09:52:48 PM
I am also actively doing recaps of these pacs if anyone else ever needs it done.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on September 18, 2013, 10:48:01 PM
I recently received some PAL Laserdiscs for free with another purchase. I've no clue what to do with them, but from what I've read they probably will not work in a LaserActive because it's NTSC based right?
Correct, I have a few PAL LDs and they won't play on my LA (or any other player I own).
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on September 19, 2013, 07:03:43 AM
I recently received some PAL Laserdiscs for free with another purchase. I've no clue what to do with them, but from what I've read they probably will not work in a LaserActive because it's NTSC based right?
Correct, I have a few PAL LDs and they won't play on my LA (or any other player I own).
Boo! Well I guess I'll just keep them around for now. Not much else I can do with them unless I use them as a Frisbee.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on September 19, 2013, 11:22:43 AM
I am also actively doing recaps of these pacs if anyone else ever needs it done.
You are a brave soul... :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on October 28, 2013, 11:47:07 AM
Just thought I would post this up if anyone was in the market for a Time Gal: http://page6.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f133374629
Starts at 120,000 yen, but it does include free shipping! :P
From what I remember, the pair that was up previously and was mentioned ended at around 220K.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on October 28, 2013, 03:49:41 PM
It will be interesting to see what it goes for. I'm sure there will be many proxy bidders on it. I dont expect to ever get that particular game.
In other Laseractive news, I played some Quiz Econosaurus tonight.... I cant quite articulate how to describe how truly awful it is. I'm even a more enviromentalist type and I think the "game" is awful.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on October 28, 2013, 11:50:19 PM
It will be interesting to see what it goes for. I'm sure there will be many proxy bidders on it. I dont expect to ever get that particular game.
In other Laseractive news, I played some Quiz Econosaurus tonight.... I cant quite articulate how to describe how truly awful it is. I'm even a more enviromentalist type and I think the "game" is awful.
Edit to clarify, the 120,000 is Buy it Now, you can still bid which is at zero so far though.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Opethian on October 29, 2013, 10:41:25 AM
no time for gal if you buy that...
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on October 29, 2013, 05:49:15 PM
In related hard to find but good game news, Road Prosecutor is up on ebay now.
Both better and cheaper than Time Gal, this is the one you want!
P.S. - Quiz Econosaurus is awful.
Good lord US games are expensive! I wonder what the Buy It Now price on that was. I've actually got a bundle of LA games coming in from Japan sometime next week hopefully and will post them in teh haul thread. :D
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on October 31, 2013, 06:09:58 AM
Both better and cheaper than Time Gal, this is the one you want!
P.S. - Quiz Econosaurus is awful.
Good lord US games are expensive! I wonder what the Buy It Now price on that was. I've actually got a bundle of LA games coming in from Japan sometime next week hopefully and will post them in teh haul thread. :D
Not really, I bought a brand new copy of Rocket Coaster for $40 off the bay. I guess you just need to be patient...
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on November 01, 2013, 05:23:26 AM
True, some games are a lot cheaper to find than others. But until the LaserActive is emulated I think some games are going to be a lot pricier than others. JP games seem to be cheaper than US ones just in general since a lot more JP copies were printed compared to the US games .
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on November 01, 2013, 03:21:29 PM
True, some games are a lot cheaper to find than others. But until the LaserActive is emulated I think some games are going to be a lot pricier than others. JP games seem to be cheaper than US ones just in general since a lot more JP copies were printed compared to the US games .
The majority of US games are $80 or less. Considering the scarcity and format, I actually think the prices aren't bad. Only 4 games really go into the "pricey" category, Road Prosecutor, Blue Chicago Blues, Don Quixote, and 3d Museum. The bad news is 3 of those games are pretty damn good!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on November 02, 2013, 02:52:24 AM
The original retail price of these games was what $125 each I think? So most games are still under their retail cost.
3D Museum aint that bad.... :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on November 02, 2013, 08:15:20 AM
The original retail price of these games was what $125 each I think? So most games are still under their retail cost.
3D Museum aint that bad.... :)
3D Museum is well worth the price of admission for the JP version, if you have the 3D Goggles. The tech is actually pretty damn cool and the 3D is really well done for the time. There is a mode where you essentially watch 3D screen savers, but it is well worth looking at a time or two.
The U.S. game is going to cost 3 times the amount, to which I cannot recommend unless you are a die hard.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Mathius on November 02, 2013, 01:56:29 PM
I dug up some of my old EGMs from the 90s the other day and have been re-reading a lot of LA articles. I remember playing the system at HH Gregg bitd and have always held a fascination with the behemoth. I might turn around and actually get one some day. My fiance will probably kill me though lol
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on November 02, 2013, 03:17:03 PM
I dug up some of my old EGMs from the 90s the other day and have been re-reading a lot of LA articles. I remember playing the system at HH Gregg bitd and have always held a fascination with the behemoth. I might turn around and actually get one some day. My fiance will probably kill me though lol
Just bribe her with old laserdisc movies. That's what I did, although she still wants Songs of the South... I'm not sure if I will drop the cash for that movie anytime soon. Maybe if I get a bonus this year.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Mathius on November 02, 2013, 03:22:42 PM
I dug up some of my old EGMs from the 90s the other day and have been re-reading a lot of LA articles. I remember playing the system at HH Gregg bitd and have always held a fascination with the behemoth. I might turn around and actually get one some day. My fiance will probably kill me though lol
Just bribe her with old laserdisc movies. That's what I did, although she still wants Songs of the South... I'm not sure if I will drop the cash for that movie anytime soon. Maybe if I get a bonus this year.
That's a start. :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on November 02, 2013, 05:00:56 PM
3D Museum is a rather amusing little disc. No one should ever buy an LA for 3D Museum, but everyone with an LA should have 3D Museum.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on November 03, 2013, 12:45:20 AM
I cheated and hooked up my master system to rum 3d goggles while I played 3D museum.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on November 03, 2013, 12:53:34 AM
I cheated and hooked up my master system to rum 3d goggles while I played 3D museum.
I do this when I go out to a movie theatre. I always ask for a seat near an electrical receptacle; most folks are understanding.
One time the guy next to me asked if he could play a game...sadly, I had to inform him that I didn't bring a CRT that day.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: PunkicCyborg on November 03, 2013, 03:08:59 AM
I got a pair of famicom 3d glasses for $25 off ebay a while back. I believe those should work the same as the expensive official LA glasses and plug in with the same 3.5mm jack.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on November 03, 2013, 05:54:15 AM
I got a pair of famicom 3d glasses for $25 off ebay a while back. I believe those should work the same as the expensive official LA glasses and plug in with the same 3.5mm jack.
I actually use the Famicom 3D glasses whenever I play 3D things on any of my old systems. They are the best designed and most comfortable of all 3D glasses of that era.
With that said, you still need the ADP-1 adapter to use these 3D glasses on a Laseractive. I am the biggest moron when it comes to electronic stuff like this, but I do not believe you can just hook the Famicom glasses directly to the system in any way.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on November 03, 2013, 12:56:34 PM
Yeah you need the Adapter for connection. However you can also just turn on a 3d famicom or mastersystem game with the googles plugged in there and simply look at the LA games. It will work fine.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on November 03, 2013, 01:21:20 PM
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on November 04, 2013, 05:34:39 AM
I actually had no clue the US release of 3D museum was that pricy, the JP version can be had much cheaper. I always thought Goku and Ghost Rush were more expensive than it.
Also, consider me another person that vouches for the quality of the replacement ASUS ones as well. I find the official LA goggles a bit too dark personally, so they just sit up on display. I have thought about grabbing a pair of the Famicom ones since I've heard they are just really comfortable, but it would be the only Famicom piece of hardware I would own.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Opethian on November 04, 2013, 06:17:38 AM
famicom ones cant get power from the LA so you will need a famicom to plug into for power I believe.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on November 06, 2013, 08:48:19 AM
Wow, so in the end that US copy of Road Blaster went for $500! I'm definitely happy I got my Japanese copy for a fraction of that. Some of these titles I will probably just never grab unless I find them super duper cheap.
That reminds me, Clash did you ever give Back to the Edo a try? Was it interesting at all?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on November 06, 2013, 11:51:57 AM
Back to the Edo sucks. lol
If I didn't have every other game, in which case missing one just seems weird, I would never suggest anyone pay the asking price!
I am an idiot though lol
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on November 06, 2013, 03:13:32 PM
I think I paid $140 for my Road Blaster but it was LD only.
I need to try out that Don Quixote you sold me clash....
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on November 07, 2013, 03:28:16 AM
For anyone that wants to fap, here's the codes to see all the vids in Angel Mate.
So I just saw on the Cyberroach site that he had a cheat codes for Vajra Ni as well: Vajra 2 -Unlimited karma / HP: on the title screen press these buttons in order: up, II, I, down, I, II, up, II, I, down, I, II, select (by Vince) -Access code to disc side 2: 0719 (by Vince)
I bet there are codes in most of those girly games, especially Paolo if there is no saving. I can't imagine how they'd do testing or QA on them during development without codes of some sort. However, I just don't know how you would find them without extensive trial and error.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on November 07, 2013, 02:55:36 PM
Angel Mate is a bit of a chore, looking forward to check that shit out!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on November 08, 2013, 12:32:30 AM
Angel Mate is a bit of a chore, looking forward to check that shit out!
The roulette wheel cheats/ spinning wheel to unlock the video sequences cheats
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on November 11, 2013, 09:21:24 AM
I played most of the games from my last hauly this weekend and actually spent the most time with Paolo I think. I was busy getting just frustrated with Virtual Cameraman when thankfully Deadite mentioned that certain girls are not unlockable until other girls have been completed, what a tease...
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on November 12, 2013, 01:13:35 AM
I played most of the games from my last hauly this weekend and actually spent the most time with Paolo I think. I was busy getting just frustrated with Virtual Cameraman when thankfully Deadite mentioned that certain girls are not unlockable until other girls have been completed, what a tease...
How far did you get in Road Blaster?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on November 12, 2013, 04:13:33 AM
I played most of the games from my last hauly this weekend and actually spent the most time with Paolo I think. I was busy getting just frustrated with Virtual Cameraman when thankfully Deadite mentioned that certain girls are not unlockable until other girls have been completed, what a tease...
How far did you get in Road Blaster?
Not far enough :(
I played it last as I went through everything and that was around the time my daughter woke up. I tried to play for awhile but she kept wanting to play with the controller as she sat in my lap, which made it difficult to do much of anything. :D She did really enjoy the opening though!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on November 12, 2013, 05:14:26 AM
I played it last as I went through everything and that was around the time my daughter woke up. I tried to play for awhile but she kept wanting to play with the controller as she sat in my lap, which made it difficult to do much of anything. :D She did really enjoy the opening though!
Heh, I kind of prefer the cheesy Road Avenger intro music though.
Edit: Fixed the messed up quotes
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on November 12, 2013, 04:23:24 PM
I can get to what I believe to be the final stage but it always bests me.... still an excellent game.
Dan, you must be referring to this... :lol:
I believe this video must be the arcade version... but my absolute favorite part of Road Blaster/Prosecutor starts at 11:24. Classic 80's pop up headlights like a BOSS :D
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on November 12, 2013, 11:06:30 PM
I can get to what I believe to be the final stage but it always bests me.... still an excellent game.
Dan, you must be referring to this... :lol:
Yep. That's the song.
Quote
I believe this video must be the arcade version... but my absolute favorite part of Road Blaster/Prosecutor starts at 11:24. Classic 80's pop up headlights like a BOSS :D
And yeah, that's the arcade version (or an emulation of it). Unlike the Sega CD and LA versions the arcade version (and the Playstation and Saturn ports) has a crosshair.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on November 12, 2013, 11:59:41 PM
Why did they have a crosshair in the other versions? Where there sections moving the crosshair was involved?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on November 13, 2013, 12:08:25 AM
Why did they have a crosshair in the other versions? Where there sections moving the crosshair was involved?
The answer to that question is that the original arcade game was a conversion kit for Cobra Command another LD game with a crosshair and they simply used the same framework to design Road Blaster, change out the flight stick for a steering wheel, a new ROM with the engine, and new video.
I've not played an actual arcade machine of it (apparently Data East only managed to sell around dozen conversion kits for it in the US as the arcade industry was in a major slump in 1985, LaserDisc games had high failure rates and the arcade operator had to already have a working dedicated Cobra Command LD cabinet to convert from) but from what I recall of the 32-bit ports it's mostly used to see how far the wheel is turned in any one direction.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on November 13, 2013, 11:54:53 AM
The crosshair was for "aiming" your car. When you turbo ram you need the target car in the crosshair or you fail.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on November 13, 2013, 12:09:54 PM
Thanks for the history Dan. It is crazy to think they only sold 12 of the game. I also never knew it wasn't in a dedicated cab.
I suppose the LA game must be dirt cheap compared to a kit of the arcade game. Now that $500 ebay price seems like a value.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on November 17, 2013, 05:12:58 AM
Thanks for the history Dan. It is crazy to think they only sold 12 of the game. I also never knew it wasn't in a dedicated cab.
I suppose the LA game must be dirt cheap compared to a kit of the arcade game. Now that $500 ebay price seems like a value.
Some guy had 40-50 NOS Road Blaster conversion kits for sale maybe 12 years ago. He wanted a lot of money for them and only sold a couple, then seemingly disappeared. That's part of how we know the story about how few of them actually sold.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on December 12, 2013, 01:05:02 PM
Complete with original shrink wrap with 3D Goggle sticker. Price = $50 MOTHA f*ckAS!!! bahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Not impressed, you live in Japan where you probably could've easily found it for $20. Sourcing these games in the U.S. is where the challenge is.
Welcome to the club where you own each individual LA title officially released!
Now you just need to get the real deal non-squiggly version of the games.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on December 18, 2013, 04:37:02 AM
I came across these while searching for stuff and figured I'd share for anyone interested:
US Road Prosecutor w/obi - 29,800 yen http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w93255269
US Don Quixote w/obi - 14,800 yen http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n125295857
Assuming they don't get a lot of bids they could be decent deals for those interested. The last US Road Prossy went for about $500 (ugh) and a complete Don Q averages around $200-$250 from what I've seen recently. The seller has a lot of other complete looking LaserActive games for sale as well, it's just odd that they all appear to be US copies in Japan. Sadly, no Goku or Blue Chicago for mees :(
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on December 18, 2013, 07:55:54 AM
In general, do U.S. games gain a premium in Japan due to their "import" nature, or are Japanese collectors more apt to just stick to games in their native language?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on December 18, 2013, 11:20:07 AM
In general Japanese don't give a shit about USA stuffs, except for USA exclusive games. There is a supraisingly high amount of Japanese developed NES games that were never actually released on Famicom.
As for this lot, it's gonna be a gaijin proxy war for sure lol.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Opethian on December 26, 2013, 11:59:35 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/VVkD0MA.jpg?1) BCB get!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on December 26, 2013, 12:22:23 PM
My butt hurts.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Opethian on December 26, 2013, 12:56:22 PM
all the way to the bank :D you still got LA games Ill never get. HABEEB IT
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: EvilEvoIX on December 26, 2013, 01:02:09 PM
I just found a pioneer laseractive with nec and sega PAC, laseractive conttollers for both, gsmes for both, and 50 laserdiscs for $700. I guess it's a good deal but I could never justify spending that.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on December 26, 2013, 01:06:02 PM
if it's the USA Turbo Grafx 16 PAC, that's a really good deal.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on December 26, 2013, 02:02:02 PM
just checked the yahoo links from xele. and both games went to proxies. No surprise there. ROLF
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on December 26, 2013, 02:04:11 PM
So yeah if it was a US TG16 PAC then $700 would be a great deal. Laserdiscs themselves arent worth much, but if some of them were laseractive games then it would be a mega score.
Oh and its totally justified! Laseractive games offer a unique gaming experience that cant be had elsewhere.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Mathius on December 26, 2013, 02:37:45 PM
if it's the USA Turbo Grafx 16 PAC, that's a really good deal.
You tell me, seems to be a hit. I'll keep an eye on this guy but he's a hike for me, going from basically DC to North Carolina is a haul, maybe I can keep him dropping the price.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a104/evilevo8/Video Game Stuff/CAM00128_zps18cbf821.jpg) (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/evilevo8/media/Video Game Stuff/CAM00128_zps18cbf821.jpg.html)
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a104/evilevo8/Video Game Stuff/CAM00129_zps0536a220.jpg) (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/evilevo8/media/Video Game Stuff/CAM00129_zps0536a220.jpg.html)
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a104/evilevo8/Video Game Stuff/CAM00130_zpsc1fc1f67.jpg) (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/evilevo8/media/Video Game Stuff/CAM00130_zpsc1fc1f67.jpg.html)
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a104/evilevo8/Video Game Stuff/CAM00131_zps564b181d.jpg) (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/evilevo8/media/Video Game Stuff/CAM00131_zps564b181d.jpg.html)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on December 28, 2013, 11:35:35 AM
Yup, that's the USA Turbo PAC. For $700 you could easily flip the PAC itself on ebay, pick up a Japanese PCE PAC, and possibly still make a profit on a good day....
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: EvilEvoIX on December 28, 2013, 12:28:53 PM
Yup, that's the USA Turbo PAC. For $700 you could easily flip the PAC itself on ebay, pick up a Japanese PCE PAC, and possibly still make a profit on a good day....
What's the Turbo PAC worth? I'm very ignorant in terms of laseractive. Ima try for $400 that way u can just keep it and I can always flip it.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on December 28, 2013, 01:05:59 PM
very hard to come up with a set value. But the USA Turbo PAC + matching USA controller is anywhere from $600-$1000 these days.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on December 28, 2013, 03:49:52 PM
I'm in east Tennessee if that helps logistics in any way.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on December 28, 2013, 05:55:48 PM
This still completely disregards the 50 laserdiscs.
If the titles include 5-10 LA games, they run from $30 (Pyramid Patrol) to $400+ (Road Prosecutor and Blue Chicago Blues). $700 could be the steal of the century if there isn't just 50 copies of Police Academy.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on December 29, 2013, 03:20:01 AM
This still completely disregards the 50 laserdiscs.
If the titles include 5-10 LA games, they run from $30 (Pyramid Patrol) to $400+ (Road Prosecutor and Blue Chicago Blues). $700 could be the steal of the century if there isn't just 50 copies of Police Academy.
Police Academy isn't that bad of a movie. Ha! (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: EvilEvoIX on December 29, 2013, 03:32:35 AM
This still completely disregards the 50 laserdiscs.
If the titles include 5-10 LA games, they run from $30 (Pyramid Patrol) to $400+ (Road Prosecutor and Blue Chicago Blues). $700 could be the steal of the century if there isn't just 50 copies of Police Academy.
No LD Games, just movies. The guy says that there isn't a bios card for the turbo but cd games still work? Is that possible?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: turboswimbz on December 29, 2013, 03:46:44 AM
Well I might be interested in taking some of it off ya, if you do haul it in.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on December 29, 2013, 03:59:18 AM
The turbo / pce pacs have a built in 3.0 system bios. They're basically the equivalent of a Turbo Duo system.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: RyuHayabusa on December 29, 2013, 08:36:05 AM
Got my Laseractive today and it plays great. Sega PAC works great too. No glitches or anything, though I'm pretty sure it hasn't been recapped so it will need it eventually. Cosmetically it looks great except for one thing. The cartridge slot door on the Sega PAC seems to hang very loosely and doesn't close all the way. It appears there may be a spring or something missing behind the door that keeps it fully closed. Does anyone have any experience with this or ideas on how to fix this/where to get the parts?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: EvilEvoIX on December 29, 2013, 12:51:33 PM
Oh and its totally justified! Laseractive games offer a unique gaming experience that cant be had elsewhere.
I just play 3DO and use my imagination.
that's one way to endure the load times :P
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: RyuHayabusa on December 30, 2013, 01:31:26 PM
Anyone have a spare Laseractive remote and PAC slot door they could part with?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on December 30, 2013, 01:48:37 PM
You can use just about any Pioneer laserdisc player remote with the laseractive. Note though that it will only work if the pac is removed, otherwise you will have to use the controller connected to the pac to operate the ld player. Thats all if you want to watch movies.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on December 30, 2013, 03:07:18 PM
Anyone have a spare Laseractive remote and PAC slot door they could part with?
Easiest way to get a PAC slot door is buying another LA. There has been one loose on ebay in the last 3 years.
I have 4 LA CLD A100s, only one came with a door. Normally if it comes with a Pac installed, the door is long gone.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on December 30, 2013, 03:48:12 PM
Ive had a total of maybe 14 laseractives pass through my hands and only two of them had pac slot covers.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: RyuHayabusa on December 31, 2013, 12:16:15 PM
I saw a PAC slot cover on Ebay sometime last year but didn't bother to get it and now I'm kicking myself. I'll have a PAC in most of the time so it doesn't matter much but I'd still like to have one. Didn't know that the remote didn't work with a PAC in. That's kind of silly.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on December 31, 2013, 12:21:18 PM
Well I'm sure the idea is to make it harder to turn off the unit when playing a game. If you want to watch a movie you need to eject the PAC anyway, as with a PAC inserted it only outputs in 240p, as opposed to the 480i that most LD's are recorded in.
Personally I don't really care about my missing PAC cover. To me the LA is strictly a gaming device, if you want to watch movies, you can get a better player for cheaper anyway.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on January 02, 2014, 08:47:36 AM
Opeler! Congrats on the Blue Chicago Blues!! Was that the one up on Surugaya? I don't feel bad about missing it if it went to another peep here.
Looks like those US games in Japan went for a decent. I'm pretty sure if flew under the radar for most folks. Being the holidays I always have less cashflow and time to think about picking up stuff with family and such.
I've got a door for one of my LAs, but like Clash says if it has a PAC in the slot the door/cover is normally lost to the tides of time. The one unit I found locally for $30 had no PAC but had the door and was in pristine shape.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: RyuHayabusa on January 02, 2014, 08:54:12 AM
Well I'm sure the idea is to make it harder to turn off the unit when playing a game. If you want to watch a movie you need to eject the PAC anyway, as with a PAC inserted it only outputs in 240p, as opposed to the 480i that most LD's are recorded in.
Personally I don't really care about my missing PAC cover. To me the LA is strictly a gaming device, if you want to watch movies, you can get a better player for cheaper anyway.
I thought it goes to 240p only when you have the LD controls displayed. I had my Ys anime laserdiscs in and you could tell a decrease in the picture quality when you bring up the LD controls and then it goes back when you cancel the LD controls. Plus you can only access certain LD features like frame by frame with a PAC in from what I read.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on January 24, 2014, 02:20:30 AM
And lo, a new level of insanity has been reached: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Laseractive-Sega-Mega-LD-full-set-All-24-titles-Myst-Extras-/171225341989
Any ideas how he came up with that price? Even valuing Myst at $2500 there seems like a of extra dollars in there...
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Necromancer on January 24, 2014, 03:09:34 AM
Crazy! If Myst is $2500, that works out to an average of $520 each for the other games.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Bonknuts on January 24, 2014, 04:01:35 AM
And lo, a new level of insanity has been reached: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Laseractive-Sega-Mega-LD-full-set-All-24-titles-Myst-Extras-/171225341989
Any ideas how he came up with that price? Even valuing Myst at $2500 there seems like a of extra dollars in there...
Games located in France
dealbreaker lol
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on January 25, 2014, 10:08:01 AM
Also that's not a complete set either. Liar! I wouldn't mind that Myst though....
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on February 01, 2014, 07:42:20 AM
So I finally got my other old Pioneer LD player to work again, so I decided to see if it would play the video on any LA discs. The model of this player was a Pioneer LD-717, a really old and heavy model, but I figured it would be around before there was any LA copy protection put into their players. Once I got the player reading discs again, I pulled out a LD ROMROM known to show the video in certain players: Angel Mate.
DISCLAIMER: I was testing this on my LCD since I was fixing the player at the same time and there is more room to work.
Once I put it in, everything spun up and this screen loaded: (http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/12256482486_9a7d0d2a5e_z.jpg) (http://flic.kr/p/jF4Fey)
Boo! No boobies! It sat there for awhile and then I decide to just try and skip tracks to see if that would help. Skipping to the second track worked and I finally got the video to display.
The video was pretty decent, I'm not sure what surprises anyone would expect for a boobie game, but there were boobs. The final scenes were actually pretty racy, closer to softcore porn than just a gravure vid. :oops: I guess it's a well deserved payoff since apparently this game cheats a lot.
Once I get more time I may try it with other LA games and see what is viewable on them.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on February 01, 2014, 07:54:08 AM
I see no boobs, you lie!
This game is f*cking brutal. When you say "apparently it cheats a lot," that may be the understatement of the millenium. I have put more time into this game than any man should and it is infuriating.
I need to get an old LD player to just get in on the boob action like you did.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on February 01, 2014, 10:05:41 AM
This game is f*cking brutal. When you say "apparently it cheats a lot," that may be the understatement of the millenium. I have put more time into this game than any man should and it is infuriating.
I need to get an old LD player to just get in on the boob action like you did.
The roulette wheel cheats. The actual card playing is fair.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Punch on February 01, 2014, 10:27:26 AM
Upload the vids from the game so I can, ahem, "appreciate" the contents. :-"
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on February 01, 2014, 12:49:22 PM
Lol, if there is really that big of a demand for the video I will have to dig out that capture card I had and see if it still works. Quality would only be composite, but I'm sure you could all appreciate it ;)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on February 02, 2014, 02:03:31 AM
LOL, Angel Mate is the game I posted the cheat codes for. No need for all that bs for that game. ROLF.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Opethian on February 03, 2014, 01:34:29 AM
but what about Paolo caps :D
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on February 03, 2014, 01:53:31 AM
with Paolo, all videos are 3d native, when in 2d mode the game cuts out the doubled half in real time. If you watch Paolo's vids on another player, will only see the 3d ones. However the final secret vid is 2d only oddly enough...
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on February 03, 2014, 04:09:35 AM
with Paolo, all videos are 3d native, when in 2d mode the game cuts out the doubled half in real time. If you watch Paolo's vids on another player, will only see the 3d ones. However the final secret vid is 2d only oddly enough...
That sounds delectable! I'll need to see if I can get the 3D vid and then set up some goggles..
By the way, that Myst proto Laseractivedude bought is back on the chopping block! http://cgi.ebay.com/itm/151223300519
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on February 03, 2014, 11:31:54 AM
LOL Myst
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on February 03, 2014, 12:50:05 PM
As with anything, it's worth what someone will pay. The original buyer was obviously willing to drop $2500+ on it, but I don't think anyone here thinks it is actually worth that much.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperPlay on February 04, 2014, 08:14:26 AM
Just a thought, do LaserActive LDs suffer from disc-rot like movie LDs?
I mention this as I have around 300 movie LDs and quite a few of them are now showing symptoms of disc-rot with some now unwatchable.
With someLA-LDs fetching top prices does disk-rot not make these a high risk item to buy
(Not sure if I have mentioned this here before, if so sorry!)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on February 04, 2014, 09:57:59 AM
It is possible, but I've never heard of anyone having a rotted LA disc. All LA discs came out in the mid-90's and all were pressed by Pioneer directly. Quality was quite good at that point.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Opethian on February 14, 2014, 08:04:54 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=161224365331&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:3160 timegal from AUS lol
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on February 14, 2014, 04:14:28 PM
That's a friend of mine selling his LA collection and other items. I believe he picked it up sometime last year!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on February 17, 2014, 03:27:36 PM
That's a friend of mine selling his LA collection and other items. I believe he picked it up sometime last year!
Why did he pick it up and now turn it around so quick?
These things are to be enjoyed for quite some time! I learn more each time I go back to a game, just playing a time or two doesn't do the LA justice!
I've seen a few "collectors" on places like assembler who proudly own TimeGal and even say it's there favorite game, yet do not actually own an LA and have never even played it. ROLF.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Opethian on February 18, 2014, 01:02:12 AM
anything expensive must be good right? I mean if people are willing to pay that price it must be for good reason?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on February 18, 2014, 03:03:13 AM
anything expensive must be good right? I mean if people are willing to pay that price it must be for good reason?
In fairness, Time Gal is a great game in its genre.
Also, full disclosure... I paid a high amount for 3D Australia, so I am somewhat of a hypocrite.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on February 18, 2014, 07:18:44 PM
He is getting more into pinball and needed the cash!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on February 19, 2014, 08:34:54 AM
Heh, well I think he'd have better luck with a BIN and Best Offer setup than auction. It's obviously a super niche item though, hopefully he gets a bite.
The hunt still isn't over for me at least! I've got a couple more games I want, but 3D Australia seems like it will never happen unless another copy shows up for 5000 yen or something like Deadite found.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on February 19, 2014, 03:51:55 PM
Yeah I too have just about given up on completing the one of each released title :( 3D virtual australia hard to find at a less than ridiculous price!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Opethian on February 20, 2014, 01:42:19 AM
Id love time gal but I am not willing to spend a grand on it looks like I'll never get it at this rate.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on February 20, 2014, 02:30:55 AM
Id love time gal but I am not willing to spend a grand on it looks like I'll never get it at this rate.
You just gotta patience Ope, and search every day! Mandarake is pretty decent for underpricing stuff though, my minty Vajra Ni for $150 was from there.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Opethian on February 20, 2014, 03:07:50 AM
yea I paid closer to $200 to get it shipped here :(
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SamIAm on February 20, 2014, 03:30:52 AM
I passed up a sealed Time Gal at my Mandarake for 98000 yen. Not that I even have a laseractive, but I might have (*raises flame shield*) made some good money by flipping it.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Opethian on February 20, 2014, 06:16:22 AM
guess its not there anymore lol xele bought it like a boss ¥_¥
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on February 20, 2014, 09:21:16 AM
guess its not there anymore lol xele bought it like a boss ¥_¥
98000 yen is quite a lot of scratch. It seems like it has always been expensive though. I found a post on DigitalPress from like 2009 or so where someone was super stoked they got Time Gal for about $500 but there was no obi.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: RoyVegas on February 24, 2014, 11:50:49 AM
Wasn't sure where else to put this but thought one of you guys might be interested as I NEVER see them pop up for sale alone. Good luck
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: LameKat on March 18, 2014, 04:05:47 PM
I've got a sealed JP copy of The Great Pyramid coming my way, can it be set to play in English ?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on March 19, 2014, 01:09:06 AM
Yes, not that you're really going to want to....zzzzzz....
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: LameKat on March 19, 2014, 01:29:27 AM
Great, thanks. I'll try to muscle through it.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on March 22, 2014, 04:08:06 AM
Ever wanted to play Dragon's Lair and Thayer's Quest on an LA? If you have a PC-PAC and a suitable PC or Amiha, it seems you probably can.
The cable shown in this add is a standard serial cable, no reason it shouldn't work on the PC-PAC: http://www.dragonslairfans.com/flyers/LDG.pdf
And yes, these games do actually exist: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?50892-Software-Corner-LDG-Rare-Laserdisc-System-Question-about-releases
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on March 22, 2014, 07:26:45 AM
Ever wanted to play Dragon's Lair and Thayer's Quest on an LA? If you have a PC-PAC and a suitable PC or Amiha, it seems you probably can.
The cable shown in this add is a standard serial cable, no reason it shouldn't work on the PC-PAC: http://www.dragonslairfans.com/flyers/LDG.pdf
And yes, these games do actually exist: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?50892-Software-Corner-LDG-Rare-Laserdisc-System-Question-about-releases
Yep, I've been aware of the software corner bootlegs for a while.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on March 22, 2014, 11:22:30 AM
Ever wanted to play Dragon's Lair and Thayer's Quest on an LA? If you have a PC-PAC and a suitable PC or Amiha, it seems you probably can.
The cable shown in this add is a standard serial cable, no reason it shouldn't work on the PC-PAC: http://www.dragonslairfans.com/flyers/LDG.pdf
And yes, these games do actually exist: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?50892-Software-Corner-LDG-Rare-Laserdisc-System-Question-about-releases
Pretty cool! Looks like clash has some searching to do now! :P
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on March 22, 2014, 12:19:13 PM
Pretty cool! Looks like clash has some searching to do now! :P
As I stated on the previous page, those software corner discs are bootlegs/unlicensed by the IP holders. And to make matters worse they're not NTSC they're PAL.
The same type of thing can be done using a PC with a serial cable using Daphne with various LDP players that have a serial connection and of course the original discs.
I've done just that before with a Sony LDP-1450 that is now sitting in storage.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on March 23, 2014, 06:17:57 AM
This is something I would be interested in giving a try, but will likely never do to be honest...
The PC-Pac has been fired up a few times by me, but I really am too stupid to know what to do with it! lol
Whatever happened to that homebrew LA game? Not sure why I just thought of it, but is that officially canned?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on March 23, 2014, 08:42:17 AM
This is something I would be interested in giving a try, but will likely never do to be honest...
The PC-Pac has been fired up a few times by me, but I really am too stupid to know what to do with it! lol
Whatever happened to that homebrew LA game? Not sure why I just thought of it, but is that officially canned?
I'm not sure. I saw laseractivedude was trying to sell his Myst on ebay again for about $2400 so he may have given up on the homebrew stuff for the LA if he's getting rid of the proto as well.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on March 26, 2014, 04:13:44 PM
This is something I would be interested in giving a try, but will likely never do to be honest...
The PC-Pac has been fired up a few times by me, but I really am too stupid to know what to do with it! lol
Whatever happened to that homebrew LA game? Not sure why I just thought of it, but is that officially canned?
I'm not sure. I saw laseractivedude was trying to sell his Myst on ebay again for about $2400 so he may have given up on the homebrew stuff for the LA if he's getting rid of the proto as well.
Now that it is sold, perhaps we'll get an update on that homebrew.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: RyuHayabusa on April 16, 2014, 02:07:32 PM
Anyone have an extra Laseractive remote they'd want to sell? I know it's not the best remote to have but I'd like to have all the original hardware.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on April 17, 2014, 12:52:03 AM
The talk of MD sound quality in the other threads made me wonder, does the LA with a S1 output high quality MD sound, or is it the nerfed quality of the later revisions? My LA is my only MD system I have, so I am curious if I am gaming properly.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on April 17, 2014, 01:37:45 AM
This is something I would be interested in giving a try, but will likely never do to be honest...
The PC-Pac has been fired up a few times by me, but I really am too stupid to know what to do with it! lol
Whatever happened to that homebrew LA game? Not sure why I just thought of it, but is that officially canned?
I'm not sure. I saw laseractivedude was trying to sell his Myst on ebay again for about $2400 so he may have given up on the homebrew stuff for the LA if he's getting rid of the proto as well.
Now that it is sold, perhaps we'll get an update on that homebrew.
Anyone have an extra Laseractive remote they'd want to sell? I know it's not the best remote to have but I'd like to have all the original hardware.
The cost for an original remote is really not worth it since there are so much better options out there. That said, I'd just put a watch on ebay for the model number and wait if no one has an extra.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on April 17, 2014, 11:05:54 AM
The cost for an original remote is really not worth it since there are so much better options out there. That said, I'd just put a watch on ebay for the model number and wait if no one has an extra.
Yep, Perfectly functional pioneer LD remotes pop up for 10.00 or less fairly often.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: RyuHayabusa on April 17, 2014, 02:20:00 PM
I've seen several Pioneer LD remotes for cheap but I still want the one that came with the system. There's one for the NEC version that's been on there for quite a while. I'm just hoping someone on here has an extra. Been watching on Ebay for a while and nothing recently.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: RyuHayabusa on April 18, 2014, 01:00:23 PM
I'm having some issues with the back-up RAM on my LA. I just had my Sega PAC recapped recently and reformatted the RAM. After playing Snatcher for a bit I saved it and turned the machine off. I just tried to play it again and my save data was corrupted. After reading the Sega PAC manual it says to leave the machine on for 6 hours after reformatting the RAM before using it. 6 hours??? Does this sound like an issue with the machine or just a problem from me not reformatting it right? I reformatted the RAM when I first got the machine and didn't leave it on for 6 hours. Also, should I bother getting the Sega CD back-up RAM cart? Seems I read somewhere that they're junk.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: synbiosfan on April 18, 2014, 01:18:05 PM
Also, should I bother getting the Sega CD back-up RAM cart? Seems I read somewhere that they're junk.
For some games like Shining Force CD you need the extra memory to access the complete game. I have had no problems with it and was kind of surprised you read somewhere they're junk. Overpriced, yes! Junk, not that I've experienced. I still have my original one from back in the day.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on April 18, 2014, 01:20:44 PM
There is a rechargeable battery in the Sega PAC that is probably long past its time. Not everyone replaces the battery when doing a recap. They probably suggest leaving the system on for 6 hours to recharge that battery. Personally, I dont use the Laseractive for games that require saving so I've not really had an issue. I'd say replace that battery and go from there though.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: RyuHayabusa on April 18, 2014, 01:21:01 PM
Also, should I bother getting the Sega CD back-up RAM cart? Seems I read somewhere that they're junk.
For some games like Shining Force CD you need the extra memory to access the complete game. I have had no problems with it and was kind of surprised you read somewhere they're junk. Overpriced, yes! Junk, not that I've experienced. I still have my original one from back in the day.
So if I get a ram cart will it automatically save to it rather than the Laseractive internal ram? How does it work?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: synbiosfan on April 18, 2014, 01:26:34 PM
It should give you the option. Some games (I don't have a list) do not and just save to the internal memory.
The Sega PACs cart slot is big enough so you could always grab a Japanese backup cart as they're usually cheaper (at least the last time I looked).
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Mathius on April 18, 2014, 01:35:36 PM
It should give you the option. Some games (I don't have a list) do not and just save to the internal memory.
The Sega PACs cart slot is big enough so you could always grab a Japanese backup cart as they're usually cheaper (at least the last time I looked).
Yep they're cheaper. I bought a boxed one for $25 last week.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on April 21, 2014, 09:45:31 AM
Yeah, some games allow you to save to the RAM cart from in game, but others only use the internal memory of the system. There are also plenty that just create a save file no matter what upon starting up which can be a bit of a pain.
My S-10 battery is dead, and what I did before was a rather tedious process: 1) Start console, and make sure you have the backup cart already inserted 2) Enter RAM menu 2) Format internal memory 3) Play game and save to internal memory 4) When done playing, hit Reset (Not power cycle) to get back to start screen 5) Enter RAM menu 6) Copy file from onboard memory to cart 7) Shut off
From then on when you start playing, just copy the save file you want off the cart and into the memory when you want to play. It's a pain, but it works. Eventually I got S1 with new battery, and that holds my LA saves just fine. I believe the N1/10 PACs have a super capacitor like the duo in them instead of a battery.
I also second the JP carts, they're super duper cheap.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: LameKat on May 26, 2014, 11:11:28 AM
How can subtitles be shut off? Couldn't find anything using a genesis controller, don't have the original remote, using a cu-v111 remote. Thanks.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on May 26, 2014, 04:03:32 PM
Depends on the disk. But most of mine (english movies with japanese subbs) are hard subbed, meaning they cant be turned off.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on June 27, 2014, 09:27:24 AM
I was taking pictures to sell some games today and I noticed something I hadn't seen before:
(http://i58.tinypic.com/24ngx7m.jpg)
(http://i57.tinypic.com/n52yg.jpg)
Both are copies of Space Berserker and both have the US serial number. I am assuming that the copy with the white disc label is the "Sample" version and the yellow is the retail version. I had always seen the sample versions (probably even own/owned a few), but I thought the only difference was the sticker on the game's sleeve.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on June 29, 2014, 08:02:33 AM
ZOMG! LaserActive Variants now?!
My retail copy of Space Berserker with no sample sticker is just a white center.
I also checked my Rocket Coaster and the sample US version is white, retail JP version is white as well.
I'd guess maybe it was a second run they did.
So the big question is, are you still selling it now that you noticed it's different? ;)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on June 29, 2014, 09:03:55 AM
My retail copy of Space Berserker with no sample sticker is just a white center.
I also checked my Rocket Coaster and the sample US version is white, retail JP version is white as well.
I'd guess maybe it was a second run they did.
So the big question is, are you still selling it now that you noticed it's different? ;)
I actually had 3 Space Berserkers and sold one copy, which was yellow. Now I have a yellow and a white, but I would consider selling my spare still...
I am shocked any of these games were popular enough to get a second pressing in the U.S., I really do wonder what kind of print runs these games received.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on June 30, 2014, 12:23:50 PM
My retail copy of Space Berserker with no sample sticker is just a white center.
I also checked my Rocket Coaster and the sample US version is white, retail JP version is white as well.
I'd guess maybe it was a second run they did.
So the big question is, are you still selling it now that you noticed it's different? ;)
I actually had 3 Space Berserkers and sold one copy, which was yellow. Now I have a yellow and a white, but I would consider selling my spare still...
I am shocked any of these games were popular enough to get a second pressing in the U.S., I really do wonder what kind of print runs these games received.
Well I guess they really didn't need a full second pressing. All they needed was a new center sticker and sleeve/insert. If there were extras in Japan that weren't moving they could probably have just relabeled them.
Only a couple games were actually translated and pressed for English right? All the rest of them have the same data and just start with US language depending on the region of the PAC from my understanding.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Groover on June 30, 2014, 05:57:36 PM
I remember getting to play this system at Incredible Universe. They would let you play anything.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on July 01, 2014, 05:53:59 AM
So I managed to snag a new U.S copy of Don Quixote, can anyone tell me more about it other than its a RPG and slow moving?
I can tell you it is a cool game and it has arguably the best instruction sheet in the LA.
I bought my copy from a guy that actually created his own strategy guide in one of those old bound black and white covered journals I used to need in elementary school. He gave me his guide when he sold me the game and I hold on to it because it is A.) helpful and B.) it is a really cool thing he gave me.
Give it a shot, it does take a while, but it is a lot of fun.
I saw the game didn't sell on ebay, I hope you got a good deal on the side. I was eyeing it up, but I am trying to stay away from dupes!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on August 02, 2014, 12:04:31 PM
So I managed to snag a new U.S copy of Don Quixote, can anyone tell me more about it other than its a RPG and slow moving?
I can tell you it is a cool game and it has arguably the best instruction sheet in the LA.
I bought my copy from a guy that actually created his own strategy guide in one of those old bound black and white covered journals I used to need in elementary school. He gave me his guide when he sold me the game and I hold on to it because it is A.) helpful and B.) it is a really cool thing he gave me.
Give it a shot, it does take a while, but it is a lot of fun.
I saw the game didn't sell on ebay, I hope you got a good deal on the side. I was eyeing it up, but I am trying to stay away from dupes!
The guy wanted way too much for it considering what 3 copies sold in the past year? Fortunately, I got it for a good price so now I can experience the only Laserdisc RPG unless there are more out there that I'm not aware of.... :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on August 06, 2014, 07:13:19 AM
I'd love to see that Don Q strategy guide. The game is like Shadowgate with a a visual touchup in my opinion, but the videos and such add a cool aspect to it. I read what you got your copy for Bigus and it was a great deal. I actually missed out on the US Goku they were selling which quite pained me :(
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on August 23, 2014, 04:56:13 AM
I'd love to see that Don Q strategy guide. The game is like Shadowgate with a a visual touchup in my opinion, but the videos and such add a cool aspect to it. I read what you got your copy for Bigus and it was a great deal. I actually missed out on the US Goku they were selling which quite pained me :(
Clash! Scan the guide. Or take pics of it (push all the wires and cords in your video game jungle out of the way, first, of course).
Or, just send me you LD Don Quixote so I can stare at it.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on August 23, 2014, 07:01:33 AM
I'd love to see that Don Q strategy guide. The game is like Shadowgate with a a visual touchup in my opinion, but the videos and such add a cool aspect to it. I read what you got your copy for Bigus and it was a great deal. I actually missed out on the US Goku they were selling which quite pained me :(
Clash! Scan the guide. Or take pics of it (push all the wires and cords in your video game jungle out of the way, first, of course).
Or, just send me you LD Don Quixote so I can stare at it.
The guide is actually really long, it is a whole notebook. Maybe I will take a few pictures if I remember next time I see it, but I do not have a scanner to do the actual scanning of this work of love.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on August 23, 2014, 07:12:20 AM
I'd love to see that Don Q strategy guide. The game is like Shadowgate with a a visual touchup in my opinion, but the videos and such add a cool aspect to it. I read what you got your copy for Bigus and it was a great deal. I actually missed out on the US Goku they were selling which quite pained me :(
Clash! Scan the guide. Or take pics of it (push all the wires and cords in your video game jungle out of the way, first, of course).
Or, just send me you LD Don Quixote so I can stare at it.
The guide is actually really long, it is a whole notebook. Maybe I will take a few pictures if I remember next time I see it, but I do not have a scanner to do the actual scanning of this work of love.
Find some choice pages and take pictures! (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on August 24, 2014, 01:48:14 PM
I'd love to see that Don Q strategy guide. The game is like Shadowgate with a a visual touchup in my opinion, but the videos and such add a cool aspect to it. I read what you got your copy for Bigus and it was a great deal. I actually missed out on the US Goku they were selling which quite pained me :(
Clash! Scan the guide. Or take pics of it (push all the wires and cords in your video game jungle out of the way, first, of course).
Or, just send me you LD Don Quixote so I can stare at it.
The guide is actually really long, it is a whole notebook. Maybe I will take a few pictures if I remember next time I see it, but I do not have a scanner to do the actual scanning of this work of love.
That would be of great help. The FAQ on gamefaqs is dandy and all, but its devoid of pictures and the guy who wrote it doesn't sound like he likes the game very much at all.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on August 24, 2014, 07:11:32 PM
To be honest it's not a very good game.... Any RPG fan will probably find it quite boring, has lots of crap that just forces you to spend more time grinding to make the game longer then it really is. And watching the same 5 frames of video loop everytime you take a step forward gets boring fast. As the only true RPG on LD, it's an interesting curiosity, but if it was on any other system it be labeled terrible by just about everyone.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on August 24, 2014, 10:44:17 PM
if it was on any other system it be labeled terrible by just about everyone.
After having "played" games like "I Will" this appears to be the case with more than a few LA games.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on August 24, 2014, 11:57:24 PM
Well the problem with LD games is that there is only so much you can do with an hour of video and sprite overlays. And if you don't use the video, no real point in it being on LD. I would have loved to have Lunar 1 and 2 on LD though.....
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on August 25, 2014, 12:00:48 AM
Well the problem with LD games is that there is only so much you can do with an hour of video and sprite overlays. And if you don't use the video, no real point in it being on LD. I would have loved to have Lunar 1 and 2 on LD though.....
Well Lunar 1 (the original version) didn't even have real animation. Just moving sprites.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on August 26, 2014, 01:17:55 PM
Well the problem with LD games is that there is only so much you can do with an hour of video and sprite overlays. And if you don't use the video, no real point in it being on LD. I would have loved to have Lunar 1 and 2 on LD though.....
I kind of wish that the game was more like Shadowgate in that there were scenes that you could go to, but there were no transitional videos. That is the real killer, seeing the walking videos and things of the sort, that really gets old.
If you went from screen to screen and there was no transition and some of the screens were good videos and others just high quality stills with voice over, it would be a better game.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on August 27, 2014, 08:34:16 AM
Well the problem with LD games is that there is only so much you can do with an hour of video and sprite overlays. And if you don't use the video, no real point in it being on LD. I would have loved to have Lunar 1 and 2 on LD though.....
I kind of wish that the game was more like Shadowgate in that there were scenes that you could go to, but there were no transitional videos. That is the real killer, seeing the walking videos and things of the sort, that really gets old.
If you went from screen to screen and there was no transition and some of the screens were good videos and others just high quality stills with voice over, it would be a better game.
It makes you wish a popular LD used this approach (no repetitive transitions), thereby setting a precedent for the software that followed.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: RyuHayabusa on March 11, 2015, 02:09:18 PM
Nevermind. Found a solution.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: RyuHayabusa on April 02, 2015, 10:33:28 AM
Anyone know if Triad Stone was released in the arcade? I got it on the LA a couple of weeks ago and really enjoy it. I noticed it has a 1985 Data East trademark but can't find any information about an arcade release.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on April 02, 2015, 12:56:59 PM
Did it have another name also? Maybe it used this in the arcades?
Good pick-up or should that be power-power-power
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on April 02, 2015, 01:01:07 PM
Triad Stone was developed as an arcade game originally, they finished the animation but never completed the game. With the birth of CD consoles and the rise of FMV, DataEast chose to pull the animation out of the closet put it up for licensing/sale. Sega took the footage and gave us Triad Stone. While some other f*cks took the footage and made Strahl.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Mathius on April 02, 2015, 01:15:22 PM
Triad Stone was developed as an arcade game originally, they finished the animation but never completed the game. With the birth of CD consoles and the rise of FMV, DataEast chose to pull the animation out of the closet put it up for licensing/sale. Sega took the footage and gave us Triad Stone. While some other f*cks took the footage and made Strahl.
Interesting! :D
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on April 02, 2015, 01:56:01 PM
Thank you for the info. Now makes sense :)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on April 02, 2015, 03:25:31 PM
Strahl!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: RyuHayabusa on April 02, 2015, 03:44:54 PM
Triad Stone was developed as an arcade game originally, they finished the animation but never completed the game. With the birth of CD consoles and the rise of FMV, DataEast chose to pull the animation out of the closet put it up for licensing/sale. Sega took the footage and gave us Triad Stone. While some other f*cks took the footage and made Strahl.
Thanks for the info. It's easily the best game I have for the LA. I'd love to have Road Blaster and Time Gal but that's not happening anytime soon thanks to the insane prices.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on April 03, 2015, 08:13:38 AM
Triad Stone was developed as an arcade game originally, they finished the animation but never completed the game. With the birth of CD consoles and the rise of FMV, DataEast chose to pull the animation out of the closet put it up for licensing/sale. Sega took the footage and gave us Triad Stone. While some other f*cks took the footage and made Strahl.
Thanks for the info. It's easily the best game I have for the LA. I'd love to have Road Blaster and Time Gal but that's not happening anytime soon thanks to the insane prices.
Time Gal is solid in the visuals but there are slight delays in the choice selections to the next video. Nothing horrible but noticable, Road Blaster is quite fun though. If you keep an eye on stuff in Japan you can get it for a solid price. I picked my RB for about $100 a year or two ago, mint and complete minus the obi. I really consider Triad Stone one of the "must own" games for any person with a LA though.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on April 03, 2015, 12:47:39 PM
Those delays in TimeGal are caused due to the game having a unique death for every single choice. The LA has to load video into the digital memory, and it simply isn't big enough to do all that video at once. Still the best port though. Triad Stone is the most fun of the 3 anime LD games though imo.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on May 08, 2015, 07:49:08 PM
Triad Stone is the most fun of the 3 anime LD games though imo.
Agreed!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Necromancer on May 11, 2015, 03:38:23 AM
That kiosk looks awfully flimsy, cheap, and not at all what you'd expect from a system sporting a $2000+ msrp (with both pacs).
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on May 11, 2015, 06:55:12 AM
You can probably make the display for a 1/3rd of that. Still interesting though. BTW its back up again. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-Laser-Active-Display/141662707179?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D30157%26meid%3D81357efdc0ec4d3fbfc486ef6b72838d%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D141656219383
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on May 11, 2015, 09:49:08 AM
It looks like it is local pickup only, that's probably part of the problem. I would love to have that thing but the price is nuts. Where is TheClash when you need him?!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Bloufo on October 31, 2016, 03:42:40 AM
Quick question:
Regarding the region differences wrt to LD-ROM² based games. BTW, I have an PAC-N1 module incoming.
I'm wanting to get myself that J.B. Harold: Manhattan Requiem title. It's the Japanese version. (cheaper than it's US equivalent).
So, will the dialogue, etc, still be in English, or if not, is there an option in the menu that would allow me to change it to English?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: blueraven on October 31, 2016, 06:43:30 AM
I have officially joined this club.
yo.
I want triad stone
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Necromancer on October 31, 2016, 06:47:34 AM
I hope someone harvested those kiosk pics.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on October 31, 2016, 06:48:52 AM
Bloufo, I believe I have a copy of Manhattan Reqiuem if you're interested. It is the US version if I remember, but I think that game has a language option in it so it doesnt matter. Most games are language selectable and the region of the PAC doesn't matter. The only game I know of that had language specific versions was Don Quixote. A few games will show a different title screen depending on the PAC used. Road Blaster/Prosecutor comes to mind.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on October 31, 2016, 06:52:09 AM
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Mathius on October 31, 2016, 07:17:05 AM
I am gonna get me one of these things one day. ONE DAY!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: jtucci31 on October 31, 2016, 09:50:05 AM
Ah no f*ck this thread! I hate that it just got bumped again. I want one so bad but don't quite have the money for it right now.
Must. Resist. Urge. To. Just. Buy. One. Anyway.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on October 31, 2016, 10:03:46 AM
I borrowed one from a guy for several months. That cured my urge totally.
A lot of its appeal disappeared when the price on LD in general tanked. The A100 was very similar in a lot of ways to the best player I could afford at the time, an S201. Now I own several significantly better LD players so the LA seems pretty...crappy to me. If there was a dual tray LA player with wooden sides and a huge remote I'm sure I'd be willing to overlook how lame and expensive the games are and justify owning one. It's cool, it just isn't as cool as it could be, IMHO.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Bloufo on October 31, 2016, 10:06:02 AM
Bloufo, I believe I have a copy of Manhattan Reqiuem if you're interested.
Sure I'm interested. Thanks. Thing is, I'm not exactly next door, though. :)
Quote
It is the US version if I remember, but I think that game has a language option in it so it doesnt matter. Most games are language selectable and the region of the PAC doesn't matter. The only game I know of that had language specific versions was Don Quixote. A few games will show a different title screen depending on the PAC used. Road Blaster/Prosecutor comes to mind.
Good to know. So much misinformation (or lack thereof) out there. I mean I was just watching this dude with the ridiculous YT name (Metal Jesus?) and they were talking about how Mega LD and LD-ROM² titles were region specific.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on October 31, 2016, 10:14:50 AM
I borrowed one from a guy for several months. That cured my urge totally.
A lot of its appeal disappeared when the price on LD in general tanked. The A100 was very similar in a lot of ways to the best player I could afford at the time, an S201. Now I own several significantly better LD players so the LA seems pretty...crappy to me. If there was a dual tray LA player with wooden sides and a huge remote I'm sure I'd be willing to overlook how lame and expensive the games are and justify owning one. It's cool, it just isn't as cool as it could be, IMHO.
Yeah, As a general LD player there are certainly much better much more affordable options. And for playing Sega Genesis, Sega CD, TurboGrafx 16 and CD games there are also cheaper options. The only real reason to own it is to play the LD-ROM games which only have so much appeal.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on November 01, 2016, 10:57:43 AM
Ah no f*ck this thread! I hate that it just got bumped again. I want one so bad but don't quite have the money for it right now.
Must. Resist. Urge. To. Just. Buy. One. Anyway.
You're not missing much. I've owned two of them and while they look cool as hell in your entertainment center, they're not really worth the money. The picture quality for LD movie playback isn't that good compared to other cheaper LD players, the PACs are too expensive, especially the NEC PACs, and the handful of LD games that are worth a damn are exorbitantly priced, like Road Prosecutor and Time Gal.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: jtucci31 on November 01, 2016, 01:57:19 PM
Ah no f*ck this thread! I hate that it just got bumped again. I want one so bad but don't quite have the money for it right now.
Must. Resist. Urge. To. Just. Buy. One. Anyway.
You're not missing much. I've owned two of them and while they look cool as hell in your entertainment center, they're not really worth the money. The picture quality for LD movie playback isn't that good compared to other cheaper LD players, the PACs are too expensive, especially the NEC PACs, and the handful of LD games that are worth a damn are exorbitantly priced, like Road Prosecutor and Time Gal.
Yeah, I've gone over this all with myself so many times in my head, and with DragonmasterDan. They really are the most impractical machine in terms of sheer size, money investment, and your return on investment. I justified an x68k because it had a large library of games I wanted to play and knew I would be entertained for quite awhile. But to buy a giant LD player for the chance to play Time Gal and Road Blasters just isn't logical.
And yet, every time I get the chance to play DDan's LA, or even pass a glance at it, all logic goes out the window. My gaze turns into true love and I fall in love with it all over again and start planning ways to buy this and that and make room for it here or there.
It's a tiring affair :oops:
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on November 01, 2016, 02:11:31 PM
Man, if you think the A100 is huge the larger players would make you poop your pants. The A100 is maybe tied (with a dozen other models) for third smallest Pioneer LD player. Most Sony players were smaller (also, mostly broke by now) but most Pioneers were larger. The LDW1 is about 2 feet deep, making it a challenge for any piece of home theater furnishing and it's a lightweight compared to the LD-S2 or HLD-X0 which at nearly 80lbs probably outweigh your entire home theater.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: jtucci31 on November 01, 2016, 02:20:01 PM
Heh yeah that's a good point. I have a broken LD player I got from a goodwill that is so big I use it to prop up my PVM on a stand. It's that big. I can't imagine the practicality of these things in any capacity back in the day.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on November 02, 2016, 12:41:31 AM
Man, if you think the A100 is huge the larger players would make you poop your pants. The A100 is maybe tied (with a dozen other models) for third smallest Pioneer LD player. Most Sony players were smaller (also, mostly broke by now) but most Pioneers were larger. The LDW1 is about 2 feet deep, making it a challenge for any piece of home theater furnishing and it's a lightweight compared to the LD-S2 or HLD-X0 which at nearly 80lbs probably outweigh your entire home theater.
The Sony professional line players are/were pretty reliable I have a couple of 1450s that as of a year or so ago were still working as well as ever. But yeah, their consumer models were low end.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Bloufo on November 02, 2016, 12:59:22 AM
Ah no f*ck this thread! I hate that it just got bumped again. I want one so bad but don't quite have the money for it right now.
Must. Resist. Urge. To. Just. Buy. One. Anyway.
You're not missing much. I've owned two of them and while they look cool as hell in your entertainment center, they're not really worth the money. The picture quality for LD movie playback isn't that good compared to other cheaper LD players, the PACs are too expensive
That's true. But at least you do get "enhanced" LD playback capabilities on the A100 with either the Sega or NEC PAC, right? Frame-by-frame, multi-speed jog, still frames, whatever else.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on November 02, 2016, 01:43:02 AM
That's true. But at least you do get "enhanced" LD playback capabilities on the A100 with either the Sega or NEC PAC, right? Frame-by-frame, multi-speed jog, still frames, whatever else.
If you leave the console PACs in it lowers the output res on your movies to 240. So it's better to take the PAC out. There is digital memory on the Laseractive unit itself for CAV features, still frame, etc.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on November 02, 2016, 01:53:58 AM
Honestly, it is the least played out of my consoles. Sure its cool to play your Genesis and Sega CD games out in composite, but is it worth pulling out this monstrosity for that alone? Not really. Triad Stone is probably the best game for it. Don Quixote is quite possibly the slowest RPG I have ever played and in terms of gameplay a very small step above Dragon Quest 1. Do I regret getting one? Not in the slightest. It's still an interesting piece of technology.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on November 02, 2016, 03:54:28 AM
Personally I find the LA to be quite welcome on my game shelf. Being a 100% front loading system that is built like a tank, I can stack things on it and it's still fully playable. I RGB modded mine, so all my PCE and Sega games look purdy (LD games are composite only of course). I even ended up with a USA Genny Pac to get around the SegaCD region lock for playing my Working Designs originals here on my Japanese LA unit.
And finally, while the actual LD game library is small it has some really good titles. Sure price is insane for a lot of them, but I've gotten my money's worth. Hell playing the absolute cheese fest Dr. Paolo in 3D is almost silly enough to justify the entire system imo.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on November 02, 2016, 08:05:17 AM
I am with Deadite here 100%. The front loading on it alone makes it super useful, plus the actual space it takes up width wise is less than a Duo and SegaCD so it's a very efficient use of space. Sure they are "rare" but if you don't use it what good it having it?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on November 02, 2016, 08:34:14 AM
Built like a tank? Compared to a Turbo, I guess. At least it has metal in it. I would not describe the A-100 as heavy duty though. Not for an LD player, not for any stereo equipment period. I have DVD players that weigh more. I guess it's all a matter of what you're used to and not everyone opens every piece of equipment like I do so maybe it's inner plastic flimsiness is unknown to most owners.
"Built like a tank" to me would be gears instead of belts for loading mech. Then you wouldn't need to smack thing the thing so often to make it set the disc. :)
The modules are quite a bit more tough than the consoles they are based on, I'll give you that, but while they weigh more they also die much more easily.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Mathius on November 02, 2016, 10:29:44 AM
I'm kinda wishing I had gotten into this before the market went poopie.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on November 02, 2016, 02:34:15 PM
ME TOO! I'm destined to own one of these dumb things and I hope it doesn't cost me much. I have better things to spend money on.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: McKie1 on November 02, 2016, 04:10:08 PM
Ah no f*ck this thread! I hate that it just got bumped again. I want one so bad but don't quite have the money for it right now.
Must. Resist. Urge. To. Just. Buy. One. Anyway.
You're not missing much. I've owned two of them and while they look cool as hell in your entertainment center, they're not really worth the money. The picture quality for LD movie playback isn't that good compared to other cheaper LD players, the PACs are too expensive, especially the NEC PACs, and the handful of LD games that are worth a damn are exorbitantly priced, like Road Prosecutor and Time Gal.
Everyone I know that bought a Laseractive* did so for Virtual Cameraman 2 and Dr. Paolo, both cheaper than the games you are mentioning and both more fun at social gatherings.*
*I only know myself and have never been to a social gathering.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: jtucci31 on November 02, 2016, 06:19:23 PM
Ah no f*ck this thread! I hate that it just got bumped again. I want one so bad but don't quite have the money for it right now.
Must. Resist. Urge. To. Just. Buy. One. Anyway.
You're not missing much. I've owned two of them and while they look cool as hell in your entertainment center, they're not really worth the money. The picture quality for LD movie playback isn't that good compared to other cheaper LD players, the PACs are too expensive, especially the NEC PACs, and the handful of LD games that are worth a damn are exorbitantly priced, like Road Prosecutor and Time Gal.
Everyone I know that bought a Laseractive* did so for Virtual Cameraman 2 and Dr. Paolo, both cheaper than the games you are mentioning and both more fun at social gatherings.*
*I only know myself and have never been to a social gathering.
I just meant of the top expensive "if I had a suitcase full of cash" wishlist. I'm sure I'd enjoy any damn game I got with it. I'd be the only kid on the entire block with a f*cking Laseractive!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SamIAm on November 02, 2016, 09:05:53 PM
Someday...someday...this will be emulated.
I've seen the longplays on youtube, and I can wait.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on November 03, 2016, 04:30:26 AM
Has anyone ever seen this video? Is the content different than Zoom? I'd love to see this posted on YouTube.
...also, I'm glad the seller has stopped making mistakes, what a strange listing.
That's the JH Long Video. Probably the weirdest promotion video I have seen as from what I was able to understand, it promotes the LA as like alien technology and integrates the promo along with a mock interview with someone recounting their abduction experience.
LaserActive Dude/Guy posted it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_MbWydCm7U
I've got that VHS version, and stumbled upon the LaserDisc version a bit back and it's waiting for me in Japan right now. I'll ship it back once I get a bundle to combine shipping.
I really hope you did not buy that copy, that cooljpstuff seller is a horrible person.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on March 13, 2017, 04:24:35 PM
I actually skimmed through that video once before, but I don't have any idea what is going on. Someone should make dubbing that video a passion project to appease me.
Don't worry I didn't buy that video, I love old VHS tapes for $30, but not the sale price.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Gypsy on March 14, 2017, 05:51:01 PM
I really hope you did not buy that copy, that cooljpstuff seller is a horrible person.
I assumed this based on their human garbage listing tactics, but do you have more insight to share?
Basically I've noticed that a lot of the stuff they are "selling" they don't actually own or have access to. They are taking pictures from Yahoo Japan auctions, putting them in ebay listings, and then jacking up the prices by about 4 times or more. If it's a running auction they don't win it they will sit on your cash for a long time refusing to refund saying they are "waiting on a partner" to send it to them to ship to you.
Check out their negative feedback for some gems. I first noticed this when some very unique items showed up on YJA one day, then on ebay the next day for some insane price. When I asked if they could ship out ASAP if I bought an item they said no they would need to get from their partner, and when I called them out about the auction with the exact same pictures they said "do not contact us again or we will block you".
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Necromancer on March 15, 2017, 03:43:10 AM
Heh, what a twat.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on March 15, 2017, 03:57:14 AM
Whatever happened to that Laseractive homebrew project? I am guessing it is dead since it would've been beyond ambitious to even attempt, but it would be awesome if I was wrong.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Gypsy on March 15, 2017, 04:53:01 AM
I really hope you did not buy that copy, that cooljpstuff seller is a horrible person.
I assumed this based on their human garbage listing tactics, but do you have more insight to share?
Basically I've noticed that a lot of the stuff they are "selling" they don't actually own or have access to. They are taking pictures from Yahoo Japan auctions, putting them in ebay listings, and then jacking up the prices by about 4 times or more. If it's a running auction they don't win it they will sit on your cash for a long time refusing to refund saying they are "waiting on a partner" to send it to them to ship to you. Check out their negative feedback for some gems. I first noticed this when some very unique items showed up on YJA one day, then on ebay the next day for some insane price. When I asked if they could ship out ASAP if I bought an item they said no they would need to get from their partner, and when I called them out about the auction with the exact same pictures they said "do not contact us again or we will block you".
"Item got damaged during transit from our warehouse to our office."
Your warehouse. Riiiiiight.
Oh and lol at blocking you since you discovered their racket. It would be such a huge loss for you I'm sure.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 15, 2017, 07:50:14 AM
Whatever happened to that Laseractive homebrew project? I am guessing it is dead since it would've been beyond ambitious to even attempt, but it would be awesome if I was wrong.
I have no idea but if said project involves pressing a disc I can tell you that we're no closer to being able to do that than we were several years ago.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Black Tiger on March 15, 2017, 08:48:35 AM
Can CD-ROM discs be used in any of the LaserActive modes?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Punch on March 15, 2017, 09:16:09 AM
Whatever happened to that Laseractive homebrew project? I am guessing it is dead since it would've been beyond ambitious to even attempt, but it would be awesome if I was wrong.
I have no idea but if said project involves pressing a disc I can tell you that we're no closer to being able to do that than we were several years ago.
In fact we are going away from being able to press a disc since where on earth are you going to find a digital Laserdisc press or Master machine in 2017? It might have been doable 10, 15 years ago. Not now though, which is sad.
I barely remember about some hardcore Laseractive collector trying to make a game reproduction or something with a replicator with special Laserdisc media but I'm probably remembering this wrong.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on March 20, 2017, 02:25:04 PM
I actually skimmed through that video once before, but I don't have any idea what is going on. Someone should make dubbing that video a passion project to appease me.
Don't worry I didn't buy that video, I love old VHS tapes for $30, but not the sale price.
I think it was DragonMasterDan or chany who shared that link with me recently and I watched the video three times (I had to show it to my brothers, they didn't believe me):
(1) it is documentary style and, oddly, it has a serious tone for a majority of it.
(2) beyond being "serious", there are moments where the abductee is in extreme pain/torment (physical and emotional). This makes the promo *disturbing* yet even more *brilliant* because it's *not* campy at this point.
(3) for a really, really, really long time...no mention of LaserActive, video games, Pioneer, LaserDisc, or anything of the sort. This makes the promo even more *brilliant*
(4) the alien + abductee relationship is suddenly revealed and is campy. BUT 2-player coop is pure bliss for interplanetary gaming.
:)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 20, 2017, 03:20:31 PM
Whatever happened to that Laseractive homebrew project? I am guessing it is dead since it would've been beyond ambitious to even attempt, but it would be awesome if I was wrong.
I have no idea but if said project involves pressing a disc I can tell you that we're no closer to being able to do that than we were several years ago.
In fact we are going away from being able to press a disc since where on earth are you going to find a digital Laserdisc press or Master machine in 2017? It might have been doable 10, 15 years ago. Not now though, which is sad.
I barely remember about some hardcore Laseractive collector trying to make a game reproduction or something with a replicator with special Laserdisc media but I'm probably remembering this wrong.
I'm convinced we'll have something eventually, but it won't be manufactured in the conventional way. Same with players.
But yeah, over in the LDDB forum we often see some guy talk about how he knows some way to resume production or fire up one of those burners nobody has ever seen. These guys have tons of optimism and like 1 post. Their first post is them telling an entire forum full of LD nerds that they know how to start making LDs again, as if we've all haven't been wanting that for 15 years.
Most recently it was a guy who was a huge fan of Regular Show so he wanted to press The Last Laserdisc Player and give it to the creator regardless of cost. Sadly the cost is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars if not millions so that never came out, same with the World's Biggest Laseractive fan who was sure of the same sorts of things. Sometimes you have to know a little more to fully realize how little you know.
Black Tiger: unless there is some hidden developer functions no retail game has used (possible) then no. All Laseractive games are 12" Laservision discs with special game code snuck into the digital audio tracks. Of course, even if a normal-ish CDROM2 could activate LD functions there's no way to burn LD video onto a CD so there wouldn't be any point.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: nectarsis on March 20, 2017, 03:32:11 PM
someone was selling a LD duplicator(?) and like 150 discs recently...no one had the room....I think Beemer was part of the convo on FB
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 20, 2017, 05:44:33 PM
Most likely useless.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on March 21, 2017, 10:02:14 AM
There was a guy that had supposedly written something to dump the Mega-LD code portions but I never heard much about it beyond him asking for people to send him discs so he could back them up. Seemed a bit fishy to me so I just wrote it off as another scam.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on March 21, 2017, 10:18:53 AM
A guy named Happycube on the LDDB forum has written software to decode the raw LD waveform from modified players or ones with the EFM port. He's isolated every aspect of the signal of movie LDs analog and digital as far as I know. I'm pretty sure getting the game data would be possible. You'd have to know exactly how it's snuck into the digital audio tracks but after that it should be easy.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on April 14, 2017, 09:12:22 AM
Finally got my LD copy so I made a mashup of the two:
It's a smaller 8" LD with all the content on it, but the sleeve is pretty basic compared to the VHS which is kind of a shame.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Necromancer on April 14, 2017, 09:24:29 AM
I don't know, I kinda like the plain packaging. It keeps the half science teacher / half 70s porn actor a secret until it's too late to decide you shouldn't watch it.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: pc_kwajalein on April 14, 2017, 09:33:23 AM
I don't know, I kinda like the plain packaging. It keeps the half science teacher / half 70s porn actor a secret until it's too late to decide you shouldn't watch it.
:lol: Post of the week. :lol:
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on April 14, 2017, 04:19:25 PM
I don't know, I kinda like the plain packaging. It keeps the half science teacher / half 70s porn actor a secret until it's too late to decide you shouldn't watch it.
:lol: Post of the week. :lol:
Hahahhahajjaj.
Also, some of the scenes in this promo are genuinely disturbing...what alien implants are the dude's legs?
Disturbing.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: MrMarth on April 14, 2017, 10:07:55 PM
Not my kind of thing, but hey, whatever floats your boat.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on April 15, 2017, 04:52:26 AM
99.9% of the time I don't get jealous of other peoples' stuff they post about. This is the 0.1% of the time I do.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on April 15, 2017, 05:44:57 AM
Makes you wonder how many 8" LDs were made.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on April 15, 2017, 06:41:39 AM
There were shitloads in Japan. They'd give them away as preorder bonus for things even.
The last LDs made were 8"-ers for jukeboxes. They made those up until...I want to say at least 2006. There were tons of karaoke ones too.
How does an LD jukebox work? Does it include video or is it just another way to store music?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: gojira1954 on April 15, 2017, 11:38:28 PM
I've only got one 8" LD, a promo from the jp twin peaks box I don't miss my LA, all the 'games' I had were wack plus it is was a pretty poor LD player :/
(http://i66.tinypic.com/2dv0fuo.jpg)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on April 16, 2017, 02:08:37 AM
There were shitloads in Japan. They'd give them away as preorder bonus for things even.
The last LDs made were 8"-ers for jukeboxes. They made those up until...I want to say at least 2006. There were tons of karaoke ones too.
Yeah, I've seen a lot of the karaoke ones around. I only have a couple myself (now including this one), and like the Zoom promo. At least regular LDs can fit in boxes for records and stuff, these I just stick on the bookshelf.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on February 10, 2018, 06:09:02 AM
So can the pioneer laser active tg16 add on play supercd or do you need a system card still.
Sent from my SM-T377V using Tapatalk
I believe you still need the System Cards to supply the Bios. Don't quote me though.
Hmm i know it plays normal cd but i dont know about super cd
Sent from my SM-T377V using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on February 21, 2018, 03:17:24 PM
It plays Super CDs, the N10 is basically a Turbo Duo in a small and very heavy metal rectangle case. You will need the Arcade Card for the games that require it.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on February 22, 2018, 05:51:00 AM
It plays Super CDs, the N10 is basically a Turbo Duo in a small and very heavy metal rectangle case. You will need the Arcade Card for the games that require it.
Yeah, it would be cool if they had made a SuperGrafx PAC or something as well.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Necromancer on February 22, 2018, 06:11:47 AM
They should've given 'em the SGX goodies to justify the pac's cost compared to a Duo.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: DragonmasterDan on February 22, 2018, 06:25:18 AM
It plays Super CDs, the N10 is basically a Turbo Duo in a small and very heavy metal rectangle case. You will need the Arcade Card for the games that require it.
You will need an arcade card duo. An arcade card pro will not fit in the slot. In addition to system card 3.0, It also has the same built in battery save as the duo/super cdrom.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on February 22, 2018, 01:44:12 PM
Wow, I thought you were supposed to plug a Save-kun into it after spending $2000.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: gilbert on February 22, 2018, 06:00:27 PM
Plugging in a Save-kun (which is the same thing as MB128; it was named differently just because it was sold by Koei) won't give you typical backup RAM function though. You could only save with games supporting(or requiring) the MB128, so if the PAC didn't have built-in backup RAM (which it did have) you're screwed up, unable to save in most of the games(and a large portion of the PCE library are RPGs).
As for SG support, IMO they should instead include SG support in the original DUO already, as it was meant to be the ultimate all-in-one system (and signified the death of the core concept as they eventually decided that you didn't need the expansion slot to connect to any other things). They just gave up the SG completely really early, long before even someone would consider making a CD game with SG support.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SignOfZeta on February 23, 2018, 04:29:26 AM
I was joking. The NEC PAC equipped LA is a Duo, almost exactly, as has been said. It has everything a Duo has, so of course it can save. NEC never made a CDROM2 system that couldn’t save. This isn’t really a thing that has to be explained in such detail.
It can also play CD+G! Because every Duo can...and regular audio CDs...because every Duo can.
And yeah, the SGX was canceled before it was released but got released anyway. They never cared to do anything with it beyond a launch to recover some expenses. The system was %100 dead as hell before any Duo was released let alone the LA. Any additional expense would have driven the cost up on a machine that was already TWICE the price of the competing system...in the name of playing five games nobody bought and don’t look very impressive compared to many CD games. The only real f*ckup with the SGX was its basic conception. NEC killing it as fast as possible with ultimately the right choice. It was a very dumb path they went down.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TaoPaiPai on March 19, 2018, 09:53:31 AM
I'd like to join the LA club, please.
Picked up a beautiful LaserActive unit from a local seller over the weekend. He even included about 40 LDs (regular movies, not games). Can't wait to try out the NEC PAC I was lucky to find on the cheap in Japan.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on March 19, 2018, 12:20:08 PM
Picked up a beautiful LaserActive unit from a local seller over the weekend. He even included about 40 LDs (regular movies, not games). Can't wait to try out the NEC PAC I was lucky to find on the cheap in Japan.
What games have you picked up?
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on March 19, 2018, 03:19:53 PM
I think he just got movies? If I could guess of a game that would be included, my prediction would be Pyramid Patrol though :p
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on March 20, 2018, 01:07:13 AM
The seller only had a huge LD movie collection and he gave me a bunch of his duplicates. I found a copy of Hi-Roller Battle for my first LA game, however!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TaoPaiPai on April 02, 2018, 08:22:49 AM
I connected my XRGB-Mini to my LA with the Sega PAC over the weekend using just straight composite video.
It spit out this really strangely colored image with everything I tried on the PAC.
Strangely, LDs looked perfectly fine. Connecting the composite to the TV directly played perfectly fine and I tried several other consoles on the composite input of the XRGB and they all worked fine.
Anyone seen anything like this before?
https://imgur.com/sECj35O
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Asmikace on April 03, 2018, 09:48:07 AM
Let me in the club, got the Genesis and TG 16 addons for mine with original controllers. Does anyone have the JB Harold Blue Chicago Blues game? I just want to know if some has it since I cannot find one.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on April 03, 2018, 01:34:18 PM
Let me in the club, got the Genesis and TG 16 addons for mine with original controllers. Does anyone have the JB Harold Blue Chicago Blues game? I just want to know if some has it since I cannot find one.
It pops up here and there, I found mine a few years ago.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on April 03, 2018, 09:46:54 PM
Let me in the club, got the Genesis and TG 16 addons for mine with original controllers. Does anyone have the JB Harold Blue Chicago Blues game? I just want to know if some has it since I cannot find one.
I have both the MegaLD and LD-ROM2 versions.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on April 10, 2018, 04:18:47 PM
It exists, the US version of Blue Chicago Blues is pretty rare,probably the rarest US release, but I've seen the JP versions show up occasionally.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Asmikace on April 13, 2018, 02:24:20 PM
Let me in the club, got the Genesis and TG 16 addons for mine with original controllers. Does anyone have the JB Harold Blue Chicago Blues game? I just want to know if some has it since I cannot find one.
I have both the MegaLD and LD-ROM2 versions.
I didn't realized they made a LD-ROM2 version. I am also looking for Don Quixote but you have to make sure to get the US release for English.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BlueBMW on April 13, 2018, 03:33:40 PM
I have an English don Quixote of you're interested
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on April 13, 2018, 03:47:59 PM
Let me in the club, got the Genesis and TG 16 addons for mine with original controllers. Does anyone have the JB Harold Blue Chicago Blues game? I just want to know if some has it since I cannot find one.
I have both the MegaLD and LD-ROM2 versions.
I didn't realized they made a LD-ROM2 version. I am also looking for Don Quixote but you have to make sure to get the US release for English.
Yeah, both of the JP versions for Blue Chicago Blues (MegaLD and LDROMROM) have the English options as well, it's pretty easy to switch when you start the game.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: schweaty on April 14, 2018, 01:16:44 AM
Let me in the club, got the Genesis and TG 16 addons for mine with original controllers. Does anyone have the JB Harold Blue Chicago Blues game? I just want to know if some has it since I cannot find one.
I have both the MegaLD and LD-ROM2 versions.
I didn't realized they made a LD-ROM2 version. I am also looking for Don Quixote but you have to make sure to get the US release for English.
Yeah, both of the JP versions for Blue Chicago Blues (MegaLD and LDROMROM) have the English options as well, it's pretty easy to switch when you start the game.
Speaking of which, I know there was supposed to be a MegaLD release of Manhattan Requiem but never happened. If it wasn't the fact that MR was only available for the TG16 unit, I wouldn't spent the time and money for it.
Speaking of unreleased games, I wonder if anyone have any prototypes or evidence of protos of Laseractive games.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on April 14, 2018, 11:33:38 AM
Let me in the club, got the Genesis and TG 16 addons for mine with original controllers. Does anyone have the JB Harold Blue Chicago Blues game? I just want to know if some has it since I cannot find one.
I have both the MegaLD and LD-ROM2 versions.
I didn't realized they made a LD-ROM2 version. I am also looking for Don Quixote but you have to make sure to get the US release for English.
Yeah, both of the JP versions for Blue Chicago Blues (MegaLD and LDROMROM) have the English options as well, it's pretty easy to switch when you start the game.
Speaking of which, I know there was supposed to be a MegaLD release of Manhattan Requiem but never happened. If it wasn't the fact that MR was only available for the TG16 unit, I wouldn't spent the time and money for it.
Speaking of unreleased games, I wonder if anyone have any prototypes or evidence of protos of Laseractive games.
I don't own it, but I've seen Myst prototypes a few times.
There is a second rumored proto (forgetting name now), but I never saw it.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: BigusSchmuck on April 14, 2018, 12:57:30 PM
Let me in the club, got the Genesis and TG 16 addons for mine with original controllers. Does anyone have the JB Harold Blue Chicago Blues game? I just want to know if some has it since I cannot find one.
I have both the MegaLD and LD-ROM2 versions.
I didn't realized they made a LD-ROM2 version. I am also looking for Don Quixote but you have to make sure to get the US release for English.
I have it as well, not sure if I'm willing to sell it but am up for trades..
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: haightc on April 16, 2018, 10:56:17 AM
I am a relatively new LA owner (early this year), I been slowly picking up titles as I can. So far I have Rocket Coaster, Quiz Econosaurus, I-Will, Hi-Roller Battle, Virtual Cameraman 1+2, Pyramid Patrol.
Right now I am just trying to pickup titles for when I can find them under a $100 before I try to start going after my most wanted title.
My most wanted titles are Hyperion: this is the game I played in Incredible Universe when it was on my display and made me want the system. JB Harold Manhattan Requiem and Blue Chicago Blues: I really like this game series, LA versions I think are ones that are in english or have an english option after Murder Club.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on April 16, 2018, 01:02:06 PM
I never saw a LA until I bought one, it's cool you had experience with one back in the day.
I love Rocket Coaster, what do you think of it?
If you enjoy the Virtual Cameraman games, and you should, you gotta add Dr. Paolo.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: haightc on April 18, 2018, 10:27:45 AM
I haven't really been able to play anything yet because I need repair my laseractive still
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: esteban on April 18, 2018, 12:18:45 PM
I know I shouldn’t be, but I am envious of this stoopid goddamn LA.
:)
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on April 18, 2018, 12:50:55 PM
I haven't really been able to play anything yet because I need repair my laseractive still
Said every person who ever first bought a LA.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: SuperDeadite on April 18, 2018, 01:19:53 PM
Vajra 2 is still affordable in Japan. It's not cheap, but compared to the big boys like TG and RB, its a fraction of the cost. And one of the best exclusives on the system really.
Paolo is the most annoying game ever made. The videos are so delightfully cheesy that I love the game anyway, but trying to play this game will have you punching holes in the wall.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on April 18, 2018, 02:25:50 PM
Vajra 2 is still affordable in Japan. It's not cheap, but compared to the big boys like TG and RB, its a fraction of the cost. And one of the best exclusives on the system really.
Paolo is the most annoying game ever made. The videos are so delightfully cheesy that I love the game anyway, but trying to play this game will have you punching holes in the wall.
You mean RP.
Was too confused by RB, which is nowhere near as cool of a name anyway.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on April 18, 2018, 03:47:07 PM
Vajra 2 is still affordable in Japan. It's not cheap, but compared to the big boys like TG and RB, its a fraction of the cost. And one of the best exclusives on the system really.
Paolo is the most annoying game ever made. The videos are so delightfully cheesy that I love the game anyway, but trying to play this game will have you punching holes in the wall.
You mean RP.
Was too confused by RB, which is nowhere near as cool of a name anyway.
You mean RA, which is similar to RP and RB but a much smaller format.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: TheClash603 on April 19, 2018, 12:43:27 AM
P.S. - RP
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Necromancer on April 19, 2018, 02:16:50 AM
There's a decent looking PCE Blue Chicago Blues up on ebay. I'd like to have a copy, but $800 = shit fire!
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Freeway2 on April 20, 2018, 08:01:53 AM
How hard was it importing games for this system back in the day.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: Turboschmuck on November 08, 2021, 01:00:44 PM
Resurrecting a dead thread, any other Laseractive owners out there? Got a question from another fellow Laseractive owner who is stuck on I Will details below: "Hi! I'm working on an episode of Generation 16 about I Will on the LaserActive, but I've ground to a halt because I'm completely stuck in the game.
From what I can tell I need to find my way out of London, which I assume includes finding a license, insurance, the car, and possibly an expanded map item."
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: xelement5x on November 16, 2021, 06:24:18 PM
Resurrecting a dead thread, any other Laseractive owners out there? Got a question from another fellow Laseractive owner who is stuck on I Will details below: "Hi! I'm working on an episode of Generation 16 about I Will on the LaserActive, but I've ground to a halt because I'm completely stuck in the game.
From what I can tell I need to find my way out of London, which I assume includes finding a license, insurance, the car, and possibly an expanded map item."
Not how much I can help here, but I know a guy who was doing the LaserActive Preservation Project actually did some game walkthroughs.
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: sewart on December 05, 2021, 08:20:21 PM
Thanks! I've had no success reaching any of the folks involved in the LAPP unfortunately :(
Title: Re: The Official Pioneer LaserActive Player thread-
Post by: gex on December 07, 2021, 02:55:14 PM
Resurrecting a dead thread, any other Laseractive owners out there? Got a question from another fellow Laseractive owner who is stuck on I Will details below: "Hi! I'm working on an episode of Generation 16 about I Will on the LaserActive, but I've ground to a halt because I'm completely stuck in the game.
From what I can tell I need to find my way out of London, which I assume includes finding a license, insurance, the car, and possibly an expanded map item."
Try and join the "Laseractive Lair" group on Facebook. There's less than 200 members, however it's decently active. I'm sure you'll get some replies from die hard Laseractive guys.