OT: Does anyone else own a LaserDisc player?

[NightWolve]

Do laserdiscs have good quality picture? Seem to be all the rage today in some places.

Even though it's a CD and you might think the video signal is stored digitally, it's not. The video is actually encoded on there in analog Composite format. It's better than VHS certainly and doesn't degrade per playback as magnetic tape does obviously, but it's inferior to DVD.

I spent $200 on a Pioneer LD player and $40 bucks for Total Recall in the 90's, and it was a big mistake as far as I am concerned. I didn't know the format was going obsolete, that DVDs were on their way, and I wouldn't have done it if I had known. I gotta check the player one day, see if it still works, and put up an ad on Craigslist in the Chicago section, see if someone in my city wants to take it off my hands finally.

[McKie1]

Some DVD transfers are about the same picture quality as some of the Laserdiscs (using only your eyes as a guide) due to compression on the part of the DVD video but many LD's have as good as if not better sound. If you add a video processor to the LD, then the quality is nearly on par (again not using scientific means - just eyes) with DVD. Food for thought in any case. Also some LD players are better than others with their output.

[VenomMacbeth]

What's a good price to pay for an LD player?  There's only one on my local craigslist, $125.  I'll probably start scouting thrift stores more frequently...

[MrFulci]

Venom;

Much like any other home entertainment electronics. it depends on the manufacturer, model, and condition.

Can't be of much help, other than, with the information you have provided

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[ifkz]

I spent $200 on a Pioneer LD player and $40 bucks for Total Recall in the 90's, and it was a big mistake as far as I am concerned. I didn't know the format was going obsolete, that DVDs were on their way, and I wouldn't have done it if I had known. I gotta check the player one day, see if it still works, and put up an ad on Craigslist in the Chicago section, see if someone in my city wants to take it off my hands finally.

A lot of forum members would, likely, love to buy it from you.  Shipping would be terrible though.  Mine is as heavy as a small car.

I have a copy of The Matrix on the way, I'll certainly post an update once it gets here.  Next up:  find a copy of Transformers: The Movie (1986)!

To prepare for the arrival of The Matrix, I am searching around for a TV that accepts s-video, the best quality picture that my player can output.  I have read it doesn't help much if the composite connected TV has a "digital comb filter."

[NightWolve]

I have to test it to see if it still works some day, and since there are retro fans that would love to have it (I honestly don't get the craze/love for the system, stopping to flip a disc in the middle of a movie even, but whatever floats your boat), it should get a better home as opposed to sitting away to rot in my hands. I think the Chicago section in Craigslist is best unless I can find someone near Chicago around here that'd want it (there are a few people here in Illinois).

[MrFulci]

................

 I am searching around for a TV that accepts s-video, the best quality picture that my player can output.  I have read it doesn't help much if the composite connected TV has a "digital comb filter."

If you don't have a receiver with S-video-in and HDMI out, there are S-Video-to-HDMI adapters out there (Monoprice). That is, unless you really want another TV.

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[MrFulci]

I have to test it to see if it still works some day, and since there are retro fans that would love to have it (I honestly don't get the craze/love for the system, stopping to flip a disc in the middle of a movie even, but whatever floats your boat), it should get a better home as opposed to sitting away to rot in my hands. I think the Chicago section in Craigslist is best unless I can find someone near Chicago around here that'd want it (there are a few people here in Illinois).

The way things are nowadays, I'd rather have an LD-Rip than an actual LD. Flipping, rot, weight, etc, etc.

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[ifkz]

Well, two weeks ago the LD copy of the Matrix arrived, and my story does not have a happy ending. Both discs where cracked all the way through, both sides.  I did not want a refund, but got one anyhow, so McKie1 is a total stand up seller.  Anyhow, sadness.  I have the original cover as a keepsake.  One day I'll find another copy..I hope!

Locally I found two more discs that I did not have in any other format:  Slackers and Dances with Wolves.  They are on my to-be-watched list.

I think owning a Laser Active would be a good idea, simply as a backup player if none of the PACs are available.  I'll keep my ear to the ground in the FS section since a lot of members here own them.

[esteban]

Well, two weeks ago the LD copy of the Matrix arrived, and my story does not have a happy ending. Both discs where cracked all the way through, both sides.  I did not want a refund, but got one anyhow, so McKie1 is a total stand up seller.  Anyhow, sadness.  I have the original cover as a keepsake.  One day I'll find another copy..I hope!

Locally I found two more discs that I did not have in any other format:  Slackers and Dances with Wolves.  They are on my to-be-watched list.

I think owning a Laser Active would be a good idea, simply as a backup player if none of the PACs are available.  I'll keep my ear to the ground in the FS section since a lot of members here own them.

McKie is in AUSTRALIA, correct? Damn.

[McKie1]

Yep. Someone here or there must have thought it was a nice looking cushion padded envelope did not do its job. Sorry again bud

[xelement5x]

I only ship LDs in those Vinyl LP packaging boxes anymore.  They're pretty dang solid and I've yet to have an issue with something shipped in one.  My copy of Vajra was shipped in a bubble mailer and the corner of the sleeve got pretty bent in transit

[ifkz]

Yep. Someone here or there must have thought it was a nice looking cushion padded envelope did not do its job. Sorry again bud

Not your fault, standard packaging was not meant to withstand Fat Bastard's arse (^tm from the Austin Powers series) in shipping.

[McKie1]

Is he moonlighting as a postie whilst waiting for a fourth movie? plastic LP box would be good idea but we have very limited packaging options down at Australia post!

[TheClash603]

Well, two weeks ago the LD copy of the Matrix arrived, and my story does not have a happy ending. Both discs where cracked all the way through, both sides.  I did not want a refund, but got one anyhow, so McKie1 is a total stand up seller.  Anyhow, sadness.  I have the original cover as a keepsake.  One day I'll find another copy..I hope!

Locally I found two more discs that I did not have in any other format:  Slackers and Dances with Wolves.  They are on my to-be-watched list.

I think owning a Laser Active would be a good idea, simply as a backup player if none of the PACs are available.  I'll keep my ear to the ground in the FS section since a lot of members here own them.

I have had two Laserdiscs come this way.  One was I believe Namco video game LD, which had presumably gameplay and tips on it.  The other was LA Demon's Judgement.  Fortunately I have sent and received many LDs and it has only happened twice.

For anyone that has ever bought a LD from me, I ALWAYS ship in a box and have the LD well padded inside the box so it can't move around.  Sleeves are bad news when shipping LDs, I do not recommend it.