View Full Version : Laserdisc - is it worth getting one cheap? Star Wars Fans please read.
I am a great fan of the Star Wars movies. As I don't own a video anymore I can't watch them on VHS.
:(
I already own a decent-ish home cinema setup and wondered whether anyone would recommend buying a cheap laserdisc player and the trilogy on disc (American version so I get the AC3 soundtrack).
Or do people think I am mad?
fuzzylogic
10-12-2001, 18:55
Originally posted by ljp
Or do people think I am mad?
Yep your mad :nuts:
you could always get the vcd version for now, would be a lot cheaper
I've had a laserdisc player since '95 and it still gets used (tho not as much as my DVD player) I have the Star Wars boxset and it is great,top picture and sound.There are films I have on laser that might not come out on DVD,or if they do it will be a long wait.Also some lasers have more/different extra's to the DVD (Jaws being a prime example where there are MORE extra's on the laser!!)
LD's can be bought VERY cheap now and if you can pick up a decent multi-region player (with both sides play) and you have the cash to spare then do it.
"you could always get the vcd version for now, would be a lot cheaper"
It would also be Pan & Scan with no AC3 sound!
MrSpeed: What kind of Laserdisc player is recommended? Apart from ebay where else am I likely to find reasonably priced laserdiscs from?
MasterYoda
10-12-2001, 22:05
You could look at getting the DVDs that are available that are rips from that laserdiscs and have the DD sound. They are excellent quality and if you're worried why not by the laserdiscs themselves and consider the dvd's backups? I will buy the dvds when they come out but until then this will do me. I do have the tapes and vcds too mind.
I would be very surprised if you could get the NTSC boxset on the cheap, they were £80 - £90 to start with, & with no DVD release in the near future, the price for this set has gone up a lot, you may get lucky & find some idiot who dosen't know the true value of the set.
as for an LD player, there was only two I believe that had AC-3 outputs, both were Pioneers, the CLD-D925 & CLD-D515.1.
Nearly forgot about the Pioneer DVD/LD combi unit they released in the early days of DVD, think it was called the 909 or 919.
Also remember you will need an amp with a special AC-3 RF input to get the DD5.1 sound.
Hopes that helps you.
threadkiller
10-12-2001, 22:24
hardware question = hardware forum
Muhooooooving ;)
BlueDwarf
10-12-2001, 22:43
The DVD bootlegs shouldn't set you back more than a tenner each, and whilst the quality isn't amazing (one batch of ESB have lip-synch probs), they are watchable.
May not be as good as Laserdisc, but it'll be cheaper, and a lot less hassle.
Fozzybear
11-12-2001, 07:01
could you not just buy a video recorder? :confused:
If you do want a laserdisc player then I can definitely recommend the Pioneer CLD925 as I bought one of these a little while ago and it's a beaut. Fairly pricey just for Star Wars though - you'll probably have to spend somewhere between £150 and £250 for one (I paid £200 at a Hi-Fi shop for mine). Could get one cheap on Ebay, if you bid carefully. Or you could buy a non-AC3 player for £50 to £150.
Remember that if you want AC3 (DD5.1) then you need an AC3 RF input on your amp or an AC3 RF Demodulator (about £100).
I have the CLD 515 hooked up through a Sony RF demodulator and the soundtrack on all 3 movies is awesome.
I've got a Pioneer 2950 and had it modded for AC-3
Might even be persuaded to sell my box set if you are interested
Originally posted by MrSpeed
I've got a Pioneer 2950 and had it modded for AC-3
Might even be persuaded to sell my box set if you are interested
How much ?
Is it the AC-3 NTSC SP ED ?
Dave
Originally posted by Dave B
How much ?
Is it the AC-3 NTSC SP ED ?
Dave
Yeah,it is the AC-3 NTSC SP ED :D (Only played twice too)
What you offering ??
Isn't this going a little off topic?
I still use laserdisc well worth having with discs being sold on ebay for next to nothing. I have both Star Wars box sets the original Definitive Collection and the Special Editions.
Does this Pioneer CLD925 play UK, US and Japanese LDs? I want a player for music LDs, unlikely ever to be out on DVD, IMO. I'm a duffer on 'regions' with LDs. (Indeed, I'm not that hot with DVDs but get by!)
Does this Pioneer CLD925 play UK, US and Japanese LDs?
Yes, the CLD925 plays PAL and NTSC LD's. NTSC in either pure NTSC or transcoded into PAL.
Just out of interest, is there a definative version of Star Wars to get on laserdisc?
thxsound 3417
05-10-2005, 15:01
Still running two Pioneer Laserdisc players CLD-1750 and the CLD-2950, though I need a new part for the CLD-2950, that I can install myself, and need to make some modifications to the unit as it’s a bit loud in SPL db terms.
1# STAR WARS Pal P&S version rare 1982 pressing analogue audio (Dolby Stereo)
2# STAR WARS Definitive collection NTSC scope 2.35:1 digital PCM 1993 pressing THX Laserdisc program, Dolby Stereo forth edition of the STAR WARS episode 4 remixed.
3# STAR WARS episode 6 Return of the Jedi scope 2.35:1 NTSC pressing 1990 digital PCM, Dolby Stereo
4# STAR WRAS special edition box set scope 2.35:1 NTSC pressing 1997 digital PCM and six-track Dolby digital with split-surrounds THX Laserdisc program.
5# As well as the DVD special edition scope 2.35:1 six-track Dolby digital surround-EX
THX digital mastering program.
Er, why are you bumping threads that are 4 years old and probably irrelevant now? Same goes for centre rear thread.
Oh, and you haven't mentioned the PAL boxed set issued after the NTSC one and which discs are CAV and which are CLV :D
What do RF Demodulators go for these days ? I was thinking of selling my Sony one, cost a fair few quid when I got it and have hardly used it.
could you not just buy a video recorder? :confused:
If you do want a laserdisc player then I can definitely recommend the Pioneer CLD925 as I bought one of these a little while ago and it's a beaut. Fairly pricey just for Star Wars though - you'll probably have to spend somewhere between £150 and £250 for one (I paid £200 at a Hi-Fi shop for mine). Could get one cheap on Ebay, if you bid carefully. Or you could buy a non-AC3 player for £50 to £150.
Remember that if you want AC3 (DD5.1) then you need an AC3 RF input on your amp or an AC3 RF Demodulator (about £100).
I bought my CLD925 for exactly this purpose, oh and to watch the Criterion edition of Blade Runner (mmm, voice over :p ). Funnily enough the 925 is a pretty good CD player too.
Doll, I thing demodulators go for £50 - £60 now.
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