Need advice for buying my first Laserdisc Player

buck135 · 03-16-2013, 03:51 AM

Hello all. I need some advise. I just purchased my first LD: the Japanese "Dawn of the Dead" Perfect Collection.

I know it's putting the cart before the horse, but this LD is gorgeous. I want a LD player not only to watch it but ultimately to transfer it to a computer, probably a Mac (again putting the cart before the horse) to convert it to DVD. Can all LD players be tricked to play a LD in this region? Also, any recommendation as to what I should look for as far as a player and the best means of ripping it onto a computer? Thank you!

Paff · 03-16-2013, 04:26 AM

OK, first of all, one great thing about LD: NO REGIONS!! If you have a laserdisc, and a laserdisc player, it will play. Doesn't matter where the disc came from.

Now, if you're only going to be ripping the content of the LD, you have a little more leeway. You can buy a single sided player (when the disc gets to the end, 30 minutes for a "CAV" disc, 60 for a "CLV" disc, you have to manually turn the disc over. AKA, "flippers". All LDs are flippers if you have a single sided player.

If you're going to be integrating it into your home theater and actually watching the movies, you'll want a double sided player. This one automatically plays the other side of the disc, and you'll only have to get up if there's a disc change.

Stick with Pioneer players. Look for a CLD-Dxxx, or CLD-Sxxx if you only want a single sided player ("D" and "S" are for Double or Single sided player). The "xxx" will be a 3 digit number. Higher the number, better the player. I use a CLD-D704, one of the best players made short of the "Elite" line (which is a whole new ball game, but a lot more $$$). A 502, or 406 will suit you fine.

Finally, MAKE SURE IT HAS A REMOTE! If you're going to access commentary tracks, you have to change from the digital soundtrack to the analog, and that's a function specific to LD. You won't find it on any universal remotes.

If you find some players that interest you, post 'em here and we can comment on 'em.

buck135 · 03-16-2013, 04:34 AM

That's excellent information. Thank you so much Paff. Any ideas as to what hardware I should look into to transfer LD's to a PC or Mac (preferably Mac)?

buck135 · 03-24-2013, 05:43 AM

Hey Paff, I took your advice and bought a Pioneer CLD-D503. It recently got a brand new belt, and everything was checked out to ensure that all was good going forward. The price was good for a player that received high praise. I got so caught up with it's condition that I forgot to check the most important piece of advice you gave me...make sure it has the remote. Luckily eBay had one for this model in excellent condition for $20. Paff, thank you so much for all of your advice. I picked up a video capture device for my PC cheap so I'll be burning my Dawn of the Dead Perfect Collection very soon.

Paff · 03-24-2013, 08:53 AM

Good first player! Have you plugged it in and used it yet?

buck135 · 03-24-2013, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paff

Good first player! Have you plugged it in and used it yet?

Thanks! No, I ordered it last night. Right after I ordered it I came here to update this thread. I can't wait!

03-16-2013, 03:51 AM	#1
buck135 HackMaster Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 1,839	Need advice for buying my first Laserdisc Player Hello all. I need some advise. I just purchased my first LD: the Japanese "Dawn of the Dead" Perfect Collection. I know it's putting the cart before the horse, but this LD is gorgeous. I want a LD player not only to watch it but ultimately to transfer it to a computer, probably a Mac (again putting the cart before the horse) to convert it to DVD. Can all LD players be tricked to play a LD in this region? Also, any recommendation as to what I should look for as far as a player and the best means of ripping it onto a computer? Thank you! __________________ "Do you read Sutter Cane?"

03-16-2013, 04:26 AM	#2
Paff Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,535	OK, first of all, one great thing about LD: NO REGIONS!! If you have a laserdisc, and a laserdisc player, it will play. Doesn't matter where the disc came from. Now, if you're only going to be ripping the content of the LD, you have a little more leeway. You can buy a single sided player (when the disc gets to the end, 30 minutes for a "CAV" disc, 60 for a "CLV" disc, you have to manually turn the disc over. AKA, "flippers". All LDs are flippers if you have a single sided player. If you're going to be integrating it into your home theater and actually watching the movies, you'll want a double sided player. This one automatically plays the other side of the disc, and you'll only have to get up if there's a disc change. Stick with Pioneer players. Look for a CLD-Dxxx, or CLD-Sxxx if you only want a single sided player ("D" and "S" are for Double or Single sided player). The "xxx" will be a 3 digit number. Higher the number, better the player. I use a CLD-D704, one of the best players made short of the "Elite" line (which is a whole new ball game, but a lot more $$$). A 502, or 406 will suit you fine. Finally, MAKE SURE IT HAS A REMOTE! If you're going to access commentary tracks, you have to change from the digital soundtrack to the analog, and that's a function specific to LD. You won't find it on any universal remotes. If you find some players that interest you, post 'em here and we can comment on 'em. __________________ CINEMA PAFF - Your BB-Movie Showcase * * - The extra B is for BYOBB Paff's Laserdiscs

03-16-2013, 04:34 AM	#3
buck135 HackMaster Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 1,839	That's excellent information. Thank you so much Paff. Any ideas as to what hardware I should look into to transfer LD's to a PC or Mac (preferably Mac)? __________________ "Do you read Sutter Cane?"

03-24-2013, 05:43 AM	#4
buck135 HackMaster Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 1,839	Hey Paff, I took your advice and bought a Pioneer CLD-D503. It recently got a brand new belt, and everything was checked out to ensure that all was good going forward. The price was good for a player that received high praise. I got so caught up with it's condition that I forgot to check the most important piece of advice you gave me...make sure it has the remote. Luckily eBay had one for this model in excellent condition for $20. Paff, thank you so much for all of your advice. I picked up a video capture device for my PC cheap so I'll be burning my Dawn of the Dead Perfect Collection very soon. __________________ "Do you read Sutter Cane?"

03-24-2013, 08:53 AM	#5
Paff Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,535	Good first player! Have you plugged it in and used it yet? __________________ CINEMA PAFF - Your BB-Movie Showcase * * - The extra B is for BYOBB Paff's Laserdiscs

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