Need Help picking out a Pioneer Laserdisc player

[Dave McFly]

Im searching for one on ebay and im looking for a model that has the following hook ups

SVHS, all my components that use video hook to my A/V reciever, its not a HIGH priority, i can always plug it into the RCA jacks of my tv (it has 2 sets of inputs) and some way to hook to my digital inputs on my amp (it has one coaxial and i think 5 or 6 optical ) if you guys could tell me the model number(s) of the different Pioneer that have those hook ups, so i know what to look for

[videoworx]

Well, MOST Pioneer LD players have S-VHS outputs (any CLD-Dxxx, CLD-Sxxx, and any ELITE model, for instance). Some of the older 4 digit model won't have S-VHS (although, again some do - the technology was put into players after 1988).

As far as I know, there are no laserdisc players with DD coaxial, or optical outputs...my model has a DD RF output, but must be fed into a demodulator (The Pioneer RFD-1), which converts the signal to something a receiver will like (both coaxial and optical). Several Pioneer ELITE receivers have built in demodulators, so there is another option. These demodulators are pretty rare, but I've seen a few pop up on eBay once in a while...not cheap - probably more than the player itself these days.

[brian]

Originally Posted by videoworx

Well, MOST Pioneer LD players have S-VHS outputs (any CLD-Dxxx, CLD-Sxxx, and any ELITE model, for instance).

But be careful -- not all of these players will have S-Video outputs (My CLD-S201 doesn't, for instance)

As far as I know, there are no laserdisc players with DD coaxial, or optical outputs...

From what I've read, there are optical outputs on some LD players. But they're only useful for passing DTS or PCM tracks, not AC-3. It will simply pass whatever is on the digital track.

[NotaNumber]

LaserDisc Archive has a list of almost every Pioneer LD produced, most with specs. The site was "lost" a couple years ago due to server crashes and was under restoration, but it looks like one of the background images is missing now (it was ok a few months ago when I last looked at it) so you will have difficulting reading the Pioneer page (supposed to be white text on dark background).

The coveted models are the CLD-D703, CLD-D704 (the 703 doesn't have AC-3 output), the HLD-X9 (very expensive) and a couple Elite models which I don't recall the model numbers.

One of the Mitsubishi models is actually just a 704 with the Mitsubishi badge on it. These generally go for a lot less then the Pioneers. If you can find one. I don't recall the model number, I have it saved in a message somewhere.

There's a guy that posts on the laserdisc newsgroup who repairs and reconditions LD players, in fact many of the reconditioned players for sale on eBay are from him. He has an excellent reputation and will stand behind any of his reconditioned units. He will sell direct outside of eBay. His 704s direct are in the $300 range. PM me if you want his email.

[gltaylor74]

There's a guy that posts on the laserdisc newsgroup who repairs and reconditions LD players, in fact many of the reconditioned players for sale on eBay are from him. He has an excellent reputation and will stand behind any of his reconditioned units. He will sell direct outside of eBay. His 704s direct are in the $300 range. PM me if you want his email.

That would be Kurtis Bahr. Kurtis is a great guy to deal with and I would highly recommend contacting him for a player. I would recommend the CLD 704. It is pioneers best domestic non-Elite player and has great bang for the buck value. It has two digital audio outputs for PCM and DTS, and an RF output for dolby digital (AC3). Keep in mind that in order to get Dolby digital from LD you will also need an RF demodulator, which you can get on ebay starting at around $100. You will NOT be able to get Dolby Digital without an RF demodulator. The picture quality is in the above average range for laserdisc. Kurtis thouroughly services his units and tweaks them for their best picture quality, he also stands behind his players.

[tomdkat]

Why are you looking for a LD player nowadays? Star Wars is coming out on DVD so what's the need? Or do you want access to the original trilogy movies?

Peace...

[gltaylor74]

Well, perhaps he wants the true version of Star Wars and not the bastardized ones. There are also thousands of titles on LD that may not been on DVD for a long time, if ever.

[NotaNumber]

This might help.