Laser Disc Player

[c_hernandez32]

I have been wondering about LD players. I found one on ebay that offers AC3 output, but on RF? Can you convert the AC3 RF signal into coaxial or optical output?

[FulciLives]

I have been wondering about LD players. I found one on ebay that offers AC3 output, but on RF? Can you convert the AC3 RF signal into coaxial or optical output?

To get AC-3 from a LaserDisc player you either need a stereo receiver with the proper AC-3 RF input (pretty much aren't made anymore) or you need a special adapter that converts it to (if I recall correctly) 6 channel analog outputs which can plug into your receiver if it has 6 channel analog inputs (common enough). Only problem is last time I checked such an adapter was more than what you would probably pay for the LaserDisc player on eBay

At this point though if you've never had LaserDisc I don't much see the point of it. I've had two ... my first purchased in 1990 ... but at this point almost every film that I owned on LaserDisc ... many of which were extremely rare and imported from Japan ... are now out on DVD.

Even the big ticket Indy Jones films are out now with STAR WARS to come. Most of the super rare cult films that only existed on LD ... like CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST or EL TOPO ... are now out on DVD.

No point in starting a LD collection now.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[c_hernandez32]

I just wanted to know because the original-original Star Wars movie are only on LD (Tapes don't have that good of quality). I don't want the new special edition versions of the movies.

[FulciLives]

I just wanted to know because the original-original Star Wars movie are only on LD (Tapes don't have that good of quality). I don't want the new special edition versions of the movies.

Well here is the problem.

I have EMPIRE and STAR WARS but my JEDI got ruined.

So I only have 2 of the 3 (and these were the last THX AC-3 LD releases of the ORIGINAL UNALTERED TRILOGY).

Here is the problem.

Try and FIND them on LD at a REASONABLE price.

I can't find JEDI for less than $200 and I ain't paying that when I only paid like $50 or $60 originally.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[c_hernandez32]

WOW! 200 Dollars! What did George Lucas sign the LD? I can't believe that George doesn't like the original versions. The new versions look a little odd with the new computer generated images and the old 70's footage. With the AC 3 LD's you get the best of both worlds: the original version with 5.1 surround sound.

Speaking on the same topic, can you backup the LD's to DVD+R and still keep the AC-3 sound?

[HamishT]

EL TOPO ... are now out on DVD.

really? where from??

[FulciLives]

EL TOPO ... are now out on DVD.

really? where from??

Yes along with THE HOLY MOUNTAIN (16x9 anamorphic even)

I haven't upgraded myself (I have the Japanese LaserDiscs of both) but both are out now as Japanese DVD discs. NTSC but region 2.

Both are dual layer with OPTIONAL Jap subs and like the old LD the EL TOPO DVD is full screen but THE HOLY MOUNTAIN is 16x9 anamorphic.

These two movies were kinda like my last reason for having my LD player still but now no need.

Oh yes I should point out that like the Jap LD the DVD releases are in English.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
Cheapest place to order them is at:
CD JAPAN or you can try XPLOITED CINEMA

[c_hernandez32]

Well I like LD's because of the nostalgia for technology of the past.

I bought a Green Jaz drive for its look, rather than its ease of use or capacity.

Same with LD's, I think that having a huge LP size CD is way cooler than a DVD.

Most of my buys are based on aesthetic values. I won't buy a good looking piece of crap, but I will choose a good looking good value AV equipment. I exchanged my DVD/VCR player (black) to match my Silver TV and Surround Sound equipment. Hey I even bought my Sony VAIO because of its shiny blue light. It wasn't till later I realized that my computer was good, except for the fact that I can not put a DVD burner on it. A BIG problem, but thats why I have a second computer-one for editing another one for burning.

[FulciLives]

Hey I even bought my Sony VAIO because of its shiny blue light. It wasn't till later I realized that my computer was good, except for the fact that I can not put a DVD burner on it. A BIG problem, but thats why I have a second computer-one for editing another one for burning.

Are you sure about that?

I have an old SONY VAIO P3 650Mhz 256MB RAM running WinXP (RAM and OS upgraded from original) and I kept the original DVD-ROM drive for ripping but replaced the CD-R/RW drive with a NEC ND-1300A 4x combo DVD-R/RW DVD+R/RW drive and it works like a charm

I will admit that opening up the SONY was such a chore (because of the way that it was made) that I never did put the case back on ... other than the front face plate it is just the metal frame without all the fancy smanchy SONY VAIO case which appears to be harder to put together than it is to take off (and no I didn't break it ... at least I don't think so hehehe).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Scenarist_020]

Gentleman..... give the mighty LD some credit.......still got the Pioneer CLD925 & Yamaha 3090, and a collection of 200+.
Many titles also on DVD..... but if i compare 'm? It's all about bitrates & compression. If you can find 'm..... try & see for yourself. Especially Star Wars... got both special ed. lim. boxes......YES.... i'm lucky.

K R

[FulciLives]

Gentleman..... give the mighty LD some credit.......still got the Pioneer CLD925 & Yamaha 3090, and a collection of 200+.
Many titles also on DVD..... but if i compare 'm? It's all about bitrates & compression. If you can find 'm..... try & see for yourself. Especially Star Wars... got both special ed. lim. boxes......YES.... i'm lucky.

K R

If it wasn't clear in my original post let me say that I was a big huge supporter of LD and remained so even when the first wave of DVD videos were comming out (and I had a DVD player before most people when the darn things were like $500 minimum).

I loved the format. But facts are facts. It's over. It's dead. Virtually nearly everything that was out on LD is now out on DVD so ...

Stop beating a dead horse

As for those very few titles that exist on LD but not on DVD ... unless you already have an LD player and those titles it would be prohibitively expensive to try and get it all now. Either buy bootleg DVD versions of the LaserDiscs or wait for official DVD versions.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[c_hernandez32]

I have an old SONY VAIO P3 650Mhz 256MB RAM running WinXP (RAM and OS upgraded from original) and I kept the original DVD-ROM drive for ripping but replaced the CD-R/RW drive with a NEC ND-1300A 4x combo DVD-R/RW DVD+R/RW drive and it works like a charm

I will admit that opening up the SONY was such a chore (because of the way that it was made) that I never did put the case back on ... other than the front face plate it is just the metal frame without all the fancy smanchy SONY VAIO case which appears to be harder to put together than it is to take off (and no I didn't break it ... at least I don't think so hehehe).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I have a P4 RX-650 VAIO. Its a little weird. The CD-RW is really small, I don't know if a new DVD-+RW will fit in it. I have wanted to know if anyone has replaced their drive? I still haven't had the money to buy one. I chose a ATI AIW 8500DV instead.