Hi all

I’ve been offered a DVL-909 in the U.K. and on inspection found it has no scart or component video out sockets - only composite video which sucks (goes without saying). All the photos of these models have either scart or component.

So what’s going on? I noticed it has region 3 symbol on it - could this be a far eastern model? Is it legitimate? If so any way to get better quality video from it?

The DVD players in these things suck so don’t worry about componant video. You’re better off with a $60 Sony BR player. Way way way way better off.

As for the LD player itself composite is in fact usually the best signal.

Got any photos of it?

I have photos but can’t work out how to post them - file size is too big

Hi,

the DVL-909(E) has the scart socket.

Bit below from the laserdisscarchive site.

Specs for the US and Japanese DVL-909:

Pioneer improves on their original design by offering the DVL-909. New features and improvements include single-chip 10 bit DAC MPEG-2 video decoding system, "Personal Modes" hardware preference settings menu, MPEG-1 Video-CD playback compatibility, Composite video outputs, and "VitterBi" data buffering to reduce digital errors caused by mechanical "wow and flutter". Additional features include double-side laser disc play, dual layer DVD play, optical and coax Dolby Digital 5.1 sub-carrier outputs for both laser and DVD discs, separate loading drawers for 5" and 12" discs, full digital effects on CLV format laser discs, PCM digital output for DTS decoding, Twin S-video & component video outputs, wireless remote control, 96Khz/20-Bit digital audio decoding, on-screen graphical user interface (GUI) and CD-R playback.

Specs for the European DVL-909:

Pioneer improves on their original design by offering the DVL-909. New features and improvements include single-chip 10 bit DAC MPEG-2 video decoding system, "Personal Modes" hardware preference settings menu, MPEG-1 Video-CD playback compatibility, Composite video outputs, and "VitterBi" data buffering to reduce digital errors caused by mechanical "wow and flutter". Additional features include double-side laser disc play, dual layer DVD play, optical and coax Dolby Digital 5.1 sub-carrier outputs for both laser and DVD discs, separate loading drawers for 5" and 12" discs, full digital effects on CLV format laser discs, PCM digital output for DTS decoding, single S-video & composite video outputs, one scart loopthrough socket outputting either a composite or S-Video signal, wireless remote control, 96Khz/20-Bit digital audio decoding, on-screen graphical user interface (GUI) and CD-R playback.


The DVL-909E is region 2 so perhaps a better bet if you are in the UK & can pick one up at a good price.

If you do go for one make sure it comes with the correct control as most if not all earlier PIONEER remotes will not function with the DVLs.

Cheers.

images are here:

https://ibb.co/g6EYOH
https://ibb.co/hzihHc

From your photos and the specs posted it's the Asian model hence the region 3. I'ver one of those myself. As signofzeta mentions you'll not want to use it for DVD playback anyway since it was an early model as far as DVD goes so just about anything would beat it today. As long as LD playback works and you aren't being charged an arm and a leg for the machine I'd take it!

Yeah, I’d grab that in a second.

I missed out on buying one on ebay that the seller messed up on the listing.
Very cheap, I think it was a buy it now of 80 bucks or around there but I wasn't able to get it at the time.

I like how the laser warning label in the back has text in Finnish even though his model most certainly was never going to reach the market

Thanks all. So it’s Japanese most likely. How does £175 with a selection of discs sound?

No remote.

Region 3 is South-East Asia. Thailand, Korea, etc.

£175 sounds a bit steep, especially without a remote, but that depends on the amount of discs you get with it.

These were the prices I paid for any 909s I own:
2006: £162 player + 40 discs + remote, machine pristine condition
2007: £92 just player, no remote, machine pristine condition
2009: £166 player + remote, machine pristine condition
2009: £105 just player, no remote, machine pristine condition

By my own admission I'm very fussy about condition and overall appearance.
If it has any knocks, scratches or marks, I wouldn't buy it.

I also tend to prefer players that don't come with discs since most of the discs will be common ones like Speed, Independence Day so you'll end up with a dozen copies of each over time.

I like to get the original remote (again in perfect condition) however as I have a good supply of these from purchasing DVL 909 or 919s I'd still take one without. Also you can use any Pioneer DVD player remote instead so its not critical.

Looking back DVLs were more expensive than my other basic players I bought even back 10 years ago so I'd expect prices to be higher today for one in the same condition. By way of example I was buying 925 machines for about £80-£100 all day long back then.

£175 to me sounds ok for UK price in 2018, but condition wise it looks a bit scruffy to me but I'll leave that part up to you. I've certainly seen worse condition, but there are also lots of lovely machines out there that are like new cosmetically still. The marks might just be superficial and it could cleanup ok. I'd advise getting more photos or better still examining it first hand if you can so you can better judge the overall condition. Check if the screws holding the top on show any sign of wear from being turned. If so that's almost certainly an indicator it has been repaired. Again that would make me cautious especially if there are no receipts to show that the work was carried by a professional rather than someone just tinkering. Get a demo of all functions working before you buy.

How many discs do you own now??
How many players do you own now??
Did you own a player and want to relive some dream you once had??
Are you just jumping into LD because you saw some techoman video??
Is it working?? Any working LD player is worth the price if YOU are willing to pay it.

Lots of questions as to if its worth the price.
I wouldn't sell it for less than that, but I don't have one to sell nor will I be selling any players in the future.

And remember, these aren't stocks, or maybe they are.
The market can go up and can go down just like anything.
If you think you are going to buy it and recoup your cash in 6 months to 6 years you might not.

Amazing answers everyone, thank you. I’m a first time buyer, I have a single disc to my name and no players. You’ve really helped me to work out what I should do, I’ll let you know what happens next

Hopefully you'll have better luck with it than our friend in Thailand.

Happy hunting & good luck!!!