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Newb looking for first player
https://forum.lddb.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=10498		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  geekdom [ 17 Aug 2022, 12:47 ]
Post subject:  Newb looking for first player
I've been soaking up the wealth of knowledge here. I've inherited some laserdiscs, but no player. VHS players, I know...know how to fix them, know how the mechanics should work, and what to do when they don't. I've never had a LD player before and have no clue how/what to buy. Most of the discs I got all seem to be early to mid 90's, if that makes a difference. Looking for advice, thanks!
Author:  signofzeta [ 17 Aug 2022, 14:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
I’d advise you give up now.
Author:  geekdom [ 17 Aug 2022, 15:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
That bad, huh? I'd be inclined to agree except in the boxes was the 1995 Star Wars Widescreen set (the least altered version of the movies) and I'd actually like to watch them.
Author:  takeshi666 [ 17 Aug 2022, 15:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
Any player that works is a good one. I suggest you start from there.

And the best way to make sure it continues to remain in working order all the way up to being actually plugged into your TV to is through local pickup.

Oh and don't waste your time obsessing dual sided play, it just means more moving parts that can fail. True LD aficionados get off their butts to flip the disc anyway. :mrgreen:
Author:  rein-o [ 17 Aug 2022, 16:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
signofzeta wrote:
I’d advise you give up now.


In so many ways I sort of have to agree with this.
You are going to cheap out and buy any player, if you don't you will end up overpaying for a working player now
and cost will be over 300 bucks then you won't be happy IF and only IF your player arrives working from shipping.

Unless you like anime, silent films, music, odd films or other obscure stuff don't bother.
Author:  ldfan [ 17 Aug 2022, 18:20 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
If you really want to get into it, my simple advice is don't rush into it. I see more people feel they need a player right this instant and they end purchasing a player from eBay and it arrives all broken to pieces. So if it takes you a year to find one, that's okay.

Not sure where you live in the US but I would just keep an eye out on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, the local Goodwill store, and maybe a local used electronics store that might have one around. The key is to get one locally so it doesn't get shipped and don't spend a fortune on it since you have no idea if you could really get into it.
Author:  jd213 [ 17 Aug 2022, 20:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
If he already has some experience with repair, getting an LD player might not be all that risky. Maybe try something like uShip if a player can't be found locally.

If he gets a player that has a service manual available here, can use an oscilloscope, and is willing to make repairs when necessary, it might be a fun journey. One problem though, the Pioneer test discs are mostly all gone by now, but they're not always 100% necessary for adjustments in my (limited) experience.
Author:  takeshi666 [ 17 Aug 2022, 20:33 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
rein-o wrote:
signofzeta wrote:
I’d advise you give up now.


In so many ways I sort of have to agree with this.
You are going to cheap out and buy any player, if you don't you will end up overpaying for a working player now
and cost will be over 300 bucks then you won't be happy IF and only IF your player arrives working from shipping.

Unless you like anime, silent films, music, odd films or other obscure stuff don't bother.

Wait, why silent films?
Author:  rein-o [ 17 Aug 2022, 21:31 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
A major percent have no DVD or Bluray release.
Author:  geekdom [ 17 Aug 2022, 21:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
Appreciate all the input.

I'd rather have a LD player that I enjoy rather than settle for and I am into obscure movies. I'd rather not go the ebay route...despite I do sell lots of vcr and vcr/dvd combos on there, but I feel like an exception on there because I take the time to fix and resurrect these machines so they can be enjoyed and I know what I put into packing them to arrive in working order. I'm not a buy at thrift store today and ship tomorrow kind of seller.

I do know my way around an oscope and soldering so a fixer upper isn't a turn off. I know vcr's...looking for just a good player go with x. If you're looking for a workhorse to convert home movies to digital go with a direct drive over a belt unless you're handy changing belts. I do not know LD players. Good models..ones to avoid. Which ones are more repair friendly, etc.
Author:  teddanson [ 17 Aug 2022, 23:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
rein-o wrote:
Unless you like anime, silent films, music, odd films or other obscure stuff don't bother.


Does the Japan Railway Constitution disc in my collection count? :think:
Author:  geekdom [ 18 Aug 2022, 00:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
I think the copy of six string samurai might check off multiple of those boxes.

EDIT - NM - it wasn't a laserdisc, just some marketing material or some cut out. guess I should go through these boxes.
Author:  rein-o [ 18 Aug 2022, 00:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
I wouldn't count out ebay just look for closer to you.

Ted you know all the LDs you have are rare or unique enough to fit the bill 8-)
Author:  takeshi666 [ 18 Aug 2022, 02:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
rein-o wrote:
A major percent have no DVD or Bluray release.

Really? Like what?

geekdom wrote:
I do know my way around an oscope and soldering so a fixer upper isn't a turn off. I know vcr's...looking for just a good player go with x. If you're looking for a workhorse to convert home movies to digital go with a direct drive over a belt unless you're handy changing belts. I do not know LD players. Good models..ones to avoid. Which ones are more repair friendly, etc.

If you want a real challenge of a fixer-upper, buy a Magnavox VH8000. :mrgreen:
Author:  geekdom [ 18 Aug 2022, 13:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
takeshi666 wrote:
If you want a real challenge of a fixer-upper, buy a Magnavox VH8000. :mrgreen:


my skeptical senses are tingling...that kind of sounds like when I was in the Navy and we'd send the newbs to go find the Captains Crank so we could lower the mast for going under bridges.

I was talking to a buddy that has a side DJ business and I knew he was into older tech. He said he has a pioneer cld-3070 that he thinks has a disc jammed in it because it won't open, but powers on and worked with no problems before. It's mine if I want it for all the favors I've done for him (IDK about favors...day job is in IT and I own a locksmith company so someone is always asking for a "favor"). Is that one that's good to find parts for? I don't mind the repair difficulty, but if you can't find parts, that's a moot point.
Author:  ldfan [ 18 Aug 2022, 15:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
If you can get this CLD-3070 for free (including the remote I hope), don't pass it up. That is a very well built, high end player (it has the digital field memory circuit for CLV special effects) and the reason it's jammed up is due to old grease.

It's not a very easy player to disassemble to do an entire re-grease but "Cplusplus" did a write-up on how to go about it.....

[CLD-2070][CLD-3070][CLD-91][CLD-92] Loading Disassembly

I've personally done it once and luckily I did get it working again but it was a pain. However, it was well worth it for a high end player. I have a 2nd one I need to work on @ some point.
Author:  geekdom [ 18 Aug 2022, 16:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
I'm meeting him sometime this weekend (shocker he needs a fob for his truck) and he does think he has the remote. Thanks for the link to the tear down. Doesn't look that much more scary than some of the vcr/dvd combo's I restore, but I'm sure that'll change when I actually crack it open.
Author:  rein-o [ 18 Aug 2022, 16:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
These two are the ones that I know of off the top of my head, one has a DVD-R release from a bootleg company and the other has nothing that I can find as of yet.

Beau geste (1926) [NALA-10055]
Scarlet Letter, The (1926) [IVCL-10057]

I know there are a few others that I own but have to sit through my collection and search up on line and it will take too long for me right now.


EDIT:
This one does have a DVD release but according to the silent era site its a rip from a VHS tape, other is a DVD-R bootleg.
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The (1921) [ML104758]

https://www.silentera.com/video/fourHorsemenHV.html
Author:  ldfan [ 18 Aug 2022, 17:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
geekdom wrote:
Doesn't look that much more scary than some of the vcr/dvd combo's I restore, but I'm sure that'll change when I actually crack it open.


It's more complicated than today's (well... 10 years ago from today ;)) more mass produced products.

This is a 1st generation Alpha Turn unit so it's overbuilt and more complicated in design from their 2nd gen unit. Whatever you do, just take your time on it.
Author:  geekdom [ 19 Aug 2022, 14:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newb looking for first player
ldfan wrote:
Whatever you do, just take your time on it.


I always setup the gopro to film the tear down...I found it makes it easier when putting things back together. I have one work bench in my lock shop just for electronics (and away from my key cutters).
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