Pioneer Announces End of LaserDisc Player Products

January 14, 2009, Tokyo, Japan - Pioneer Corporation today announces that it will cease to manufacture its LaserDisc (LD) players upon completing the production of a total of approximately 3,000 more players.

In 1980, Pioneer introduced its first consumer LD player (VP-1000) in the U.S. market, followed by the Japanese market in 1981 and other markets accordingly. The company has seen worldwide sales of its LD players reach more than 9.5 million units to date in a market that saw worldwide sales top 16.8 million devices. It has contributed to the audiovisual enjoyment of so many consumers all over the world. However, under the market environment in which new media such as DVD and Blu-ray discs now dominate, it has become difficult for Pioneer to procure the parts required to produce LD players. Consequently Pioneer has been forced to terminate production of its LD products.

The final models produced by Pioneer are the DVL-919 (DVD/LD compatible player), CLD-R5 (LD/CD player), DVK-900 (DVD/LD karaoke system), and DVL-K88 (DVD/LD compatible karaoke player).

As for repair services, Pioneer will maintain the spare parts required to restore the normal functions of Pioneer LD players during the minimum storage period.

I thought "Grasshopper" would stop in and say Hello and share some Old News..

???

Julien

GRASSHOPPER IS BACK

Wow glad to see you are back, hope you stay, we've lost a lot of people here who actually know and talk the LD talk
and walk the LD walk.

Hope you stay on, its good to see you post here again

Julien, Yes I had left the laserdisc scene around 2016-2017, I met a French Woman from Montreal, Quebec, CA(Now my wife as of 2020). I had been so busy with life and further schooling credits with my occupation back in Michigan.
I had service a handful of LD Players from my long-term clients in 2018 before going to Quebec. I think word got around in the private sector. I have had many PM’s lately, and decided I better drop in. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY or WRITE!!
There are a lot of members gone that I always knew and converse with I see. Also, a lot of New Members in the laserdisc scene, and one I just helped out a month ago on here.

PARTS IS A BIG ISSUE!

I thought I better stop in and say HI and explain, been asked a lot the past few months.

\../

Welcome back!!!

I don't think we ever had an opportunity to converse in the past but always great to have an experienced technician around to give their thoughts. I'm still in need of more knowledge as I continue to keep this dinosaur of a format alive.

I was glad you were back!

But wondered why you were re-quoting the Pioneer PR on discontinuing LD business

Julien

I just didn't know how to Announce myself!! I thought the title would be a little Attraction!!

I guess I could've said "Grasshopper stopping in to say Hello"

I don't know...

It's nice to see some familiar faces!