I know d*ck about laserdisc so bear with me if this is stuff that all of them can do-

- plays both sides so you don't have to get up and flip it
- ability to fast forward and rewind and see the picture move smoothly, not choppy like DVD
- ability to pause it
- chapter selection
- remote with menu button just like with DVDs
- preferably newer, mid 90's or higher model

I'd really prefer not to spend more than $100 for something I'm gonna use for novelty purposes but I definately want something that has those basic features. Also, I researched it a bit but gave up since there seems to be hundreds of models

oh and Yellow/Red/White connectors (component right?). don't care about optical or any of the other connectors

There was another guy in a very similar situation, so read this thread.

tl;dr
-Ask rixrex for a CLD-D702, CLD-D701, M-V7026, CLD-D750 or LX-1000-U PRISM.
-Try to avoid eBay as it's usually pretty unreliable (I've gotten four players off eBay that were DOA).
- Look around local thrift stores
- check the archive if you need to know more about a particular player

Also, LDs don't have DVD-like menus

Edit: oh, if all you want is analog audio out and composite video (component is a different thing entirely), grab one of Pioneer's industrial units (particularly the LD-V8000). You might have better luck with one of these off eBay as there built like a tank.

Just check craigslist as well and see what you can come up with. Heck, i have a kenwood that was manufactured in 1993 that does everything and it costs 60 bucks. That includes the remote and instruction manual so you should be able to find something to your liking. Though Rix does have some sweet stuff! Just got an awesome CED player off him. It is awesome.

It's pretty tough to make the right call just starting out. Here's a list of LD players I have available that we got from my Dad's estate (he had a little electronics shop):

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/ele/2775549805.html

I shy away from listing on ebay because of their overstuffed fee structure, fees on shipping, and the double-grab with Paypal fees as well, as they own Paypal! I absolutley won't skimp on shipping, so I try to have prices that are affordable overall considering the shipping.

If you're really into DVDs and want a remote that's very similar to a standard DVD remote, you might be interested in a Pioneer DVL-700 that plays both LDs and DVDs. A very attractive machine. The DVL series has very good digital still-frame and step-by-step frame capabilities, and smooth scanning for the most part, and you'll already be upgraded to where you have all sound output options for the future.

Other than that, I always really liked the Panasonic LX-1000u Prism series. It's a top-quality build, and a really solid machine, making it heavier than the others in that same price range, and very quiet too. You can tell when you first pick it up that it's a well built player. It has a very reliable side turn mechanism, very good quality picture from the composite video out, it has the outputs you want, plus an optical sound output too.

Other than that, you can't go wrong with the Pioneer D700 series. Probably the D702 or Mitsubishi (A Pioneer D702 also) would suit you.

If you're looking for a good one at a lower price, the Pioneer CLD-V850 or Panasonic LX-K700 (same as K770) are pretty sweet for $55. Check out the laserdisc UK site for pics of all the players listed:

http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/

I can understand if you don't want an RF output for Dolby Digital (as trying to find an RF demodulator is a pain in the a** these days), but why wouldn't you want to be able to play DTS laserdiscs with an optical or coax digital output?

Also, yeah, Laserdiscs don't support component output. Not even the DVD/LD combination players will you be able to use component for Laserdisc playback.

I think a good player for your parameters would be a Pioneer CLD-D60x (with the "x" being "4, 5" or "6".) That is a mid-90s, dual side player that has digital frame memory for freeze framing CLV discs (I'm assuming that's what you mean when you say "pause"--as every LD player can "pause" but not all LD player can freeze frame CLV discs.)

And like mentioned before, LDs don't have menus (nor are you forced to watch the FBI warnings and studio logos) like DVDs. You can access the chapters through the remote directly (though not all LDs are chapter encoded.)

You can probably get one of those for under $100, but not on Ebay. Maybe craigslist.

I just got out a couple of the Panasonic LX-1000u Prisms I have and set them back up for testing.

Once again, I was impressed with the picture quality. Just as good as I remember and side by side, easily comparable to the Pioneer D700 models. But the sweet thing about them was the quiet operation of the player once the disc is loaded. It's pretty quiet loading up, but very quiet while playing, I didn't even hear it.

Those do have digital optical audio outputs as well. Also, they have superb digital still-frame and step advance/reverse, and fast scan that's not nauseating.

You can PM me if you have any interest in what players I have available.

gbpxl i need a laserdisc player too and just getting into laserdiscs i dont mean to sound stupit but i did not even know that with some laserdisc you had to get up and flip sides i thought it playes right thru like a dvd player.do you mean in the middle of the movie it stops and it either flips by itself or you got to get up and flip it if so i did not know that.

i really dont know any thing about laserdisc players can someone please tell me what would be a good laserdisc player to buy i definitly want one that flips by itself.and like gbpxl i got about 100 dollars to spend thanks

If you guys are in so cal get them from Rix. He has the best deals on the things and knows what he is talking about. I have ones you have to flip for dirt cheap but you really dont want one of those, you want a flipper.

Ha ha, the guy doesn't want to sound stupit. Was that intentional? Funny regardless.

I also have some non-flippers that are really nice and have great picture. Of course one is the Pioneer CLD-S104 that's non-tampered composite output. A beautiful picture and good looking player.

Another is a really sharp Phillips CDV 488 that has nice digital memory features on it. In fact, all the Phillips/Maganvox players seem to have super good picture quality.

But again, there's plenty of entry-level flippers available.

Also, I'm getting my tax office ready for the tax season once again, and will be putting away the LD and CED players pretty soon. Now is a good time to pick one up.

I cannot help you with a $100 player at this time as a CLD-D704 for $250 shipped is the cheapest unit I have.

You need to decide on a couple things. Do you want digital memory? Do you want AC-3 RF to get the Dolby Digital soundtrack? Do you want a digital PCM output?

Options for dual sided players,
If you don't need AC-3 RF - then wait for a CLD-D703 as sometime they can be had for $100. Has the same sharp picture as the CLD-D704 but no AC-3 RF output. This will give you digital memory for picture during still, slow motion and picture during FF/REV, it also has coax and optical PCM outputs

If you want AC-3 RF, digital memory, PCM digital output - Look for a CLD-D604 or 606. Not as sharp of a picture as the CLD-D703/704 but it does have all the options. The 604 and 606 can go over $100 so wait for a good deal.

If you don't need digital memory, but want AC-3 RF and PCM Optical output - The CLD-D406 can give you this. This would be the easiest to find under $100. I sold my last one for $80 shipped with remote and manual.

I do need to warn you that the 604/406/606 need to be packed properly otherwise the laser pickup movement motor will break free during hard impact or better the holder is the newer black colored one that is not as Brittle.