LaserDisc Database
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Looking to start collecting Laserdisc stuff
https://forum.lddb.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=2594		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Guest [ 08 Apr 2013, 21:07 ]
Post subject:  Looking to start collecting Laserdisc stuff
Hey there, I'm a vintage electronics hobbyist who's recently been offered a LD player and a couple of discs by a friend who's looking to declutter their place, so I figured I'd sign up as this seems to be the place for info on LD technology and on individual laserdiscs. As a new collector, I guess my main goal is to find discs that are both good-looking and cheap to buy, but I'm sure that I'll also enjoy reading about some of the rare releases and fancy players that I might someday want to get if I ever get some REAL money.
Author:  rein-o [ 08 Apr 2013, 21:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to start collecting Laserdisc stuff
do it, you will be happy :thumbup:

i feel that if you are into older electronics like silver faces etc, then LDs was the last
great piece of equipment.
Author:  Guest [ 08 Apr 2013, 22:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to start collecting Laserdisc stuff
Silver face stuff is cool to look at, but generally by "vintage electronics" I was thinking more along the lines of stuff like CRT TVs, older computers, cartridge-based game consoles, etc.
Author:  irvsmoot [ 09 Apr 2013, 21:21 ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to start collecting Laserdisc stuff
Welcome, mjk. Good luck starting your collection.
Author:  remington [ 09 Apr 2013, 23:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to start collecting Laserdisc stuff
mjk wrote:
Hey there, I'm a vintage electronics hobbyist who's recently been offered a LD player and a couple of discs by a friend who's looking to declutter their place, so I figured I'd sign up as this seems to be the place for info on LD technology and on individual laserdiscs. As a new collector, I guess my main goal is to find discs that are both good-looking and cheap to buy, but I'm sure that I'll also enjoy reading about some of the rare releases and fancy players that I might someday want to get if I ever get some REAL money.
This is the place to be as you will pick up valuable bits of information from well entrenched collectors and afficianados.

If money is an issue (and when isn't it?) you probably know that you can pick up a working LD player on ebay pretty cheap. Make a list of films that you are interested in and seek them out on LD. That gets you into a sometimes exciting "search and conquer" mentality that ends up giving you a further appreciation for LDs. Learn about the different versions of films on LD as well as the "better" version which can be anything from a widescreen vs. pan&scan, dolby digital vs. stereo or pro logic, dts laserdiscs, criterion lds, japan only lds etc. And oh yeah, welcome!
Author:  laserdisc_fan [ 10 Apr 2013, 21:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to start collecting Laserdisc stuff
Welcome to the forum. Don't be duped by all the information out there about really high end players being many times better than less costly machines.
That simply isn't the case no matter how expensive your setup. You don't need to spend a fortune on a laserdisc player to get good results.
I have a range of different players and have done comparisons side by side and there isn't a huge difference. The main difference is in the build quality of the players and the aesthetics.

For me I always wanted to sample a number of machines to see what the format was capable of but don't expect blu-ray quality from even an HLD-X0 or X9.
It is still my favourite format by a mile and there is nothing to touch it if you are into music from the 80's and 90's.
Author:  tsak [ 11 Apr 2013, 05:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to start collecting Laserdisc stuff
craigslist is your friend, unless you are near Raleigh...then it's MY friend! lol.
I really loved the 30 LDs i had for a decade, and just in the last few months I got back in and now my collection is over 250
Author:  signofzeta [ 11 Apr 2013, 06:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to start collecting Laserdisc stuff
mjk wrote:
Hey there, I'm a vintage electronics hobbyist who's recently been offered a LD player and a couple of discs by a friend who's looking to declutter their place, so I figured I'd sign up as this seems to be the place for info on LD technology and on individual laserdiscs. As a new collector, I guess my main goal is to find discs that are both good-looking and cheap to buy, but I'm sure that I'll also enjoy reading about some of the rare releases and fancy players that I might someday want to get if I ever get some REAL money.


Rare and expensive does not always equal good. Honestly, most of the really pricey LDs are garbage you can get on Bluray for $12 and a shockingly large number of really unique LDs are $30 or less. Some really really great stuff can be had off Craigslist for $1. Craigslist is the goldmine, no question. Craigslist and sellers on this site. eBay is a crapshoot, honestly.

Now players...good players are expensive, or at least they seem expensive compared to todays $79 Bluray players, and the bad thing is that there is a serious law of diminishing return. A $800 player does not look 16x better than a $50 player, and if you are watching on a LCD they pretty much all look the same; terrible.

Since you are open to CRT ownership I suggest hunting down a late Sony or JVC CRT. If you get lucky and find a good condition XBR960, even with an average LD player you're getting a better image that the guy with the X-0 hooked to a 60" LCD.

IMO its worth it to go as far as a CLD-79, CLD-99, CLD-704, or CLD-R7G, all of which can be had for $200-600. The massive single sided import-only 75lb MUSE decks and such...only needed if you are coo coo for coco puffs.

This hobby is very rewarding and not expensive at all if you are sane. If you are in it for the technology and the nostalgia and the movies, its very cheap, none of my discs are valuable at all. If you are in it for the PRESTIGE and the THIRLL OF THE HUNT then you can kiss your money good buy.
Author:  Guest [ 22 Jul 2013, 01:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to start collecting Laserdisc stuff
Hello mjk,

I agree that many LD players of "high end" quality can be obtained without spending a ton of money. When I purchased my McIntosh MLD 7020 brand new many years ago I got it for 1/2 price. I now have several higher end Pioneer players purchase on E Bay for as little as $120.00 but never more than $185.00.

As for LD titles, I buy titles I have been looking for or that catch my interest. Many titles I've purchased for as little as $2.00 while others have cost conciderably more. While I have not used Craigslist, I have used E Bay (a lot). The times of hunting LD's down around town have vanished, but flee markets, swap meets, estate sales and the like can reap some great rewards. Start slowly and learn as you go. The hunt is half the fun.

I get a big kick out of reaching into my collection saying, "I think I'll watch this tonight".

Enjoy yourself.
Author:  happycube [ 22 Jul 2013, 17:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to start collecting Laserdisc stuff
What player are you (hopefully) getting?

As for LD releases, I prefer the stuff that isn't (directly/properly) on DVD or Blu-Ray, or was something I watched on video growing up (as a non-rotted 80's LD is the best way to see those masters)

While LD mastering improved by the end, what was being mastered (component d1 or better) is better presented on DVD. LD shines for composite/video-shot masters - the composite artifacting is not easy for DVD to process, requiring careful handling which it didn't always get. If it wound up on DVD at all, that is...
Author:  Guest [ 24 Jul 2013, 16:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Looking to start collecting Laserdisc stuff
Welcome! This place is awesome and filled with friendly helpful people which - I think - says something, as most forums are filled with jerks.

:)
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