Hello, my name is Mark and I go by "Spaceglider" (was a Microman and Micronauts collector for many years...).

I am a new guy to LD but it was one of those things I always wanted to have an excuse to collect if I could afford it--and now I can!

My first machines were two DOAs that I purchased to either repair or use for parts, I have a CLD 3030 that someone is now fixing for me, (no real good reason to do so other than I got emotionally attached to it when I received it...LOL)

My second and third machines I have now "tried" (despite better judgement and being told 'umm you're dumb to do this") are two Sony MDP 605s, one of which I ALMOST had fixed myself but then the spindle disintegrated, and then I used that one for parts to get the twin 605 at least playing music CD's--I will get it fixed/fix it someday though (as again I am a glutton for punishment and believe that everyone and everything deserves a second chance). And, like seeing a teddy bear in Walmart and having to "have it" because I fell in love it it--I am emotionally attached to the 605's because at the very least they are so purty.

My only machine I now have that is working is AN AWESOME CLD 110KVT LD/Karaoke player, it does not flip sides, you can play Karaoke on it or set it to straight LD play, but even cooler it has the AC-3 output so I really need that Jurassic Park LD (even though I just watched it in 3D on my Sony 3D bluray player..which was freaking awesome as well).

Did I mention I am 48 years old?

I have a Sony STR DG1000 receiver everything hooks into, I have not even looked to see if it can decode the AC-3 so if not I will be purchasing a decoder at some point. The video OUT on the 110KVT goes into the receiver and then outputs through HDMI so it cleans up well for the path to the BenQ W1070 projector. My screen is 7 feet tall by 12 feet wide, but when we do LD's I simply make the focus smaller and it looks, for the most part, very good.

I have Jensen Powerstation speakers, JP1500 X 4, JP1200 X 2, four center channel JPs, 5 AudioSource 250 watt amplifiers, 2 Onkyo 200 watt amps, Cerwin Vega 2 barrel subwoofer, and a LW15 Cerwin Vega subwoofer (plus some others that are scattered around here and there to bounce the couches a bit when watching Transformers or something).

Did I mention my wife is ready to divorce me when I watch Godzilla down there in the basement?

I am a collector of BluRay 3D, HD DVD, Laserdiscs, assorted very rare DVD, and am a DJ for school dances here in northeastern Colorado as well.

Did I mention I raise fancy guppies and roller pigeons as well?

In my spare time I work full time as a counselor and also as a teacher at a school for emotionally disordered/autistic children. It's very rewarding but very ,very hard as well. That's one of the reasons a great hobby like this is so important.

PS, if you have LD's that are of an educational sort, I am planning on getting an industrial style machine to use at school as the kids there just think LD's are "retro awesome Mr. S!!!!" as they tell me. (There's something to be said for a kid trying to walk out of the school with a 12 inch copy of a movie as well...whereas with the DVD's it does happen sometimes.)

I hope to have many of you private message me about anything and everything--meet you all, and hopefully trade more info and ideas and maybe discs at some point.

Sincerely,
Mr. S
aka The Spaceglider

Good evening spaceglider8,

Time here is now 02:53 am, and have just read your very interesting introduction sir,
Thank you for sharing with us all here

I to have a generous collection of DVD / HD DVD and Blu-Ray and they all sit happily together within and on my Solid Oak HiFi racks.

I did enjoy with a giggle or two when you mentioned ''oh did I mention'' I like your style, with a good number of details about your personality revealed throughout..............

Welcome to the forums Friend.........I enjoyed what you wrote and could relate.

I have the same name and am 51 years of age, I share the counselling nature, although in a very different environment, never the less, I understand the very nature of true communication, the art of selflessness, to deeply empathize with others needs and so on.

The so Purty........I giggled at

You crazy man you

I have a large collection of LD Hardware........so the Purty applies with good reason, as this is what drew myself to the Elite Players made in the US, and a shame that they are not made like this anymore, at least I purchased when I did and am truly glad of that fact.

The Godzilla 2014 i presume?..........I haven't seen, as this movie didn't leap out and say BUY ME!........maybe a casual purchase at some stage......maybe not.......who knows eh.

Keep in touch sir

Oh did I mention that I live in the UK

Take care neighbor,

Genuine regards

God bless your heart, Mr S. My oldest son is autistic and I know exactly what you mean by your job being both rewarding and difficult at the same time. Autism awareness is finally getting mainstream recognition, however, it is still VERY misunderstood. Many people think all autistics are "rain men" and it couldn't be farther from the truth. ALL children/people, regardless of deficiency, are unique individuals with their own set of strengths, weaknesses, abilities, needs, and motivations.

I think it's really awesome that you are able to incorporate Laserdiscs into a 21st century classroom! It seems more than coincidence that you JUST joined the forum and Bprice decided to unload his collection of educational LD's. The industrial machines are pretty easy to come by nowadays and would be a perfect fit for your application. Not that you NEED an industrial unit, it would just be cool to use one for it's intended purpose. Plus with barcode/computer interface, I feel it would make learning much more interactive than watching YouTube videos.

Anyway, welcome to the family. There is enough knowledge here to make your head swim. Anything you need to know about laserdiscs is pretty much at your fingertips and the members here are very friendly/helpful if you have any specific questions that need addressed.