Features:
-Dual sided play (still picture freeze during change)
-Plays all LDs and CDs
-Optical audio output
-S-Video output
-Digital memory for CLV special effects

Notable Lacking Features:
-AC-3 output (player is from ~1990)

PROS:
-A Very "Elite" looking faceplate for a non-elite player
-The only US player with D-Ext function
-Very low luminance noise, giving a nice smooth "analog" look
-Sharp picture
-Jog/Shuttle accessible from front panel pull out drawer

CONS:
-Fair amount of Chroma noise
-No video noise reduction
-Slight to moderate amount of CLV smear
-Pull-out drawer latch prone to breakage

Overall I was impressed by this player once I got it aligned properly. It has a nice sharp picture given its vintage (~1990) and the background video noise is very low. The only downside I noticed is that it does not cut down on chroma noise very well. I ran the video output through a TBC with chroma DNR and it cleaned it right up, but without that luxury it was a little high for my liking. This is a very nice looking machine and I would recommend it for someone looking to get a good performer without breaking the bank.

7/10

IIRC this player was the basis for the CLD 95/97, and it's the first of it's class to have the 4fsc/9mhz TBC.

In other words, a bit of a hidden gem, aside from that pesky chroma noise.

I asked this question earlier, but deleted it because I thought I found the answer.

Is the composite output recombined? Is there any Y/C delay?

Composite is recombined. I haven't checked closely to see how much delay it has if any. I just automatically correct for it when I put a new player into my system so I don't really think twice about it.

Interesting! It doesn't look like it's recombined in the circuit and block diagrams. Weird! o_O

https://www.dropbox.com/s/p3af1m7xvgcpk ... ervice.pdf

I looked at the circuit diagram to make that determination. Sure looks combined to me Trace it back from the video out jack and you'll see where the Y and C are combined.

Damn, you're right!

Does VE have a pattern for Y/C delay?

If the CLD-3080 has any delay, you can correct it with the DPS-290. You have one of those, right?

VE has a delay pattern near the end of chapter 15. It looks like two red vertical bars with a white and yellow background.

I do have a DPS-290 but I also have a video delay line that I use on the chroma half of the S-video input to my TV.

It looks like the comb filter is on a separate board, so it's theoretically possible to mod it out... or maybe take one off a scrapped CLD-97.

I have one of those as well. Can you please check to see if the CLD-3080 exhibits any Y/C delay? I'd appreciate it!

Does it look like the comb filter board actually does anything meaningful to the signal?

I don't really have an accurate way of determining this at the moment. My TV introduces a delay internally which is why I have the delay line on the input. I'd have to make sure I have a source with no delay to calibrate that and then check the 3080, but I can't be sure any of my sources are perfect so you see my dilemma

I've been really enjoying the picture from my cld-3080 lately and now that it has ac-3 out it will probably be my main player from now on.

However, I did notice that with the composite output you get some decent ringing and false outlines. The S-video is free of such artifacts (but overall looks worse). The composite is recombined from the Y and C so it leads me to believe they made a design error in the composite output circuit. I just wish I had more knowledge of such things.

It's possible that the ringing/outlines is part of the original video (caused by poor de-emphasis) and the comb filter is bad enough to mask it.

I got a cheap 3080 a while ago, and it's kinda tricky to remove the comb filter board. Instead of using a ribbon cable there's point to point wiring between the main board and a connector on the comb filter. Been meaning to try to bypass it, but I haven't had time to do much/any hardware tinkering lately, and doing a version of Glimmie's CLD-95 TBC-tapping mod is probably more useful to me anyway.

I've been toying around with the idea of tapping the signal before the DAC and running it to a new DAC circuit I would create. That would require desoldering the shield over that part of the board though which looks like a big pain.

I just bought one the other day. The guy shipped it very quickly. Luckily, nothing broke in shipping and seems to be functioning properly.

I'm really enjoying this player from the hour I've used it so far. Composite seem to be straight from the disc with no digital framebuffer, but does have CAV functions on CLV discs. Played a side of my discovision copy of Jaws and looks great! Sound is somewhat scratchy, but its a fault of the disc. Not sure I love the navigation draw, just so used to having the jog wheel and chapter skip buttons on the front. The faceplate does look slick without it being cluttered. Also love the tray. Probably the best tray movement I've ever seen on a LD player. Not loving the all felt feel and look of the tray.

This is the player I use on my CRT TV. I have it connected through composite on video and audio. The only player I'd use with S-Video is my Pioneer CLD-99. I like the picture the CLD-3080 gives off a lot. I can't decide if I prefer the CLD-99 or CLD-3080. They are close in image quality, but I feel like the CLD-3080 gives off a beautiful, analog-looking image, while the CLD-99 is trying to be more like a DVD. That's just my opinion. Someone else might disagree. On eBay, both these players sell for a lot nowadays, unless you find a deal. I did pay a pretty penny for my CLD-99 years ago on eBay. I paid $506, and now I see it selling for a lot more.