Finally getting a little bit of a grip on the naming schemes of Pioneer LD players - i.e. what numbers indicate a year and what indicate better/worse models. While looking at the CLD-3070, I was wondering what the difference is between the CLD-3070 (and CLD-2070) and the CLD-1070 that I have. I can't seem to find good info on this, or perhaps I'm just not searching for the right thing. I know the 2070 and 3070 can switch sides, but are the basic internals related to the pickup and video quality the same across each one?

Can't help on the 1070,
2070 has no trick play, 3070 has still step on CLV discs.
But all parts to my knowledge are the same with lasers and spindles etc.

Got it. Those features are useless to me, so good to know Thanks!

1070 is a single sided player version of the dual sided player 2070

Is there any notable visual improvement in the 3070 over the 1070/2070?

Based on this screen capture from the brochure, there were no differences in sound and picture quality between a 2070 and 3070.

70 series



But later on for the 80 and 90 series, there were minute differences between the 20 and 30 players in picture as well as sound quality.

80 series


90 series



I should note as well that for the 30 series, I think the only difference between a 1030 and 3030 is just audio quality differences. The 3030 has 4x oversampling twin DA converters and also sports an optical audio output. The 1030 has the 2x oversampling with only one DA converter for both channels and does not have an optical output.

Thanks for those pictures, ldfan! Exactly the type of thing I was looking for. Curiously, I do see that the video signal to noise ratio is 47db on the 2070 and 3070 but 46db on the 1070. What type of internal differences would explain that? A different laser?

Secondly, how perceivable of a difference is that?

They both have the same laser, but it could be the trick play?
You won't notice it at all if you are over 30 with anybody's eyes and using a non studio grade non CRT monitor.

The 2070 and 3070 have the same video SN so it’s not the trick play.

Honesty speaking, I know my 3030 has something like a 46db SN for video and my 703/704 has 51db and I can’t tell the difference. rein-o has a good point that you probably can make out the differences using an analog CRT but today’s digital displays add so much processing that one can’t see it as well.

And not just any CRT it would have to be one of those 20 grand pro CRT monitors and maybe, just maybe you might be able to notice it.
Don't forget how much our eyes deteriorate and how much less we can see from a few years ago as well as not having pro gear to notice it.

I actually have a few of these laserdisc players. At least the 1070 and 1080, that I own, are very close in performance (regardless of what the stats say), the 1080 had slightly better sound, but that could be that I saw the bigger number and thought 'better' in my head. I couldn't tell much difference in the video between the two. I actually like their aesthetics.

The 2090 is definitely a grade above, and the picture was noticeably better than either my 503 or 2600. None of these quite match the 79, but if your units are in good condition, then it is nice to have a backup. There are a lot of people on this forum that like the 3070.