Need help choosing Laserdisc player (1 Viewer)

[Jim_K]

I'm in the market for a used low priced ($200 price range) Laserdisc player and I need some advise. I'm only going to be using it for Star wars/indy trilogies and mostly pre-1970 films not on DVD.
I've searched other threads for some info and here is what I'm looking for.
Pioneer brand - play both sides - good picture quality for a reasonable price.
BTW DTS and AC-3 are a non-issue as I'll be satisfied using the PCM tracks.
What model numbers should I look for and which should I avoid?
thanks,
Jim

 

[Jim_K]

no recommendations????

 

[Kendal Kirk]

Remember a LD thread and ran across this on e-bay. Don't know if it is what you are looking for but someone will get a good deal.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...tem=1296692612

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Jim,
Lucky for you, laser disc prices are basically in the crapper. I sold a nice like-new Pioneer CLD-D503 a couple of year ago with exactly the features you described, and even though I paid $400 used, I was only able to get $125 for it. I researched e-bay before I sold it, and that was bout what they were selling for. I found that AC-3 models could usually get about $100 more.
Having said that, Jim, get on over to e-bay. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding a nice player under $200.
You don’t want anything but a Pioneer player. They were always the most serious player in the Laser disc market (no pun intended), and many other manufacturers merely sold re-badged Pioneers. I briefly had a Mits player before the Pioneer, and it wasn’t nearly as good —very grainy picture.
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
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My Equipment List

 

[Jim_K]

Wayne,
How do the CLD-D406 & CLD-D504 stack up against your old CLD-D503?
These are the 3 models I'm currently looking at now.
Are they all a safe bet?
Any other opinions?
thanks,
Jim

 

[KeithH]

Jim, I have the CLD-D406 and am very happy with it. It was Pioneer's last LD/CD player, as they only now offer the DVL-919 DVD/LD player. The laserdiscphiles say that the 'D406 isn't as good as Pioneer's best LD players such as the Elite CLD-97 and CLD-99 and the non-Elite CLD-704, but for the $425 I paid for the 'D406 as a brand new unit last year, I am very pleased with the performance. If you can get a good deal on a 'D406 in good condition, I'd say go for it.
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My:
HT Pics ; Equipment List ; DVD Collection ; LD Collection
KeithH: Saving the Home Theater World Before Bedtime

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Jim,
If I remember, the 504 is essentially the same as the 503, except it is one model year newer and should have AC-3. If it does have an AC-3 output, expect to pay more.
The 406 is a model newer than the 504, but I think it is a lower-line product than the 500 series. However, that probably only means a few less features than the 500 models.
Really, the only players I would avoid are the bottom-of-the-line 100 and 200 series, which are really stripped-down models that don’t even have auto reverse.
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
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My Equipment List

 

[Rachael B]

Remember that the 504 has no PCM/DTS optical or coaxial output. It has an AC-3 output instead. Best wishes!
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Rachael, the big disc cat! "...in a democracy it don't matter how stupid you are you stille get an equal share..."
I survived the AFI top 100 Film Challenge! I've seen them all.

 

[Jim_K]

thanks for the save Rachael. I guess I was mistakenly under the impression that all LD players had PCM outputs.
Jim

 

[Bob Segno]

Jim, I have had the 406 for about 5 or 6 years now, and it has always worked great. The picture is almost as good as DVD!