Quick! Pioneer CLD-704: Any Good? (1 Viewer)

[Dave Simpson]

Hey gang, I need some fast opinions here. An ad on a local classified board is offering a Pioneer CLD-704 for sale. Apart from being a model from 1995 and performing the auto-flip, I can't find much info. Is this thing any good? Does it decode AC3? The seller indicates that he will include an outboard RF demod unit. I've offered him $50CDN (about $32USD), he countered with $150CDN ($95USD). He claims it's in excellent condition. BTW, a local mom and pop video outlet tells me they have plenty of old discs in storage, so I'm hoping to experience some LDs in 5.1. Thanks for your help, fellas. Cheers.

DS.

 

[Duncan Barth]

704? From what I recall, thats one of the good ones. The '7xx' series was the high end of the pioneer LD line (disregarding the 'elite' models).

It does AC3 out... and if they guys throwing in a RF demod, you win big. Most recievers/prepros these days don't have a RF in, so you need the demodulator to get the Dolby Digital signal into your reciever/prepro.

If its functioning well, US$95 is a good deal. Heck, if I was offered the deal, I'd take it... and I already own a LD player.

 

[Rich Strauss]

Dave,

That is an incredible price. The CLD-D704 is the best non-Elite model that Pioneer USA ever sold. It has an AC-3 RF output as well as one coaxial & one optical digital output (for DTS & PCM). I recently sold 2 of these on this forum for $350USD each. An outboard RF demod unit will cost a minimum of $100USD. So, $450 value for $95? Go for it!

Rich

 

[Dave Simpson]

Thanks for your help, fellas! I'll re-visit this thread once the transaction is complete. Cheers!

DS.

 

[Matt Stone]

Lucky bastard. That's all I have to say.

 

[alan halvorson]

And send me a list of the LD's you don't buy. Thanks!

 

[Chris PC]

Its effectively similar to my CLD 79 in terms of video and audio playback capabilities. Buy it and have fun. At the price you are paying, you can always sell it when you're done and not lose a penny.

 

[Dave Simpson]

Thanks for all your enthusiasm so far, guys! I picked up The Untouchables (widescreen, natch, non-AC3) today for $10CDN. One question: I'm reading here and there that connecting an LD player via the S-Video connection may not always be preferable to a straight composite connection, and in some cases, may in fact be inferior. Can anyone shed some light on this, particularily WRT the CLD-D704? And by the way, how is the RF-demod connected to my receiver? Anyone have a picture of one of these units? Cheers, gang!

DS.

 

[Sean Dayton]

Connecting the 704 via Svideo or composite depends on how good your comb filter on your video monitor is ? I have found 704 comb filter to be the same as the FS Sony Wega line 3 line comb filter. All you need to connect the demod unit to your reciever is a free digital input on your reciever and the proper cables. The AC3 output on the 704 goes to the demod unit and ouput of the demod unit goes to the recievers digital input. Easy enough. You will also need another digital input on your reciever to connect to the digital out on the 704 to recieve the PCM and DTS tracks off the lasers. The 704 is a great machine. I have mine playing the movie Wind right now in the background. The 1 race to reclaim the Americas Cup has just started so I have to go. Welcome to the Laser Club.

 

[Chris PC]

S-video differs from composite in that it has gone through a comb filter. Depending on how new or old your TV is, your TV may have a better comb filter than the LD player. Only by switching back and forth can you see for sure. I use S-video, because my TV's digital comb filter is a 2 line one. Works ok for me.
Demodulators connect to your receiver either coax or optical. My Demod has both and I think choose coax? Can't remember. The AC3 RF goes from your LD player via coax and then into the RF demodulator. With some demodulators, you can connect the digital out from your LD player into the demod and then the demodulator switches automatically for you.
Have fun. I've almost reached the end of my fun stint with LD and will gradually part with my LD's and eventually sell my player too. I can send you a list of my LD's if you're curious. Might be something in there you are interested in

 

[Philip Hamm]

That LD player is worth at least three times the amount of money you are paying. Have fun. No LD player decodes Dolby Digital, you'll need an RF Demodulator - be prepared to pay $200 for one.

 

[greg_t]

You can get the Yamaha RF demod off ebay pretty easily. I just got one brand new for $125 shipped.

 

[Dave Simpson]

Good news; the seller and I have agreed on the price of $150CDN for both player and demod (I had his price down to $125CDN, but it went up once I mentioned the RF demod). I'll pick it up tomorrow, and report here shorly thereafter.

Depending on how new or old your TV is, your TV may have a better comb filter than the LD player

My tv is a lowly 27" Sony, about ten years old. I don't imagine its comb-filter is too s**t-hot, so I imagine the video connection will be determined through trial and error. Cheers, guys!

DS.

 

[Matt Stone]

I re-itterate.

You lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky bastard.

You save at least a couple hundred bucks.

 

[Chris PC]

Yeah, you are saving about $400 or $500 Canadian. CLD-704's and demods are worth easily $400 or $500 CAD so there you go
Enjoy

 

[Philip Hamm]

My tv is a lowly 27" Sony, about ten years old. I don't imagine its comb-filter is too s**t-hot, so I imagine the video connection will be determined through trial and error. Cheers, guys!

In my bedroom I have a lowly Sony TV that's only 2 years old. My 704 looks noticably better through S-Video than composite. It has a respectable 3-line 2D digital comb filter.

 

[Dave Simpson]

In my bedroom I have a lowly Sony TV that's only 2 years old. My 704 looks noticably better through S-Video than composite. It has a respectable 3-line 2D digital comb filter.

Phil, I'll try 'em both!
BTW, I won an E-Bay auction for ROTJ (Faces edition) last night for $9.50USD (missed the SW auction by 2 minutes, sold for the same price , and the TESB price spiralled beyond my range ($40)). Things are lookin' good...Cheers, guys!
DS.

 

[Ed Speir IV]

I have a quick question. I currently have a Pioneer DVL-700 DVD/LD combo. I only use it for LDs since I got a Mitsubishi HDTV and a progressive-scan DVD player. I have noticed that LDs look very rough on this TV with this player. In fact, there is some kind of "smearing" or "blurring" effect that occurs all of the time, making the movies almost unwatchable. I recently watched the THX version of Star Wars and it was very distracting. It did not occur on my old TV (27 inch RCA). Would a CLD-D704 give me a noticably better picture with my current TV? I have about 500 LDs that I don't watch right now because of the poor picture I am getting on this TV. What do you guys think?

 

[Philip Hamm]

With that large a collection, if you want to be able to enjoy them, I would invest in a top quality player (I did - a CLD-99). But first a few questions:

* How is the DVL-700 connected? Composite will be far better than S-Video on your set. If you're connected by S try composite and see if that helps.

* Is there some kind of "Digital Video Noise Reduction" on the DVL-700? If so, experiment with turning it on and off and fiddling with the settings.

 

[Ed Speir IV]

I switched from S-Video to a standard composite cable after reading up in this forum, but I am still getting the same effect.

I don't think there is any kind of noise reduction on the player, but I will check when I get home.