Star Wars Laserdiscs? (1 Viewer)

[TedD]

Just a quick note to anyone contemplating getting a LD player:

There is only one brand of player to consider if you want the best possible image: Pioneer.

In the Pioneer line there are only 4 or 5 players that will deliver the best image (Luma and Chroma S/N in particular).

The CLD-97, CLD-99, LD-S1, and LD-X1 come to mind. Any other LD player will leave someone who is used to DVD disappointed if you are using a screen larger that 32".

Ted

 

[Matt Stone]

I've only got a 27" Wega anyway...so I think the D505 will be fine for me.

 

[Aaron Reynolds]

For about ten years I was running with a Pioneer CLD-990, and now I've moved to a Pioneer CLD-504 (modded with a coax out), which I am quite happy with on my aging 29" Hitachi.
Just wait until you HEAR it...mmm mmm mmm, you'll wonder what you've been doing all these years without LaserDiscs.

 

[Matt Stone]

I sure am hoping. Both the Definitive Collection and the Pioneer D505 are on their way as we speak.

 

[StephenC]

Matt,

I think you'll really enjoy watching all the trailers that the DC collection has,including "Revenge" of the Jedi.

 

[Damin J Toell]

I think you'll really enjoy watching all the trailers that the DC collection has

i love the ESB trailer with Harrison Ford's voiceover.
DJ

 

[Matt Stone]

You guys are getting me too excited
I'm glad that I finally took the plunge. I've been without the OT for long enough!

 

[Anthony R]

On the timeline page, it says the original Star Wars is time compressed down to 116 mins on some versions. What does that mean exactly? Did they actually cut out scenes to make the movie fit?

 

[Aaron Reynolds]

The CED has been sped up, slightly, to fit on one disc. I think the first LD of Star Wars was like that, too, wasn't it?

Man, this thread makes me want to go home and put on Star Wars right now.

 

[Matt Stone]

Quick question....what the hell is a CED. I saw that on the timeline, and I'm clueless.

 

[Damin J Toell]

Quick question....what the hell is a CED. I saw that on the timeline, and I'm clueless.

it was a format that worked similar to vinyl records; video and audio signals were read off a disk with a stylus. check out this FAQ for details.
DJ

 

[Matt Stone]

Wow...that's nuts.

 

[Michael St. Clair]

I always love the argument that Lucas hasn't released the OT to DVD yet because he doesn't want to offend us with multiple releases (that is, better to wait until a full CE is done). He sure as hell didn't have any problem selling us six different laserdisc versions. What Star Wars fan wouldn't love some bare-bones editions to hold them over?

 

[alan halvorson]

Matt: I would hold off on the Defintive Collection right now, at least off Ebay. Prices fluctuate on these sets. Right now they're as high as I've ever seen them in the nearly two years I've been using Ebay. In time, these sets will settle down to the $50-$80 area.

One thing - ask the seller if his Definitive set includes the corrected Empire Stikes Back disc. An error was made in the original release of this set. On disc 2, side 1 of Empire Strikes Back, right at the beginning, part of a scene was left off. This is where Leia is welding, Han shows up and she calls him a "scoundrel". If you see Leia welding, you have the corrected disc. We're only talking about 10-12 seconds here, but you may as well get a copy that has it all. There's a risk to asking the seller this question, however. I did once, the seller promply added that tidbit to his auction description and ended selling it for about twice the typical rate for that time.

The corrected disc was made available to those who asked for a time. Later releases included it.

 

[Todd_Brown]

My recently purchased Pioneer player is all warmed up. My definitive set should arrive tomorrow!! I can't wait!
Todd

 

[Mike_Skill]

When Image originally released the CLV THX 'faces' versions, they were pressed at Pioneer. A subsequent pressing was done in Japan at Kurari. These are signified with a 'K' prior to the item number on the inner ring of the discs just outside the label. These pressings had a much cleaner transfer than the Pioneer versions.

 

[Terrell]

Matt, you'll love the Definitive Collection. I just hope you get a good quality set, meaning the box set is beat up and scratched up. You should be fine though.

 

[Matt Stone]

Yah. The guy said it was in perfect shape...of course he could be lying, but I doubt it.

 

[Terrell]

Nah, you're probably okay. You've made a wise choice my young padawan. Since you might not get the originals on DVD, this was most definitely a wise investment, especially at that price.

 

[Philip Hamm]

When Image originally released the CLV THX 'faces' versions, they were pressed at Pioneer. A subsequent pressing was done in Japan at Kurari. These are signified with a 'K' prior to the item number on the inner ring of the discs just outside the label. These pressings had a much cleaner transfer than the Pioneer versions.

Good point. I originally bought the first "faces" versions for $50+ each at a local shop in 1995. When I spotted the Def Collection at a local shop clearing all LDs for $150 I jumped on it and sold the original set for $100 all three (to some creep on alt.video.laserdisc who never paid me ). When the set was repressed (in 1997?) and sold at $25 each I bought another CLV movie only set just to have to watch since the side breaks are annoying on the CAV set. The new onesa re the Kurray Japan pressing and they look better than the Pioneer USA manufactured CAV Definitives by a hair. But not for special effects like slomo - for those the CAVs rule my ass. And the extras are neato, too.