LD Players Review (1994)
Phil Kim
Also available:
- ld-coll.txt Laserdisc Review: Collector's Editions
- ld-crit.txt Laserdisc Review: Criterion vs. Others
All available in higher quality Ami Pro 3.0 and PostScript formats.
Note: It is my understanding that Panasonic hasn't fully replaced (or
cancelled replacing) its LX-101 with LX-200. They are nearly identical
(i.e., LX-900 vs. LX-1000) with minor design change in LX-200.
== cut here (including this line) =========================================
Combination Laserdisc Players Review (1994 Spring/Summer Edition)
For each testing, the laserdisc player was connected to:
- Surround receiver: Yamaha RX-V670
- Speakers: Definitive Technology BP8, C-1, and BP2
- Monitor: Sony KV-27V55
Laserdiscs used:
- The Empire Strikes Back (CBS/Fox; The Definitive Collection)
- The Right Stuff (Warner Bros.; Wide Screen Edition)
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Touchstone; Stereo CAV Laser Videodisc)
Compact Discs used:
- Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon (Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab)
- Viktoria Mullova, Seiji Ozawa: Tchaikovsky, Sibelius Violin Concertos
(Philips)
Ratings range from poor, fair, good, very good, to excellent.
I thank my friends who let me borrow their players and to 30-day money
back guarantee policy. For inquiry, contact me through Internet at
ki...@rpi.edu.
Reviews by Phil Kim.
Table of Content___________________________________________________________
Laserdisc basics Page 2
Low-end laserdisc players Page 4
Side-changing laserdisc players Page 5
High-end laserdisc players Page 6
Multi-CD laserdisc players Page 7
This article is not copyrighted but author asks no part of it to be used
or reproduced in any manner whatsoever except in the case of reprints in
the context of reviews.
Laserdisc basics___________________________________________________________
By now, you are interested in buying a laserdisc player because
- Laserdiscs can deliver 60% sharper image than VHS tapes.
- Laserdiscs feature Compact Disc (CD)-quality audio.
- Laserdiscs are more durable than video tapes.
- A large number of laserdiscs is available with extensive supplement.
- A large number of films on laserdisc is available in its proper aspect
ratio.
Or you may want to upgrade your existing player. Whatever your reasons
are, you should be familiar with laserdiscs before taking the plunge (for
more detailed explanation, I recommend Bob Niland's articles on
laserdiscs).
There are two types of laserdisc:
- CAV (Constant Angular Velocity, or Standard Play) laserdiscs operate
similarly to computer disks. A CAV laserdisc offers about 30 minutes
(for NTSC) or 54,000 frames per side. This format allows high quality
freeze frame and multiple-speed playback.
- CLV (Constant Linear Velocity, or Extended Play) laserdiscs operate
similarly to CDs. A CLV laserdisc can hold about 60 minutes (for NTSC)
per side. This format does not permit freeze frames and multiple-speed
playback, unless the laserdisc player is equipped with digital effects
capability. As with CDs, however, you may pause (blank screen), and
scan forward or reverse.
Finally, laserdiscs are available in either 8" and 12" sizes. Obviously,
8" laserdiscs have smaller capacity than 12" laserdiscs. Nearly all
laserdiscs released are in 12" size and many in CLV format.
All recent laserdisc players can play CAV and CLV laserdiscs in both 8"
and 12" sizes. A combination laserdisc player can play 3" and 5" CDs and
5" CDV (Compact Disc with Video) as well.
Some of the popular laserdisc player features include:
Chapter programming similar to random track programming on CD players.
Clear scanning allows visible scanning with CLV laserdiscs by
alternating between a still image and a blank
screen.
Digital output digital optical audio output for audio systems
capable of digital audio compression and expansion.
S-video output since laserdiscs are encoded in composite format,
televisions with inferior Y/C separators may
benefit by using this output.
Shuttle ring by rotating a self-centering ring, one can scan
picture with greater control.
Time/frame search searches for particular time (for CLV laserdiscs)
or frame (for CAV laserdiscs) instantly.
More expensive laserdisc players may offer:
Automatic side change changes the side of a laserdisc without user
intervention, and takes 6 to 20 seconds depending
on the player.
Digital comb filter or 3-line digital logical comb filter, this
circuitry is used to separate luminance and
chrominance signals to feed S-video output.
Digital special allows multiple speed playback on CLV laserdiscs
effects on CLV at lower quality than it is possible with CAV
laserdiscs.
Digital time base an advanced form of Time Base Corrector (TBC)
corrector which attempts to decrease jitters more
efficiently than mechanical TBC.
8-bit digital field allows freeze frame on CLV laserdiscs at lower
memory quality than it is possible with CAV laserdiscs.
Jog dial by spinning a dial knob, one can advance and
review frames.
There are also Karaoke laserdisc players with audio digital signal
processing (DSP) circuitry and microphones. Pioneer and Technic are
offering Karaoke add-on unit ($200-400) for conventional laserdisc
players. And finally, Pioneer introduced multi-CD laserdisc players that
can hold 5 CDs.
Pioneer is responsible for the success of a laserdisc format. In 1980's,
Pioneer single-handedly rescued nearly extinct laserdisc from video-format
war and positioned it as the ultimate home video format. Today, Pioneer
offers laserdisc players with loaded features at very attractive prices.
Audiophiles have long dismissed Pioneer as low-end home theater company.
While I agree their audio lineup is not very competitive, their laserdisc
players are very attractive buys. Pioneer also makes ultra-high-end
laserdisc players with full-field digital special effects.
Sony markets laserdisc players with different flavor than Pioneer, and is
attracting buyers who are seeking alternate choice. One of its biggest
assets is Sony's clear scanning technique, which is more pleasing than
that of Pioneer. As with Panasonic, Sony's clear scan alternates between
moving images and a blank screen, rather than scrolling a still image with
a blank screen. On the other hand, their Tri-Digital Video Processing is
over-hyped and I do not see any worthwhile improvement over their previous
players without such circuit.
By concentrating on developing higher quality image and audio, Panasonic
has [mostly] succeeded in bettering Pioneer. Panasonic laserdisc players
deliver top-notch video and audio performances at competitive prices.
Unfortunately, Panasonic laserdisc players are becoming more difficult to
find than Pioneer or Sony.
A number of other brands market laserdisc players, including Denon,
Kenwood, Marantz, Onkyo, Optimus (Radio Shack), Samsung, and Yamaha. Most
are modified from Pioneer designs with their own audio design. Such
laserdisc players usually deliver superior digital audio performance than
Pioneer. Unfortunately, most are dated with higher price tag, thus they
are not recommended (few exceptions exist).
In this article, I reviewed Panasonic, Pioneer, and Sony laserdisc players.
Low-end laserdisc players__________________________________________________
Panasonic LX-200 General features: 20 chapter programming, clear
($400-600) scanning, digital comb filter, digital output,
video: very good digital time base corrector, remote control,
audio: good shuttle ring, S-video output, and time/frame
design: good search.
In short: Panasonic LX-200 includes all the
Best In The Class feature you need minus luxury. An attractive
alternative to budget-minded buyers looking for
best performances.
Pioneer CLD-S201 General features: 24 chapter programming, clear
($300-535) scanning, remote control, shuttle ring on the
video: good player, and time/frame search.
audio: fair In short: Pioneer CLD-S201 should attract budget-
design: fair minded buyers looking for minimum compromise.
More serious laserdisc buffs should look elsewhere.
Sony MDP-455 General features: 20 chapter programming, clear
($350-600) scanning, digital comb filter, digital output,
video: good digital time base corrector, remote control,
audio: very good shuttle ring, S-video output, and time/frame
design: good search.
In short: Sony MDP-455 is a particularly
attractive unit, with solid performance and sleek
design. It was the slowest player tested.
Low-end laserdisc players are designed for casual viewers dissatisfied
with VHS pre-recorded tapes. All three laserdisc players tested offered
superior performance for prices similar to Hi-Fi VHS VCRs (and even more
expensive S-VHS VCRs).
I was impressed with Panasonic LX-200. It delivered best overall
performance among low-end players tested. Sky shots from The Right Stuff
had less video noise and the snow scene from The Empire Strikes Back was
more vivid. Audio performance is about equal to low-end CD players.
LX-200 is not perfect. Its on-screen display is not very informative and
the ergonomic needs improvement. Remote control is not very well laid-
out, but different-sized buttons make it easy to get use to. Chapter
access and time/frame search times are fast for its class.
I did not enjoy using Pioneer CLD-S201. A small remote control lacks
shuttle ring and the front panel design is often frustrating to operate.
Unlike LX-200 and MDP-455, clear scanning on CLD-S201 is unpleasant, in
which distorted image scrolls on the screen. I did not see any noticeable
improvement with direct-CD enabled (isolates audio circuitry).
Conveniently, doing so will pop out smaller CD tray. Dark Side of the
Moon lacked detailed found in LX-200 and MDP-455. Tchaikovsky's Violin
Concerto was bit edgy. It features digital audio level control (but no
digital output) and on-screen display with peak level control. It is the
lowest priced unit reviewed.
Although crowded, Sony MDP-455 had the best overall design. It is also
the most extensive in features. There are many buttons on the remote
control, and are the same in sizes except for TV controls. Fortunately,
they are well organized and once I got use to it, it was pleasant to
operate. On-screen display is excellent, providing all the information
needed. I particularly liked its wide range of playback speed for CAV
laserdisc, in 11 steps from 1/90x to 10x normal playback speed (LX-200 and
CLD-S201 are from 1/90x to 3x). Shuttle ring offers dual speed scanning,
at 10x and 30x normal playback speed. MDP-455 offered cleanest clear
scanning, which is so pleasant, some who do not care for digital freeze
frame may actually prefer this mechanism. Video performance wasn't very
strong. Digital audio performance was the best among low-end players
tested. The access speed was the slowest and it locked up frequently when
scanning CDs.
Side-changing laserdisc players____________________________________________
Panasonic LX-600 General features: automatic side change, 20
($525-800) chapter programming, clear scanning, digital comb
video: excellent filter, digital output, digital time base
audio: very good corrector, remote control, shuttle ring, S-video
design: good output, and time/frame search.
In short: Panasonic LX-600, a step-down cousin of
Best In The Class LX-900 offers impressive performances that will
attract couch-potato film buffs.
Pioneer CLD-D502 General features: automatic side change, 24
($450-760) chapter programming, clear scanning, digital
video: good output, remote control, shuttle ring, S-video
audio: good output, and time/frame search.
design: fair In short: Pioneer CLD-D502 is very inexpensive
with very fast side-change. On the other hand,
spending bit more will earn you better
performances.
Sony MDP-600 General features: automatic side change, 20
($550-800) chapter programming, clear scanning, digital comb
video: good filter, digital output, digital time base
audio: very good corrector, remote control, shuttle ring on the
design: very good remote, S-video output, and time/frame search.
In short: With its sleek design and few Karaoke
features, Sony MDP-600 is an attractive buy for
casual couch-potatoes.
Ask any laserdisc newcomers. They all like laserdisc for its features and
performance but hate to flip laserdisc every 20 to 60 minutes. Although
many may think $200 premium for side-change sounds steep, once you have
it, you cannot go back.
As with its low-end cousin LX-200, Panasonic LX-600 was an impressive
performer. Audio and video performance were among the best in the group
with very fast side-change speed (varies between 7-12 seconds). The
remote control is fairly potent, with somewhat illogical layout but simple
to operate. On-screen display is weak -- I was bothered when I couldn't
display remaining time on laserdiscs with table of content (you can with
CDs).
Pioneer CLD-D502 is very inexpensive (a friend of mine got it for $450)
and is overall, a potent laserdisc player. Side-change is very fast
(varies between 6-13 seconds) with solid audio and video performances.
However, when playing Who Framed Roger Rabbit, CLD-D502 was not as vivid
nor clean as LX-600. Remote control is rather disappointing and the front
panel design is sometimes frustrating to operate. As with CLD-S201, clear
scanning on CLV laserdisc was not very pleasant.
I wanted to give Sony MDP-600 the highest rating among its group. It
comes in a clean chassis with few Karaoke features (microphone jack with
echo). Video performance wasn't on par with LX-600. Side-change was
faster with quick-start enabled (varies between 7-11 enabled, 8-14 seconds
disabled). Both audio and video performances are about equal to its
lower-end cousin, MDP-455. On-screen display is friendly (with good-
looking font), but the remote control is crowded. Excellent layout makes
it easy to get use to. Clear scanning is very clear.
High-end laserdisc players_________________________________________________
Panasonic LX-900 General features: automatic side change, 20
($725-1,100) chapter programming, digital comb filter, digital
video: excellent output, digital special effects with 8-bit digital
audio: very good field memory, digital time base corrector, remote
design: good control, jog dial and shuttle ring, S-video
output, and time/frame search.
Best In The Class In short: My choice for the best overall laserdisc
players under $1,000 street price. Panasonic
LX-900 is not perfect, but its strong performances
diminish its flaws.
Pioneer CLD-D702 General features: automatic side change, 24
($725-1,200) chapter programming, digital comb filter, digital
video: very good output, digital special effect with 8-bit digital
audio: very good field memory, digital time base corrector, remote
design: good control, jog dial and shuttle ring, S-video
output, and time/frame search.
In short: Pioneer CLD-D702 is one of the lowest
priced high-end laserdisc players on the market.
Although CLD-D702 is more refined, I recommend
LX-900.
Sony MDP-800 General features: automatic side change, 20
($800-1,200) chapter programming, digital comb filter, digital
video: good output, digital special effects with 8-bit digital
audio: very good field memory, digital time base corrector, remote
design: very good control, jog dial and shuttle ring on the remote,
S-video output, and time/frame search.
In short: Sony MDP-800 is more expensive than both
LX-900 and CLD-D702. Digital effects is also less
potent than its competitors.
High-end laserdisc players add two major features not found in low-end
models: side-change and digital special effects on CLV laserdisc.
Although many won't redeem spending extra for digital special effects,
more serious film buffs will find it important. Most implementation does
not freeze every frames and the quality is not exceptional (half the
resolution of CAV effects with digital artifacts).
Panasonic LX-900 had the best overall digital special effects. The image
was consistently cleaner and was the only player to capture entire 30
frames per second. On CLV laserdiscs, such as The Right Stuff, on-screen
display shows the frame number when using jog dial. Multi-speed playback
was very pleasant. Although you cannot disable digital special effects
circuitry, the playback quality is superior to CLD-D702 and MDP-800. Few
frills include: film and black & white mode and art effects. Remote
control is rather cheap looking but is competent. On-screen display is
weak and cannot be disabled. LX-900 was the noisiest player among its
group.
I would have recommended Pioneer CLD-D702 few months ago, but as LX-900
becoming cheaper (I bought mine for $720) no longer. It is a very good
player, but the image is noisier than LX-900 and digital effects is not as
good. The remote control is an illuminating type and Pioneer-buffs will
find the front panel design (although not very well laid-out) is classy.
Film mode disables on-screen display, which is informative. Coaxial
optical output is provided for quality digital output (all other players
are inferior Toslink-type). Side change was very fast.
Sony MDP-800 was a disappointment. Digital special effects was very slow,
with noticeable digital artifacts, and captured fewer frames per second
than CLD-D702. On The Right Stuff, freezing on sky shots showed
contamination. MDP-800 had the most video noise among the high-end
group. Some interesting features include digital memory recall which lets
you capture a frame and display it later. Minor Karaoke features include
microphone input and echo. MDP-800 operates very quietly with fast side
change speed. On-screen display is friendly and informative.
Multi-CD laserdisc players_________________________________________________
Pioneer CLD-M301 General features: 24 chapter programming, clear
($375-650) scanning, remote control, and time/frame search.
video: very good In short: One should spend $75-90 and get more
audio: fair competent CLD-M401.
design: fair
Pioneer CLD-M401 General features: 24 chapter programming, clear
($450-760) scanning, digital output, remote control, shuttle
video: excellent ring on the player, S-video output, and time/frame
audio: good search.
design: good In short: Pioneer CLD-M401 is an outstanding CD
changing combi-player marred by few flaws.
Best In The Class
To date, Pioneer is the only brand to market multi-CD laserdisc players.
Given laserdisc's size, it is a perfect marriage. Two models are
available: CLD-M301 and CLD-M401. Both are good performers but neither
can flip side nor perform digital effects on CLV laserdiscs.
In short, Pioneer CLD-M301 is similar to CLD-S201, a single-CD laserdisc
player. Video performance is stronger than CLD-S201, with milder video
noise. On-screen display provides rather cheap-looking picture of loaded
CDs, but it is better than nothing. Audio was not particularly inspiring
and CD change time was not as fast as some low-end CD changer. It comes
with a puny remote control.
Those who want multi-CD capability should look no further than Pioneer
CLD-M401. Video performance was actually better than CLD-D502, and I
found it actually more pleasing than its high-end cousin, CLD-D702
(perhaps multi-CD transport is responsible?). Audio digital signal
processing (DSP) attempts to provide simulated ambiance, but it is mostly
ineffective and unpleasant.
--
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
__ __ alt.video.laserdisc
/ / / / clari.news.movies Phil Kim
/ / /_/ rec.arts.movies Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
/ /____ rec.video Internet: ki...@rpi.edu
/______/ rec.video.releases
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Andrew Hall
>Archive: ldplayer.txt (411 lines)
[articles skipped]
>High-end laserdisc players_________________________________________________
>
[top of article skipped]
[regarding Pioneer CLD-D702]
>I would have recommended Pioneer CLD-D702 few months ago, but as LX-900
>becoming cheaper (I bought mine for $720) no longer. It is a very good
>player, but the image is noisier than LX-900 and digital effects is not as
>good. The remote control is an illuminating type and Pioneer-buffs will
>find the front panel design (although not very well laid-out) is classy.
>Film mode disables on-screen display, which is informative.
Just repeating for the Nth time that being able to turn off the
on-screen display (which, as you pointed out, cannot be done on the
LX-900) is one of the reasons I bought the D702 over the LX-900. I
find the information on the D702's front panel (which can be on in
Film Mode) "informative" enough. I almost never turn on the on-screen
display.
Andrew
--
--
Andrew Hall - ah...@ichips.intel.com (Internet)
Intel Corporation, Hillsboro, Oregon
Disclaimer: My opinions do not reflect those of Intel corporation.
Barry Garner
>[articles skipped]
>[regarding Pioneer CLD-D702]
>Andrew
702 's can now be had for about $675.
Robert M. Carosso
with the D702? All 30 of them per second? In other words,
be able, for example, to search to time 17:12 and then step
thru frames 17:12.0, 17:12.1, ..., 17:12.30, 17:13.0, etc.
- Bob Carosso
Bob Niland
Nope. Of the Pioneer players, only the industrial LD-V8000 can do that
(and better).
The Pioneer consumer players are all CLV seek-to-track and track-step,
which is up +/- 3 frames on seek and up to 3-frame step near the outer
edge of the disc.
Regards, 1001-A East Harmony Road
Bob Niland Suite 503
Internet: r...@csn.org Fort Collins
CompuServe: 71044,2124 Colorado 80525 USA
William R. Cruce
>Robert M. Carosso (r...@chamonix.ma30.bull.com) wrote:
>
>> Just a quick question: can one address individual CLV frames
>> with the D702? All 30 of them per second? In other words,
>> be able, for example, to search to time 17:12 and then step
>> thru frames 17:12.0, 17:12.1, ..., 17:12.30, 17:13.0, etc.
>
>Nope. Of the Pioneer players, only the industrial LD-V8000 can do that
>(and better).
>
>The Pioneer consumer players are all CLV seek-to-track and track-step,
>which is up +/- 3 frames on seek and up to 3-frame step near the outer
>edge of the disc.
A couple of years ago when I checked the Panasonic LX-1000 it was
able to address individual CLV frames (grabbing one FIELD from
each) even on the outer part of the disc (where Pioneers cannot).
Although I have not checked it personally, the LX-900 is the
current replacement for the LX-1000 and I believe its digital field
store functions in the same way.
--
William L.R. Cruce INTERNET: wl...@uhura.neoucom.edu
Associated with The Perfect Vision magazine.
Opinions and factual errors are my own, not those of TPV.
Robert M. Carosso
|> >
|> >> Just a quick question: can one address individual CLV frames
|> >> with the D702? All 30 of them per second? In other words,
|> >> be able, for example, to search to time 17:12 and then step
|> >> thru frames 17:12.0, 17:12.1, ..., 17:12.30, 17:13.0, etc.
|> >
|> >Nope. Of the Pioneer players, only the industrial LD-V8000 can do that
|> >(and better).
|> >
|> >The Pioneer consumer players are all CLV seek-to-track and track-step,
|> >which is up +/- 3 frames on seek and up to 3-frame step near the outer
|> >edge of the disc.
|>
|> able to address individual CLV frames (grabbing one FIELD from
|> each) even on the outer part of the disc (where Pioneers cannot).
|> Although I have not checked it personally, the LX-900 is the
|> current replacement for the LX-1000 and I believe its digital field
|> store functions in the same way.
You are exactly correct about the LX-900, Bill, which is why I posed
the question in the first place. There has been much debate recently
over which player is better, the D702 or the LX-900, and this fact
really sews it up for me. If I can only get at +/- 3 frames on the D702,
I would find that unacceptable when I can address each individual
frame directly on the LX-900 (yes, I know it's one field out of each
frame).
My point is that in quick action sequences that I may be looking at
to see how they do an effect, or see something that flashes by and is
hard to see at normal play speed -- what I may want to see often
only exists in one single frame. Or the best view of it may be in one
particular frame, the view that shows some detail or flaw on the set
or lets me read a sign in the background, etc. Anyway, it is for these
kinds of things that one spends all that money to buy a player with
CLV effects in the first place.
A recent poster lauded the D702 over the LX-900 because on the
D702 one could select a black screen during side changes. The
LX-900 grabs one frozen field near the end of the side, and displays
it along with the text, "SIDE A -> B". I really don't have a problem
with this, although I agree that if I were recording LDs, the D702
feature would look a little better. But to me, if this issue were a traffic
violation on the part of the LX-900, the individual frame addressability
issue is 2nd degree murder on the part of the D702, in terms of
relative importance.
- Bob Carosso
William R. Cruce
>|> >
>|> >> Just a quick question: can one address individual CLV frames
>|> >> with the D702? All 30 of them per second? In other words,
>|> >> be able, for example, to search to time 17:12 and then step
>|> >> thru frames 17:12.0, 17:12.1, ..., 17:12.30, 17:13.0, etc.
>|> >which is up +/- 3 frames on seek and up to 3-frame step near the outer
>|> >edge of the disc.
>|> A couple of years ago when I checked the Panasonic LX-1000 it was
>|> able to address individual CLV frames (grabbing one FIELD from
>|> each) even on the outer part of the disc (where Pioneers cannot).
>|> Although I have not checked it personally, the LX-900 is the
>|> current replacement for the LX-1000 and I believe its digital field
>|> store functions in the same way.
>
>You are exactly correct about the LX-900, Bill, which is why I posed
>the question in the first place. There has been much debate recently
>over which player is better, the D702 or the LX-900, and this fact
>really sews it up for me. If I can only get at +/- 3 frames on the D702,
>I would find that unacceptable when I can address each individual
>frame directly on the LX-900 (yes, I know it's one field out of each
>frame).
I agree with you about the value of being able to see a field from
EVERY frame if you want to study special effects or motion
sequences. Also some movies (e.g. THE EXORCIST) have subliminal
images occuring on a single frame. However there MAY be a
tradeoff. When I looked at the LX-1000, while it had an excellent
image on high quality discs, the image greatly deteriorated if
there were minor pressing flaws, noise, etc. The Pioneer player I
compared it to (3080, if I recall) did a much better job on average
discs. I've never understood this and I don't know if it is in any
way related to the ability to freeze a field from every frame. I
also have not looked at the LX-900. I am suggesting that you try
to compare the LX-900 to the D702 for image quality on a variety of
discs, if this might be important to you. If you are fussy about
the image or think you might become so, it is important to let your
own eyes, not someone else's, make the decision.
Andrew Hall
>You are exactly correct about the LX-900, Bill, which is why I posed
>the question in the first place.
Yeah, I think posting a question that you already know the answer to
is much, much better than a direct approach.
>A recent poster lauded the D702 over the LX-900 because on the
>D702 one could select a black screen during side changes. The
>LX-900 grabs one frozen field near the end of the side, and displays
>it along with the text, "SIDE A -> B". I really don't have a problem
>with this, although I agree that if I were recording LDs, the D702
>feature would look a little better. But to me, if this issue were a traffic
>violation on the part of the LX-900, the individual frame addressability
>issue is 2nd degree murder on the part of the D702, in terms of
>relative importance.
[yes, I am that "recent poster"]
You're so right, Bob. The D702 is really just a flaming piece of sh*t,
and I am just so sorry I bought it. The LX-900, on the other hand, is
the most flawlessly engineered piece of video equipment known to man,
and I was totally stupid not to buy it.
[sarcasm off]
Would I like to be able to access *every* frame at the edge of a disc?
Of course I would. How often do I ever find the need to do that?
Even on CAV discs? In 3 years of owning an LD player, almost never.
But that's just me. Anyone else who thinks they would want to access
every frame on a CLV disc ought to buy the LX-900.
The ability to turn off the on-screen display was important to me, and
that's why I bought the D702. (And I knew Pioneer players had the +-3
frame error). Apparently, I'm not the only one who finds disabling
on-screen display important, since a LX-900 owner recently complained
about it.
The main reason I post about the D702 is not to convince anyone that
it's superior to the LX-900. Both are great LD players. Phil Kim's
reviews of LD players are his opinion and not the consensus of the
net (nor are my opinions). Some folks read the video groups only
rarely and might be considering their first LD player purchase. I
don't want them to get the idea that Pioneer players are crap and
Panasonic players are the only game in town; it's just not true. (of
course, I am speaking about postings in general; Phil did rate the
D702 very highly).
Michael Gottlieb
attractively price. I bought the Pioneer just because I could get 6 months
no interest. If the Panasonic dealer offered the same deal I would own the
Panasonic.
--
Michael Gottlieb "The Journey is the Reward"
Newtonmail: Micha...@online.apple.com -Steve Jobs
Anthony A. Datri
>Of course I would. How often do I ever find the need to do that?
>Even on CAV discs? In 3 years of owning an LD player, almost never.
I have very few CLV disks on which I care at all about doing it. On those,
if I want an adjacent frame, I just move slightly forward or back a couple of
times and try again.
>The ability to turn off the on-screen display was important to me, and
>that's why I bought the D702.
It's not important to me, and if it were, I could just use the one-shot.
--
======================================================================8--<
Robert M. Carosso
writes:
|> In article <1994Feb1...@chamonix.ma30.bull.com>
r...@chamonix.ma30.bull.com (Robert M. Carosso) writes:
|> >You are exactly correct about the LX-900, Bill, which is why I posed
|> >the question in the first place.
|>
|> Yeah, I think posting a question that you already know the answer to
|> is much, much better than a direct approach.
No, I have an LX-900 and I know how it works, but I have never seen a
D702. I did not know the answer to the question; I just had a suspicion
that I hoped someone would confirm/dispell for me.
|> You're so right, Bob. The D702 is really just a flaming piece of sh*t,
|> and I am just so sorry I bought it. The LX-900, on the other hand, is
|> the most flawlessly engineered piece of video equipment known to man,
|> and I was totally stupid not to buy it.
|>
|> [sarcasm off]
Whoa, ease up on the sarcasm. I'm just trying to engage in a discussion
comparing two LD players, and these news groups are an appropriate
forum for that. I'm not trying to start a flame war.
|> Would I like to be able to access *every* frame at the edge of a disc?
|> Of course I would. How often do I ever find the need to do that?
|> Even on CAV discs? In 3 years of owning an LD player, almost never.
|> But that's just me. Anyone else who thinks they would want to access
|> every frame on a CLV disc ought to buy the LX-900.
|>
|> The ability to turn off the on-screen display was important to me, and
|> that's why I bought the D702. (And I knew Pioneer players had the +-3
|> frame error). Apparently, I'm not the only one who finds disabling
|> on-screen display important, since a LX-900 owner recently complained
|> about it.
You like your "on-screen display" feature; I like my "every frame access"
feature. Let's just agree to disagree.
|> The main reason I post about the D702 is not to convince anyone that
|> it's superior to the LX-900. Both are great LD players. Phil Kim's
|> reviews of LD players are his opinion and not the consensus of the
|> net (nor are my opinions). Some folks read the video groups only
|> rarely and might be considering their first LD player purchase. I
|> don't want them to get the idea that Pioneer players are crap and
|> Panasonic players are the only game in town; it's just not true. (of
|> course, I am speaking about postings in general; Phil did rate the
|> D702 very highly).
Actually, I always thought that the Pioneer LD players were much more
well-known and popular than the Panasonics, the former having been
around much longer. It certainly looks that way in Bob Niland's FAQ
lists. So, *I* have been espousing the LX-900s in order that would-be
purchasers don't think that Pioneers are the only game in town.
- Bob Carosso
Dante A. Gutierrez
> In article <2jb57h$d...@usenet.rpi.edu> ki...@rpi.edu writes:
>>Archive: ldplayer.txt (411 lines)
>
> [articles skipped]
>
>>High-end laserdisc players_________________________________________________
>>
> [top of article skipped]
>
> [regarding Pioneer CLD-D702]
>
>>I would have recommended Pioneer CLD-D702 few months ago, but as LX-900
>>becoming cheaper (I bought mine for $720) no longer. It is a very good
>>player, but the image is noisier than LX-900 and digital effects is not as
>>good. The remote control is an illuminating type and Pioneer-buffs will
>>find the front panel design (although not very well laid-out) is classy.
>>Film mode disables on-screen display, which is informative.
>
> Just repeating for the Nth time that being able to turn off the
> on-screen display (which, as you pointed out, cannot be done on the
> LX-900) is one of the reasons I bought the D702 over the LX-900. I
> find the information on the D702's front panel (which can be on in
> Film Mode) "informative" enough. I almost never turn on the on-screen
> display.
On a different note, can anybody tell me what Pioneer LD player model
compares or has the same laserdisc playing features of the Pioneer
CLD-V840 (the LD/CD/Karaoke dual-side play model)?
I mean, is the CLD-V840 similar in its laserdisc playing features to
a CLD-702? Or a CLD-701? Or just the CLD-501? The guys at GOOD GUYS
won't (can't is probably the right word, eh?) tell me!
Thanks in advance.
=dante gutierrez=
yorba linda, calif.