I wasn't sure if this is the proper place to post this question, but here goes [close thread if I'm in the wrong forum], is it possible to purchase a new laserdisc player here in the US for a good price? The reason I ask is because there are some movies on laserdisc that are not available on DVD and I would really enjoy to have them added to my collection. Mind you, I'm not rich as hell or anything like that; I'm just weighing options. Thanks now and later.

Sure looks like the right forum to me.

On eBay, there are LD players being sold for reasonable prices all the time. Try to get one with an AC-3 RF output. You need that if you want to hear Dolby Digital LDs in Dolby Digital. I would also recommend you get a Pioneer.

Some high-end electronics stores may still carry a model or two, but most likely with a hefty price tag.

I have owned a number of LD players. Right now, your best bet is finding one used. I suggest a CLD-D703 or CLD-D704 model. Both have excellent pictures and great features. The difference is that the 704 does Dolby Digital. They both do PCM and DTS. The 703 is cheaper and you can add Dolby Digital for $75 as long as you have a way of decoding the AC-3 RF signal once it leaves the player. That is the difficulty. Older high end receivers did, but hardly any do anymore. You can buy an AC-3 RF Demodulator, but they are getting hard to find.

I have a cld-703, a better player than a couple of Elite models I have tried. The adjustable DNR circuit really works and 704s are getting $300 to $400 on eBay. I have a number of dts laserdiscs and even the analog tracks knock me out.

If you spend $400 on a five year old ld player, it seems to me that one of Pioneer's combination ld/dvd players would make more sense in the long run. But, eBay does have a lot of cheap used players up for auction.

PIONEER DVL-V888 Like NEW, $499 - PIONEER DVL-V888 DVD/LD/C
Date Posted: January 05, 2001 at 12:00:28
Seller: Simon
From: California - Bay Area
IP Address: 192.190.51.15
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (408)274-4216
Brand/Model: PIONEER DVL-V888 Like NEW
Category: Home Theater
Age: 6 Months
Condition: As New
Price: $499 or best offer

Detailed Description:
This awesome DVD is almost like a brand new one. It has everything you name it (DVD/LD/CD/Karaoke). I have used it for a few times. It's in brand new condition for everything. The Multi-Disc Player That Handles LDs, CDs and the Latest DVDs • Digital Key Control / Echo / 2 Mic Inputs • DoIby Digital (AC-3) • Both-Side Play • Scoring and Competition Mode • DSP Three-Mode Surround Features comparison with DVD-V555 Suggested Retail Price $1,499.00 The DVL-V888 has been designed to put the amazing potential of DVD into the hands of karaoke and movie enthusiasts in a convenient and easy-to-use remote controlled package. There are many brand-new functions such as multi-angle, multi-language/multi-voice, multi-aspect and parental lock. What's more, we've maintained full compatibility with previous optical disc formats. You can use it to play Video CD (V-CD), LaserDisc Karaoke, CD-G Karaoke, and LaserDisc (Movie) discs, as well as audio-only CDs. The DVL-V888 is equipped with two microphone inputs, a digital echo and key control, a one -touch karaoke button, plus scoring and competition modes for evaluation of individual singing vocal performance comparisons. Pioneer has also provided this player with the superb sound of Dolby Digital (AC-3), LD both-sides playback, DSP surround, a condition memory, a last song memory, and much much more. Buyer pays shipping Money Order/Personal Check of $25 UPS Ground (Alaska and
Hawaii additional).

I just found this today and you might check it out. The seller has several of them for $500, give or take some bartering.

You can find this in audioreview.com home theater classifieds, just keep scrolling down until you can see the January 5 listings. There is a picture which did not survive my pasting.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, i didn't realize that they still cost so much. I have saved this thread for later use as I'm still in the looking stage right now. Again, thanks.

I bought a used Pioneer CLD-D505 for $200 on eBay, and it's worked great.

RD

Those dvl-v888s are sold out. Curious thing, I could not find that model number in Pioneer's roster.