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What Laserdisc player do you use for capturing and why?

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I intend to build a PC for capturing in the not-so-distant future and might have to capture a few LDs every now and then. I was wondering which players you favor and why. Also, I was wondering if it was possible to mod the composite output in order to obtain something similar to the X0's output.
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Here's the thing: video is stored on laserdiscs in composite format. Therefore, most players look their best when connected to a modern display via composite video because the display typically has a better comb filter (for converting to S-video) than the LD player does. Only a select few LD players, like the X0 and LD-S9, have comb filters comparable to those in modern displays, which is why their S-video output looks so good.

My current LD player is a CLD-99. I've also owned a CLD-79 and LD-S9 (imported new from Japan, and it breaks my heart whenever I think about having sold it). With composite video output, I found them all very comparable because the display did the heavy lifting. The LD-S9 was probably the sharpest, followed by the CLD-79 and CLD-99, which is a bit soft. Differences in S-video output were more apparent. However, I found the LD-S9's S-video and composite outputs comparable on my display, most likely because the comb filters were about equal in quality.

I think the most important thing for you to worry about is finding a capture card with an exceptional comb filter and an LD player with an exceptional composite output. I've heard the CLD-97 has great composite output, but you'd have to get it modded with an AC-3 output if you planned on capturing Dolby Digital soundtracks.
Forum Administrator

MTFBWY…A

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What of the players you mention allow for capturing of Dolby Digital soundtracks without having to be modded?
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The CLD-79, CLD-99, and LD-S9 all have AC-3 outputs. These outputs, when fed into an RF demodulator, output a Dolby Digital signal. Not sure about the X0.
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MTFBWY…A

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Why did you change from the LD-S9 or even the CLD-79 to the CLD-99?
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I needed the money. I sold my LD-S9 for $1700 and my CLD-79, which was my secondary LD player, for $500 I believe. At the time, I was planning to get rid of my LDs. I bought the CLD-99 last year because I got a good deal on it and I still like to watch some of my LDs on occasion.

I definitely wish I still had the LD-S9. I probably will again someday (or an X0 if I'm doing particularly well financially).
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MTFBWY…A

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I use a Pioneer CLD-79 Elite Player now,and i friggin love it.
DJ
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Wassup, dark_jedi? I'm sorry I haven't helped you with Blade Runner yet, I've been occupied doing some other stuff.
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No worries Byakko,your here now,Dide'e is also looking into it for me.
DJ
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I really love my Pioneer DVL-700. It was the last decent American model and has a first generation DVD player in it. The comb filter is pretty good, not X0 good, but pretty good. Captures turn out reasonably well.
http://www.retcon.net