The purpose of this guide is to explain the hobby of LaserDisc (LD) collecting to the beginner. I  will provide some perspectives  for the beginning LD collector to consider before jumping into the hobby

LD(s) Require a LaserDisc Player!

LDs require a LaserDisc player to watch the 12" discs...they will not work on your DVD player or computer. If you want to see one in operation try watching some video's on youtube.com. LaserDisc is an obsolete format, just like HD DVD, VHS, 8 Track tape,  ..etc. Don’t let that stop you from collecting LD’s. You can still find players “mostly online” for all of the formerly viable media formats mentioned above.  In my opinion, as long as there is enough “legacy” product available in the marketplace, there will always be players to be found and repaired. You just have to be willing to conduct business via mail order. Bottom line, it’s okay to start collecting LD’s, just don’t forget that’s it is an obsolete format. Nobody is making new LD players. Right now, you can pick up good quality used player for a reasonable price. How long this will continue is anybody's guess.

Need a LaserDisc Player?

Used players can be purchased very reasonably.  Not everybody owns LaserDisc players and even knows how to find them. If you need a player, try eBay auctions. There are many used Pioneer players  (biggest proponent of LD technology) being listed all the time. My advice is to stick with Pioneer players because they put the most amount of money into developing the format. I purchased a used Pioneer LasaerDisc player on eBay and it works great. Just make sure that the unit you are buying still works, ask the seller if the unit was tested. Also, do your homework and check seller feedback. It's no small matter to ship a LaserDisc player via the mail across country. Might be helpful to choose a seller close to your neck of the woods or a seller who has experience packing fragile electronic gear for shipment.  The LD player I purchased came double boxed w/ loads of packing material  and arrived safely. Also be sure you know the return policy before you purchase the item, is it guaranteed to work on arrival? If in doubt, ask questions before you bid!

Use the internet…there is even a web site that sells refurbished LaserDisc players and provides repairs. Google Bayview Electronics (www.laserdiscservice.com). You could also check your local area for LaserDisc players, however they are more common in or around large cities. I live in a small town which is why I choose to use the internet.

Have a Theme/Check a DataBase

So you own a LD player and  you want to start collecting LaserDiscs . I have always found collecting anything to be more enjoyable if there is general "theme" to your acquisitions. First figure out what you want to collect on LaserDisc…Criterion world cinema, Horror movies, Major Hollywood Epics, rare films not on DVD, Special collectors editions series…etc.  Lots of LD collecting possibilities. You can find out what movie titles were issued by visiting LaserDisc Database (http://www.lddb.com/). This is a great source for collectors, they even offer many cover pictures of the LDs you may be interested in. You can also find out how many versions were released of the particular movie you are thinking about purchasing.


 

LaserDisc(s) Reasons to Collect

Enjoy the nostalgia of playing LaserDiscs…take a trip back in time. Before DVD(s) became main stream, this technology was the “Home Theatre experience” for an elite audience (only about 2% of the American public owned players). Many discs that sold for MSRP of $35 to $120 and up!, can be had for as little as 20% or less of original MSRP today. These disc's make good historical collectors pieces. The features that we take for granted on DVD today (Directors cuts, commentaries, Dolby digital stereo, Widescreen format..etc) got their start on the LD format....which was around for almost 20 years, which most people don't even realize. Enjoy today, what you couldn't afford when LD(s) were king. 

There are many movies & concert discs that are not available on DVD. Also, some DVD's of particular programs are long out of print and PRICEY...many times their LD counterpart can be purchased for much less than the OOP copy DVD.

Another reason for real hard core movie buffs to own LD(s)  is to obtain the best available print of a particular movie you are interested in. Example: The "Paths of Glory" 1957 (classic Kirk Douglas B&W film directed by Stanley Kubrick). The B&W print on the DVD release is dark and lacks detail, while the audio track is sub par. The OOP Criterion print (LD) is by far the best release available of this film wth great picture detial and much better sound track. I own both versions and did a side by side comparison. Now, I'm not saying the better improved DVD version of this classic film can't be released (in the future), but right now, the Criterion LD is the best available. 

The sound is fantastic.  I have an audiophile grade DVD player and my standard Pioneer LD player  sounds better on many of the same movie soundtracks. Just hook up the stereo out audio (red & white plugs) to the back of your receiver. Why do LD sound better, we could get into the technical mumbo/jumbo, but you just have to try it. DVD(s) offer more processed sound...they have reduced dynamic range that is better suited for an apartment living room (avoids annoying the neighbors). LD(s) (for the most part) were copied directly from the original print that was shown in the movie Theatre...in a word..they ROCK! .I own many LD’s and their DVD counterpart. LD soundtracks are more robust like you experience in a  Movie Theater. A good comparison between LD/DVD sound quality  can be found on the beginning of Alfred Hittchcock's Vertigo...I own the LaserDisc and DVD versions from Universal.  The gunfire at the beginning of the movie sounds real and lifelike on LD, the gunfire on the DVD sounds like a typical DVD movie sound effect. The more realistic soundtrack will create a stronger emotional connection to the movie every time. (Note: I should mention that I have audiophile grade speakers hooked up to my home theater system and Vertigo LD has a THX dolby digital soundtrack). Another way to take advantage of  LD(s) sound reproduction are concerts discs. They sound fantastic and are truly a sonic experience. Just try playing the Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" disc...WOW!, It's like having a front row seat at one of their concerts. I use this disc when I want to show off the sound quality  of LD(s) to my friends. However , DVD’s have better picture quality by and large …go figure.  As the philosopher Jagger once said “You can’t always get what you want”.


Bargain hunting on eBay can be a blast. Because it’s an obsolete format (not everyone owns an LD player), used discs can be  purchased quite reasonably  and good buys abound. Discs used to cost anywhere from $35 to $120 & up new, so people took care of them, unless it was a rental. You are not dealing with a huge market here, so there are some real possibility of great auction scores. Be sure to check the  completed listings of LaserDisc auctions to get an idea of the market value of the particular movie you are interested in. Word of caution: READ the auction description! Does the seller take returns or grantee the disc will work...does he/she even own a LD player to check if the disc works?. Have they sold LDs before and how is their feedback in reference to their past LD auctions. Are there shipping charges reasonable? Some sellers like to offer low LD prices with high S&H charges, while others prefer higher LD prices with low S&H. There are merchants who package LD(s) like  professionals and others who will send your disc in single layer of grocery paper wrap! Do your homework before bidding and save yourself some headaches latter on. READ feedback, if that doesn't answer you question....e-mail the seller before bidding.

If you really get into the collecting bug and you want to acquire some really rare discs, there are plenty of great dealers on eBay. Just do a search under LaserDisc and look for the about me info on various high volume dealers. The advantage to these dealers is that they have experience packing LD(s) and have consistent quality standards (if they don't, they won't get much return business). However their prices might be higher or at least the "current market" value of the item. You get what you pay for.

The artwork on many LaserDiscs covers was top notch. They were dealing with hardcore elite home theater audience who expected a lot. If you can get away with selling a disc for $35 to $120 and up…you can afford to make the package  artistic looking and stylish. These items make great collectibles.

DVD/LaserDisc picture quality

Reality check…DVDs have better pictures on HDTV’s. It is possible to get better pictures on LD’s, but you have to purchase a very pricey unit like the ones that were made for the Japanese high end market back in the day. My opinion, just hook it up a common consumer Pioneer unit via composite video ( Videophile cables like Monster work great) and enjoy.  If you have an old TV (non-HDTV type), just hook it up to that and use it as a second system. I watch my LD’s via composite video on my 32” Polaroid HDTV and I am satisfied with the quality of the picture. The larger screen  HDTV's (starting above 37") will start to show the limitations of the consumer level LaserDisc player in my opinion.  

Laser Rot...ugh

Laser Rot is a disease that effects many LaserDiscs. From Wikipedia “Laser rot is most noted by the appearance of multi-colored speckles appearing in the video of a laserdisc during playback. The speckles increase in volume and frequency as the disc continues to degrade. Much of the early production run LaserDiscs, titled MCA DiscoVision Discs, had severe problems with Laser Rot. Many DiscoVision titles have ceased to work since their pressings in the late 1970s.”

 My experience is that Laser Rot is not as common as most people think. It can look a lot like a old scratched film print. Unless a movie has been re-mastered, many old movies were taken from original (35mm) film prints that were not in the best of shape. If you have a disc that suffers from Laser Rot, it will show up on the opening logo or end logo title sequence for the LaserDisc. Otherwise, you might  be looking at a scratched master from original 35mm film. I found this out because I own many copies of my favorite classic movies on LaserDisc and DVD (non- remastered). Now again, I'm not saying that Laser Rot does not exist..it DOES. It's just not as common as most folks believe in my opinion. My own experience is that about 2% of my collection suffers from critical Laser Rot. (disc will not play all the chapters), while about 6% or so suffers from some mild form of Laser Rot (intemittent multi-colored speckles) that does not effect overall play of the disc.

LaserDisc Database (http://www.lddb.com/) registered  users can report instances of Laser Rot, but take it with a grain of salt, anyone can post, it’s a public forum.  I have found this site useful for reporting notorious Laser Rot Discs like “Erasure”. Multiple user reports of Laser Rot on a given disc (especially higher than the grade of 1) could be an indicator of discs to avoid. Let the buyer beware. I always check lddb before I bid on particular LD issue on eBay.

This guide has provided some perspectives  for the beginning LaserDisc collector to consider before jumping into the hobby. Good luck and I hope you find this endeavor as enjoyable as I do.