I have two questions...

Background: I have 80 laserdiscs I'd like to playback with my 950. Most of them are Dolby Surround (ProLogic) or Digital Stereo but there are some Dolby Digital and AC-3 discs I'd also like to playback the best way possible.

1. I need to replace my Denon because it locks up going from A to B and wondering if there are any recommendations?

2. What is the best way to connect to the 950?

TIA!!

Denny

Denny,

For playback of your laserdiscs' analog or digital stereo tracks (whether they're Dolby Surround encoded or not), use one of the 950's matrix decoders: Dolby Pro Logic II or DTS Neo:6. Personally, I think Dolby Surround encoded soundtracks sound spectacular decoded through PL II. You'll need to hook up the analog outputs AND the digital output from your laserdisc player to the 950.

For AC-3/DD playback, you'll need to take the player's RF output (if it has one) and run it through an RF demodulator. The output of the demodulator has to be hooked up to another digital input on the 950. Some receivers and processors used to have an RF demodulator built-in; the 950 doesn not, though I don't know if your particular Denon did.

Good Luck,
Sanjay

Thanks for the info, most helpful!!

What about some of the newer players with optial digital outputs? Does this avoid the need for an AC-3 decoder?

Unfortunately, NO.

Laserdiscs have four audio tracks: two hi-fi analog, two PCM digital. The digital output (optical or coax) of a laserdisc player only transmits 2-channel PCM data. To hear the analog tracks, some of which have filmakers' commentary, you have to use the player's analog outputs.

When Dolby Digital showed up on laserdiscs, the space being occupied by one of the analog tracks was used to carry the AC-3 data. The remaining analog track and both digital tracks were left alone for backwards compatibility. Everything that the laser picked up (the video signal and all four audio signals), was RF (radio frequency) modulated and sent to the AC-3 RF output on the back of the player.

An RF demodulator would than strip out all the extraneous signals and send only the AC-3 data to the Dolby Digital decoder. Without this step, you won't get anything useful out of the player's AC-3 RF output. So an RF demodulator is a must. Otherwise, you can use the stereo PCM tracks and listen via PL II. Sounds almost as good as discrete 5.1.

Best,
Sanjay

OK, if I understand this correctly, it sounds like it's worthless to look for a player with digital (optical or coax) outputs for LaserDisc as they only work for DVD playback, plus it's not really important to look for a player with AC-3 coax outputs because the analog outputs offer competitive quality in PLII decoding?

Thanks again for all your help!!

Denny

Are you shopping for a new LD player?

If you get one with a digital out it will sound a little bit better for all your PCM discs than the analog output. There is an advantage there. However, I wouldn't buy a new player for this only.

If you want AC-3 sound you must have an AC-3 compatible LD player. You also need an RF demodulator to convert the signal to standard digital that the 950 understands. Another option (that I'm doing) is an older external Dolby Digital decoder with RF input plugged analog into the 6 channel input on the 950.

The 950 works great with LaserDisc.

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Philip Hamm

Yes Phillip, I am shopping for a LD player because my Denon (analog outputs only) is locking up every time it tries switching from side A to B.

I'm not expecting to buy a new one and looking on E-Bay for used ones. I'm leaning towards Pioneer, in particular their Elite line.

My 950's 6-channel input is already occupied with a feed from my 47a DVD player so I won't be able to go the same route you have. Any recommended brands or sources for an AC-3 RF demodulator or cost ballparks?

TIA

Denny

Nope. I'm using two Radio Shack A/V switches to switch between DVD-A, SACD, and LD DD. Works great but not very user friendly.

I have five LaserDisc players, all Pioneer. Two of them have trouble going A/B and need to go to the shop for that. I recommend the CLD-D704 model it kicks ass. The Elites are nice, too.

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Philip Hamm

Denny, No, this has nothing to do with DVD. The digital output on the laserdisc player is for the stereo digital tracks. Well worth having because it allow you to send digital CD quality audio to the 950. You said that you have 80 laserdiscs; check to see which ones have AC-3 audio on them. If there aren't enough titles to warrant getting AC-3 outs and a demodulator, then don't waste your money. But keep in mind that the AC-3/DD tracks contain discrete 5.1 channel audio whereas the PL II is a matrix decoder that takes a stereo (2-channel) source and simulates 5.1 audio. You have to decide whether the Dolby Digital encoded titles in your collection make it worth getting an AC-3 player and demodulator.

Best,
Sanjay

[This message has been edited by sdurani (edited January 02, 2003).]

If you are still interested, I might be interested in selling my laser disk player.
It is a Pioneer Elite CLD97, mint condition, recommended component, only bettered by the CLD99.