The LaserDisc thread

[Ji-L87]

If I find out California Crisis is on LD as well I'm probably going to lose it.

if it is, and you get it, it is your duty to create a better, ghostingless rip of it, for the greater common good of the anime community .

Hah

On a more serious note, does anyone know if the quality will be decent if you capture LD-footage through one of those game capture solutions, let's say an Elgato HD unit? Of course, the signal would be going through a combfilter first and subject to some processing/scaling so that the Elgato would accept the signal.

I'm normally routing the image through a Vigatec linedoubler (my TV have an even better comb filter but the picture is too soft) and output the signal through VGA when watching LDs, but I also have a Vigatec Dune F & DVDO VP30 that I use for gaming duties. I've played with the idea of getting a capture device to use with that for some time now...and now I wonder how LaserDisc would fare. My initial guess is "good", or pretty much as good as it looks on my screen - which is okay anyway. Back when I still had my old, big (and messier) gaming setup, everything sort of went through the VP30 at the end of the chain and came out as 1080p, even LDs and that didn't look too bad at all.

Of course, the player will play a major role in this and mine is hardly anything special.

[Raytrace]

I'm not sure but I do know it is possible to get good/pleasant quality LD rips - Blazing Transfer Student looks great I think. I for one love that feeling when I notice something is an LD originally - you can usually see it in the linework I think, maybe I'm wrong though o_O.

[Fudoh]

When capturing LD two things are crucial:

a) an excellent comb filter (that brings that native composite into Y/C or YUV format) and
b) a capture device that can record NATIVE 480i without altering it.

On the Elgato I'm pretty sure that's not possible. On other live h.264 encoders it's generally no problem.

If you don't mind getting larger files, you can record in 720p60 from a VP30 instead. This solves the playback problem (media players with good native 480i playback are rare), but leaves you with the comb filter trouble.

The best comb filters you can find (in Europe) are in the Pioneer DVD-R units.

My capture chain for LD looks like this: Pioneer HLD-X9 > Pioneer DVR-LX70D > Algolith Mosquito denoiser > capture unit (for native 480i recording) or VP50Pro for playback. My LD transfers of the Mercury tribute concert for example look better than the Blu-Ray.

Just to give an example why a good CF is important: Pioneer's late 90s DVDs (stuff like El Hazard or Tenchi Muyo) were all laserdisc recordings (or recordings of the D1 master tapes), but Pioneer failer to use a proper CF, so all the dot crawl and rainbows had been hardcoded into the DVD encodings. Playing the same anime from laserdisc on a setup with a good comb filter did look CONSIDERBABLY better than the DVDs.

Of course, the player will play a major role in this and mine is hardly anything special.

the CF is more important than the player. For many PAL recordings I used the 2950 or the 925 and it's not THAT much of a difference to my X9.

[Ji-L87]

If you don't mind getting larger files, you can record in 720p60 from a VP30 instead. This solves the playback problem (media players with good native 480i playback are rare), but leaves you with the comb filter trouble.

Pioneer CLD-V2800 -composite-> Vigatec FX/Dune F -> VP30 -> capture device
Is probably what it would end up looking like for me with my current equipment, I figure this should yield OK results at the very least?
Probably gonna have to get a capture device one of these days just for the fun of trying it out

The best comb filters you can find (in Europe) are in the Pioneer DVD-R units.

I've tried getting ahold of some of these units but never been quite successful. Or rather, the ones I've been able to buy have not been the ones people are recommending
I quite like the Vigatec units (especially the FX2+, it's very user friendly and the menus well laid-out, shame about the 240p/480i switching bug) but I still see some rainbows from time to time when running composite through them...

My capture chain for LD looks like this: Pioneer HLD-X9 > Pioneer DVR-LX70D > Algolith Mosquito denoiser > capture unit (for native 480i recording) or VP50Pro for playback. My LD transfers of the Mercury tribute concert for example look better than the Blu-Ray.

How much impact did the noise remover have on the recording? Or rather, how effective was it?

Anyway, thanks for popping in here and answering those questions

[Fudoh]

Pioneer CLD-V2800 -composite-> Vigatec FX/Dune F -> VP30 -> capture device

I personally wouldn't do it, since you enforce the FX deinterlacing this way. It's ok, but the ABT102's is better and native recording even better (in my book). If you're ok with the FX's deinterlacing (or don't have a ABT102 in your VP30), then it's a solid chain. Make sure to record in 720p60. Results will be quite ok.

The CF in the FX is good for it's time (2001/2002), but it's not extraordinary like the one in the CII, the Pioneers or the HLD-X0.

I've tried getting ahold of some of these units but never been quite successful. Or rather, the ones I've been able to buy have not been the ones people are recommending

most of the last gen DVR models are quite good. Doesn't have to be a LX70D.

How much impact did the noise remover have on the recording? Or rather, how effective was it?

the Mosquito is extremely flexible. Many settings, both 2D (spatial) and 3D (temporal) deinoising. Still the best denoiser there is. Funny thing is, that it was actually made to fight block noise and mosquito noise (both on digital encodings), but I use it for analogue noise instead. Works wonders. You can achieve the same with the NeatVIDEO plugin, but using a hardware denoise simply saves you that extra processing step and allows you to use a live encoder (like those game capture boxes) instead.

PS: if you end up recording some stuff, upload a clip or two to let us see...

[Raytrace]

yes please do
- and Fudoh - I've always wondered, did say for example diagonal linework on an LD being played on a CRT actually look like a pure diagonal line?
sorry if I'm bad at explaining it, I just mean because the output was analogue and the slight blur of CRTs did it look that way - I've always wondered what actual LD output looked like.

[aes]

HI
uff i collect LD for years ago
my favorite its this
Ninja Scroll
2 versions, clv and cav
3 times, because one its brand new



i have around 150 japanese hentai ldd for sell, because i have a near complete set of this

[Ji-L87]

H-stuff, eh?

Can't say I've actually seen Ninja Scroll but maybe it's something I should consider doing?
(even though I'm not super into historic anime)

What made you collect so much hentai though? Personally there are some titles out there which I, at some point in the future, wouldn't mind adding to the collection (like Cream Lemon's Pop Chaser or Words Worth). What are some of the gems in your collection?

[drauch]

^You'll dig Ninja Scroll. Only really historic in setting, for it's actually a good mix of pulpy ninja/swordplay with horror elements. You'll dig it if you just mentioned Words Worth and Cream Lemon.

[Raytrace]

Ninja Scroll is incredible - really chilling atmosphere in it too in parts.

[DaneSaga]

what happened to the Ninja Scroll sequel film? There's a trailer for it on my JP Ninja Scroll Blu-ray, and that was released back in 2012.
Kawajiri's output has waned in recent years, but he might have another decent one in him. If he lives long enough to see it to completion.

[Ji-L87]

Just upgraded my speakers the other week. Went from a pair of bookshelf speakers in the shape of the Gale Reference Monitor-series, which performed excellently considering I got them for cheap.
However I've been really interested in stepping up my game with some floor standers for some time now - maybe not the wisest choice considering limited placement options and so on, but here we are.
Managed to pick up a pair of Mission 752 Freedoms - I really would've liked to get another color than ash oak, but the price was right and they could be shipped



As for their performance, obviously the sound is "bigger" then the bookshelfs. They sound pretty smooth, tweeter is not too harsh, but they're not exactly made for rockin' out either as they can feel a bit out of their element with certain types of music like rock. The bass could also go a bit deeper. On the other hand they have pretty amazing stereo imaging sometimes, especially when watching movies.

Overall I'm pleased, considering the price I paid but now when I've got to know how big speakers sounds like, it's like I want to continue upgrading
That said, there are probably other parts of my audio/video setup that might be a good idea to upgrade instead...

(like a bigger display?)

Edit:
The LED backlightning doesn't show up very accurate here, waaaay too saturated.

[DaneSaga]

A while ago, a seller on YAJ was offloading a bunch of some of the more uncommon laserdiscs you typically see on auction sites, so I grabbed as many as I could with what little money I had at my disposal.

Tenshi no Tamago


Birth


M.D Geist


Genji Monogatari


Belladonna of Sadness


Windaria


Dallos


A Thousand and One Nights


Despite the amount of great illustrations available for Windaria, the LD cover art sure does suck rather hard.
Also missed out on a few others I would have liked such as 'Time Stranger' and 'The Humanoid', but I'm pleased with what I got in essentially just several hours of auctioning.

Just upgraded my speakers the other week...

Nice rig, certainly puts my CRT and broken player combo to shame.

[cicada88]

Can anyone tell me which anime these screen shots are from?





I found them on a blog and asked the author in the comments. The comments were deleted and I never got an answer.

[trap15]

Second is Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, I believe.

M.D Geist

Oh my god that's insanely awesome. What a cover for a great OVA.

[DaneSaga]

and the top image is Cowboy bebop

[cicada88]

ty both

[Pretas]

Oh my god that's insanely awesome. What a cover for a great OVA.

M.D. Geist is a running joke among old-school US anime dorks, both for how awful it is and the fact that the head of Central Park Media had enough of an inexplicable boner for it that he licensed the character as the company's mascot.

As far as I know it's universally reviled in Japan.

[Raytrace]

I actually don't think it's that terrible - and I'm not being devil's advocate here or anything, I went into M.D. Geist prepared for the worst, but it pleasantly surprised me. It wasn't brilliant by any means, but I found it very enjoyable.

[drauch]

Yeah, I actually love the first M.D. Geist! Being the "Most Dangerous Geist," is pretty hilarious, but the rest of the first OVA receives a bit too much flack. There's much worse out there. I'd agree that the 2nd one is pretty awful, at least.

And yeah, bummer on that Windara art! I love Inomata's character designs, and she drew so many nice pictures for all the anime she worked on. What a shame! Just picked up the recent Leda Yohko PVC figure myself to oogle at. Wish you could have gotten that Time Stranger one as well.

[Pretas]

Have any Westerners actually watched GoShogun, the series that Time Stranger concluded?

[drauch]

Hasn't been any options in English yet, really.

There's a really poorly written blurb on the Wikipeida GoShogun page that may or may not be a rumor, seeing as Discotek has never announced anything like this to my knowledge:

"This movie is the only form of GoShogun that has been seen by many American anime fans until either december 27 2014. it will come to the conclusion that only the uncut japanese versions of goshogun and space fleet srungle will be released on DVD although the macron 1 adaptation has been released on VHS by celebrity home entertainment. it is come to the conclusion that discotek media will release both the series uncut with english subtitles as well as the OVA presumably sometime in 2015."

Although on second thought, the person that operates the Discotek Facebook page usually writes drivel like that, so maybe it's him giving us a teaser!

[DaneSaga]

And yeah, bummer on that Windara art! I love Inomata's character designs, and she drew so many nice pictures for all the anime she worked on. What a shame!

Inomata Mutsumi’s illustrations and designs are gorgeous. I’m a big fan of hers.
You should track down her artbook ‘Voice of the Stars, Dreams of the Moon’. Its really inexpensive (can be had for as little as 5 bucks), and brimming with full page, colour illustrations of all her stuff from Windaria, Leda, Utsunomiko , The Weathering Continent etc..

Just picked up the recent Leda Yohko PVC figure myself to oogle at. Wish you could have gotten that Time Stranger one as well.

Is this the Leda figure?

Spoiler

I’ve been close to purchasing that one myself several times now, but have been holding onto the hope of finding a particular garage kit. Should probably grab it regardless as mass produced figures of heroins from 80s OVAs aren't too common these days.

"This movie is the only form of GoShogun that has been seen by many American anime fans until either december 27 2014. it will come to the conclusion that only the uncut japanese versions of goshogun and space fleet srungle will be released on DVD although the macron 1 adaptation has been released on VHS by celebrity home entertainment. it is come to the conclusion that discotek media will release both the series uncut with english subtitles as well as the OVA presumably sometime in 2015."

Although on second thought, the person that operates the Discotek Facebook page usually writes drivel like that, so maybe it's him giving us a teaser!

Sounds more like the nonsensical ramblings of someone who got a little too excited after hearing a forum rumour. I’d definitely lean on the side of nut job optimist than it being an oblique hint of things to come. But whatever…something like this certainly doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility for Disctotek.

[drauch]

Yeah, that's the figure. I got super giddy when it was initially announced, but I didn't buy it because I didn't really like the pose (and still don't,) but I found it for about half the price resold on ebay, still new. I've got one of her Leda art books, but that's about it. I'll look that one up; I'd love to have more. I'm typically not a fan of art books, because they usually get shelved and I don't revisit them much, but this seems essential. I've checked out those Leda kits myself, but I don't know if I'm up to the task. I've been working my first figure, a Votoms scopedog for well over a year off and on, and it's just a goddamn snap kid. I think I've just got too many hobbies to dedicate the time towards it. Or I'll just tell myself that.


I wrote to Discotek to try and ascertain if any of that is true. I'm not counting on it, due to how sloppy those ramblings were, but I can hope.

[DaneSaga]

a lean week this week for laserdiscs. Just the complete series of Eva (though that in itself is nothing to scoff at).




Speaking of figures and whilst obviously not a LD, I did manage to obtain a City Hunter garage kit as well.



Will try to start painting and assembling soon. Just need to grab some aluminium wire and primer first.
With any luck it will hopefully resemble this once finished:

[drauch]

Nice! I've always loved that kit. Post it whenever you finish so I can oogle at it.

[Ji-L87]

Really cool! Both the above (and those even further above) LDs and the garage kit figure.
I've seen a couple of really cool kits for figures I'd love to have in display but have no idea how to actually build those things, so I'm really interested in how the end result will turn out
Best of luck with that!

[DaneSaga]

just an update.

Pretty much completed the bodies, they turned out well I think. Now only the heads (typically my least favourite part to paint due to the small margin for error) & hands remain.
I can have those done within a couple days, but won't be able to pin anything until the correct size rods arrive.
Going to have to do something about a base as well.

[drauch]

Looking good! Main reason I never got into garage kits was the heads. Don't know if I've got the steady hands to make eyes look not completely insane.

[DaneSaga]

Finished!!





a couple more:

Spoiler

Lining up Ryo's gun arm under Kaori's was a battle, but I got there in the end and am pleased with the end result.
Its been a couple years since my last completed kit and I forgot how therapeutic the process can be.
Now I'm in the mood, I've got my eye on a Cobra kit.