The LaserDisc thread

[Shoryukev]

One thing I'd like to ask to the more seasoned LD collectors......how picky do I need to be about what I'm buying when it comes to CLV vs CAV laserdiscs? I know CAV is supposed to be better, but how much better is it? I don't have the two types in the same movie yet so I haven't really been able to do a direct comparison.

My LD player has a laser on top and bottom so I'm not too worried about all the extra flipping. Might require me to get up off the couch to change discs more....but if it's worth it I can always source myself a second player since I'm kinda lazy when I'm in movie watching mode

[Fudoh]

18 sides original SW trilogy is just an experience in its own

There's hardly a difference in PQ. CAV allowed for frame stepping, so it was neccessary for picture galleries and stuff on earlier player's without a field buffer.

[FinalBaton]

Well it looks like the complete Dangaioh series is only available in english on VHS (the DVD release Dangaioh: Hyper Combat Unit is a compilation of episodes 2 and 3 only, and omits the first episode entirely! plus you're forced to watch the dub). The U.S. Renditions VHS have all 3, and japanese dialogues with english subs. So that's another cool thing my collection have going for it!
Also looks like Windaria is only available in english on VHS (there's an italian DVD, plus a german fan sub, but none offer english subs or dubs on DVD it seems).

On another note : I started watching Gunbuster : Aim For The Top! and I really like it!





And on yet another note : I'm very pleased with the image quality I get actually(no joke)!

I think the NEC XM37 Plus helps a ton in that regard.
Because like other good RGB CRT monitors, it has extremely rich and vibrant colors (and dat glow)that a consumer LCD simply can't achieve, wich is why the picture I see on the NEC is way more engaging than that of my HDTV, or even that of the captured footage, from the same player, displayed on my computer's LCD monitor. Lots of very vibrant colors, yet not everything is saturated, wich is what you want. The awesome glow of a pro-CRT tube help to compensate for the poor color bandwith of the VHS format IMO.
Plus, the Sony SVO vtr provides a very stable picture. I have never seen VHS looks so clean, that's for sure. The line art in anime is crisp and clean, and color shadings are well defined.

Granted, my awesome setup doesn't magically increase the (low)horizontal resolution of tapes... But I can put up with that. And the color accuracy in general could be better (warm greys are hit the most by this).
But there's still plenty to love. I can say without hesitation that the picture I get on my setup is en enjoyable one.

I'll try and get nice pictures off of the NEC's screen while playing some anime tapes!

[FinalBaton]

Was missing an episode in the First Story arc and two in the Earth Chapter arc of Gall Force, so I thought I would get those, subbed. I now have the first seven OVAs in the series (First Story arc + Rhea + Earth Chapter arc). I hate not being able to finish a story arc! Not sure I will get into the New Era one though... reviews online are almost unanimous saying that it's the worst of the series.

Those 3 tapes I just bought were brand new, and sealed, for $1.25 a pop from Amazon.com seller "DiscountEntertainment". They still have a bunch of brand new Gall Force tapes left at that price, if anyone is interested.

[FinalBaton]

All the family's here, so it's time for a family pic

[Bitter Almonds]

Even though I threw away the majority of my VHS collection, I still have those U.S. Renditions tapes, except for Black Magic M-66. I bought those around 1992-1994

[FinalBaton]

I am a happy man

$2 Canadian a pop on Ebay.
They're in good shape too.

Some great artwork on a couple of them.
I like the white tape cases with blue lettering
I also like that they're all white but the last one is black. That's pretty cool

[FinalBaton]

Even though I threw away the majority of my VHS collection, I still have those U.S. Renditions tapes, except for Black Magic M-66. I bought those around 1992-1994

That's damn awesome You really are an O.G. anime collector

I think those U.S. Renditions tapes make for really cool collectibles (and I actually like watching them too!). I really like the uniform layout they have; plus the fact that they're good animes from AIC/Artmic or Gainax; and also have an historical importance (first US anime releases to be non-edited and have english subs).
I'm damn excited to have them

On another note : I will review Appleseed and Black Magic M-66 in the anime thread

[FinalBaton]

Holy...

Just received the Evangelion VHS lot (complete series). All the tapes are in damn near mint condition!
I mean... I've seen them on the auction page's pics, but I didn't think they would be this pristine.
It's pretty hard to get cardboard slip covers in this good a shape, when buying used tapes.

The playback is flawless too. I think they've barely been played!

This is... beautiful!
I'm so damn happy... I think I'm gonna cry

[Shou]

I only have LDs of stuff that hasn't made it to DVD or Blu-ray yet.

[Ji-L87]

That looks great, although it's a bit hard to make out. Any stand out titles you're especially happy to own?

On a personal note, I'm sort of in the middle of re-arranging things in the living room with TV and speakers and what not. This of course is also where my LD player resides So I'll be sure to post my laserdisc setup if it turns out all right, the old one I posted in this thread's humble beginnings is not at all representative at this point.

With that said, feel free to share not only your collections but your setups as well

[Bitter Almonds]

You have Mega LD games! That's like a whole topic of its own.

Hey, does anyone know of a good VHS to laptop or tablet transfer and editing device and program? Is Elgato really the be-all, end-all of such things or are there better out there (within the same price range, of course)?

[CIT]

Looks like Shou has a pretty sweet Le Creuset collection as well!

[Bitter Almonds]

And a collection of little toys

[Shou]

Here are a few interesting LDs. I am sure GP will recognize the first one.

[Shou]

Looks like Shou has a pretty sweet Le Creuset collection as well!

Surprised that you could see those - not mine though, they are my wife's who is hardcore into cooking just like I am into gaming.

[BIL]

Oh cool - that Ninja Ryukenden LD cover art is also on a monochrome leaflet included with the third FC game. Nice to see it properly displayed.

[Tarma]

Does anyone know if the Dominion Tank Police LD's have an English dub included?

Lddb isn't always informative.

I love anime on LD but there are too few with English subs or dub and I'm afraid I can't speak Japanese for toffee.

[Ji-L87]

Here are a few interesting LDs. I am sure GP will recognize the first one.

Duuude

That's a holy grail, all right. This of course begs the question, how is the video quality, any good?

[Fudoh]

That's a holy grail, all right. This of course begs the question, how is the video quality, any good?

not great. I borrowed the disc some years ago to capture it. It's not worth the effort. The rips available on nyaa and elsewhere are as good as it gets. The transfers on the LD were done using a really poor telecine process. Still great to own of course.

[Bitter Almonds]

What equipment and programs would you guys use to transfer from VHS or LD to digital?

[Fudoh]

depends very much on one question you have to ask yourself: do you want to transfer them in their native format (480i) or do you want to to capture them deinterlaced and/or upscaled (720p or 1080p)?

[Bitter Almonds]

Whatever looks halfway decent on a computer? I'm thinking 480, though, since upscaling an old VHS tape seems excessive and unnecessary.

[FinalBaton]

You have Mega LD games! That's like a whole topic of its own.

Hey, does anyone know of a good VHS to laptop or tablet transfer and editing device and program? Is Elgato really the be-all, end-all of such things or are there better out there (within the same price range, of course)?

It seems that the consensus is : the x-capture 1/USB3HDCAP are a bit better for capturing than the Elgato. But just how much better, I couldn't say. I can say that I'm VERY happy with the 480i RGB captures I've done with my USB3HDCAP, though. I capture in 480i and then upscale in software (virtualdub). I haven't worked with video yet, though. Only videogames.
The USB3HDCAP can be had for $200 US.

[FinalBaton]

I love anime on LD but there are too few with English subs or dub and I'm afraid I can't speak Japanese for toffee.

Same

[Ji-L87]

Does anyone know if the Dominion Tank Police LD's have an English dub included?

Lddb isn't always informative.

I love anime on LD but there are too few with English subs or dub and I'm afraid I can't speak Japanese for toffee.

As long as it is a US release it should of course be either subbed or dubbed. I don't have any anime US releases myself so I can't check but I would imagine the subs acting sort of like hardcoded subs would. Hopefully someone else will know the actual technical details.

You can often tell a US release apart because of the title being spelled out in english on the cover or english descriptive text on the back.

[CIT]

Looks like Shou has a pretty sweet Le Creuset collection as well!

Surprised that you could see those - not mine though, they are my wife's who is hardcore into cooking just like I am into gaming.

That's certainly a nice rack your wife's got there!
Seriously though, I like cooking casseroles as well and use Le Creuset myself, that's how I could tell.

I wasn't even aware there's an anime of 2001 Nights. Very cool! I read the manga way back when Viz released it in the US in the 90s.

Ninja Ryuukenden LD cover looks badass as well!

[cfx]

.

[aes]

This weel finally i have got the Lamu TV boxes, 25kgr! XD

Anyone here have the wwf Tiger serie tv?