Question about LD players

Hello,

I am looking at better players than what I currently have. Right now I could get my hands on a pioneer DVL-700 for $50 or an Elite DVL-91 for $250. My question is, most things aside (current condition and whatnot), would it be worth looking at the Elite for $200 more, or are the shortcomings of the 700 negligable and it would be better to spring for that unit? Both of the players come with ~40 discs. The lot with the 700 has fewer duplicates for me but they did not include photos showing their condition. Currently I have two units, a CLD-1190 and a CLD-D502 neither of which I am happy with. The 502 does have both side play but it only has RCA out. The 1190 has s-video but it doesn't work. Also, no AC-3 audio on either unit.

Thanks

Both the DVL-700...

http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/dvl-700.htm

and the DVL-91 Elite...

http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_elite_dvl-91/pioneer_elite_dvl-91.htm

will both give you a whole host of features that are very good indeed, and the review on the archive site shows a pretty decent write-up for the 700. Having said that there are people that swear by all things 'Elite'

I have been in this dilemma myself with exactly this same Elite machine model. I was actually recommended to try a find a better Elite. The response was pretty much the same for more or less any DVL machine in general.

But my experience is this...Take a look at my sig, I have a DVL-909 combo machine as my main player, and a CLD-D925 as my second player. I don't regret buying them for a second and now my TVs are set up properly (thank you Joe Kane) they are giving me lovely pictures, and I would not go back and change a thing.

Do your research, make a list of all the things you need your player to do, find one that matches and go for it.

Thank you for the reply. I will do my research indeed. Now that I have learned a little more about my CLD-1190 I am happy with it for the time being except that it produces a shaky picture from time to time. Next week I will be playing with my cousins elite (though I don't know which model) and I hope that it gives a slightly more stable picture.

I realize money is always a factor when buying better laserdisc players. The truth is you will not get a quality picture from the lower end models. Laserdisc players did not reach there zenith until the mid to late 90s. Really consider saving some money and getting a CLD 703 or 704. Consider also the monitor you are viewing the discs on.

In my opinion-and I stress my opinion, any of the DVD/LD combo players are really over rated.

yes try and go with the CLD703 or 704 if you are on a budget. Don't bother with the DVL players.

Oliver_uk wrote:yes try and go with the CLD703 or 704 if you are on a budget. Don't bother with the DVL players.

all depending on your equipment, you should concider importing a cld-r7g quite cheap from Japan. the 704 is quite basic without any good filters. the r7g is a step up fra 97/99 also, and no smearing.