CED VideoDisc and Player Discussion

Skyfungus · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 8

Hi All. I came across an old DiscoVision unit at work (old car dealership). It must have been used for something in the sales department years ago. I have not got any cables to hook it up, though. All it has is the power cable. Can anyone point me in the right direction to hook this thing up to a TV? Is it even worth it? I'd be very interested in seeing this working, as it turns on, powers up. It looks like the remote control has a battery and also uses a cable, so I need a cable for that, I guess? Thank you in advance for any suggestions someone might have!

Beetlescott · Joined: 03 Oct 2010 Posts: 2099

Skyfungus · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 8

Thanks for the welcome! Here is the info I found on the back of this thing:
Model PR-7820 Manufactured by Universal Pioneer Co. June 1979 Serial number - ZP3603521 Is that helpful? I don't see anything by Pioneer on that list there. Mine is a mutant! I like it already. I did find this though:
[urlhttp://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_pr-7820/pioneer_pr7820_model_3.htm[/url]
It says these units were used by GM dealers, which my place was.
Thank you again for the help!

cbertra2 · Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 160

These were the very first laserdisc players introduced back in the seventies by Magnavaox. I don't know about the remote cable, might be hard to find if it has an oddball connector on both ends. Some of those early laserdisc players used an F connector for composite video out instead of an RCA jack. If this is the case then get and F connector to RCA jack adaptor at Radio Shack or fabricate your own cable out of and RF cable. It might even have BNC connectors. The player you have is very rare. It would be great if it still works.

7jlong · Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 187

Nice find!

The first place you need to stop by is definitely The Dragon's Lair Project. Run straight to the Tech Center - specifically the Laser Disc Player Guide. You will find some service manuals and general info for your player, and be sure to check through the forums for troubleshooting tips if it is giving you trouble.

I think the biggest problem with some of these very old players was that they use an actual laser tube instead of a diode - and they eventually age.

That said, I do believe that there is a procedure for replacing them.

On the other hand, if your player has had low use all these years, might not be a problem.

Beetlescott · Joined: 03 Oct 2010 Posts: 2099

Many people mistake our players as Laser disc players, when they are Capacitance Electronic Disc Players. Instead of using laser to play the discs, ours uses a stylus, or needle, much lke a record player does. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!!!!
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Skyfungus · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 8

Wow, thanks for the great replies, guys! I'm looking at that Dragon's Lair site. I remember that arcade game, I had no idea one of these powered it, that's wild. I had no idea what to even do with this thing when I found it, I just knew it was going to the dumpster if I didn't grab it. All I knew is it was VERY dusty but extremely cool looking. Oh I pried out the fossilized Ray-O-Vac 9V battery out, cleaned the terminals on the connector and put in a new one and the remote works! But it does have cable connectors. Looking at the back of the unit the cables are not the typical yellow/red/white style, they have a kind of metal cylindrical outer housing with tabs, like on a car's light bulb. The center is a white terminal with a center hole for a cable's end? I need to get the cables to hook this thing up and hope it works, because I don't have the time to go to DeVry to learn how to do these adjustments, haha.. I'll try the old Radio Shack down the road from work one day next week, see if they have any old catalogs that may have something useful! Thank you guys again!

blindfury420 · Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 1036

If the back looks like that it looks like you can use standard coaxial cable to at least test if its working! Far right plug channel 3 or 4! If it works, then look for the other cables.
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Skyfungus · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 8

Wow, thanks for that, that is indeed exactly what mine looks like in the back (well not that shiny). Ok so I found an old coaxial cable, attached it to the player and TV. Fired up TV set to channel 3 and powered up the player. There is a gray screen. No words or anything. It would help if I had a disc to test with, I bet. Is it supposed to do something else when turned on? The gray screen is all it does, if I hit random buttons (always a great idea when you don't know what you're doing) it will flicker a split second. Um, until I find a disc that's all I can tell it does. Thank you again!

blindfury420 · Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 1036

Not too sure on if you need a disk, quite likely though! Also don't forget to try channel 4 or see if there is a switch that lets you pick 3 or 4. If neither work, ebay a laser-disc for a couple bucks and check her out!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Laser-Videodisc-DiscoVision-MCA-Blues-Brothers-/110662557905?pt=US_Laserdisc&hash=item19c400a0d1

http://cgi.ebay.com/1981-MCA-discovision-laserdisc-Jaws-/140522725085?pt=US_Laserdisc&hash=item20b7ce9edd
_________________
I dont own

McMicheal 5001h
Hitachi VIP202P
JCP 686-5705
RCA SKT265, SKT300
RCA SJT400X, SJT425

Skyfungus · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 8

There is a 3 or 4 switch on the side. Channel 4's quality gray screen is not very good, static-y. Channel 3 is much better, no static or lines. I'm going to head out tomorrow to some of the places around here, see if anyone has any of these DiscoVision movies, it's possible? Thank you again for the help!

*Just saw the auctions, I'm going to find me a Blues Brothers disc!

blindfury420 · Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 1036

Second hand/ thrift stores and salvation army stores. Good luck ! I hope it works! I don't know for sure but I think any laser disc will do, not just disco-vision! I could be dead wrong though, so if its not disco-vision make sure its cheap!
_________________
I dont own

McMicheal 5001h
Hitachi VIP202P
JCP 686-5705
RCA SKT265, SKT300
RCA SJT400X, SJT425

7jlong · Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 187

What you'll need for the video out is a BNC cable or adapter. Last I knew Radio Shack still sold an RCA female to BNC male adapter. Put it on the end of a regular RCA cable and you should be good to go. BNC connections are still used regularly on laboratory equipment so it shouldn't be too tough to cobble something together.

Any laserdisc will do. DiscoVision titles are much more rare than regular LaserDiscs, and were notoriously poorly made. Don't pass one up if you see it, but any laserdisc should play. On the other hand, these early players are prized by collectors because they are the most tolerant of DiscoVision's flaws.

I would also call around if you have any used record stores near you. They often have a laserdisc or two hanging around somewhere.

I doubt that this machine has any sort of standby screen other than the gray you are seeing. That sort of thing didn't become standard until later - most CED players generally show absolutely nothing until the needle drops!

Skyfungus · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 8

I went to the local Radio Shack, got the adapters. But no one around here seems to have any discs. Still searching!
*Ok found a regular Laserdisc copy of Goodfellas and tried that. I think this unit is a gonner. When I put the disc in and start it up, hit Play it sounds like someone is revving up a moped. There is just static, I haven't hooked up the RCA cables yet, just the coax, I'm sure it wont matter, this thing doesn't sound good. I will continue testing...

Skyfungus · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 8

Hi, I got it sort of playing. I noticed it vibrates a lot less when I remember to lock the disc down. Now I have a static-y picture, no sound I can tell. I had my buddy over who is an audio/video expert type and he thinks it needs cleaning and may be reading the disc too fast? That's all I've got so far.

7jlong · Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 187

Hmm.

I think it's time for a chat with Duncan at Bayview Electronics. They are one of the few service outlets left in the country that take an active interest in LaserDisc - and he has been working with them since the beginning. In fact, his "About Us" page lists your player as his introduction to the medium, and even has a pic of his "Certificate of Attendance" for a repair seminar on the PR-7820!

At any rate, I have emailed him before and found him to be very helpful and friendly. He might (I don't want to suggest that he'll troubleshoot for free, but can't hurt to ask) be able to give you a few pointers about your player's condition and possible solutions.

Skyfungus · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 8

Thanks very much for that info, what a great site! (this one and His) I sent off an email with a synopsis of all I've listed here and will see what he says. Thanks once again!