CED VideoDisc and Player Discussion

[Beetlescott]

I have created a room for my CED things, as well as my Star Trek things, so I have 6 players together and 2 (so far) monitors. I use the players to "PrePlay" my movies to get them ready to play when we sit down to watch one, you ought to try it, it works great!!!

My question this, See the pictures I have here, I have 6 of the players all plugged into the same surge proctor, as well as the monitors. When I put two different CEDs into a couple of players, there is snow, and lines and mess! All I have to do is turn one of the players off. Now, here is my question, "Why?"
Do I need to just get two seperate surge protectors??? I'd love some input. Thanks in advance!!!


_________________
1000 titles
SGT-250
SJT-400
Montgomery Ward
SGT-100

[Beetlescott]

OK I wanted to add all the wires hanging down are going to be placed into a plastic channel.


_________________
1000 titles
SGT-250
SJT-400
Montgomery Ward
SGT-100

[Beetlescott]

Yes, it's a work in progress. I didn't get the monitors up even, so when we take them down to paint (wifey hates the blue),


_________________
1000 titles
SGT-250
SJT-400
Montgomery Ward
SGT-100

[Rixrex]

Do you have the players connected to the monitors via RF cables? If so, there could be a problem with signal interference through the air. If the cables are not well shielded, there can be an effect of a cable acting like a TV station broadcast antenna.

The Rf signal that comes out of the 75 ohm connect is similar to an old analog broadcast signal and the cable could be leaking the signal out and it's being picked up on the other set as interference.

If you recall the old days of analog TV, sometimes a station near another in frequency or even on the same frequency but in another town would bleed over into the station you were watching, and give you a secondary image. This could be especially true if all players are set on the same channel, either all on ch 3 or all on ch 4.

[dumbchemist]

To eliminate the interference, connect your players to your monitors using the RCA cables amd switchers. Then I would install 75 ohm resisters on all the coax out jacks on the players which should squelch the RF signal and stop the interference.
_________________
Sears 934-54780150 & 934.54810350,
Realistic CED-1
1-SJT-400. 2-SJT-200 & 1-SJT-090.
CLD-D406, CLD-980.
MDP-600, MDP-MR1.

[Rixrex]

That would do the job. But if you have players that don't have A/V output, you could try operating the 2 running players on separate channels. In other words, one on ch 3 and the other on ch 4.

Another possibility is to use more expensive shielded RF cables. Or an amplified switching device might do the job somewhat, where you have several inputs and at least two separate outputs, one for each TV, and it allows you to select separate input for each output.

I think this was mentioned before in another topic thread, as I recall.

[dumbchemist]

Beetlescott:

What you need is an a/v switcher that has 4 inputs. Like the following:

http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n581/dumbchemist/P1010055.jpg

The top box has 4 sets of video and stereo RCA jacks on the back for 4 different a/v sources. It has one set of output jacks for a monitor, 2 sets of jacks to output to vcr's and one set of input and output jacks for a processor. The bottom box is a processor and switcher with an RF modulator, The processor has an enhancer and video noise reduction circuitry to clean up the video signal. This box also has a comparator which allows you to split the monitor image vertically so you can see what the enhancer and vnr are doing to the signal. I tried to sell these 2 on e-bay but had no luck. I think they could help your situation. Also, I have the manuals for both so that setup should not be difficult. I don't need either one as all my video/audio switching is being done by my a/v stereo amp. These 2 boxes are over 20 years old and have been discontinued by Radio Shack. They still work, too.

Let me know if you are interested in them.
_________________
Sears 934-54780150 & 934.54810350,
Realistic CED-1
1-SJT-400. 2-SJT-200 & 1-SJT-090.
CLD-D406, CLD-980.
MDP-600, MDP-MR1.

[Rixrex]

Hey, that's a nice setup. What can it do for players with only RF output? Can it convert to A/V output for them? Do you have photos of the back too?

I have a couple of Radio Shack devices currently unused. One is an amplified switcher similar to your top unit. Another is a stereo enhancer with reverb that takes mono and gives you an imitation stereo effect.

The last one is an RF tuner with stereo enhancer that take the analog RF signal and converts to "stereo" audio for use with an amp, or lets you hook up two speakers to it directly, plus has an extra stereo audio input for another auxillary device. It's useful for those CED players that are RF output only.

They all have that timeless silver 80s look like yours.

[dumbchemist]

Unfortunately, they can do nothing for RF out only CED players.

Here is a photo of the back of the 2 units:

http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n581/dumbchemist/P1010056.jpg

I forgot to mention that the bottom unit has a timed fader that allows you to fade in and out of a video. I orignally used the 2 units cabled together to copy VHS tapes from one vcr to another using the enhance and vnr to boost the video signal.

Did you ever see the Layette quadriphonic add-on amplifier? I have one of them that takes 2 channel audio and synthesizes the back 2 audio channels to simulate quadraphonic. It also accepted 4 channel audio sources and passed the front 2 channels to your 2 channel amp and passed the 2 back channels to your back speakers. I have not tried it with a stereo CED movie yet.
_________________
Sears 934-54780150 & 934.54810350,
Realistic CED-1
1-SJT-400. 2-SJT-200 & 1-SJT-090.
CLD-D406, CLD-980.
MDP-600, MDP-MR1.

[Beetlescott]

[dumbchemist]

Beetlescott:

AV means audio/video.

I am sure someone will want to see the quadnaural auxiliary amp, Lafayette model LA-424.
Here are some photos of it:
http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n581/dumbchemist/P1010057.jpg
http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n581/dumbchemist/P1010058.jpg
and
http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n581/dumbchemist/P1010060.jpg

This unit has a label dated 1971 for a time reference. It did create a pseudo quad channel effect. I have a couple of records that had quad encoding and this amp could recreate the quad effect. The Marakesh Express song used the ping pong effect with the 4 speakers. It was really weird.

To give you an idea of how differently things were back then, the amplifier came with a full schematic showing the location and values for all the circuit components. This amp was NOT a kit. I bought it just as you see it. No assembly was required.
_________________
Sears 934-54780150 & 934.54810350,
Realistic CED-1
1-SJT-400. 2-SJT-200 & 1-SJT-090.
CLD-D406, CLD-980.
MDP-600, MDP-MR1.

[Rixrex]

I'd love to hear what it could have done with the Spirit LP, The 12 Dreams of Dr Sardonicus, one of the wildest uses of stereo in any psychedelic LP of the time.

I remember when Quad was going to be the next big deal. but it fizzled. But if you have a Quad receiver, it isn't too hard to set it up for 5.1 sound using powered center and subwoofer, and the right pre-amp or 5.1 decoder with analog outs.

[Beetlescott]

I believe it is something I could make work with my system.
_________________
1000 titles
SGT-250
SJT-400
Montgomery Ward
SGT-100

[7jlong]

Love the Lafayette pics. I can remember visiting the Lafayette store with my dad when they were on their last legs - they had a manager's special on their Criterion 2001a speakers that you had to repeatedly check on to see if they 1) were offering it and 2) if they had any left in stock.

I just handed them over to a speaker specialist to have the crossover components upgraded, the woofers re-foamed, a bad tweeter replaced, and anything else they can think of to get them singing like they were new. Can't wait to get them back! They should sound great with the Criterion Mark VII receiver that I rescued from Goodwill (in fantastic condition).

[Beetlescott]

[Rixrex]

The speakers need to hook up to an amp/receiver type of device and your player to the input of that same device via the RCA output cables. Without an amp or receiver as intermediate step, you'd never hear the sound over the speakers.

Also, of less importance, the speakers probably will have an OHM rating, that will be 4 or 8 or 16, it's a rating of their resistance to the amplified signal. Most are rated 8 or 16.

Do you have an amp or receiver to use? It can be a small one.

[Beetlescott]

No, I don't have an amp I could use, I only have the Onkyo that's hooked up to my home theater. I remember hooking just to small speakers straight out of my SGT250 back in 82. I didn't own an amp back in those days.
_________________
1000 titles
SGT-250
SJT-400
Montgomery Ward
SGT-100

[7jlong]

Gotta agree with Rixrex on this one - you'll need some kind of amp between the Hitachi and those speakers, even if you were to solder RCA plugs onto the Bose wires. The signal just wouldn't be enough to get any kind of useful levels of sound out of them - plus you'd have no control over the volume.

Speakers straight out of the SGT250 is also a bit suspect depending on what kind of speakers they were. If they had RCA plugs on their cords they were likely intended to go with an all-in-one type system with a turntable, tapes, and a radio (or similar). I can't imagine them working correctly plugged straight into the audio outs of an SGT250, though if the speakers were powered in any way you might have gotten something...

There is an amp (Realistic SA-150) that looks to be about the same vintage/style as the switcher and processor that you and chemist have been talking about - if you find one and buy his pieces you could assemble a neat vintage Rat Shack setup! If I remember correctly, the little amp that matches those two pieces actually does have RCA-style speaker outs - confusing the issue a little bit, but easy to work around.

[Beetlescott]

Well, if you guys say it can't be done, then I must be remembering incorrectly. I had a little system, that had a record player, and cassette deck, along with am/fm radio. I don't know, I could of sworn i rand them straight out of the CED player. I remember putting the speakers on the wall, on either side of the player, and thinking how sweet it sounded. I'm sure it would be laughable compared to todays systems. I must of used that small unit I had. I may have to try it now, just see if I'm losing my mind.
_________________
1000 titles
SGT-250
SJT-400
Montgomery Ward
SGT-100

[Rixrex]

Beetle, I have a small Radio Shack amp that is a combo analog TV tuner and amp that will allow hookup of speakers. It will accept both the RF ch 3 or 4 signal from the CED players that have no A/V output, and an RCA plug stereo audio signal on an auxillary input like from the SJT 400.

It can be set to mono or synthesized stereo for the RF signal and direct stereo for the auxillary audio. Besides its own speaker hookups, it also allows hookup to another larger amp, or into a TV set with audio inputs.

The unit has RF output to also send the RF signal to your set. With a switching device, a unit like this would do the job. Or you could get a small amplifier/receiver locally on your local craigslist possibly.

It's only 12" by 8" by 2". I'll see about taking a photo and posting it or sending it off to you.

[Beetlescott]

Thanks Rick, Do I take it you are selling this amp?
_________________
1000 titles
SGT-250
SJT-400
Montgomery Ward
SGT-100

[Rixrex]

Yes, I was thinking to sell it to a CED collector or someone with a CED and no A/V output because it pulls the sound from the RF signal and allows you to use hooked up speakers to it or plug the audio into a larger amp/receiver.

Here it is with two Sony Megabass speakers: