LaserActive
From Sega Retro
LaserActive is a laser disc player from Pioneer that can plug in modules. One of these modules allow users to play Sega Mega Drive and Mega CD games. It can display Mega Drive graphics over streamed video from compatible laser discs. The Mega LD format only had a handful of games using that format. 3D Glasses have been produced for compatible discs. Other modules could play the TurboGrafx 16 games and the karaoke.
Contents
Modules
The plug-in modules listed below are formatted in American Model Number/Japanese Model Number
Sega PAC (PAC-S10/PAC-S1)
Pioneer Electronics (USA) and Sega Enterprises released this module that allows users to play 8-inch and 12-inch LaserActive Mega LD discs, in addition to the hundreds of existing SEGA-CD and Megadrive titles, as well as standard CD+G discs. It was the most popular add-on bought by the greater part of the LaserActive owners, costing roughly US$ 600. It comes with the usual Mega Drive/Genesis controller pad signed with a gold Pioneer LaserActive logo on it.
NEC PAC (PAC-N10/PAC-N1)
Pioneer Electronics (USA) and NEC Home Electronics released this module that allows users to play 8-inch and 12-inch LaserActive LD-ROM discs, as well as current TurboGrafx CD-ROM discs, game HuCards and CD+G discs. This PAC is today one of the most sought after accessories for the system, and the Laserdisc compatible games are equally rare. Note: the Japanese version of the PAC is unable to play American HuCard games, and the same is valid the other way around. The retail price was US$ 600. It comes with the usual PC Engine/TurboGrafx 16 controller pad signed with a gold Pioneer LaserActive logo on it.
Karaoke PAC (PAC-K10/PAC-K1)
This PAC allows the CLD-A100 to use all NTSC LaserKaraoke titles. The front panel has two microphone inputs with separated volume controls, as well as tone control. The retail price was US$ 350.
Computer Interface PAC (PAC-PC1)
This PAC has a 25-pin serial port allowing the CLD-A100 to be controlled by custom programs authored on PC or Macintosh computers. This PAC came with a 33-button infrared remote control providing more functionality than the 24-button remote included with the CLD-A100. Also included on DOS and Mac floppy disks was the LaserActive Program Editor. The floppy disks included some sample programs created with the editor for use with the first five LaserDiscs in the Tenchi Muyo! anime series.
LaserActive 3-D Goggles (GOL-1)
Used in conjunction with the various 3-D games that were released for the CLD-A100, the design was also compatible with the Sega Master System and could be used with that system.
3-D Goggles Adaptor (ADP-1)
Packaged and sold separately from the 3-D Goggles, it allowed the user to connect the goggles to the CLD-A100, and allowed for up to two users to view content simultaneously.
Software
The standard LaserActive games were on Laserdisc encoded as a LD-ROM. An LD-ROM had a 540MB data area (where digital audio would have normally been stored) with sixty minutes of analogue audio and video.
| Name of Title | Region(s) | Required Modules | Release Date | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-D Museum | U.S. | Sega | 1994 | PEASU1012 |
| 3D Virtual Australia | Japan | Sega | PEASJ5042 | |
| Akuma no Shinban | Japan | NEC | PEANJ5003 | |
| Angel Mate | Japan | NEC | PEANJ5002 | |
| Back To The Edo | Japan | Sega | PEASJ5021 | |
| Bi Ryojon Collection | Japan | NEC | 1994 | PEANJ5025 |
| Bi Ryojon Collection II | Japan | NEC | PEANJ5028 | |
| Don Quixote | U.S. | Sega | PEASU5022 | |
| The Demon's Judgment | Japan | NEC | 1993 | PEANJ5003 |
| Dora Dora Paradise | Japan | NEC | PEANJ5005 | |
| Dr. Paolo No Totteoki Video | Japan | Sega | PEASJ5030 | |
| Ghost Rush! | U.S. | PEASU1018 | ||
| Goku | U.S. | Sega | 1995 | PEASU1010 |
| Goku | Japan | Sega | 1995 | PEASJ1010 |
| The Great Pyramid | U.S. | Sega | PEASU5002 | |
| The Great Pyramid | Japan | Sega | PEASJ5002 | |
| High Roller Battle | U.S. | Sega | 1993 | PEASU1002 |
| High Roller Battle | U.S. | Sega | 1993 | PEASJ1002 |
| Hyperion | U.S., Japan | Sega | 13/07/1994 | PEASU5019 |
| I Will: The Story of London | U.S. | Sega | 1993 | PEASU1001 |
| I Will: The Story of London | Japan | Sega | 1993 | PEASJ1001 |
| J.B. Harold - Blue Chicago Blues | U.S. | Sega | 1994 | PEASU5036 |
| J.B. Harold: Manhattan Requiem | U.S. | NEC | 1993 | PEANU5004 |
| J.B. Harold: Manhattan Requiem | Japan | NEC | 1993 | PEASJ5004 |
| Melon Brains | U.S. | Sega | PEASU1011 | |
| Melon Brains | Japan | Sega | PEASJ1011 | |
| Pyramid Patrol | U.S. | Sega | 1993 | PEASU5001 |
| Pyramid Patrol | Japan | Sega | 1993 | PEASJ5001 |
| Quiz Econosaurus | U.S. | NEC | PEANU5001 | |
| Road Blaster | Japan | Sega | 1995 | PEASJ1033 |
| Road Prosecutor | U.S. | Sega | PEASU1033 | |
| Rocket Coaster | U.S. | Sega | 1993 | PEASU5013 |
| Space Berserker | U.S. | Sega | PEASU1003 | |
| Space Berserker | Japan | Sega | PEASJ1003 | |
| Steel Driver | PEA???? | |||
| Time Gal | Japan | Sega | 1995 | PEASJ5039 |
| Triad Stone | U.S. | Sega | 1994 | PEASU5014 |
| Triad Stone | Japan | Sega | 1994 | PEASJ5014 |
| Vajra | U.S. (Japan) | NEC | PEANU1001 | |
| Vajra Ni | Japan | NEC, Googles | 1994 | PEANJ1016 |
| Virtual Cameraman | Japan | Sega | 1993 | PEASJ5015 |
| Virtual Cameraman 2 | Japan | Sega, Goggles | 1994 | PEASJ5020 |
| Zapping TV Satsui | Japan | NEC | 1994 | PEANJ5023 |