LaserActive

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LaserActive
Manufacturer: Pioneer
Variants: NEC PDE-LD1
Release Date RRP Code JP 1993-08-20 ¥89,800 (92,494)89,800e CLD-A100 US 1993-09-13 $970.00970.00 CLD-A100

The Pioneer LaserActive (レーザーアクティブ) is a video game compatible LaserDisc player designed and manufactured by Pioneer. Released in Japan and North America in late 1993, the system featured interchangeable hardware expansions known as "PACs", which enabled compatibility with Mega Drive and Mega-CD games, PC Engine and PC Engine CD-ROM² games, and a new type of Laserdisc-based format: Mega LD and LD-ROM² games.

Hardware

The Pioneer LaserActive is designed to be an expandable and widely-compatible system. In addition to its existing ability to play the LaserDisc and LD-G formats, the system can be expanded with plug-in hardware called PACs. PACs expand the system's capabilities, such as the Sega PAC giving the system the capabilities of a Sega Mega Drive and Sega Mega-CD combined, allowing for playback of additional formats such as CD-G.

While PACs are generally region locked, Sega Mega LD and NEC LD-ROM² games are region free and will play on any NTSC system.

PACs

The PACs listed below are suffixed by (American model number/Japanese model number).

Sega PAC (PAC-S10/PAC-S1)

See: Sega PAC

Sega PAC

The Sega PAC allows the system to play Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, and Sega Mega LD games, in addition to CD-G media. Like it's counterpart, the NEC PAC, it also expands the LaserDisc functionality of the system by adding advanced playback features like frame-by-frame view and multi-speed jogging.

NEC PAC (PAC-N10/PAC-N1)

See: NEC PAC

The NEC PAC allows the system to play NEC PC Engine, NEC PC Engine CD-ROM², and NEC LD-ROM² games. Like it's counterpart, the Sega PAC, it also expands the LaserDisc functionality of the system by adding advanced playback features like frame-by-frame view and multi-speed jogging.

Karaoke PAC (PAC-K10/PAC-K1)

See: Karaoke PAC

The Karaoke PAC allows the system to play LaserKaraoke media, and features karaoke-oriented inputs and controls.

Computer Interface PAC (PAC-PC1)

See: Computer Interface PAC

The Computer Interface PAC allows the system to be controlled by an NEC PC-98, Microsoft Windows, or Apple Macintosh personal computer, by way of a custom program authored to communicate via the PAC's 25-pin serial port. The PAC is the only Japan-exclusive peripheral for the system.

Peripherals

3D Goggle (GOL-1)

See: 3D Goggle

The 3D Goggle is an active shutter 3D glasses peripheral that allows viewing of certain three-dimensional content. The technology is cross-compatible with both the Sega Master System's 3-D Glasses and the Nintendo Family Computer's Family Computer 3D System.

3D Goggle Adaptor (ADP-1)

See: 3D Goggle Adaptor

The 3D Goggle Adaptor is a peripheral which allows a second user to simultaneously view three-dimensional content using an additional 3D Goggle.

Magazine articles

Main article: LaserActive/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: LaserActive/Promotional material.

Artwork

• 

  Mega LD logo

Images

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Physical scans

LaserActive, JP
Manual

PAC-S1, JP
Cover
Manual

External links

• Video Game Console Library
• LaserActive Preservation Project

References

NEC Retro has more information related to LaserActive