LaserActive

From Sega Retro

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LaserActive
Manufacturer: Pioneer
Variants: NEC PDE-LD1
Release Date RRP Code
Mega LD
JP
¥89,800 (92,494)89,800e[1] CLD-A100
Mega LD
US
$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.[2]

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.[2]

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[3], 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

Images

Physical scans

LaserActive, JP

Pioneer Laseractive JP Manual.pdf
Manual
PAC-S1, JP
Pioneer Laseractive PAC-S1 JP Side.jpgPioneer Laseractive PAC-S1 JP Front.jpg
Pioneer Laseractive PAC-S1 JP Bottom.jpg
Cover
Pioneer Laseractive PAC-S1 JP Manual.pdf
Manual

External links

References

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NEC Retro has more information related to LaserActive


LaserActive
Topics Technical specifications | List of games | Magazine articles | Promotional material | LA Express | Pioneer LDC | Multimedia Creators Network
Hardware Japan | United States
NEC PCE-LD1
Add-ons Sega PAC | NEC PAC | Karaoke PAC | Computer Interface PAC
Controllers Control Pad | Turbo Pad | Remote Control Unit | Computer Interface Pack Remote Control Unit
Accessories 3D Goggle | 3D Goggle Adaptor | Control Pad Extension Cord | Turbo Pad Extension Cord | Karaoke Microphone | Karaoke Microphone (Key Control)
Sega Mega Drive
Topics Technical specifications (Hardware comparison) | History | List of games | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise | Cartridges | TradeMark Security System
Hardware Japan | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | South America | Asia | South Korea | Australasia | Africa
EZ Games | Genesis 3 | LaserActive | Mega Jet | Mega PC | Mega Play | Mega-Tech System | Mega 6 | Nomad | Teradrive | Mega Drive Mini | Mega Drive Mini 2
New Mega Drive | Tianli VCD/DVD Players | "Consoles on a chip" | Licensed clones (Magic 2 | Mega Game II | Power Pegasus | Super Bitman)
Unlicensed clones
Add-ons Game Box | Power Base Converter | Mega-CD | 32X (Mega-CD 32X) | Mega Modem | Demo System DS-16
Cases Sega Genesis Nomad Carrying Case | System Carry Case
Controllers Control Pad | Six Button Control Pad | 6 Button Arcade Pad | Arcade Power Stick 6B | Konami Justifier | MK-1470
Action Chair | Activator | Arcade Power Stick | Keyboard | MegaFire | Mouse | Mega Stick | Menacer | Remote Arcade System | Ten Key Pad | Third Party Controllers
Accessories 4 Way Play | AC adaptor | Cleaning System | Control Pad Extension Cord | Game Factory | Genesis Speakers | Headset | HeartBeat Catalyst | Microphone | Region converter cartridges | Mega Terminal | Nomad PowerBack | RF Unit | SCART Cable | Stereo Audio Video Cable | Team Player | Video Monitor Cable | Third-party AC adaptors | Third Party Accessories
Network services Sega Channel | Sega Game Toshokan | Mega Anser | Mega Net | TeleBradesco Residência | XB∀ND
Development tools ERX 308P | ERX 318P | Sprobe | SNASM68K | SNASM2 (Mega Drive) | SNASM2 (32X) | PSY-Q Development System (Mega Drive) | PSY-Q Development System (32X) | 32X CartDev | Sega Mars Development Aid System | Sega 32X Development Target
Unreleased Edge 16 | Floppy Disk Drive | Mega Play 1010 | Sega VR | Teleplay System | Video Jukebox
Sega Mega-CD
Topics Technical specifications | History | Magazine articles | Promotional material
Hardware Mega CD (Asia | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | South America | Australasia | Africa)
Sega Multi-Mega (Asia | North America | Europe | South America | Australasia)
Wondermega | LaserActive | CSD-G1M
Misc. hardware CD BackUp RAM Cart | Mega-CD Karaoke | Pro CDX
Development tools SNASM Mega-CD | PsyQ Mega-CD SDK | PSY-Q CD Emulation System (Mega-CD)
Unreleased hardware Game Genie