Difference between revisions of "LaserActive"

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[[Image:Laseractive.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Pioneer LaserActive]]
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The '''Pioneer LaserActive (CLD-A100)''' is a [[wikipedia:Laserdisc|Laserdisc]] player by the company Pioneer, which allows the user to plug in additional modules (called PACs). One of these allow the user to play [[Sega Mega Drive|Sega Mega Drive / Genesis]] and [[Sega Mega CD|Sega Mega CD / SegaCD]] games. It can also display Mega Drive graphics over streamed video from compatible Laserdiscs; this format, called '''Mega LD''', received only a handful of games. Furthermore, 3D glasses were usable with compatible discs, and other modules allowed the user to play TurboGrafx 16 games and karaoke discs.
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The '''Pioneer LaserActive (CLD-A100)''' is a [[wikipedia:Laserdisc|laserdisc]] manufactured by [[Pioneer]], which allows the user to plug in additional modules (called PACs) to build up a home entertainment center. It was released in Japan on August 20, 1993 at a cost of ¥89,800, and in the United States on September 13, 1993 at a cost of $970 USD.
  
The Pioneer CLD-A100 system was released in Japan on August 20, 1993 at a cost of ¥89,800, and in the United States on September 13, 1993 at a cost of $970 US. NEC also released a cloned version of the system, identified as the NEC PDE-LD1. Both systems supported the additional PAC modules interchangeably.
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Pioneer struck a deal with [[Sega]] creating a PAC for both the [[Sega Mega Drive]]. This allowed the system to play Sega Mega Drive, [[Sega Mega CD]] and a brand new Mega Drive-laserdisc format titled "Mega LD". Other modules were created to support NEC's TurboGrafx-16 console, 3D glasses and karaoke discs.
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NEC also released a cloned version of the system, identified as the NEC PDE-LD1. Both systems supported the additional PAC modules interchangeably.
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The LaserActive is not fondly remembered, as the laserdisc media format was considered too expensive and the design often too cumbersome for the average consumer. The VHS video format continued to dominate the market throughout the 1980s and 1990s, being inevitably replaced with [[DVD]]s, which remain in use today.
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Though the CLD-A100 was discontinued in the mid-1990s, Pioneer would continue manufacturing laserdisc players until 2009. As Sega did not manufacture their own brand of laserdisc players, the Mega LD format also faded into nonexistence.
  
 
== Modules ==
 
== Modules ==
 
 
The plug-in modules listed below are suffixed by (American model number/Japanese model number).
 
The plug-in modules listed below are suffixed by (American model number/Japanese model number).
  
 
=== Sega PAC (PAC-S10/PAC-S1) ===
 
=== Sega PAC (PAC-S10/PAC-S1) ===
[[Image:LaserActive_Sega.jpg|left|thumb|Sega PAC]]
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[[Image:LaserActive_Sega.jpg|right|thumb|Sega PAC]]
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 Mega Drive and Mega CD titles, and standard [[wikipedia:CD+G|CD+G]] discs. It cost around $600 USD, and was the most popular add-on bought by LaserActive owners. It comes with a Mega Drive/Genesis controller that bears a gold Pioneer LaserActive logo.
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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 Mega Drive and Mega CD titles, and standard [[wikipedia:CD+G|CD+G]] discs. It cost around $600 USD, and was the most popular add-on bought by LaserActive owners. It comes with a Mega Drive/Genesis controller that bears a gold Pioneer LaserActive logo.
  
 
=== NEC PAC (PAC-N10/PAC-N1) ===
 
=== NEC PAC (PAC-N10/PAC-N1) ===

Revision as of 11:25, 9 February 2011

Laseractive.jpg
LaserActive
Manufacturer: Pioneer

The Pioneer LaserActive (CLD-A100) is a laserdisc manufactured by Pioneer, which allows the user to plug in additional modules (called PACs) to build up a home entertainment center. It was released in Japan on August 20, 1993 at a cost of ¥89,800, and in the United States on September 13, 1993 at a cost of $970 USD.

Pioneer struck a deal with Sega creating a PAC for both the Sega Mega Drive. This allowed the system to play Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega CD and a brand new Mega Drive-laserdisc format titled "Mega LD". Other modules were created to support NEC's TurboGrafx-16 console, 3D glasses and karaoke discs.

NEC also released a cloned version of the system, identified as the NEC PDE-LD1. Both systems supported the additional PAC modules interchangeably.

The LaserActive is not fondly remembered, as the laserdisc media format was considered too expensive and the design often too cumbersome for the average consumer. The VHS video format continued to dominate the market throughout the 1980s and 1990s, being inevitably replaced with DVDs, which remain in use today.

Though the CLD-A100 was discontinued in the mid-1990s, Pioneer would continue manufacturing laserdisc players until 2009. As Sega did not manufacture their own brand of laserdisc players, the Mega LD format also faded into nonexistence.

Modules

The plug-in modules listed below are suffixed by (American model number/Japanese model number).

Sega PAC (PAC-S10/PAC-S1)

Sega PAC

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 Mega Drive and Mega CD titles, and standard CD+G discs. It cost around $600 USD, and was the most popular add-on bought by LaserActive owners. It comes with a Mega Drive/Genesis controller that bears a gold Pioneer LaserActive logo.

NEC PAC (PAC-N10/PAC-N1)

Pioneer Electronics (USA) and NEC Home Electronics released this module, which allows users to play 8" and 12" LaserActive LD-ROM discs, as well as TurboGrafx CD-ROM discs, game HuCards and CD+G discs. This PAC is today one of the most sought-after accessories for the LaserActive, and the Laserdisc compatible games are equally rare. The retail price was $600 USD. The module comes with a PC Engine/TurboGrafx 16 controller pad signed with a gold Pioneer LaserActive logo.

Note: the Japanese version of the PAC is unable to play American HuCard games, and vice-versa.

Karaoke PAC (PAC-K10/PAC-K1)

This PAC allows the CLD-A100 to play all NTSC LaserKaraoke titles. The front panel has two microphone inputs with separated volume controls, as well as tone control. The retail price was $350 USD.

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.

Please clarify the latter statement

3-D Goggles Adaptor (ADP-1)

Packaged and sold separately from the 3-D Goggles, this adaptor allowed the user to connect the goggles to the CLD-A100, and allowed for up to two users to view content simultaneously.

Gallery

Software

Standard LaserActive games came on Laserdiscs, encoded in the LD-ROM format. An LD-ROM had a 540 MB data area (where digital audio would have normally been stored) with sixty minutes of analogue audio and video.

Title Region(s) Required module(s) 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, Goggles 1994 PEANJ1016
Virtual Cameraman Japan Sega 1993 PEASJ5015
Virtual Cameraman 2 Japan Sega, Goggles 1994 PEASJ5020
Zapping TV Satsui Japan NEC 1994 PEANJ5023


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