# laserdisc player question...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laserdisc-player-question/266401>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 28, 2004, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laserdisc-player-question/266401 "2004-09-28T02:10:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![tofergregg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tofergregg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofergregg)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2004, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laserdisc-player-question/266401/1 "2004-09-28T02:10:41Z")

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Hello, smart Dopers with old laserdisc players,

I would like to convert a laserdisc set my school has to DVD. The set is called “Physics: Cinema Classics,” and the problem is that every 10-15 seconds or so the disc stops play and makes me hit “Step --\>” to continue. This seems to be the default of the disc. I think it has something to do with the barcode reader that can supposedly be used with it and the fact that the disc is designed so you can jump to a certain demo. Anyway, is there a way to simply play the disc straight through? I’m using an old Pioneer Laservision LD-V4200 player, with no remote or computer connection and simply the buttons on the front (“Play, Still/Step, Scan, Display,” and my all-time favorite electronics button, “Reject”).

I’ve searched the internet for dip-switch settings, but aside from trying all 2^8 combinations (there are 8 dip switches), I’m at a loss. Help!

-Tofer

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**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2004, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laserdisc-player-question/266401/2 "2004-09-28T02:19:45Z")

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I have the same player. Have you tried hitting “play” instead of “step”?

I have the Criterion _Bladerunner_ disc and has a similar feature. I hit play and the slideshow whips by in no time.

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**Author:** ![tofergregg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tofergregg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofergregg)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2004, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laserdisc-player-question/266401/3 "2004-09-28T02:45:34Z")

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I have hit play. It just jumps to the next “step --\>”…thanks, though!

-Tofer

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**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2004, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laserdisc-player-question/266401/4 "2004-09-28T03:44:51Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> with no remote or computer connection

Are you quite sure? I used to service these things and I could swear they had an RS-232 port. That was ten+ years ago, so I might be mistaken.

Manuals available [here](http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/links/list/0,,2076_4253,00.html). Not the V4200 but maybe something close.

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**Author:** ![tofergregg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tofergregg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofergregg)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2004, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laserdisc-player-question/266401/5 "2004-09-28T03:54:48Z")

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> [@Patty O'Furniture](#):
>
> Are you quite sure? I used to service these things and I could swear they had an RS-232 port. That was ten+ years ago, so I might be mistaken.
> 
> Manuals available [here](http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/links/list/0,,2076_4253,00.html). Not the V4200 but maybe something close.

Thanks for the manual link. Oh, it has an RS-232 port (although it isn’t a standard pin-out) but I haven’t tried hooking it up to a computer.

-Tofer