Can I copy Laser Disks to Video CD's?
Tuesday, 08 October, 2002
I want to convert some LD's to VCD's. What hardware/software do I need?
Thanks for your assistance!
Franki Cheung, Denistone East, NSW
 This is a question for the other HelpStation readers.
Laser disks were never popular in Australia. Come to think of it, neither were Video CD's. They were popular with people who have links to Chinese populations in East and Southeast Asia. As a result you'll find the best local support and technical advice for these formats in the Chinatown areas of the capital cities. Since you're in Sydney, drop in to one of the many stores around Dixon Street in the city -- I can think of a couple that offer all sorts of copying services, including full DVD copies of various formats.
You can use the basic analog method to copy your LD to VCD by taking the composite video (yellow) and stereo audio (red and white) signals from the LCD player and feeding them back into a video capture card on the PC, capturing the signal to an MPEG file or similar, then burning this to VCD using one of the many software products available. (Search HelpStation for VCD for more details.)
I don't know a lot about Laser disks, but let's assume that they may have Macrovision or a similar copy-protection mechanism, to stop you taking copies (most often VHS video). This can be overcome by buying one of the many inexpensive devices on the market that claim to "stabilise" or "clean" video signals. But regardless, dropping back to analog from digital and then back to digital will reduce the quality of the copy.
Much better would be a straight digital-to-digital conversion. And that's where we need some advice from readers in the know. What is the format on LD's? Is it MPEG1? Are there any acceptable ways to make the copy? Is there even a way to get the digital signal out of the LD player (because if there isn't, we can't do it).
Suggestions please?
Paul Zucker
 Reader solutions
WinstonPosted: 13/10/2002 Laserdisc video format It's definitely true that LD never made it to Australia. However, I have managed to use an LD player before. I also have some specs for it. LD uses analog composite video (not digital), with analog and digital audio. The video resolution is about 430 lines (VHS is 250, DVD/DV is 500-540). The analog audio is FM stereo, and the digital audio is 16-bit, 44.1KHz PCM stereo, the same for a CD. So, if you want a good digital copy (eg on DVD) you would still need to convert the video to digital.
LD's may come in different types and sizes. I commonly see 30cm diameter, double sided discs. They hold 30 or 60 minutes per side. I think 20cm discs are available, but I haven't seen one yet.
(Thanks Winston. -Paul Zucker) DiVX ChampionPosted: 08/10/2002 re: Can I copy Laser Disks to Video CD's? There is a program for removing Macrovision on dvds which is called CladDVD it might work to remove Macrovision on LD if its the same BrendanPosted: 08/10/2002 re: Can I copy Laser Disks to Video CD's? This website will not tell you how to make them into VCD but will give you some helpful advice....
LaserDiscs do not have any type of Macrovision or anti-copy encoding, so there is nothing on the disc, the player, or the DVD recorder that will actually prevent you from making a copy. No special equipment, such as a video stabilizer is needed.
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