did anyone ever invent a laser reading LP player?

[Bolero]

I seem to remember a record player design that used a laser instead of a contact stylus....so there was actually no contact/wear with the vinyl?

or am I imagining things?

thx!

[Jamie Tate]

http://www.elpj.com/

$10,000!!!! :eek:

[Ron Stone]

There's a full-page ad in STEREOPHILE.

[Cliff]

Originally posted by Ron Stone
There's a full-page ad in STEREOPHILE.


I saw that a while back, but I was too afraid to post here about it. I didn't know if it was legit, or a joke :)

[Bolero]

cool...I wonder if they'll come out with a "discman" version too?

I can see the joggers carrying them now....as big as an album sleeve :laugh:


I'm surprised more designers haven't looked into the laser thing....but could you keep it analog?

[fjhuerta]

We talked about this a month ago... I think, from listening to the CD offered on that page, we all thought the player sounded somewhat weird (I owned the CD, yet can't find it anywhere now!).

[Jamie Tate]

Originally posted by fjhuerta
We talked about this a month ago... I think, from listening to the CD offered on that page, we all thought the player sounded somewhat weird (I owned the CD, yet can't find it anywhere now!).

I have it too. I'm not sure if it was the TT that sounded weird or the duplicated CD. I have a feeling the demo CD wasn't recorded very well. No matter, it's a bad demo CD. I still feel like I have no idea what the thing sounds like.

[Graham Start]

Originally posted by Bolero

I'm surprised more designers haven't looked into the laser thing....but could you keep it analog?

Of course... just because there's a laser involved, doesn't mean that it's digital.

Laserdiscs have analog video after all... and older ones have analog audio too.

[stereoptic]

Bolero - here is a recent link to a thread on this topic.

Laser LP thread (http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=309893&highlight=laser+record#post309893)


and on a similar note, here is a link to the "Digital Needle" (http://www.cs.huji.ac.il/~springer/)

[Bolero]

thx stereoptic....that virtual needle article was pretty interesting, the guy used a scanner & wrote software to decode the image!!

:righton:

interesting stuff.

I'm sure someday somebody will come up with something....I would but I know nuthin' about lasers nor designing stuff!! :laugh:

[nin]

ELP have new models out with remote control and better sound. I know that we will see a review soon in our favorite hifi magazine ;)

[RetroSmith]

nin, which mag is that?

[Tony Plachy]

Originally posted by mikey5967
nin, which mag is that?

Mikey Fremer at Stereophile says he has been trying for a year to get ELP to give him a review sample so far they haven't signed up. I got the literature and the CD a couple of months ago, the other day I got a letter offering me a 10% discount ($9000 instead of $10,000). These guys have no idea how to market. Only the very wealthy are going to drop that kind of money based on a CD when there are no dealers or reviews.

[RetroSmith]

yup

[nin]

Yes, it's Stereophile. I HOPE it's mikey that is doing the review and that the review will be a big review. According to ELP the review will be in December issue.
IF it gets a great review, I maybe will buy one, maybe.

[John Carsell]

From what I understand these players cannot play LP's that are pressed on transparent colored vinyl.

[RetroSmith]

Heard that also.........

[Dave]

Just because it's always nice to have a visual

[Sckott]

Have you guys heard that CDR demo they send? Not exactly brilliant. I thought it sounded terrible, and although the records they used to demo it were revealing, it also showed the listener it's limitations.

Listen to St. John's from Satchmo does King Oliver.. Pretty sure that's the track. Some very gentle sounds are completely lost.

Even if I had the bread, I wouldn't bother.... :(

[hot_wax_man]

Well Remember that CD sounded pretty bad until about 5 years ago. Give it time. I think it is very interesting technology. I hope they sell enough of them to keep going.

I remember the first Plasma TV I seen. It had a 40 inch display and had a 50lb suitcase full of additional electronics, and did not really look that good. (solarization) It could not resolve fine detail in the gray scale. and it COST $40K. Now you can get a better looking larger set for under 3000.00 and it has only taken 7 years.

[RetroSmith]

If a major manufacturer got behind this product they would correct the problems. But I cant see that happening because it wiuldnt be a mass market product.......most people dont play records.

You would think tho, that every radio station, Tv station, record company, recording studio and at leat a million people across the country would buy this if it were 1,000 instead of10,000.

I would!!

[soundboy]

I believe the laser turntable has been around for at least 10 years or so; it's really nothing new. It was always marketed to institutions (like libraries) and individuals with vast vinyl collections.

[Metralla]

Originally posted by soundboy
It was always marketed to institutions (like libraries) and individuals with vast vinyl collections.
"Marketed" is the operative word. "Sold?" - I don't think so.

Regards,
Geoff

[soundboy]

Metralla,

You're right, the laser turntable never ever sold in even relatively modest numbers. Introduced as CD was taking over the entire market, I guess it sold enough that its manufacturer continued production til this date.

[Joel Cairo]

Actually, the product was in the final stages of development in 1988/89, when it was going to be produced under the company name "Finial Technology". I don't believe they ever made it to market, and the whole idea then languished because of a perceived lack of industrial and consumer interest.

The Japanese company that now owns it purchased Finial's technology and patents a few years back, in a determined attempt to get the product out. To date, they've sold just over 1,000 players, which for them was the break-even point.

I'm still hoping there's a future to this idea, but the proof is in the pudding, I guess...

According to their website, they'll be at CES in January... hope some of you guys bring along some of your vinyl, to finally give this thing a decent audition!! :D

-Kevin