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Pioneer ends LaserDisc player production

Who knew they were still banging 'em out?

Pioneer ends LaserDisc player production

15 January 2009 14:53 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

In what may come as more of a surprise that they were still making them, Pioneer has announced that it will cease to manufacture its LaserDisc players.

Pioneer introduced its first consumer LD player, the VP-1000, in the US market in 1980, followed by a Japanese launch in '81.

The company has seen worldwide sales of its LD players reach the dizzy heights of more than 9.5 million units to date, in a market that saw worldwide sales hit 16.8 million.

Pioneer says that "in the market environment in which new media such as DVD and Blu-ray discs now dominate, it has become difficult for Pioneer to procure the parts required to produce LD players".

And, for those of you out there still clinging to your LaserDisc player, Pioneer says it will "maintain" the spare parts market.

Full tags

Home Cinema, Pioneer, LaserDisc