Editing LaserActive

{{short description|Video game console}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| logo = LaserActive logo.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert
| image = Pioneer-LaserActive-Set-FL.jpg
| caption = LaserActive CLD-A100 with the Sega Genesis PAC module installed
| aka = NEC LD-ROM² System 
| manufacturer = [[Pioneer Corporation]]
| family = [[LaserDisc]]
| type = [[Technological convergence|Converged device]], [[home video game console]]
| generation = [[History of video game consoles (fourth generation)|Fourth]]
| releasedate = {{Video game release
  |JP|August 20, 1993
  |NA|September 13, 1993
  }}
| price = {{Unbulleted indent list
  | {{JPY|89800|1993|round=0}}
  | {{USD|970|1993|round=0}}
  }}
| discontinued = 1996
| unitssold = est. 10,000
| unitsshipped = 
| media = {{Unbulleted indent list
  | Native: [[LaserDisc]], [[CD]]
  | With LD-ROM² PAC: {{nowrap|[[LD-ROM]]}} (LD{{nbhyph}}ROM²), {{nowrap|[[CD-ROM]]}} ({{nowrap|[[CD-ROM²]]}}), [[Hucard]]
  | With Mega-LD PAC: {{nowrap|[[LD-ROM]]}} (Mega{{nbhyph}}LD), {{nowrap|[[CD-ROM]]}} ({{nowrap|[[Mega-CD]]}}/{{nowrap|[[Sega CD]]}}), [[Sega Genesis]]/[[Mega Drive]] cartridges
  }}
| power = 
| cpu = 
| storage = 
| memory = 
| display = 
| graphics = 
| sound = 
| input = 
| controllers = {{Unbulleted indent list
  | Sega Genesis 6-Button Controller
  | Turbografx-16 Controller
  }}
| dimensions = 
| weight = 
| topgame = 
| compatibility = 
| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| related = 
}}

The {{nihongo|'''LaserActive'''|レーザーアクティブ|Rēzā Akutibu|lead=yes}} is a hybrid [[LaserDisc player]] and [[home video game console]] released by [[Pioneer Corporation]] in 1993. Marketed as a high-end, modular entertainment system, it was designed to combine movies, music, and video games into a single unit. Out of the box, the base unit could natively play standard [[LaserDisc|LaserDiscs]] and [[Compact discs]], but support for video games required optional expansion modules known as PACs. Each PAC enabled compatibility with a specific gaming platform and its media formats.

With the Mega-LD PAC, the system could play exclusive Mega-LD discs (a proprietary [[LD-ROM]] format), as well as [[Sega Genesis/Mega Drive]] cartridges and [[Sega CD/Mega CD|Sega CD/Mega-CD]] discs. With the LD-ROM² PAC, it supported exclusive LD-ROM² discs, along with [[HuCard]] cartridges and [[CD-ROM²]] discs for the [[PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16]]. The LaserActive was the only system capable of playing LD-ROM game discs, which were not cross-compatible between PACs.

Pioneer released LaserActive model CLD-A100 in Japan on August 20, 1993, for {{JPY|89800|1993|round=0}}, and in North America on September 13, 1993, for {{USD|970|1993|round=0}}. An [[NEC]]-branded version of the player, the LD-ROM² System (model PCE-LD1), launched in December 1993 at the same price and was fully compatible with Pioneer's PAC modules.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=January 1994 |title=International News |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=Sendai Publishing |page=94 |issue=54}}</ref> The LaserActive was discontinued in 1996, with approximately 10,000 units sold.<ref name="sales">{{cite web |date=2007-12-03 |title=Console Histories |url=http://www.pinkgorillagames.com/console_histories |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211202811/http://www.pinkgorillagames.com/console_histories |archive-date=2015-02-11 |accessdate=2014-08-12 |publisher=Pink Gorrilla LLC}}</ref>

==Accessories==

===PAC modules===
[[File:Pioneer LaserActive CLD-A100.jpg|thumb|LaserActive CLD-A100 and on top are, from left: Mega-LD PAC with controller, standard 24-button remote, and LD-ROM² PAC with controller]]

Pioneer released several expansion modules, known as "PACs," which enabled the LaserActive to play software from other platforms and expand its capabilities. In each case, the Japanese model number is listed first, followed by the North American version.

;Mega-LD PAC (PAC-S1 / PAC-S10)
:Developed with [[Sega]], this PAC enabled support for  Mega-LD software as well as standard [[Sega Genesis]] cartridges, [[Sega CD]] discs, and [[CD+G]] discs. It included a LaserActive-branded [[Sega Genesis controller|6-button Genesis controller]] (model CPD-S1) and retailed for {{USD|600|1993|round=0}}.<ref name="LaserActive Press Release">{{Cite press release |title=Pioneer's LaserActive Arrives |date=13 September 1993 |publisher=Pioneer Electronics |url=https://www.cedmagic.com/tech-info/laseractive-press-release.html |access-date=22 May 2025}}</ref> It was the most widely adopted module among LaserActive owners.

;LD-ROM² PAC (PAC-N1 / PAC-N10)
:Developed with [[NEC]], this PAC added support for LD-ROM² titles, along with [[HuCard]] cartridges, [[CD-ROM²]] discs, and CD+G discs. The Japanese model could also play [[Arcade CD-ROM²]] titles using an [[TurboGrafx-16#Arcade Card|Arcade Card Duo]]. Like the Sega module, it sold for {{USD|600|1993|round=0}} and included a branded [[TurboGrafx-16#Peripherals|Turbo Pad]] (CPD-N1/CPD-N10). NEC also released a version in their branding called the PC Engine PAC (model PCE-LP1). Due to the [[TurboGrafx-16]]'s limited success in North America, the PAC-N10 is significantly rarer than its Sega counterpart.

;Karaoke PAC (PAC-K1)
:This PAC enabled playback of the LD-ROM-based LaserKaraoke (LD-G) discs. It featured two microphone inputs with individual volume and tone controls. Retail price was approximately {{USD|350|1993|round=0}}.<ref name="LaserActive Press Release" />

;Computer Interface PAC (PAC-PC1)
:This PAC was equipped with an [[RS-232]] port, allowing the CLD-A100 to be controlled with custom computer software. It shipped with a 33-button infrared remote (more advanced than the standard 24-button remote) and a [[DOS]]/[[Classic Mac OS]] program called ''LaserActive Program Editor'' on [[floppy disk]], including demo programs for the ''[[Tenchi Muyo!]]'' LaserDisc series.

===LaserActive 3-D Goggles===
The LaserActive 3-D Goggles (model GOL-1) used an [[active shutter 3D system]] compatible with several LD-ROM titles, including ''3-D Museum'' (1994), ''Vajra 2'' (1994), ''Virtual Cameraman 2'' (1994), ''Dr. Paolo no Totteoki Video'' (1994), ''Goku'' (1995), and ''3D Virtual Australia'' (1996), the last official LaserActive release.

The goggles could also display 3D [[autostereogram]] images.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Pioneer LD in 3-D|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=57|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=April 1994|page=60}}</ref> A separate goggle adapter (model ADP-1) allowed one or two goggles to connect to the CLD-A100.

==Software==
The LaserActive uses a unique disc format called [[LD-ROM]] (LaserDisc Read-Only Memory). Like the [[LV-ROM]] format on which it is based, the LD-ROM is an [[optical disc]] format that can store analog video, analog audio, and [[computer files]] (in a [[file system]]) on the same side of a disc. LD-ROMs do not use the same file system as LV-ROMs, however; also, an LD-ROM can store up to 540 megabytes of file data, compared with LV-ROM's 324. An LD-ROM can store up to 60 minutes of analog audio and video alongside the digital file system.{{fact|date=April 2025}}

The tables below list 31 software titles released on LD-ROM for the LaserActive; of these, 13 were released only in Japan. 23 of the 31 were made for the Mega LD PAC, and 15 were made for the LD-ROM² PAC. Only a handful of titles were released in both formats. 

One additional title listed below, ''[[Myst]]'', was never officially released for the LaserActive. Circa 1995, a game developer named Brian Rice (of Brian Rice Inc.) was leading the conversion of ''Myst'' to Mega LD. Conversion was almost entirely complete, and the game was to be published by [[Sunsoft]]. But, Rice encountered a major problem. Normally, an animated dissolve or wipe effect transitioned the view when the player moved between scenes in the game. Each transition animation had six frames. Yet in some circumstances, the animation did not stop at the sixth frame, but continued to shift the player's view to other scenes in the game. Rice ascribed the runaway animation to a bug in the LaserActive hardware. Development and publication were scrapped.<ref>{{cite web |title=''Myst'' |url=http://www.cyberroach.com/new_laseractive_pics/usa/myst/myst.htm |website=The Virtual LaserActive Museum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125185245/http://www.cyberroach.com/new_laseractive_pics/usa/myst/myst.htm |archive-date=November 25, 2017}}</ref>

Another unreleased game, called ''Steel Driver'', is rumored to exist.

{| class="wikitable sortable center"
|+ North American market
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Language options
! scope="col" colspan="2" | LD-ROM²
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Mega LD
|-
! scope="col" | Japanese
! scope="col" | English
! scope="col" | Release date
! scope="col" | Catalog number
! scope="col" | Release date
! scope="col" | Catalog number
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | 3D Museum
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| 1994 || PEANU1012
| 1994 || PEASU1012
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Don Quixote: A Dream in Seven Crystals
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1994 || PEASU5022
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Ghost Rush!
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1995 || PEASU1018
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Goku
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1995 || PEASU1010
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | The Great Pyramid
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || PEASU5002
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Hi-Roller Battle
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || PEASU1002
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Hyperion
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1994 || PEASU5019
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | I Will: The Story of London
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || PEASU1001
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | J.B. Harold - Blue Chicago Blues
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1995 || PEASU5036
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | J.B. Harold - Manhattan Requiem
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| 1993 || PEANU5004
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Melon Brains
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1994 || PEASU1011
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh2|align=right}} | [[Myst]]
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| colspan="2" {{beta|Unreleased}}
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Pyramid Patrol
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || PEASU5001
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Quiz Econosaurus
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| 1993 || PEANU5001
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | [[Road Blaster|Road Prosecutor]]{{efn|''Road Prosecutor'' is the localized title of ''[[Road Blaster]]'' (aka ''Road Avenger'').}}
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1995 || PEASU1033
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Rocket Coaster
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || PEASU5013
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Space Berserker
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || PEASU1003
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | [[Triad Stone]]
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1994 || PEASU5014
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Vajra
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| 1993 || PEANU1001
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}
|}

{{notelist}}

{| class="wikitable sortable center"
|+ Japanese market
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Language options
! scope="col" colspan="2" | LD-ROM²
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Mega LD
|-
! scope="col" | Japanese
! scope="col" | English
! scope="col" | Release date
! scope="col" | Catalog number
! scope="col" | Release date
! scope="col" | Catalog number
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | 3D Museum
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| 1994 || PEANJ1012
| 1994 || PEASJ1012
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | 3D Virtual Australia{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| {{Start date|1996|03|11|df=y}} || PEASJ5042
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Akuma no Shinban (Demon's Judgment){{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| 1993 || PEANJ5003
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Angel Mate{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| 1993 || PEANJ5002
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Back to the Edo{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1994 || PEASJ5021
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Billusion Collection: [[Minayo Watanabe]]{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| 1994 || PEANJ5025
| 1994 || PEASJ5025
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Billusion Collection, Vol. 2: Yuko Sakaki{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| 1994 || PEANJ5028
| 1994 || PEASJ5028
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Don Quixote: A Dream in Seven Crystals
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1994 || PEASJ5022
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Dora Dora Paradise{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| 1994 || PEANJ5005
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Dr. Paolo no Totteoki Video{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1994 || PEASJ5030
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Ghost Rush!
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1994 || PEASJ1018
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Goku
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| 1995 || PEANJ1032
| 1995 || PEASJ1010
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | The Great Pyramid
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || PEASJ5002
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Hi-Roller Battle
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || PEASJ1002
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Hyperion
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1994 || PEASJ5019
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | I Will: The Story of London
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || PEASJ1001
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | J.B. Harold - Blue Chicago Blues
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| 1994 || PEANJ5017
| 1995 || PEASJ5036
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | J.B. Harold - Manhattan Requiem
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| 1993 || PEANJ5004
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Melon Brains
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| 1994 || PEANJ1031
| 1994 || PEASJ1011
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Pyramid Patrol
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || PEASJ5001
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Quiz Econosaurus
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| 1993 || PEANJ5001
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | [[Road Blaster]]
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1995 || PEASU1033
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Rocket Coaster
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || {{dunno}}
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Space Berserker
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || PEASJ1003
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | [[Time Gal]]{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1995 || PEASJ5039
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | [[Triad Stone]]
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1994 || PEASJ5014
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Vajra
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| 1993 || PEANJ1001
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Vajra 2{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
| 1994 || PEANJ1016
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Virtual Cameraman{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1993 || PEASJ5015
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Virtual Cameraman 2: Phuket, Thailand / Pickup Compilation{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}
| 1994 || PEASJ5020
|-
! scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Zapping "Satsui"{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
| 1994 || PEANJ5023
| 1994 || PEASJ5024
|}

{{notelist|refs=
{{efn|name=ja-exclusive|Released only in Japan.}}
}}

==Contemporary devices==
In the early 1990s, a number of [[consumer electronics]] manufacturers designed [[Technological convergence|converged device]]s around [[CD-ROM]] technology. At the time, CD-ROM systems were expensive. The LaserActive was one of several multipurpose, [[multi-format]], [[upmarket]] home entertainment systems with software stored on [[optical disc]]s. These systems were premised on early conceptions of [[multimedia]] entertainment.

Some comparable systems are the [[Commodore CDTV]], [[Philips CD-i]], [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer]], and [[Tandy Video Information System]].

==Reception==
''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' in January 1994 stated that although LaserActive was "a better product in many ways" than 3DO, it lacked software and the NEC and Sega control packs were too expensive.<ref name="cgw199401">{{Cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Chuck |last2=Dille |first2=H. E. |last3=Wilson |first3=Johnny L. |date=January 1994 |title=Battle Of The New Machines |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=114 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=64–76}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[LD-ROM]]
*[[Edutainment]]
*[[Multimedia PC]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
*[http://www.computercloset.org/PioneerLaseractive.htm Pioneer LaserActive] at Computer Closet
*[http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_cld-a100/pioneer_cld-a100.htm Pioneer LaserActive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810231539/http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_cld-a100/pioneer_cld-a100.htm |date=2010-08-10 }} at laserdiscarchive.co.uk
*[http://laseractive.wordpress.com/ LaserActive Preservation Project]

{{fourth generation game consoles}}
{{Home video game consoles}}
{{Sega Genesis}}
{{NEC video game consoles}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|Electronics|1990s}}

[[Category:Pioneer Corporation products]]
[[Category:CD-ROM-based consoles]]
[[Category:Fourth-generation video game consoles]]
[[Category:Home video game consoles]]
[[Category:Karaoke]]
[[Category:LaserDisc]]
[[Category:LaserDisc video games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-16]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1993]]
[[Category:1990s toys]]
[[Category:Discontinued video game consoles]]
[[Category:Backward-compatible video game consoles]]
[[Category:Regionless game consoles]]