Pioneer LC-V300 LaserKaraoke Autochanger

[MIPS]

Not a problem. Any pool of knowledge is better than seemingly yelling into the void.
The diagram is near the back of the service manual mixed in with the PCB layouts.

The jumper bypasses the need for the CO-V300 or similar to be attached. It delivers the voltage which closes the relay and allows the autochanger to power on. Without the controller attached or powered on the relay can't close so the jumper just bypasses the relay entirely.

[cornponious]

Originally Posted by MIPS

Not a problem. Any pool of knowledge is better than seemingly yelling into the void.
The diagram is near the back of the service manual mixed in with the PCB layouts.

The jumper bypasses the need for the CO-V300 or similar to be attached. It delivers the voltage which closes the relay and allows the autochanger to power on. Without the controller attached or powered on the relay can't close so the jumper just bypasses the relay entirely.

Ok, now wait a minute. Let me add this little tidbit of information. I do not have the CO-V300 commander. I only have the LC-V300. Uh... is this my problem?? :-|

Do i need to have that jumper on to make this thing work since I don't have the commander? Am I this much of a dumbass?

[MIPS]

Yes, the commander is required both to turn the LC-V300 on AND to command it to operate, otherwise it has no way on its own to be manually operated as a standalone device.
This is why I had to cave in and ship a commander from the opposite corner of the pacific.

One thing I found out is that unless you are doing nothing but karaoke the commander is not really all that useful otherwise as it's programmed to handle LaserKaraoke discs and lacks most of the standard commands you expect from a laserdisc player, like pause and frame select.

The service manual however states this is not something hard-coded to the autochanger. Pioneer also had a service tool that let someone completely substitute the commander in a technical service perspective and it includes all the standard laserdisc commands. I have never seen the tool and don't know what its part number was but presumably if you crack its secrets suddenly you can make the LC-V300 be a 72 disc laserdisc player and the possibilities stem from there.
Mind you, a serial interface may also already exist as well since the LC-V300 was also available in an industrial package. The closest thing I can find is the Pioneer LC-V330 which on the outside is visually identical to the V300 aside from the laserkaraoke badging and front window removed, there are conflicting reports on how many discs it can hold and while I DO have the MS-DOS software that lets you control one over a serial port (you can find it here), that I can tell it uses a different commander interface with the more standard 15 pin connector instead of the 25 pin port the V300 uses. There's still a lot of presumably Pioneer documented but not available online mysteries.

Edited: Pioneer lists that the service manual for the LC-V330 does exist but is not available for download - http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/...uctNum=ARP1666

[cornponious]

Originally Posted by MIPS

Yes, the commander is required both to turn the LC-V300 on AND to command it to operate, otherwise it has no way on its own to be manually operated as a standalone device.
This is why I had to cave in and ship a commander from the opposite corner of the pacific.

One thing I found out is that unless you are doing nothing but karaoke the commander is not really all that useful otherwise as it's programmed to handle LaserKaraoke discs and lacks most of the standard commands you expect from a laserdisc player, like pause and frame select.

The service manual however states this is not something hard-coded to the autochanger. Pioneer also had a service tool that let someone completely substitute the commander in a technical service perspective and it includes all the standard laserdisc commands. I have never seen the tool and don't know what its part number was but presumably if you crack its secrets suddenly you can make the LC-V300 be a 72 disc laserdisc player and the possibilities stem from there.
Mind you, a serial interface may also already exist as well since the LC-V300 was also available in an industrial package. The closest thing I can find is the Pioneer LC-V330 which on the outside is visually identical to the V300 aside from the laserkaraoke badging and front window removed, there are conflicting reports on how many discs it can hold and while I DO have the MS-DOS software that lets you control one over a serial port (you can find it here), that I can tell it uses a different commander interface with the more standard 15 pin connector instead of the 25 pin port the V300 uses. There's still a lot of presumably Pioneer documented but not available online mysteries.

Edited: Pioneer lists that the service manual for the LC-V330 does exist but is not available for download - http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/...uctNum=ARP1666

HOLY SHIT thank you so much for this information! Ok so I will try the jumper thingy and report back what happens. I was so upset when I plugged this thing in initially and there was nothing at all. But now I know I either need the CO-V300 or the jumper.

The unfortunate part is I broke off one the pins on one of the Murata KC103P ceramic capacitors (it bent too much and broke right off). Fortunately I found a 25-pack of them in england (new old stock) and they are on their way. So I'm at least going to replace all three of those little capacitors.

Again, thank you for your time and assistance!

[MIPS]

If you REALLY want to be desperate and just verify the thing actually works, read the service manual again and find the section on performing local diagnostics. There's a listed but complicated way to manually select, load, clamp and play discs but it is not the most ideal way to operate the autochanger manually.

[cornponious]

Originally Posted by MIPS

If you REALLY want to be desperate and just verify the thing actually works, read the service manual again and find the section on performing local diagnostics. There's a listed but complicated way to manually select, load, clamp and play discs but it is not the most ideal way to operate the autochanger manually.

I shall! Thank you, sir!

FYI, I really did enjoy your video on these devices.

[cornponious]

Originally Posted by MIPS

If you REALLY want to be desperate and just verify the thing actually works, read the service manual again and find the section on performing local diagnostics. There's a listed but complicated way to manually select, load, clamp and play discs but it is not the most ideal way to operate the autochanger manually.

I just wanted to report back that the changer is now functional! The jumper did the trick and I can't thank you enough. Now to find a CO-V300 (or V50).

[svhs]

Originally Posted by MIPS

If you REALLY want to be desperate and just verify the thing actually works, read the service manual again and find the section on performing local diagnostics. There's a listed but complicated way to manually select, load, clamp and play discs but it is not the most ideal way to operate the autochanger manually.

https://youtu.be/mUyC4ZmQbSk