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Welcome to the ld-decode Wiki.

ld-decode is an open-source effort to provide a "software defined LaserDisc player". The project aims to take raw RF captures of LaserDiscs (produced by the Domesday Duplicator hardware and software) and decode the RF back into usable component parts such as video, analogue audio and, eventually, digital data and audio too.

The decoding process (like a real LaserDisc player) is a multi-stage process. The raw RF must be demodulated (from the original FM signal) and filtered into video, audio and EFM data. This data is then framed and passed through a digital time-base correction (TBC) process which attempts to remove errors caused by the mechanical nature of a LaserDisc player during capture.

The resulting TBC output is then run through a comb-filter which recovers the original color as raw RGB. The raw RGB can then be processed into PNG frames or video files such as mp4 or avi for viewing.

Please see the 'basic usage' guide for instructions on how to use ld-decode (available from the side-bar on the right).

An overview of how a LaserDisc player functions (which can help you to understand the component parts of ld-decode) is available from this link.

Current status

ld-decode is currently under development, however both NTSC and PAL decoding of video functions for the majority of LaserDisc titles.

For reference purposes, the old ld-decode documentation is available from this link