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Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn  

post #1 of 156
11/28/06 at 7:51am
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May we introduce Robert Zohn.

Robert has been a TV Broadcast senior management business
developer for 20+ years before starting Value Electronics
nine years ago.

Robert's expertise is in HD DVD and BD technology and hardware
followed by a good technical knowledge of most HD displays. His
company is one of the largest advanced products DIRECTV dealers.

We are going to dedicate this thread for any questions that you
may wish to ask Robert. He has promised to find the time to check
this thread on a regular basis.

We also suggest that you keep a watch for upcoming hardware
deals that he will be making available to HTF members. We will
keep you posted on that information
post #2 of 156
11/28/06 at 5:51pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Ron, thank you very much for the honor of dedicating a thread for me to respond to any technical or industry issues, questions, concerns and suggestions.

I maintain a very close personal and business relationship with several major CE manufacturers and they listen to my advice. ValueElectronics.com is one of the leading HD DVD retailers and we sell a high volume of BD players as well.

I have been a beta tester for the very first satellite and OTA HD STB as well as the first DIRECWAY (currently HughesNet) two-way broadband satellite system.

The Home Media Retailing DVD conference selected me as an expert panelist on two forums and I have been chosen as a speaker and expert panelist at the upcoming CES Show, HD DVD vs. Blu-ray conference, which is scheduled for the opening day.

I love this business and its advanced technology. If I respond slowly to some questions it's only because I am not at my computer or researching the most accurate answers. I will be inviting other specialty industry experts to participate to bring this forum and its members the highest level of support and quality possible.

Fire away!

-Robert
post #3 of 156
11/28/06 at 7:11pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Welcome aboard, Robert! It's always good to have as many people involved as possible (and a fellow Westchesterite) to provide answers to members' questions.

post #4 of 156
11/28/06 at 9:57pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Hello Rorert:

I just want to know if the HD-A2 is still on schedule for the week of Dec 11? It's rather sad visiting BestBuy these days with The Samsung, Pioneer, and now the Sony BD players everywhere and not a single HD DVD player in sight.
post #5 of 156
11/28/06 at 11:32pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

I don't have any questions at the moment, just wanted to toss out a quick welcome to Robert and any he invites.

This is why I love this forum, people who *really* know what they're talking about, and happy to share their knowledge
post #6 of 156
11/29/06 at 6:18am

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

RobertDW, yes we are still on schedule for the week of 12/11/06. But be advised that this is the schedule for Toshiba to ship to their customers.

We will be receiving our A2's by the end of the week of 12/11, but I would assume most stores will not have the HD-A2 on their shelves for a week or so later.

-Robert
post #7 of 156
11/30/06 at 4:06pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

RZ,

Are you a Sony dealer?
post #8 of 156
12/1/06 at 6:47pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

RAF, we are authorized dealers, but not direct. Our best HDTV relationships are with Toshiba, Sharp, Panasonic, Pioneer and Pioneer Elite, Hitachi, JVC, Mits and Optoma.

For HD accessories, we are direct with DVDO, Neothings, Zektor, Universal Remote Control, Bello and Peerless Industries.

For optical HD disc hardware, we are large Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD adaptor dealers and Toshiba HD DVD and Panasonic and Pioneer Elite BD player dealers.

And of course, we are very large nationwide DIRECTV dealers.

-Robert
post #9 of 156
12/2/06 at 1:18pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert_Zohn
RAF, we are authorized dealers, but not direct.-Robert

Thanks for the replay, Robert.

What does that mean in terms of getting and selling Sony products? I guess that my best option is to stop in some time and discuss this with you (I'm about 10 miles from your store.)

Sound like a plan?
post #10 of 156
12/3/06 at 6:52am

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

RAF, love to meet you in person.

-Robert
post #11 of 156
12/4/06 at 8:12am

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Robert,

I would like to preorder the Toshiba HD-XA2. When will it be available for preorder on your site? In addition, as I am ordering from Phoenix, Az., will New York sales tax apply? Thanks for any response you can give.
post #12 of 156
12/4/06 at 8:55am

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Welcome Robert.

I am curious if you are aware of any additional hardware manufacturers that are planning to produce HD-DVD players in the next year? Also, do you know of any studios planning to change support for one format or the other (BD and HD-DVD)?

Thanks.
post #13 of 156
12/4/06 at 11:01am

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Dave, Nothing I can publicly speak about, but we may see some announcements at CES or very soon after. Sorry, I could not directly answer this question.

FYI, many folks have speculated that Lite-on, HP, Denon and other CE manufacturers will have hardware soon and there will be some software studio changes as well.

-Robert
post #14 of 156
12/4/06 at 2:03pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Ok!

I finally have one.

Any information on whether or not either side is considering changing their specs to include the higher capacity triple-layer plus discs that they've developed in labs?

Also, some rumors have floated about that for at least HD-DVD current players would need only a firmware upgrade to access Triple-layer+ discs, have you heard anything on that?
post #15 of 156
12/6/06 at 7:44am

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Robert! It sounds like your the man with the plan!! Welcome aboard!!!

My question to you is more of a software question, but until you get your own section in the forum , I'll ask it here. I'm invested on the HDDVD side, however this question pertains to both camps. Every time I put a disc in I'm presented with the grand promo listing all the great things that HDDVD can bring me. The item that excites me the most is the 7.1 sound it can offer. My home theater is set up with 7.1 and, although I know that there is no hardware that can decode such a signal (or software providing one), I WANT IT!

So...my question is, since you have insight into the industry, when will these soundtracks begin appearing on discs, and when will we have players that can decode the format?

By the look of the promo, Goblet of Fire might have it, and as it is delayed, I'd like to think it's still possible. I was hoping the A2s would offer sound decoding with 7.1 analog outputs, however that dream never came to fruition. With the rumored 3rd generation players coming out in the fall of '07, will we see 7.1 then?

Thanks for your help and sharing your knowledge.
post #16 of 156
12/6/06 at 8:10am

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Jim, I'm on the panel for the CES Blu-ray vs. HD DVD session and I'll ask one of the other panel experts.

-Robert
post #17 of 156
12/9/06 at 9:21am

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

So uh...got any specials on HD/Blue Ray players?
post #18 of 156
12/9/06 at 5:47pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Henry, we made a special page exclusivly for Home Theater Forum members with discount priced hot items here:
http://www.valueelectronics.com/HTF.htm

-Robert
post #19 of 156
12/9/06 at 10:31pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert_Zohn
Henry, we made a special page exclusivly for Home Theater Forum members with discount priced hot items here:
http://www.valueelectronics.com/HTF.htm

-Robert

Robert,

I have just ordered a Toshiba HD-XA2 from your site and was wondering if you have any release date information. Having just sold my XA1, which I was very happy with, I am looking forward to the xa2.

In advance, thanks.
post #20 of 156
12/10/06 at 12:51pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

As of last week Toshiba told me we are on target for the very last week of this month to ship from their CA warehouse. So I will get them by the first week of January.

-Robert
post #21 of 156
12/11/06 at 8:39am

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert_Zohn
As of last week Toshiba told me we are on target for the very last week of this month to ship from their CA warehouse. So I will get them by the first week of January.

-Robert

Robert, thanks for the update. Having just sold my XA1, my rack has a vacant spot in need of filling.
post #22 of 156
12/15/06 at 7:19pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Robert, I think I'm still due a copy of Chronos from the initial HDA1 promotion =) Any idea when you guys will be getting those in?

Sam
post #23 of 156
12/15/06 at 9:22pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Sam, we have received Chronos and must have missed sending you one. Contact me so I can take care of getting your copy out.

-Robert
post #24 of 156
12/15/06 at 10:33pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Robert:

While the first gen Toshiba units provide outstanding pix and sound, there are still some outstanding performance issues related to black crush (in some hardware configs), test tone output, and HDMI handshaking. Do you have any information about Toshiba's intention to address these issues with further firmware updates?

Thx
post #25 of 156
12/16/06 at 4:54am

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

I have e-mailed VE twice within the last 3 weeks regarding my pre-order on the A2, and have yet to receive a single e-mail response. My Order is 17380.

I would please like some kind of response regarding my pre-order status.

Thanks.
post #26 of 156
12/16/06 at 4:54pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

ReggieW, could my email be blocked? I am not doubting you at all, however, I answer all emails, although I could have missed one, but two would be unlikely.

Your order should have been shipped from our first allocation as it is one of the older ones, someone in my customer service department marked it canceled.

Please call me Monday and if you still want your HD-A2 I'll be happy to ship it Fed Ex overnight at my expense.

Very sorry this happened.

-Robert
post #27 of 156
12/16/06 at 5:24pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob_L
Robert:

While the first gen Toshiba units provide outstanding pix and sound, there are still some outstanding performance issues related to black crush (in some hardware configs), test tone output, and HDMI handshaking. Do you have any information about Toshiba's intention to address these issues with further firmware updates?

Thx
Yes, Toshiba will be fixing the black crush and the only HDMI issue I know of is on one HDTV, which is being fixed.

I'll post more information on Monday.

-Robert
post #28 of 156
12/16/06 at 10:57pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Thanks for your reply Robert,

I never doubted your sincerity in this matter. I think I know why the customer service rep may've marked it Cancelled.

I'll call Monday.

Thanks again,

Reggie
post #29 of 156
12/19/06 at 5:20pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Robert Z:

A quick question: I'm a little confused on the 2 free HD DVD offer with the Toshiba HD-A2. On your promo page it said that you would include the Saltwater Aquarium and one free HD DVD of our choice. Due to this wording, I only specified that I would like 'Batman Begins' as my free HD DVD.

Today I received my order, and only the one 'Batman Begins' HD DVD was included. Was I supposed to specify my choice for the 2nd free disc? I didn't, because I thought I automatically got the Aquarium disc as my second.

Please let me know if I should specify a second disc. My order # is 17908.

Thank you for your service. Your deal was great, and I am very satisfied with the speedy delivery.

Jeff Cooper
post #30 of 156
12/19/06 at 6:13pm

Re: Got Questions? Ask our resident expert, Robert Zohn

Jeff, Yes, you should have also received Exotic Saltwater Aquarium HD DVD with your order. I take care of getting it out tomorrow.

-Robert
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