Gochnauer's or Amazon? (1 Viewer)

[Randy G.]

Hello,all.

Longtime lurker/newbie here.

My Dvd player finally kicked the bucket,and I'm in the market for a new one.Unfortunately it died a little late,as I'm now trying to locate a Zenith DVB318 with a build date prior to March 2K4...
Gochnauer's doesn't have any that old,but says that the new ones they're receiving this month will upgrade over component. Although,they won't guarantee it,and won't return it for any reason(this scares me).
Amazon lists it,and I've read some here have gotten lucky recently scoring an old one from them,but it's a crapshoot at best.
So,I have no experience with either of these vendors,and am looking for opinions on what my best course is.Gochnauers is $20 cheaper,but money isn't as important as scoring one that upconverts...

Thanks in advance.
R.

 

[John S]

Not sure how anybody could be sure of the no 1080i out the component video from copy protected dvd's....

In other words, there just can be no way to verify the build date really.

 

[Jim Mcc]

Randy, I thought I read at AVSforum that Gochnauer's was verifying the build date before shipping(by opening box I guess). Did you ask them about this?

 

[EricRWem]

Yeah, the build date is prominently on the back of every unit. They could open the box and tell you in about 5 seconds exactly what the build date is. If you can get one earlier than a June 2004, you're home free.

 

[Randy G.]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

For the sake of clarity,I'm posting our correspondance verbatim. Start at the bottom and work your way up,if you want to read it. I have no reason not to trust them,but it seems to be going against what I've read here,and it has me confused. From what I'm reading,it looks like they are new units with old firmware,and Zenith is who told them this(?). Doesn't make sense to me,if the ban is in effect.I'm not arguing,cause that's what I want,I'm just not sure if I should go this route,or take a chance thru Amazon,who won't tell me anthing...

Here's the Mail:


Factory has told us our next batch will upconvert over component.

piercer wrote:

> Hmmm.
>
> If these are new units(built after March)how do you know the firmware
> is old?
>
> Forgive my hesitance,but if you're unwilling to return it I'm a little
> skeptical on purchasing.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gochnauer's Home Appliance Center
>
> To: piercer
> Sent: Monday, October 04, 2004 4:33 PM
> Subject: Re: dvb318
>
> I can only tell you that we have not had any issues or complaints
> with these models so far not upconverting. I can only go on past
> comments. We can't take back used players for any reason.
> We accept all major forms of payment.
>
> piercer wrote:
>
>> I'm definitely interested,but am still being told on my forum
>> that the new ones,even with the old firmware,only upconvert less
>> than 50% of dvds...do you have any information on
>> this?(Verify,disprove)
>>
>> Also,would you be willing to return the unit if this was the case?
>>
>> If so,please inform me as to what methods of payment you
>> accept,and which would be the fastest to expedite the sale,as my
>> current player is on the fritz.
>>
>> Thank you.
>> Randy Gaines
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>>
>> From: Gochnauer's Home Appliance Center
>>
>> To: piercer
>> Sent: Sunday, October 03, 2004 7:11 AM
>> Subject: Re: dvb318
>>
>> As of 9/10/04, there was a price increase by the manufacturer.
>>
>> piercer wrote:
>>
>>> From what I am told,these units(new) only upconvert certain
>>> dvds via component.
>>>
>>> I read this on a message board I'm a memeber of(HTF).
>>>
>>> Also,I was referred to you by a member there,and was told as
>>> of September,you were selling these units for $160 shipped.
>>>
>>> Was there a price increase?
>>>
>>> thanks for your time and patience
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>
>>> From: Gochnauer's Home Appliance Center
>>>
>>> To: piercer
>>> Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 7:58 AM
>>> Subject: Re: dvb318
>>>
>>> $179 delivered is special price. Sold out until mid
>>> October but I would order
>>> asap as this current availability on this batch will not
>>> last long with all the orders and
>>> requests we are receiving on this unit. These new units
>>> still however have the old
>>> upconverting firmware.
>>>
>>> To order:
>>>
>>> Please e-mail all billing/shipping information including
>>> contact phone number to me now and then
>>>
>>> You can call, fax or e-mail payment information to Paul.
>>> 717-569-0439 (voice)
>>> 717-569-6594 (fax)
>>>
>>>
>>> piercer wrote:
>>>
>>>> Just wondering if you have any of the 318s with a build
>>>> date prior to march 2004?
>>>>
>>>> Looking for one that upconverts to 1081via component.
>>>>
>>>> How much $ ?
>>>>
>>>> thank you.
>>>>
>>>>

 

[Jerome Grate]

You really should jump on it, Amazon and Gochnauer have the ones with the old firmware that allows to upscale 1080i. However, I noticed the price increase so definetly jump on it.

 

[Carrie-P]

I haven't read anywhere that anyone has received a unit where the component is disabled. I bought mine from Gochnauers and they guaranteed me that it would be an old build date and it was (dec. 2003).

If you are really concerned, I would just order it from Amazon and if it isn't what you want, you could return it. The extra $20 might be worth the piece of mind.

 

[Randy G.]

So...Which one,though,Amazon or Gauchneurs? Price isn't my main concern in this instance,just getting one that upconverts. I'm just confused on this mail where he says they're new units,but still upconvert. Everything I've read here say the new ones don't,so buy the ones dated prior to March. I do need to act soon,though. I've been looking at my SW trilogy and can't watch it!

 

[Randy G.]

Carrie-P.



You posted as I was typing...Can I ask how long ago you purchased?



thanks

 

[Carrie-P]

I bought mine in early September.

 

[elMalloc]

it mid oct now what our chances?

 

[Carrie-P]

That's why I say it's probably better to order from Amazon since they have a return policy. But I'm a member of AVS where there are several large threads about the 318 and people are constantly ordering them and not one person has reported receiving one with the component disabled.

Worse come to worse, you could always sell it on Ebay!

 

[John S]

They all still upconvert, but on the newer firmware, the stated copy protction in the manual, actually works for copy protected DVDs, so on those copy protected DVDs the player comes out of 1080i and goes to 480p....





Best of luck with it.

 

[EricRWem]

Gouch. is more picky on exchanges and returns. Beyond that, both places are good to shop with. I'd go with Amazon myself...