Samsung launches blue-ray support site

Samsung has announced a blue ray high definition player resource:

http://pages.samsung.com/us/bluraysupport/

This site is split for two audiences. The have and have nots – meaning those that have a blue ray player and those  of us still looking and waiting to take the plunge.

Pretty comprehensive, but serves as an introduction and some common questions get answered.

Blue-Ray DVD Won – now what

Now that there’s a winner in the high definition DVD format what does that mean for most of us that haven’t purchased a player yet.

 There’s a good article by John P. Falcone at Crave/Cnet on what to look for when taking the plunge.

To sum it up, make sure that you understand what you are buying and why a player may be considerably cheaper than another.

I favor this resolution, while the initial cost difference of the HD-DVD would have been cheaper the increased viewing options and menu styling of the Blue-Ray makes up for that. It either does or will in the future have richer menu environments and options for all the extras we have come to know and love.

Enjoy and watch out for falling prices!

Let the TV Buyer Beware

This would fall into the category of common sense, but it something that must be written. Largely in part because I didn’t go with my gut and made a risky purchase anyway.

When looking to buy my new television I went to the internet retailers. The prices were better than the big box stores and I was looking to maximize by TV purchasing dollars.

 Now here’s the first cliche, if it seems to good to be true it probably is. When I saw the price offered I immediately thought it would be a refurbished unit instead of a new model that I wanted. No where on the page was it listed as refurbished. I refused to believe that it was a new unit. I consider myself a smart shopper and I called the company and asked if this was  a refurbished unit. They said no, they also indicated if any models were refurbished it would be marked. OK, looking good. I made the order.

Then came the shipping lie. They use freight, not uncommon due to the size. I wasn’t home to receive. I didn’t warn the person taking delivery that if it says refurbished refuse. Well, guess what – it was refurbished.

Even though I was blatantly lied to, fell for it hook line and sinker (2nd cliche) I really wanted this TV, it was still a good price for a refurbished unit and I don’t really mind. I opened it up and it looked good. Relief.

Right out of the box it worked until the picture went out. Then it wouldn’t turn on consistently or at all. Very frustrating. Called said company, now they claim that it was refurbished all along. Not true.  Mute issue now that I had opened it.

 The second mistake was getting rid of the box too early, something I never do! Why this time!!!! Oh well, lesson learned keep the box until you are sure you don’t need to return it.

After I laid out my case for a partial refund or some type of warranty extension it was rudely refused. Fine they have to deal with this stuff all the time. That’s their way, they lost an avid buyer for life.

The kicker of this scam is this. And this is my theory. These units are sold by companies like this. When they do go sour and I have to imagine a lot of them do – they rely on the manufacturer to repair or replace the item.

 Samsung, the manufacturer of the TV I purchased was fantastic. I was lucky and this was resolved by Samsung beyond my expectations.

I guess the final line is watch out for these types of companies that sell televisions like this. I don’t have a problem with refurbished if I know it will be. While I should have had more control over myself instead of needing to see the TV right away I could have returned the unit.

Bottom line (3rd cliche) my fault for keeping and trusting a company like this. Never again. Learn from my mistake!!! Really research where you are buying the TV from and when satisfied you will be taken care of go for it.

Anybody else have a horror story? For now let’s leave off the company name. I think eventually I’ll put together a list with company names and if they do this type of deal.

Hope this was helpful.

Why the DVR has made me a Better Person

Few pieces of technology have really made an astounding impact on human civilization. The wheel, aviation, the assembly line, and for a few years the DVR.

 This may not be the most earth shattering announcement but I am compelled to write it only because I love the DVR! The efficiency of the recording, except when your show runs long and you didn’t set the extend timer b/c that will screw up other planned recordings.  But, that’s only a small setback.

 I am a more attentive husband. I can simply pause and listen to what my wife has to say instead of nodding. In cases where she is in another part of the house I can either pause and listen or use the old standby of turning up the volume.

 I am a more attentive father. The sudden entrance of a child during a shoot-em up movie or a movie with questionable content can be avoided an watched when little eyes can be changed forever. Also, no yelling to be quiet when the game is on the line. Only a simple press of the pause button, look at whatever item they want to show you and they leave instead of 5 minutes of yelling and missing the winning bucket.

 There’s more reasons I love and I’ll post soon.