Every disk i try to play gives me the error "This type of disc cannot be played" what is going on here..Im going nuts

WELCOME TO THE CLUB:

Just had mine repaired for the same thing. Invoice says they replaced something mechanical. Lyuckily it was under warranty.

I just received a new DV-5050M to add to my Entre/5900 combo. I would like to verify that the unit has the V3 upgrade prior to a bunch of work to get it into my entertainment center.

How to I verify this? I remember a post about checking via the front panel of the changer but do not remember what should be displayed.

THANKS IN ADVANCE !!!

Clingpeach,

Stop trying to fix the player yourself, it is dead. Call the service center in California and be prepared to pay to send it to the service center. There is absolutely nothing you can do to get the machine to recover. Bite the bullet and call them today. Mine had the same problem and they eventually replaced my unit with a new one that works just fine. It takes about 2 weeks for them to send you another one.

Originally posted by m s jaxjag
<snip>How to I verify this?<snip> I was thinking this was in the FAQ....oh wait no damn FAQ.

With the unit turned on and all recognition over, hold down the Stop button on the unit while pressing 0 on the remote. If the display shows a series of numbers beginning with 3, then you have a V3 (upgraded) unit.

DAMM :mad:, I was afraid of that. I just did the check and the numbers start with 2.

Anyone know the procedure to get the upgrade done?? I used the "free" upgrade to get my 5900M updated.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP !!!

Originally posted by m s jaxjag
DAMM :mad:, I was afraid of that. I just did the check and the numbers start with 2.

Anyone know the procedure to get the upgrade done?? I used the "free" upgrade to get my 5900M updated.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP !!! Did you search the thread? There was a PDF form I think. Did you go to the Kenwood website? Did you call the 800 number provided recently?

Scott -

I just found the 800 number a few messages back. KW doesn't open until 10:30am Pacific (talk about bankers hours :D).

I still have the PDF from my "free"upgrade but it does not cover any upgrades outside of the ONE month window during last year.

I checked the KW site and everything looks like you just submit a web form (which I already did last night, asking about the upgrade).

I guess I will wait unti 1:30pm (eastern) to call out there.

THANKS for all your help !!

Originally posted by m s jaxjag
<snip>THANKS for all your help !! A quick search found YOUR post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=2544920&highlight=upgrade+cost#post2544920) with the information.

OPPS :eek:, I forgot I had asked for that information last year. I was searching my e-mail archive (not the forum).

THANKS for being more thorough than I was.

At the risk of appearing dumb again, has anyone had any luck in getting the upgrade done for "free" on brand new units?? Or was this up to the dealers to return and get completed??

Im going to send it back can someone please give me the California number

Clingpeach -

This was a few posts back -

KW Sovereign
1-800-536-9663, opt 1, then ext 8500.
California time 10:30am - 6pm

Hope it is the info you need.

Thanks MS Jaxjag...this is a big help

Originally posted by m s jaxjag
KW Sovereign
1-800-536-9663, opt 1, then ext 8500.
California time 10:30am - 6pm Attached is the vcard (zipped)

I was talking to a Kenwood tech the other day and asked him about the sovereign line being discontinued. He said that the current models would be but thought that around august their would be new models to replace them.

My guess is that they would come out with a new model number just to differentiate between pre version 3 update and post version 3 update. One must admit it is difficult to determine without examining each player.

I spoke wiyh kenwood support this evening and was told that the 5900M would actually still be available "NEW" with the upgrade in upcoming months. When I asked about a replacement line, they stated there was no information available. I also asked if a new changer would be compatible with the current line, the response was the same. However when I asked if there was still support available for the current line, I was told YES! I seem to remember somewhere in this fourm someone stating they called for Entre support and was told they weren't supporting it anymore. What I was told tonoght wasthe exact opposite..... GO FIGURE!!

After I moved some DVDs to my 2nd changer as a test, I was using DVDEdit to verify it still worked and displayed the correct location (KDVD2: Slot xxx). I decided to edit the "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (DTS / Thx) (Disc 1)" disc to fix the crappy quality coverart (disc 2's was OK).

Well...the upload of the XML and cover art appeared to work but then I would not see any changes the next time I brought it up in DVDEdit. Considering the normal problem (too many open files on the Entre) I decided to reboot the Entre. Still didn't work.

Doh! then it dawned on me that I had this trouble some time ago on this DVD. In the description of that DVD there are apost (') which are not simple ASCII but likely in an extended ASCII range. So the _Entre_system (not DVDEdit) attempted to verify the XML updates before applying them but failed and thus never really applied them to the database/actual_entre_XML files.

The solution was simple. Copy all the description text to notepad and do a replace all of the current apost (using Windows COPY to get it's value) then replace it just by typing the apost in the replace box (i.e. basic ASCII one).

Keep this in mind if DVDEdit does not work. Jose will likely getting around to fixing this but it is a small issue compared to others he is working on. Here is the text that works BTW. For the roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), the crystalline waters of the Caribbean present a vast playground where adventure and mystery abound. But Jack's idyllic life capsizes after his nemesis, the wily Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) steals his ship, the Black Pearl, and later attacks the town of Port Royal, kidnapping the Governor's (Jonathan Pryce) beautiful daughter, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley).

Elizabeth's childhood friend, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), joins forces with Jack to commandeer the fastest ship in the British fleet, the HMS Interceptor, in a gallant attempt to rescue her and recapture the Black Pearl. The duo and their crew are pursued by Elizabeth's betrothed, the debonair, ambitious Commodore Norrington (Jack Davenport, "The Talented Mr. Ripley") aboard the HMS Dauntless.

Unbeknownst to Will, there is a curse that has doomed Barbossa and his crew to live forever as the undead when exposed to moonlight, they are transformed into living skeletons. The curse they carry can be broken only if a once-plundered treasure is restored. Stunning visual effects bring these formidable foes to life as our valiant heroes clash mightily with Barbossa and his invincible pirates of the Caribbean.

Hey Clingpeach, I got a story...

I had the same error, couldn't play anything.

LUckily (or not) I had bought the warranty from GG. I brought it in to a store, was told I could get it back in about a week.

Well, 2 months later and 5 phone calls later, I was told that they can not fix it, the part they needed is backordered. So basically they gave me an authorization# and said to into a store and get something of equal value.

Great, so much for my Sovereign line of equipment...

sth, Thats wierd, did you try sending the unit to Kenwood service yourself? Many of of here in this fourm, had the same problems. Kenwood either repaired our units and in some cases actually replaced them with new ones. I am asume GG refers to Good Guys. I don't think they carry the Sovereign line anymore, which means you couldn't replace it with a new Sovereign changer if you wanted to. If your unit was less than 2 years it would have been covered under Kenwoods warranty. Good Guys was even an authorized dealer so you would have been good to go. Try to get your money back, tell them a "store credit" is not what you want. Well Good Luck and keep us posted.....

Ditto. if you ship it kenwood with a copy of your receipt, chances are they will ship you a new one since they probably have lots of inventory they want to clear.

While having trouble getting my Entré to recognize my Belkin USB to Ethernet adapter I had to restore my Entré to its original software.

Now I have to connect a phone line to the Entré in order to upgrade the software so I could use my Belkin adapter. (Thanks Scott)

A quick search on Google found this:

Netmate model# U-ETH-NM02
http://www.catc.com/products/netmate.html

After contacting the site to see if they have inventory this reply was given to me.

Brad,
To answer your question, CATC does still have some Netmates left, 109 to be exact. But after that we are discontinuing the line. If you are looking at purchasing one unit the price per unit from CATC is $75.00

Let me know if there are any other questions I can answer.

Thanks,
Adam
afrisius@catc.com

I have seen numerous discussions around Kenwood's support for the Sovereign line and the possible discontinuation of the DVD-5900M, DVD-5050M, ENTRE, etc. I talked to Kenwood the other night and they indicated that the Sovereign line was NOT being discontinued. There would not be any new introductions for 2004. However, they are planning on introducing the new Sovereign components for 2005. It would include replacements for the current components including an ENTRE II.

Now, they didn't have any details and just indicated what they had been told. You never know with Kenwood, I guess. Just wanted to pass on the information.

Kenwood is--history bears this out--as fluent in the tongue of Evasive-Ese as anyone I've encountered.

Look at it like this: Regardless of whether they say that the Sovereign line is "discontinued," the logical inquiry is just what they mean by that phrase.

What do we know?

We know that Entre units, DV-5900 units, and DV-5050 units are no longer in production.

We know that, other than our interesting friend Jamal over on eBay, no one has any in stock.

We know that, if someone today wanted to set up a full blown Sovereign system, he could not do it from any of the places that Kenwood would call "authorized dealers."

And, yet, this doesn't mean "discontinued?" Maybe it should just be called "interrupted," or some other such term that Kenwood finds more tasteful.

And then . . . nothing new in 2004? And--maybe, probably, if, perhaps, but we-definitely can't give you a date--there will be "Entre II."

The reality is that Entre I is still leagues ahead of anything other than its base, Escient. If Entre I hasn't caught on, does anyone really expect that a kinder, gentler Entre will catch on? In fact, the only real change that might make a difference is if they make the changers universal (SACD/DVD-Audio/DVD), and that's not a difference that will make a huge difference to the masses.

Don't get me wrong, I want there to be a next-generation Sovereign line, it's just that the pudding doesn't taste that way.

Nick :cool:

I remember last time there was talk of an entry 2, it turned out to be software update 2.0.0.8.

Maybe this one will be software update II.00.IX :D

If there is an Entre II... they really need to start thinking about on screen channel guides for television (cable, satellite what ever...) this would be KILLER! Even it was just sending ir codes to television or settop box.

Well, 1 month after the 2 year warranty expires, my eject button on the 5900 has stopped working. Everything else is in perfect working order though. I don't particularly want to go through the trouble of sending it in to get fixed so I think I'm going to sell it. What would be a fair price since the eject button is nonfunctional? Thanks!
Joe

Originally posted by NiteOwl
If there is an Entre II... they really need to start thinking about on screen channel guides for television (cable, satellite what ever...) this would be KILLER! Even it was just sending ir codes to television or settop box. I'd go with the MS solution long long before I went with KW/OG/E for that. Although they had great plans and you can see from snooping on the harddisk that the were working on a variety of things I wouldn't trust them to follow through...no way no how.

I'm am extemely happy with the Entre now that we have DVDEdit and can change (substitute) the graphics. What a difference those have made.

I have a client with an entre/5900 combo approx one year old. He is getting a system in a new second home so I am going to remove the sovereign stuff and give him 2 AudioReQuest setups(so he can have his music at both houses). How much do used entres or 5900s go for? I can take his and offer a credit towards the new stuff but I don't know if anyone still wants or likes the kenwood stuff.

Thanks

Randy

Re: Does your fan on your Entre work?

When had the cover off my Entre and was backing up the harddisk I noticed the fan was not running. Yes it was plugged in :rolleyes: ... I mean when I put the back up harddisk in it after restoring to test it and I noticed the fan not running. I saw the fan when to a little circuit board that then had wires to the "motherboard". I was guessing that it is simply temperature sensitive like a lot of HT equipment.

Can a couple of you let me know if you turn your Entre on whether the fan is on right away? Just put your hand in the right rear of it and feel for air blowing. TIA. I don't want my harddisk going prematurely even if I have an extra!!

Scott, The fan on my unit only comes on once in a while, I think it is temp sensitive..

Originally posted by jlozano
Vr-5900 HELP!!!!!

I have the VR-5900 and I am trying to hook up a 4yd old Mitsubishi VCR to it thru the composite cable then send the composite signal unconverted to component thru the receiver to my Sony Hs-10.

The problem I have is the VCR tape will play and show up on the screen ranging from a few seconds to several minutes then the screen blanks out and comes back usually within 5 to 10 seconds later. Pretty annoying say the least.

Do you have any ideas what might cause this? I am thinking about getting a new S-Video VCR to see if this problem goes away. I called Kenwood technical support and all they said was they would forward my problem to their engineering group. The tech thought on the phone it might be a Macro Vision problem, which I have no idea what that even is.

Any help is appreciated.

Jose Lozano

I have a similar problem... Does anybody have a VCR connected to their VR-5900? My Panasonic VCR is connected via S-Video and it exhibits the same problem. (Apparently this is due to Macrovision? But that essentially renders the VCR useless.)

I have seen some hardware items that can remove Macrovision from a video signal, however they cost more than a VCR. What if I bought a cheap VCR that didn't pass a Macrovision signal instead?

I must admit that I am shocked that I can not view a commercial VHS tape through the VR-5900, but I can view a commercial DVD.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Randy,

you can search on ebay to get an idea. the last combo I saw, item 3078677072, sold for about $1600 but the items were advertised as new.

ebay has a link for completed items, meaning auctions that are over.

after searching active items, click on completed items and you will a history of prices for the item you are searching.

good luck.

Originally posted by RF1031
I have a client with an entre/5900 combo approx one year old. He is getting a system in a new second home so I am going to remove the sovereign stuff and give him 2 AudioReQuest setups(so he can have his music at both houses). How much do used entres or 5900s go for? I can take his and offer a credit towards the new stuff but I don't know if anyone still wants or likes the kenwood stuff.

Thanks

Randy

i cant find the link for completed items

That's a somewhat common problem, when you try to convert a VCR's signal from composite to SVHS. Or composite/SVHS to component. It can even happen when you try to do it through receivers or video switchers that can convert. It's some sort of "sync" problem. It can even do it on your own recordings that you made, which means it's not always caused by Macrovision. (As your own recordings don't have Macrovision on them.) Some VCR's do it, and some don't. But it's not the Kenwood product, that's causing it to happen.

Re: VCR sync dropout.
I'm pro installer and I went through 7 or eight new vcrs at different clients' houses with several different av receivers that transcode or "upconvert" to component.
I believe I know what the problem is and how to solve. When you use a "regular" video input on a display (composite or s-vid) the display knows what kind of signal it is going to be getting. But when you use component input, it does not know if it will be 1080i, 480i, 480p, etc. So like a multisync computer monitor (which it really is) it looks at the sync signal to see what it should lock to. If the signal sucks (suck is spelled V C R) the display doesn't know what to lock to, so it gives up in disgust, takes its ball, and refuses to play.
My solution is to get the JVC VCRs (only one model current, JANDR has great pricing, less than my JVC distributor!) that include a Time Base Corrector (TBC) to resore rock solid sync. They are under $400, make bad tapes look amazing. I can turn on and off the TBC through a VR5900 or a denon AVR3803 and watch the picture go away and come back. It has saved my ass repeatedly and I will not use any other VCR in my HT installations. Separate TBCs are available but costly.
Randy

after you do a search, on the left hand side you will see a series of links. Click on the one that says "completed items"

this is how i get an idea of how to price whatever i want to sell.

Originally posted by Clingpeach
i cant find the link for completed items

Scott,

I shorted the resistor (sensor) on that board. The fan is on all the time for me. It does collect dust, so I use a compressed air canister on it every once in a while.

-Joe

have you guys seen this thread?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3440424#post3440424

Joe, maybe you can hook up with this guy. Two heads might be better than one :D

Joe your work on DVD Edit was and is much appreciated.

Remember what Murphy once said “No good deed goes un-punished”

So here goes, it would be real nice to archive all important data like; all mp3’s cover art or modifications to the default entrée operation. I know the drive can be cloned but obviously requires a bit of time and computer capability.

Since you are able to make the link is this doable?

I guess I’m like all entrée users…. kind of waiting for the eminent drive failure.

Wayne

Wayne,

There are currently a few ways to do this, as you may already know, without the need of an application. For example, if you have an Axcess unit you will notice that you have ftp access into the Entre. Many of use have used this method to backup all of the important data. Also, making a drive image and burning it to a dvd is not a bad idea. I have personally used Acronis TrueImage for this. I believe a few other people have used Ghost.

I am currently working on replacing the 20g drive for a bigger drive. I just haven't had the time I once had to devote to this project. I am about 75% complete on this.

One of my long term goals are to allow DVDedit to back and restore the Entre's HD.

-Joe

Slocko,

I sent him a PM. I informed him of what I've done and how I did it. I also let him know that I would be available for helping in any way.

-Joe

Joe

Is there any that you can help us ftp without an “Axcess unit”?, or is that the holly grail?

Wayne

I wouldn't call it the Holly grail... at leat not any more. [cough] [cough]

Wayne,

Joe is like Indiana Jones. He already found the holy grail and it's up on a shelf at his house.

I'm sure someone shortly will PM you so you too can have your own holy grail :D

Supposing some-one already had the ftp enabled what data would he back-up?, and were are the mp3’s stored?

Wayne

Read this post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=2769527&highlight=7.0.5#post2769527

Thanks again Joe I got it, and guess I need to do some more reading.

Wayne

Could someone please pm me the wholy grale. I guess its time to void my warranty. Besides, I like the idea of backing up my entre. Also I was offered a factory sealed refurb 5900m for $440 by an ebayer, faseropl who is now apparently suspended. Anyone know him, is he the fabled Jamal, any thoughts?

I don't know him, but I just received a 5900M that I purchased from Jamal. The unit came yesterday and is in mint condition. The unit is also an "Upgraded" unit. I haven't had time to install it yet but I tested the unit on my counter and all went fine. As a matter of fact the unit is much quieter than my original one I purchased which was "NEW"

Danny

Can you email Jamal's contact info.

Zinja

sunmoonstz@aol.com

I know that all of the video outputs (composite, S & compontent) are hot as far as the Entre GUI are concerned. But what about when passing through the video from my 5900M? Let's say I had component video cables running from the 5900 into the Entre. When a movie is playing, and the Entre is in pass through mode, will the video from the 5900M be downconverted by the Entre for the S-Video and Composite outputs? I realize I could just connect my changer to the Entre with all 3 types of cables, but that gets messy. I am asking because it is my intent to feed video from my changer to 3 different TVs and still have the Entre GUI available on all 3 as well. I'm hoping someone here has tried a similar setup before I go through the hassle of moving my very heavy entertainment center and rewiring everything to find out it doesn't work.

In the end, it would look llike this:

One set of component video cables from changer to Entre.

One set of component video cables from Entre to Primary TV.

One S-Video cable from Entre to TV #2 in bedroom.

One composite video cable from Entre to TV #3 in bedroom #2.


Anyone think it will work?

I know that all of the video outputs (composite, S & compontent) are hot as far as the Entre GUI are concerned. But what about when passing through the video from my 5900M? Let's say I had component video cables running from the 5900 into the Entre. When a movie is playing, and the Entre is in pass through mode, will the video from the 5900M be downconverted by the Entre for the S-Video and Composite outputs? I realize I could just connect my changer to the Entre with all 3 types of cables, but that gets messy. I am asking because it is my intent to feed video from my changer to 3 different TVs and still have the Entre GUI available on all 3 as well. I'm hoping someone here has tried a similar setup before I go through the hassle of moving my very heavy entertainment center and rewiring everything to find out it doesn't work.

In the end, it would look llike this:

One set of component video cables from changer to Entre.

One set of component video cables from Entre to Primary TV.

One S-Video cable from Entre to TV #2 in bedroom.

One composite video cable from Entre to TV #3 in bedroom #2.


Anyone think it will work?

$440 for a 5900m is damn LOW! I wouldn't trust this guy. I purchased a refurbed 5500m directly from Kenwood a few months ago and it was about $500 (if my memory serves me well). The 5900m was like $750. Jamal seems is be trustworthy... A few people have reported getting their equipment on time and as expected.

-Joe

Bob,

Good question... I was thinking about doing this as well. I am not sure if my receiver and/or entre have multiple hot a/v outputs. I for one will be testing this shortly. I am concerned about how much the video will degrade from the cable run. Do you guys think it might be better to use RG6(after a RF modulator) or Twisted Pair cable for the long runs?

I personally use the RG6 with a RF Modulator running into a video network panel that distributes the signal. The panel most likly has an amplifier of some sort, but in any case I have no problem with signal loss...

When I alter the name of a CD and hit REC to save, I get the "Updating...Please Wait" message for about 60 seconds!

Is this normal? I recall this being much faster when I did this months ago. Seems to me like some kind of fragmentation issue. If this is true, is there a system defrag utility I can use?

Or, is this normal performance behavior?

Any info appreciated.

When my Entre starts recognizing a new disc, I have started getting a "Retrieving Slot Maps..." message for about 60 seconds before it actually starts looking up the information for that disc.

I don't recall this happening many months ago. Any idea what's causing this message to appear? What does this message mean exactly?

Any info appreciated.

I was going to ask NiteOwl about adding a print option to DVDEdit so I could compare that list to my DVDProfiler output...doh. Then it dawned on me that I could just open up the DVDS.XML file it creates in Excel or the like and print it. (shrinking col B - location). ie.

C:\Program Files\<snip>\dvds.xml

HTH

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
When my Entre starts recognizing a new disc, I have started getting a "Retrieving Slot Maps..." message for about 60 seconds before it actually starts looking up the information for that disc. I don't recall this happening many months ago. Any idea what's causing this message to appear? What does this message mean exactly? Any info appreciated. I don't recall the time it takes from me but I know it is less than 60 seconds. It must be refering to when you close the door and the changer spins around once looking for disc added to slots or removed so it can do the quick lookup or the delete process. I see this message all the time I think when adding/removing disc. Wonder if that rebuild index option would help you (i.e. the fix for that double entry software upgrade we got long ago)

I should have mentioned that when the "retreiving slot maps..." message appears:

1. It only happens when the Entre is trying to add a disc to the database (a new disc is in the changer)
2. Absolutely nothing appears to be happening in hardware land while this message is displayed. The changer is still, the Entre HD appears to be still as well (no HD sounds that typically happen when it's performing other tasks). If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was going through a massive array in RAM and trying to figure out the index of the slot so it can perform the lookup.

Does anyone else have this "retreiving slot maps" message while nothing is physically occuring in the system?




Originally posted by ScottF200
I don't recall the time it takes from me but I know it is less than 60 seconds. It must be refering to when you close the door and the changer spins around once looking for disc added to slots or removed so it can do the quick lookup or the delete process. I see this message all the time I think when adding/removing disc. Wonder if that rebuild index option would help you (i.e. the fix for that double entry software upgrade we got long ago)

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
I should have mentioned that when the "retreiving slot maps..." message appears: <snip> Does anyone else have this "retreiving slot maps" message while nothing is physically occuring in the system? Hmm...I think I have seen this as well...that is the message but no physical "activity" or it stopped (1 spin looking for changes) for several seconds. I'm recalling because I was thinking to myself boy is that CPU slow. How many disc do you have in your changer? Do you normally watch rentals and let the Entre look them up? I ask because it keeps a history of disc that were in the changer at one point. Not sure how many but guessing FIFO deal.

I have about 370 discs in the changer. Movie Rentals do visit the Rental Zone about 3 times each month, for about 10 months now.

So, 400 discs in all are probably in the database. What's this re-index thing you speak about? Is it non-destructive? Will it keep my alterations intact?



Originally posted by ScottF200
Hmm...I think I have seen this as well...that is the message but no physical "activity" or it stopped (1 spin looking for changes) for several seconds. I'm recalling because I was thinking to myself boy is that CPU slow. How many disc do you have in your changer? Do you normally watch rentals and let the Entre look them up? I ask because it keeps a history of disc that were in the changer at one point. Not sure how many but guessing FIFO deal.

Well in the past few days there have been alot of new listings on Ebay of refurbed 5900m's. Jamal is no longer the only one with access to them. I wonder if they are all upgraded units. I had no problems when dealing with Jamal. He was an excellent seller. I would definately do business with him again. As for the others, anyone with any experience let us all know how you made out..

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
I have about 370 discs in the changer. Movie Rentals do visit the Rental Zone about 3 times each month, for about 10 months now.

So, 400 discs in all are probably in the database. What's this re-index thing you speak about? Is it non-destructive? Will it keep my alterations intact? I put reindex in the search this thread option at the top of the screen and got three hits. Check them out. It reindex the menu database to remove duplicates. Not sure if it does any other optimization. It appeared to be non-distructive. You should get a 2nd harddisk (as a backup) and/or backup your Entre's HD to an image|2nd harddisk...you seem paranoid:D

the retrieving slot maps message is normal. i believe that means the entre has detected a new disc has been added or one removed. my guess there must be a beam of light that triggers that.

not sure if i see it for 60 seconds, but it does take a long time. it used to be faster, but since i switched to dsl, i attributed the slow down the the dsl connection.

one thing i have noticed,, which i can't explain, is that unless the entre is active on my display, it will sit there to complete the update. in other words, if the kids are watching satellite and i go to the entre and removed a disc, or put one in, it just sits there until i bring up the entre's guide on the screen. you would think that it could process everything in the background.

Yes, Slocko I have noticed the same thing. The Entre doesn't do a thing until I bring the guide screen up. Then mine also give the "retrieving map slots" thing, but it doesn't take 60 seconds, it goes by very fast...

Kenwood has updated thier website.....Sovereign stuff still listed......FYI

Originally posted by DannyFresh
Kenwood has updated thier website.....Sovereign stuff still listed......FYI

But they might as well list a '57 Chevy . . . except for oddball pockets of overstock here and there, it's nowhere to be found.

It sounds to me like Kenwood is just keeping its options open. We forced their hand on the multichanger control, but . . . .

. . . then they sent me flowers (a jacket, actually), and told me they'd be sure to call for anothe date . . . and I remain waiting at the phone. :(

If they ever do decide to revive the line with something better--someting that can be remarkably better though the efforts of Joe Sampo--I'll gofor it. It's still in a different world than any other product that's even remotely available.

Nick :cool:

let's look at the bright side. at least we know where we stand now and we can bury the dead.

Dear Kenwood,

All I want for 2004 is a Universal Mega Changer (SACD & DVDA & DualDisc). Do you realize you could re-vitalize your Sovereign solution by introducing the world's first-and-only universal mega-changer?

Sure, mega-changers for CDs is become passe what with hard drives getting so cheap, but there isn't going to be any HD-based solution for DVD-A/SACD/DualDisc any time in the near future. (re: DualDiscs... you already have a FLIP feature, so you're automatically compatible!)

People would look at the Entre again with new eyes (assuming you decide to "re-introduce" the system to A/V enthusiasts).

Seriously. We're talking new $$ here, not just my wish for SACD support in my Sovereign system.

I just want to strongly support Jon's statement about a Universal Mega-Changer. You would think that Kenwood knows this and can see the opportunity that such a player would bring to the line. Kenwood has always been at the forefront with "new" technologies and products, they must see this one and recognize it as another great opportunity to bring Kenwood into the cutting-edge forefront of the A/V field. Let's hope that this is possible in 2004 and that Kenwood gets the message. The lack of SACD support at this point is holding me back from a Sovereign purchase. Let's hope. Also, how about a nice cosmetic appearance (silver) such as the Sony DVP-CX777ES player!! Then we would really have something.

Firewire and No silver since it wont match with the rest of the Lineup.

Originally posted by Bob_422
I know that all of the video outputs (composite, S & compontent) are hot as far as the Entre GUI are concerned. But what about when passing through the video from my 5900M? Let's say I had component video cables running from the 5900 into the Entre. When a movie is playing, and the Entre is in pass through mode, will the video from the 5900M be downconverted by the Entre for the S-Video and Composite outputs? I realize I could just connect my changer to the Entre with all 3 types of cables, but that gets messy. I am asking because it is my intent to feed video from my changer to 3 different TVs and still have the Entre GUI available on all 3 as well. I'm hoping someone here has tried a similar setup before I go through the hassle of moving my very heavy entertainment center and rewiring everything to find out it doesn't work.

In the end, it would look llike this:

One set of component video cables from changer to Entre.

One set of component video cables from Entre to Primary TV.

One S-Video cable from Entre to TV #2 in bedroom.

One composite video cable from Entre to TV #3 in bedroom #2.


Anyone think it will work?

The Entre does not transcode, or upconvert the video signal.

The vr5900 does transcode the signal.

Help!!!

My DV-5900M has become non-responsive. It powers on and off and the display sure works fine. It says it receives commands (play, stop, disc select, open, etc.) but nothing happens. The logo screen shows up and that's it.

I tried turning the unit off (with the power button) and letting it sit for a minute and then turning it back on with no improvement. Unplugging the unit didn't help either.

I have 400 discs in the player and it won't play. Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks,

Mitch

Congratulations Chef and welcome to the club of 5900 owners who had their players die.

Hopefully you are within the two year warranty period. Just call Kenwood get the address to ship it to, with a copy of your receipt where you purchased it and they will either repair it, or simply ship you a new one. Since they are trying to get rid of inventory, my guess is they might just ship you a new one.

also, before you ship it off, try to re-initialize the unit. it's in the manual the key combination.

Originally posted by slocko
also, before you ship it off, try to re-initialize the unit. it's in the manual the key combination. The two initializing key combos are here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3392061&highlight=library#post3392061

1st let me say I have not seen this thread drop back so far in a long time.

2nd I need help, my 5900(1 of 3) **** the bed. It started doing the dreaded can't read disc and flip problem a few weeks back and then right in the middle of American wedding bam it no longer wants to play movies.

So my question is what Kenwood number do I call and where should I send it from those who have experience in this?

I am seriously thinking about selling this stuff and going to a regular player, but I just spent alot of time customizing the GUI(if anyone wants a copy let me know, I set it up to sort of look like the the Blue from Kenwoods changers screen).

Anyway now that I have unloaded it and powered off the rest of the Entre and changers so they won't know its missing. What stand alone player does anyone think would give me the same picture quality as the kenwood? I am thinking of trying the Yamaha 2300.

These are the two Service centers from the website any suggestions which would be better?

Kenwood Svc Ctr, Atlantic
400 Morris Ave Ste 102
Denville, NJ 07834-1362
(973) 586-3999 195 Miles

Kenwood Service Ctr (Va)
829 Lynnhaven Pkway #130
Virginia Beach, VA 23452-7224
(757) 340-1702


I am guessing the closer the better.

Carbo,

When my dv5900m died I called the main headquarters in CA and talked with Jill, I have no idea if she still works there, but just tell the main receptionist that you need to talk with Jill, or someone in her dept. After talking with Jill I sent the unit to the CA service center. I live in Miami, but what the heck, UPS does the travelling. Once I had sent the bad unit back, they sent me a new unit that works just fine (level 3 already installed).

Zinja,

Thanks, Do you know what number you called?

Carbo,

I had mine serviced at the Denville location and they stock all parts. They even fixed the eject button by gluing it in place and the player has not had a problem since.

But if there if you send it to the main Cali location that Zinja talks about, their is a good chance they will send you a new one. I think it's the main support number you have in the manual.

Makes you wonder long term what is the reliability of that mechanism that keeps breaking.

As much as I like these I am seriously thinking about selling the lot of them. I hate poor quality, even though this is the first time I have had a problem. And this is the first 5900 I purchased. It always felt like it made to much noise. Especially once I purchased the others and they were so quiet in comparison. Its such a pain to unload these things for repairs.

Its funny I, like most of you have purchased a million electronic things. The only problems I have had is 1) with a 60 pound Yamaha receiver, 2) the mega changers and 3) a 65inch Toshiba HDTV that took me 5 sets before they delivered one that worked. I am going to stop buying large products.

I will probably call the Cal # and see if they will exchange it for a new one, if not then Denville it is.

This website, this post, and especially all you guys are the only things that have saved Kenwoods ass.

Thanks you

here is the number i call. 800-536-9663 for cali.

if you want the actual service center in Cali the number is 562-483-8740, opt1, ext 8500

maybe that is where Jill works.

Thank you very much Slocko.

Help, DVD EDIT has stopped working for me. I am using the latest available on the website, if any one has a newer version than 2.4 please help....

By The way, When my 5900M was repaired for the" Can't Read Disc" errors, the work order stated that the "Control Switch" was replaced.....

DAnny have you rebooted the entre? If I recall, sometimes it stops processing request because the queue is full. Something like that.

Also one time when mine stopped working I had to re use Entre FTP to reopen the port.

Also for anyone that has had their changers repaired. How long did it take for them to get it back to you?

Denville was close enough to me that I just drove there during my lunch hour and dropped it off. It was ready in like 2 or 3 days.

Is anyone else finding less and less time to watch movies? My netflix turnover has slowed down considerably.

Ever since I discovered that the DV-5900 doesn't have problems with DVD-R discs (assuming that someone would actually copy a DVD . . .)and that if someone were to copy a DVD, Entre looks up the copied version and finds it . . . I'm putting my "spare" stuff in use. I've got a 43" RPTV downstairs, and it's an attractive way of getting my teenagers and their friends to stay home. So now we'll see if DVD Edit will identify three entres on the same system. And, for the first time, I'll be using the progressive scan capabilities of the DV-5900M.

These were purchases from Jamal, and, actually, I've never even opened the boxes, about a month old. He seems a reasonable enough fellow, and no one has yet reported any problems.

I go to Vegas two or three times a year, and enjoy hitting the tables. For many years, the group that I go with had a great relationship at The Desert Inn which, to those who know Vegas, know that it was the last of the old, great Vegas. Small casino, classy, world-class golf course right there on the property, gourmet restaurants to knock your socks off . . . my friends and I never could figure out why The DI (as the locals referred to it) never really had a lot of business, especially since it had so much going for it that nothing else did.

Well, Steve Wynn got bought out of the Bellagio by a hostile group, and the man with the largest ego in Vegas was suddenly left without a hotel, let alone the best and gaudiest hotel on the Vegas strip.

So he bought the DI, and, even though it had gone through a $250Million renovation two years earlier, tore the damned thing down, golf course and all (so he could put a new course there). Well, all of a sudden, my friends and I, who used to get treated great by some of the casino hosts were left without a Vegas home. I've since tried a few places, including the Venetian and the MGM, but have wound up a the new Aladdin, where my favorite casino host landed after Mr. Wynn abruptly handed her a pink slip, too.

The Aladdin's nice, but it's not the same; its' not small; it doesn't have a country club/high-class mentality, no golf course, and the restaurants . . . well, all the restaurants in Vegas are good these days, but not quite what the DI once had.

What's my point? I think we've experienced the A/V equivalent of the Desert Inn. Kenwood, for all its many and profound faults, gave us something that was truly visionary, and one of those things that are going to be difficult to live without if it really is gone for good. Yes, they're building a new hotel on the site of the DI, but it will be different, aimed at a different crowd, and never the same.

Nick :cool:

Nick,

You should get those kids of yours to build you a high end HTPC, setup a media server, and begin ripping those movies and cds of yours to the media server!!!

That will keep them busy enough so they don't leave the house. Especially if you make them keep up with the latest motheboards, controllers, and drives. Make them continously upgrade your system and monitor 24/7 :)

Imagine you’re at home, alone. It’s 3 am. You’re in bed sound asleep, when suddenly you are awakened by the sound of loud voices coming from downstairs. You get up and move cautiously from the bedroom to the top of the stairs, but you don’t hear voices anymore. There are new sounds, strange sounds. You try desperately to make sense of what you’re hearing. You stand there heart pounding, searching your brain for a logical explanation for these loud and confusing sounds.

You decide that you can’t just go downstairs, because you’ve seen enough movies to realize that if you were in the audience and this was a movie you would be the first to say, “what idiot goes to investigate strange sounds without a plan!”. So you take a moment… you turn your head, striking a strange almost “Grinchian” pose, concentrating, as if listening for the boo-hoos from the Whos down in Whoville.

You now hear a loud buzzing sound… but then to your amazement you realize that the buzzing sound is MOVING… yes, strange as it seems, it sounds like A GIANT BEE IS FLYING AROUND INSIDE YOUR HOUSE! It’s loud enough to be the size of one of those 1950’s “B” horror movie creatures.

How can this be? You are a rational person, an adult… ah, but it’s 3 am, you were dead asleep… anything is possible. After coming to grips with the fact that you keep your bazooka in the basement, you decide to get your “lucky” softball bat, the one you used for years back when you played softball, but that now resides in the upstairs junk closet.

It’s now the moment-of-truth… bat in hand, you start down the stairs. As you reach the bottom of the stairs you can now tell that the sounds are coming from the family room; that is where you are going to have to go.

You turn on lights on the way, but for some reason that just makes it all seem even more surreal. But now you start to recognize some of the other sounds. You hear birds happily chirping… if you didn’t know any better, you would think that you were walking outside in a field. You turn on the family room lights, THERE IS NO GIANT BEE, THE SOUNDS ARE COMING FROM YOUR SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM!

Epilogue:
I leave my equipment on all the time.
I left the volume way up.
There was a power outage.
The power came back on.
“A Bugs Life” Disc 2
I really love the auto play “feature” on the DV-5900M.

LOL!!!

that happened to me once. scared the beejeezes out of me. i forget which movie it was, but it had lots of bass.

at least it wasnt home alone that scene when the little kid scares the crap out of the pizza delivery guy

Keep the change you filthy animal.

Carbo

I just got back my Entré from Kenwood California today.

I sent it in on the 3rd 2nd-Day. They got it on Friday and sent it back out the following Thursday UPS ground. I’m from the Boston area also.

A couple of years ago I sent in my DV5900M for repairs to New Jersey but the last time I sent it in to California. Level 3 update. My understanding the Entré should only be sent out for repairs to California.

Good Luck!

-Brad

Kenwood Service Center West
17300 Marquardt Ave.
Cerritos, CA 90703

I sent my axcess in for repair last week and today found out they are sending me a new unit.

The Axcess also can only be sent to the address above.

Ok, I've got my Entre back up and running.

I have a HUGE want / need / desire to use DVD Edit 2.4 but she just doesn't see my Entre.

I am well versed with using FTP. I did download CuteFTP but I still cannot get to my Entre. It's me not the Entre!

Can anyone help me out?

Thanks!

-Brad

any chance you have firewall software running? windows xp has a firewall feature that gets activated when you turn on file sharing. it doesn't even tell you when it blocks something. so that is one reason dvdedit might not be working.

you need a special applet to get ftp working. that is entirely independent of dvdedit.

I'm not aware of any firewall software running. I just looked through my Control Pannel settings and I see nothing that shows Fire being activated.

How does one get this applet?

I used to be able to communicate with the Entre using the Kenwood Entre Media Manager. But now I cannot seem to get this to work either.

Ugh!

Originally posted by Bchase
Ok, I've got my Entre back up and running.

I have a HUGE want / need / desire to use DVD Edit 2.4 but she just doesn't see my Entre.

I am well versed with using FTP. I did download CuteFTP but I still cannot get to my Entre. It's me not the Entre!

Can anyone help me out?

Thanks!

-Brad

Try rebooting the Entre.

Nick :cool:

I did try rebooting the Entre.

No luck...

I sent my Changer out on Monday and they received it on Tuesday. So I am hoping to get it back by friday next week. It looks like it only takes fedex a day from here to there. So depending how long it takes them to get it up and runnin.

I was thinking of getting rid of the whole lot of them. But I went and purchased a Yamaha DVD-S2300 and even though I would say the picture is pretty much the same, but once you get used to loading up the player with everything(plus the Netflix rentals in the rental slots) and using the guide, time remaining feature, picture and several other features. I don't know that I could go back to a single changer and It's going to be sad day when we all have to retire these systems and have nothing to replace them with.

Anyone looking for a single player that has the same picture as the Kenwoods, the Yamaha is very nice. I am going to keep it because I was looking for a SACD player anyway. I would have to put it up there with one of the best players yet. It does a nice job on everything, SACD, DVD-audio and movies.

Again thanks to all of you.

I lost the ability to use MM when I switch to HPNA. Are you using that or ethernet?

I'm using Ethernet. Belkin USB to Ethernet adapter.

I couldn't seem to find a HPNA system and I don't have a phone jack near my Home Theater.

Check your network setings. I am sure they don't match your settings for the HPNA adapter.

Make sure you can ping the Entre, if so... everything is fine... but still verify the primary and secondary are set to hpna.

-NiteOwl

Niteowl,

I have all my settings right. Your software works fine connecting to the Entre. It's just the transfer of MP3's from the MM to the Entre that don't work. It connects it just doesn't transfer.

Would it make any difference if I have to set the IP to Static and manually enter the settings in order to connect through my router to the Internet?

Once I did this I lost the ability to communicate with Media Manager.

I am really looking forward to using the DVDEdit program!

-Brad

Carbo,

Many of us have that same problem. No one has been able to figure out why it doesnt work.

I can't even upload cover art. I went as far as connecting the entre straight to my laptop. I could ping the entre, but that was about it. I have tried win2000 and windows xp.

It's one of those mysteries of MM.

Originally posted by Carbo
Niteowl,

I have all my settings right. Your software works fine connecting to the Entre. It's just the transfer of MP3's from the MM to the Entre that don't work. It connects it just doesn't transfer.

I'm setting up my new Entre with a 5900.

As I recall, using the CATC Netmate adapter, I thought I was supposed to get internet connectivity out of the box. I set the internet connection to ethernet adapter, entered static settings similar to those of my other Entres . . .

Can't get out.

What step am I missing?

Nick :cool:

Nick,

How r u determing it's not working? Sometimes openglobe goes down. Verify with your other entres by running the system test to make sure it's up.

Do you know for sure that your network connection works? Can you plug in another device, like maybe a laptop to verify indeed the network connectioni is active?

The ip address of the entre cannot be the same. The last octet should be unique.

Slocko,

We know why it doesn't work. Cause it sucks:) It's a good thing we have Niteowls DVDedit. Thanks to that we don't need Kenwoods anymore.:)

Originally posted by Carbo
Slocko, We know why it doesn't work. Cause it sucks:) It's a good thing we have Niteowls DVDedit. Thanks to that we don't need Kenwoods anymore.:) I have been having a great hit ratio on movies I've added lately. I don't recall the last one not found. Then again I currently buy mainstream movies (don't get me wrong I DO like DVDedit!) MM still works well for me using HPNA or ethernet/hub :cool: Some funny stuff you guys are posting lately. Just got back from vaca and am working on the HT again.

(BTW, I use HPNA NetGear PE102 currently and static DNS/IP info).

Internet cable wasn't plugged in to the router. That . . . would . . . ultimately account for an inability to get out. Problem now cured.

However . . . this is the first time I've ever opened the boxes of stuff from Jamal. There was a scratch on top of the Entre, and the DV-5900 looked less than brand spanking new. Still a good deal, but I no longer buy the theory that it's just Kenwood's way of getting rid of excess new stock. This stuff has been recycled.

Nick :cool:

Nightowl, All

I have reeboted Entre, Forced Re-registration and Re-build the library index. No success, DVDEdit does not work... I get a bunch of 'Runtime' errors. When it seems as its working, after making changes, it hangs on "Preparing to upload........" any have any suggestions......

This is slightly off the subject, however yesterday my HPNA/Ethernet bridge (Linksys HPB200) bit the dust after about 3 years of flawless service. Some lights are on, but the bridge will no longer communicate with my router, despite several resets and a new cat-5 cable. This sucks, because I was using it not only to connect Entre to my network and broadband connection, but also for my three Audiotrons around the house.

Figuring a new HPNA bridge would be cheap to get now that technology has marched on to wireless, I searched for a replacement online. I could not find a single store selling this model. In fact, I couldn't find any, of any brand (I believe Netgear used to make a unit as well), available from any merchant. These things seem to have disappeared from the face of the planet.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. If you have a working units that's been sitting unused in your closet for a while, and are willing to part from it, please PM me as I'd definitely be interested in buying it from you. Thanks!

--
Umberto

i don't understand it either. You walk into a store and you see those powerline ethernet networks for sale, but not hpna.

hpna works well, not sure why it was abandoned.

i wonder if it's due to the high end escient player. i'm sure escient doesn't want those high end clients unhappy with the hit ratio.

i put in cat and the hat and oz season 3. found immediately. though lately it's taking forever to do the lookups.

Originally posted by ScottF200
I have been having a great hit ratio on movies I've added lately. I don't recall the last one not found. Then again I currently buy mainstream movies (don't get me wrong I DO like DVDedit!) MM still works well for me using HPNA or ethernet/hub :cool: Some funny stuff you guys are posting lately. Just got back from vaca and am working on the HT again.

(BTW, I use HPNA NetGear PE102 currently and static DNS/IP info).

Carbo or Everyone rather... :)

The reason mp3 transfers are not reliable using MM is due to the UDP protocol. UDP is ok for transfering small files, but when transfering large files any lost packet reaks havoc on everything. The Entre has a rudimentary method of controlling packets transfers, but it is an extremely unreliable in real world conditions. I used to think it was my wireless connection, but then started thinking it was its extra latency. Bottomline, its udp. Moral of the story, TCP should have been used. Don't see why UDP was decided on.

Danny,

Uninstall DVDedit, reboot your computer, reinstall with the installer (2.2 I think). Then overwrite the 2.2 exe for the 2.4. This should fix the DLL issue I suspect is happening. I am also working on a port to .net I have a working prototype on vb.net but and playing with C# right now. I am putting the finishing touches. This new version is going to be called MediaEdit. It will allow you to edit the radio stations and music collection as well. I hope these .net versions will resolve the dll hell issues.

Slocko I asked a CompUSA salesperson that very question... Why HPNA was dropped. He told me -- brace yourself pretty funny and lame. He replies (and I quote), "HPNA is a propietary format from Hewlett Packard (thus the HP in HPna ) they wanted too much money for it." I tried not to laugh in his face. I quickly made it to the door to laugh my ass off. Needless to say, I do not shop at CompUSA anymore.

-NiteOwl

Nick,

I think you might have to reboot when you switch from HPNA to ethernet.

-NiteOwl

Originally posted by Turin2006
This is slightly off the subject, however yesterday my HPNA/Ethernet bridge (Linksys HPB200) bit the dust after about 3 years of flawless service. <SNIP>Any suggestions would be appreciated. If you have a working units that's been sitting unused in your closet for a while, and are willing to part from it, please PM me as I'd definitely be interested in buying it from you. Thanks! -- Umberto Hmm...a quick search (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=hpna+bridge) on google using hpna and bridge seemed to find some hits but I didn't look too deep.

I don't know the full story on HPNA but http://www.homepna.org is the offical site I think. An alliance where you pay some dues ( http://www.homepna.org/join/#adopter )

found a few online. here's one:

http://www.dealtime.com/xKW-bridge_ethernet_hpna/FD-0/linkin_id-3004600/NS-1/GS.html

this is the one I use:

http://store.yahoo.com/softbuyweb/linphon10mca.html

here are few more:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=hpna+bridge

but i think they are probably all closeout items. who knows how much longer this stuff will be available.

Darn HP for killing HPNA :D

Just received my April issue of "Wired" magazine. There is a DVD server featured in the "Play - Fetish" article... Check it out... Here is the web address....http://www.kaleidescape.com


PS. Look at the Pricetag, a little too steep for my digs...:eek:

Cant see the pricetag where is it..

Originally posted by Clingpeach
Cant see the pricetag where is it.. $30 grand was mentioned in the previous post for this earlier in this thread...The sound and vision article on that site states: "The system’s only real problem is that it’s expensive — very expensive, starting at $27,000." I only know one person on this thread crazy enough for that :cool:

Scott, Slocko, thanks for the links, although when you drill down they all pretty much point to web sites that are out of stock (or no longer exist...), products with older HPNA standards, or HPNA routers rather than bridges (I have a wireless router already, would a router like the Linksys work just as an ethernet-to-HPNA bridge?)

The only unit apparently still available from a merchant or two is a Compex brand (???) bridge, but I have since found and am bidding on a Netgear PE102 listed on eBay. Like Slocko said, these things won't be around for long, I hope my next one will last.

Thanks again.

--
Umberto

Originally posted by NiteOwl


Uninstall DVDedit, reboot your computer, reinstall with the installer (2.2 I think). Then overwrite the 2.2 exe for the 2.4. This should fix the DLL issue I suspect is happening. I am also working on a port to .net I have a working prototype on vb.net but and playing with C# right now. I am putting the finishing touches. This new version is going to be called MediaEdit. It will allow you to edit the radio stations and music collection as well. I hope these .net versions will resolve the dll hell issues.


NightOwl, No such luck, the software just hangs and says: "Preparing to upload" and then does nothing at all....

Umberto,

I should be getting a brand new Axcess from Kenwood by the end of this month.

I'll report and see if the issues I had go away.

They were:

1) Can't ping the Axcess unit.
2) Sometimes hanged and only way to reset was to unplug it.
3) Would not discover Enter in automatic mode.
4) Reset frequently for no reason.

I know you shared some of them.

Danny,

You did reboot the Entre correct? After rebooting, ftp into the 7.0.2 partition. There is a folder called tempEurekaURI there. Make sure that it is empty after the reboot. This is where the temp files are stored. If full, no more uploads are allowed.

Originally posted by Turin2006
Scott, Slocko, thanks for the links, although when you drill down they all pretty much point to web sites that are out of stock (or no longer exist...), products with older HPNA standards, or HPNA routers rather than bridges (I have a wireless router already, would a router like the Linksys work just as an ethernet-to-HPNA bridge?)

The only unit apparently still available from a merchant or two is a Compex brand (???) bridge, but I have since found and am bidding on a Netgear PE102 listed on eBay. Like Slocko said, these things won't be around for long, I hope my next one will last.

Thanks again.

--
Umberto

I have the LinkSys HomeLink HPRO200 (works great!). I got mine from Comp USA, but there are also plenty of other suppliers on the intenet that have it in stock such as Amazon.com. This unit is still in production from what I can tell.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005JJEO/yahooce-20/ref%3Dnosim/102-0679423-8381717

http://www.pcliquidations.com/item.asp?id=830

Lars,

I think your second link says it all :)

PCLiquidations

I agree, it works great.

Is it an oxymoron is you say it reliably doesn't work?

Originally posted by NiteOwl
Carbo or Everyone rather... :)

The reason mp3 transfers are not reliable using MM is due to the UDP protocol. UDP is ok for transfering small files, but when transfering large files any lost packet reaks havoc on everything. The Entre has a rudimentary method of controlling packets transfers, but it is an extremely unreliable in real world conditions. I used to think it was my wireless connection, but then started thinking it was its extra latency. Bottomline, its udp. Moral of the story, TCP should have been used. Don't see why UDP was decided on.

NightOwl, Can I just empty the folder via ftp, just delete all the files????

I have a Motorola SBG1000 that works really nice and has everything built in. I believe you can still find these. If you have a cable modem.

Nice unit Carbo. Hopefully they will introduce a G version of it. Also, hopefully my cable company will price themselves more competively than my DSL Verizon by that time.

Originally posted by Turin2006
Scott, Slocko, thanks for the links, although when you drill down they all pretty much point to web sites that are out of stock (or no longer exist...), products with older HPNA standards, or HPNA routers rather than bridges (I have a wireless router already, would a router like the Linksys work just as an ethernet-to-HPNA bridge?)

Turin,

I also was looking for the HPB200 since I didn't need a router and couldn't find it anywhere. I ended up getting the Linksys HPRO200 with the built in router like Lars158. I'm using it only as a bridge and it's working great. I have a phone cord plugged directly into it and my entre (doesn't actually touch my real phone lines at all) and then I have it plugged into my existing ethernet network. So funtionally it is just working as a bridge.

For some reason they seem to sell that model all over the place, here are a few places:
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10270471&sp=1&loc=101
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50141881&pfp=srch1
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?edc=288827
also the link Lars gave for amazon.

It does seem that prices vary quite a bit and they seem higher then I remember them.

-apnar

Thanks for the detailed reply Apnar, that's precisely what I was trying to find out about the HPRO200. I would much prefer a Linksys unit to a bridge of another brand, since I can stack it with the rest of the stuff I already own from them. By the way, I finally found an HPB200 available from a single merchant for... 291 bucks! Ain't competition grand.

However, all of the links you listed are to stores where the HPRO200 is now unavailable, discontinued or on order... Further proof that HPNA is nearly extinct.

--
Umberto

It's nice having it all in one. Less wires and I have more then I need already.

Danny,

Unfortunately most files are locked. So you may not be able to delete all of them. You should get an empty dir after rebooting. The reboot process clears the files.

Also... that Motorola unit is sweet! Wish I knew about it before the HPRO200.

A friend pointed me to this DVD coverart site. The unique thing about it is that you see both the front and the back of the coverart at once and it appears to be of very high quality/res. Catch is that they charge for it, it seems, unless you earn credits by providing some yourself. Not much use for the Entre unless we could move/expand the coverart graphic. Anyway maybe useful for the turncoats. :D

http://www.dvdcoverart.com/dvdcoverart/

Hmm... Scott you've given me food for thought...

has anyone tried to use an animated gif for coverart yet?

-NiteOwl

Originally posted by NiteOwl
Hmm... Scott you've given me food for thought...has anyone tried to use an animated gif for coverart yet?-NiteOwl That is interesting but I'm not sure that you would want to take CPU cycles away from the menu processing. It is somewhat slow as it is. It seems that when you page down it is insisting on retrieving the next coverart and displaying it even though you keep hitting the page down button. Would have seemed they would "look ahead" to see if the next key in the buffer is a page down and avoid that logic! Perhaps this is different for you guys? Going through the ALL can be annoying.

I think it's time we joined hands with our friends who own Escient devices and start applying pressue on OpenGlobe (D&M) to finish the job on integrating DVD-A titles into the MUSIC area of the Entre and Escient media management systems.

As I continue to collect and grow my DVD-Audio collection, it becomes more and more difficult to bear with "the wall" between my hi-rez audio and the rest of my audio. As a result, my hi-rez audio tends to not be heard as often, which is a crying shame and exactly not what a media management system should be facilitating.

Nick -- you have feet in both camps. Can you use your knack for advancing a cause to help kick this off?

Scott,

What I was thinking about was having a separate image (animated gif) displayed within the INFO page. That is when you want detailed information about a particular dvd title, you get an image that toggles b/w front and back cover.

Having animated gifs on the main listing would give me a headache. Think of all those images flickering... Argh!!

-Joe

Originally posted by NiteOwl
Scott, What I was thinking about was having a separate image (animated gif) displayed within the INFO page. That is when you want detailed information about a particular dvd title, you get an image that toggles b/w front and back cover. Having animated gifs on the main listing would give me a headache. Think of all those images flickering... Argh!!
-Joe Very clever idea. Perhaps if the timing between front and back was slow then it would not be so bad even on the main. Of course the size is doubled now so long load times. Also I was thinking coverart was always JPGs and I have never tried GIFs.

HELP !!

I just added a 5900M and 5050M to my existing Entre/5900M combo. I have verified that all three units have the "Stage 3" Entre Multichanger upgrade.

BUT I cannot get the Entre to see the 2nd or 3rd unit. I have triple checked the cables, changer id's (Main, Sub 1 and Sub 2) and forced total power off and on's with no luck. I have the units wired per the 5050M/5900M guide. I have tried using just one of the new units at a time and still no go.

The orginal changer is working great. I have removed movies from the 1st 5900M, thinking that it would pick the new changers up during a Slot lookup. NO LUCK !!

DOES ANYONE have any idea how to force the Entre to look for/see the new changers.

I have search this forum with no luck.

Did you use the the small wire connection from changer to changer. I beleive it will connect in the top part of the 3rd changer to the bottom of the 2nd and then from the top of the 2nd to the bottom of the 1st. Also make sure the switch on each unit is in the proper position ex. Main, sub 1, sub 2.

Also that small cable plugs into the control slot, not the dvd control slot.

They also should be proper order(I think) the one closest on the daisy chain to the Entre is Main, then sub 1, and sub2.

Carbo -

Yes I have verified both the cables and the switch. The units show Main, Sub 1 and Sub 2 on the front LCD.

It really is strange.

Forgot to mention that the D.C. is lit on all 3 changers LCD panels. SO it looks like the three changers are "seeing" each other. It just looks like the Entre does not see them.

Originally posted by m s jaxjag
<snip>I have tried using just one of the new units at a time and still no go.<snip> I assume this means you have tried the both at SUB1 and not that you tried each of the new ones as MAIN? Try to see if they will work as a MAIN.

Did you only have component between the MAIN and SUB1? As I recall I had both component and s-video hooked up and it cause them to act wierd. I don't recall why I was trying s-video as well but I just use component now and all is cool.

We're just finishing our media room, floor covering goes in next week. We have been planning on purchasing an Entre and 5900m for several months, but waiting for room to be finished. At any rate, the 5900m no longer seems to be available. I sent an email inquiry to Kenwood last week, but haven't received a reply beyond acknowledgment of receipt. Just wondering if anyone here has updated information on Kenwood's current/future plans for the 5900m, or should we (oh god no) be considering a Sony mega changer? Any updates would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Carbo & ScottF200 -

Thanks for your help. I GOT IT WORKING. It turns out I was a little too gentle with the control cables. Even though all three units saw each other (based on the D.C. light being lit) the cables were not actually pushed all the way in. I noticed this morning (it helps not to be tired when troubleshooting) that the cables were not pushed in flush to the black plastic cover. They were out about 1/16". Once I pushed them in (had to push pretty hard) and power cycled the changers it worked GREAT.

Thanks for everyone's help !!

Originally posted by fmaclean
<snip> At any rate, the 5900m no longer seems to be available. I sent an email inquiry to Kenwood last week, but haven't received a reply beyond acknowledgment of receipt. Just wondering if anyone here has updated information on Kenwood's current/future plans for the 5900m, or should we (oh god no) be considering a Sony mega changer? Any updates would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. With our ability to FTP (changing some graphics) and Joe's DVDEdit program (fix some DVD info/coverart) and the fact the OG database appears to have improved I would not hesitate to still get these units. YMMV. I think you can still find them on ebay. You can use the "search this thread" option at the top and search for jamal. Someone many of us have used a source. Niteowl has also gotten them at authorized warehouses/outlets. These units are primarily refurb's but many like mine (5900M) appeared to be brand new.

Your choices are:

1) Try them out. You can get a 5900m on ebay from a reliable vendor. Search this thread for the name Jamal. If you don't like it, you can probably sell it and get most of your money back.
2) If money is not an option, then go for the Escient version of the Kenwood product. That lets you use a Sony changer, instead of the Kenwood changer. Of course you lose the ability to play DVD-Audio.
3) Buy an HTPC. This requires research and playing around since to get the best GUI, you will have to spend some time setting it up. You will also have to burn all your dvds to the hard drive and then make sure you have a backup solution.
4) If you are willing to spend 30k on a video solution you can get the Kailedscope.

Originally posted by fmaclean
We're just finishing our media room, floor covering goes in next week. We have been planning on purchasing an Entre and 5900m for several months, but waiting for room to be finished. At any rate, the 5900m no longer seems to be available. I sent an email inquiry to Kenwood last week, but haven't received a reply beyond acknowledgment of receipt. Just wondering if anyone here has updated information on Kenwood's current/future plans for the 5900m, or should we (oh god no) be considering a Sony mega changer? Any updates would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

How did you guys know your bridge had gone to heaven?

I started playing with new Axcess unit to see if I could figure out why automatic configuration didn't work.

In the process of redoing the connections to the linksys hpna bridge, i lost my ethernet connection.

The weird thing is, once I lost my ethernet connection and the entre acquired a 169.x.x.x internal address, the Axcess began functioning properly and it discovered the entre automatically. What a difference it makes to have it work automatically. When you do manual as opposed to automatic, and bring it out of standby mode, you have to hit enter many times to accept each network configuration screen.

So now I am wondering why my bridge refuses to work. When I do test connection, the entre successfully passes each one, except connect to openglobe. It dies on that one, and once that dies, running the connection test again, causes it to fail all the tests. I have to reboot at that point.

Even after a reboot if I bring up the system information screen, i don't see an ip address from my router assigned to the entre. I only see 169.x.x.x

I look at my router log and I don't see any request for an ip address being made anymore.

Any ideas why automatic config mode works now that there is no network connection? It seems to me that the Axcess cannot talk to the Entre, once the entre aquires a network ip address.

Here is my hookup:

1) Entre wall jack to phone line.
2) Axcess wall jack to phone line.
3) Phone line is split.
4) One line to HPNA bridge hpna port.
5) Uplink port on hpna bridge to my router.
6) Other split line feeds DSL modem.
7) DSL modem to router.

All this was working fine. Somehow unplugging the connections to troubleshoot Axcess configuration problem caused it to stop working.

I wish I could take the splitter out of the equation, but I only have one phone line in my basement that needs to feed both the DSL modem and the HPNA bridge.

By the way, a filter will definetely cause problems for hpna. I tried a filter on the Axcess unit, and I guess it filtered the higher frequencies HPNA operates on, along with DSL.

I think definetely it's flaky because one time it was able to acquire an IP address.

Slocko, in my case I realized the briodge was bad (I also had a Linksys, I have just acquired a Netgear as replacement which made everything work again) because neither the Entre, nor my Audiotrons were getting connected and/or appear in my router log anymore. I have long ago stopped using the Axcess, although I still have it in a closet, I'll try it again tonight to see what happens now that I have a new bridge.

If your Entre still works though, my guess is that the bridge is OK and maybe you have a flaky phone cord or outlet to your Axcess?

Also, have you tried feeding the DSL modem line via the "phone" outlet of your Linksys bridge to eliminate that splitter? Don't know if that may affect the DSL modem though. I use cable at home so my setup is a bit different as I have no DSL and related filters installed anywhere on my phone line.

--
Umberto

Sorry, I re-read your post more carefully and see you are having connectivity problems with the Entre as well as the Axcess. That's pretty much the symptoms I experienced when my bridge bit the dust, except that I could confirm it with my other HPNA connected equipment (Audiotron). Maybe all Linksys bridges expire this year...

--
Umberto

Umberto,

If you do get around to trying out your Axcess again and it doesn't work, try unplugging your bridge from the router, and reboot the entre if you want to play around.

My bet is that the Axcess will autoconfigure it once the entre has it's own internal ip address.

Just trying to figure out if this is a bug with the Axcess or design limitation.

well, i finally unplugged the hpna for a minute instead of a few seconds.

that finally did the trick.

of course now, my axcess is not autodiscovering the entre :(


can't win. what a pathetic design flaw. it had been working so well to. i left it on all day yesterday and it was still in music mode this evening.

can you assign a second ip address on the secondary connection differnt than the first?

i am wondering if i set it to the 169.x.x.x internal number, if the axcess will pick it up.

Originally posted by slocko
well, i finally unplugged the hpna for a minute instead of a few seconds.
that finally did the trick. of course now, my axcess is not autodiscovering the entre :( can't win. what a pathetic design flaw. it had been working so well to. i left it on all day yesterday and it was still in music mode this evening. can you assign a second ip address on the secondary connection differnt than the first? i am wondering if i set it to the 169.x.x.x internal number, if the axcess will pick it up. Neither of our set ups match the "valid" ones defined on their tips page (http://www.kenwoodusa.com/group_info.jsp?categoryTypeId=130&productId=2358&productTypeId=147). My setup seems the same as yours except I use a cable modem. Both my primary and secondary are set to HPNA. Both Entre networking setups are the exact same and are in the attached (Static). My 192.168.0.1 is my Nexland hub (vs my PE102 HPNA bridge). My Axcess autoconfigs.

As I recall Brian (KW) stated you could even have pri and sec setup differently (at least one as static and one as dynamic...which I recall because it seemed strange to me...yet they have seperate panels/screens for their setup so it appears to be true).

Slocko, I never had configuration problems with my Axcess before, the one big issues with mine were just the sudden shutoffs while streaming music and its total "death" at times which forced me to unplug it to revive it. I have hooked Axcess up tonight in another room and it immediately autoconfigured and found the Entre. I have been streaming an internet radio station for a few hours and so far - lo and behold - no shutoffs. If it's still playing tomorrow morning I'll start wondering whether my former Linksys bridge may have been the cause of all my Axcess problems before. Who knows, you and I may be the only two people with an Axcess AND a Linksys HPB200 bridge...

FYI, both my Entre's primary and secondary network connections are set to HPNA, dynamic addressing. I use a Linksys 5-port wireless router with a cable modem and - as of last weekend - a Netgear PE102 Ethernet to HPNA bridge.

--
Umberto

hmmm. one of those tips suggest setting the second connection to ethernet, but that's probably because they are using the usb adapter. Still interesting. I will try that tonight to see if setting the second connection to ethernet will cause it to get an ip address.

If both connections are set to hpna, your primary and secondary settings cannot be independently changed. I verfied that yesterday. I put primary as static and when I went to secondary, that had also changed to static.

I am guessing they can be different when you have one for ethernet, and one for hpna.

I imagine the way this works is, that one connection is used by the entre to connect to the internet. The second connection is used to talk to the Axcess? Maybe I need to set the second connection to none, and have the axcess use the network to talk to the entre, instead of trying to go hpna to hpna. Will try that too.

I am just curious why autoconfig has always worked for Umberto. At one point we had the same exact setup when I had the cable modem and he had the linksys hpna bridge. Could be the dlink router I use. Time to upgrade to G anyway. Maybe having two linksys products will help the situation.

My router only has three ports. One I have to my server, Second to the hpna bridge, and third to a pc.

Maybe the router is giving the hpna bridge only one address and it's ignoring a request for the second one for the Axcess?

Hey Apnar, you are a networking guy no? Any theories?




Originally posted by ScottF200
Neither of our set ups match the "valid" ones defined on their tips page (http://www.kenwoodusa.com/group_info.jsp?categoryTypeId=130&productId=2358&productTypeId=147). My setup seems the same as yours except I use a cable modem. Both my primary and secondary are set to HPNA. Both Entre networking setups are the exact same and are in the attached (Static). My 192.168.0.1 is my Nexland hub (vs my PE102 HPNA bridge). My Axcess autoconfigs.

As I recall Brian (KW) stated you could even have pri and sec setup differently (at least one as static and one as dynamic...which I recall because it seemed strange to me...yet they have seperate panels/screens for their setup so it appears to be true).

Originally posted by slocko

Hey Apnar, you are a networking guy no? Any theories?


First thing I'd try is setting both primary and secondary on the Entre to HPNA static and give them both the same IP on your network (outside your routers DHCP range but on the same network, for example if your router is 192.168.1.1 it will likely give out addresses starting with 192.168.1.100 so set your entre to be 192.168.1.50 or such, then netmask to 255.255.255.0, gateway and DNS to your routers IP). Then I'd power off everything for a good 5 minutes and power them on in the following order (giving each one enough time to fully startup before moving to the next):

- DSL modem
- inet router
- HPNA bridge
- Entre
- Axcess

Then from your PC try to ping the address you gave the entre. If that works then the bridge is very likely working.

If that doesn't work the issue may very well be the bridge. You could take it a set further buy placing a hub connecting your router, bridge and PC then installing a packet sniffer on the PC and see what kind of traffic is going over the network.

-apnar

thxs apnar, but i got the hpna bridge working last night.

my entre is now on pingable.

the problem is that i can't seem to have both the axcess and the entre on the same page. the axcess only works when the entre is off the network.

strange huh? the more i think about it, the more i believe it's the interaction of the bridge with the router.

it's the only thing that is different between me, scott, and umberto.

are you setting the entre to use a static IP and the axcess to use dynamic? If so it could be an issue with the bridge passing DHCP traffic.

Slocko, what happens if you take the PC off the network? Do both the Entre and Axcess work then?

--
Umberto

hmmm, i guess that is a good thing to try umberto.

i'll try it tomorrow. right now i am just bummed out that my HD-Tivo will not ship out tomorrow :(

well after playing with the axcess for a few days, the only thing i can report is that once the Axcess unit locks in to the entre via hpna, the entre will refuse to acquire an ip address from dhcp.

i have to unplug the Axcess from the phoneline, reboot the hpna bridge and then reboot the entre.

So I just think my DLink router for some reason doesn't play nice with the linksys bridge when it comes to servicing more than one device on the hpna network.

one more thing, once the hpna bridge is working, just having the axcess look for the entre in automatic mode is enough to cause the bridge to stop functioning.

Originally posted by slocko
well after playing with the axcess for a few days, the only thing i can report is that once the Axcess unit locks in to the entre via hpna, the entre will refuse to acquire an ip address from dhcp. i have to unplug the Axcess from the phoneline, reboot the hpna bridge and then reboot the entre. So I just think my DLink router for some reason doesn't play nice with the linksys bridge when it comes to servicing more than one device on the hpna network. I may have missed it...but has the original problem of your Axcess abruptly stopping or resetting gone away once you manually config it.

i haven't tried it yet Scott.

i had been busy trying to get the automatic thingt working.

i am pretty much going to give up on that and will try the manual.

Hopefully that will have gone away with the new Axcess.

I am looking to buy an MP3 player that is compatible with the entre. I would like to buy something current that has some memory. Any suggestions???

Did you ever find any other compatible MP3 players??

Originally posted by bigtoe
I am looking to buy an MP3 player that is compatible with the entre. I would like to buy something current that has some memory. Any suggestions??? As far as I know the only ones are:

Portable MP3 Players
Compaq PA-1
Compaq PA-2
Rio 600as listed on the Tips and Install page (http://www.kenwoodusa.com/group_info.jsp?categoryTypeId=130&productId=2357&productTypeId=147)

Anyone else having a problem with this disc?

I am running a fully updated 5900 that has read discs flawlessly since being upgraded.
We got the Brother Bear DVD for the kids, and the player refuses to read the second disc (it reads the widescreen disc, but refuses to recognize the fullscreen). Not a huge deal, like the widescreen but wondering why it is not reading again....

Boy, I hoped those problems were gone!

BJBBJB

Sounds like a bad disc. Are you having problems with any of you other discs?

I've had problems with several of Disney's bonus DVDs (Tron, Beauty and the Beast, etc). They will play directly from the DV-5900m controls but can't be identified or played via the Entre. Never have found a solution.

Mike

I tried that second disc in the PC, and it could not read it either! So I guess the problem isn't the Kenwood this time!

BJBBJB

bigtoe,

I have tried various mp3 players to no avail. I finally caved in and bought a 32mb rio 600 (should have bought the 64mb version)!!! It works really well. I gave it to my 10 year old.

-NiteOwl

I have recently rented "Brother Bear" on DVD for my 3 year old son. Disc 1 will not play in my 5900m. Using neither the Entre or the 5900M alone. Disc 2 plays but some times there is some digital "Breakup". This is the first disc I have seen that has this sort of problem......

Danny,

Sometimes, if you carefully clean the disc, making sure all smudges are cleaned off, particularly around the very edge, the 5900m, sometimes, will then play. One big probelm with these players is that they are very touchy when it comes to dirt, smudges and scratches, like the kind you find with rentals.

I have recently rented "Brother Bear" on DVD for my 3 year old son. Disc 1 will not play in my 5900m.

Dannyfresh,

Look at my post a few back. That exact disc would not play in my 5900 OR my PC DVD drive, however it did play in an ancient standalone DVD player!!! So who knows? The widescreen version plays fine as you noted.. Don't bother returning for a new one or cleaning, on this disc neither will make a difference.

BJBBJB

BJBBJB, Very Strange, isn't it???. I thought it could be a "Entre" thing but now I doubt that. I used to have a problem with the "Absolute Power" DVD. If I recall Slocko had the same problem. Every time you did a "Quick Lookup" Entre would continually rediscover the disc as if it was a new one. That problem seems to have been taken care of awhile ago though....

Today everyone came to our house for Easter. After dinner they decided they wanted to watch a movie in the movie room. We chose 'Princess Bride' being that it is okay for kids. About halfway through (perhaps at the layer-change) the picture froze, then stuttered, then I got the dreaded 'unplayable disc' message from the dv5900. I thought perhaps it was just the disc so I cleaned it and reinserted it. This time it would not play from the beginning and I got the same message.So I try another disc-- same thing! I unplugged the unit as I heard that sometimes if the laser gets too warm this can happen on the layer-change. Anyone have any advice besides sending it back to Kenwood? I think several have had this happen in the past and they were deemed dead.
This is the second machine I've had this problem with-- the first only did it on layer-change on specific movies.Arrgggh!:mad:

Adam, dont bother fooling around with it. Bite the bullet, send it back. Even if it starts up again, its only a matter of time before it dies completely.

Thanks Zinja, that's what I was afraid of.

Is the problem that Adam is describing happening on upgraded units as well?

-NiteOwl

Mine did it a few eeks back and it was upgraded.

Niteowl, all three of my units have been upgraded.
Carbo, did you send your unit in?

I sent it back to the NJ center. Went out on a Monday and got it back Friday. They did it pretty fast.

Originally posted by BJBBJB
Dannyfresh,

Look at my post a few back. That exact disc would not play in my 5900 OR my PC DVD drive, however it did play in an ancient standalone DVD player!!! So who knows? The widescreen version plays fine as you noted.. Don't bother returning for a new one or cleaning, on this disc neither will make a difference.

BJBBJB

Strange. Both discs and versions play fine on my 5900.

I bet in the end, it's that problem that makes us abandon kenwood hardware. Once we are out of warranty, who knows how much that repair costs. I think the guy told me that the part alone was around $100 dollars.

My repaired changer never ever exhibited the problem again, but now the display on the front of the unit is slowly getting dimmer and dimmer.

I would love to send it for repair, but unloading all the discs is not worth the trouble.

I think the guy told me that the part alone was around $100 dollars.

That is a little scary, and Mediastorm says his plays both discs fine. So that is not consistent either. I guess the only thing I can note is the player continues to consistently read every other disc and has not slid into the occasional "I cannot read this disc even though I was able to read it yesterday" mode so guess I will live with it as long as that does not start.

Perhaps there was something strange with the disc. My PC has NEVER refused to play a DVD and PowerDVD says "a disc with an unsupported format is in drive X". And this was a replacement disc.

I really don't care about that one disc, however given the player's issue in the "read" area, it does give you pause.

I am going to check the thread to verify how you check your player rev. number just for fun... I am really enjoying this player now married to the DVM-100.

BJBBJB

Two quick Entre questions. The Entre replaced my stand-alone DVD player in my rack (location wise). The wife used to always use the DVD player to play odd single CDs so now she uses the entre. On thing I noticed is it always plays the first second or two, pauses, and then restarts from the begining, not a big deal but annoying. Does everyone elses do this as well?

Also every time I stick in a CD of mp3s, it will play the first song then stop. If I restart it it plays them all. Again not a big deal just wondering if it's just me.

Thanks,

-apnar

brother bear:

well the entre refused to recognize the first disc. I didn't even bother trying to play it. the second one was recognized fine and it even said disc 2.

any idea why the first half hour was squared like that? my only thought was because they wanted to reuse it for both theatrical aspect versions.

any idea why the first half hour was squared like that?

Slocko,

I think I read in a review somewhere that the first half hour was the smaller aspect ration at the theatre because they then expanded it during the transformation scene for impact. But who knows???? Kind of strange and tiny on the ole TV.

BJBBJB

Thinking about getting a refurb 5900 unit... Is there a concise place to find all the commands, tips, etc; in this thread? :) I'll be honest, 250 pages of reading is daunting.

come on madpoet. i bet if it was the hd-tivo pre-order thread you wouldn't have a problem ;)

the 5900 by itself doesn't offer much in the terms of secret commands or ir codes or tips. so there really isn't a place for you to go to.

here is a tip. to get the most out of it, get an entre :) then you can read the entre technical discussion thread and learn how to ftp and have some fun.

Ah slocko, if only I had the budget :) On the plus side, I did save $900 on that Tivo, and I'm really enjoying all that HD on Voom :)

the only thing i can tell you about the 5900 is:

1) Great progressive picture due to the Faroudja chip.
2) If you like DVD-Audio it has bass management.
3) If you have a kenwood receiver it will automatically switch inputs when you play a dvd.
4) Can daisy chain up to 3 and I think the native guide can aggregate all titles as long as all 3 are upgraded. Thus it's very important that you make sure the unit you buy has been upgraded.
5) plays dvd +r and mp3s.
6) there exists a very crappy program from kenwood that lets you name your dvds via your computer using the serial port. i forget the name.
7) there is a beta dvdlobby plugin for the changer.

the bad:
1) some of these players have a part in them that becomes defective and the unit will slowly begin to show signs of not being able to play a disc. the problem gets worse and worse until eventually it will not play anymore discs. so far there have been no reports of repaired players breaking again. very important that you get a warranty with your unit, cause you never know if yours will be one of these players.
2) does not play svcd.
3) using the kenwood keyboard it defaults to uppercase and you can't make it stay in lowercase mode to type in dvd titles.
4) categorizing dvd titles via the front display is not intuitive.
5) no screensaver. if you stop a dvd, it will just sit there with the kenwood logo.

Guys I hope someone here can help me out.
First: I bought a 2nd changer from Jamal. Hooked it up and everything works fine except no discus in the 2nd changer are found by openglobe. If I manually enter the title it finds all the info but will not work otherwise. Is this a known issue, is there a fix, or do I need to return the changer?

Second:I have another question/observation. I do not see any way that the 2nd or 3rd changer can play dvd-audio. There is no 6 channel analog to daisy chain to the 1st changer. It's no big deal I will just keep dvd-a in the first changer unless someone has a workaround.

I'm sure the answer to this question is a resounding no, but is there any method of routing the output through a PC for scaling? Failing that, is there an external scaler capable of stretching the signal up to a 16x9 image? I ask because I have a panamorph, and need to scale a 1.35:1 image to 16x9 and then let the lens scale it back down again.

-MP

Rudmeister, I assume you are running the two players through an entre. If you are, than the second player should hook up just fine with openglobe. If it is not, be sure that you have everything configured, the players should be set to main and sub1. I forget if you have to do anything with the entre, but if you go to menu, it should be easy to figure out, the search menu should show two players hooked up.

not sure of what you are asking, but the players can be modified for sdi output. if that is what you are looking for i can look up the company's name that does it.

Originally posted by madpoet
I'm sure the answer to this question is a resounding no, but is there any method of routing the output through a PC for scaling? Failing that, is there an external scaler capable of stretching the signal up to a 16x9 image? I ask because I have a panamorph, and need to scale a 1.35:1 image to 16x9 and then let the lens scale it back down again.

-MP

Originally posted by madpoet
I'm sure the answer to this question is a resounding no, but is there any method of routing the output through a PC for scaling? Failing that, is there an external scaler capable of stretching the signal up to a 16x9 image? I ask because I have a panamorph, and need to scale a 1.35:1 image to 16x9 and then let the lens scale it back down again.

-MP

I suppose it depends on the output that the PC will accomodate. I use my changers daisy-chained in interlaced mode, controlled by Entre units, but the interlaced signal is output via component to an external scaler.

My external scaler accepts a component video output, so no problem there. Even if your PC would not accept component, you may be able to acquire an adapter that will reconfigure the component signal to whatever your PC will accept (I'm thinking of a component to vga, or component to RGBHV, whatever).

My particular scaler will not accept a progressive signal (but I'm missing nothing there, as it too is Faroudja, albeit with variable output resolutions), but, for all I know of using a HTPC, there might be something that would even accept the progressive signal (don't know if that would help or hurt, though).

Nick :cool:

Originally posted by slocko
not sure of what you are asking, but the players can be modified for sdi output. if that is what you are looking for i can look up the company's name that does it.

Slocko, I would appreciate it. It gives me more options to play with as I evaluate.

-MP

Originally posted by madpoet
Slocko, I would appreciate it. It gives me more options to play with as I evaluate.

-MP

The place you want is www.jvb.nl

Nick :cool:

Hi Nick. I thought your family would have thrown you out of the house by now for leaving them without tivos :)

Originally posted by slocko
Hi Nick. I thought your family would have thrown you out of the house by now for leaving them without tivos :)

That's what happens when you believe e-tailers on the subject of "delivery date" for their hot new product.

Never sell until your replacement has arrived and you know you're going to stick with the replacement. That's the Consumer Electronics tip o' the day.

Nick :cool:

Thanks Zinja, I guess I need to clarify things.
I hooked up the 2nd changer and the entre sees it. The dvds show up in the movies guide as unknown but with the correct slot and changer info. The changer stats show 806 slots and entre tries to do a lookup for each disk. During the lookup it connects to openglobe and then says no info available. If I take the same disc and put it in the 1st changer openglobe finds it fine. All disks play fine in either changer.
I need to know if you guys think this is somehow a problem with the changer not working properly or if I might have missed something.

I assume all connections are OK because everything else seems to work.

I bought the changer from Jamal so I don't think there will be a problem returning it.

Originally posted by Rudmeister
Thanks Zinja, I guess I need to clarify things.
I hooked up the 2nd changer and the entre sees it. The dvds show up in the movies guide as unknown but with the correct slot and changer info. The changer stats show 806 slots and entre tries to do a lookup for each disk. During the lookup it connects to openglobe and then says no info available. If I take the same disc and put it in the 1st changer openglobe finds it fine. All disks play fine in either changer.
I need to know if you guys think this is somehow a problem with the changer not working properly or if I might have missed something.

I assume all connections are OK because everything else seems to work.

I bought the changer from Jamal so I don't think there will be a problem returning it.

Well, are all connections ok?

232 cable from Entre to Changer 1, which has the "main" switch on the rear.

Connector (think it's a mono cable) from "main" unit to second unit, which has "sub 1" switched on its rear panel.

Video and audio outputs from "sub 1" unit to the inputs on the "main unit." Main unit video and audio outputs to the Entre, or you can actually output directly from the main unit to your preamp/processor, unless you need for the Entre for audio like recording or MP3.

If those connections exist like that, then there's a problem, which I would then start looking into my Entre settings to explore.

Nick :cool:

Thanks Nick but all connections you mentioned are OK.
By the way I also have the 5900 receiver.
As I said the 2nd changer plays discs fine using the entre. According to the feedback to the receiver remote the Dolby digital is working fine and I am only using the component video and it's passing thru fine.
I can manually go in and rename the unknown discs and then the entre find the info when I do a lookup this disc but I would rather it worked correctly.

Does your entre say Prod on the system information screen?

Someone mentioned here that the entre doesn't work correctly if it doesn't say PROD.

If it doesn't, you have to re-register using the backdoor sequence. Probably a good idea to do it anyway. Search this thread for the word backdoor to get the number sequence.

Originally posted by slocko
Does your entre say Prod on the system information screen?
Someone mentioned here that the entre doesn't work correctly if it doesn't say PROD.If it doesn't, you have to re-register using the backdoor sequence. Probably a good idea to do it anyway. Search this thread for the word backdoor to get the number sequence. My Entre doesn't say PROD and works fine. I have two DV5900Ms

From a friend on this board is the following who got it from KW technical support. (thanks friend).

Thank you for calling us at Kenwood USA Corporation.

Symptom: The Entre will not download DVD titles and cover art.
Solution: The Entre needs to be redirected to the "PROD" server.

Note: The Entre will still be able to download CD titles and cover art.

To verify whether or not the Entre needs to be redirected to the PROD
server:
Use the Entre remote control select: Set Up>Utilities>System Information

In the System Information screen find the heading "Server:" and verify that PROD is present in the field.

Note: If PROD appears in the Server field, the problem is not related to the Entre being directed to the wrong Server.


If PROD does not appear in the Server field:
(Using the remote control)
-Press the Set up button on the remote control to enter the "Setup Menu" -Input 5555 to enter the "Advanced Utilities Menu"
-Select: "force re-registration (restarts unit)"
-Wait approximately 2-3 minutes for the Entre to power on -Input 64000 -Wait approximately 5-6 minutes for the Entre to power on -Proceed through the Quick Setup Screens.

Note: Re-registering the Entre is required

Once registration is complete, verify whether or not the Entre has been redirected to the PROD server: Use the Entre remote control select: Set Up>Utilities>System Information.

In the System Information screen find the heading "Server:" and verify that PROD is present in the field

maybe next time they switch to new servers yours will break?

Well, are all connections ok?

232 cable from Entre to Changer 1, which has the "main" switch on the rear.

Connector (think it's a mono cable) from "main" unit to second unit, which has "sub 1" switched on its rear panel.

Video and audio outputs from "sub 1" unit to the inputs on the "main unit." Main unit video and audio outputs to the Entre, or you can actually output directly from the main unit to your preamp/processor, unless you need for the Entre for audio like recording or MP3.

If those connections exist like that, then there's a problem, which I would then start looking into my Entre settings to explore.

Nick


Rudmeister,

I believe the cable is a "stereo" cable as opposed to a "mono" cable to daisy-chain between changers. Also be sure that these cables are pushed completely in-- this is critical!

Slocko I don't think thats it because the 1st changer looks up dvds fine.

Yikes that's expensive :). So I would need the Kenwood, a PDI+Xcard combo, the SDI mod... ouchies. Thanks though slocko.

-MP

Originally posted by ScottF200
My Entre doesn't say PROD and works fine. I have two DV5900Ms

From a friend on this board is the following who got it from KW technical support. (thanks friend).

When Kenwood gave me those instructions I did follow to the letter and re-registrered however as Scott mentioned his does not say "PROD" and seems to work fine. Once the change was made on my Entre I did not find it to be any more reliable for finding my "unknown discs" an better than before.

I also have four discs left that the Entre says are unreadable discs, yet any of my three 5900's can play the movies just fine without the Entre (all being Disney discs by the way which I find a bit odd). Anyone have anything similar happen to them?

Krichter1,

I have similar problems with several Disney bonus discs (Tron, Beauty and the Beast, and one or two others).

Mike

I have the same problem with Disney's bonus disc's. The only difference is, my 5900m does not even identify them as unreadable disc's. The unit trys to read the disc and then just stops in the mech. If I try to eject the disc it won't "Just come out. I have to select another disc, start playing it and then select the Disney disc and the eject before it will eject from the player...

Originally posted by DannyFresh
I have the same problem with Disney's bonus disc's. The only difference is, my 5900m does not even identify them as unreadable disc's. The unit trys to read the disc and then just stops in the mech. If I try to eject the disc it won't "Just come out. I have to select another disc, start playing it and then select the Disney disc and the eject before it will eject from the player...

The only way to fix it is with DVDEdit and trickery. You have to load a completely different disc, so that Entre recognizes that other disc in that slot. Then you remove the decoy disc, place the bonus disc in that slot, edit the disc information and title to reflect that it is the bonus disc, and then upload the cover art, either through DVDEdit, or Joe's Entre FTP program.

Nick :cool:

Hmmm. Maybe just load both discs in the set, let the Entre find the first one and puke on disc 2, then swap the two and do a manual lookup on the original slot for disc 2. Then all you should have to do is edit the title information for the slot disc 2 is already in. Maybe I'll go try this...

Mike

I don't know if this is what is being reported here, but I've noticed two different kinds of unreadable disk errors. The first is a changer problem where the changer simply fails to read the disk, it then purports to flip the disk and finally returns an unreadable disk error. I have no absolute proof of this, but I think that this is a purely mechanical error, as I have been able, on a few ocasions, to make it go away by making sure that my discs don't have any edge burrs. But, as others here have pointed out, this is a problem that gets worse and worse, and once it manifests itself, it is only a matter of time before your changer won't read any discs at all. The second unreadable disk problem, which I too have had on a bunch of Disney (and a few other) discs, is one where the Entre is unable to read the serial number on the disc and returns a message saying that it couldn't read the disc. But the disc is perfectly good and will play just fine. So this an Entre problem, not a changer problem. I've never had this happen on a brand-new disc, but it did happen to me recently on two discs (Lion King 1-1/2 and Spy Kids 3D) after I had removed them from the changer to take them with me on a vacation with the kids. These discs had already been discovered by the Entre with no problem, and only gave the error when they were reinserted. When this happened, the Enter didn't create an Unknown Disk record, so there was nothing to edit, modify or even search on. But I was able to get the discs read, eventually. Here's what I did: (1) Remove the discs and close the changer door, letting the changer look up the slot map and find the relevent slots empty. (2) Put one disc in a slot (preferably one that wasn't used on the first try) and close the door and let the changer discover the disc, and the Entre look it up. This pattern of changing slots and looking up discs one at a time worked for me every time except one. And on that last time, doing a Quick Lookup on the individual slot from the Changer Control section of Setup fixed that problem. Note that both of the issues described above have nothing to do with the "Unknown Disk" error, which is simply that the disc in question is not in the OG database either at all or with that particular disc ID. This error happens almost universally with Disney Bonus Discs, as well as the second discs on many other titles too.

in case anyone is curious to try this:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3696063#post3696063

it didn't work for me, but i haven't tried it with my hardwire connection yet.

Nick, if you are within the first 175, your family might forgive you soon :)

Originally posted by slocko
in case anyone is curious to try this:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3696063#post3696063
it didn't work for me, but i haven't tried it with my hardwire connection yet.
Nick, if you are within the first 175, your family might forgive you soon :) What is Conduit? Conduit is a replacement for Escient's Pipeline application. It is used to manage music and movies on Escient's Fireball products. Well it is very interesting that this guy has no fear about putting the application on the net. Good test bed as this may open up Media Manager possiblities as well (ie. more freely discussing). (No worries, Joe, we know you have lot going on with the new jobs and such. Take care of business. I got time to wait and DVDEdit is still doing its job for me).

Originally posted by rbienstock
The second unreadable disk problem, which I too have had on a bunch of Disney (and a few other) discs, is one where the Entre is unable to read the serial number on the disc and returns a message saying that it couldn't read the disc. But the disc is perfectly good and will play just fine. So this an Entre problem, not a changer problem.

I don't know if I'd assume that this is an Entre problem. I'm not using the Entre and I have the same problem using the changer with Netnamer. The changer can't read the serial number, so it can't be properly stored in Netnamer. However, there is no problem playing the disc.

I'm hoping someone here has this setup ... Has anyone tried to connect this system via the Entre to an Infocus X1 (using component video)?

Thanks,

hmatos

Originally posted by slocko
I think the guy told me that the part alone was around $100 dollars.


Could someone send me their repair bill for this "Disc not readable/recognized" problem by the 5900M transport? I want to see what the going rate is. Any idea if the ROM got upgraded in the process?

If it's over $400 to repair, I might as well grab the new Sony 777 ES.

Since we all seem to be having issues with the 5900 mentioned here, I have noticed that my eject function button does nothing? I assume it is supposed to kick out the current number DVD when the door is open but I don't see anything.

I did experience the Brother Bear disc 1 issues today, Entre refused, 5900 direct read it but there were several "freeze frames"

I'm going to make this a separate thread as well, with some slight modifications.

Brian Towne left Kenwood in August 2003. I don't recall ever reading that on this thread, so my comments herein do not have the benefit of a prior search.

Those who have acquired insight into me over the past two and a half years on this thread, know that I've, in my way, become Sovereign's chief fan. That was not without a lot of harsh words preceding that tranquil point. Translation: That was not until the multichanger support issue was finally rectified by Kenwood. Sufficient to indicate my fervor for the product is my ownership: three Entre units, seven changers in use, and one changer in reserve, unopened (a slight risk, because Jamal's 30 day return period expired a long time ago).

In the saga which reached a very satsifying crescendo (for me, anyway) in the summer of 2003 (the upgrade period), the only voice we came to identify as authoratative was Brian Towne's voice. We often took Kenwood to task for what it did not deliver, and Brian's statements were often the basis for our complaints regarding delay. In my heart, I never blamed Brian, as I recognized that the only possible explanation for the delay was that his line was getting squeezed by Kenwood to demonstrate sales, before it was going to put another dime in Sovereign. Then Kenwood would just hope the problem went away in its cheapest fashion. I don't know if the fix provided by Kenwood was the cheapest it hoped to emerge with, but the problem is now gone.

And, as soon as the problem was gone, so was Brian Towne. Translated, to me, that means Brian was the sole vision of Sovereign from a Kenwood operational perspective, and now the line is discontinued, and he's gone, and unless they get him back, or someone with equivalent passion and skill, we will not see it again. This was news to me.

I have reason to read various corporate information from DTS, the company that provides one of the 5.1-based options in audio, and which is supported by our Sovereign changers. Now that DTS is a publicly held company, it is required to issue certain operational and financial information to the public, particularly its shareholders.

From the recent proxy statement of DTS to shareholders, which included a list of DTS officers, and their tenure:

Brian D. Towne has served as our Vice President, Consumer/Pro Audio since he joined us in August 2003. From April 2002 to August 2003, he served as Director of Product Management at Kenwood USA Corporation, a manufacturer of mobile electronics, home entertainment, and communications equipment, where he led all home and mobile entertainment product planning and development for the North American market. From August 1995 to April 2002, Mr. Towne held various product planning, development and marketing positions at Kenwood USA. Prior to Kenwood USA, he held various research and development and marketing positions at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., the sales and marketing arm of Pioneer Corporation, a manufacturer of consumer and commercial electronics. Fluent in Japanese, Mr. Towne spent part of his tenure at Pioneer living and working in Japan. He also previously served as an Electronics Specialist in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Towne holds a B.S. in Engineering Technology, with honors, from California Polytechnic University, Pomona.

He was the only one from Kenwood that ever spoke with vision or authority on the subject. I do not find it coincidental that the upgrade program we heard about in the summer of 2003, was the same time he left Kenwood. The company was solving a problem that I'm certain Brian would have liked solved much earlier, but his departure from Kenwood means, to me, the departure of Sovereign from Kenwood, because he was Sovereign, at least as we knew it.

The only thing I've heard about "continuing" the line since Brian left, was a vague statement from a floor rep at the Kenwood display at CES 2004, but him saying it then is insignificant in comparison to the absolute void of authorized commentary by Kenwood on the subject.

This thread is now on its way to Ghost Town, but there's still a lot of dust to kick up, so we might as well keep kicking. I, for one, am sorry to hear that Brian is no longer with Kenwood. However, if I like DTS, I get to buy stock and be glad that someone with the vision to bring the Sovereign line to market is on that team.

Nick :cool:

Originally posted by ellisd
Since we all seem to be having issues with the 5900 mentioned here, I have noticed that my eject function button does nothing? I assume it is supposed to kick out the current number DVD when the door is open but I don't see anything.

I did experience the Brother Bear disc 1 issues today, Entre refused, 5900 direct read it but there were several "freeze frames"


Ellisd, Yes you are correct, the eject is supposed to kick out the disc for you so you are able to grab it and pull it out.. The mechanism is controlled by a spring which usually becomes detached during shipping. This was a know issue with many of us who post on this thread. If you unit is under warranty, Kenwood will fix it at no charge. Just bring the unit to a local service center. My advice to you is to do nothing yet. There are many other issues with the changers as well, and one is bound to come up sooner or later. For example the now famous "Not able to read that type of disc" error. When you become victim to another "Major" issue, just get them fixed at the same time. You'll spend a boat load of money if you ship it out every time something goes wrong ...

With all that said, I must say I have had the setup for over a year now, (Entre, VR5900, 5900M, 5900M) and it is probably the "Coolest" setup I have ever owned. Even with all the "Glitches" we have all experienced, I am still happy to own it... It is just a damn shame the Sovereign has been discontinued.

I wonder if Dave still has his entre equipment?

Originally posted by slocko
I wonder if Dave still has his entre equipment? Dave's not here! (or hasn't been for a long long time...pm him)
http://valbykicksass.com/cc/cds/smoke2.jpg

Thanks for the feedback, my dealer has allowed me to switch the 5900 for a new Sony so I can hook up to the Escient product, I got tired of rebooting my Entre. I hope this new setup is as nice as the Sovereign line.

Nick, Nick, Nick:

Just look at the power you have. You pronounced this thread a ghost town and no one has posted to it in 4 days. :(

After playing with my new HD-Tivo, I wish all my movies were on a hard drive :(

Originally posted by slocko
After playing with my new HD-Tivo, I wish all my movies were on a hard drive :(

Buy the Kaleidescape System. But don't ask to borrow the money from me!:D


Ken

FYI and OT:

For those who choose not to afford the HD-TiVo machine, I've just successfully experimented downconverting my OTA HD signal through my ReplayTV's S-Video input. I would estimate that 70% of the apparent clarity and dimention of the HD signal is retained, but it integrates seamlessly via a normal SDTV PVR. Not a bad compromise, if you don't feel like shelling out $1000... or if you just want to do OTA or Cable HDTV...or if you just hate TiVo. :)

i have to say i was surprised by 480i via OTA digital versus SAT. I knew SAT was compressed, but that point is hammered home once you see it for yourself.

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
For those who choose not to afford the HD-TiVo machine, I've just successfully experimented downconverting my OTA HD signal through my ReplayTV's S-Video input. I would estimate that 70% of the apparent clarity and dimention of the HD signal is retained, but it integrates seamlessly via a normal SDTV PVR. Not a bad compromise, if you don't feel like shelling out $1000... or if you just want to do OTA or Cable HDTV...or if you just hate TiVo. :) I hate Tivo :) I have 3 ReplayTVs and a brand new Panasonic HD Plasma. I was considering getting an HD box from Time Warner. I'm not sure how you have things set up. Are you going from the STB into the RTV via s-video and then back into your display at 480p component? What aspect ratio do you get when you do that? (In other words, if you tell your STB that you have a 16:9 display and use S-video, does it send an anamorphic signal to the output?)

Robert,

Yes, I'm taking the S-Video out of my STB into the RTV, and then outputing via 480p to my 4x3 HDTV. Aspect ratio is dictated by the mode of my STB. I can even send the Replay a full 4x3 screen image of a 16x9 show, and then do an anamorphic-style vertical squeeze to get a true 16x9 480p output. It's pretty flexible, and I think the flexibility is limited only to your S-Video out options on your STB.

Clearly, the compression algs on the RTV have an easy time when working with such a high quality signal. Again, it ain't HD Replay, but at the same time, it MAY be better than the "HDTV" some satellite users receive direct due to compression. Let me know how it works out for you... PM me.

I love my HD DirecTivo unit.

But this is a Kenwood Sovereign thread. Oh, well, maybe the HD DirecTivo is the place to hang ;)

So many DVDs out there. So many more reasons for DVD changers. Why have these things not caught on at all?

Nick :cool:

Originally posted by Nick Satullo
So many DVDs out there. So many more reasons for DVD changers. Why have these things not caught on at all?

Nick :cool: [/B]

I have a lot of friends who are DVD maniacs. They have absolutely no interest in adding a changer to their racks. They seem perfectly content to surf their movie rack like their shopping at Blockbuster, selecting a disc, putting it in the tray, and enjoying.

Maybe for some people there is some sort of visceral enjoyment of feeling like they're at a Blockbuster, selecting a movie from the shelf, but they're actually at home.

Or maybe some people just don't care about automation, and don't get the thrill we do about managing media in a systematic way.

Anyone want to add/subtract from the speculation?

Oh, and Nick... I'm sure an HD TiVo is da bomb. But I'm addicted to ReplayTV's "extra" features that TiVo just won't come to parity on. I hope that the next round of Replays support HD. But even if they don't, it looks like devices like Moxi may be taking over anyway... distributed by the cable industry. The future of TiVo and ReplayTV are both in jeopardy if you can get a PVR+ from your Sat/Cable company for $9.95/month. The up-front cost of hardware and subscription is a limiting factor in the proliferation of PVR technology.

Nick,

I agree, it's nice being able to record your HD w/ Tivo and watching it when we want. Now if they would only add a couple more HD channels. I say they are only about six channels short.(Cinemax, Starz, TMC, Bravo, Encore, and INHD)