Sticky: Zenith DVB318 FAQs - Page 13

I had no problems ordering my 318 from them 3 months back. Seems to be a small mom/pop store operation. They were very courteous and shipped when stated. I would buy from them again, if not for getting triple points from ordering through Amazon with a Amazon Visa

Someone posted a review on the DVB318 page on Amazon today (08/01/04) that "All new units coming with new firmware that disables component up-conversion. DVI only."
I assume he's talking about the new batches that Amazon just got.

Can anyone else confirm this?

Also, how do you check the firmware on the the DVD player itself?

Just checking in with my experience. Ordered the 318 from Gochnauer's on 8/25 and received it on 8/31. Dec 2003 build date (obviously, old firmware). Worked perfectly out of the box (I did not request double boxing - shipping was nicely handled by DHL). I like the upconversion improvement through component on my 55" Mits (no DVI input). So far, I am very happy with this purchase. Hope it stays that way as I use the unit more. BTW, the experience with Gochnauer's was first rate.
Mark

CAn anyone confirm a place online that is selling with the old firmware for upconversion over component? thanks!

jim

I'm not sure if the new Amazon units have the new firmware. I'll let you know on Friday when I receive mine. I ordered it from Amazon on Monday the 30th August. I'd imagine that guy on Amazon who 'reviewed' it has no clue since he says he spent $90 extra (haha) to get a different player, which indicates to me that he never even bought this one from Amazon.

However, time will tell for sure!

I just recieved mine 5 minutes ago from Gochnauers. Unfortunately I am at work so I will have to wait until I get home to test component upscaling.

Jeff

When did you order?

I placed my order on 8/24. I opened the box and it shows a build date of December, 2003 so I should be in good shape.

Jeff

Placed order on 8-20 when I heard the new firmware was coming without
up conversion over component.

Recd unit 8-24 DHL del. Perfect condition. Came with the April firmware date.

Have watched several dvd's all upconverted and they all looked fantastic.
Did not try StarWars though.

Ron

Just something to think about, until someone actually gets one from amazon.com.
They have changed their description of the 318 saying that it only goes from 480i to 480p over component, it used to say 720 and 1080. Just something to think about. Ill will know more on Friday, if its a new unit just return it great return policy no harm no foul, seeing that i already own one.

Goch's is indeed a "Mom & Pop" store. They only really have a single store (plus a warehouse I think) and it is not all that large. The folks there are friendly, in my experience anyway. I happen to live across the street from there store, so have visited it a few times. It kind of reminds me of stepping back in time. It just has that old feel of a small, private store that sells and fixes all your home appliances. It's just a little odd seeing an old-style setup with refrigerators, stoves, washing machines... and a 60" plasma. Of course, I'm generally leery of internet purchases that I can't return to the merchant as well. Goch's is also well respected in the local area. They are legit, despite the lack of return issue.

It actually states on amazon.com in the technical data "480p and above only through component-video outs" which still seems to imply that it will upconvert through components.

I noticed it doesn't look like this has an optical audio out, only component. If my receiver decodes dts and dobly does that mean it can do it through it's optical and component inputs?

I have a Sony STR-DE995 that is 2 1/2 years old and have only tried it with an optical input.

Just wondering if anyone knew this off hand. The manual is at home so I can;t look it up right now.

jim

Zenith Web Site states

Multiple Rear Outputs
Coaxial Digital Audio, Optical Digital Audio, S-Video, Component Video, Progressive Scan Video

and it does have them.

Ron

thanks. I guess Amazon just didn't list it or I can't read.

jim

What's the April firmware update? I thought there was just a March update? Does the April update remove 1080i over component?

*starting to freak out about Amazon order arriving on Friday*

Sorry it is March not April.
Doing this from work.

Damn...I'll be very upset if I get a March updated firmware from Amazon. I really hope I don't....

Any chance of a firmware downgrade patch?

FWIW, I just received a replacement 318 direct from Zenith and everythings cool. Incidentally, the factory did not double box, either.

any word on Amazon yet? Are they old firmware? I emailed gochnauer this morning but haven't heard anything back

Jim

Very encouraging.

if you order from amazon and it gets in and it doesn't up convert can you return to amazon?

jim

Sure you can, they even include return shipping labels for you.

Just had my wife open the 318 from Amazon that I got today...build date is Dec 2003

Took the plunge and just ordered one off Amazon with 2 day shipping. Hope it works out for me. Everyone cross your fingers.

jim

Me too. It's the 26th best selling item on Amazon right now and I don't want this shipment to be exhausted before I get my order in.

*rolls the dice*

but it sounds like it's safe to do so by the accounts here.

If my understanding on this is correct - not all DVD will be affected by the new firmware. Only DVDs that use RCE protection.
Confirmed DVDs that use RCE protection and will not upconvert are:
Attack of the Clones
Spiderman (normal)
Star Trek Nemesis
Disneys Hunchback of Notre Dame

If anyone's unsure try one of these titles...

jc3

Also keep in mind that, if what an earlier poster said is true, Zenith will be upgrading existing stock the build date will become irrelevant.

jc3

I just received a DVD318 from Amazon today. When I connect via the component outputs to my Mits DVD Component Input, I get no picture - not even the Zenith logo when you power the unit on. When I connect via the S-Video I do get the logo. My Mits DVD Video Input is labeled Y (green) - CR (red) - CB (blue), but the DVB318 is labeled Y (green), Pb (blue), Pr (red). I've tried using the supplied component cable as well as a Monster component cable I was using with my previous progressive scan DVD player - neither produced the logo at power on.

Page 9 of the Zenith manual contains the statement: Component Video Out (Y Pb Pr) - Connect to a TV with Y Pb Pr inputs. I connected the Mits to the Zenith as follows Y (green) to the Zenith Y (green), Cr (red) to the Zenith Pr (red), Cb (blue) to the Zenith Pb (blue). Am I missing something or do I have a defective set?

Well I learned something with the purchase of this Zenith DVB318. If your set is like mine and has a DVD Video input that only produces 480p, you've got a bit of a problem. The Zenith will only work if the 'upsampling' is set to 480p. I switched the Zenith to the one set of HD inputs I have on my Mits and the Zenith worked. I've only had a chance to view a small amount of video, but the picture looks really good when I set the 'upsampling' to 1080i which my Mits HD inputs support.

I'm going to call a TV technician tomorrow to see if I can use a Y connector on the Mits HD inputs so I can connect both my satellite receiver and Zenith DVD to the same HD inputs. I'm not sure what kind of problem could occur if I were to inadvertenly turn both the satellite receiver and DVD player on at the same time.

I wouldn't worry.. Just got mine today & has the upconversion through component cables..