I visited the Kenwood website for the first time in months. On the issue of control of 3 changers, the website now says that the Entre controls "changers." This is accurate, so far as it goes, since it can control either the DV-5900M, or the DV-5050M. Those two models would constitute "changers."
Recall that some said earlier that they took solace in the fact that the website used to inaccurately report the Entre's ability to control 3 changers, since this meant to them that Kenwood had every intention of implementing the fix to accomplish this. By that logic, does this mean Kenwood is setting the stage to tell us that it will only control one changer?
It's been 4 months since I acquired my Entre. We have the backdoor information that Kenwood has leaked to a few, all to the effect that they do intend on implementing the fix, but can't say when. From a practical standpoint, indefinite delays associated with "assurances" mean, really, no assurances at all.
As more time passes, and as the information on the current ability of the Entre is now arguably "accurate," Kenwood's ability to argue that those who purchased the Entre system got exactly what was advertised increases. The flip side is that those left out in the cold on Kenwood's marketing--yours truly, among others--become a distinct minority, much easier to ignore.
I just loaded Pink Floyd's
The Wall. It was disc number 380. I have my daisy chained 5050M ready to fire up, and I'm very soon going to want to start using it. As soon as my preamp upgrade is accomplished (the manufacturer, not Kenwood, is upgrading the processors and mine is slated for it) I'm going to want to start using space in the DV-5900M for DVD-Audio discs as well.
So, Kenwood, if you're reading this, please appreciate that some kind of explanation is owed. I find it very hard to believe that, from an engineering standpoint, this problem can't be solved. I recognize, too, that there is a cost/benefit analysis associated with that endeavor. We've long had the ability to make cars that can crash into buildings at 50 mph, and the passengers walk away unscathed. Problem is, the cars cost about a million dollars apiece to build, so it's not a practical solution to the problem of crashworthiness of automobiles. I have to believe that this is the dilemma Kenwood is facing, not whether it can be done.
I solved this the first time I approached 400 discs by rummaging through my collection and selling about 100 discs on eBay, justifying it on the basis that I really didn't want to view them again. I don't want to go through that exercise again. But I know that after I run out of space in my DV-5900M, I'm going to be irked by the fact that it doesn't work beyond it. My patience will probably be measured by as much space as remains in the DV-5900M. Problem is, space is running out.
Some may get upset with me for raising this issue again, but there are a lot of people on this thread that weren't here when it started. I recognize that it won't practically bother most people, because 400 discs is still a ways off. But the principal benefit to any DVD changer is library management, and if you leased the space with the idea that was more was available, it becomes perturbing to learn, once you've moved in, that no more space is really available. Yes, there have been
unofficial dribs and drabs of information to the effect that they're working on it, but no dates, and, ultimately, no assurances. And the website has now been changed in a manner that suggests damage control.
I'm glad the website is now accurate, but maybe it's the lawyer in me that keeps mistaking Kenwood as one of my clients, and I'm simply pleased that they're limiting their exposure. I'd really like to hear something more concrete than we've heard thus far, because, in the end, I'm just a consumer here, and I only want them to fulfill their promises.
Nick
It uses a different chipset. You need the one that they offer.
