ShowStopper Hardware Hack: S/N Change to download 3.0
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Mike:
Thank you for the restrained response. I consider you one of the "Good Guys" here, and you seem genuinely interested in customer service.
Replayit's post was uncalled for based on your measured, cautionary response.
However,
The emotions Replayit expressed are exactly those of me and many other Panasonic Showstopper owners. We do feel like Black Sheep relatives rather than equal partners in the ReplayTV experience. Partly, this is because the obvious concern of ReplayTV (and you) only brings into sharper focus the fact that not only can you not help us, but you cannot even tell us the name of someone who can. I have had better support buying discontinued and used equipment than I have from Panasonic for my new $600 piece of equipment.
For every good thing you do for Replay customers, We feel like we are watching through glass, unable to participate.
I don't know your position at Replay, but I think that the relationship with Panasonic could use some tweaking.
As has been mentioned many times, when we bought the Panasonic, we were told that the unit was IDENTICAL, MADE IN THE SAME FACTORY, SAME SOFTWARE, etc. When I found out I couldn't timeshift rented DVD's like Replay and TiVo owners, I was pissed and considered returning the ShowStoppewr and Getting a TiVo. I decided to stick it out, only to find out that our software had to be "blessed" by Panasonic USA, the worst Japanese sales office of them all (I am occasionaly involded in purchasing electronic components too, so the C.E. behavior is nothing new to me).
Perhaps Replay should see if you could reach an agreement to take on all support activities (including Telephone) for Panasonic ShowStoppers, so all people who purchase a device that says ReplayTV will receive an equal level of service. This would certainly be in Panasonics best long-term interests.
Regardless of the preceeding, I think you (Replay) guys need to make a greater effort in the future to insure that all customers of your technology (and not just your hardware) feel that they are being treated equitably.
Please.
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Skeptic
Thank you for the restrained response. I consider you one of the "Good Guys" here, and you seem genuinely interested in customer service.
Replayit's post was uncalled for based on your measured, cautionary response.
However,
The emotions Replayit expressed are exactly those of me and many other Panasonic Showstopper owners. We do feel like Black Sheep relatives rather than equal partners in the ReplayTV experience. Partly, this is because the obvious concern of ReplayTV (and you) only brings into sharper focus the fact that not only can you not help us, but you cannot even tell us the name of someone who can. I have had better support buying discontinued and used equipment than I have from Panasonic for my new $600 piece of equipment.
For every good thing you do for Replay customers, We feel like we are watching through glass, unable to participate.
I don't know your position at Replay, but I think that the relationship with Panasonic could use some tweaking.
As has been mentioned many times, when we bought the Panasonic, we were told that the unit was IDENTICAL, MADE IN THE SAME FACTORY, SAME SOFTWARE, etc. When I found out I couldn't timeshift rented DVD's like Replay and TiVo owners, I was pissed and considered returning the ShowStoppewr and Getting a TiVo. I decided to stick it out, only to find out that our software had to be "blessed" by Panasonic USA, the worst Japanese sales office of them all (I am occasionaly involded in purchasing electronic components too, so the C.E. behavior is nothing new to me).
Perhaps Replay should see if you could reach an agreement to take on all support activities (including Telephone) for Panasonic ShowStoppers, so all people who purchase a device that says ReplayTV will receive an equal level of service. This would certainly be in Panasonics best long-term interests.
Regardless of the preceeding, I think you (Replay) guys need to make a greater effort in the future to insure that all customers of your technology (and not just your hardware) feel that they are being treated equitably.
Please.
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Skeptic
Joined
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866 Posts
ReplayMike: Thanks for taking the time to answer the legit questions here on this forum. I appreciate the effort you put in despite the obvious attempts by trollers to keep this from being a productive place for people to exchange information.
Presumably those who buy a Panasonic brand do so because they want the assurance that such a brand provides. i.e. quality, support, resale value ... It occurs to me that part of Panasonic's "quality" assurance, i.e. providing a longer test/soak cycle is the cause of these complaints. It's
ironic that those who "pay" for these "value added" aspects are so quick to want to "throw them away"! Seems to me these people are stuck in a cycle of their own illogical thinking!
[This message has been edited by FreezeFrame (edited 10-29-2000).]
Presumably those who buy a Panasonic brand do so because they want the assurance that such a brand provides. i.e. quality, support, resale value ... It occurs to me that part of Panasonic's "quality" assurance, i.e. providing a longer test/soak cycle is the cause of these complaints. It's
ironic that those who "pay" for these "value added" aspects are so quick to want to "throw them away"! Seems to me these people are stuck in a cycle of their own illogical thinking!
[This message has been edited by FreezeFrame (edited 10-29-2000).]
ReplayIt, I think it's time you showed a little respect to the Replay people here and the rest of us who are tired of your whining.
The only reason you are here complaining is because there is someone here to listen. But obviously the people who can actually do something about your situation are NOT listening on this board.
Listen once and listen carefully, because your diatribes are getting old: Replay is NOT responsible for the fact 3.0 was delayed on the ShowStopper, nor are they responsible for the particular implementation of Macrovision. Everyone acknowledges that the Macrovision implementation on the Replay-branded models works just fine, so obviously its not a problem on the Replay software. Panasonic and Panasonic alone made the decision on this and on releasing the 3.0 software, and no matter how much you piss and whine and otherwise bore us about it on this board, Panasonic is not hearing you here.
Now, it may be that Panasonic may not be listening at all. But that in no way gives you the right to clutter up this message board just because there are other people who are listening for other reasons. The Replay staff spends their own time here on this board, and instead of rewarding them for their effort by purchasing a Replay-branded model, you try to make their lives more difficult by denigrating the platform as a whole.
Grow up and shut up.
[This message has been edited by jleavens (edited 10-30-2000).]
The only reason you are here complaining is because there is someone here to listen. But obviously the people who can actually do something about your situation are NOT listening on this board.
Listen once and listen carefully, because your diatribes are getting old: Replay is NOT responsible for the fact 3.0 was delayed on the ShowStopper, nor are they responsible for the particular implementation of Macrovision. Everyone acknowledges that the Macrovision implementation on the Replay-branded models works just fine, so obviously its not a problem on the Replay software. Panasonic and Panasonic alone made the decision on this and on releasing the 3.0 software, and no matter how much you piss and whine and otherwise bore us about it on this board, Panasonic is not hearing you here.
Now, it may be that Panasonic may not be listening at all. But that in no way gives you the right to clutter up this message board just because there are other people who are listening for other reasons. The Replay staff spends their own time here on this board, and instead of rewarding them for their effort by purchasing a Replay-branded model, you try to make their lives more difficult by denigrating the platform as a whole.
Grow up and shut up.
[This message has been edited by jleavens (edited 10-30-2000).]
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866 Posts
Quote:
Presumably you did *some* homework before buying your unit? If not then you made a spontaneous purchase based more on perception than on fact. If so then you bought a "brand" because of your pre-concieved knowldege of that brand. People do this all the time, it's why "branding" is so important.
I personally have had 4 panasonic products and have been extremely happy with them. They seem to have found the right sweet spot for me. Balancing features/quality and cost just about where I like it. Also cash flow and making profit are what business is all about. You had the choice of not buying the product, why complain about the company now?
Lastly you also had the chance to buy a ReplayTV if you wanted. You should have come here first and read this forum, and/or read reviews and/or talked to people who knew about the products. Then you would have know how to buy a ReplayTV(perhaps from amazon as I did) and the reasons why.
So would you do us all a favour and stop insulting yourself in front of us! It's getting rather embarrasing!
| Originally posted by MikeLowe: I bought my Panasonic Not because it had any "value added" or because of "quality" concernes. I bought it because they did not have the real deal in the store. I could only choose a ShowBlocker or a TiVo. I unwisely chose the ShowBlocker and have been paying for it ever since. As for "Quality" BELIEVE ME. I have seen what Panasonic means by "Quality", and it has more to do with quantity of cash flow than it does quality of products or services. |
I personally have had 4 panasonic products and have been extremely happy with them. They seem to have found the right sweet spot for me. Balancing features/quality and cost just about where I like it. Also cash flow and making profit are what business is all about. You had the choice of not buying the product, why complain about the company now?
Lastly you also had the chance to buy a ReplayTV if you wanted. You should have come here first and read this forum, and/or read reviews and/or talked to people who knew about the products. Then you would have know how to buy a ReplayTV(perhaps from amazon as I did) and the reasons why.
So would you do us all a favour and stop insulting yourself in front of us! It's getting rather embarrasing!
I must say - all the whiners here with their ShowStoppers constantly bitching about 3.0 are ridiculous. Do you know that most projects like this (an upgrade) take 3-6 months? Just ask cell phone companies, PC companies, Home Theatre, etc etc etc. I bought a PC NEW from CompUSA a few years ago with software 2 years old on it. My NEW Nokia cell phone had 1 year-old software in it that had some already-fixed bugs. My receiver promised "unlimited upgradeablitity" because it had 6-channel pre-amp inputs. Well, it doesn't support the next big thing, Surround EX.
My point? IT'S BEEN LESS THAN A MONTH! STOP COMPLAINING! If you weren't hear hearing about 3.0 you wouldn't know it exists. You bought a unit with version 2.1 or whatever, and you still have a perfectly functional unit. I would NEVER want you to hire me for anything because you're NEVER HAPPY! Do you complain this much in EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE?
My point? IT'S BEEN LESS THAN A MONTH! STOP COMPLAINING! If you weren't hear hearing about 3.0 you wouldn't know it exists. You bought a unit with version 2.1 or whatever, and you still have a perfectly functional unit. I would NEVER want you to hire me for anything because you're NEVER HAPPY! Do you complain this much in EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE?
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Quote:
Well said!
| Originally posted by The Robman: Please remember that having a forum like this, which is read by the actual people who do the programming at Replay is a VERY RARE priviledge! Do you have a forum for your TV, VCR, DVD player, etc, and if you do how often to the guys from Toshiba, Pioneer, Sony, etc visit it? All the newbies with their conspiracy theories and 2nd class citizen bullsh1t have already driven one of the Replay guys away, do you want to start work on the next one? If you hadn't discovered this forum, you wouldn't even know that 3.0 was ready, so you wouldn't be bitching. Bottom line, if you are that pissed off that you haven't got 3.0 yet, return your unit. |
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677 Posts
Quote:
And you can be DAMN sure they are not gonna tell us about 3.1 or whatever the next one is.
Quote:
Yeah, and stop screwing stuff up for the rest of us! That goes double for replayit and StuckOnReplay and cwoody and the other couple whiners who make the rest of us look bad. I mean, COME ON GUYS!!! This is an amazing privelage and you are pissing it away by acting like spoiled brats.
Ed Leiken
[This message has been edited by DeadEd (edited 11-03-2000).]
| Originally posted by The Robman: Please remember that having a forum like this, which is read by the actual people who do the programming at Replay is a VERY RARE priviledge! Do you have a forum for your TV, VCR, DVD player, etc, and if you do how often to the guys from Toshiba, Pioneer, Sony, etc visit it? All the newbies with their conspiracy theories and 2nd class citizen bullsh1t have already driven one of the Replay guys away, do you want to start work on the next one? If you hadn't discovered this forum, you wouldn't even know that 3.0 was ready, so you wouldn't be bitching. |
Quote:
| Bottom line, if you are that pissed off that you haven't got 3.0 yet, return your unit. |
Ed Leiken
[This message has been edited by DeadEd (edited 11-03-2000).]
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3,139 Posts
Andy, I can assure you that Showstopper owners are not second class citizens. Try looking at it another way, the version of 3.0 that you get will have been more thoroughly tested than the version that the Replay brand owners are getting, because Panasonic will have "tried to break it". So, maybe you're more of a first class citizen than the Replay brand owners, as only the best is good enough for Panasonic customers.
Please remember that having a forum like this, which is read by the actual people who do the programming at Replay is a VERY RARE priviledge! Do you have a forum for your TV, VCR, DVD player, etc, and if you do how often to the guys from Toshiba, Pioneer, Sony, etc visit it?
All the newbies with their conspiracy theories and 2nd class citizen bullsh1t have already driven one of the Replay guys away, do you want to start work on the next one?
If you hadn't discovered this forum, you wouldn't even know that 3.0 was ready, so you wouldn't be bitching.
Bottom line, if you are that pissed off that you haven't got 3.0 yet, return your unit.
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Later,
Rob.
http://www.hifi-remote.com/
Please remember that having a forum like this, which is read by the actual people who do the programming at Replay is a VERY RARE priviledge! Do you have a forum for your TV, VCR, DVD player, etc, and if you do how often to the guys from Toshiba, Pioneer, Sony, etc visit it?
All the newbies with their conspiracy theories and 2nd class citizen bullsh1t have already driven one of the Replay guys away, do you want to start work on the next one?
If you hadn't discovered this forum, you wouldn't even know that 3.0 was ready, so you wouldn't be bitching.
Bottom line, if you are that pissed off that you haven't got 3.0 yet, return your unit.
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Later,
Rob.
http://www.hifi-remote.com/
Joined
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3,139 Posts
Quote:
I could be wrong, but I don't believe Replay actually makes any of the boxes, they just put their name on some of them (as does Panasonic), but I do know that they only have control over the Replay brand boxes. As for looking good to new partners, why would a future partner blame Replay for the actions of a current partner? If Sony is thinking of bringing out a Replay box, what would they care that Panasonic are upsetting their customers?
Quote:
So rather than just deny 3.0 to some you would deny it to everyone, so what happens when the fact that 3.0 is ready is accidentally leaked out? Like I said earlier, if you buy a Panasonic box, your beef is with them. I would hate to see Replay owners deprived of the latest software because Panasonic is dragging their feet. It would be kinda like if you know that Microsoft has come out with a new version of Windows and all of your friends are using at their offices, but your boss has decided to wait until Service Pack 1 is available before he installs it in your office. Needless to say, you're pissed, so you start bombarding the Microsoft forums suggesting that they should have held up the release to everyone else until your boss gave it the "all clear", something which is entirely out of Microsoft's control.
I see that many people are returning their Showstoppers and buying Replay brand units instead, and I have no problem with that whatsoever, they are simply putting their money where their mouth is. The fact is that when I bought my Showstopper the deal was just too good to pass up ($230 after rebates), at the time a Replay brand unit would have cost $449. Compare that to my 2020, which cost $700, and the people with 2004's paid $1500 for them.
It would be very interesting to go back into the forum archives and see what percentage of complaints come from people who have paid upwards of $700 for their units, versus the people who only paid $200 and change, but I think I know the answer to that already, as do you.
Once again, there's nothing personal intended in my post, but my patience for the Showstopper Whiners is very thin.
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Later,
Rob.
http://www.hifi-remote.com/
| Originally posted by FlyingCat: That being said, I disagree with you on the "Replay" vs "Panasonic" name on the front of the box concept. If you examine the revenue models of the company, it looks to me like the OEM and licensing business is where the bulk of the future revenue is going to come from. Selling boxes of their own is not where the money is going to come from. It's the partnership deals with as many other companies as possible. Therefore, it's in ReplayTV's best interest that their partners look as good as possible, so they can get more partners. |
Quote:
| Originally posted by FlyingCat: Instead, I'm suggesting more of the other approach ... don't let the release out at all until BOTH companies approve. That way, no one would be pissing and moaning, as you put it, and everyone would be in the same boat. |
I see that many people are returning their Showstoppers and buying Replay brand units instead, and I have no problem with that whatsoever, they are simply putting their money where their mouth is. The fact is that when I bought my Showstopper the deal was just too good to pass up ($230 after rebates), at the time a Replay brand unit would have cost $449. Compare that to my 2020, which cost $700, and the people with 2004's paid $1500 for them.
It would be very interesting to go back into the forum archives and see what percentage of complaints come from people who have paid upwards of $700 for their units, versus the people who only paid $200 and change, but I think I know the answer to that already, as do you.
Once again, there's nothing personal intended in my post, but my patience for the Showstopper Whiners is very thin.
------------------
Later,
Rob.
http://www.hifi-remote.com/
Quote:
Sorry, but I don't see that as a solution. Why penalize ReplayTV owners
because an OEM wants to delay things? If at some point there are 6 OEM's, do you want ReplayTV to hold up the software till all 6 OEM's are in agreement that it's ok to release it? The Showstopper is not ReplayTV's problem, it's a Panasonic problem. Pure and simple. (I own both brands.)
-Gary
| Originally posted by FlyingCat: After all, at the very least holding back future releases until everyone can get them would solve your problem |
because an OEM wants to delay things? If at some point there are 6 OEM's, do you want ReplayTV to hold up the software till all 6 OEM's are in agreement that it's ok to release it? The Showstopper is not ReplayTV's problem, it's a Panasonic problem. Pure and simple. (I own both brands.)
-Gary
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3,139 Posts
Andy,
My post was directed to everybody else that has posted on this subject as muchas it was directed to you, and please bear in mind that your post was somethink like the 5 millionth post from a complaining Showstopper owner. {For the record, I also have a Showstopper that doesn't yet have 3.0 on it, but can you point to a single post where I am complaining about it?].
Here's the way it is, ReplayTV has two functions, they are (1) a software/service provider and (2) they are a retail brand name. Neither Replay or Panasonic actually make these boxes, some other OEM company actually makes them.
When you buy a box with the "Replay" brand name on the front, you can reasonably direct your comments about the way that box works to Replay, when you buy a box with the "Panasonic" brand name on the front, you should direct your comments about the way the box works to Panasonic. If you have comments about the way the actual software works, those should be directed to Replay.
The decision not to release version 3.0 to Showstopper owners was made by Panasonic and Panasonic ALONE, if it were up to Replay you would have 3.0 already. If you think Replay should be exercising their muscles to try and force the issue with Panasonic, take a step back and look at the two companies that you're talking about, then read by humorous post entitled "Hot News: Replay tells Panasonic Where to Stick It" .
Bottom line, all this pissing and moaning is making this forum a very unpleasant place to visit. Once upon a time it was just the Replay guys and the early adopters and there was alot of very healthy discussion about what features we would like and what we didn't like about the current version, etc and you know what, most of what we asked for appeared in version 2.0! Now, 90% of the posts are from stupid pissants moaning about this or complaining about that, and WHO THE F*CK NEEDS IT! ReplayMike has already been driven into hibernation, StuckOnReplay and her gang made a pretty good attempt to get rid of ReplayBen, so who's next, is it about time for ReplayMarc to be shown the door?
If you all continue to treat this forum as your own personal pissing post, the Replay guys will stop coming here and then this forum will serve no purpose whatsoever, except to give all the moaners a place to moan, and the rest of us will have lost a way to influence the direction that Replay takes the future versions of their software.
------------------
Later,
Rob.
http://www.hifi-remote.com/
My post was directed to everybody else that has posted on this subject as muchas it was directed to you, and please bear in mind that your post was somethink like the 5 millionth post from a complaining Showstopper owner. {For the record, I also have a Showstopper that doesn't yet have 3.0 on it, but can you point to a single post where I am complaining about it?].
Here's the way it is, ReplayTV has two functions, they are (1) a software/service provider and (2) they are a retail brand name. Neither Replay or Panasonic actually make these boxes, some other OEM company actually makes them.
When you buy a box with the "Replay" brand name on the front, you can reasonably direct your comments about the way that box works to Replay, when you buy a box with the "Panasonic" brand name on the front, you should direct your comments about the way the box works to Panasonic. If you have comments about the way the actual software works, those should be directed to Replay.
The decision not to release version 3.0 to Showstopper owners was made by Panasonic and Panasonic ALONE, if it were up to Replay you would have 3.0 already. If you think Replay should be exercising their muscles to try and force the issue with Panasonic, take a step back and look at the two companies that you're talking about, then read by humorous post entitled "Hot News: Replay tells Panasonic Where to Stick It" .
Bottom line, all this pissing and moaning is making this forum a very unpleasant place to visit. Once upon a time it was just the Replay guys and the early adopters and there was alot of very healthy discussion about what features we would like and what we didn't like about the current version, etc and you know what, most of what we asked for appeared in version 2.0! Now, 90% of the posts are from stupid pissants moaning about this or complaining about that, and WHO THE F*CK NEEDS IT! ReplayMike has already been driven into hibernation, StuckOnReplay and her gang made a pretty good attempt to get rid of ReplayBen, so who's next, is it about time for ReplayMarc to be shown the door?
If you all continue to treat this forum as your own personal pissing post, the Replay guys will stop coming here and then this forum will serve no purpose whatsoever, except to give all the moaners a place to moan, and the rest of us will have lost a way to influence the direction that Replay takes the future versions of their software.
------------------
Later,
Rob.
http://www.hifi-remote.com/
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