Well, I've been going all over town looking for great deals on an Ultimate TV. I visited a semi-local Best Buy and a come across a Panasonic Replay TV that is being sold as an open box special for $99. Knowing that these things come with basically a lifetime sub, I think I want it.
The problem is that it has -ZERO- accesories. No cables, manual, remote or power cord. Just the replay box. Well, I decide to go to the local library (as I'm about 50 miles from home). I jump on this forum and quickly find that an RCA universal remote ($50 retail) will work. I'm sure I can get the other items with no problem.
So I go back to BB and guess what? They have the RCA remote for $49.99. I talk to the sales guy and tell him that if he gives me the remote, I'll take it. He calls up the BBM (Big Boss Man) and he says NO! I ask him if I buy the service plan, will he do it. He tells me he is going to talk to the BBM in person. The guy shows back up about 5 minutes later and says that the BBM said no. I leave with my tail between my legs and go home. All the way home, I'm thinking that I should have bought it anyway.
After I got back to the comfort of my home, I did a little more searching and found out that the RS remotes will also work. Since they have the 15-2101 on sale for $14.99, I decide to pick one up and go back to BB to buy the Replay. I found a power cord at home that work as well.
So I get to BB and swing around the corner and what do I see? An empty space where the Replay was the night before. Kicking myself, a sales girl walks up and asks me, "How are you doing?" I tell her I'm lousy. "I was here last night looking at an open box special, (pointing to the empty shelf) and now it's gone." Say says, "The Replay TV?" "Yes", I say. "Oh, it's over here." We walk around the corner and there it is, but now with a $79.99 price tag on it. "I'll take it!"
So I get home and hook it up. I'm seeing the setup screens and everything looks great. It dials and gets the program listings. So far so good. That is until I try to view live TV. Nothing. I change it around trying every combination of connections I have. No live picture. BOO HOO! Based on posts here, I even try hooking up VCR imput. Nothing. This thing is broke.
The next afternoon (Thursday, 5/23), I call up the call up the Panasonic service center. Based on what I have read here, I wasn't expecting much in the way of service. I was connected to a very compitent and friendly tech. I explained everything that I had done (including 777 zones - 3 times). She asked me if I had hooked it up to get a VCR input and I said yes. She said it is broke and offer me the quick exchange with the credit card deal. She signed me up but had no idea when I would get a replacement. Today 5/29, Brown shows up and I have a new (refurbished) box.
I hooked it up, set it up and all is wonderful. Not a bad deal for $79 + $15 for the remote.
Like I said in the subject line, please don't hate me!
The problem is that it has -ZERO- accesories. No cables, manual, remote or power cord. Just the replay box. Well, I decide to go to the local library (as I'm about 50 miles from home). I jump on this forum and quickly find that an RCA universal remote ($50 retail) will work. I'm sure I can get the other items with no problem.
So I go back to BB and guess what? They have the RCA remote for $49.99. I talk to the sales guy and tell him that if he gives me the remote, I'll take it. He calls up the BBM (Big Boss Man) and he says NO! I ask him if I buy the service plan, will he do it. He tells me he is going to talk to the BBM in person. The guy shows back up about 5 minutes later and says that the BBM said no. I leave with my tail between my legs and go home. All the way home, I'm thinking that I should have bought it anyway.
After I got back to the comfort of my home, I did a little more searching and found out that the RS remotes will also work. Since they have the 15-2101 on sale for $14.99, I decide to pick one up and go back to BB to buy the Replay. I found a power cord at home that work as well.
So I get to BB and swing around the corner and what do I see? An empty space where the Replay was the night before. Kicking myself, a sales girl walks up and asks me, "How are you doing?" I tell her I'm lousy. "I was here last night looking at an open box special, (pointing to the empty shelf) and now it's gone." Say says, "The Replay TV?" "Yes", I say. "Oh, it's over here." We walk around the corner and there it is, but now with a $79.99 price tag on it. "I'll take it!"
So I get home and hook it up. I'm seeing the setup screens and everything looks great. It dials and gets the program listings. So far so good. That is until I try to view live TV. Nothing. I change it around trying every combination of connections I have. No live picture. BOO HOO! Based on posts here, I even try hooking up VCR imput. Nothing. This thing is broke.
The next afternoon (Thursday, 5/23), I call up the call up the Panasonic service center. Based on what I have read here, I wasn't expecting much in the way of service. I was connected to a very compitent and friendly tech. I explained everything that I had done (including 777 zones - 3 times). She asked me if I had hooked it up to get a VCR input and I said yes. She said it is broke and offer me the quick exchange with the credit card deal. She signed me up but had no idea when I would get a replacement. Today 5/29, Brown shows up and I have a new (refurbished) box.
I hooked it up, set it up and all is wonderful. Not a bad deal for $79 + $15 for the remote.
Like I said in the subject line, please don't hate me!
