Manufacturer allegedly caught putting entire Blu-Ray player in new shell

[richlevy]

From here

It's an Oppo BDP-83. Normally we'd launch into a statement like this with more tact. We may, for example, wax eloquent about the Lexicon BD-30's beautiful chassis or it's billet aluminum front face. We could tell you about the heft of the unit, or the fact that comes double boxed with enough padding to warrant throwing it off the FedEx or UPS truck while it's still moving. While all of that is true, the Lexicon BD-30 is still an Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player. And what's more, it's not just using the same parts - they actually stuck the player inside - chassis and all. This would be OK, were it not for the $3000 premium over the Oppo and THX certification. As Sherlock Holmes would say: The game is afoot!

So, stick an old player, chassis and all, allegedly with no improvements, in a new larger chassis, and change the sticker from $500 to $3500 while claiming a THX certification?

Even if they did make a chip change or a firmware update that had it meet the certification, why slip an entire player into a new shell? Would a firmware update justify a $3000 markup? If so, why would they allegedly use such deceptive practices?

If the company can't come up with a reasonable answer, then they're toast. Technophiles do not like being deceived.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Even if they did make a chip change or a firmware update that had it meet the certification, why slip in an entire player into a new shell. Would a firmware update justify a $3500 markup? If so, why would they allegedly use such deceptive practices?

I know, I know... money.

[Elspode]

Please keep us updated on the manufacturer's response. It might be kinda cool if, for once, their spin guy would come out and say, "Look, the shareholders are demanding more profit, and this was the fastest way to come up with it. We would have gotten away for it, too, if it hadn't been for those darn kids!"

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by Elspode

Please keep us updated on the manufacturer's response. It might be kinda cool if, for once, their spin guy would come out and say, "Look, the shareholders are demanding more profit, and this was the fastest way to come up with it. We would have gotten away for it, too, if it hadn't been for those darn kids!"

Official response is reported here.

THX's Official Response

"The major focus of the THX Certified Blu-ray Disc Player certification is on video performance. THX engineers conduct in-depth analysis of image quality and signal processing to ensure Blu-ray disc players present accurate color, contrast, and black/white levels without softening the picture or producing digital artifacts. The testing is rigorous, precise and few players can meet our specification. Generally, we believe that the Blu-ray player will be connected via HDMI to an AV Receiver and Display in the home theater chain, eliminating the need to use analog interconnects."

So the manufacturer is glossing over the fact that it's an earlier model in a new box. You can read the rebuttal on the linked page. The manufacturer appears to have pulled all mention of the new model and is preparing a more thorough statement.

[squirell nutkin]

"I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!"