Best place for Toshiba XA1 or A1 in the UK and warranty?

[DVDNUT]

I know this has been asked time and time again.

But, where oh where is the best UK supplier for the Toshiba HD players - with STOCK ?

Anyone had any experience, order times, etc?

What about firmware, all the suppliers say only warranted with firmware that it is supplied with?

Also, some suppliers only give 30 days warranty, any comments on this?

[DHAKA]

I know this has been asked time and time again.

But, where oh where is the best UK supplier for the Toshiba HD players - with STOCK ?

Anyone had any experience, order times, etc?

What about firmware, all the suppliers say only warranted with firmware that it is supplied with?

Also, some suppliers only give 30 days warranty, any comments on this?

Now that's a million dollar question.

I am looking for one as well.

[Uruloke]

I know this has been asked time and time again.

But, where oh where is the best UK supplier for the Toshiba HD players - with STOCK ?

Anyone had any experience, order times, etc?

What about firmware, all the suppliers say only warranted with firmware that it is supplied with?

Also, some suppliers only give 30 days warranty, any comments on this?
With all due repsect mate, if you know it's been asked before then you really shouldn't have to ask again. I will however, answer you questions. :smashin: Someone should write an FAQ though, hey maybe I'll write one... ;)

Stock is a big issue, the reports of HD-DVD having a shaky start (in the US at least) are false, they have sold like hot cakes (particualrly the HD-A1).

As for UK stockists, my experience with movietyme was excellent, but they had them in stock when I ordered. I've heard good things about discemporium.com's service (even though their website is duff) and I know that they're good with their e-mail contact.

Firmware updates are not supposed to be carried out by the average joe and are prone to cock-ups (like leaving a disc in when you do the update, which messes the machine up!) so retailers will leave it at your own risk. I updated my firmware with no problems. But basically, if you mess it up, you're on your own.

The 30 day warranties are BS. If you purchase your machine from a UK retailer (online or whatever) and your machine develops a fault that was not of your doing, then you are entitled to a full refund, repair or replacement from said retailer LONG after the 30 days have expired. Don't let anyone tell you different.

[Avi]

I know this has been asked time and time again.

But, where oh where is the best UK supplier for the Toshiba HD players - with STOCK ?

Anyone had any experience, order times, etc?

What about firmware, all the suppliers say only warranted with firmware that it is supplied with?

Also, some suppliers only give 30 days warranty, any comments on this?

It depends if your after A1 or XA1. I doubt you will find any A1 in stock in the UK for a reasonable price. Movityme.com and Next-gen.co.uk are good places to start as they may have XA1 in stock. I believe next-gen include a 12 month warranty at starting at £499+delivery for the A1.

AVI

[DHAKA]

How about using Parcle2go and order HD-A1 from amazon.com?

Did anyone have such experience?

Cheers

[Avi]

How about using Parcle2go and order HD-A1 from amazon.com?

Did anyone have such experience?

Cheers


I used P2G and it arrived in a week from being delivered to their Miami depot. Be warned though their are many tales of woe on these forums from members who's players took weeks to arrive via P2G.

AVI

[didsmith]

got my xa1 from discemporium..maybe not the cheapest..but the bloke was spot on with the service..believe thay have them in stock...for whats it worth

[richard plumb]

Stock is a big issue, the reports of HD-DVD having a shaky start (in the US at least) are false, they have sold like hot cakes (particualrly the HD-A1).

albeit hot cakes from a very small oven. Selling out when availability is low isn't exactly a great launch.

[dino2021]

albeit hot cakes from a very small oven. Selling out when availability is low isn't exactly a great launch.

Better than all the returns that have happend with the Samsung BD players in the US.

I read on Avsforum in a poll that 75% of BD sammy owners sent theres back compared too 0% of Tosh HD DVD owners. an even worse launch IMHO.

[nate69]

got my xa1 from discemporium..maybe not the cheapest..but the bloke was spot on with the service..believe thay have them in stock...for whats it worth
Spoke to them this morning and they have no physical stock at the moment. The earliest they have machines for delivery is next wednesday, and they are only the more expensive XA1 at £599.
The guy was very helpful and polite on the oter end of the phone though:)

[AidenL]

Spoke to them this morning and they have no physical stock at the moment. The earliest they have machines for delivery is next wednesday, and they are only the more expensive XA1 at £599.
The guy was very helpful and polite on the oter end of the phone though:)

£599? £50 less than Movietyme? :eek:

[nate69]

£599? £50 less than Movietyme? :eek:
Give them a ring. V limited stocks apparently though.
Just can't make my mind up if it's worth the extra £200 over the A1.

[nate69]

The A1 is cheaper than movietyme as well at £399, but check the website as there is a note about upgrading the firmware... (and they don't have any in stock either)

[AidenL]

Give them a ring. V limited stocks apparently though.
Just can't make my mind up if it's worth the extra £200 over the A1.

Its probably not worth the extra , but it does look better :)

[AidenL]

£599? £50 less than Movietyme? :eek:

Tho Mt do include delivery ;)

[DVDNUT]

So where oh where can one get an elusive A1 for £399 plus delivery.

I am so tempted to get the XA1 and be blind to the extra £200, but I cannot even find anyone with stock of the dearer player anyway.:mad:

[Avi]

So where oh where can one get an elusive A1 for £399 plus delivery.

I am so tempted to get the XA1 and be blind to the extra £200, but I cannot even find anyone with stock of the dearer player anyway.:mad:

Try this ;) or drop a pm to mak99

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Toshiba-HD-A1-HDA1-High-Definition-HD-DVD-Player-NEW_W0QQitemZ300005698448QQihZ020QQcategoryZ98813Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-TOSHIBA-HD-A1-HD-DVD-PLAYER-HIGH-DEFINITION-HDA1_W0QQitemZ250005387987QQihZ015QQcategoryZ61250 QQssPageNameZWD2VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

AVI

[hunts1uk]

Try this ;) or drop a pm to mak99

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Toshiba-HD-A1-HDA1-High-Definition-HD-DVD-Player-NEW_W0QQitemZ300005698448QQihZ020QQcategoryZ98813Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



That one will work out nearly as much as the XA-1 from movietyme after del and import tax surely?

[DVDNUT]

The only thing putting me off Movietyme is the 30 day warranty.

[hunts1uk]

The only thing putting me off Movietyme is the 30 day warranty.


Thats 30 days more then your get at most places,especially ebay.:(

[DVDNUT]

Where did you buy yours from?

[richard plumb]

can they get away with a 30 day warranty on brand new kit? Isn't it required to offer 12 months by law in this country?

[DVDNUT]

Yeah, my friend said that too, statutory rights and all that.

Just easier if the company did not blurb it on the pre-sales conditions on the website.

You could even argue about the comments about firmware upgrades, if a player is supplier firmware upgradable and goes wrong, then you are still within your rights to return it.

If you buy a computer and upgrade a user upgradable part, same applies.

Just seems like other retailers sales blurb is more buyer friendly than MT.

That said, I may still cave in and order from them if I cannot track one down elsewhere tomorrow.

[Avi]

That one will work out nearly as much as the XA-1 from movietyme after del and import tax surely?

Oop's wrong link ! (corrected) Works out about £400'ish with VAT.

AVI

[mak99]

can they get away with a 30 day warranty on brand new kit? Isn't it required to offer 12 months by law in this country?
Interesting point - what happens if one of the A1s I've sent from the US needs warranty work 6 months down the road? The ones I sent are BNIB purchased from an authorized retailer. Once it crosses the pond and is connected to the voltage transformer, does this affect the warranty in any way? This is something I honestly do not know...

I supopose this would be the same as any UK'er visiting the states, buying the player here from a local retailer, and taking it back to the UK?

Any thoughts would be appreciated...

[DVDNUT]

mak99

So you can post these things over?

[Uruloke]

30 day warranties are not worth the paper they're printed on. If you purchase a new machine from a retailer in the UK and it develops a fault not caused by you or any third party, you are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement from that retailer LONG after the 30 day warranty. That's UK law. And don't let anyone tell you different. Of course if you upgrade the firmware and cock it up, then you're donald ducked! ;)

[hunts1uk]

30 day warranties are not worth the paper they're printed on. If you purchase a new machine from a retailer in the UK and it develops a fault not caused by you or any third party, you are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement from that retailer LONG after the 30 day warranty. That's UK law. And don't let anyone tell you different. Of course if you upgrade the firmware and cock it up, then you're donald ducked! ;)


So your saying you should have 12 months from movietyme then?:confused:

[hunts1uk]

Where did you buy yours from?


I brought mine from movietyme.:)

[Uruloke]

So your saying you should have 12 months from movietyme then?:confused:
At the very least. If you purchase a brand new machine and it develops a fault within 6 months of you buying it, UK law states the fault must have been there when you bought it, it's your right to have a refund, replacement, or at the very least, a repair.

[mak99]

At the very least. If you purchase a brand new machine and it develops a fault within 6 months of you buying it, UK law states the fault must have been there when you bought it, it your right to have a refund, replacement, or at the very least, a repair.
As I'm unfamiliar with UK laws, does this apply to US-released (or other countries) products that are imported to the UK? I can see this law being valid for products released for the UK market (ie, correct voltage rating), but curious if it applies to imported items too. I know MT and myself deal with the same HD DVD products.

If Craig (MT) can throw in his two cents, I'm willing to learn something new!

[Uruloke]

As I'm unfamiliar with UK laws, does this apply to US-released (or other countries) products that are imported to the UK? I can see this law being valid for products released for the UK market (ie, correct voltage rating), but curious if it applies to imported items too. I know MT and myself deal with the same HD DVD products.

If Craig (MT) can throw in his two cents, I'm willing to learn something new!
Doesn't matter. It's an item that has been sold by a UK retailer to a UK citizen. The fact that the machine originated from the US irrelevant. It could be any item. I own a Gibson guitar, it's american made but I bought it from a UK retailer. If it develops fault with the electrics, am I left out to dry because the shop only offered a limited warranty because it's american? Of course not, I am entitled to return it to the retailer for refund, replacement or repair (more likely to get a guitar repaired though.)

Movitetyme is an interesting one (I purchased my machine from movietyme btw). Interesting because they are primarily a US company, but they operate their UK business from a UK office/depot. They hold stock of items in the UK ready to be shipped to UK customers and they have UK employees (like Craig) in said office/depot. However this is where my knowledge is a little hazy, I'm not sure if movietyme could claim that the UK office/depot it just a holding warehouse for stock and that the UK citizens are in fact importing the product from a US company, albeit sometimes via they're UK depot. Hmmm...

[hunts1uk]

If Craig (MT) can throw in his two cents, I'm willing to learn something new!


I can't see Craig making a comment on the warrenty issue to tell the truth.:(

[hunts1uk]

Movitetyme is an interesting one (I purchased my machine from movietyme btw). Interesting because they are primarily a US company, but they operate their UK business from a UK office/depot. They hold stock of items in the UK ready to be shipped to UK customers and they have UK employees (like Craig) in said office/depot. However this is where my knowledge is a little hazy, I'm not sure if movietyme could claim that the UK office/depot it just a holding warehouse for stock and that the UK citizens are in fact importing the product from a US company, albeit sometimes via they're UK depot. Hmmm...

Make your mind up?Are you saying your ever entitled to 12 months warrenty with movietyme as 30 days warrenty isn't worth the paper it's written on as your intitled to 12 months from any uk retailer.:confused: It does state on movietymes website that all you get is 30days.

Glad i've brought mine as it's getting very confusing.If you import a player from USA i can't see how your have any warrenty,my post about movietyme was at least you get 30 days warrenty.:confused:

30 day warranties are not worth the paper they're printed on. If you purchase a new machine from a retailer in the UK and it develops a fault not caused by you or any third party, you are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement from that retailer LONG after the 30 day warranty. That's UK law. And don't let anyone tell you different.

[Uruloke]

Make your mind up?
Yeah sorry about that, it's just that as I was writing it, I thought, "Hmmm, perhaps Movietyme could get away with it..." I've checked the Companies House website, and neither Tyme Group nor Movietyme are registered as a UK company (at least not under those names). In fact it looks like movietyme may not be getting away with anything, and that they are being generous by offering a 30 day warranty. In all honesty I'm not sure. Discemporium.com however, are registered as a UK company and are in fact a UK retailer. So if you buy one from discemporium, you can get a refund/replacement/repair long after the 30 days. :)

[ebury]

Discemporium do offer a 1 year warranty(but not if you screw it by upgrading the software).Any product bought from a UK shop or online has to provide a 1 year warranty,as long as the item is brand new.I bought an american dvd player a few years back and it went faulty after 7 months,the store said only 6 months warranty,but after speaking to them regarding the law,it was fixed free of charge:thumbsup: This is the same for dvd films,if they go wrong inside the first year,the place of purchase should replace free of charge.

[DVDNUT]

I had today off and my main aim was to secure a unit (A1) in the UK.

I googled and rang, but still have had no definitive answer from anyone saying "Yes, I have stock in hand and will be with you 24/48 hours".

All I got was, maybe mid-next week, call us back, etc etc.

:(

[mak99]

Discemporium do offer a 1 year warranty(but not if you screw it by upgrading the software).
That just doesn't seem right! But I guess as long as Toshiba themselves will honor the 1-yr warranty, as you upgraded the software that Toshiba provided to you...

Darn legal crap!! ;)

[Retronana]

If you flash any consumer electronics item and turns into an expensive brick its normally always going to be your fault and therefore not covered by a warranty or local territory consumer law.

The Sony PSP is a good example of bit of hardware that can be flashed and its instructions/method of upgrading try to avoid any issues.

Most issues of this kind are caused by two problems:

The wrong firmware being used

The item losing power whilst the flash is taking place

[mak99]

Ah - good point, Retro...

[richard plumb]

If you flash any consumer electronics item and turns into an expensive brick its normally always going to be your fault and therefore not covered by a warranty or local territory consumer law.



how is that? Surely if you select 'update firmware' from the menu and it connects to the net, them you are simply using a supplied function to update using toshiba supplied code. I don't see how they can exclude 'bricks'.

using the psp as the example, you can't even play some games or films unless you update

[SimP]

As I understand it, we're talking about here is the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended) and the Sale of Goods to Consumer Regulations of 2002. Your contract in law is with the person who sold you the goods, not the manufacturer which is why if something goes wrong it's the retailers responsibility to fix it, not fob you off with the "you have to talk to the manufacturer" line.

The 2002 Regulations (as mentioned earlier in the thread) give you some additional protection by changing the burden of proof when a fault is discovered in the first 6 months. Now it's up to the retailer to prove that you broke it rather than you having to prove that the fault was present (albeit latent) when you bought the item. You have the right to ask for a repair or a replacement providing that it does not cost more than you paid for the item. This then should be provided within a reasonable period of time.

Your rights don't end after 12 months either. You have the right to expect that goods will last for a reasonable amount of time. Of course, that leaves the nature of what is reasonable to be decided by a judge. But for example, it is not unreasonable to expect that a £3,000 amplifier will last for 5 years before requiring repair whereas a £29 dvd player from the supermarket would be expected to offer the same level of reliability.

If you buy goods on the internet from a seller based outside of the EU you have no protection under English law.

[Retronana]

how is that? Surely if you select 'update firmware' from the menu and it connects to the net, them you are simply using a supplied function to update using toshiba supplied code. I don't see how they can exclude 'bricks'.

using the psp as the example, you can't even play some games or films unless you update

I go back to my point for the reasons why a firmware flash goes wrong, I have updated all sorts of bit of firmware over the years, 56K Modems, Graphics Cards, PSP x 2, Mobile Phones and ADSL Modems/Routers, the only time I have ever a problem was with a router I tried to flash with some non approved firmware...needless to say it magically turned in to a product from the LBC:eek:
The only people that seem to brick their PSP's are gamers trying to downgrade the firmware to enable EMU/Warez playback, and if thats the reason you can hardly blame Sony

How many HD A1 owners updated their firmware before the first update became official, loads of them...taking the risk.

If you don't read and follow the instructions you will get a problem

[hunts1uk]

How many HD A1 owners updated their firmware before the first update became official, loads of them...taking the risk.

If you don't read and follow the instructions you will get a problem

You can only update your HDDVD player with offical firmware over the net.

[Avi]

You can only update your HDDVD player with offical firmware over the net.


Version 1.4 is the only over the net version. Most earlier versions came from copies of CD's provided to US customers by Toshiba. I think v1.2 was leaked by an insider before general release and got posted over on AVS.

AVI

[AidenL]

Well, I can't get anyone to come back to me re: availability of a player either - maybe I'll just wait for R2 then :)

[hunts1uk]

Version 1.4 is the only over the net version. Most earlier versions came from copies of CD's provided to US customers by Toshiba. I think v1.2 was leaked by an insider before general release and got posted over on AVS.

AVI
Thanks for putting me right AVI,i've only used the over the net on version 1.4.:smashin: .
Also the only 2 people i've read about making there players in to door steps where downloading version 1.4 over the net,one on this forum and one on AVS.

[boksbox]

If you flash any consumer electronics item and turns into an expensive brick its normally always going to be your fault and therefore not covered by a warranty or local territory consumer law.

The Sony PSP is a good example of bit of hardware that can be flashed and its instructions/method of upgrading try to avoid any issues.

Most issues of this kind are caused by two problems:

The wrong firmware being used

The item losing power whilst the flash is taking place


Ah, the old loss of power issue..I remember in the late 80s working for a large corporate employing early LAN bridge technology, a friendly(now rich) supplier was updating the firmware in London and Hong Kong.
I clearly remember the conversation with the other end, 'Whatever you don't power cycle it' cue power cycle and the supplier legging it to Heathrow with floppy in hand to rescue the situation, 3 days later sans change of clothes, back in London, problem solved, seeds of fortune laid..

[Croker]

Ah, the old loss of power issue..I remember in the late 80s working for a large corporate employing early LAN bridge technology, a friendly(now rich) supplier was updating the firmware in London and Hong Kong.
I clearly remember the conversation with the other end, 'Whatever you don't power cycle it' cue power cycle and the supplier legging it to Heathrow with floppy in hand to rescue the situation, 3 days later sans change of clothes, back in London, problem solved, seeds of fortune laid..

Interesting...but I don't think the question of warranties as regards firmware updates has been fully answered. Let's say, following their release in the UK, you buy a HD-A1, and decide to use the player's ethernet port to update the firmware whilst it is still in its 12 month warranty period. Now, let's further assume that you follow all the instructions carefully and correctly, but for whatever reason, it turns your player into a brick.

What I want to know is, how can they weasel out of their warranty responsibilities by saying "tough ****, it happened whilst you were updating the firmware" (which appears to be the explanation in this thread of the prevailing attitude of manufacturers on this score)? Surely the argument can be made, due to the manufacturer's need to correct flaws and resolve issues through the issuing of firmware, that your player being turned into a brick is the responsibility of the manufacturer - after all, if they'd released a product without issues in the first place, why would you need to update the firmware?

I may well be mistaken, but it doesn't half seem like they're using problems during the updating of firmware as an excuse to get out of their legitimate warranty responsibilities.

[Ol!ver]

This is all rather pointless if no-one can find any in stock anywhere ;)

[SimP]

A seller will often reserve the right to make modifications and improvements to their products. They will also (probably) supply further terms and conditions when offering updated software (which your use of implies acceptance).

Under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 a seller can't exclude liability for defective goods but again there is this "reasonable" clause which means it would be up to a judge to decide whether they had behaved improperly or failed to issue adequate warnings.

I think Ol!ver has hit the nail....

[mak99]

This is all rather pointless if no-one can find any in stock anywhere ;)
True, very true. But the A1, XA1 and HDV5000 are still in stock in the US (though the Toshibas in fewer #s), and I know the UK suppliers have been challenged to get any in their own stock. Darn Toshiba for not cranking these babies out in larger numbers!!

Regarding firmware/warranty concerns, maybe anyone shipping the players from the US could update the firmware and verify general functionality before shipping across the pond. I personally have not done this on past shipments, but should be easily accommodated by US sellers, if it were requested by the UK (or elsewhere) buyers.

When I set up my own RCA HD player, the first thing I did was update it "out of the box" from 1.0 to 1.4 via the ethernet port. It took about 20-25 minutes via my cable modem and has worked flawlessly since on about half-dozen HD movies and another half-dozen SD discs.

[Avi]

True, very true. But the A1, XA1 and HDV5000 are still in stock in the US (though the Toshibas in fewer #s), and I know the UK suppliers have been challenged to get any in their own stock. Darn Toshiba for not cranking these babies out in larger numbers!!



The outlook for US stock isn't getting better. If you're waiting on a UK supplier of A1 you may be disappointed. This is a quote from the owner of Valueelectronics in US who is also an AVSforum member. looks like Mak99 or ebay is probably the best chance of getting an A1.

"HD-A1 and HD-XA1's will be in very limited supply through November. Most authorized dealers just got the July allocations shipped.

-Robert"

AVI