Adventures in set-top-box-repair-land
Having had some quite good experience from buying used stuff from web adds, Blocket.se in my case, I decided that I wanted a new cable TV decoder, one with a build in HD (hard disk not high definition, that another story).
So here comes an add for a Humax PVR box for only 800 SEK. I am quick for once and get it.
Works well EXCEPT I had gotten the specs mixed up. This box only have one decoder so I can
EITHER record OR watch live OR watch a recording.
Back to the ads. A box with two tuners appears at 1500 SEK. I strike fast and get it. When I install it
it doesn't listen to its remote. Off to a shop to test. sigh. The remote is ok so the box is broken.
Switch back the the Humax box while I'll get the Samsung fixed.
It turns black now and then and finally dies. It can play back recorded stuff but can't decode.
Probable problem, receiver circuits toasted by ground loops. The tingle you can feel some times
when you touch an ungrounded antenna contact.
I now have two broken boxes.
Carts them both off to the supermarket dealer.
- No receipt, not bought it here. No we only repair what we sold ...
Neighbouring competition
- We can take the Samsung but it will cost you, so why don't go THAT repair shop.
THAT repair shop:
- Humax?? No. and the Samsung ... No, we only take those from if they were sold by OTHER COMPETITOR.
Called Samsung, they recomended YET ANOTHER REPAIR shop.
- Humax?? No. The Samsung, yes BUT starting fee is 700 SEK and it will probably cost you 1700-2000 SEK to repair.
the good news we have already repaired boxes that we sell for 1995 SEK ...
I'm now back where I started, but with two broken boxes, -2300 SEK, and for just another 4000 SEK and then selling the HUMAX for 1200,
The samsung will have cost me 6300 - 1200 = 5100 SEK. If I just scrap the HUMAX I can limit the damage to 4300 SEK.
The price for a new Samsung is 3900 SEK
So here comes an add for a Humax PVR box for only 800 SEK. I am quick for once and get it.
Works well EXCEPT I had gotten the specs mixed up. This box only have one decoder so I can
EITHER record OR watch live OR watch a recording.
Back to the ads. A box with two tuners appears at 1500 SEK. I strike fast and get it. When I install it
it doesn't listen to its remote. Off to a shop to test. sigh. The remote is ok so the box is broken.
Switch back the the Humax box while I'll get the Samsung fixed.
It turns black now and then and finally dies. It can play back recorded stuff but can't decode.
Probable problem, receiver circuits toasted by ground loops. The tingle you can feel some times
when you touch an ungrounded antenna contact.
I now have two broken boxes.
Carts them both off to the supermarket dealer.
- No receipt, not bought it here. No we only repair what we sold ...
Neighbouring competition
- We can take the Samsung but it will cost you, so why don't go THAT repair shop.
THAT repair shop:
- Humax?? No. and the Samsung ... No, we only take those from if they were sold by OTHER COMPETITOR.
Called Samsung, they recomended YET ANOTHER REPAIR shop.
- Humax?? No. The Samsung, yes BUT starting fee is 700 SEK and it will probably cost you 1700-2000 SEK to repair.
the good news we have already repaired boxes that we sell for 1995 SEK ...
I'm now back where I started, but with two broken boxes, -2300 SEK, and for just another 4000 SEK and then selling the HUMAX for 1200,
The samsung will have cost me 6300 - 1200 = 5100 SEK. If I just scrap the HUMAX I can limit the damage to 4300 SEK.
The price for a new Samsung is 3900 SEK