Forum activity

[bhuskins]

Any upgrade expense would have to be fully absorbed by the customer. I don't think any company is going to absorb any of that expense just to keep customers up to date. The next 2 years will be interesting nonetheless.

[Q-Man]

I guess I'll keep my 10 year old 50" Hitachi for a couple of more years, and enjoy the C1 and SACD, DVD-Audio for now.

[Peter Nielsen]

What are you rolling with now Peter?

TacT TCS
Boz 216 with five 2200 modules

Peter

[Peter Nielsen]

This quote from the Halo C2 rear panel - "Made in Finland", "Expansion Port For Future Technologies"

That should have rung a bell: CAVEAT EMPTOR. Knowing that Parasound is a San Francisco based company, and that the C1/C2 is made in Finland is of course screaming outsourcing...

Parasound cannot do much else but follow the leader. Vinci Labs decided to move on to v7 instead of producing expansion cards for v6...

My best guess is that Vinci Labs (or Flextronics at the time), planned the expansion slot into v6 in order to support HDMI. However, the HDMI standard evolved beyond the limitations of the v6 Titan platform. Hence, Vinci Labs made the logical desicion to focus HDMI efforts on v7. Parasound and all its customers were stranded. Nothing to do for Parasound but to move on to v7 (which has yet not happened, and a good explanation is that Parasound is waiting for v8 in order to offer more value for the money).

Now let's put things in perspective: My brand new TacT TCS Mark II suround processor cost me $9,900. NO software upgrade is available since its original release in 2004. There are minor bugs, but you're supposed to live with them. A future version of the TCS (Mark III) will possibly fix the bugs and add new features, but the fix will cost the customer thousands of dollars. (I'm not stupid. Part of my TacT/Boz deal was that I get full credit on a trade-in on the TCS towards the Mk III version).

After all, Parasound has given its software upgrades for free and many of them. I don't think they have been lying or deceiving in any respect...

Peter

[Peter Nielsen]

I guess I'll keep my 10 year old 50" Hitachi for a couple of more years, and enjoy the C1 and SACD, DVD-Audio for now.

Wise move. I'm going to keep my old JVC G15 projector for a few more years... Too much happening in the video area to upgrade right now... (I'm amazed by how much has happened to screen technology since I purchased my 120" motorized Stewart Studiotek 130 in 1999... I'm still very happy with my purchase, and frankly, I'm questioning how much better the new screens really are. Is it only marketing hype, or...)

Peter

[Chris D]

Yup, for now, I'm happy with my Panny AE700 projector. I bought my 119" perforated screen to be a long-term buy, so that's not being upgraded anytime soon. (you don't need to upgrade solid state stuff like screens hardly ever, then solid-state stuff like speakers, and electronics with fast technology upgrades then have the fastest upgrade "need")

I'm happy with current technology and what I've got, based on what's out there NOW that really works. I'm a bit itchy to move more high-def, but those technologies aren't solidly established enough for me yet.

Still debating about the D3...

[Vince Helm]

I don't think they have been lying or deceiving in any respect...

Peter

Excuse me Peter, I never said that Parasound was lying or deceiving... nothing of the sort.

Vince

[bhuskins]

Nothing to do for Parasound but to move on to v7 (which has yet not happened, and a good explanation is that Parasound is waiting for v8 in order to offer more value for the money).

Or, they're looking at other solutions all together that may not involve Vinci...They may not want to stay there with them.

[Peter Nielsen]

Or, they're looking at other solutions all together that may not involve Vinci...They may not want to stay there with them.

:T :B

Peter

[bhuskins]

And you guys know I don't spread rumors

[psychdoc]

Even speculation is fun to read so post away :W

[Chris D]

Love it...

[bhuskins]

My speculation would be a little more than speculation (being that I'm somewhat in the loop) even though I have no idea which future decisions will be made on certain items that will impact the product line for the next 5-10 years. I will say that I got this tidbit today about CES via the rep today...

"Show open booth dates are Jan 8-11 (Monday - Thurs), 8am - 5pm in the Venetian. Other Venues have different hours.

Parasound will not be showing on the main convention floor but will have a fully staffed demo and static booth in Room #3501A. This is part of the CES show and not a breakaway or hotel suite show.

We are sharing our booth with PMC Speakers (Professional Monitor Company) from England. Both Parasound and PMC will be listed in the show directory.

We will have active stereo and surround (5.1) demos that will include UNRELEASED music from major pop stars.

Currently we expect to have 2 demos per hour, each lasting approx. 15 minutes and spaced 15 minutes apart to allow reps, dealers and staff to do business in between demos.

There will be a number of new Parasound models exhibited for delivery by the end of the 2nd quarter 2007. A number of these models will either be shipping by show time or by the end of January. These will include several "Best in Class" products similar to the JC1 in media recognition and awards!

Thank you for your hard work to make Parasound a success and we look forward to seeing you in Vegas!"

So, I know they are releasing the JC2 stereo preamp...that's no surprise, but what else??? We'll have to wait and see. I have some ideas but my lips are sealed.

[bhuskins]

As an FYI, CES is supposed to be more difficult for an end user to get into this year. They are doing several things to curtail the end users, being that the show is technically a dealer only show. Keep that in mind. I think on site registration is $250 and requires credentials like a pay stub.