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#883198 - 12/14/06 06:10 PM

Consumer Electronics....intentional life-span?

Short Buss
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Registered: 06/04/04
Posts: 23
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

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Is it me, or are most all consumer electronics built with "an expiration date"?

I'm a little ticked off because my 1 year 4 month old DVD recorder on my TV system has refused to record, even after my "almost anal" cleaning and preventative maintenance!

It got me thinking of other consumer level products that I've purchased over the last 5 years. Years ago, I used to buy products and they would last "forever", at least the life of the format. I'm still using some of the gear today.

But, I have a conspiracy theory, that the electronics industry thinks we won't catch on to the "do it on the cheap, they'll keep buying it" that seems so prominate today.

It's got me a little skepticle anymore. I bought a video ipod 6 months ago. While some people can afford to blow $300 every year or so, I expect my 3 bills to go a little further than that!I remember paying $350 for a sony stereo VCR and it is still working from 10 years ago!

Will anyone be able to say that about their (fill in the blank) in ten years?

Sorry, I just feel taken advantage of (again) and I'm tired.

Thanks for the vent time.

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#883199 - 12/15/06 06:56 PM

Re: Consumer Electronics....intentional life-span?

paully
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Registered: 05/25/04
Posts: 1074
Loc: Northern New Jersey

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The unfortunate parts of the equation ARE the parts and the production, many time both a product of China. I'm not sure that manufacturers purposefully intend on "planned obsolescence", but use cheapo parts with cheapo labor, well.. $\:\($

I just went thru the same thing with a Philips VCR/DVDRW combo unit. Worked OK for about about 6 months, then the DVD player crapped out. Fortunately it was a refurbed unit, and only cost about $95. You're right, however, things are breaking sooner. Maddening. Read as many on-line reviews as you can before plunking down the green.

Paul

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WUDAYAKNOW.. For the first time in my life, I'm wrong again!!

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#883200 - 12/16/06 01:23 PM

Re: Consumer Electronics....intentional life-span?

Short Buss
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Registered: 06/04/04
Posts: 23
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

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This topic almost begs for the question: Is gear really more "cost effective" today than yesteryear?

For example, you can buy a fostex digital 8 track for what...$400? A fostex 8 track analog reel to reel 15 years ago was maybe $1200. I'll bet most of the analog's are still working! How many of the digitals would you have to buy in 15 years? I'll bet you would have to spend more.

Of course, I won't dare bring "audio quality" into the mix (so to speak).

Just something to think about.

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#883201 - 12/17/06 01:19 PM

Re: Consumer Electronics....intentional life-span?

dementedchord
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Registered: 04/22/06
Posts: 447
Loc: st louis

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agreed... thats one of the reasons i'm not doing tech work anymore... even if you do want to get it fixed... it's generally just a board swap... who needs a component level tech anymore...

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"style is determined not by what you can play but what you cant...." dave brubeck

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#883202 - 12/17/06 04:15 PM

Re: Consumer Electronics....intentional life-span?

paully
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Registered: 05/25/04
Posts: 1074
Loc: Northern New Jersey

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Totally true. Cheaper for the manufacturer to send out a new unit that to fix the old one. It's like the auto business. Mechanics don't "fix" anymore.. they "replace".

Paul

_________________________
WUDAYAKNOW.. For the first time in my life, I'm wrong again!!

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