Not Happy! - Blu-ray Forum

crossing23 · 04-28-2008, 01:50 PM

We purchased a HT system in January, and didn't cut any corners price wise.
We have a 58" Panasonic TV..Bose V20 surround sound and a Sony Blu-Ray DVD player.
We have Cox Cable with DVR system.
We love everything that we purchased, what we are not happy with is the way "Firedog" has it setup!
When we go to change a channel, it takes exactly 12 minutes to change. Then when we get to another channel, we need to use the aspect button to get full size picture, (this is everytime).
When I watch a taped program, and go to fast forward, the screen turns completly black, so you have no idea when to stop to watch the program.
I have had the firedog company come to my home 3 times, and all 3 times someone screws up something else.
One guy said that they have the sound coming thru the Bose System, when it should be coming thru the TV.
I have had my cable co come down so many times, that they now want to charge me, as they said it is the way the system got hooked up!
PLEASE can someone give us some correct info on this.
What was supposed to be a great joy, has turned into a nightmare.

Marilyn

MPDIEHL · 04-28-2008, 02:03 PM

Im going to be careful with this answer because I work for someone other than Circuit City and our store has had lots of call to come out and redo Firedog installs. (we even show our customers pictures of sloppy Firedog installs)
There is not just 1 correct way to wire up a system like this.
We try and set it up so its the easiest for a customer to use.. you seem to be having multiple problems and with out knowing exactly how it is wired up now any info I could give would be guessing..
However.. the delay in chanel changing and aspect problems could be coming from a handshake issue with HDMI (if you are using it between the cable box and TV) we have found some boxes that have HDMI as an option just do not work well with it..
Keep on the reseller... keep calling and request that they keep coming back until this is fixed.. don't give up unitl is working properly for you.

obiwopkenobi62 · 04-28-2008, 02:04 PM

I'm sorry to hear about your problems with Firedog. My dads friend basically got the same thing. As far as home theater setup I would never pay Best Buy, Circuit City etc to set stuff up. I set up my own stuff. Your best bet is to get a friend who is Home theater savvy and hook your stuff up. I do think if you're having them come over that many times and not getting anywhere, I would demand a refund on the cost of setting your stuff up.

King03 · 04-28-2008, 02:04 PM

I'm not sure about the "12-minutes to change channel" thing, but I can comment on the other things.

If you are connected with an HDMI cable to a receiver that always puts out a 1080i/p widescreen picture, you may always need to use your aspect button. However, your TV should have a setting called "4:3 default", so when it senses you are on a 4:3 channel it will set to either "Full" (stretched out), "Wide Zoom" (moderately stretched out), or "Standard/Original" (black bars on the left and right side).

I have also had the same problem with VHS tapes and fast-forwarding. I'm guessing that on fast-forward a VCR does not send enough image to an HD-TV to be displayed. I have not found a way around this problem, and I'm not sure your firedog people can help with this one. It's just a limitation of VCRs and VHS tapes.

I can't think of very many situations where you would want the sound to come through the TV, so be wary of that.

Hopefully this helps and is not too technical, I'm sure you'll get lots of replies for help. Welcome to the board.

Beta Man · 04-28-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crossing23

and didn't cut any corners price wise.

By not purchasing a system/installation from a Home-Theater store, you basically cut quite a few corners.

I'd recommend demanding a refund from Fire-Dog and going to a local Home-Theater store, and getting some estimates.

foots · 04-28-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

By not purchasing a system/installation from a Home-Theater store, you basically cut quite a few corners.

I'd recommend demanding a refund from Fire-Dog and going to a local Home-Theater store, and getting some estimates.

I agree. I'd also like to suggest you buy something other than Bose.

Beta Man · 04-28-2008, 02:27 PM

Also, with the decline in people shelling out a lot of money for home-improvements right now, Home-Theater installers have felt the pinch as well, and a good deal can be had still..... although I'm assuming this time of year is their busy season (not sure where you are, in my area we have something called "winter"

)

Blu n Gold · 04-28-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foots

I agree. I'd also like to suggest you buy something other than Bose.

Stop before it gets out of hand. Marilyn is happy with her system so let it be.

I would get estimates from other installers to see what it would cost to fix this system. I would them go to Firedog and tell them that it needs to be fixed in the ways the other installers recommended, for no extra charge. If they refuse, demand a return of the install. There may be some push against you here, but you are in the right. There are multiple options available for you.

My brother is a home theater installer so I know what all needs to be done and how frustrating it can be if it isn't done right the first time.

MPDIEHL · 04-28-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu n Gold

Stop before it gets out of hand. Marilyn is happy with her system so let it be.

I would get estimates from other installers to see what it would cost to fix this system. I would them go to Firedog and tell them that it needs to be fixed in the ways the other installers recommended, for no extra charge. If they refuse, demand a return of the install. There may be some push against you here, but you are in the right. There are multiple options available for you.

My brother is a home theater installer so I know what all needs to be done and how frustrating it can be if it isn't done right the first time.

The inherent problem here, and Im sure your brother would agree. Is that a installer or install company will give an estimate, possibly even coming out to look at things so the correct cable can be included, BUT they will not include exact instructions as to how it needs to be hooked up. My store offers Free in home visits so we can accurately propose a system. We then give a price to do the work, labor, cables, equiptment etc. to the customer.
The ony people who get to see the hook up instructions are the installers.
It's like the old joke.. The installer comes out and plugs in 1 wire.. everything works perfectly and the bill is $100.00 The customer is outraged and demands the bill be corrected. The Installer take the bill and writes Hooking up 1 wire $1.00 Knowing which wire and where to plug it in $99.00...
Two basic choices I see Keep bugging Circuit City.. Or get a refund of all install costs and hire someone new
Truely the best of luck in a tough situation

Blu n Gold · 04-28-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPDIEHL

The inherent problem here...

I agree. But an installer should say what needs to be done. To me this does not sound like an easy fix. Either way, Marilyn is not paying Firedog another penny until it is right. If firedog can't get it right, then she will use that money else where.

bhampton · 04-28-2008, 03:29 PM

Never heard of firedog... I'll go google it.

Ok,.. interesting looking service. Anyway,... I suggest you post your location. Maybe someone nearby can come help.

I think the aspect ratio thing should be easily fix-able. And the sound should be routed to the Bose system (that's what it's there for right.)

If your DVR is caching TV so you can rewind and fast forward that may be the reason it takes long to channel surf. Maybe you should look at the model # of that DVR and try to find information about it. Or just read the manual if you have one.

EDIT- By the way,.. I see nothing about Blu Ray mentioned in this system. What made you think this was the place to solve this problem?

-Brian

Slec · 04-28-2008, 03:41 PM

Hey Crossing23,
Waiting to get it fixed can be a major frustration. keep plugging away at firedog, and at the very least get your money back. Then, if you're up for it...

Help us, help you. Here is a great thread on the connections you are likely to see in your home setup. Let us know how it is running and we'll help out where we can. Use '>' to designate a cable going to..

Quote:

ex.
Watch Blu-ray on a Panasonic BD30. It goes from tv to Bose over HDMI. Then from Bose to tv over HDMI. My dvd player is component to the tv.... This can be shown as:

Panasonic BD30 > HDMI > Bose V20 > HDMI > TV
DVD Player > Component > TV.

If you comfortable, read through the connections and let us know how its hooked up. All the connections will be labeled on your tv, receiver, BD player etc...

MPDIEHL · 04-28-2008, 03:42 PM

Firedog is to Circuit City as
Geek Squad is to Best Buy
these are simply the names of their install divisions

from my personal experience they BOTH need to heed the words of
Clint Eastwwod in Dirty Harry
"A mans got to know his limitations"

Slec · 04-28-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPDIEHL

Firedog is to Circuit City as
Geek Squad is to Best Buy
these are simply the names of their install divisions

from my personal experience they BOTH need to heed the words of
Clint Eastwwod in Dirty Harry
"A mans got to know his limitations"

Oh God, the GRE's and LSAT's are coming back at me...
Firedog:Circuit City :: Geek Squad:_____

a) Best Buy
b) Tweeter
c) Magnolia
d) teenager hooking up your home theater system.

Blu n Gold · 04-28-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slec

Oh God, the GRE's and LSAT's are coming back at me...
Firedog:Circuit City :: Geek Squad:_____

a) Best Buy
b) Tweeter
c) Magnolia
d) teenager hooking up your home theater system.

Have to be 21 to be an installer with Best Buy. Firedog is a third party that Circuit City contracts to do the installs. Best Buy installers are on BBY's payroll.

Slec · 04-28-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu n Gold

Have to be 21 to be an installer with Best Buy. Firedog is a third party that Circuit City contracts to do the installs. Best Buy installers are on BBY's payroll.

Thus making the best answer... a) Best Buy.

Stripey25 · 04-28-2008, 04:30 PM

I'm sorry to hear about your trouble with Firedog. I actually work with Circuit City and I recommend emailing them at consumer_affairs@ciruitcity.com. They are really responsive and interested in helping their customers. Good luck and enjoy your new home theater!

Lucy Diamond · 04-28-2008, 04:35 PM

PM me.

I'm at work now, but I will get back to you and we will go through your system piece by piece.

If you are not tech savvy AT ALL, I can't guarantee your results, but I can help you understand what is going on and maybe get you back on track.

I will need to know your componants exactly and what kind of remote they gave you.

Talk to you soon,

yellowblanket · 04-28-2008, 04:35 PM

this might help

CptGreedle · 04-28-2008, 04:41 PM

Disconnect EVERYTHING. Put it together from scratch by yourself.
That is my solution. Cox has screwed installations up before for me. In fact, I had to show the guy what he was SUPPOSE to be doing, and they STILL screwed it up and had to send someone else out to do it again.
Firedog sounds even worse. Avoid these installation gimmicks. They say they will install your system but half the guys sent to do this have no CLUE what they are doing. Plus it is MUCHO overpriced! They charged me $80 for a guy to connect 1 HDMI cable from my COX cable box, to my HDTV, and refused to touch any other device unless I paid $200 more! Yeah right.
Just do it yourself.

The center of the entire system is the RECEIVER, which you connect the cable/sat box, the blu/dvd/ps3 player(s), and all other "source" devices. HDMI is best, component is next. S-Video if you have to, Composite if you have no other choice. Then send out 1 HDMI cable to your HDTV.
By the time you finish arguing with these other people (Firedog/COX/whatever) on how to set it up and having them come out and fix things and paying them, you could instead learn everything yourself, hook it up, and start enjoying the best in HDTV.

Good luck whatever you decide though. And after all is said and done, you should at least have a guy come out and calibrate your TV. Might cost more, but it is fare better than anything you can do yourself.

04-28-2008, 01:50 PM	#1
crossing23 New Member Member since:Apr 2008	Not Happy! We purchased a HT system in January, and didn't cut any corners price wise. We have a 58" Panasonic TV..Bose V20 surround sound and a Sony Blu-Ray DVD player. We have Cox Cable with DVR system. We love everything that we purchased, what we are not happy with is the way "Firedog" has it setup! When we go to change a channel, it takes exactly 12 minutes to change. Then when we get to another channel, we need to use the aspect button to get full size picture, (this is everytime). When I watch a taped program, and go to fast forward, the screen turns completly black, so you have no idea when to stop to watch the program. I have had the firedog company come to my home 3 times, and all 3 times someone screws up something else. One guy said that they have the sound coming thru the Bose System, when it should be coming thru the TV. I have had my cable co come down so many times, that they now want to charge me, as they said it is the way the system got hooked up! PLEASE can someone give us some correct info on this. What was supposed to be a great joy, has turned into a nightmare. Marilyn

04-28-2008, 02:03 PM	#2
MPDIEHL Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Sarasota, FL USA	mmmmm... Im going to be careful with this answer because I work for someone other than Circuit City and our store has had lots of call to come out and redo Firedog installs. (we even show our customers pictures of sloppy Firedog installs) There is not just 1 correct way to wire up a system like this. We try and set it up so its the easiest for a customer to use.. you seem to be having multiple problems and with out knowing exactly how it is wired up now any info I could give would be guessing.. However.. the delay in chanel changing and aspect problems could be coming from a handshake issue with HDMI (if you are using it between the cable box and TV) we have found some boxes that have HDMI as an option just do not work well with it.. Keep on the reseller... keep calling and request that they keep coming back until this is fixed.. don't give up unitl is working properly for you.

04-28-2008, 03:29 PM	#11
bhampton Blu-ray Count Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:981 Blu-ray collection:2537 DVD collection:67 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:18	Never heard of firedog... I'll go google it. Ok,.. interesting looking service. Anyway,... I suggest you post your location. Maybe someone nearby can come help. I think the aspect ratio thing should be easily fix-able. And the sound should be routed to the Bose system (that's what it's there for right.) If your DVR is caching TV so you can rewind and fast forward that may be the reason it takes long to channel surf. Maybe you should look at the model # of that DVR and try to find information about it. Or just read the manual if you have one. EDIT- By the way,.. I see nothing about Blu Ray mentioned in this system. What made you think this was the place to solve this problem? -Brian Last edited by bhampton; 04-28-2008 at 03:36 PM.

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04-28-2008, 02:04 PM	#3
obiwopkenobi62 Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Deatsville, Al Home Theater Gallery:531 Blu-ray collection:1143 DVD collection:62 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:6	I'm sorry to hear about your problems with Firedog. My dads friend basically got the same thing. As far as home theater setup I would never pay Best Buy, Circuit City etc to set stuff up. I set up my own stuff. Your best bet is to get a friend who is Home theater savvy and hook your stuff up. I do think if you're having them come over that many times and not getting anywhere, I would demand a refund on the cost of setting your stuff up.

04-28-2008, 02:04 PM	#4
King03 Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Colorado	I'm not sure about the "12-minutes to change channel" thing, but I can comment on the other things. If you are connected with an HDMI cable to a receiver that always puts out a 1080i/p widescreen picture, you may always need to use your aspect button. However, your TV should have a setting called "4:3 default", so when it senses you are on a 4:3 channel it will set to either "Full" (stretched out), "Wide Zoom" (moderately stretched out), or "Standard/Original" (black bars on the left and right side). I have also had the same problem with VHS tapes and fast-forwarding. I'm guessing that on fast-forward a VCR does not send enough image to an HD-TV to be displayed. I have not found a way around this problem, and I'm not sure your firedog people can help with this one. It's just a limitation of VCRs and VHS tapes. I can't think of very many situations where you would want the sound to come through the TV, so be wary of that. Hopefully this helps and is not too technical, I'm sure you'll get lots of replies for help. Welcome to the board.

04-28-2008, 02:27 PM	#7
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	Also, with the decline in people shelling out a lot of money for home-improvements right now, Home-Theater installers have felt the pinch as well, and a good deal can be had still..... although I'm assuming this time of year is their busy season (not sure where you are, in my area we have something called "winter" )

04-28-2008, 03:42 PM	#13
MPDIEHL Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Sarasota, FL USA	Firedog is to Circuit City as Geek Squad is to Best Buy these are simply the names of their install divisions from my personal experience they BOTH need to heed the words of Clint Eastwwod in Dirty Harry "A mans got to know his limitations"

04-28-2008, 04:30 PM	#17
Stripey25 New Member Member since:Apr 2008	I'm sorry to hear about your trouble with Firedog. I actually work with Circuit City and I recommend emailing them at consumer_affairs@ciruitcity.com. They are really responsive and interested in helping their customers. Good luck and enjoy your new home theater!

04-28-2008, 04:35 PM	#18
Lucy Diamond Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Apr 2008 Location:The Tomb of Annihilation 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:3	PM me. I'm at work now, but I will get back to you and we will go through your system piece by piece. If you are not tech savvy AT ALL, I can't guarantee your results, but I can help you understand what is going on and maybe get you back on track. I will need to know your componants exactly and what kind of remote they gave you. Talk to you soon,

04-28-2008, 04:35 PM	#19
yellowblanket Senior Member Member since:Oct 2007 Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:1 Trading Score:1	this might help

04-28-2008, 04:41 PM	#20
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	Disconnect EVERYTHING. Put it together from scratch by yourself. That is my solution. Cox has screwed installations up before for me. In fact, I had to show the guy what he was SUPPOSE to be doing, and they STILL screwed it up and had to send someone else out to do it again. Firedog sounds even worse. Avoid these installation gimmicks. They say they will install your system but half the guys sent to do this have no CLUE what they are doing. Plus it is MUCHO overpriced! They charged me $80 for a guy to connect 1 HDMI cable from my COX cable box, to my HDTV, and refused to touch any other device unless I paid $200 more! Yeah right. Just do it yourself. The center of the entire system is the RECEIVER, which you connect the cable/sat box, the blu/dvd/ps3 player(s), and all other "source" devices. HDMI is best, component is next. S-Video if you have to, Composite if you have no other choice. Then send out 1 HDMI cable to your HDTV. By the time you finish arguing with these other people (Firedog/COX/whatever) on how to set it up and having them come out and fix things and paying them, you could instead learn everything yourself, hook it up, and start enjoying the best in HDTV. Good luck whatever you decide though. And after all is said and done, you should at least have a guy come out and calibrate your TV. Might cost more, but it is fare better than anything you can do yourself.

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